If you're in the mood for Japanese cuisine, Yama Sushi & Sake Bar would be a great restaurant to pick. The chefs at this eatery make use of the freshest possible seafood to craft creative lunch and dinner menus that are sure to please even the most discerning of critics. Apart from sushi, you get to gorge on scrumptious preparations like curry tonkatsu, chicken teriyaki, salmon misoyaki and more. No visit is complete without trying something from the sake list, which makes your traditional Japanese meal complete.
Painted in vibrant blue and red, the wooden clapboard structure on Southeast 12th Avenue, is where the flavors of Latin American cuisine come alive. The menu, designed by chef proprietor, Michael Kennett, features typical street food one would find in Venezuela. The highlight of the menu is the arepas - Venezuelan-style flat breads made with corn. Of the vast variety of arepas on offer, the Smokey Pollo and El Diablo are popular favorites. The mojito or a cocktail with Agua Fresca, will perfectly augment the food.
It is easy to recognize Pine State Biscuits from the street because of the long queue that often forms outside the restaurant. While the wait may be exasperating, the large crowd is a testimony to the popularity of the unusual biscuits and sandwiches at this joint. Try the signature Creamtop Buttermilk Biscuits with rich textures and flavors. Guests can also order biscuits spread with Pimento cheese, locally-sourced honey, marionberry jam or apple butter. Certain dishes like Biscuits and Gravy blend sweet and savory tastes, while sandwiches such as Steak Club and The Wedgie have classic Southern flavors. If you can't bag a seat within the restaurant, takeaway is your best bet.
Combining the cuisine of the sophisticated Lyon cafes and rustic delicacies from the countryside, St. Jack offers you the epitome of the French culinary experience. Savor the taste of exotic dishes like chilled poached prawns and duck au Mures and sip on fine wines sourced from France and the Pacific Northwest. Bask in the romantic atmosphere created by large glass windows looking out at the charming town streets, white tapers in etched glass lamps, elegant seating arrangements and tea candles at each table.
Viking Soul Food brings the flavors of Scandinavia in their 1968 Streamline Duchess tin trailer. The brainchild of husband and wife duo, Jeremy and Megan, this silver food truck, lovingly nicknamed Gudrun, opened in 2010 and is a popular spot in the neighborhood. Beside Lefse which is a hit among their patrons, their inspired dishes are also noteworthy. Their menu keeps on changing. Scrumptiuous, heart warming and cheap, Viking Soul Food will win you over with their fare.
The quaint Maplewood Coffee & Tea bistro traces its origins back to the year 1911, when it was initially set up as Maplewood Store and Post Office. The early 20th-century convenience outpost has been wonderfully remodeled into a snug java spot in the heart of Portland's southwest suburbs. Maplewood's homely setting is an easy crowd puller, while its exciting menu featuring some mellow pastries, gourmet tea, coffee and freshly baked delights please all kinds of food snobs. When the sun shines bright, the breezy patio offers an idyllic ambiance to savor your favorite beverages and sweet treats.