Steve C.'s Profile
Date
817 SE 34th Ave
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 894-8980
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 894-8980
Fizz
Category:
Candy Stores
Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland, Belmont, Sunnyside
900 SW Morrison St
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 227-5253
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 227-5253
Kalé
Categories:
Japanese,
Vegetarian
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
I ate here on opening day. They truly do offer the comfort food they promise--warm and hearty on a cold autumn day. The price is quite reasonable ($6.95 for a large plate of rice, sauce, and a few tender beef chunks). My only complaint is that the temperature inside the restaurant is too low--warm and hearty comfort food really needs a warm and hearty atmosphere.
Someone from New Jersey would not call what Westside Pizza serves as "pizza". It's more like cheese bread. But it's very, very good cheese bread, and a great meal after hiking in the Chelan area.
I needed a comfortable place to sit, a place to charge my cell phone, a clean bathroom, and a cup of good tea. Starbucks went four-for-four. Plus, they played Lambert, Hendricks & Ross!
5035 NE Sandy Blvd
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 288-5503
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 288-5503
Gustav's Bier Stube
Categories:
Pubs,
German
Neighborhoods: Northeast Portland, Rose City Park
I have always loved Gustav's--the pleasant service, the selection of German beers, the roomy booths, the televisions that let you watch sports without being overwhelmed by sports, and, above all...the fondue.
But they really went above and beyond last night. A family I know was visiting town, and wanted to go to a family-friendly pub with their two young children. I recommended Gustav's because it is part of Rheinlander, which I consider the best family restaurant in Portland (plus, Gustav's has those roomy booths).
The booths were perfect, and, all through the evening, our waitress was wonderful with both of the children. As we were getting ready to leave after an enjoyable evening, the younger child got very, very sick. Our waitress was not only helpful and understanding, but she also played with the older child for several minutes so that the parents could focus on taking care of the younger child and cleaning up.
I am so grateful for that waitress (whose name I regret not getting). And Gustav's will always come highly recommended by me.
But they really went above and beyond last night. A family I know was visiting town, and wanted to go to a family-friendly pub with their two young children. I recommended Gustav's because it is part of Rheinlander, which I consider the best family restaurant in Portland (plus, Gustav's has those roomy booths).
The booths were perfect, and, all through the evening, our waitress was wonderful with both of the children. As we were getting ready to leave after an enjoyable evening, the younger child got very, very sick. Our waitress was not only helpful and understanding, but she also played with the older child for several minutes so that the parents could focus on taking care of the younger child and cleaning up.
I am so grateful for that waitress (whose name I regret not getting). And Gustav's will always come highly recommended by me.
2039 NE Lloyd Center
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 288-6010
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 288-6010
Billy Heartbeats
Categories:
American (Traditional),
Burgers,
Cafes
Neighborhoods: Northeast Portland, Broadway District, Lloyd District
Billy Heartbeats is a less-expensive Johnny Rockets. It's got the traditional diner food, the oldies jukebox music, the handmade milkshakes; that whole attempt at a '50s ambience.
Once you get past the irony of seeing "Heartbeats" in the name of a diner where reading the menu will clog your arteries, you'll find that the food here is nothing special by restaurant standards, but a strong cut above anything else you can get in the Lloyd Center food court. The service is usually friendly and quick. The dining area is clean and relatively quiet and comfortable.
I would not advise going out of your way to eat here, but when I'm hungry and I'm in the Lloyd Center Mall, this is where I go.
Once you get past the irony of seeing "Heartbeats" in the name of a diner where reading the menu will clog your arteries, you'll find that the food here is nothing special by restaurant standards, but a strong cut above anything else you can get in the Lloyd Center food court. The service is usually friendly and quick. The dining area is clean and relatively quiet and comfortable.
I would not advise going out of your way to eat here, but when I'm hungry and I'm in the Lloyd Center Mall, this is where I go.
525 SW Morrison St
Portland, OR 97255
(503) 222-4900
Portland, OR 97255
(503) 222-4900
Urban Farmer Restaurant
Category:
Steakhouses
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
I am not nearly drunk enough to be able to effectively refute the argument against Urban Farmer made by my esteemed colleague Brandon B., but I will say that I enjoyed my visit there.
I have been to Urban Farmer for a weeknight happy hour, but not yet for dinner. The group I was with all agreed that the drinks were well made, the cheese selection (we got the $25 assortment) was fun to try out and talk about, and the desserts were delicious. I would not, however, recommend the oysters.
The decor is a pleasant fusion of '50s style and '00s possibilities -- an assortment of glassed-in squares and stacked horizontals. The plates and silverware were well-designed and well-matched (Urban Farmer is full of little visual grace notes). The view from the windows facing Morrison Street is a small thrill: Pioneer Courthouse Square is worth seeing from above.
