Pazzo Ristorante

Located adjacent to Hotel Vintage Plaza, Pazzo is simply a wonderful night out.  This past Valentine’s Day, in fact, was spent sitting with my squeeze at the dining bar overlooking the kitchen at the back of the restaurant.  (Said squeeze has it out for Hallmark Holidays and didn’t even hint that he would deign to deliver on dinner goods until well after dark.  Hence, no reservations.)  But they had a couple seats open at the dinner bar – and we had a flippin’ blast!  Dinner was awesome.  Service was very friendly, and frankly it was just so dang interesting to watch a professional kitchen at work on a night that should represent utter mayhem.  But there wasn’t a chance of that with Executive Chef John Eisenhart at the helm.  Cool Cucumber, that man policed an operation that came off like butter.  (Said squeeze was so impressed, he even shook the chef’s hand and congratulated him at the end of the evening.)

Personal favorites on the menu include the Cinghale, which is a pork leg braised in duck fat and herbs with savoy cabbage, green apple, celery, and horseradish – in other words, Italian for delicious.  I’ve never been to Pazzo that somebody didn’t order the Gnocchi and love it.  Handmade, of course, these little potato pillows are mingled with a beef shortrib ragu and pecorino sfizio – obviously more words for delicious.  Will they never run out?

Pazzo also has and is its own bakery.  One can simply buy loafs of Beer Walnut Bread, Raisin Bread, Ciabatta or waltz in and order a pizza by the slice on homemade crust.

Pazzo Ristorante
Weekday breakfast 7:00 – 10:30, Weekend brunch 8:00 – 2:00
Weekday lunch 11:30 – 2:30
Dinner Mon – Thurs 5:00 – 10:00, Fri 5:00 – 11:00, Sat 4:30 – 11:00, Sun 4:00 – 9:30
Happy Hour 7 Days 3:00 – 6:00

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

www.pazzoristorante.com

Courtesy of PortlandNeighborhood.com

West Caf’e

West Café

What’s in a weekend brunch, I ask you?  After all, eggs, potatoes, meat portion of some kind – what’s the big deal?  Sadly, dear reader, this is not the first of my forays into gross naiveté.  But it does explain why when something fresh and exciting is offered up for morning dining, I for one take notice.  And that, my friends, is what we have going on at West Café.  Me, taking notice.  ‘Cause this stuff’s good.  Two poached eggs on Dungeness crab corn fritters and wilted greens (I prefer to order my greens on a separate plate,) served with soy mustard sauce and the best home fries I’ve ever tasted.  I kid you not, the best home fries ever.  Or try your eggs on homemade black bean cakes with cheddar, salsa, and sour cream.  Delish. 

Located on SW 12th and Jefferson, West Café offers everything from Tarragon Egg Salad sandwiches to Pan-Seared Cumin Rubbed Salmon and a slew of clever sounding martinis in between.  And from the chic décor sporting uniquely formatted photos of local flare to the friendly and informed staff, including bar manager, Christopher, and servers who won’t let you be seated without asking to take your coat – this place also serves up a slice of Portland that we’re oh so glad that owners Sean Concannon and Douglas B. Smith decided to share with us.

West Café
Weekday lunch 11:00 – 2:00, Weekend brunch 10:00 – 2:00
Dinner Sun – Thurs 5:30 – 10:00, Dinner Fri & Sat 5:30 – 11:00
Happy Hour 7 Days 4:00 – 6:00 and 9:00 – close

To Go operation serving coffee, breakfast and lunch fare begins daily at 8:00

1201 SW Jefferson Street
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 227-8189

www.westcafepdx.com

(courtesy of PortlandNeighborhood.com)