Would like your opinion between Higgins REstaurant or Toro Bravo? Also, any thoughts regarding Cava (In SE)??

I really like Higgins and it is husband's very favorite restaurant in all of Portland. I think he was one of the first to do the local, seasonal, sustainable thing.

Haven't tried the others. Need to make a food trip soon!

Higgins has always been good when we have been there. DH's office was very close and it was their hangout as well. I think beachbum has been to Toro Bravo so he should be able to help with that. I haven't been, so can't say.

hi lcuy and mms! thanks - we will try Higgins tonight. I was curious about Toro Bravo. Maybe will try that one another night and let you know.

The weather is beautiful today!!

nanabee--Our schools were delayed because of icy roads, then we had snow flurries, then sleet, and now it is back to snow. Can you tell we sit pretty high here? LOL!

Hi !
I loved Higgins , so I look forward to hearing how you liked it.

I had lunch there with mms not long before we left Portland.

It is 93 here and humid

nanabee--One of the maitre d's there is also an excellent winemaker. Is that enough extra incentive to go?

winemaker? definately! we have reservations for tonight!

LOL nanabee! I thought that might help the decision. We just had a couple bottles of his wine this weekend.

Nanabee, When we were in Portland for a few days this past August, we ate at some really good places- Le Pigeon, Bluehour, 23 Hoyt . . . all fun and good food, but we had terrific food at Toro Bravo, too. We're from NYC and the restaurant felt very familiar to us - exciting food, knowledgeable staff, fun atmosphere .. . Sorry we couldn't get to Higgens (too many restaurants, too little time) but we liked Toro Bravo a lot . . .

Higgins is can't miss, but if you have a chance, try Toro Bravo too, nanabee. It's a different dining experience than you'll have at Higgins, but probably my favorite new restaurant of 2007. Just be advised that they don't take reservations, so unless you show up 15 minutes before they open, you'll probably be in for a wait.

Haven't been to Cava yet, but have heard and read good things about it.

Higgins has great service and tasty food, but it's a bit pretentious for my liking. Toro Bravo is more laid-back and serves tapas, which means you get to try many dishes instead of deciding on one. For the undecided like me, it's great!

vlcgoddess--Instead of the dining room, try the bar area at Higgins. Not pretentious at all in there.

How did you like Higgins,nanabee? We had a very nice dinner there, service was perfect and our table by the window was cozy, great food, too! ***kim***

How many years ago was that, kimamom?

thanks so much to everyone for your comments about Higgins and Toro Bravo.

Higgins was fantastic, I've heard so much about it so it was nice to finally great to be able to go there.

We decided to go to Toro Bravo too. I thought the food was incredible. We got there early (as you mentioned Beachbum) and glad we did because there was a line waiting to get in.

The weather was on the chilly side but, as always, Portland is the best place to visit!!
I will definately go back again.

Thanks, nanabee , for posting back ... you made me miss Portland just a wee bit