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 … [Read more...] about James Beard Semifinalists 2013 Announced
Paley's Place Restaurant
Reader Survey 2012: Best Restaurant in Portland #1-11
1. Toro Bravo - Everyday Spanish food is about quality and fresh ingredients, simply prepared. This is rustic food, meant for downing as tapas and accompaniments to glasses of Spanish Rosado or pitchers of Sangria. This is food to relax over, to nibble at, and to share with friends. The Toro Bravo menu starts with … [Read more...] about Reader Survey 2012: Best Restaurant in Portland #1-11
Reader Survey 2012: Where to Eat on a First Date
For me, first dates are a tricky thing. I don't want to go overboard and spend a bunch of money unless I'm pretty sure we are going to hit it off. I don't want somewhere that is so loud and distracting that we can't get to know each other. Then there's the food. A sense of adventure, especially in all things food, is … [Read more...] about Reader Survey 2012: Where to Eat on a First Date
Reader Survey 2012: The Most Romantic Restaurant In Portland
Ah romance. Candlelight, quiet conversation, flirting. That is my definition, but, judging from the list, many people have other criteria. I looked all the way back to our list from 2006, which was Alba Osteria, Alberta Oyster, Andina, Fenouil, Carlyle, Paley's, Giorgio's, Beast, Aquariva and Metrovino. Interesting … [Read more...] about Reader Survey 2012: The Most Romantic Restaurant In Portland
Reader Survey 2012: Best Restaurant for a Steak
Not many surprises in the Best Steak group this year. The percentage points by which the top two won are double the 2011 score. Even El Gaucho which is quite expensive is up by 4%. OX, the new restaurant on NE MLK has taken a huge share for only being in business a few months. Sometimes that can happen because a place … [Read more...] about Reader Survey 2012: Best Restaurant for a Steak
Reader Survey 2012: Best Wine List
Portland restaurant patrons don't seem to pay a lot of attention to who has the best wine list. This category always gets a low number of votes - 372 this year, and will probably be dropped for 2013. One thing has changed since our 2011 roundup: Nostrana is nowhere to be found. Instead, Kir Wine Bar takes its place, … [Read more...] about Reader Survey 2012: Best Wine List
Reader Survey 2012: Best Places in Portland to Get Dessert
In 2011, I broke this category into two - restaurants and dessert focused businesses. This year I combined them. However, it is still easy to compare. Pix and Papa Haydn have the same ranking; big surprise there. Salt & Straw is completely new on the list, pushing The Sugar Cube down. As far as restaurants, Paley's … [Read more...] about Reader Survey 2012: Best Places in Portland to Get Dessert
Reader Survey 2012: The Best Restaurant for a Quiet Conversation
I'm not sure why this survey question didn't get more responses. Perhaps only 284 of you like a quiet dinner. I know restaurant psychologists say that a noisy restaurant not only makes people feel like they are part of something, but also tends to make diners eat faster, which helps turn table. Anyway, here are the … [Read more...] about Reader Survey 2012: The Best Restaurant for a Quiet Conversation