My husband and I are leaving Tues. for Portland, OR.

I would appreciate any recommendations for restaurants in the downtown area. We love seafood and Italian. Jakes Grill and also Jake's Catfish have been recommended.
Any others? We like nice restaurants with good atmosphere.

Many thanks for your help.

You should catch Castagna, possibly the best Italian in town , before the head chef there leaves for a new gig in NYC. Other fave Italian spots are Nostrana, Iorio, Fratelli, and the under-the-radar A'Cena, in the Sellwood District at the south end of downtown.

For seafood, I'd head to Southpark Seafood Grill before either of the Jake's (both part of the McCormick & Schmuck's chain). But you should find fresh seafood on most every menu. Check out Higgin's, Wildwood, or the more edgy Le Pigeon.

Many thanks for your recommendations.

Since many of the 'above-mentioned' are not downtown, I'll mention Tin Shed as great for breakfast. Be prepared for a bit of a wait. LePigeon is so small I can't imagine not having a wait there too.

We recently enjoyed a great meal at Saucebox in downtown Portland. Pazzo is also excellent for Italian food. Portland City Grill is really nice also, especially if you want pretty views of the city. ***kim***

Just back from trip and liked the hamburgers at Perry's on 24th and Fremont. Oh, to have a neighborhood restaurant! We can actually remember when that corner was a service station 40 years ago.

Also, skipped the free breakfast at hotel and spent 3 mornings having breakfast at the Tin Shed. Go early if you don't want to stand in line.

Just looking thru the restaurants mentioned (although I'm sure the OP has already gone to Portland and returned home by now!

But a couple of thumbs up for Tin Shed on Alberta Street
Le Piegon and Southpark. I would also recommend Serrato in NW, Fenoiul in the Pearl, and Caffe Minego in the NW. Also Beast near Killingsworth in NE (they only take reservations and the meal is fixed - they are wonderful).

opps that's Caffe Mingo not Minego.!!

Nanabee, I have liked the happy hour hamburgers at Serrato on my last three trips down.

Nanabee--Fenouil closed quite a while ago.

Is Wildwood still around? I used to live near Portland but haven't been back in a few years. I second Jake's Crawfish. Ringside was great for steaks. For something cheap -- and assuming they're still in business and still good -- I remember Escape to New York pizza was really good and so was the NY style deli next door on NW 23rd. And Moonstruck chocolate was a few blocks from there.

Wildwood is still around, as are the others you mention

mms really???
The last time I was there was probably 3 years ago, I'm guessing. Do you know why they went out of business? They were rather expensive. I liked sitting out on their patio in the summer and watching the kids play at the water-tide park.

My SIL & DD went up a year ago and loved Vodoo Donuts! I'll have to make a trip up soon to try them. I've even seen people wearing Vodoo Donuts (from Portland) t-shirts around SD.