Brasserie Montmartre

Venue: Brasserie Montmartre
Location: 626 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR 97205
Website: http://www.brasserieportland.com/
Visit? A quaint place to raise a glass & a fork - bon appétit.

           I wasn't brave enough to try the escargot or frog legs walking into a new place, though the idea seemed quite promising for future visits. It had seemed as though as I had found myself a smaller, more calm, escape from the rest of Portland's weird downtown heart.  

Upon entering, you pass the front corner where on occasion, live stringed musicians ease visitors into their meals, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city. Quaint candlelit booths with plush pillows line the sides of the restaurant, luring you deeper in with lamp posts resembling an outdoor village cafe. I half expected to see cobblestones beneath my feet. As it was , it was still an indoor establishment and there were no cobblestones, just plaid tiles, and so I continued my treak deeper into the restaurant. Further in the back the restaurant ends with a stairway leading down to a private cavern room reserved for parties. There are also a few community stooled tables across from a bar with mirror paneled menus hanging above.

 Though quite the list for wine, spirits, and beer, their cocktails also delight the tastebuds, including their Poire Pressée (infused pear vodka w/gingerale, Yellow Chartreuse & mint) which is refreshing for nice evening out, not too sweet nor tart. The food menu has a little bit of everything for all the members at your table. Burgers cooked to your liking and classic french onion soup for the reliable constants, salad and cheese plates for the snacking, seafood and other critters for the connoisseurs. I love it when places take a classic simple dish and expand outside the box with paired preparations not normally offered at similar establishments. 

  

 Here is where I present you the reason for my pick, my favorite, though least expected side dish offered: frites. It may be strange that I would focus on such a generically expected dish, however, these skinny strips of potatoes are crispy just right on the outside, softly warm on the inside. They complete their main course counterparts with light flair, and as such deserve their own mention. Aside from being served with creamy light aoli sauces, the frites here come with their own slot in the menu offering preparations of quite the unexpected: Duck fat or pork belly frites (will be tasting the difference between the two and updating at a later date), truffle frites (your classic lightly tossed and not overly salted), and most interesting and tasting personally, is the Foie Gras/Szchechuan Pepper frites. Not at all salty or gamey, the truffled foie gras is instead accented by the pepper, leaving the eater to reach for the next one before completing a swallow and/or during their sleep later that night.

North 45 Pub

Venue: North 45 Pub
Location visited: 517 NW 21st Avenue (at Glisan ), Portland, OR 97209
Website: http://www.north45pub.com
To Visit? Beer & Mussel grubbers

             Mussel lovers rejoice! Tucked away among the bars and cafes along the quaint streets of Portland's Alphabet District, lies a pub named after its position on the 45th parallel. North 45 Pub offers some typical bar dishes such as sliders, and calamari, and some not so typical ninja wings ( jumbo sized wings w/ ginger soy dip). Their full bar is impressive ranging from beer to wine from across the world. However, your taste buds will be missing out if left deprived of the mussel dishes that this pub specializes in. The Roasted Garlic and Saffron is the most basic as it gets, cooked in ingredients such as white wine, butter, and of course garlic (the Crispy Pancetta and Roasted Shallots are another good choice).  Each dish is paired with its own seasoned frites and a suggested beer.

        The portions are well sized and packed with flavor. Condiments are available, but they are absolutely unneeded. They also have an enclosed outdoor patio, strung with little lights, making for a relaxed environment for enjoyment with friends, food, and drinks.  The rotating Belgian Beers are highly recommended, and  my personal favorite refreshing drink there is the Sake Pear, which  has actual fresh pear within the drink that is not overwhelmed by the sake taste or smell...could be dangerous :) (It is such a popular alternative drink that on one occasion, the staff told me there was a slight delay as they had run out of pears, and were buying more at that moment!). The sport friendly pub dons jerseys along its walls, and content consumers around their tables. Weekend nights are more packed, but if you're not big with crowds, definitely come during the week for a more quiet get together.