David Z.'s Profile

Just a quick update to say that, while the name has changed everything else remains as delicious as before. Maybe even better. I haven't tried every restaurant in Idaho, but I'm not sure I need to in order to state that the Cornerstone Bistro is quite literally the best restaurant in the state!

Go. You won't be disappointed!

I'm calling it right now: Mi Mero Mole is the best Mexican food I've had in Portland.

Everything tasted fresh and was delicious! And with a menu that rotates regularly, each visit will bring a new set of flavors to combine and enjoy. I really can't wait to go back. Honestly, I'm still thinking about those tacos I had...

You can't go wrong with Mi Mero Mole. It's simple, yet delicious. The people are friendly and helpful. Service was fast (though admittedly I ate after the main dinner rush). And the food was priced very reasonably. $11 gets you a plate with two "guisados", rice & beans, 4 tortillas, and a handful of chips. A great deal, if you ask me. I will definitely be coming back for many more meals!

If you've ready my previous reviews, you'll know I'm a fan of Gandhi's - a little Indian place not far from New Taste of India. In fact, Gandhi's is closer to where I work, and generally my go-to place for an Indian lunch. That said, I heard about New Taste's lunch special and, more importantly, their naan. Gandhi's lacks 1 thing, and that's naan. So I grabbed $6 and headed over to New Taste.

The lunch special is quite popular here. As such, they have the various pieces of the special ready to go. This means you get your food in about a minute, maybe less. For the $6 meat lunch special, you get 2 meats, 1 veggie side, rice, and a huge piece of naan bread.

And it's good food. I can't say that I like it better than Gandhi's, but that doesn't mean it's bad either. I'd definitely go again for the lunch special. Also, did I mention the naan?

Working downtown, I generally try to avoid chain establishments for lunch. After all, there's so many great carts to choose from! But I'm a sucker for sandwiches, and of the chain sandwich shops, Jimmy John's reigns supreme in my book.

The sandwiches are tasty, hearty, and often are ready before you've finished paying! Price-wise, they're in line with the rest of them, but something about the Jimmy John's flavor has me walking right past Subway and Big Town Hero to come back for more.

Good. Cheap. Mexican food.

And it's right here in my neighborhood. Surrounded by coffee shops, antique malls, and Asian restaurants, this understated gem can be easy to miss.

But with a delicious array of meals for about $6 or less, it's well worth discovering. I've been a few times and have especially enjoyed the burritos. I usually get it to go, as I live nearby. Service is fast and friendly - I never wait more than a few minutes. The burritos are packed with delicious meat, rice, & beans - I'm never hungry afterwards.

Having a Mexican restaurant so close by is great. Having one that is so delicious and affordable is awesome! Next time you're in Sellwood, venture over to 17th and check this place out!

I don't always drink beer. But when I do, it's not Dos Equis. It's the delicious sour beers from Cascade Brewing Barrel House.

For me to say I like this beer is kind-of a big deal. Because I don't like beer. But I do, apparently, like sour beer. And Cascade Brewing Barrel House is a great place to drink it. The atmosphere is open, yet hip and somehow cozy. It's a great place to grab a drink after work with some friends.

I can't comment on the food or "regular" beer, as I have yet to try either. That said, I will definitely be back for some sour beer!

Abby's Table has done something few other restaurants have - it elevates dinner into much more than a mere meal. It's an experience. An evening of delicious food and great companions.

When you go to dinner at Abby's Table, you don't get a menu with a list of what you can order. You get a menu with a list of what's for dinner. No deciding, just enjoying.

Each week is a different theme. From Northern France to the Northwest Coast, Abby dishes out classic flavors with a unique twist - everything is soy, gluten, and dairy free. Dairy free doesn't mean you won't have a delicious clam chowder. Gluten free doesn't mean that tart for desert lacks an amazing crust.

Now, there's a few things to know so you'll get the most out of your amazing dinner at Abby's Table:

- Bring your own wine. Abby provides wine glasses and water, but does not (currently) serve any other beverages. You're encouraged to bring a bottle or two yourself. Don't worry, there's no corkage fee here.

- Bring your friends. While it's great for just two people, it's even better with a big group to share the experience with!

- Expect to eat family style. This means that stranger next to you will be sharing the platters of amazing food with you. Take the opportunity to converse with your new dining companions and make dinner a social experience. Given how much I love Abby's Table, odds are I'll be one of them!

- Be aware that dinner at Abby's goes for $24/person. It's definitely not the cheapest dinner in town, but when you consider that you're getting a 4-course meal with fresh, local ingredients (sometimes harvested that same day!), you really can't beat the price!

Head over to http://www.abbys-table... to check out what theme is coming up next. Then make your dinner reservations - you won't regret it!

Just when I thought Sellwood couldn't get any better, Tea Chai Te came along. Now, I've decided I'm moving. My new home is a cozy, red caboose in the heart of the neighborhood, and it's stocked full of tea.

There are over 100 different kinds of tea to enjoy in this quaint little caboose. With plenty of seating (including two little platforms up high in the caboose!), it's the perfect spot to relax with a good book and a cup (or two... or three...) of tea for at least an hour or two.

Now, it'd be one thing if it was just a fun little tea shop with a great atmosphere. But it's that and more. The tea is delicious, and it's worth going for that alone. I've already tried 2 varieties. I figure given a few months, I'll have tried them all!

Winter is coming. Luckily, so is that piping hot mug of tea I just ordered.

Is it the best Indian food I've ever had? I can't say that it is. Is it pretty tasty Indian food I can get in generous portions for a great price less than two minutes from my place of work? Well, my bank statement will attest to that. Pretty sure I end up here a few times a month.

When in need of a quick, tasty, and affordable lunch, you can't go wrong with Ghandi's. I only wish they had *real* naan, and not pitas from Costco...

This quaint little house-like restaurant is a not-so-hidden Olympia gem. You need to go in expecting to wait, but often times the wait is brief and it's always worth it.

The menu is short and simple, but that doesn't mean you'll have an easy time deciding what to get. Everything sounds amazing, and everything that I've had thus far is just that. Sure, you'll pay a bit more at Sage's than you would at an average breakfast diner (maybe $10-$12 per person), but the quality of the food validates the price.

If I had to play favorites, I'd say the best thing on the menu is the Beneficial Benedict. But I'll let you decide for yourself. Because you're going there soon - something you'll decide shortly after looking at the photos of the food on Yelp.