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+
‎

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+

Huber's (grade drop from C to D+)

Date of last visit:  March 2010

Address:  411 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, Oregon
Phone: 503-228-5686
Hours: open for lunch & dinner Mon-Sat, Open for Dinner on Sunday / Happy hour specials 4 to 5:30 daily and 9:30 till close
Link:  Huber's

SECOND VISIT, took friends --  dinner was not so good -- Turkey Pot Pie weak and Crab Cakes only passable.  Dinner Salad had NO umph  -- only saving grace was Bread Pudding Dessert, which was super. Bill for 4 with beer and wine and a shared desert was $112.  Really could've done better elsewhere.  Grade Drop to a 1+ --and the Plus is there just because of the first visit during Happy Hour. (see below)

PS Our dinner mates say this place has a fabulous SPANISH COFFEE --which we have not had but which they have --many times, stopped after a late movie to enjoy.

General Impressions of the place:  -- lots of dark wood paneling, low light, arched ceiling, a very nice vintage feel --and that is what it should have, because it is the oldest restaurant in Portland -- established in 1879.  There are lots of photos and other memorabilia tastefully framed and hung in various places around the restaurant. Ther is a front room (that you walk into off 3rd Ave)--and a back room--down the hall.  The back room has a set of wonderful stain glass windows in the ceiling. The original cash register is still behind the bar.

What we ordered: We ordered from the VERY REASONABLY PRICED happy hour menu, and got a full meal for 4, made-up of lots of smaller dishes.  Two turkey sandwiches, two salads,  calamari, spinach dip, seared Ahi tuna, turkey burrito... all were tasty -- not out of the world delicious --but tasty.

Things we liked and disliked:  prices on the happy hour can't be beat. But the place was super crowded at 5:30 because of the happy hour crowd.  While they have a full dinner menu they are famous for their TURKEY dishes--we will try one of them next time.  They are also famous for their coffee-drinks (with alcohol) which are prepared at the table --with lots of flames and hoop-da-la. We didn't try one but we were tempted
Number in our party: 4
Total Bill: $28 !!
Recommended?  for sure
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? SOLID 3