Laurelhurst Market Restaurant Butcher

Date of last visit: Feb 2010
Address: 3155 E Burnside, Portland Oregon
Phone: 503-207-3097
Hours: 5PM to 10PM for dinner--sandwiches at the counter during the day
Link:  Laurelhurst Market

General Impressions of the place itself:  --well done rehab of an old corner market --stylish, spacious, but a bit loud. Lots of tables so you are packed in pretty tightly--and the bench seats are open in the back --so your hand bag--or sweater--can slip back and under the seating. In such tight quarters it make for a task to retrieve your stuff.
What we ordered: Halibut, Flank Steak, Wedge Salads, Mushroom based bread pudding with leeks, Grilled Brussel Sprouts --
Things we liked and disliked:  The food was outstanding--every single dish was a delight--even the unassuming Wedge Salad, with freshly made onion rings and bacon was right-on good. The bread pudding stood out as exceptional..but each and every bite held a happy anticipation that was met again and again.  It is a little bit expensive--but when food is this good you don't feel cheated.  The servings were somewhat small.  And who wouldn't want more when the food is this special!
Number in our party: 4
Total Bill: $110 (with a bottle of wine)
Recommended?  absolutely and unequivocally
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? Our first outing here says it is a 5--we will see if it hold up because we will certainly be going back.

The Fish & Chip Shop

Date of last visit  Feb 2010
Address: 1218 N Killingsworth Street, Portland Oregon
Phone: 503-232-3344
Hours: Opens 11:30AM on week days and at Noon on weekends. It closes at 7PM on Sunday, at 8PM on M-Thurs and at 9pm on Fri and Sat
Link:

General Impressions of the place itself: -- a little hole in the wall sort of place-taking up two small store fronts --with simple decor to no decor. There is a take out window on one side  and a few tables scattered around, plus one long table with a couch on one side and chairs along the other side. Flat screen TV on the wall tuned into a British football channel. Not fancy but nice and clean.
What we ordered:  We were there for the happy hour menu and got some of the reasonably priced fare from that menu. That included fish and chips and Clam Chowder --then we got Bubble and Squeak off the regular menu
Things we liked and disliked: The menu says the Clam Chowder is "made from scratch using a recipe dating back to 1872" You can believe that--it is super-soup. It is worth a stop by just to get a cup of this wonderful soup. The Bubble and Squeak was also tasty--and it is not something you find every day (In case you are not familiar with Bubble and Squeak, it is a dish made from a creamy garlic and herb flavored mash potatoes that are laced with cabbage and then grilled.)  The fish and chips were tasty too--the fish was fresh--the chips were not at all greasy.  What's not to like?  Well it takes a while to get your food....so if you are in a hurry this is not a place to stop. But the wait is worth it.  Also, note, there is a .50 cent charge for take out--not a big deal..but there was a woman then when we were who was not happy about it.
Number in our party: 2
Total Bill:  $12.00--as happy
Recommended?  Yep -- It is way off the beaten path for us--but we liked it enough that we might drive across town to try it again.
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? Nice spot 3+

Foti's Greek Deli

Date of last visit:  Feb 2010 (we've been going here for years)

Address: 1740 E Burnside. Portland, Oregon
Phone: 503-232-0274
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm / closed on Sunday
Link:

General Impressions of the place itself:  It would easy to miss this wonderful place as you go racing up and down Burnside -- but if you go in once you will go back. There is a counter, a few tables in the front and a small market toward the back. It is not at all fancy and while it it often busy it is never crowded. There is a friendly demeanor about the place,  the service is always efficient, and guess what, the folks who run the place are Greek.

What we ordered:  We've gotten a variety of things but our favorites are the GYRO & SOUVALKI SANDWICHES. The bread is the freshest of fresh--the veggies (tomatoes and lettuce) are always crisp. Ask for Feta and you get plenty of it.

Things we liked and disliked: We just like it.

