We're leaving the PNW now (don't worry, more adventures are coming), so we had to get a quick drink at the airport. 

The Mountain Room Bar provided a place for us to hang out and get a drink - all while charging our phones!

One of their signature cocktails is this pineapple concoction that worked for me! It was convenient to our gate and did the trick.




Grade: B

One last restaurant in Portland - and it's dinner.

Le Pigeon, while named after, a, well, pigeon, is an upscale Portland restaurant that specializes in French cuisine.

Often hailed as a must-try, this restaurant draws a line so I was here early before they opened to assure we'd get a seat (and be finished in time to catch the bus back to Seattle!).

Bon Appetit said it's the restaurant that put Portland on the culinary map. Specifically, the beef cheeks bourguignon is legendary.

Half civilized French bistro and half culinary crack den, where your darkest desires are realized (think foie gras torchon with buttermilk pancakes or sweetbreads with blue cheese are indulged) (Travel + Leisure).

Once the restaurant was open, we were seated around the open kitchen, which is always fun to get a little show with your dinner.

The menu draws on French inspiration and has just a few entrees that span various proteins: pork, chicken, lamb, beef, fish and even a burger.

First, a bite of bread. Not bad.

After a bit of a wait, my entree came out: Beef Cheek Bourguignon - green garlic and fregola “mac n cheese” pickled escargot, carrot pesto salad. So tender, and I loved the little fregula texture. The pickling gave some nice acidity, and the rich broth soaked everything. Such a well-thought out dish. Very good.

And, a little sweet bite to end on!



Grade: A

We had time for a brewery in Portland, too.

Burnside Brewing Company was near our dinner restaurant so we had a quick beer before grubbing.

The menu has a lot of options, but there was one that stood out to me: Sweet Heat - Wheat ale with apricot puree and imported Jamaican Scotch Bonnet peppers.

Wow, you can actually taste the heat in this beer. Like, my throat was actually tingling.

We are brewers who make great beer.  Starting in 2010 the goal of having an independent, creative brewery in the heart of Portland, came to fruition. After a Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver and 500 plus beers later, Burnside Brewing is proud to be a fixture on the inner east side along with other quality distilleries, breweries and small business owners. Our tanks are working seven days a week, on a 15 barrel system, allowing us to provide a wide variety of beer choices throughout the year (SOURCE).

It was well-balanced, though, and very good. Plus the nice heat at the end. Now, that's a good beer.



Grade: A