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    Best in Portland 2006 Readers Poll

    By PDX Food Dude Last Update May 11, 2017 17 Comments

    Our 2006 Portland restaurant poll results are in!

    Best Restaurant For Those On a Budget:
    1. Pok Pok
    2. Nicholas
    3. Tabla
    Food Dude’s Vote: Pok Pok or Aladdin

    If I Won the Lottery, I’d Eat Here
    1. Paley’s Place (landslide)
    2. Carlyle
    3. Genoa
    Food Dude’s Vote: Paley’s Place

    Food Trend in Desperate Need of Retirement
    1. Small Plates / Tapas
    2. Foams
    3. Charging for Bread

    Thought I’d Like this Place, But I Didn’t
    1. Nostrana (landslide)
    2. Tie between clarklewis and Ten 01
    3. Tie between Alberta Street Oyster Bar and Grill, and Fenouil
    Food Dude’s Vote: Carlyle

    Most Likely to Close in 2007
    1. clarklewis (huge landslide – over 50% of the vote)
    2. 23 Hoyt. Hmm
    3. Olea

    I Could Eat Here at Least Twice a Week
    1. Pok Pok/Whiskey Soda Lounge
    2. Park Kitchen
    Nothing else close enough to be statistically significant.
    Food Dude’s vote: Another tough one. It would be a 3 way tie between WSL, Park Kitchen, and Podnah’s

    My Best Meal in 2006 was at
    1. Carlyle
    2. Paley’s Place
    3. Le Pigeon

    The voting spread in the top 4 were pretty darn close. Interestingly enough, Park Kitchen and Alberta Oyster Bar and Grill tied for 4th place. I mention this because AOBG also was high in the disappointment category. Shows how tastes can diverge.
    Food Dude’s vote: This is a tough one, but I have to go with Le Pigeon

    Best Wine List:

    1. Carafe
    2. Noble Rot
    3. Higgins
    Food Dude’s Vote: Higgins

    Best Service:

    1. Paley’s (by a landslide)
    2. Carlyle
    3. Park Kitchen
    Food Dude’s Vote: Park Kitchen

    Worst Service: (you knew this would be next)

    1. Nostrana (by a landslide)
    2. clarklewis
    3. Fenouil
    Food Dude’s Vote: Nostrana

    I Don’t Know How This Place Stays in Business!

    1. Hurleys
    2. Nostrana
    3. Fenouil
    Food Dude’s Vote: Fenouil

    Restaurant Closing in 2006 that I miss the Most:

    1. Gotham (another landslide)
    2. Ripe
    3. Basilico
    Food Dude’s Vote: Gotham

    I’m Embarrassed to Admit I Eat Here!

    1. Burgerville (personally, I wouldn’t find this all that embarrassing)
    2. Taco Bell
    3. Red Robin
    Food Dude’s Vote: Taco Bell. After drinks. Walking of course. Late at night. Everything else is closed.

    Best Place for Indulgence:

    1. Pix
    No one else statistically close

    This Restaurant is Coasting on Its Reputation:

    1. A tie for first place: Higgins and Wildwood.
    2. Genoa
    3. Jakes

    Food Dude’s Vote: Wildwood.
    This Restaurant Has the Most Unfulfilled Potential:
    1. Nostrana
    2. Meriwhethers
    3. Tie between Ten 01 and Fenouil

    Food Dude’s Vote: Nostrana. One should note that Merwhether’s just got a new chef, Tommy Habetz, and that Ten 01 has only been open a few months.
    Best Bar/Tavern in Portland:
    1. Horse Brass Pub – landslide. I’ve never been there!
    2. Higgins
    3. New Old Lompoc

    Food Dude doesn’t spend enough time in bars to really have a vote here (seems to get into too many barfights ;)
    Best Breakfast for Whatever Reason (could be service, comfort level, food, whatever)
    1. Simpatica – by a landslide
    2. Roux
    3. Tie between Helsers and J&M.

    Food Dude’s vote: Zell’s.
    Best Date Place:
    1. Carlyle
    2. Paley’s (only 2 votes behind Carlyle)
    3. Fratelli

    Food Dude’s Vote: Date?

    OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS ALWAYS WANT TO GO HERE:

    1. Jakes – a landslide vote. Shows you what a good advertising campaign in national magazines can do: 57%.
    2. Wildwood – 14%
    3. Higgins – 13%

    Wildwood and Higgins are in a virtual tie with each other, but no where close to Jakes.
    Food Dude’s Vote: None of my visitors would be dumb enough to think they control where we’ll eat ;)
    BEST BURGER IN PORTLAND:

    1. An absolute landslide for Cafe Castagna – 34% of the vote. No one else even came close.
    2. Slow Bar. Got a fair amount of votes – 11%.
    3. Higgins 7%.

    No one else got more than five votes.
    Food Dude’s Vote: Cafe Castagna.
    BEST BARTENDER IN PORTLAND:

    Since someone asked about this yesterday, I’ll post this today. The answer really suprised me, because I didn’t think very many people appreciated him.

    1. Kevin Ludwig at Park Kitchen. He won with a 26% of the overall vote.
    2. The bartenders at Carlyle. Some people specified names, some didn’t, so I had to lump them together. 6% overall.
    3. No clear winner. Votes were all over the place, with no single person getting more than 4 votes.
    Food Dudes Vote: Kevin Ludwig.
    BEST PIZZA IN PORTLAND:

    This was closer than I expected.
    1. Apizza Scholls with 41% of the vote.
    2. Ken’s Artisan with 35% of the vote. Surprising considering he hasn’t been open too long.
    3. Pizzicato 6%.

    The others were all over the map.
    Food Dude’s vote: Not enough experience to have a valid opinion.
    BEST CHEESE SHOP:

    This vote was closer.
    1. Pasta Works/City Market – 27% of the vote
    2. Steve’s Cheese – 26% of the vote
    3. New Seasons – 14% of the vote

    Note: On first go, I forgot Pasta Works and City Market were technically the same company. Recalculating, that puts them… at 27%, barely nudging out Steve’s. I’ve changed the results. Sorry Steve!

    Other favorites include Curds & Whey, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s (In order of popularity)
    Food Dude’s vote: Curds & Whey
    BEST WINE SHOP:

    1. Liner & Elsen 21% of the vote.
    2. Cork 12% of the vote
    3. Tie between E&R and Great Wine Buys @ 10.5%. Square Deal was 1% point behind.

    Food Dude’s vote: I like the people at every one of these places, so can only vote based on whether they carry a good percentage of the type of wine I like. My vote goes to Cork.

    Related

    Category: Portland Food and Restaurant News and Discussion.

    Previous Post: « Portland in the Sunset Magazine, Vegans Upset Over Ad Placement
    Next Post: Restaurant Manners During the Holidays »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Food Dude says

      January 24, 2007 at 6:23 pm

      I’m writing the 23 Hoyt review right now.

      Reply
    2. sidemeat says

      January 24, 2007 at 5:34 pm

      “Hmm”?

      Reply
    3. Hunter says

      January 25, 2007 at 6:32 am

      Few categories without your vote FD.

      Reply
    4. winendine says

      January 25, 2007 at 9:44 am

      I’ve had two incredible experiences at 23Hoyt…the food, wine and service were all great on both occasions. The menu had changed from the first time I ate there and the last time, which was about two weeks ago…seems to be a seasonal change. The spaetzle with rabbit and chantrelles was fantastic, and I had to keep myself from ordering it the second time I went in…I had the short ribs the second time and they were amazing. Both of the servers who waited on us were knowledgeable and professional and there when I needed them, but not aggressive, pushy or snobby. Very refreshing for Portland. The sommelier helped us with our wine the second visit…the wine list changed a lot between our two visits and is full of affordable and interesting wines that aren’t on every restaurant wine list, at least as far as I can tell. She, too, was very professional and knowledgeable, and friendly. And to top it all off, the space is warm and welcoming. It’s a big, big improvement from the last interior. I don’t know…when I add all of these things up, it’s a great dining experience. I can’t see how this would be a contender for “most likely to close in ’07”.

