JULY
eatingout
eatingout
eatingout
eatingout
eatingout
eatingout
6 2007
WJ lUSt OUt 31
eatingout
Epiqueerean
BY JENNY NGUYEN
ABHIRUCH1
Eat, Sleep
and Be Merry
ABHlRliCHI IL
Authentic South &
JJ
Authentic South b North Indian Cuisine
____ www abhiruchirestaurant.com
25 ITEM LUNCH BUFFET
50% OFF DINNER SPECIAL
All you can eat! (includes soft drinks)
North Indian Cuisine
503-671-0432
Buy noe Oinnw Entre« at i »guiar price, get 2nd
MENU CHANGES DAILY
Dinner Entree of equal or les»« value tor 1/2 price
Valid 5ym-*30pm Sanday-Tharaday
Lunch Buffet 11:30am-2:30pm
Dinner 5:00pm-9:30pm
With Coupon • Exp. 8/31/07
s Portland becomes more of a destination
for affluent tourists and upscale business
travelers, the market for fine overnight
boutiques has grown. Inside you’ll find
not only some of the city’s finest ameni
ties and services but also fine restaurants. Thank
goodness these eateries aren’t just for guests.
The Driftwood Room •
729 S.W. 15th Ave.
Hotel DeLuxe, recently remodeled as an ultra
modern Hollywood throwback joint, has held onto
its dimly lit bar, the Driftwood, since the 1950s.
The small, intimate setting is a perfect alibi for
movie stars ducking out of the limelight. Sneak on
in for any number of tasty alcoholic concoctions,
each with its own Hollywood namesake. Film
references continue to the menu as well; appetizers
are “Short Films,” while entrees are dubbed
“Feature Length.” The food is spectacular—from
perfect lobster com dogs served with a shot of lager
to the most divinely delicate fried taleggio cheese
puffs with powdered sugar and strawberry conserve.
The showstoppers are the sliders (mini-burgers),
served in a paper bag with crisp, shoestring pota
toes. Though pricey, you’ll feel like yer starring in
the bar scene, and for all that it’s worth every cent.
FREE WI-FI
BIPARTISAN GfiPB
NEW HOURS!
X
WE RE OPEN TIL 9
pm
• 7901 SE STARK STREET •
503 253 1051
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WHAT TO DO
in northwest Portland, we don't do reservations
be a kitchen voyeur
eat at the original
503 226 4646
J enny N guyen is a freelance food writer and eating
enthusiast. She’d love to hear about your eating; let
her in by writing to epujueerean@comcast.net.
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serving dinner nightly @ 5pm
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For daily event specials visit BlogOUT
at www.justout.com
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• vegetarian &
vegan haven
• breakfast, lunch &
dinner everyday
• cocktails
• outdoor patio
• bocce ball
• free wi-fi
www vita-cafe.com
503.535.8255
5024 NE Alberta
Aquariva • 470 S.W. Hamilton Court
An infamous locale for restaurants of years past,
Aquariva is filling the void left most recently by
Rivers. Adjacent to the Avalon Hotel and Spa,
Aquanva offers diners the Italian version of tapas, the
small plate. The atmosphere is glamorously chic and
formal, with flat-panel televisions as art, a 180-degree
view of the Willamette and a somewhat annoying
enthusiasm for scented candles. The menu is clever
ly designed with whites and reds by the glass and
small plates to match. The seared sea scallops, braised
beef short ribs, sweet pea ravioli and fennel-crusted
pork tenderloin were all stellar. The food, though
1 was doubtful, was exceptional. Again, I broke the
bank, but the million-dollar atmosphere and incred
ible service were more than worth it. ©
Si.rddy
WONDERING
Clyde Commons • 1022 S.W. Stark St
What used to house C.C. Slaughters is now
another place to get yer meat on. Clyde Commons,
the restaurant inside the nationally acclaimed Ace
Hotel, is unique, daunting and delicious all at once.
Located smack in the middle of Vaseline Alley, this
voluminous space does low-key bling the way only
Portlanders know how. The menu is printed daily on
an old-school Bill of Fare featuring rarities like net
tles and squid ink and perfectly executed standbys
like barbecue pork short ribs and carrot gnudi. Go
ahead and feast your eyes on the shirt-and-tie chefs
in the open kitchen and stare at the diners, too.
Nestling up with a hot stranger is made easier with
gigantic communal tables set for 20. Not for the
timid, Clyde s atmosphere is loud, the flavors forward
and the drinks mighty. This is a terrific spot for both
the socially outgoing and the culinarily adventurous.
• S A X I) W I ( H I >
SOI P • IfO.Ml MA DF PI F • F RF |
simple Italian cooking
simple Italian food
MiNGO
serving lunch mon-fri. dinner 7 nights
happy hour in betwqen
in Beaverton, we do reservations
full bar. big bottles of wine
great..... if you can find it
503 646 6464
(directions at mingowest.com)