Does anyone else find the food in Portland pretty mediocre? (metro area, area)

[take57]

Originally Posted by almostjay

I thought this article from the WW "40 Years in 40 Days" series was interesting and it reminded me of some discussion we've had in this thread:

Dec. 13, 2008: The fanciest restaurant in Portland?s history crashes in only seven months?

When I first ran across that article I was sure it was going to be about Ten 01, the place in the Pearl that cost a zillion to open and lasted all of six weeks and one devastating Karen Brooks review. The record shows she called it "the Ishtar of local restaurants".
BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE.

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by almostjay

I don't know if it's intelligence or just lack of resources, but the fact that this market seems smart enough to realize that "opulence" and "elegance" are not required to create a delicious, satisfying restaurant is yet another reason why I love this city so much.

I totally agree, I would rather get an amazing meal that didn't cost much than I would pay a fortune for a meal I might not like.

[PDXNative2Houston]

Food in PDX is *awesome* for a city it's size. Don't compare it to NY, Houston, LA or San Fran because that's just not a fair comparison.

What's nice about PDX food is that there are a lot of unique, kind of quirky eateries from the doughnut shops, to ice cream, to hybrid Mexican restaurants, to Pizza.

[Winnyard Bletch]

Portland's food scene is for people who prefer exclusivity to quality, and "quirkiness" to value and good service.

[NWGirl74]

Originally Posted by rzzzz

Maybe I just don't have a refined palate.

Same here. That and it's definitely subjective. I think the food here is fine. I was glad when we moved back from Phoenix because the food there was so bland; my late husband thought so too. I have a friend from Minnesota, however, who hates the food in Portland.

Originally Posted by almostjay

Then there's the food that every bar/brewery serves that consistently makes my wife and I exclaim "how is this so good?". The farro burger at Ecliptic, the happy hour steak skewers at Breakside, the brisket plate at Hair of the Dog.

I love the nachos at Breakside.

Originally Posted by Deezus

This parody of those types of those types of restrauants is spot on:

http://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/...urant_menu.jpg

"Token vegetarian dish..." cracked me up.

Originally Posted by Yankeemama

I have heard great things about Country Cat for brunch but still haven't braved the wait. Maybe I will go when the kiddos are at school. I DO like Slappy Cakes which is trendy as hell but they do everything on their menu well including their Bloody Marys.

I've been to Country Cat for brunch but it wasn't that memorable in terms of being a mind-blowing "OMG, I must come back" meal. Slappy Cakes is great though.

Originally Posted by Yankeemama

I like Pho Van and the Pearl location, Silk, so I try to get out to the 82nd location when I can at lunch time. The family that owns it is local and live in the NE from what I hear.

Pho Van 82nd is one of my standbys when I need to plan a group dinner and don't feel like or don't have time to research where to go. I also really enjoyed Bambuza down on the waterfront for Vietnamese.

Having grown up in a small town, I guess you could say I was sheltered in the food arena and have simple tastes as a result.

[almostjay]

Originally Posted by Winnyard Bletch

Portland's food scene is for people who prefer exclusivity to quality, and "quirkiness" to value and good service.

I don't understand your first point at all. How are food carts and brewpubs exclusive in any way? The only things that Portland restaurants seem to exclude, in my opinion, are people who are unwilling to wait for extended periods and people that are so insecure with themselves that they think the "hipsters" don't like them.

I'd argue with you about "quirkiness" as well, but that's entirely subjective and not worth the time. I find that most of the restaurants I've been to represent excellent value, but I will agree that good service can be hit or miss.

[PDXNative2Houston]

I live in the capitol of the world for food of "value" and I'd still say that PDX is great in this regard. Food trucks have been very cheap, with high quantity & quality of food in my experience. Sure you may find some high priced establishments, but overall PDX has a great food scene for a city it's size.

Note however I'm stating PDX and not the suburbs.

[Mini-apple-less]

Originally Posted by PDXNative2Houston

Food in PDX is *awesome* for a city it's size. Don't compare it to NY, Houston, LA or San Fran because that's just not a fair comparison.

What's nice about PDX food is that there are a lot of unique, kind of quirky eateries from the doughnut shops, to ice cream, to hybrid Mexican restaurants, to Pizza.

I don't even think Voodoo Donut is that good. I mean, they're definitely creative and interesting but their donuts don't taste vastly better than Krispy Kreme or hell even what you can get at Safeway.

[PDXNative2Houston]

Originally Posted by valsteele

I don't even think Voodoo Donut is that good. I mean, they're definitely creative and interesting but their donuts don't taste vastly better than Krispy Kreme or hell even what you can get at Safeway.

Taste is everything...I don't share the same opinion...I think they're a lot different.

But in a sense it is essentially still fat and sugar

[kapetrich]

Originally Posted by PDXNative2Houston

I live in the capitol of the world for food of "value" and I'd still say that PDX is great in this regard. Food trucks have been very cheap, with high quantity & quality of food in my experience. Sure you may find some high priced establishments, but overall PDX has a great food scene for a city it's size.

Where is the capital of the world for food of "value"?