First Look at Ración

Ración has been doing a series of press/test dinners, and we were happy to get an invite.The space is sexy, but not pretentious, anchored with a show kitchen surrounded by an 18-seat L-shaped chef's counter wrapped around the kitchen stage - at once both theatrical and intimate. It is fun sitting and watching the open kitchen. There is a lounge area in the back which is … [Read more...] about First Look at Ración

I've had that damn flu that's been going around, but I'm coming back to life. It's time to catch up on all the things I missed!A few weeks ago I wrote that Maker's Mark had decided to reduce the alcohol content in it's whiskey. After public outcry, the company has reversed that decision, and the formula will remain unchanged.  Personally, I'm gonna stick to Four Roses, … [Read more...] about News Roundup for 2.28

I'm feeling human again, so it's back to the news! The first thing that caught my eye is the opening of Levant, a restaurant that sounds really interesting. Here is the press release: A new addition to the Rose City’s burgeoning restaurant scene is Levant, a French-Arabesque restaurant serving representations of Middle Eastern Dishes in the heart of Portland, … [Read more...] about French-Arabesque Levant Opens

As every year about this time, the James Beard Foundation announced its huge list of semifinalists for the 2013 Restaurant and Chef awards. While the list includes plenty of local chefs and restaurants, no Portland restaurants are nominated in the "Best Restaurant" section. Note that Portland also did not get any nominations for "Best Service" (gasp).For maximum press … [Read more...] about James Beard Semifinalists 2013 Announced