Fancy a bite into tantalizing wood-fired oven baked pizzas? Then head to this modern pizzeria on Everett Street in Pearl District. The decor and the ambiance may reflect the upscale quality and trendiness of modern American restaurants, but its menu is deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of Italian street food , which the award winning chef Cathy Whims has mastered over the years. The menu features the archetypal Pizza Margherita, and other regular varieties like Mushroom and Salami Pizzas which are infused with original ingredients and flavors. The Fennel Sausage Pizza, served on thin crust bread and topped with Italian sauces is also worth trying. As for the drinks, you can go for the usual wines to complement your meal, or rely on the expert mixologist Ryan Magarian's well-crafted cocktails.
Hidden inside the Belmont Station is a casual local joint where you can gulp down a few glasses of local brews and hangout with your friends. The bar offers more than 20 craft beers on tap, which you can indulge in on the outdoor tables or within the cozy bar. The list is ever changing, and if you are lucky then you might get a chance to sip on local drafts like Breakside IPA, Backwoods Logyard IPA and Worthy Lights Out Stout. If not, then you can always come back for more. The beer is well-complemented by local delicacies.
If you love beer, then you will walk out all smiles after a visit to Saraveza. Located on Killingsworth Street, the pub has a unique selection of local brews available in bottles and on taps, which are hard to find elsewhere. It prides on its award winning selections like Barley Brown’s Turmoil and He'Brew Jubelation. And that's not all, as you can munch on the varieties of pasties on offer. Try the specialty Reuben pasty and Potater pasty or you can also savor the pickled deviled eggs and charcuterie board. Call ahead to know more.
If the wine selection is not incentive enough, you may want to visit Corkscrew for the cozy decor, superlative service, live entertainment and tasty bites. Although you may not be offered as varied a selection as some of the bigger bars in the city of Portland, the wines-by-the-glass are excellent. A visit on a French Cafe Tuesday (6p to 10p) is particularly rewarding, for that is when you get to enjoy a great French meal with its perfect wine partner.
Acclaimed bartender, Kyle Linden Webster, of St. Jack fame, and Naomi Pomeroy, celebrity chef and owner of Beast, have joined forces to create a casual lounge where guests can have a good time. Their collaboration resulted in the establishment of Expatriate, which opened its doors in mid-2013. Webster's creative concoctions deliciously complement the food prepared by Pomeroy. The place has been beautifully designed by Matthew Peterson; dim lighting surrounds the elegant furnishing, creating an ideal dining ambiance.
If you're a beer lover and happen to be in Portland, for business or play, make it a point to visit Cascade Brewing Barrel House in the Buckman area. The USP at Cascade is a wonderful range of cask and barrel conditioned sour brews that are made using a huge variety of fruits, oaks and spices. They serve over 18 ever-changing beers and ales - all of course, with varied degrees of tartness that only adds to the flavor and character of these brews. There's an eclectic food menu to complement these awesome brews as well. When you do drop in, try the Saison de Garde, Sun-kissed Indian Pale Ale and Strawberry Stout, they're truly quite inspired!