E'Njoni Cafe is a traditional Ethiopian restaurant. The plates are served on authentic Ethiopian bread and the servings are wonderfully large. As is the custom, customers eat with their hands, but silverware is offered. Besides a great assortment of meat and vegetarian options that are seasoned to perfection, the infused beverages offer unique experiences. There are house cocktails and wines as well as herbal teas that can be served with or without alcohol. The restaurant owner will often greet tables to ensure that they are enjoying their experience. The atmosphere is familial, warm, and romantic. A great first dater, E'Njoni Cafe has something for everyone.
Dar Salam is one of the few eateries in the city to treat you to the delights of Iraqi cuisine, a much ignored aspect from the extensive Middle-Eastern palate. The restaurant is housed in a pretty little wooden building which seems fairly normal until you get to know that it is actually a cart (a rather large one at that) with the atmosphere of a restaurant and seating inside. The interiors with wooden roofs, bright walls and contrasting dark hues on the floor and seating add a comfortable vibe to the place. The hanging lanterns add a nice touch. The menu offers a great selection of typically Iraqi entrees and sides, and has the potential to invoke nostalgia among Iraqi immigrants. Middle-Eastern mainstays like hummus, shawarma and kabob also have a prominent presence on the menu. Stop by for delightfully different Middle-Eastern fare.
Taking the concept of vegan food and dining to the next level, the award-winning Blossoming Lotus has made such an impact on Portland's dining scene, that making this lifestyle shift for Portlanders has become a much easier and even an enticing affair. The nationally acclaimed restaurant firmly believes in the virtues of healthy cooking and offers an all-organic menu of world fusion specialties. The menu spans global specialties and has influences from every region from Europe to Asia. There's also a selection of raw food preparations. Dietary requirements are exceptionally well catered to. The restaurant offers a well-stocked bar with organic beers, wines as well as a selection of cocktails. Food has received critical acclaim and has changed many perceptions about vegan cuisine. The restaurant has also released a series of books on vegan cooking and lifestyle that have become an instant hit. Food is available to go and the catering service is perennially popular.
Mexican food stands are in abundance in Portland with every major street having at least one respectable option. But the city has some clear favorites when it comes to repeat value. The brightly colored food truck that sits on Southeast 102nd is decorated in a beach theme and is hard to miss. Choose from a varied choice of Mexican favorites, from the perpetually ordered tacos to the carnitas. Tortillas are made fresh when you order, and it's this commitment that has made Taqueria Los Arcos so popular. Burritos are another specialty which regular just can't seem to have enough of. Try the chicken burrito. The cart offers little covered seating area right out in the front or you can simply grab your food on the go.
From its humble beginnings as a food stall at the Portland Farmer's Market, Lauretta Jean's bakery quickly came to be known for its amazing sweet pies composed of fresh, flaky crusts and seasonal fillings that are sure to delight. While the pies are certainly worthy of rave reviews, the bakery also whips up a variety of sweet treats including lemon bars, sea-salt brownies, cookies, Nanaimo Bars and quiches. Prepared using the best of each season's natural bounty, Lauretta Jean's pies would be right at home in a foodie's dreamland.
Bethany's Table is a bistro that specializes in the unique cuisine of Washington County. It believes in sustainable practices and mostly uses organic ingredients and meat from animals grown on natural diets. The menu changes seasonally to incorporate farm-fresh ingredients. Typical dishes include Steamed Manila Clams, Grilled Piedmontese Flank Steak and Asian Pear Crisp. Gourmets can try the Smoked Apple and Walnut Aged Cheddar sourced from Beehive Cheese in Utah, paired with Two Rivers Bordeaux Blend from Columbia Valley. The focus at this restaurant is on sharing and it is an ideal place to visit with large groups.