Portland Or Restaurants

When Chez Panisse was conceived in 1971, it was the most atypical of restaurants in America, designing its menu daily based on the freshest seasonal and local ingredients. Though this unique approach to food has since gained momentum, Chez Panisse is still one of the most influential proponents of the move towards a more sustainable approach to food. With Alice Waters at the helm, Chez Panisse stays true to its initial vision, serving one fixed price menu daily, based on what is freshest at the moment. Still in its birthplace in a converted house in liberal-minded Berkeley, Chez Panisse retains …

Named after one of the Basque region’s signature dishes, Piperade combines accomplished Chef Gerald Hirigoyen’s robust and unique native cuisine with the Bay Area’s fresh and bustling vibe. Nestled between Telegraph Hill and the Financial District, this warm, chic restaurant attracts a lively crowd. Piperade’s menu focuses on fresh, savory seafood and gourmet touches, and even offers daily prix fixe lunch specials. The Cold Poached Foie Gras with black pepper, sea salt and apple compote as well as the Piperade with sautéed serrano ham and poached egg are promising selections that make this menu stand apart. With an inviting outdoor …

When it comes to restaurants, Zuni Café is a San Francisco institution. Its warm and inviting space, unpretentious feel, and delicious food are reasons to come back again and again. Judy Rogers cooks the way mom might if she had access to all the best produce and hours of time. Whether it is the classic Chicken-For-Two with a side of bread salad, a perfect cut of meat, or the heavenly Ricotta Gnocchi, the dishes are all wonderfully executed and mouth-watering. It’s near impossible to sample everything San Francisco has to offer, but if you’ve had a chance to dine at …

Delfina Restaurant sits nestled in the heart of the Mission district among a large range of trend-setting and highly regarded bistros, brasseries, trattorias, rosticerias, taquerias, pizzerias, and eateries. With a menu presented in the traditional Italian style, Executive Chef Craig Stoll creates relatively fine-tuned dishes that explore the entire country of Italy with local, lavish ingredients. Low-level lighting, shiny steel tabletops, a beautiful mosaic of small blue tiles behind the bar, a garden patio, and an open kitchen create an unpretentious exquisiteness that flows through to the wait staff and makes for good meal.

Although Coi’s décor exudes a soothing calm in shades of earthy minimalism, its cuisine is a jolt of culinary electricity. Chef Daniel Patterson’s tasting menus take diners on a sensuous adventure reflective of his diverse culinary background, which includes a stint at the infamous El Bulli. A meal at Coi is an exercise in the revelry of the unexpected: a starter might include the application of essential oils to the wrist, while a dessert might be couched in smoked yogurt. The result is an experience that embodies the doe-eyed wonder of childhood with the poise and refinement of haute cuisine.

Once you locate tiny Gold Street, one slender block in San Francisco’s Jackson Square area, you’ve won half the battle. Now just look for the neon sign pointing the way inside and you will be lavishly rewarded upon entering Bix. The surprisingly spacious interior is pure elegance, like the dining room of a luxury Ocean liner from the 30’s. The lighting is dim, the cocktails are chilled to perfection, and whether you are on a sexy date or a buttoned down business dinner, you’ll know without a doubt that you have made the right choice. A sumptuous dinner awaits all …

Even the most avid diner might be surprised how many types of cuisine have come out of the culinary paradise known as Italy. While it might be difficult to tell the difference between styles of cooking, guests at A16 will remember the signature delicacies of the Campania region in Southern Italy. Located on Chestnut Street in the Marina neighborhood, A16 presents the finest Southern Italian dishes in San Francisco, crafted by talented chefs and served by a friendly wait staff. Whether diners are stopping in to meet friends for a glass of wine and appetizers, or enjoying a celebratory meal, …

Located in San Francisco's Hotel Vitale, Americano's menu is deeply rooted in Italian tradition. Using only market fresh ingredients, Chef Paul Arenstam entices diners with handmade pasta and bakers pies, while still showcasing locally grown, seasonal products. Americano is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner while also providing a trendy spot for an after work drink. The cocktail lounge's unique circular design coupled with the dynamic panoramic bay view creates a strikingly modern atmosphere. In contrast, the dining room's natural wood and dramatic arches create a comfortable and alluring dining atmosphere. Americano also provides an outdoor patio with a …

Warm and inviting, Kokkari Estiatorio evokes old-world elegance while remaining one of San Francisco’s most popular locales for a romantic evening, a business meeting or just a casual drink with friends. The roaring fireplace and the rustic vaulted ceilings are the ideal backdrop for a hearty Mediterranean meal. Guests can try a traditional Greek Mezethe (appetizer) or sample one of the restaurants unique varietals from the impressive wine list. Nestled in the Financial District near many of San Francisco’s most attractive sights, Kokkari Estiatorio is an experience in Greek culture, an experience you will surely want to savor.

Yank Sing creates traditional and inventive dim sum in a classy and serene atmosphere. This restaurant is suitable for a business lunch or for meeting up with friends for dinner. Guests can simply point to the dumpling or dish they desire from a cart that the food server runs around the restaurant. There are more than 60 choices available every day and one favorite is the Gingery Foil-Wrapped Chicken. Yank Sing also has a to-go counter where guests can save time on their lunch break and take back some tasty Chinese food to the office.

