I have confirmed that Troy MacLarty is leaving Lovely Hula Hands Portland
No reason has been given for his departure.
![](https://portlandfoodanddrink.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/troy-maclarty-005.jpg)
Troy MacLarty worked at Alice Water’s famed Chez Panisse in Berkeley, before being lured to Portland by the much-maligned Michael Hebberoy. As things began to melt down in the Hebberoy empire, he left, reappearing later at Simpatica, and finally at Lovely Hula Hands which had just moved into a much larger space. Under his capable hands, LHH rose to the point where it was my Restaurant of the Year for 2007. In my last review I wrote, “Salads are inspired and perfectly executed; in my opinion, some of the best in the city. On my second visit, I had the radicchio with pear butter vinaigrette, brie, and glistening candied pecans. It was like a brie butter fog had settled over the leaves. I wanted to lie down in it. This was an exceptional effort that shows just how much you can do with a salad.” To this day, I think it’s the best salad I’ve ever had.
At this point, I have not confirmed his new plans, but it sounds like he is staying in Portland.
LizCrain says
This oupled with Marco Shaw leaving town makes me very sad. I really hope that MacLarty sticks around.
p-rob says
My money is on Maclarty joining forces with Simpatica’s Benjamin Dyer in Dyer’s soon-to-be-announced Eastside butcher shop / restaurant. Dyer is a big Maclarty fan and I believe the two are friends as well. As a casual observer of the PDX food scene, it seems to be a logical fit. I guess we will know soon.
CO says
this has been confirmed I believe. WW or Merc. cant remember which.
nancy says
Salad…
Eli says
That’s too bad – the kitchen at Lovely Hula Hands is among the best in town. It more than made up for a surly-to-the-point-of-rude FOH. Now I’m struggling to think of a reason to go back.