Completely updated/rewritten 11/2012 Welcome to cold season in Portland. Hot Pot City is a constant for many of us, especially in the chilly, gray winter months in Portland. It's warm, it's soothing, it's steamy – perfect medicine for the colds and stuffed sinuses that our climate seems to … [Read more...] about Review: Hot Pot City
Comfort-Food
Review: Ringside Fish House
In 2011, the Ringside Fish House opened downtown, on the second floor of the Fox Tower. The space had previously housed Ringside Steakhouse during their extensive remodel. It overlooks Director’s Park, and in the evening when the shades go up, it’s fun to watch the lights dance through the glass canopy, occasionally … [Read more...] about Review: Ringside Fish House
Review: Biwa
Reader Survey Best Restaurants in Portland 2012 #16. New review 10/15/12 A lot has changed about Portland since my review of Biwa in 2008. Sure, Portland still isn't much of a sushi town as compared to Seattle, Vancouver BC, or San Francisco. Yet good ramen and izakaya style dining were still a rarity in Portland in … [Read more...] about Review: Biwa
Review: Ox Restaurant
OX restaurant is a temple to “the wood-fired grilling tradition of Argentina, and with it, the culinary heritage of Spain, France, and Italy”. Opened in early 2012 by Quiñónez and Greg Denton, Ox has shot to the top of Portland's “must visit” restaurants, and placed number one on my 2012 Best New Restaurant … [Read more...] about Review: Ox Restaurant
Review: Podnah’s Pit Barbecue
Updated 7/17 I'm indulging myself in the beginning of this review by taking a walk down memory lane. Click here if you'd like to jump to review section. When I was growing up, I spent many summers on a big cattle ranch just down the road from the booming metropolis of Maypearl Texas, population less than 300. We had … [Read more...] about Review: Podnah’s Pit Barbecue
Review: Bunk Sandwiches
<Completely updated 11/17 - hours, photos, notes, locations, etc.> What I like most about Bunk is, though it has only been open for a short time, it’s already a dive - in a good way. Sit in the back next to the stacks of bread, and you’ll know what I mean. It’s like being transported to the East Coast, where … [Read more...] about Review: Bunk Sandwiches
Review: Salt & Straw
updated 6.17 When I was growing up, on hot summer days dad used to get everyone into the car and head out to Lancaster California to pick fat juicy cherries and sweet peaches from the old orchards. We'd make a day of it, hiking in "The Devil's Punchbowl", stopping for a burger at A&W Rootbeer, and driving home … [Read more...] about Review: Salt & Straw
Review: Ringside Steakhouse Portland
[updated 2017] Ringside Steakhouse was been closed, extensively remodeled and has reopened. I thought it was time to go back and take another look. In the early 90's, I had my first dinner at Ringside, yet I remember the night like it was yesterday. It was a cool, crisp winter evening. I wanted to impress a date, … [Read more...] about Review: Ringside Steakhouse Portland