After about a week of soft openings, chefs Aaron and Faith Dionne are officially opening their restaurant New American tonight.
The restaurant, which has taken over the former Mextiza space, is focused on locally sourced ingredients and seasonal dishes. The cornerstone of the menu is the churrasco grill, which will put out rotisserie chickens and marinated grass-fed tri-tip from Carmen Ranch carved to order. Guests mix and match from the menu of side dishes and salads to complete the meal, whether it's for one person or four.
But as Eater reported last week, what sets the restaurant apart is its emphasis on take-out family-style meals that you can order and pay for from your phone, tablet, or computer.
"We're combining slow food with the convenience of takeout," says Faith. "All you need to do is park and walk in."
You can even order growlers to take home. The tap program includes six beers, five wines, a hard cider — and even a root beer (the Dionnes are parents, after all). And all are available by the growler or 750-ml bottle to take home.
Dessert comes courtesy of Faith, who is also the founder of artisan chocolate company Bees & Beans. Order something from the menu, or pick up one of her chocolate bars or candies from the micro-store up front.
For now, the restaurant will be open for dinner only, with brunch and "after-school happy hour to come."
New American: 2103 N Killingsworth St, Portland
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Friday and Saturday)
