The Luddites were 19th-century English textile artisans, who violently protested against the machinery introduced during the Industrial Revolution. Chef Jason French pays homage to their mascot, Ned Ludd, for whom the movement was named, and cooks everything from a wood-fired oven. No other source of heat is used; it's all very Portland.The kitchen is tightly focused on a … [Read more...] about Review: Ned Ludd
$ Moderate
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 List.On a recent warm summer evening, I ordered two … [Read more...] about Review: Ox Restaurant
Review: Nuestra Cocina
[This review is originally from 2006, but many parts have been rewritten for 2019, including some new dishes, great photos, updated prices, etc. Nuestra Cocina is our Reader's Choice for Best Mexican Restaurant 2012, 2013, 2015 & 2017.]There are few places in Portland that call to me. I can only take so many steaks, so much saucy French food, so much lamb's tongue. … [Read more...] about Review: Nuestra Cocina
Review: Olympia Provisions – Westside
A review of Olympia Provisions, By Roger Porter Like impatient readers who sneak a look at the last page of a novel, I have a tendency to scan the dessert selections on a menu before checking out anything else. It’s probably because I want to gage my appetitive capacity to decide if I’ll save room for a sweet, or simply wish to plan my dinner with the tastes lined up in a … [Read more...] about Review: Olympia Provisions – Westside
Review: St. Jack
A Review of St. Jack Restaurant by Roger Porter Liberté, Egalité, Gastromie! The French Revolution has come to town, and the only guillotine in sight is a chef’s cleaver hacking at a pig. Within a month of each other two French bistros have opened in Portland—Little Bird downtown and St. Jack, in the Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood, across the street from Vindaloo. Gabe … [Read more...] about Review: St. Jack