Restaurant Blog - Chowbaby.com

by Katie Shimer

THREE DOORS DOWN
1429 SE 37th Ave Portland, OR 97214-5103

Located in the heart of hippie Hawthorne Blvd, this small quaint Italian restaurant can be a lengthy wait, so be sure to wear your walking shoes. Hawthorne Boulevard is chock full of interesting shops to divert your hungry stomach while you wait. Nevertheless, the wait is worth it. Perfect for candle-lit dinners with your sweetheart, Three Doors Down has a simple yet elegant décor to match their simple yet exquisite food. Recommended entrees are the Penne with Vodka sauce served with a fine meaty sausage, or any chicken dish on the menu. Plus, for the wine connoisseur in you there is a lengthy menu of choice vintages, locally and from around the world, to match anything you order.

by Marie Richie

The Farm café
10 SE 7th Ave.
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 736-3276

Tucked inside one of Portland’s old Victorian homes, in an otherwise uninviting neighborhood, is a truly stunning restaurant that serves local, organic ingredients in high style. Traditional American dishes are offered as sumptuous vegetarian fare. Pasta and wild-caught fish entrées are also finely seasoned and presented. The wine list provides the perfect compliment to a meal and is a very good value, to boot. Expect a leisurely meal, best enjoyed with a small course and one of the innovative cocktails offered. It can become crowded after 9pm. A focus on fine food makes The Farm a perfect place for special evenings out.

by Marie Richie

THE RINGSIDE STEAKHOUSE
2165 W Burnside St.
Portland, OR 97210
(503)-223-1513
A Portland institution, the Ringside has specialized in preparing high quality steak with all the best fixings since 1944.  Even the door handle is substantial as you come out of the cool rain to find the great stone fireplace ablaze in a classic steakhouse atmosphere.  Prime rib and lobster are also on the menu as well as delicious sides such as baked corn casserole.  The wait staff is attentive and detail-oriented.  Choose from over 600 wines in their well-stocked cellar.  Step down into the attached tavern with a boxing theme and enjoy after dinner spirits and tobacco with your other diners.  Diners arriving after 10pm and ordering from the bar can take advantage of the famous $2.25 happy hour menu.

by Jason Berzow
PARADOX PALACE CAFÉ - Vegan & Vegetarian
3439 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97214
(503)-232-7508
With a wide selection of traditional meat dishes prepared without the meat, this small café certainly makes a name for itself as a veritable kingdom of alternative dining. The oceanic décor lends a maritime atmosphere to the Paradox Palace Café, but you definitely won’t find any seafood there. Instead feast your lips on a wide range of vegetarian delicacies like Vegetarian Lasagna, Vegan Sloppy Joes, Vegan Chili, and the always-special Tofurkey Sandwich. The Paradox Palace Café also offers a delicious breakfast menu for those patrons looking for an alternative to the typical egg breakfast. Whether serving breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the menu options are plentiful, the seating sometimes scarce, and the service at times unbearably slow. Nevertheless, The Paradox Palace Café is a great place to get “back to the garden”.

by Marie Richie

SUSHIVILLE SUSHI-GO-ROUND
1514 NW 23rd Ave. (at Quimby)
Portland, OR 97210
(503)-226-4710
One of several sushi restaurants in town with a conveyor belt, Sushiville serves the best quality fish, by far. Walk in and sit right down. Servers are ready to take your order for anything you can’t find going around, drinks and special requests. The bar is enormous, though the seats are not. The cafeteria atmosphere is punctuated by endless pop-hits of the 1980s. However, you won’t care when you get the bill. Each color-coded plate ranges from $1.25 for edamame or tomago to $3.75 for the spicy dragon or caterpillar rolls. Help yourself to all the ginger and wasabi you want, and don’t forget to have your frequent diner card stamped. Available for take out.