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Reader Survey 2012: Where to Eat on a First Date

July 10, 2012 by PDX Food Dude 8 Comments

Toro Bravo Portland
Toro BravoRadicchio salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette

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 important to me, but I don’t want to scare my date away. Offal is probably not the best choice. Hmm… something approachable yet interesting. Clearly everyone has their own ideas here, as no single restaurant had a huge majority. However, I think it is a pretty good list to start with.

Out of 532 votes:

1. Toro Bravo – 8% of the vote 120 Northeast Russell Street  Portland, OR 97212  Map  (503) 281-4464  My review

2. Andina – 5% 1314 Northwest Glisan Street  Portland, OR 97209  Map  (503) 228-9535  My review

3. Biwa – 4% 215 Southeast 9th Avenue  Portland, OR 97214  Map  (503) 239-8830  Lizzy’s review

4. Le Pigeon  – 3.8% 738 East Burnside Street  Portland, OR 97214  Map  (503) 546-8796  My review

5. Paley’s Place – 3.3% 1204 Northwest 21st Avenue  Portland, OR 97209  Map  (503) 243-2403  My review

6. Ned Ludd – 3925 Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97212  Map  (503) 288-6900

7. Grüner –  527 Southwest 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205  Map  (503) 241-7163  My review

8. Aviary – 1733 Northeast Alberta Street  Portland, OR 97211  Map  (503) 287-2400  My review

9. Departure – 525 Southwest Morrison Street  Portland, OR 97204  Map  (503) 802-5370

10. Little Bird Bistro –  219 Southwest 6th Avenue  Portland, OR 97204  Map  (503) 688-5952

Andina? Paley’s Place? Some of you are willing to throw caution to the wind and spend some money! I’m available, I’m available! Just sayin’

Of this list, Toro Bravo, Biwa, Andina, Ned Ludd – all are places that I would strongly consider. You might also want to read “The Best Restaurant for a Quiet Conversation“.

You can see the rest of the 2012 Reader Survey results here. 


View Reader Survey 2012: Where to Eat on the First Date? in a larger map

Related

Filed Under: Best of Portland 2012!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Darla says

    July 10, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    I adore Toro Bravo, but my feeling its that it’s WAY too loud for a “getting to know you” dinner.

    Reply
    • JandJ says

      July 12, 2012 at 7:59 am

      +1 on the “WAY too loud” comment for TB. Terrible choice for a first date if you plan to have any sort of a conversation. Food is awesome, but conversation? Not so much.

      Reply
  2. twitter_BurgerDogBoy says

    July 10, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    I’ve always looked for “interactive” experiences on first date occasions. That way you (each) have something to do if things go horribly wrong. Therefore, I would have said fondue, or hot pot, or along those lines.

    Reply

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