oregonmom

We are going to be in Portland for 4 days in July to attend a conference. My husband and I usually go there alone for weekends away and have our favorite places to eat. This time the kids are coming (4 and 12). I need some places to eat that are kid friendly. We will be on the east side off I-205. I did hear that Laurelwood Pub is good for kids. Any other ideas? We all love Italian and Mexican. We will be going to Multnomah Falls one day. Anywhere good out that way? What restaurants are near Clackamas Town Center now?

oregonmom

ttt
Anyone out there?

Andrew

Near CTC there are the usual chain restaurants: Red Robin, etc. At Multnomah Falls I don't think there are many choices, just the hotel and the snack bar. One local favorite out that way (although not a favorite of MINE - I ate there once and didn't see what all the fuss was about) is a place called called Tad's Chicken & Dumplings in Troutdale. See:

http://www.tadschicdump.com/

Otherwise, Portland doesn't really abound in good Italian food, and I'm not a fan of Mexican enough to be able to give you any tips.

Andrew

Fodorite018

I can't help with eastside places, but in downtown there are lots of places that would be fine. Mother's Bistro, Mama Mia's, Henry's, Manzana Grill, Mio Gelato (they have panini's also. Those are just off the top of my head that are our childrens favorites. Multnomah Falls gets very crowded, so I suggest you go early.

bbqboy

You need Nick's tip sheet-
http://www.extramsg.com/uploaded_mis..._tipsheet.html

beachbum

"Otherwise, Portland doesn't really abound in good Italian food..."

Andrew, you need to get out more! ;-) Have you been to: Genoa, Giorgio's, Fratelli's, Cafe Mingo, Serrato, Tuscany Grill, Piazza Italia, Pazzo, and Alba Osteria?

Scarlett

LOL, beachbum and I are on the same wavelength..Add to that list, Bastas! on NW 21st..

Andrew

Let me retract my earlier statement and rephrase: Portland doesn't really have good...what I would call "checkered tablecloth"-type Italian restaurants. Bastas is nice, kind of a swanky place, but you won't get a lasagna there. I guess I'm again showing my taste in food; I've never been to Genoa but it seems to be out of my desired cultural and price range.

In Beaverton, there's a pretty good place called Giovanni's right in downtown Beaverton. But some of the local favorites like Amalfi's haven't impressed me. Where I grew up back east, there are lots of these places but very few good ones in Portland.

Andrew

Scarlett

We took our son to Mama Mia for my birthday..they had lasagna there..They serve a lot of the dishes that we are more familiar with coming from NY.

I rarely eat lasagna in restaurants since I don't eat red meat..
Giorgios in the Pearl is wonderful, and I have to go to Piazza Italia at least once a month..

lcuy

And Sub Rosa on SE 26th & Clinton!

oregonmom

Thanks for all your input. I may have needed to clarify that I am looking for places only on the east side as we don't want to have to drive all over the city for dinner. The one exception to that would be an evening at Powell's. So if there is somewhere near there, that might be good. What is Bridgeport like now that it's reopened? Also, we aren't going to take two kids to a place where entree's are over $15.00. They are just too picky. So if you have any other thoughts, I'd like to hear them. I do draw the line at disgusting places like Chucky Cheese. Thanks!

Andrew

A number of my friends dig a place on SE Stark near 82nd called Flying Pie Pizzeria - I think the kids would like it. Not far from I-205. It's a sit-down restaurant and very casual.

Andrew

Scarlett

Hopping back and forth from the Eastside to the NW is easy and quick, it is not that big a city.

Bridgeport is very nice, get on I-5 and drive about 20 minutes..a few chain restaurants..nothing I would recommend, but the shops are nice.

beachbum

oregonmom,

Scarlett is referring to Bridgeport Village, a new outdoor shopping mall recently opened 10 miles south of Portland. If you're asking about Bridgeport Brewery, it looks great from the outside, but I haven't been inside lately.

I'd suggest Piazza Italia for dinner the night you go to Powell's. It's 7 - 8 blocks away in the Pearl District, and in your price range. And they may even have lasagna on the menu. ;-)

Scarlett

omigod, did I get Bridgeport wrong? lol ~apologies~

bbqboy

Scarlett, you must not be a beer drinker. Bridgeport(the Brewery) is one of the Oregon Originals. Storefront on Hawthorne, Brewery in NW.
Oregon mom, just for your knowledge, the Powell's Gardening/Cooking store is on Hawthorne, in addition to the main store downtown.

Scarlett

bbqboy, I have just discovered Lambic Beer (Peche) from Belgium..does that count?

I live near Bridgeport Brewery too LOL
I guess I just have shopping on my mind ( sheepish emoticon)

oregonmom

Sorry, I didn't even think about Bridgeport village. We have been there. I was asking about the Brewery. When we were there in January, it wasn't quite open yet. I read a review in a magazine that gushed over decor, but don't know if it's kid friendly. Thanks for all your great ideas!