Like Chad R., I don't think I'd want to be at Urban Farmer on a weekend, but I will certainly be back on a weeknight, and it goes on my list of "places to take visiting parents".
I have been to Urban Farmer for a weeknight happy hour, but not yet for dinner. The group I was with all agreed that the drinks were well made, the cheese selection (we got the $25 assortment) was fun to try out and talk about, and the desserts were delicious. I would not, however, recommend the oysters.
The decor is a pleasant fusion of '50s style and '00s possibilities -- an assortment of glassed-in squares and stacked horizontals. The plates and silverware were well-designed and well-matched (Urban Farmer is full of little visual grace notes). The view from the windows facing Morrison Street is a small thrill: Pioneer Courthouse Square is worth seeing from above.
Like Chad R., I don't think I'd want to be at Urban Farmer on a weekend, but I will certainly be back on a weeknight, and it goes on my list of "places to take visiting parents".
509 SW Taylor St
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 222-5554
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 222-5554
Glowing Greens
Category:
Mini Golf
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
Goofy, goofy fun.
$9 for 18 holes of miniature golf in a skyscraper basement downtown. If you're an adult and going here, I recommend a certain level of pre-existing inebriation (but not so much that they won't let you in). The piratical decor is a trip, and the 3D glasses are worth the dollar.
My main complaint about Glowing Greens is that their hole layouts are so cheesy. Every hole is a minimal variation on an uninteresting theme. By the time you get to the 18th hole, the humor of the decor will have worn off, your buzz will have worn off, and you will be bored with the golf. This is not necessarily a place you'll want to visit a second time.
So maybe go nine holes once, just for the experience. Oh, and hope you don't wind up behind a group of 15 high schoolers.
$9 for 18 holes of miniature golf in a skyscraper basement downtown. If you're an adult and going here, I recommend a certain level of pre-existing inebriation (but not so much that they won't let you in). The piratical decor is a trip, and the 3D glasses are worth the dollar.
My main complaint about Glowing Greens is that their hole layouts are so cheesy. Every hole is a minimal variation on an uninteresting theme. By the time you get to the 18th hole, the humor of the decor will have worn off, your buzz will have worn off, and you will be bored with the golf. This is not necessarily a place you'll want to visit a second time.
So maybe go nine holes once, just for the experience. Oh, and hope you don't wind up behind a group of 15 high schoolers.
4138 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 288-3644
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 288-3644
Bluefin Sushi Bar
Category:
Sushi Bars
Neighborhoods: Northeast Portland, Hollywood
Nigiri heaven.
Every slab of raw fish we tried was outstanding, especially the albacore (which I don't usually like). The rolls were original and magnificent. I barely touched my soy sauce -- nothing needed it.
I can't speak to the quality of anything else on the menu, but if you like sushi, you have got to come here and try the nigiri and the rolls.
Every slab of raw fish we tried was outstanding, especially the albacore (which I don't usually like). The rolls were original and magnificent. I barely touched my soy sauce -- nothing needed it.
I can't speak to the quality of anything else on the menu, but if you like sushi, you have got to come here and try the nigiri and the rolls.
928 SE 9th Ave
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 517-0660
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 517-0660
Green Dragon Bistro and Brewpub
Category:
Pubs
Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland, Central Eastside, Buckman
Great beer selection, great bar food, knowledgeable and helpful staff, relaxed atmosphere, well-ventilated, not unreasonable prices...what's not to like here? It's the kind of place that makes living in Portland all that it is cracked up to be.
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Review votes:
126 Useful, 113 Funny, and 107 Cool
Compliments
You're Funny
11
You're Cool
12
Location
Portland, OR
Yelping SinceFebruary 2008
Find Me InBelmont
My HometownBenicia, CA
My Blog Or Website My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I Read"The Culture Code" by Clotaire Rapaille
My First ConcertThompson Twins at the Concord Pavilion
My Last Meal On EarthSpaghetti
Current CrushArwa Damon
They sell Bottle Caps. That was my favorite candy when I was a kid. I haven't seen them in a supermarket in 20 years. They don't make them any more, do they? It must have been a dream.
And the milkshake I remember buying...it might have been the thickest yet smoothest milkshake I ever had. My parents have told me that milkshakes were like that when they were kids, but that was 50 years ago. It had to have been a dream.
And the place itself was so warm and bright and clean and inviting...OMG...what if it's not a dream? What if I'm...dead? Is Fizz what Heaven is like? I...I think it is. And I am stepping towards the light as fast as I can.