When searching for the best restaurants, who better to ask than the diners themselves? OpenTable Diners have picked their favorites for 2016, and a few Oregon restaurants made the list for the Best Restaurants in America for 2016. Here they are:
Ariana (1304 N.W. Galveston Avenue, Bend; 541-330-5539; arianarestaurantbend.com) features American cuisine with a creative spin, made with the freshest produce and ingredients of the Northwest’s bounty. The ever-changing menu consists of entrees such as filet mignon and duck confit, excellent seafood, housemade soups and salads and a full bar within the intimate and cozy atmosphere of this Craftsman-style bungalow. The wine list is extensive with a focus on Northwest offerings. Margaritas and specialty drinks use fresh-squeezed juices. Aside from the delicious filet mignon, the jumbo seared scallops over Oregon Dungeness crab risotto as well as the fresh crisp Ariana salad are fantastic options. The chef’s tasting menu is a popular choice at the rate of $65 per person, offering four savory and one sweet menu. Each course is small in size, but with full-bodied flavors. Desserts range from a few cake varieties, creme brulee, curd and pudding down to housemade sorbets and ice cream. Restaurant hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations are recommended; perfect spot for special occasions!
The common trend between the best restaurants seems to be menus that represent fresh, creative concepts and preparations. Roe (3113 S.E. Division Street, Portland; 503-232-1566; roepdx.rest) is one that may be easy to miss as it’s located inside of the Rockin’ Crab Cafe (previously the B&T Oyster Bar), but it’s modern spin on seafood is one that is not to be missed. Upon dining, you have the opportunity to choose between indulging in one of two prix fixe menus: a seven-course Chef’s Tasting or the five-course Petit Tasting Menu. In order to serve the freshest available catch and produce, the menu is again ever-changing. Regardless of your choice, you’re sure to find uniquely prepared offerings of sashimi, fin fish, shellfish and dessert with the option to add wine pairings and/or caviar service at a surcharge. Reservations are recommended; hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Visit them soon as this location is only open through February. The new location is still in the works, but will be opening on the west side of Portland shortly after the Division street closure.
You’ve likely heard me rave about The Painted Lady (201 College Street, Newberg; 503-538-3850; thepaintedladyrestaurant.com) and Castagna Restaurant (1752 S.E. Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland; 503-231-7373; castagnarestaurant.com), so it comes as no surprise that these two also made the list. Both stay true to the trend, serving innovative and progressive dishes with a focus on American cuisine and the fresh, local offerings of the Northwest.
“Gerry Frank’s Oregon” 3rd edition all new guidebook is available through oregonguidebook.com; 503-585-8411; gerry@teleport.com; Amazon.com; Macy’s; and P.O. Box 2225, Salem, OR 97308.
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