      Reply
    5. PestoGal says

      January 25, 2007 at 10:28 am

      Anybody ever tried dinner at the Daily Cafe? I’ve done brunch and lunch there, and really enjoyed it. Anyone have any thoughts/comments about their dinner? What are the prices like?

      Reply
    6. Food Dude says

      January 25, 2007 at 12:39 pm

      Hunter: If I didn’t have a strong or valid opinion, I didn’t vote.

      Reply
    7. Mobie says

      January 25, 2007 at 2:14 pm

      I could easily eat at Taqueria Nueve two times per week. We go weekly. Great margaritas and tacos. Very fresh ingredients and great staff!

      Reply
    8. Jeff says

      January 25, 2007 at 2:16 pm

      So anything on beer here? Likesay best beer list, best brewpub, something? Or even best beer?

      Reply
    9. Suds Sister says

      January 25, 2007 at 3:16 pm

      Jeff: Here’s my two cents on beer in this city:

      Best Beer List: Higgins
      Best Brewpub: Rogue
      Best Pub: Tie between Concordia and Horse Brass
      Best Beer: My favorite beer on any given day is Fred

      Anyone want to add their opinions?

      Reply
    10. Amoureuse says

      January 25, 2007 at 4:13 pm

      Higgins has by far the most superior beer list in town. The beer list is treated like most treat a wine list. Also ( Higgins has and serves all appropriate beers in the correct glass ) Andy Zalman is the wine geek, cork dork at Higgins, but the “Brewvalier” ( I know, no such word ) is a great guy named Warren Steenson……why do you think the bar area rocks at Higgins? Decent food, good beer & great wine….but then what do I know? Fancy beer for me is Amstel Lite…..now bubbles and Pinot, thats a different conversation…….Also Higgins went to a smoke free bar in late 1995 or 1996? I cant remember…..Always ahead of the curve that Gregg Higgins ( Cant believe he is a Buffalo Bills fan – Yeah I know he’s from upstate New York, but still ) ………..

      Reply
    11. LadyConcierge says

      January 25, 2007 at 9:44 pm

      Most Likely to Close in 2007:

      I voted for graze.

      I win!

      Reply
    12. Suds Sister says

      January 26, 2007 at 9:11 am

      Amoureuse: I do love the bar at Higgins and you’ll find me there very often. But I can’t get no respect from Warren Steenson.

      I am not the type of person that cozies up to chefs or owners or bartenders, I quite prefer to remain anonymous. But Warren Steenson is someone who I would like to talk to. There are some really adventurous choices on the list at Higgins. I would like to talk to him about what sells, why he chose certain beers, what options are available to him, and the kind of pairings that he suggests to diners. But he does not deign to say more than two words to me.

      To tell the truth it kind of annoys me. I have lived in the town for over a decade and have been going to Higgins since I first moved here. I order very good (and expensive) beer, and a lot of it. Moroever, I am there often.

      I guess I don’t look like your average beer geek, maybe that’s it. Anyway, Warren, if you are reading this, it’s okay to talk to girls!

      Reply
    13. Amoureuse says

      January 26, 2007 at 10:08 am

      Suds Sister,

      Warren is a really nice guy, who loves to share his knowledge and wit. He is believe it or not really shy. My suggestion is go up and start a conversation with him. He really is a kick in the pants. Once he realizes you too are a beer lover, you will never get him to shut up. But he really is a sweet guy. FYI just done try to bend his ear during really crazy service hours I I am sure you know that, but just in case.

      Reply
    14. bigmamma says

      January 26, 2007 at 10:16 am

      Lady Concierge, are you saying that graze has closed?

      Reply
    15. LadyConcierge says

      January 26, 2007 at 7:37 pm

      bigmamma:

      I read that it will close soon if it’s not already over at PortlandFood.org:

      Reply
    16. Food Dude says

      January 26, 2007 at 9:23 pm

      I’m not sure if graze has closed yet, but we reported that it was going to about a month ago.

      Reply
    17. sidemeat says

      January 29, 2007 at 6:05 pm

      Graze was dark at 10:30 last Saturday night. Wasn’t last night the first dinner for the rogue chefs? Any reports?

      Reply

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