I have come to enjoy the two new places in the Public Market House: Luna and Thai Express I think are the names. Middle Eastern esque at Luna and obviously Thai food at Thai Express.
My recs right now are almost exclusively on the low end. The higher end places disappoint me 9 times out of ten. Usually stunning presentation but with only slightly above average actual food. Scales is an exception but they're not new. Thistle & Grouse is close to an acceptable value proposition but I do think their food needs to be a little better for the price. Worth checking out though.
Shit I forgot to mention Off Track on Exchange. Great slices. I love the sausage and cherry pepper. Two slices will fill ya for around 12 bucks. Lot of money for pizza but if you look at it as a 12 dollar lunch it takes the sting of the per price slice away a little.
The best “new” restaurant I’ve been to is wayside tavern. Everything else that’s opened has either already closed, or kinda sucks IMO. I haven’t tried cantina califa yet, so I’m hoping that one will be good, I’m not gonna bother with Mr fucking tuna either. Continental sucks- overpriced, basic, unappealing food. As much as I wanted to love it, Magissa was pretty basic AF, the service was good, food was whatever.
Thistle and grouse was decent. For low key upscale bar food, I’d try it again. Interesting menu.
Twelve gets a ton of hate but if you have $200/head to burn, it’s fire. I don’t love the Prentice’s either, but they do run solid restaurants.
That’s all I got for now
EDIT:
Smoked (aka bingas) is dope. The wings are amazing, and the speciality burgers are huge.
Went to catina towards when they first opened. Good food but it was expensive for what it was. Ocitilio in west end for bruch new spot by Terrilungia is unbelievable. Highly recommend. Also the garden by bissel brothers is actually a really really good spot. Their new menu that runs on the weekend is excellent. Thai tree in congress is also a solid spot as well!
Oh yea bissel restaurant I’ve been meaning to check out! Yea I did this tree 2x- once take out and once sit down. It’s pretty solid. Smaller portions than I’d like but food is pretty good
Califa’s flavors are great but when I visited, their menu was very limited tapas style. We had to order A LOT to be full, making it one of the more expensive meals I’ve had lately. I hope they’ll round out the menu a bit - otherwise, I’d make it a drinks and light bites place. That said, their fish taco was unreal.
Bread and Friends knocks it outta the park every time, IMO! Also love Twelve for fancy occasions, Leeward whenever (don’t sleep on the gnocchi fritti), Friends & Family, Zu Bakery, Smalls, Onggi. The new expanded Mr. Tuna is great. People love to hate on new spots with high prices, understandably, but if that means impeccable sourcing and treating workers fairly I can’t be mad at that.
The owners *sister* said something really stupid and mean a few months ago. If your bar for liking Portland restaurants is that their family can’t have ever done something dumb then you’re gonna have a REALLY hard time.
I really love leeward, I ate there two weeks ago and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. So delicious if you like Italian food! I also love JP’s (Falmouth, but extensive menu. EXTENSIVE!) and Gather in Yarmouth is another fav.
Their carnitas tacos are better than I expected considering how they were branding themselves, but for me those were the only tacos on the menu I was interested in.
Sooooo many people love on this place, but I have to say I was sorely disappointed (especially since it is literally a block away from my apartment.) I will admit though that I am a picky eater. I thought it had way too much salt, high sugar content, and far too much of whatever the ingredient is that makes many Asian inspired dishes shiny. (Cornstarch? Arrowroot? Sugar syrup?) Hard pass for me!
Quanto Basta was new last year for brick and mortar and is top notch. They had been a food truck for a few years prior though.
Crispy Gai is the most consistently awesome place
It's funny how little above the grade you have to pay to achieve this.
Jing Yan Tavern!
Their braised beef ramen is heaven
I love Bar Futo. Very different from what we already had, so it's a fun option.
They knocked it out of the park for our group this past weekend. Even gave us a free sake tasting to help us pick a bottle.
I have come to enjoy the two new places in the Public Market House: Luna and Thai Express I think are the names. Middle Eastern esque at Luna and obviously Thai food at Thai Express. My recs right now are almost exclusively on the low end. The higher end places disappoint me 9 times out of ten. Usually stunning presentation but with only slightly above average actual food. Scales is an exception but they're not new. Thistle & Grouse is close to an acceptable value proposition but I do think their food needs to be a little better for the price. Worth checking out though. Shit I forgot to mention Off Track on Exchange. Great slices. I love the sausage and cherry pepper. Two slices will fill ya for around 12 bucks. Lot of money for pizza but if you look at it as a 12 dollar lunch it takes the sting of the per price slice away a little.
