A Few Of My Favorite Places – Portland, OR

Best Salad – the citrus crab salad (pictured below) at Meriwether’s. There are hydrangea bushes and a fire pit in the patio to have lunch around. Super cute atmosphere and amazing food (and try the lemonade).

Best Healthy Lunch Spot – Laughing Planet Cafe. The green smoothie and BBQ Chicken Quesadilla are to die for (pictured below).

Best Light Pasta + Apps – ACCANTO. The deviled eggs are too good and I loved the spring pea risotto.

Best Mac & Cheese – Mother’s. Enough said.

Best Happy Hour – Altabira City Tavern. Everything on the menu is delicious (and affordable), but the cream cheese that comes with the pretzel is what I’ll remember long after my flight home. Fry lovers will also be pleased with their fresh cut potatoes. The Cosplay cocktail is amazing for gin lovers, but they also have a great selection of Oregon Pinots. The view also can’t be beat.

Best Sushi – Bamboo Sushi. They have a great sustainability model and divine rolls to choose from.

Best Seafood – Jake’s Famous Seafood. The dungeness crab leg saute is worth the cross-country plane ride alone. Or for good views of Mt. Hood on the water (pictured below), grab some Kumamoto oysters at McCormick & Schmicks Harborside.

Best Italian – Ava Genes. Don’t get intimidated by the menu (that is written in mostly Italian). The staff is so nice and great at recommending dishes/drinks based on your preferences. The garlic bread is out of this world, I loved the gnocco fritto for an appetizer, the Tuscan Cavalry is one of my new favorite salads ever, and the tagliatelle is divine.

Best Drinks & Desserts – Irving Street Kitchen. The Sunbird is one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had in my life and the butterscotch pudding is what dreams are made of. The food in general is amazing (pictured below), but the first and last courses are where its at.

Northwest/Nob Hill. Enjoy a mix of big names like MAC and Free People amongst local vendors and small boutiques. It’s such a charming little area and is also lined with restaurants (like Papa Haydn) if you want to make a day of it.

Best Sweet Treats – Voodoo Doughnut. The Oreo ones are to die for.