Welcome to the ultimate hotspot of the week, where teamwork takes center stage! Picture this: Duality Brewing crafting sensational beer and playing host to natural wines, alongside Astral’s mastery of fresh, delectable small plates. We recently experienced this dynamic duo on a sun-soaked day, and let me tell you, the patio was an absolute paradise.
We started off with a glass of pinot gris, perfectly complementing the sunshine. The rice lager that we tried out next surprised us with its hoppy twist, and felt like a great balance of flavors.
Now, let’s talk about the food – on this visit we tried so many delicious dishes! The Dungeness crab tostada was outstanding, with a swath of avocado mousse, tons of fresh crab, and bursts of rainbow trout roe atop a blue corn tostada. It was sunshine on a plate, fitting for an Oregon spring day. Following suit, the dry-aged Kanpachi crudo was bright and fresh, served with an aguachile of carrot habanero, serrano oil, and shiso, with a rice crisp to scoop it up. For a heartier small plate, we added the nixtamalized sunchokes – rich, earthy, and accompanied by a green goddess dressing and bonito flakes that danced in the breeze. And oh, the grilled fish taco! A generous filet of striped bass, grilled to perfection on their tiny outdoor grill, was a testament to their dedication to freshness and quality.
Every bite and sip at Duality and Astral was a pure delight, heightened by the unbeatable patio setting on a beautiful Portland day. We’re already counting down the days until our next visit, eager to explore more of their menu or simply unwind with a refreshing drink.
You can find more info about Duality Here and Astral Here. Have you checked them out yet? Let us know in the comments!