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Readers Name PDX's 14 Top Power-Lunch Destinations

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Image of Higgins courtesy Avila/EPDX

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Last Friday, Eater asked readers to name-drop their go-to power lunch destinations — aka the best restaurants around town for impressing a client or brokering a midweek business deal (all within an hour or less, of course). Here now, a map of readers' 14 Favorite Restaurants for Power-Lunching. Perhaps unsurprisingly, most of them are on the west side, some of them provide solid lunch steals, while others offer lengthy wine and whiskey lists (if it's "that kind" of lunch).

Mingo (Beaverton) · Lovejoy Bakery · Bunk Bar · RingSide Fish House · Huber's · Nong's Khao Man Gai · Wildwood · Imperial · The Arlington Club · Doug Fir Lounge · Produce Row · Red Star Tavern · Salty's on the Columbia · Southpark · The Heathman · Jake's Grill · Wilf's · Gracie's

· All Previous Open Threads [Eater PDX]

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Higgins Restaurant & Bar

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Downtown institution Higgins happens to be the favorite watering hole of Oregonian staffers, and for them and other worker bees, lunch is provided both in the more formal dining room and the casual bar/bistro. The lunch menu offers "lighter" fare like sandwiches and the Higgins burger, as well as the spot's signature plates (like the "Whole Hog" and Portugese fisherman's stew).

Grüner

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If your lunch date doesn't mind conducting business while their hands are running with meat juice, order up the killer burger at the West End's Gruner, available only during lunch (and at the bar in the evenings). But chef Chris Israel's spot offers great lighter fare, too, like the Gruner salad (radishes, beets, fennel) and grilled trout. As one reader says, the restaurant provides "a nice civilized lunch."

Pazzo Ristorante

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Downtown's Pazzo — surrounded by hotels housing out-of-town businessfolk — received multiple votes for its Italian midday menu, offering pastas, panini, and pizza. One reader offers a few pro tips, including that the spot offers an "amazing wine list (if it's that kind of lunch) and free wifi." [Photo]

Veritable Quandary

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A downtown institution since 1971, Veritable Quandry has long served as a to-go spot among the waterfront's office workers. The midday menu features sandwiches (including a much-beloved veggie burger with lentils and mushrooms) and a long list of salads and vegetable dishes, like wild mushroom and herb crepes, and a salad topped with poached egg and smoked bacon. [Photo]

clarklewis

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Now under the guidance of chef Kyo Koo, the eastside's upscale lunchtime destination Clarklewis offers a steal for lunch: a $14, three-course "Blue Plate" special that usually features soup, entree (sandwich or pasta), and dessert. If you're celebrating a deal (or if the boss is picking up the tab), consult the spot's lengthy by-the-bottle wine list, simply separated into two categories: "United States" and "Italian."

Davis Street Tavern

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Old Town's go-to lunch spot appears to be Davis Street Tavern, according to several readers. The midday menu offers two burgers (beef and lamb), the spot's signature mac-and-cheese, and other options like fish tacos, tuna Nicoise salad, and a seafood melt. Says one commenter: "During his campaign I saw Jefferson Smith at Davis Street Tavern all the time. Not the best neighborhood, but a pretty classy joint." [Photo]

Olympic Provisions

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One reader hilariously writes that Olympic Provisions has emerged as the go-to spot for "hipster business lunches": presumably deals made amongst meat-loving creative types. OP's lunch menu is heavy on shareable charcuterie boards and cheese plates, plus sandwiches featuring OP's line of housemade meats.

Bluehour

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Those looking to impress clients with a room often end up at Bluehour — its Pearl District location draws many folks from neighboring Wieden+Kennedy. Newish chef Dolan Lane offers sandwiches of Dungeness crab and Oregon rockfish; and a $15 "Blue Plate special" serves up three courses, including dessert.

Boke Bowl

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For a casual take on the power lunch, the counter-service Boke Bowl inserts an element of danger into the business lunch: beware the noodle slurping and soup splashing. But its flavorful bowls of ramen arrive efficiently, small plates and salads are perfect for sharing, and the boisterous room provides a fun backdrop for a more lighthearted meeting.

Urban Farmer

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Inside downtown's Nines hotel, Urban Farmer provides an energetic, bustling ambience for business meetings. If a midday steak doesn't appeal, power-brokers can go for the daily lunch prix fixe, which offers three courses for $20, in addition to "barman's specials" for a boozy accompaniment.[Photo]

Nel Centro

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Chef David Machado's downtown spot Nel Centro's known for happy hour on its outdoor patio, but it's also a spot for serious power lunching: Business deals can be made over plates of handmade pasta or mussels in white wine. One reader asserts that among the work crowd, the spot's often treasured for its "hushed, conversational atmosphere": "I see a lot of non-foodie business/law types taking meetings at Nel Centro." [Photo]

Wildwood Restaurant & Bar

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Wildwood restaurant emerged as the popular spot amongst business lunchers in the Alphabet District, with readers praising the stately room and chef Dustin Clark's midday dishes: seared halibut salad, braised oxtail and mushroom sandwiches, and battered fish-and-chips. For boozy lunches, the bar's open at 11:30a.m.

