NWWanderer

I'm heading down to Portland this weekend to see Ornette Coleman at Schnitzer Hall Friday night and would love some ideas for an early dinner before the show, within a few blocks of the hall. I'll be staying at the Monaco and haven't eaten in their restaurant except for breakfast so that's a possibility. I love South Park but I go there just about every time I'm in Portland so I thought I'd maybe try something new and different if anyone has a suggestion. Something more on the casual side would be great and I'm trying Fenouil for the first time Sat night so should probably stay away from French.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Fodorite018

Well, before I got all the way through your post I was immediately thinking South Park, lol! And then Fenouil. At least you have good taste Higgins would be my best suggestion. It has excellent food, is close by, and you can sit in the dining room or in the bar. The bar area is more casual, but just as good.

beachbum

I wouldn't characterize Higgin's as casual, at least by Portland standards, but I doubt you'd regret choosing to have a meal there. Even the bar would be good. Higgin's is consistently ranked as one of the city's better restaurants. And only a couple blocks from The Schnitz. The only other place that comes to mind is the restaurant at the Heathman Hotel. Not as good as Higgin's, and more formal, in my opinion.

beachbum

great minds and all that, mms... ;-)

NWWanderer

I knew I could count on you guys! The bar at Higgins sounds *perfect*. Thanks!

Fodorite018

Beachbum--Too funny

NWWanderer--Glad to help. The Red Star Tavern at the Monaco is good too. But I would do Higgins that night. Stop by Red Star on your way back to your room though for a drink.

kimamom

You will love Fenouil, it's in a gorgeous space with excellent food, we had lunch here while in Portland.

Either Higgins or the Heathman would be good choices for your dinner. Both places have very good food and service. ***kim***

beachbum

Just wondering what you thought of Fenouil, NWWanderer. I heard the other day that it's changed owners since I was last there, so am curious to know if it was anything less than perfect.

Did Higgin's work out okay?

NWWanderer

Hi Beachbum, thanks for asking, I was just coming on to post an update!

We got to Higgins at 5:30 and the bar was *packed* so we were unable to get a seat and we weren't able to get a table in the main restaurant either--I hadn't reserved because I thought we'd be in the bar. So we went down the street to the Heathman Bar and snagged a table, and discovered they have a great happy hour for bar food between 4-6 pm (basically 1/2 price although the crab cake is an even better deal--only $2). So that worked out great and I'll plan on trying Higgins next time when I'm not on a schedule (or I'll make a ressie for the dining room).

The Ornette Coleman concert was fantastic btw and I enjoyed several other free Jazz Festival performances over the weekend.

I was very happy with Fenouil. I was on my own because my friend wasn't feeling well and they were very accommodating (which is not always the case when you're eating at a nice place alone). I sat up at the chef's counter, and they took great care of me--they started me off with a complimentary appetizer of delicious lobster beignets. I had the scallops as my entree and ended the meal with tarte tatin, probably my favorite dessert on the planet so I was happy ;-).

beachbum

And thanks for reporting back, NWWanderer.

Aww.. too bad about Higgin's. There's a reason you could get a table at Heathman, but not there. But, as you say, next time!

And too bad your friend couldn't make it to Fenouil. But good to know that it apparently hasn't missed a beat with the ownership change.

Tarte tatin.... The one piece of cookware my wife just had to bring back from Paris a few years ago was a tarte tatin pan from E. Dehillerin. I just wish she used it more. ;-)

NWWanderer

Actually the Heathman Bar did fill up shortly after we arrived so I was happy to have snagged a table and the food was pretty good, especially at the bargain happy hour prices (we tried the crab cake, the ahi and the burger). I know the Heathman isn't as highly regarded as it once was though, before there were so many great choices in Portland. I'd be curious to try it for dinner again sometime just to see how it is now--I know I enjoyed some wonderful meals there back in the late 80s/early 90s when it was close to the only game in town but I haven't had dinner there in ages.

That's funny about the tarte tatin pan ;-). I'm in the preliminary stages of planning a trip to Paris to celebrate my 50th birthday and I can't wait to go back to this little place on Ile St Louis where I had the most wonderful tarte tatin on my last visit, accompanied by a cup of real hot chocolate...oh man, that was good.