Portland is widely known for its farm-to-table cuisine, but with the Oregon coast so close by, and the best seafood purveyors up and down the state, many times that means sea-to-table. Portland restauranteurs have an almost religious dedication to filling your table with only the most quality ingredients, so they have cultivated close relationships with those providers to bring top notch fruits of the sea to their menus. Pair that with seasonal produce from local farmers’ markets (in many cases, the markets are literally down the street from the restaurant!) and quality meats from local ranchers, and you will have a dining experience that will show you what farm-to-table and sea-to-table dining are all about. Here are some Where To Eat Guide selections for your Pacific Northwest #DiningBucketList:
Photo provided by Jake's Famous Crawfish.
Jake’s Famous Crawfish: Jake’s Famous Crawfish and Jake’s Grill are two beloved McCormick & Schmick’s classics known for being a couple of the top places in Portland to enjoy seafood. Jake’s Famous Crawfish, a downtown Portland landmark for more than 110 years, is known as one of the top ten seafood restaurants in the nation! Fresh Pacific Northwest seafood is flown in daily, resulting in scrumptious entrees like Chinook Salmon stuffed with crab, bay shrimp, cream cheese and brie or Dungeness Crab Leg Sauté (from Westport, Washington) with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, shallots, butter and sherry wine. And don’t forget the famous Crawfish Boil!
401 SW 12th Avenue
Cedar Salmon at Jake's Grill. Photo provided by Jake's Grill.
Jake’s Grill: At Jake’s Grill in the historic Sentinel Hotel you can savor the freshest seafood combined with the finest meats. Additionally, Jake’s Grill received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence in 2014. Your memorable meal can include entrees such as Cedar Plank Columbia River Steelhead with rice pilaf, tomato basil relish, beurre blanc and basil or Sausage and Shrimp Amatriciana with fettuccini, caramelized onions, San Marzano tomatoes, arugula and bacon ragout. Hosting a reception, rehearsal dinner, reunion or meeting? Ask about banquet rooms for 20 – 60 guests at Jake’s Grill.
611 SW 10th Avenue
Oysters Rockefellar at EaT: An Oyster Bar. Photo: Ruby O/Yelp.
EaT Cajun Kitchen & Oyster Bar: Culinary entrepreneurs Ethan Powell and Tobias Hogan teamed up to create two outstanding Cajun/Creole joints in Portland – EaT Cajun Kitchen & Oyster Bar out North (EaT, get it?!) and The Parish in the Pearl District. The gastronomic duo works directly with small oyster farmers up and down the Northwest coast to bring unbelievably fresh oysters to the Portland dining scene. Head over to EaT for an Oyster, Shrimp or Catfish Po’boy (crispy fried goodness in seasoned flour and cornmeal!) or Crawfish and Andouille Mac ‘N’ Cheese. Dive into the Raw Oyster Bar or try shooter flavors like Cajun, Kentucky or Cowboy! Ask about the live New Orleans style Jazz Brunch with Reggie Houston's Box of Chocolates on Sundays from 11:00 am to 2:00pm.
3808 N Williams Avenue
Crawfish Ravioli at The Parish. Photo by Stephanie Forrer.
The Parish: At The Parish, Ethan and Tobias’ other creation, diners tuck into Shrimp Étouffée and Seafood Gumbo chock full of Yaquina Bay oysters, Manila clams, shrimp and tasso. There is also Crispy Soft Shell Crab served on a soft roll, with a side of fresh cut fries. Ever had a Crawfish Tart? Theirs is filled with house made sausage, béchamel, wild mushrooms, potatoes and parmesan. You can slurp oysters from the Raw Oyster Bar or enjoy those flavored shooters at The Parish, as well. It doesn’t get much better than this, does it?
231 NW 11th Avenue
Dungeness Crab Tower with Mango and Avocado. Photo: McCormick & Schmick's/Facebook.
McCormick and Schmick’s Harborside At The Marina
You can reap all the benefits of McCormick and Schmick’s gorgeous South Waterfront location--comfortable indoor and (weather permitting) outdoor seating, a fabulous view of the Willamette River, and close proximity to downtown Portland--while enjoying fresh seafood and shellfish accompanied by aged steaks and fresh salads. Seafood entrées, including Oregon Ling Cod, Wild Alaskan Halibut and Steelhead Trout, are simply and deliciously grilled, broiled or pan seared. Also try signature fish dishes such as Cashew Crusted Tilapia with Jamaican rum butter and sweet potato couscous or Parmesan Crusted Sole with lemon caper butter and butternut squash orzo. Or ask about the Mixed Grill Selections such as McCormick’s Seafood Trio with grilled shrimp, stuffed shrimp and grilled salmon. The award-winning Happy Hour includes shareable small plates such as Calamari with roasted tomato sauce or Baja Fish Tacos with southwest jicama slaw.
0309 SW Montgomery St
Oyster Stew & Clam Chowder at Dan & Louis Oyster Bar. Photo: Natalie Migliarini.
This is the place to head when you want a platter of crispy fried seafood served with tartar sauce, fries and coleslaw. Choose from Cod, Prawns, Oysters, Calamari, or Clam Strips. Even more hungry? Select two. Super duper hungry? Get the Captain’s Platter, with all five! The scrumptious batter is made with Full Sail Pilsner and rice flour. The cozy nautical décor and the heartwarming story of this five generation-owned business make it a great pick for a family outing. If a member of your party is on a heart-healthy program, there is a refreshing lemon beurre blanc seafood sauté on the menu. Plus, all of the fried fish, as well as the steamy, creamy stews (oyster, clam, shrimp or crab) are naturally gluten-free. Lastly, since this place is all about the oysters, be sure to try the Oysters Rockefeller or Baked Oysters Parmesan. Enjoy!
208 SW Ankeny St
The Seafood Clam Chowder at RingSide Fish House. Photo courtesy of Little Green Pickle.
At RingSide Fish House, the menu is prepared according to the adage “nature writes the menu,” featuring responsibly sourced seafood harvested according to season, and serving it with farm-fresh produce whenever possible. Additionally, RingSide Fish House has a wine list of over 600 labels and was named by Wine Spectator Magazine as “One of The Best Restaurants in the World for Wine Lovers.” Choose from appetizers like Ahi Tuna Poke, Classic Seafood Cocktail and Dungeness Crab Cakes. Also available are Maine Lobster Soup and Oregon Louie (Oregon bay shrimp, butter lettuce, avocado, cucumber, sieved eggs, cherry tomato and fine herbes). From the entrées, you can enjoy selections like Grilled Swordfish with asparagus, arugula, radish, sumac and rhubarb salsa or Roasted Cod with wild mushroom brodo, mousseline stuffed morels, green garlic, snap peas and spring vegetables. You can savor your lovely meal of the fresh seafood, local produce and exceptional wine while enjoying the view of downtown Portland’s Director Park, a charming piazza with a fountain, neon light glass ceiling and giant chess board.
838 SW Park Ave
By Merlin Varaday @MerlinVaraday