Little Bird Bistro

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Downtown's Little Bird offers a miniature brasserie experience during lunchtime, with a menu seemingly designed to impress out-of-town clients: feast on seafood bouillabaisse, chicken-fried trout, and nearly a half-dozen plated desserts. And the drink menu is designed with workers in mind, offering select "just a sip" cocktails featuring half-martinis and four-ounce pours of wine.

Raven & Rose

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The newish Raven & Rose recently launched lunch service, and its beautiful dining room seems the natural site for power lunching. As one apparently well-placed tipster reports: "Raven & Rose is starting to attract the city hall set (they love historic preservation projects)."

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Higgins Restaurant & Bar

Downtown institution Higgins happens to be the favorite watering hole of Oregonian staffers, and for them and other worker bees, lunch is provided both in the more formal dining room and the casual bar/bistro. The lunch menu offers "lighter" fare like sandwiches and the Higgins burger, as well as the spot's signature plates (like the "Whole Hog" and Portugese fisherman's stew).

Grüner

If your lunch date doesn't mind conducting business while their hands are running with meat juice, order up the killer burger at the West End's Gruner, available only during lunch (and at the bar in the evenings). But chef Chris Israel's spot offers great lighter fare, too, like the Gruner salad (radishes, beets, fennel) and grilled trout. As one reader says, the restaurant provides "a nice civilized lunch."

Pazzo Ristorante

Downtown's Pazzo — surrounded by hotels housing out-of-town businessfolk — received multiple votes for its Italian midday menu, offering pastas, panini, and pizza. One reader offers a few pro tips, including that the spot offers an "amazing wine list (if it's that kind of lunch) and free wifi." [Photo]

Veritable Quandary

A downtown institution since 1971, Veritable Quandry has long served as a to-go spot among the waterfront's office workers. The midday menu features sandwiches (including a much-beloved veggie burger with lentils and mushrooms) and a long list of salads and vegetable dishes, like wild mushroom and herb crepes, and a salad topped with poached egg and smoked bacon. [Photo]

clarklewis

Now under the guidance of chef Kyo Koo, the eastside's upscale lunchtime destination Clarklewis offers a steal for lunch: a $14, three-course "Blue Plate" special that usually features soup, entree (sandwich or pasta), and dessert. If you're celebrating a deal (or if the boss is picking up the tab), consult the spot's lengthy by-the-bottle wine list, simply separated into two categories: "United States" and "Italian."

Davis Street Tavern

Old Town's go-to lunch spot appears to be Davis Street Tavern, according to several readers. The midday menu offers two burgers (beef and lamb), the spot's signature mac-and-cheese, and other options like fish tacos, tuna Nicoise salad, and a seafood melt. Says one commenter: "During his campaign I saw Jefferson Smith at Davis Street Tavern all the time. Not the best neighborhood, but a pretty classy joint." [Photo]

Olympic Provisions

One reader hilariously writes that Olympic Provisions has emerged as the go-to spot for "hipster business lunches": presumably deals made amongst meat-loving creative types. OP's lunch menu is heavy on shareable charcuterie boards and cheese plates, plus sandwiches featuring OP's line of housemade meats.

Bluehour

Those looking to impress clients with a room often end up at Bluehour — its Pearl District location draws many folks from neighboring Wieden+Kennedy. Newish chef Dolan Lane offers sandwiches of Dungeness crab and Oregon rockfish; and a $15 "Blue Plate special" serves up three courses, including dessert.

Boke Bowl

For a casual take on the power lunch, the counter-service Boke Bowl inserts an element of danger into the business lunch: beware the noodle slurping and soup splashing. But its flavorful bowls of ramen arrive efficiently, small plates and salads are perfect for sharing, and the boisterous room provides a fun backdrop for a more lighthearted meeting.

Urban Farmer

Inside downtown's Nines hotel, Urban Farmer provides an energetic, bustling ambience for business meetings. If a midday steak doesn't appeal, power-brokers can go for the daily lunch prix fixe, which offers three courses for $20, in addition to "barman's specials" for a boozy accompaniment.[Photo]

Nel Centro

Chef David Machado's downtown spot Nel Centro's known for happy hour on its outdoor patio, but it's also a spot for serious power lunching: Business deals can be made over plates of handmade pasta or mussels in white wine. One reader asserts that among the work crowd, the spot's often treasured for its "hushed, conversational atmosphere": "I see a lot of non-foodie business/law types taking meetings at Nel Centro." [Photo]

Wildwood Restaurant & Bar

Wildwood restaurant emerged as the popular spot amongst business lunchers in the Alphabet District, with readers praising the stately room and chef Dustin Clark's midday dishes: seared halibut salad, braised oxtail and mushroom sandwiches, and battered fish-and-chips. For boozy lunches, the bar's open at 11:30a.m.

Little Bird Bistro

Downtown's Little Bird offers a miniature brasserie experience during lunchtime, with a menu seemingly designed to impress out-of-town clients: feast on seafood bouillabaisse, chicken-fried trout, and nearly a half-dozen plated desserts. And the drink menu is designed with workers in mind, offering select "just a sip" cocktails featuring half-martinis and four-ounce pours of wine.

Raven & Rose

The newish Raven & Rose recently launched lunch service, and its beautiful dining room seems the natural site for power lunching. As one apparently well-placed tipster reports: "Raven & Rose is starting to attract the city hall set (they love historic preservation projects)."

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