We leave Saturday for a week trip in oregon but will spend the last part of the time in Porland and would like some recommendations for dinner. I am thinking of Paley's and Higgins, has anyone eat there lately.

I haven't been to Paley's or Higgins in a while, but both still have well-deserved good reputations. I've heard though that Higgins has become a little inconsistent, depending on whether or not Greg Higgins is in the kitchen. If you've already been to either or both, I suggest trying something new.

Portland has seemingly experienced an explosion of very good restaurants in the last couple years. Current favorites in my house are Fenouil, Alberta St. Oyster Bar & Grill, Carlyle, and Le Pigeon. Depending on what you're looking for, I'd be hard-pressed to recommend one over the other. Le Pigeon is funky-casual, but the chef/owner was recently named chef of the year by the Oregonian(?). Alberta St. is in a NE neighborhood and has a kind of NYC Village feel. We were just there Saturday night, and both my wife and I haven't stopped talking about it yet. Fenouil and Carlyle are both in the Pearl District, and a little more formal, though nothing in Portland is really formal. Fenouil is in a beautiful room overlooking the fountains/falls in Jameson Square. Food leans towards French, with a heavy Pacific NW bias. And Carlyle... might be the best of all. Tough choices, but you can't make a bad one. ;-)

Paleys has done some renovating and the food is as good as ever.
beachbum and I have similar taste My favorite is Fenouil, ( had lunch there today, outside, birds singing, sun shining, a perfect day ) and Carlyle is very nice too.
Have a good visit ~

tick tick tick.....

Kal, snort!
BTW- Are you going to be visiting PDX before we leave, Kal???

I visit Portland frequently, and I had a wonderful meal this past Sat night at Bluehour in the Pearl District. Although the salad and my entree were both very good, the real highlight was choosing an after-dinner cheese course with their "fromagiere", who clearly loves cheese and loves her work.

Ms Scarlett...seriously doubt it.
You may see me in BA b4 Portland.

Speaking of Portland, did they ever reopen the restaurant at the top of the building down bt the river...used to be "Atwater's" maybe..on top of a bank building?

Snooty but great food, excellent wine selection and what a view!

Kal, that would be sooo great if you visited BsAs !
The Portland City Grill is there now, mediocre food, expensive drinks, dreadful meat market atmosphere but fabulous view. I would never recommend it for a meal but a drink and the view are worth going up there..I am looking at the building right now

What?? No **ka-boom** yet?? ;-)

Actually, I was thinking Kal might like Portland City Grill, Scarlett. You're a meat and potatos kind of guy, aren't you, Kal?

I didn't get this way from eating "California Cuisine"!

Now get back to helping jlsayre before I get yelled at again!

...oh...wait...that kind of meat! quot;>

We were at Higgins about a month ago, but in the bar section. Excellent food and drinks, and the service was very good too.

Kal--I used to work in that building, so we used to hit Atwater's on Friday nights. PCG doesn't compare, IMO.

Hi there! We have enjoyed two very nice dinners at Paley's Place in the past, we like to dine out on the front porch area that is cozy and quaint. Our last meal in June was amazing, I love their Steamed Mussels appetizer and I had a small plate of the crab raviolis that were very good. We had previously dined at Fenouil for lunch that day which I also recommend.

Right across the street from Paley's Place is Wildwood where we have enjoyed several nice meals. Higgins is also good, I like their seafood specials that are offered there. ***kim***

and "Hi" to my friends in Portland and N CA LOL.

http://www.paleysplace.net/

This is the Paleys menu, from this month.
A wonderful restaurant, the seafood reco is sort of old but I doubt there is anything they make that is not delicious. They have renovated also..

Sheesh, kimmer...even I don't eat that much when I travel!

My daugher lives a few blocks from NE Alberta - we've never been to Le Pigeon - sounds great, will try it out in July when I go up. Is it fairly new? I also recommend the Tin Shed for breakfast. Extracto Coffee on Killingsworth is great too.