21 . 2003
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UITR CRFE
Using local & organic ingredients
by
All organic produce
Mostly vegetarian/vegan menu
Local organic beer, wine,
& fresh juices
or those with tastes that exceed their pock-
ethooks, Portland restaurants can he torture.
There are so many fantastic places to have
first dates or to nurture a broken heart— if only
you didn’t work for that nonprofit or just get
laid off.
But we queers are resourceful and I’m here
to tell you, you can have your cake and eat it
for less money. This (all new!) column will
explore moderately priced eateries where you
can indulge expensive tastes without breaking
the hank. This issue: great bars. Every issue: a
light meal and drinks for $20 or less.
Spacious booths for groups
and always quick service
Aalto Lounge • 3356 S.E. Belmont S t
Serving fresh panini sandwiches
V
Delicious homemade soups
& bold salads
+ Local hormone-free beef burgers
G R E A T
S T E A K
P R IC E D
Y O U
S O
D O N ’T
Specialty and breakfast items too!
D IN N E R S
T H A T
H A V E
4
T O
EAT A L O N E
We're not a national chain o f expensive steak houses. We're a Portland, Oregon favorite.
A n d /o r over 55 years, w e’ve been bringing families together with great meals at prices so
reasonable you’ll never eat alone. Unless, o f course, you want some peace and quiet.
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old codntht kitchen
105th Sc S .E . S ta rk 503-252-4171 Sc B e a v e rto n H illsd ale H w y a t G riffith D r 503-644-1492
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3024 NE Alberta + 503-335-8233
Breakfast: Sat & Sun 8-5
Lunch: M-F 10-5
Supper: Sun-Wed 5-10
Thu-Sat 5-11
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Pizza, Salad, Sandwiches,
and Oregon Microbrews
sold here
F
et in the heart of hipsterville, the Aalto is
a retro lounge serving all-around comfort
with a few rough edges. Grilled paninis are
the specialty, complemented by cheese and
antipasto plates, salads and a full bar. The
A alto mixes up specialty cocktails, although
they aren’t freshly squeezed. Recently the spe
cial was the Soviet, a delightfully light drink
with vodka, vermouth, Cointreau and a
maraschino cherry. It was served in a torpedo-
style glass, fitting perfectly with the French
lounge music by Serge Gainsbourg playing in
the background. I washed down my melted
Brie and spinach panini with a good glass of
champagne and sat hack to enjoy the local art
on the walls, including beautiful paintings of
gender-benders.
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+ Yummy kids menu!
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C atherine S ameh
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Fre« Delivery (60tlrRivcr, Gliun-Woodstock)
Blue Hour • 250 N.W. 13th Ave.
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2716 N E M LK
7am-2pm Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm Sat-Sun
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* months for $ 1 4 9 .00
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Lucy’s Table • 706 N.Mf. 21st Ave.
Carrfs, delis, diners, cafes
and coffee shops.
emember when Lucy’s Table opened?
Remember when you read the incredible
reviews and dreamed of going there? Well
now you can, because every Monday through
Friday Lucy’s offers a cheap bar menu from 5 to
6:30 p.m. And I mean cheap. Every plate is $3,
as is every well drink and glass of wine. For $ 17
each, including tip, my friends and I enjoyed a
mouth-watering ravioli with goat cheese, brown
butter sauce and pancetta; steamed mussels with
champagne, shallots and cream; baby back ribs
glazed with pomegranate; sauteed green beans
with truffle oil and pine nuts; roasted beet salad;
and two glasses of wine each. J H
R
Try an advertisement in our Lite Bites section!
Call Erin, Markie or Larry at 503.236.I2S3.
Affordable advertising for the small-business owner.
See Lite Bites on page 45!
f you thought Blue Hour, set in the trendy
Pearl District, was forever out of your price
range, think again. This swanky restaurant
features an equally swanky bar that offers amaz
ing food at reasonable prices. The hamburger,
for instance, is served with gorgonzola (are the
French to thank for this trend?), arugula and
pancetta on a freshly baked bun. Served with
homemade, slightly spicy fries, it’s a superb
meal for $9. T he Caesar salad is another
favorite on the bar menu, as is the fondue. Try
a Northwest wine, a French beer or a fresh-
squeezed cocktail to complement your meal.
Even those with modest budgets can enjoy this
ultra-urban paradise’s outstanding food. Just
stay in the bar.
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