Ethnic, Portland

If you are downtown and really hungry for lots of Japanese food. Todai is your place.
Its located on top of Pioneer place downtown right next to the Max train.
Be warned this isn't upscale its high volume Japanese Sushi...

Prices are a bit steep but offer all you can eat hot food, raw sushi. For dinner you can get crab, shashimi. THere is a large selection of fresh fruit and deserts as well. Unlike the Todai chains in other states I've never found a line here.

They don't advertise it at the resturant but at the start of the sushi line you can order handrolls. My favorites are softshell crap, salmon/avocado, and of course Tuna! Don't be shy and ask the head chef.

If it is your B-day you can eat for FREE!

This of the beaten path resturant is the place locals take their out of town guests for good family , made with love food. Started by a Lebanese family about 18 years ago.
It is by no means up scale however I feel like I am in a little village in Lebannon enjoying the crowed in feeling and the middle easter kitch.
Middle eastern music fills the air along with the smell of fresh pita being made in the back.
BEWARE! This place is so popular that you have to wait outside if you go during regular lunch and dinner hours.
I go at 1:30 -2:00 pm to avoid lunchers and 5:00pm or 8:00pm to avoid the dinner crowd.

Favorite Dish: I like the meat mezza . It starts with a platter of hummus, tabouli, falafal, and fresh baked pita. A yougart sauce for smearing.
Then follows with a plate of kafta and lamb pattie with roasted tomatoes. Ummmmm!
Add an addtional plate of TABOULI if you love lemony flavor with tons of parsley.

A lovely place in downtown Portland for an unusual and satisfying meal. The staff was very pleasant and helpful.

On Sunday morning tourists were wandering the streets to find the limited selection of breakfast places. I really lucked out on this one. I would have liked to try their dinner as well. I was only on the 1st floor where there is a cafe but there are 3 floors for partying. It includes a nightclub.

Favorite Dish: HALIBUT HASH!!!
A big plate of potatos, bell pepper, spinach and lots of halibut chucks topped by two poached eggs.

Can it get any better? Yes it can. It is served with your choice of fresh baked, hot buttered bread. I had the dark rye with onion bits baked in it.

Greek Cuisina alone would have made the trip worth while.

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Grolla is off the beaten path but well worth a visit. The small corner restaurant offers open wall views during the summer and wonderfully romantic settings in the evenings. The rich colors and European charm are throughout and the food amazing. I really could have licked the plates!!! The meals were fantastic and the sauces were to die for. Yum! The owners are Chris and Angela and are both very involved with the restaurant and planning. Chris comes from a Middle East background and Angela from Oregon. The two met and put the two tastes together in a way unexpected.

Favorite Dish: The last time I was there I split two appetizers [the cheese plate & shrimp dish] and the non-flour chocolate cake. I was stuffed! The meals are equally filling. Enjoy!

It may be a small chain restaurant, but it is the best Thai we have in town. Handful of other worth mentioning, but Thai Orchid offers something they don't- consistency.
Nice, clean places which is also not always seen.
Think there may be a new , "in" place opening up in the NW section but haven't ventuired there yet.

Favorite Dish: Love the Gaeng Mussman - a curry dish. Yellow curry and all the goodness that goes with that.
Noodle dished are all pretty good too.
A tad Americanized, so don't think you'll get the most authentic. Can't beat steadily good though.

There are five Koji's scattered throughout Portland. And they are all about the same. Some have a larger seating arrangement. Some have outdoor seating. All in all, the sushi is not bad, although it is definitely nothing to write home about. The biggest benefit of Koji is that their staff is always attentive and the sushi chefs are quick. The longest I have ever had to wait for some food is about 15 minutes. If you are looking for some quick, fresh, traditional sushi, this is the place to go. A very excellent choice for a business lunch.

Favorite Dish: The nigiri is very good at Koji. Healthy, very fresh portions of Maguro and perectly cooked Anakyu are my personal favorites. Try to avoid the spider roll, as it isn't the best.

Madame Butterfly has provided one of my best Portland sushi experiences. Really though, it isn't saying too much seeing as though the rest of the sushi in this town has been less than amazing. The presentation was fabulous. Beautifully displayed rolls and nigiri is very eye catching. The downfall is when you try to start eating the sushi. I am a big guy and I have a big mouth and each and every piece was simply HUMONGOUS! Normally I am not one to complain about the size of food, but this was a little ridiculous. Expect great service, exceptional presentation and a relaxing ambiance.

Favorite Dish: The nigiri at Madame Butterfly is quite possibly some of the best I have ever seen. I especially enjoyed the maguro (tuna) and sake (salmon). Extremely fresh. The Horizon Roll was also very tasty (salmon, cucumber and tempura asparagus).

I discovered the Ming Lounge by accident. It is located within one of the oldest Chinese restaurants (republic cafe) that remain in ever-shrinking Chinatown. This was just the dark, out-of-date ambience that I needed to enjoy my first night in Portland. This is where the Glengarry Glenn Ross spirits (and spirits) are evoked!! Terrific service from the caucasian barman. Don't even think about sitting in the generic main restaurant.

Favorite Dish: Anything liquid. Try the tasty "combination dinners" (sour spare ribs a must). Very generous portions.