Irving Street Kitchen Makes Auspicious Debut

With its decidedly improvised sign still up on its patio, the much-hyped Irving Street Kitchen, backed by powerhouse San Fran restaurateurs Doug Washington, Steven Rosenthal, and Mitchell Rosenthal, opened its doors on Friday night to a warm, insanely crowded Portland welcome. Eater operatives were on-hand Friday night to sample from Sarah Schafer's two-tiered menu and gawk at the private-library-meets-butcher-shop decor (a fun improvement over old tenant Bay 13); then stopped by again the next day for a happy hour... that didn't exist. (Despite the restaurant's website stating it opens at 4:30pm "daily," servers explained that Irving St. actually isn't open for business until 5:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays, when no happy hour specials are available. Website fail.)

But so far, the out-of-towners get points for incorporating some Portland faves — including bread by Ken's Artisan Bakery and Stumptown-infused ice cream — on its upscale, Southern-style menu. Could The Country Cat be facing some downtown competition?
· Irving Street Kitchen [Official site]
· All Previous Irving Street Kitchen Coverage [Eater PDX]