Kick-started, International, Pizzalandia: Industry Experts Sum Up 2014 in One Word

As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, and bloggers. This year, we asked the group eight questions running the gamut from meal of the year to top restaurant newcomers, and we'll be rolling out their expert opinions all week long. Responses are cut, pasted, and (mostly) unedited herein. Readers, please do add your survey answers in the comments.

Describe 2014 in One Word:

Chris Angelus, founder of Portland Food Adventures and Right at the Fork podcasts

Bamboo. No, not what you think. What comes to mind for me is bamboo plates at Feast.  How many of those did I/everyone go through? Lots of cool people, great tastes and a wonderful experience stem from those bamboo plates. Now, just give me more places to set it and my beverage down. Or spare shirts.

Byron Beck, editor, GoLocalPDX

Closure. There were so many closures this year. From dive bars to high-end restaurants it seemed like every week there was news about another longtime Portland restaurant going out of business.

Karen Brooks, book author; food editor and restaurant critic for Portland Monthly

Pizzalandia.

Brett Burmeister, blogger, Food Carts Portland

Division.

Liz Crain, author "Food Lover's Guide to Portland" and "Toro Bravo" cookbook

Cookbooks. There are more and more Portland food folks coming out with cookbooks these days. Love it.

Andrea Damewood, restaurant critic, Portland Mercury

Decadent.

Allison Jones, writer, Portland Monthly

Transitional.

Emily McIntyre, coffee and beverages writer

Discovery.

Kerry Newberry, food and travel writer; wine editor at SIP Northwest

Pop-Ups.

Gary Okazaki, professional glutton (aka Gary the Foodie)

International. Some of the most compelling new restaurants/pop-ups were Kachka, DaNet, Nodoguro, Langbaan, Stammtisch, and MEC.  In order for Portland to mature as a culinary city, a wider variety of international/ethnic restaurants needs to open, and this year was a step in the right direction.

Michael Russell, restaurant critic and reporter, The Oregonian

Kickstarted.

Peter Szymczak, writer, Oregon Wine Press and SIP Northwest

Blessed.

Mike Thelin, Feast Portland co-founder

Ambitious. Game-changing. There's a whole new cast of characters and more good ideas and young talent than ever before.

Drew Tyson, writer and photographer

Hype.

Michael Zusman, cookbook author, restaurant critic (and judge)

Russo-Mediterro-pizza-titious. Is that a word?