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Hot Spots

Han Oak

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For our Hot Spot this week we ventured out to Han Oak. This Korean restaurant is known for it’s very reasonable chef’s menu, only $59 a person, their fabulous dumplings, and the laid back atmosphere. The restaurant is small, but in the summer they open up the beautiful courtyard and add site a few tables. Most of them are communal so you can even make some new friends!

We started the evening out with some cocktails, all of which have some Korean inspired ingredients. They even have slushy cocktails in the summer months to help you beat the heat. I had the Tamagotchi collins, a gin and ginger drink with a bit of club soda, while our friends tried a coconut, banana, rum slushy, and the Korean goodbye, a rye whiskey drink with black walnut foam. They were refreshing and the perfect start to our meal!

We had to try the tasting menu to be certain that we tried all the best things on the menu. They likely rotate what is offered, but we started with all of the “banchan”, or small sides, on the menu. Kimchi, blistered beans, smashed cucumbers and a corn salad that really reminded me of elotés. The corn and the kimchi were the stars of this course, though everything was incredibly flavorful.

Next up we moved onto the “share” course. We tried the Korean chicken wings, which were perfectly crispy and incredibly juicy, and the Octopus Waffle. This sounds like a crazy concoction, which according the chef’s wife started out terribly, but the flavors all meld together so well you can’t help but want to eat more.

Next up for us were some of the famous dumplings, which deserve all the accolades they have received, and the pork bo ssam, which is a pork belly dish that allows you to make your own rice paper wraps.

We finished our meal out with Kimcheladas, a Korean take on the michelada with kimchi juice, and some dessert. All in all we had a fantastic experience and can’t wait to go back!

Is there somewhere that you want us to go and check out? Let us know in the comments!

Trifecta Tavern

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This week we are featuring the tavern and bakery by Ken Forkish. This has been on our list of places to try for so long and we were so excited to finally make the time to go and try it out!

We knew we were going to like the restaurant because we have been a long time fans of Ken’s other restaurants (Ken’s Artisan Bakery and Ken’s Artisan Pizza) but everything was even better than we expected. We arrived in time to try the happy hour which offers a large variety of food for a great price.

On the dinner menu even the most discerning diner will find something they love. There are lots of seafood options, vegetarian options, and even some vegan choices. The food is fresh, in season, and comes out beautifully plated. We finished our meal out with a key lime pie, it’s rare to find a proper key lime pie this far from Florida, but this one was to die for!

If you haven’t been yet, or it has been while since you stopped in, make sure you get over there soon. You will not be disappointed!

  • Trifecta Tavern and Bakery
    • 726 SE 6th Avenue, Portland, OR
    • Open 7 days a week
      • Bakery open 8am -1pm
      • Restaurant open 5pm – 9pm

Do you have somewhere you think we need to check out next? let us know in the comments!

Eem

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After months of hearing and reading rave reviews, we finally made it to Hot Spot of the week, Thai and BBQ fusion spot Eem, and it did not disappoint. Backed by a powerhouse team, the flawless execution of food, cocktails, and relaxed but efficient service come together to achieve an experience that deserves the accolades they are receiving. 


The cocktail menu tends towards the rum-based, citrus-heavy vacation style, and the ones we tried were delicious. Some are served in delightful Tiki mugs and feature sprightly flourishes. Food comes as it is ready, which ended being a perfect pace for always having a variety of new things to taste without having an over-crowded table or feeling rushed. 

On our recent visit, we tried a variety of dishes from all parts of the menu, including a fantastic pork belly dish with fermented pineapple, a burnt end brisket curry, and the simply prepared but outstandingly delicious snow pea tips. The Thai street food flavors melded so well with the smoky slow-cooked barbecue flavors, it makes one wonder why people haven’t been combining them for longer. 

We can’t wait to return and try everything else on the menu, and live that vacation life without leaving our lovely city of Portland.


Where should we head next? Let us know in the comments!

LABrewatory

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This week’s hot spot is the fun and experimental brewery LABrewatory! I stopped in while I was out and about in the neighborhood and found so many great beer options it was hard to choose just one.

