Complete with a clock counting down the days, hours and minutes until their Restaurant of the Year will be revealed, The Oregonian has been dribbling a weak flow from their Diner 2012. Their final pick was Little Bird. I gave them three tries and never went back, but that was in their first quarter of business. It sounds like they have gotten better.
The choices are being released by neighborhood and category. Here is a look at some of them:
Downtown/Westside
- Ringside
- Mingo
- Kenny & Zukes
- Wildwood
- Southpark
- Ringside Fish House
- Ping
- Park Kitchen
- Paley’s Place
- Olympic Provisions
- Noisette
- Little Bird
- Gruner
- The Heathman
- Andina
- Kin
- Irving Street Kitchen
- Higgins
- Bluehour
- Coppia
North, Northeast
- Yakuza
- Toro Bravo
- Tasty n Sons
- Tabla
- Por Que No
- Pho Oregon
- Ned Ludd
- Navarre
- Natural Selection
- Mextiza
- Lincoln
- Beast
- Podnah’s Pit
- Laurelhurst Market
- Aviary
- Cocotte
- DOC
Southeast
- Biwa
- Woodsman Tavern
- Wafu
- Sunshine Tavern
- St. Jack
- Portobello
- Nostrana
- Luce
- Le Pigeon
- Castagna
- Country Cat
- Genoa
- Por Que No
- Olympic Provisions
- Bunk Sandwiches
The list is notable for some of the inclusions as well as their exclusions. The pick for “Rising Star 2012” is The Woodsman Tavern, a restaurant where I had a memorable experience because of its mediocrity, though admittedly, it was only weeks after their opening. I don’t get Navarre. While Eat is an ok restaurant, I don’t understand how they consider it one of the best in Portland. My last few meals at Clyde Common have sucked. Southpark?!
Breakfast choices are a sad little list:
- Bijou Cafe
- Cafe du Berry
- Besaw’s
- Juniors Cafe
- Tin Shed
So is the Beer and More
- Hop & Vine
- Burnside Brewing
- Sasquatch Brewing
- Hopworks
- Concordia Ale House
- Breakside Brewing
- Saravesa
- McMenamins Edgefield
What about our reader’s choice of Apex, Horse Brass Pub or Prost? Frankly, I prefer the McMenamins in the old funeral home over McMenamin’s Edgefield. Eat many of their disgusting greasy fries and they can just drop you down the coal chute.
I miss the days when newsprint was cheap, the writing was done by people who knew food, and I’d pour over the Diner guide, keeping it in the back of the car for reference. Those years are long gone. The reviews are short and to the point – about 180 words or less, which is the general direction of the industry. None of them have anything negative to say, but that is also the trend. Some of the reviewers have a lot more experience than others; a few lines made me laugh. I will leave you with this quote from the description under Andina –
A generous duck portion is succulent and tender, without that greasy duck feel.
I’ll be up all night hitting refresh in hopes that they reveal their ROY early.
Food Dude says
Maybe their ROY is the Screen Door
Randy says
“Dribbling a weak stream”. Love the play on words. Their hasn’t been a good critic in pdx since Brooks left the boragonian – and everyone in town knew who she was but at least she knew food. Aren’t any anonymous critics in pdx – I don’t care what people say, huge difference in the experience – ask Ruth Reichel – she did a review undercover and as herself – 2 entirely different experiences. In our restaurant we know all the critics. Everyone recognizes Brooks, Sarasohn, Porter. The new mercury reviewer is great writer but doesnt know food and introduced himself to our chef. You don’t do reviews anymore. This town sucks for honesty
JandJ says
If Brooks is your definition of a “good critic” then we’re even in worse shape than I thought. Don’t think so.
pdxyogi says
“Eat many of their disgusting greasy fries and they can just drop you down the coal chute.” Love it!
What’s wrong with SaraVesa?
Copia says
agree. completely. don’t even read the diner anymore… it doesn’t seem worth the time. forgive me- but the same goes for FoodDay. I used to LOVE tuesdays simply because there would be fun ideas…. no longer…
Randy says
you wouldn’t know much about the food from reading the review
Jill-O says
I like Proust just fine, but I’d rather drink at Prost. ;o)
Not to take awawy from the Little Bird folks (congrats to them) but it’s a place I like, not love. If I want that kind of food, I would rather go to St. Jack.
The breakfast list is a joke. Beer is hit and miss.
Seriously, this is embarrassing for our paper of record, such as it is.
Food Dude says
There’s always one smart ass ;)
I got away without ever reading any Proust, even in college.
Live To Eat says
Been to Besaw’s 3 times in the last month. I hadn’t been in years, and outside of the wait, I thought it was good. Tin Shed got 3 stikes a long time ago. Helsers just got 3 strikes. Even my beloved Zell’s hasn’t been doing it for me lately. I went to Otto after the rave that one foodie gave it – the fritatta was burnt on the bottom. Simpatica is great – but only open on weekends. Tasty N Son’s is my main ‘go to’. Help me out. Where do you find good breakfast m-f during rockstar hours 11am -1pm???
Jill-O says
I’ve been disappointed a lot lately by mediocre breakfasts in town. I’ve started going to some really good nearby carts to fill the void. I love the Egg Carton in the SE Foster pod – really good food prepared well by folks who care.
I also like Yolk (on SE Woodstock in The Joinery lot). Great breakfast sandwiches (mostly) from the folks who own Toast.
On the weekends, I like Sunshine Tavern, but they are not open for breakfast during the week.
Oh, another I just thought of is Meat Cheese Bread – their breakfasty choices are pretty tasty. Also had a decent breakfast at J&M a while back.
Food Dude says
I’ve always liked the breakfast sandwiches at Meat Bread Cheese!
Jennifer says
LiveToEat – Country Cat is open 10am – 2pm M-F.
Live To Eat says
That’s become the new favorite of my son. I think I would go there more often if it was a little closer in. That Toasted Pecan- Bacon Spoonbread is fabulous! I really want to make it over there in the evening for that amazing looking pudding trio :)