Eric Bechard Reveals Major Kingdom of Roosevelt Details

File this in the "good to know" column: It's a reference to the breed of elk, not the presidents. The Oregonian unleashes a new pack of details about chef Eric Bechard's hotly anticipated restaurant Kingdom of Roosevelt, which marks his first return to Portland since opening McMinnville's Thistle in 2010. As previously reported, the restaurant — now revealed to have just 26 seats — will take over the former Lyrik Coffeehouse space on SE Cesar E Chavez Boulevard. Per the O's Michael Russell:

"Judging from an early peek at Roosevelt's menu, Bechard might be building the most unusual, intriguing Portland dining experience in recent memory. Early dishes include pickled elk tongue, fallow deer heart tartare and wood pigeon liver custard."

The menu heavily features "the kind of animals usually only eaten by hunters" — other dishes include Dungeness crab soup with red urchin; acorn dumplings with greens and truffle; salt-crusted Oregon snapper; and desserts like "blood pancakes" with cranberries and cream.

And an opening date's been set: Bechard plans for a February 12 debut.
· Meet the Kingdom of Roosevelt, Southeast Portland's New "Wild and Foraged" Restaurant [OregonLive]
· Kingdom of Roosevelt [Official site]
· All Previous Eric Bechard Coverage [Eater PDX]