DALO'S Kitchen (Grade C)

Date of last visit: : April 2010 --we've been here about a half dozen times
Address: 4134 N Vancouver Ave., Portland, Oregon
Phone:  503-808-9604
Hours: call to check
Link:  Dalo's Kitchen

General Impressions of the place itself: From the outside you would not know this is a restaurant..or that it was a public place. It just says DALOS on the awning over the door..nothing else.  It is an ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT. It is family owned and operated. The people are very friendly. There is nothing the least bit fancy here.  It is entirely unassuming with nothing but plain and simple table and chairs.  I am not even sure if there are any pictures on the walls.  There are two rooms separated by a partial wall.  The second room has a TV on the wall.  We always just sit down in the first room, so we don't know what all is in the second room--more tables and chairs we assume.
What we ordered:  We have ordered most everything they have on the menu. It is not a big menu. The food has always been reliably good, except for the time we got the buffet--that was not so good. We wouldn't do that again..and wouldn't recommend it to anyone else. Order from the menu, you'll be happy.
Things we liked and disliked: The buffet at $10 a person for all you can eat looked better than it tasted, The food was not consistently hot and some of it was a little bit dried out. The menu items have always been good. It takes a while to get the food--because they fix it after you order it--but it is worth the wait

Number in our party: 4

Total Bill: $60 with tip and drinks
Recommended? sure, we like it and will go back
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? 3

El Palenque, (Grade 4+)

Date of last visit: April 2010 but we go every other month or so
Address: 8324 SE 17th Street, Portland, Oregon
Phone: (503) 231-5140
‎Hours: open for lunch daily to 9:30
Link:  El Palenque

General Impressions of the place itself: typical Latin American themes--lost of bright color , simple tables. nothing exceptional, but you are not going there for the decor --not just Mexican but Salvadorian too!
What we ordered: We love their Chili Relleno --they are the best in town. The Papusas are also outstanding..as are their Margaritas..  Plus they have a half dozen different kinds of Guacamole!
Things we liked and disliked: We love this place, there is nothing not to like  The service is always pleasant and attentive. These are real nice folk, serving up excellent food.
Number in our party: 3
Total Bill: $ 35.00 (with drinks and tip)
Recommended? Absolutely yes
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? 4+ It may not be perfect, but it is close.

The Chart House (5 for View, 3+ for food)

Date of last visit: April 2010
Address: 5700 Terwilleger Portland, Oregon
Phone: (503) 246-6963
Hours: 11:30 till closing M-F & 5 till closing on Sat & Sunday
Link:  Chart House

General Impressions of the place itself: what a view.  It is a place to go for a grand view of Portland --south east--with Mt Hood to the right. It is nicely done and the view seems to be availabe from every table.
What we ordered:  Chart House Mixed Grill, which included a jumbo lump crab cake, fresh grilled salmon and grilled shrimp accompanied by broccoli and red peppers and ginger rice pilaf --plus fried asparagus and cesar salad. One Mirror Pond (on draft) and a glass of their least expensive Merlot 
Things we liked and disliked:The food was better than average for a chain: the veggies were fresh and so was the fish.  The salad was large but not noteworthy, the cheap wine was ok for cheap wine but I would try the next rung up if I went there again. More than enough food. We should have shared one meal and not left so stuffed.
Number in our party: 2
Total Bill: $97 with tip (plus mandatory valet parking)
Recommended? yes--if you want a view restaurant it is the best we have seen --and the food, while not of the groundbreaking-creative stuff we are used to in Portland's finest -- it was perfectly good, and it was well prepared.
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place?  Grade View 5 --Food  3+