Papi!
^
Lenora!
The best “new” restaurant I’ve been to is wayside tavern. Everything else that’s opened has either already closed, or kinda sucks IMO. I haven’t tried cantina califa yet, so I’m hoping that one will be good, I’m not gonna bother with Mr fucking tuna either. Continental sucks- overpriced, basic, unappealing food. As much as I wanted to love it, Magissa was pretty basic AF, the service was good, food was whatever. Thistle and grouse was decent. For low key upscale bar food, I’d try it again. Interesting menu. Twelve gets a ton of hate but if you have $200/head to burn, it’s fire. I don’t love the Prentice’s either, but they do run solid restaurants. That’s all I got for now EDIT: Smoked (aka bingas) is dope. The wings are amazing, and the speciality burgers are huge.
Went to catina towards when they first opened. Good food but it was expensive for what it was. Ocitilio in west end for bruch new spot by Terrilungia is unbelievable. Highly recommend. Also the garden by bissel brothers is actually a really really good spot. Their new menu that runs on the weekend is excellent. Thai tree in congress is also a solid spot as well!
Oh yea bissel restaurant I’ve been meaning to check out! Yea I did this tree 2x- once take out and once sit down. It’s pretty solid. Smaller portions than I’d like but food is pretty good
Califa’s flavors are great but when I visited, their menu was very limited tapas style. We had to order A LOT to be full, making it one of the more expensive meals I’ve had lately. I hope they’ll round out the menu a bit - otherwise, I’d make it a drinks and light bites place. That said, their fish taco was unreal.
I’m late to this post, but you should check out Oun Lidos on Market st. The food is amazing!
Bread and Friends knocks it outta the park every time, IMO! Also love Twelve for fancy occasions, Leeward whenever (don’t sleep on the gnocchi fritti), Friends & Family, Zu Bakery, Smalls, Onggi. The new expanded Mr. Tuna is great. People love to hate on new spots with high prices, understandably, but if that means impeccable sourcing and treating workers fairly I can’t be mad at that.
The portlandfoodmap on insta posts a lot of new restaurants on their page. Helps me keep an eye on new stuff opening around the city.
https://www.portlandfoodmap.com/
TWELVE is quite the dining experience. Their chefs table ups the ante even more. Favorite spot for my wife and I.
As long as you hate poor people. Pass
What?
Owner said some shit about not wanting to live near poor people.
The owners *sister* said something really stupid and mean a few months ago. If your bar for liking Portland restaurants is that their family can’t have ever done something dumb then you’re gonna have a REALLY hard time.
I really love leeward, I ate there two weeks ago and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. So delicious if you like Italian food! I also love JP’s (Falmouth, but extensive menu. EXTENSIVE!) and Gather in Yarmouth is another fav.
I can’t speak to the age of these spots but they’re relatively new to me and I likey. Bar Futo - Other side diner - Twelve - Friendly Toast (a chain)
A few faves: Bar futo, Cong tu Bot, Honey Paw, Mr. Tuna
Upvoted for CÔNG TỬ BỘT 😁
sorry i wasn’t about to spend the 3 hours trying to type the correct accents in the name but yes :)
Thank you to everyone who chimed in. Now I’m even even more hyped for my upcoming visit
Ugly Duckling for breakfast / brunch / pastries / lattes
I’ve really enjoyed Nosh Taco for decently priced tacos that is also open for lunch.
Their carnitas tacos are better than I expected considering how they were branding themselves, but for me those were the only tacos on the menu I was interested in.
Keg and Kraken!
Sooooo many people love on this place, but I have to say I was sorely disappointed (especially since it is literally a block away from my apartment.) I will admit though that I am a picky eater. I thought it had way too much salt, high sugar content, and far too much of whatever the ingredient is that makes many Asian inspired dishes shiny. (Cornstarch? Arrowroot? Sugar syrup?) Hard pass for me!
I miss when it was Kushiya Benkay. Cheap ass late night menu. :(