This brewery specializes in experimental beers and collaborations. What that means is you will find a wide variety of styles and something to satisfy every palette. The bartenders are exceptionally friendly and are happy to walk you through all the beers on tap as you try to decide what you want to quench your thirst with.

As an added bonus to visiting LABrewatory, you get to eat at Tamale Boy! they have great tacos, seasonal offerings and happy hour! Make sure to swing by and try something new!

  • Labrewatory
    • 670 N Russell St
    • 7 days a week 7am -10pm

Do you have somewhere you want us to check out? Let us know in the comments!

Montesacro Pinseria Romana

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We all love Italian food, but generally I’ve found that people in the United States tend to oversimplify the wide array of deliciousness that the country has to offer – too often reducing it down to pasta alone. Montesacro Pinseria does a wonderful job of showing off all of the other mouth-watering offerings of Italia.

I actually lived in the Northwestern corner of Rome for 6 months back in 2006, and since returning, had not found a single restaurant that transported me back to those times until sitting down for lunch at this unassuming spot in the Pearl district. However, one bite of the Gambuccio panini (not the pressed white bread variety you may be thinking of) and I was instantly back to a street-side bistro of Trastevere. Perfectly crunchy and soft bread, heaped with a generous portion of prosciutto and burrata, yet it was the zucchine sott’oli (zucchini marinated in olive oil and spices) that honestly brought tears of nostalgia to my eyes. I highly recommend getting the Sbagliato, a wonderfully bright and bitter combination of bubbles, Campari, and Cocchi Torino to cleanse your palate between blissful bites.

I cannot wait to return to try all of the deliciousness on this menu, and relive those days living in the epicenter of amazing Italian cuisine.

Have you tried this place yet? Let us know in the comments!

Cheese and Crack

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This week’s hot spot is the fantastic snack shop, Cheese and Crack! It is the perfect place for a mid afternoon pick me up. With a variety of cheese plates and assorted snacks you are sure to find something to excite your taste buds.

I tried the salami and cheese curds and was really happy with the flavors of the plate. The cheese curds were tossed in a pesto sauce and accompanied by tomato jam, pickled onions, Castelvetrano olives, and pickled cornichons. I have only ever tried fried cheese curds and these were surprisingly light and fresh which made them perfect for a summer day.

They also serve espresso, beer, wine, and assorted non-alcoholic beverages. The beer and wine list changes frequently and is very appropriate for the season. I tried a sparkling rosé and it paired perfectly with my salami.

Make sure you get check this place out, whether it is for a morning cup of joe, an afternoon snack, or a late night pick me up. Let us know what you think in the comments and be sure to subscribe to stay in the know about all our favorite places!

  • Cheese and Crack
    • 22 SE 28TH AVE
    • 11am -10pm everyday

Do you have somewhere you want us to check out? Let us know in the comments!

Keys Lounge

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This week for our featured hot spot we went to Keys Lounge in NE Portland. We have been really wanting to try the cocktails here because their Instagram game is on point. I am happy to report that we finally made it and we were not disappointed!

They have some wines, a decent tap list, and a great mix of cocktails. I tried the Bootsy Collins which is vodka, lemon, soda, and a splash of Lillet Rouge. It was perfectly refreshing for a hot summer evening. We didn’t try any of the food but the menu looks to be perfectly Portland. They have all the bar staples like popcorn and fries, and burgers. They also have some fun twists like pork belly bites and vegan “calamari”. Whether you are a meat eater, vegetarian, or a vegan you will find lots of options on this menu.

One of my favorite things about this visit was the numerous places to sit! There is a huge wrap around bar with stools both inside and outside, a cute patio with a decent amount of tables, booths surrounded by old records, and a back lounge where they were showing the game.

The building is a old locksmith building from the 60’s and still features the giant KEYS sign out front. The building had been abandoned and run down for many years. It has now been returned to it’s full potential and is ready for your patronage!

Be sure to check this place out and let us know what you think!

Do you have a place that you want us to feature? Let us know in the comments!