"Quirky East Side of Portland, Oregon" restaurants to try...
 

According to current issue of Bon Appetit Magazine, there are a number of "hot new restaurants" emerging in the east side of Portland, Oregon. The list includes Lauro Kitchen, Lovely Hula Hands, ClarkLewis and Family Supper.

From a first pass through web searching, it appears Family Supper is owned by ClarkLewis, a restaurant which recently was the catalyst for an energetic discussion about its long waits, hard chairs and ambient noise.

The magazine is usually dependable, but for those of you who know these spots, would you advise your personal opinion of each with which you are familar? We will be a party of six, and I see that these are fairly small establishments, so if that would appear to be a problem, please advise.

I have an extensive collection of your earlier postings of many other Portland restaurants, and this inquiry would build on that and is in the interest of finding something different for one of the nights we will be in town.

Most of us are fairly adventurous eaters, but spicy would be a problem for one, so that's important to consider.

Thanks.

Jim

Pardon me while I kick this back to the top and ask if anyone has even heard of these places.

Thanks,

Jim

Didn't see this the first time around, Jim. I can't be of much help anyway. I live on the west side, and as your thread title suggests, the Willamette River is a sort of geographic and demographic dividing line. Of the restaurants you list, I've only been to ClarkLewis, and not even heard of Lovely Hula Hands. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised; we usually let places cool down before giving them a try.

While I did enjoy the food at ClarkLewis, and it would be safe for everyone in your group, I was a bit put off by other factors, mostly the noise. It's not the place I'd go as a party of six if I wanted to carry on conversation with everyone in the group.

Of the three, I've only been to clarklewis and I was not impressed. But in fairness I was there the first month it opened and it may not have hit its stride (the chairs were uncomfortable but I heard they've changed them).

There are lots of great restaurants on the east side.

Just checked Citysearch re Lauro Kitchen. Lots of positive reviews, but also lots of complaints about long waits. Lauro does not take reservations (I hate that) and apparently they only have one table that will seat six so probably not a good option for your party.

Well,I have been to clarklewis several times. While I agree that there were some rocky moments in the first few weeks, I think they definitely hit their stride. It's a boisterous atmosphere, and the larger tables are not great for intimate conversations. However, I think the food, the serving options, and the chef's choice dinners more than make up for it.

We enjoyed clarklewis for lunch. The food was very innovative and flavorful. I wanted to try it for dinner but we ended up at Park Kitchen (loved it) and Higgins. ***kim*** ((f))

Jim,
When will you be needing to pick a restaurant? DH and I were *just* saying how we have been wanting to try Lovely Hula Hands now for awhile. If we try it before you need to pick, I would be more than happy to pass along a review. Some friends of mine have been there and really enjoyed it. As for the others, I only can comment on Clarklewis - but my comments would only match those that you have recieved in previous threads regarding long waits (even with reservation), hard chairs, lots of noise and great food.
Sara

been to clarkLewis and Lauro. Loved the food at CL and had a lot of fun there. Lauro was much warmer environment, food good, but not quite as memorable. CL could probably hold your crowd better and takes reservations.

How about Higgins or Paleys? Neither is on the east side, but both are great and take reservations.

SKS, Thanks. Our trip is in July, so if you would post a review of Lovely Hula Hands it would be appreciated.

I guess the key areas of interest for us would be quality and uniqueness of the food, ambiance, and ability to accommodate a party of six. Taking reservations would be a major plus.

Thanks again.

Jim

Jim we also very much enjoyed our meal at Wildwood. Paley's Place as previously mentioned was also very good! ***kim*** ((f))

Jim - I haven't forgotten about going to Lovely Hula Hands!
Maybe we will get there (after our trip to NYC!)in late May or so.
Sara

The way this house selling thing is going here, I might be in Portland much sooner than I expected to be!!:O
So I will keep this in mind too, Jim :)

Glad to hear it. I was hoping you were still going.

Thanks. Look forward to reading your review.

Jim

Thanks, Miz Scarlett. The more input, the better.

Housing market must be great over there. Somewhat slowed here in Houston, but still good.

Jim

What are you hearing on the Portland real estate side, Scarlett? What I've read recently says inventory of homes for sale is as low as it's been in years. Hope you can find one you like at a price you're willing to pay!

Jim, still haven't been to any of those restaurants other than ClarkLewis. I'll post if I do go. So many restaurants, so little time!

Beachbum--Did you catch the Town Hall show on the news a few nights ago? It was about the real estate market and exactly what you said. It was pretty interesting.

I have a friend who is a realtor here and yes, the market is very hot. I live in a townhouse complex and the three units that have gone on sale in the last few months sold very quickly. Then again, the market isn't as insane as California's.

Andrew

The market here is much better than we expected. We have all the makings of a bidding war brewing at the moment..big big grin.
As for Portland, we have no time to househunt, and we don't want to make a mistake, so we are going to rent when we get there. The apts that we have heard of so far, all rent for 3-6-12 months, so we can take out a short lease if we wish and be there while we research and look. I am wanting to be in the West Hills..near NW23rd if possible..the apts are in the Pearl and near the Museum.
We will be there as soon as we can get this offer bit over with.
We might be there for 10 days so I will have a lot of time for new restaurant research too!
JimF, if you go first you have to tell me! :)

Yeah, it definitely is a seller's market.

I didn't see the Town Hall piece, mms, but didn't I hear that all the lots in a small planned development in your neck of the woods recently sold within a few hours of being placed on the market?

Andrew, there was a post earlier in the day, "Oregon Photography" I think, that I topped hoping for a response from you.

Ummm, sorry to hijack the thread, Jim.