Lavender Bleu Tea Room, West Linn (Grade 4 Stars)

Date of last visit: May 2010
Address: 1877 Willamette Falls Dr., West Linn, Oregon
Phone: 503-657-2844
Hours:  Open Wed to Sat 11:00 to 4:00 (reservations suggested)
Link:

General Impressions of the place itself:  -- you walk into the gift shop -- and out the back door -- cross a partially decorated patio to enter the shabby-chic style tea room.  It is comfortable and girlie-sweet.  There are specials each day and a regular menu.   
What we ordered:  Tea For Two -- bit sized bits of a number of very tasty treats. Especially outstanding were the quiche and the scones
Things we liked and disliked:  The scones were the best I have ever had --hands down, the best.  Everything was tasty and the presentation was well done. Only complaints are: would be nice if there was a way to take some of these goodies home (bakery style) --and the hours are pretty limited.
Number in our party: 2
Total Bill: $35
Recommended? For sure
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? It is a strong 4 stars--and could go higher, but I'd need to visit more than once before giving that strong of an endorsement

PING, (3 stars)

Date of last visit: May 2010

Address: 102 NW 4th, Portland, Oregon 97209
Phone: (503) 229-7464 Hours:  open m-f 11am-10pm -- open sat 5pm-10pm  -- closed sun
 Link:

General Impressions of the place itself: --it's on a corner in China town --easy to miss if you are not looking for it, a long thin space with semi-ultra-cool design --a half-wall of wonderful old radios,  a lovely bit of white cloth drapes from the celiling in big loops, walls are painted black. On the down side, there is a wall of windows where the sun hits hard in the late afternoon and the shades are only partially adequate to blocking the glare.  It is a little noisy. But it all hangs together. And it must be good because it is crowded with an eclectic mix of people

What we ordered: a number of skewers(Chicken Butt; Octopus; Beef Sata) The Deep Fried Whole Pork Kuckle, The Yam Yai Salad,  and Laksa Nonya Noodle dish.
Things we liked and disliked:  Forget those chicken butt things --we all tried one and then abandoned the dish. The other skewers were ok, but sort'a disappointing--not really much to say other than they are ok.  On the other hand the Salad and Noodles were exceptionally good. I'd be happy to have more right now. The Pork Kunckle was interesting-it was tender and delicious but was more than half fat.  So if you are a fan of pork fat you'll like it alot.  If you are looking for a lot of delicious lean meat you will be disappointed by the portion--but if you just want a couple servings of delicous pork--bingo, here it is
Number in our party: Four
Total Bill:  $130 (with drinks and desert and we did order more than we really needed to)
Recommended? Yep-- we will go back.. but we will be more discriminating about what we order next time
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? 3 stars

Ying Bun Restaurant‎, West Linn (3+ Stars)

Date of last visit:  May 2010
Address: 19094 Willamette Drive, West Linn, OR 97068Phone: 503-635-4706
Hours: pretty sure it is open 7 day a week from lunch to dinner --call to confimnr hours
Link:

General Impressions of the place itself: This is pristine-clean, friendly,  hole-in-the wall--nothing fancy but real good food place.  We've eaten in the restaurant, which is just a step or two up from a fast food restaurant (but unlike fast food joints they do have table service) --but mostly we order take-out.
What we ordered: We have ordered a variety of things --and we never been disappointed. It isn't that the food here is super-duper outstanding--but it is absolutely reliably better than average.  We keep ordering pot stickers, which tend toward being a little doughy but they are flavorful -- so we often get vegetable dishes which are always made with really fresh veggies.
Things we liked and disliked: The people here are so very nice that it isn't easy to think of any complaints. It would be nice if they were not so out of the way.
Number in our party: We have been here as a twosome and we've been here getting for a crowd. It is reasonably priced.
Total Bill: Recommended? For 2 $18.00 last time we were there.
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place -- 3+
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