DECEMBER 1, 2Q< re
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lUStOUt 37
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TAVERN + BISTRO
Epiqueerean
BY JENNY NGUYEN
All in the Numbers
irst it was surnames (Fife, Higgins), then fic
tional one-word tags (Bluehour, clarklewis),
■ now the newest in restaurant headings is in
the numbers. It’s about time restaurateurs
recognized the centuries-old importance of
the integer. Although there is no mathematical
equation for deliciousness, here are some numeric
figures that’ll have you calculatin’ otherwise.
ar now open around the corner!
NOW OPEN MONDAYS
C omfort food + C lassic C ocktails
2500 SE C linton
503-808.9990
23Hoyt • 529 N.W. 23rd Ave.
If you’ve blinked at all in the past couple of
months, you might have missed the drastic change
of scenery at the comer of 23rd and Hoyt. Gay
owner Bruce Carey shut down the faltering Balvo
and quickly paired up with old-time buddy
Christopher Israel. The switcheroony is night and
day. The once cavemously cold space is now filled
with much-needed earth tones and the simpleton
Italian menu replaced with a wonderfully diverse list
of local produce built to highlight the Northwest’s
offerings. Israel’s specialty is the ravioli “gnudi,”
spinach and ricotta dumplings that are ridiculously
moist and flavorful. The risotto croquettes are so-so,
and the spaetzle with braised rabbit narrowly misses
perfection when topped with dill. Service is impec
cable and the atmosphere lively, warm and, most of
all, comfortable. If you must eat dinner on 23rd, this
is hands-down the best choice.
^one
fe »
celebrating
w *
and serving the community
with PRIDE for 7 years!
7631 NE Glisan * 503-262-7613
www.touchstonecoffeehouse.com
Come out and Enjoy our garden!
Open Everyday! Free Wi-Fi!
CARDS & GIFTS, COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
ORGANIC COFFEE
3 Doors Down • 1429 S.E. 37th Ave.
It’s no wonder folks have been lining up at this
modest Italian spot for more than a decade. The
atmosphere is so welcoming and the food so
consistently delicious, it’s hard to imagine any self
professed foodie hasn't been here. Upon prompt
seating, we were welcomed with a huge chunk of
bread served with a warm white bean puree, which
is one step above every other bread ’n’ butter
basket in town. The mussels with northern white
beans are exquisite—a perfect balance of thick,
tender mussel, sweet basil and spicy santaka. The
pasta dishes range from rock shrimp risotto to
butternut squash orcchiette, and all are to die tor.
With numerous so-called Italian restaurants in
town, 3DD is a definite winner and won’t have you
breakin’ your precious lil* piggy bank, either.
CAFFE
MINGO
serving dinner nightly (« 5pm
in northuest Pori land, wc don't do reservations
Ten-01 • 1001 N.W. Couch St.
simple Italian cooking
simple Italian food
Fresher than a slap on the ass, the latest Pearl
eatery is making waves. Whether it’s the 4,800-
square-foot dining area or the form-over-function
design, one thing’s fer damn sure: The food is
awesome. That is, if you can afford to pay their rent.
Salads range from $8 to a whopping 25 buckaroos for
a foie gras feast. The oven-baked mussels and chori
zo are delicious with fennel pollen, while the chick
en with porcini risotto is spot-on. You might just
walk in Iwkin’ as sharp as a pressed tee, but walk out
two limbs short of a full body. If you prefer to keep
that bulge in yer pants (from your wallet, of course),
head to 1001 during happy hour, when 10 bucks'll
have you noshing highbrow style. ©
JENNY N guyen would love to hear what your perfect
dinner date would be. Share the goods with her by
anting to epiqueerean@comcast.net Happy holidays!
M iNGO
serving lunch mon-fri. dinner 7 nights
happy hour in between
l(<
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lull b.n fur K,ni,-. of Ain
l’re;"
Scratch Cooking
with All-Natural Meats
OPEN 1 32S NE Russell Street (at MLK Jr Blvd)
avswvcxv J
russellstreetbbq.com • 503.528 8224
division
8am - 3 pm daily
503 445 9777
11
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