Is there anything sweeter than enjoying a cozy, rainy day with a homemade dessert, and maybe a friend or two? In Portland we have so many delicious choices, and they are all lovingly prepared with top-notch ingredients, often from local producers. Fantastic for an indulgence, a part of a holiday celebration, or carried as a gift, this is the time of year to chase the blues away with some dessert. Here is a little tour of treats around town:
Alberta/Killingsworth:
Cocotte You haven’t lived until you’ve tried Absinthe Cake with Whipped Cream and Orange Suprêmes in Orange Vanilla Saffron Syrup or Macaron Au Chocolat (a giant chocolate macaron filled with chocolate hazelnut spread, topped with Oregon strawberries and chocolate sauce). This delightful French-inspired New American bistro (one of Portland’s Zagat Top 25!) also serves Fig Pudding Cake (black mission figs baked into a cinnamon vanilla custard cake with whipped cream and honey caramel). Call to ask about Cocotte’s special holiday menus!
2930 NE Killingsworth St
East:
Petisco If you want to experience the Riviera in PDX, but prefer a more casual approach, head to Petisco. After a delicious lunch, dinner or – who are we kidding? – brunch, you mustn’t miss out on the opportunity to try one of the house-made desserts: Chocolate Pot De Creme with Whipped Cream and Berries, Fresh Fruit Crisp of the Day with Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Pie on an Oreo Cookie Crust or Atlantic Beach Pie (lemon pie served on a saltine cracker crust). Amazing, right?
1411 NE Broadway
Photo credit: Pix Pâtisserie Facebook
Pix Pâtisserie When it comes to confections and desserts in Portland, award-winning Pix Pâtisserie is peerless. You can enjoy an exceptional array of the finest chocolates, macarons or eclairs, or order an impressive Croquembouche or Carmen Miranda Tart for your special event. For an impressive and delightful gift, ask about the “Kinder” Surprise Eggs. Need a treat for Halloween night? Just say: “Un Fantôme, Un Couteau, Une Nuit ...”
2225 E Burnside St
Butterscotch Pudding at Raven & Rose. Photo: Raven & Rose Facebook
Downtown:
Raven & Rose For an after-the-theater dessert stop, the flavors of the British Isles are sure to delight you: try the Butterscotch Pudding, Heirloom Pumpkin Panna Cotta or Apple Crumb Cake. Also offered is a selection of scrumptious dinner drinks like Irish Coffee, Hot Buttered Rum, the Ballycotton Toddy and the Black Heart Flip (chocolate stout, brandy, rum, amaretto, farm egg and nutmeg).
1331 SW Broadway
Spanish Coffee at Huber's. Photo: Huber's Facebook
Huber’s Huber’s is a Portland tradition, established in 1879. After enjoying a turkey dinner (any time of the year!) tuck into Chocolate Mousse with Chantilly Cream, Baked Bread Custard Pudding, Homemade Pumpkin Pie or a Hazelnut Brownie Sundae. Huber’s also has Tiramisu. Know what else you need? A fully-lit Spanish Coffee!
411 SW 3rd Ave
Karam Follow a delicious Lebanese/Syrian dinner with a sampler of fragrant desserts: a freshly prepared pancake filled with homemade cream, syrup and pistachios, shredded filo filled with sweetened cheese and topped with rose syrup, homemade ice cream with walnuts and rose water or--of course--baklava. Karam also offers delicious berry or mango smoothies.
515 SW 4th Ave
Northwest:
Urban Fondue Is there a better way to enjoy dessert than to dip it? As well as having an extensive savory dipping menu, Urban Fondue offers a dozen or so ways for diners to create their own sticky, drippy, fabulously sweet bites. Each dessert fondue serves two and comes with a plate of seasonal fruit, cheesecake, cookie dough and pound cake to dunk and swirl. Try Rocky Road Chocolate Fondue, Marionberry Cheesecake Fondue or Banana’s Foster Fondue--for starters. You’ll be back.
2114 NW Glisan St
The Bent Brick Get the true Portland experience--local ingredients combined with imagination. House-made treats include Ricotta Doughnuts with Creme Anglaise, an Olive Oil Brownie with Mint Ice Cream and Pistachio Praline, Rice Pudding with Coconut, Candied Hazelnuts and Concord Grape or Carrot Cake with Goat Cheese, Pecans and Carrot Sorbet.
1639 NW Marshall St
Café Nell Sitting by Café Nell’s fireplace enjoying a house-made dessert is guaranteed to put anyone in a good mood. Enjoy Lemon Chiffon Strawberry Shortcake, Blackberry Cobbler with Oregon Blackberries, Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Brownie Cake or Crème Brulee with a touch of apricot. Super cozy!
1987 NW Kearney St
Photo: Moonstruck Coffee Co. Facebook
More Portland Halloween Treats:
Moonstruck Chocolate Co: Chocolates
340 SW Morrison St 503-219-9118
608 SW Alder St 503-241-0955
526 NW 23rd Ave 503-542-3400
New Seasons: Candies, decorations, Autumn beers, pumpkins
2170 NW Raleigh St 503-224-7522
1954 SE Division St 503-445-2888
7300 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy 503-292-6838
Elephant’s Delicatessen: Candies, cookies, Halloween wines
812 SW Park Ave 503-546-3166
Hop City: Cookies
921 SW 6th Ave 503-220-2685
Photo: Salt & Straw Ice Cream Facebook
Salt & Straw: Ice Cream - Spooktacular October Flavors
838 NW 23rd Ave 971-271-8168
