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The new restaurant quest continues. I visited 52 more new restaurants and bars since July. Most of them are Portland establishments, with a little help from Oregon wine country and Seattle. So without further ado, here are my likes and dislikes (with a few “meh” thrown in).
- Viking Soul Food – tasty handmade lefse awaits at this Norwegian food cart. (they’re over at the Green Castle Food Court pod now on NE 19th/NE Everett)
- Green Beans Coffee
- The Burrito Bar
- Pok Pok Noi – does a new Pok Pok location count? Yes. The grilled corn is one of my favorite things.
- Extracto Coffeehouse
- Fonda Rosa – I’ve walked past this place so many times. It exceeded my expectations.
- Kesone Thai Lao Bistro
- Little Bird Bistro – Le Pigeon’s little sister. It was tasty. They give you a mini-macaron with your bill.
- Guadalajara Taco Shop – Seaside, Oregon This place was horrible. Anytime I drive through Seaside, I try to stop at The Stand (amazing!). Alas, The Stand was closed, so we decided to chance it on the Mexican place next door. Bad decision Sunday.
- Dig a Pony – love it.
- Kitchen Dances – best vegan food cart in Portland? Yes.
- Tapalaya – great happy hour
- Utopia Cafe
- Navarre – Next time, I will order just the cheese board, bread, Spanish tortilla, and wine. Nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
- Someday Lounge
- Aybla Mediterranean Cart at Good Food Here pod – yum
- D’s bar – diiiiiiiiive
- Spunky Monkey House of Coffee – great breakfast sandwiches
- PBJs – got the Spicy Thai to go to take to Sauvi Island. Reminded me of the PBJ fries at Potato Champion. Good sandwich.
- Rip City Grill – I got the Portabella mushroom ‘Bacon & blue’ burger. Way exceeded my expectations.
- Sonny Bowl – DC Vegetarian is my go-to at the SW 3rd & Washington carts, but I finally tried Sonny Bowl — a good bowl option.
- Hotel Oregon Rooftop Bar, McMinnville, Oregon – cajun tots! (& excellent views)
- Crescent Cafe, McMinnville, Oregon – I think this might be the best breakfast place in McMinnville. Food and service was spectacular. Perfect for fueling up for biking wine country.
- Bergstrom Wines
- Brick House – such a cool winery
- Penner-Ash – awesome view & picnic space
- Nick’s Italian Cafe – Hostess:”Welcome, we’re all full, let me see if we can find a spot” *We look around, notice only three tables are filled. She returns* “It looks like some tables might be clearing up, let me put you on the [non-existent] wait list.” Seriously? I understand the whole wine country reputation, but as long as I can still see, don’t pretend there are invisible people dining. le sigh.
- Community Plate – good light breakfast option, but appears to be yet another McMinnville restaurant with a service problem.
- Anne Amie Vineyards – *Oprah voice* “Look under your seeeeat! Haaaaaaaamocks!”
- Solena Grand Cru Estates – a quiet option
- Sokol Blosser – lovely vineyard
- Voicebox Karaoke – sake!
- Arleta Library Cafe – this one has been on my breakfast to-do list for quite some time. Underwhelming.
- Hopworks Bike Bar (N Williams) – finally checked out the new Hopworks on N Williams. Love the outdoor seating option in the front.
- Let’s Eat Thai food cart
- Happy Grillmore food cart – the Shooter McGavin was tasty (another great SW 3rd & Washington veg option)
- Dixon’s Rib Pit – (part of Dishcrawl PDX) I can’t vouch for the ribs
- Yogio – the bibimbap was good
- Cafe Hibiscus – Swiss dressing was great!
- Cruzroom – I was so full from Dishcrawl that I only had one taco at Cruzroom.
- South Waterfront Farm Stand – It’s not a restaurant, but there’s a farm stand in the park now, and if you eat a carton of raspberries while there I think it should count as a new place.
- Enso Winery – a Portland winery (part of PDX Urban Wineries). Very cool space
- Cactus, Seattle, Washington – what appears to be a Seattle chain restaurant. Good margaritas.
- French Bakery, Seattle, Washington
- Serious Pie, Seattle, Washington – margherita pizza was fantastic
- Katy’s Corner Cafe, Seattle, Washington – good smoothies and quiche
- Noodle Nation, Seattle, Washington
- Hi Spot Cafe, Seattle, Washington – typical weekend brunch wait, but worth it.
- La Isla, Seattle, Washington – I don’t think I can claim to have had Puerto Rican food before. Reminded me a bit of Pambiche (Cuban) in Portland. Really good dinner.
- Branx
- The Big Egg – the Arbor Lodge was excellent, and the perfect option for weekends that you don’t want to wait in line for breakfast.
- Dogfeather’s Coffee – juice!
How it all started: I had a goal to visit one new restaurant a week.
1-52: Go To 52 New Restaurants – 30 Before 30 List
53-103: 52 [More] New Restaurants
104-156: 156 New Portland Restaurants, Bars, Coffee Shops in 299 Days
157-208: 208 New Places in One Year
209-260: 52 More New Restaurants: Portland, San Juans & Vancouver, BC