Foreign Cinema, located in the heart of the Mission, is a novel concept restaurant specializing in fine California/Mediterranean cuisine and a unique entertainment offering of nightly foreign and independent films at dusk. Since its fruitful beginning under executive chef duo Gayle Pirie and John Clark, visitors and celebrities from all over have been captivated by the restaurant’s innovative menu and reels of atmosphere. The restaurant has garnered rave reviews from critics coast to coast and remains a favorite dinner and weekend brunch destination among locals.

Quietly tucked within the Hotel California, at the edge of San Francisco’s infamous Tenderloin district, Millennium presents a unique marriage of socially-conscious vegan food and the exacting standards of fine dining. Chef Eric Tucker brings to life a wide range of exceptional vegetarian dishes, relying on the natural vibrancy of his produce and a gift for innovation to make each morsel complete—in spite of a total absence of meat. A small but robust wine list, focusing on organic and biodynamic options, rounds out the mission of sustainability. Millennium is an ideal choice for vegetarian diners looking for something more, or …

The chic Fifth Floor restaurant acts as a culinary and visual bridge connecting the Bay area and executive chef Laurent Manrique’s native Southwestern France. The menu is both refreshingly modern and faultlessly traditional, with one dish having a provenance traced to King Henry IV’s table. Fifth Floor’s décor enhances the experience of regional pastiche, with a color scheme that evokes the landscape of both regions. Cool ocean blues mingle with sandy ochres and wine reds, colors that embody not only the surrounding Bay area, but simultaneously transport the diner to Southern France. An evening at Fifth Floor is an exploration …

For over a decade the Slanted Door has been one of the most sought after dining experiences in San Francisco. Executive Chef Charles Phan blends his passion for Vietnamese cooking with top quality ingredients, showcasing the abundance of produce and ecologically farmed fish, game, and poultry sourced by local farms. Many of his recipes are inspired by his mother’s cooking, along with ideas he has picked up from his travels to Vietnam. If you are looking for irresistible food and a lively atmosphere, the Slanted Door may become your new favorite.

Harris’ restaurant is an unabashed haven for carnivores. Meat is the star of the simple, unpretentious menu that emphasizes quality aged, corn-fed beef served in a variety of thick, juicy cuts. With deep, semi-circular, leather booths, warm amber lighting, and large hunting murals, Harris’ décor suggests the inviting, and somewhat exclusive, atmosphere of a traditional and stately hunting club. Diners who hold off for the end of the week to indulge their red meat cravings are treated to live jazz from the Susan Chen trio. A crisp, dry martini, a sizzling steak, and a warm, lush environment make Harris’ a …

One Market makes for one exquisite dining experience. With stunning views and upscale atmosphere, One Market is one of the few restaurants in San Francisco with an unbeatable location to serve some of the city’s most exciting cuisine. Executive Chef Mark Dommen has created a menu that appeals to a variety of culinary interests and budgets, featuring seasonal American fare with an emphasis on fresh, organic, and local ingredients. The food, the service, and the ambiance are truly exceptional and will keep one coming back for more.

Sleek and sultry Straits restaurant and lounge gives the weary shopper a sexy little break from the hustle and bustle of the San Francisco shopping scene. East and West intertwine in Chef/Owner Chris Yeo's Singaporean fusion cuisine, inspired by Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and Indonesian flavors, and featuring traditional fare such as Singapore Satay Sticks and savory spiced Roti Prata. For another flavorful option, mint and fragrant saffron cultivate a zesty Rack of Lamb that slides right off the bone, rolling onto the tongue in a culmination of satisfaction. Slow things down with a ginger-infused cocktail to finish the courses off.

With Rome-style cuisine and the atmosphere of a lively trattoria, a night at SPQR in the Pacific Heights neighborhood feels like a night in Rome. House-made semolina pastas, fresh vegetables, exotic cuts of meat, an all-Italian wine list, and plenty of Umbrian olive oil ensure that SPQR’s simple dishes are anything but ordinary. Executive Chef Nate Appleton, also of sister restaurant A16, serves the traditional ingredients and recipes that have made Rome an epicurean epicenter for thousands of years.

NOPA, like the city of San Francisco, is a study in duality. Both are cutting edge yet firmly rooted in the past. This is reflected in the contrast between the restaurant's sleek yet rustic design and masterfully prepared food. The intent at NOPA is to find and procure only the freshest and most seasonal ingredients and serve them in a manner that only enhances their quality. The restaurant is a welcomed addition to its namesake, North of the Panhandle neighborhood, as it has been extremely popular since opening in 2006. The bar is urbane without being fussy, the food is …

Revel in an eating scene that encourages patrons to try new tastes and strengthen bonds by sharing plates, at Pesce. This Venetian cuisine-inspired restaurant relies on the freshest ingredients and high quality fish and meat to serve the equivalent of Spanish tapas with a varied Cicchetti menu of hot and cold dishes. These miniature entrees may be petite, but their flavor is anything but timid. The cold Cicchetti selection offers such delicacies as the Alici Bruschette (white anchovies, olives, and roasted peppers), while the hot menu hoasts the Tortino (a saffron risotto cake with Dungeness crab meat).