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Readers Name PDX's 14 Top Power-Lunch Destinations

by Erin DeJesus
3 comments / new
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by Erin DeJesus
3 comments / new

Image of Higgins courtesy Avila/EPDX

2008_10_hasmaps.jpeg

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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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).

1239 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-9070
(503) 222-9070

Also featured in:

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."

527 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 241-7163
(503) 241-7163

Also featured in:

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]

627 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 228-1515
(503) 228-1515

Also featured in:

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]

1220 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 227-7342
(503) 227-7342

Also featured in:

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."

1001 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 235-2294
(503) 235-2294

Also featured in:

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]

500 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 505-5050
(503) 505-5050

Also featured in:

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.

107 SE Washington St, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 954-3663
(503) 954-3663

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.

250 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 226-3394
(503) 226-3394

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.

1028 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 719-5698
(503) 719-5698

Also featured in:

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]

525 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 222-4900
(503) 222-4900

Also featured in:

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]

1408 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97201

Also featured in:

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.

1221 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 248-9663
(503) 248-9663

Also featured in:

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.

219 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 688-5952
(503) 688-5952

Also featured in:

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)."

1331 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201
(503) 719-6680
(503) 719-6680

Also featured in:

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Higgins Restaurant & Bar

1239 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205

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).

1239 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-9070
(503) 222-9070

Grüner

527 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

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."

527 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 241-7163
(503) 241-7163

Pazzo Ristorante

627 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

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]

627 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 228-1515
(503) 228-1515

Veritable Quandary

1220 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204

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]

1220 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 227-7342
(503) 227-7342

clarklewis

1001 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

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."

1001 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 235-2294
(503) 235-2294

Davis Street Tavern

500 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209

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]

500 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 505-5050
(503) 505-5050

Olympic Provisions

107 SE Washington St, Portland, OR 97214

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.

107 SE Washington St, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 954-3663
(503) 954-3663

Bluehour

250 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

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.

250 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 226-3394
(503) 226-3394

Boke Bowl

1028 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

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.

1028 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 719-5698
(503) 719-5698

Urban Farmer

525 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97204

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]

525 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 222-4900
(503) 222-4900

Nel Centro

1408 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97201

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]

1408 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97201

Wildwood Restaurant & Bar

1221 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209

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.

1221 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 248-9663
(503) 248-9663

Little Bird Bistro

219 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204

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.

219 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 688-5952
(503) 688-5952

Raven & Rose

1331 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201

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)."

1331 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201
(503) 719-6680
(503) 719-6680

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