Esquire's Two Portland Picks for Best New Restaurants Are Not New

Esquire released its annual Best New Restaurants in America list today, and, of the 18 featured restaurants, the venerable publication included two Portland spots: Coquine came in at number 4, and Han Oak took number 8.

Both restaurants are indeed excellent: Coquine was Eater PDX’s 2015 Restaurant of the Year and Han Oak was Eater PDX’s 2016 Restaurant of the Year.

Since this is 2017, it’s curious the magazine chose to feature the restaurants long after they opened (Coquine in July 2015; Han Oak in February 2016). Han Oak has certainly been in a constant state of evolution, and perhaps 2017 is the year it finally gelled, according to the publication; PoMo would seem to agree, since Han Oak is also its 2017 Restaurant of the Year.

There is another, more sinister takeaway, too: The whispers that Portland is stuck in a food rut could be gaining credence, because it appears Esquire had to dig deep to find solid restaurants for Best New Restaurants in America 2017. What do you think? Can a restaurant opened in 2015 qualify as “new” in 2017? Sound off in the comments.

• Coquine [Official]
• Han Oak [Official
• The Best New Restaurants in America 2017 [Esquire]