Portland in May

[Mulberry]

Hi, traveling to Portland OR. in May. What are your recommendations for gastronomic experiences not to be missed? Restaurants, farmers market's, foraging etc?

[phxscoob]

Olympic Provisions - made in house charcuterie - they have a 3 restaurants around Portland
Grassa/Lardo - Same chef/owner right next to each other downtown - Handmade pasta/sandwich shop
Apizza Scholls - New Haven style pizza
Podnah's - Texas BBQ
La Bonita - Taqueria good spot for lunch
Mother's Bistro - Brunch spot and more

Portland Saturday Market - a very large craft market on Sat/Sun with interesting food stalls
Park Blocks Farmers Market
Hollywood Farmers Market

[exit2lef]

Although I'm not the OP for this thread, I just returned from a 48-hour trip to Portland in May. Among the recommendations above, I was able to try Podnah's, the Texas BBQ joint on the north side of the city. I had a chopped brisket sandwich with sides of Texas caviar (cold black-eyed pea salad) and collards, along with a pint of a local Amber lager. The brisket was quite good with a little smoke and a lot of flavor. They honored my request for lean meat since I don't like fatty brisket, even thought that's usually the more popular option. The black-eye peas were quite tangy with minced celery and onion and a good bit of vinegar. The collards were boiled into submission and lacking in flavor. They needed a bit of salt, thyme, or maybe even some of the excess vinegar from the Texas caviar. I think I've been spoiled after seeing how collards are prepared so well at Larder & Delta and CC's on Central. I'd definitely return to explore more of the menu.

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Another worthwhile dinner was at Colibri, a new place in the Pearl District that specializes in Sinaloan cuisine. Unlike the mariscos places I'm used to with extensive menus of every type of seafood prepared every way, this restaurant had a menu that was as compact as its small space. I went during happy hour and chose to get a trio of tacos, one each of the following: chilorio, braised pork; gobenador, shrimp with Oaxacan cheese; and quesabirria. All were excellent and nuanced in their tastes.

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To drink, I had an interesting cocktail described as tres leches milk punch with yogurt and goat cheese foam over reposado tequila with corn and coconut liqueur.

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I'm a difficult diner when it comes to breakfast because I can't stand eggs, no matter how they are prepared. My quest for non-eggy breakfasts leads me to seek savory choices when I tire of pancakes and waffles. One morning, I had this interesting bowl of farro and asparagus from Tin Shed in the Alberta Arts District. It was both hearty and healthful. Be assured that there are plenty of benedicts, omelettes, other more traditional breakfast items for those who prefer them.

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The next morning, I went in a more decadent direction with these "Uptown" shrimp and grits from Grits N' Gravy downtown. This was a rich variant of a classic with a creamy sauce and sliced andouille. There was also a "Downtown" version I need to try. My neighbor a few seats down at the counter ordered that version, and it looked darker, perhaps with some tomato, roux, or both.

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Podnah's
1625 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211
http://www.podnahspit.com/

Colibri
1208 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209
http://colibribar.com/

Tin Shed
1438 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
https://www.tinshedgardencafe.com/

Grits N' Gravy
215 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204
https://gritsngravypdx.com/