To many, El Gaucho epitomizes what a steakhouse should be. It feels sophisticated. The atmosphere is formal, the lighting dim and romantic, and lots of dark wood provides a backdrop to tinkling stemware and white linens. Live jazz wafts from the background as tuxedo-clad waiters scurry by with carts for tableside Caesar salads, the darkness punctuated by an occasional burst of … [Read more...] about Review: El Gaucho Steakhouse
Happy Hour
Review: Noble Rot 2.0
Noble Rot has a somewhat confusing pedigree. As I understand, it was originally started by chef Leather Storrs, and received positive reviews, including from me. I liked the warm, comforting atmosphere and the limited but mostly well-executed menu. In 2007, Leather left and opened another restaurant on East Burnside called Rocket. This new restaurant was known for its … [Read more...] about Review: Noble Rot 2.0
Review: East India Company
Review of East India Co. in Portland Oregon [updated 9.17. notes/hours]Downtown Portland is dotted with Indian restaurants and food carts. It has gotten to the point where, when making plans with friends, you have to make sure you all are talking about the same restaurant; otherwise, some of your party will invariably end up at the wrong place. That is what happened … [Read more...] about Review: East India Company
Review: Miss Delta and the Boiled Chicken Death March
A review of Miss Delta in Portland If you'd like to skip past memories of my childhood, just scroll down - the review is clearly marked.I've written before about the time I spent growing up in Maypearl Texas, but I never mentioned the boiled chicken death march, and my plot to get even.In the '50s, dinner in the south was a family, sit-down supper. Grace was said, … [Read more...] about Review: Miss Delta and the Boiled Chicken Death March
Review: Teardrop Cocktail Lounge
July 2007. The mixed drink scene has changed quite a bit since this was written, but my overall feel about Teardrop Cocktail Lounge is unchanged.As I was doing research for this review in my father's old bar notebook, I came across a list of ingredients labeled "always have on hand". What especially interested me were incidentals like falernum, cassis, five types of … [Read more...] about Review: Teardrop Cocktail Lounge