Number in our party: varies

Total Bill: for two is about $11 without drinks

Recommended? Absolutely --this place is one to remember

With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? Strong 4

Mee-Sen Thai Eatery

Date of last visit: Feb 2010
Address:  3924 N Mississippi Ave.,  Portland, OR 97227
Phone: (503) 445-1909 
Hours: Sun-Thurs:  11:30 am to 10 pm
           Fri -Sat:  11:30 am to 10:30 pm
Link:  Mee-Sen

General Impressions of the place itself:  Hip Portland -- low light, high ceilings and benches at tables, sit where you want. They give you sweet little tin cups for water, and a water bottle on the table to refill your own cup (interesting and different water bottles on every table). A big chalkboard has a long list of drinks.  There is an upstairs --we didn't go up there but our dinner companions told us it is very comfortable, and provides lots more seating.
What we ordered: Mojoto (a drink--and it was delicious) various soups and some noodle dishes, plus chicken wings and a spring roll.  All were super good!
Things we liked and disliked: We liked everything about this place--not a single complaint
Number in our party: 4
Total Bill: $58
Recommended? Oh YEA!  This place is a real winner--We are looking forward to going back asap
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? 4

Sushi Boat

Date of last visit: Feb 2010, March 2010
Address: 21900 Willamette Drive #205, West Linn Oregon in the West Linn Central Village
Phone: 503-722-9013
Hours: closed Sunday
NOTE: There is another of these in Beaverton--this is a review of the one in West Linn
LINK: 

Repeat visit --and a new note.  We went early in the evening (about 5:00) and we were the only customers.  Not such a good time to visit--because the food on the conveyor had been there a while and not much new food was being offered. Also, they were using a minced-up faux crab to augment most of the sushi--it tasted ok but was not wonderful.  Still a good deal at $34 for 3 people--so we will leave the grade where it was--but we will not go back when there aren't other diners in the place.

General Impressions of the place itself: A sweet little community spot with a conveyor belt of food rolling along in front of an L shaped counter (two sides) and about 5 booths on one side.  A couple of chefs are in the middle preparing various rolls and a few sushi items.   In the back there is a kitchen, out of which hot food emerges from time to time. The plates are color coded for price (ranging from $2 to $3.) and they glide past  you so you can pick the ones you want.  Stack the used plates up on the side, and they are used to calculate your bill. If you want to know what something is, ask the chef.  There is also a regular menu to order from if you prefer.
What we ordered: Oh my, we got a wide variety of items -- but rolls are most of what is offered so that is most of what we got. One of our party was particularly drawn to the Rainbow Roll and all agreed it was good.
Things we liked and disliked: Not very much sushi was offered when we were there, the variety could have been better.  If there is a shortage of customers there isn't much choice--new items are not added if the ones circulating are not being taken. If there are lots of people you have to watch carefully for the items you want as they will not be coming back around.  But still the whole thing works well and is kind of fun
Number in our party: 3
Total Bill: $48 (and we had a lot of food) plus a beer
Recommended? yes, it is a comfortable place, with a community feel to it. The food is not fabulous gourmet but it is good and it is just hard not to love this place.
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? 2+

Bangkok Corner

Date of last visit: Feb 2010
Address: 7113 SW McAdam Ave, Portland, Oregon
Phone: 503-452-22656
Hours:11 am to 9 pm M-F and Noon to 9 pm Sat-Sun
Link:  Bangkok Corner Menu

General Impressions of the place itself:  Family Business, comfortable laid-back sort of place
What we ordered: various take out items --multiple visits
Things we liked and disliked: not consistent --some times very good, sometime well OK but not great
Number in our party: usually 2 to 4 people
Total Bill:  about $8. per head average ? take out without beverages
Recommended? well we like the guy who owns the place, and it is in our general neighborhood, so we do go here from time to time, but it would be hard to suggest anyone go out of his or her way to visit.  When the food is good it is very good--but you can't count on it.  We have no idea why it varies so much, maybe they have different cooks on different days?
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? 1+ to 2

Saint Honore Boulangerie

Date of last visit:  Feb 2010
Address: 351 1st Street, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Phone: 503-455-1379
Hours: Sunday to Thurs 7AM to 7PM and Fri-Sat 7am to 8pm
Link:  Saint Honore Boulangerie

General Impressions of the place itself: large open space with glass cases full of temptations.  Smaller tables line the window walls..not much space for parties larger than 3 or 4, and space for that many is availabe only if you really crowd in.  The treat is on a nice day, then you can sit outside. But being crowded is just not a problem when the food is as good as the food you get here. Also, there is another one of these places in NW Portland --but LO is closer to us.
What we ordered:  we have tried lots of dishes here--sandwiches, soups, pies, sweets, fresh bread, salads and it is all wonderful. 
Things we liked and disliked: Humm, is there anything to dislike? Maybe the prices,  It is spendy--but then you get really good food for your money.
Number in our party: 3
Total Bill: $32 for sandwiches / no drinks
Recommended? oh yes. and then some. this place is a big favorite
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? 4+