Portland Dining Month 2020

Looking for the best places to eat in Portland, Oregon? From March 1-31, check out my picks for Portland Dining Month 2020 restaurants.

Portland Dining Month 2020 is here, and there are so many fabulous options. It's March Madness for foodies!

What is Portland Dining Month?

Each year, participating restaurants offer a special Portland Dining Month menu. This menu is in addition to their regular menu, which you may still order off of. Portland Dining Month menus are three courses for $33.

Which restaurants are participating in Portland Dining Month 2020?

For the full list of participating restaurants, visit Travel Portland. They also have a complete list of dining month menus listed under each restaurant.

Criteria for being included in this Portland dining list

There are a lot of wonderful options, but here are restaurants I suggest visiting. The main things I look for when selecting restaurants to visit:

• There is more than one option for each course. This is especially important when you're dining with friends. Who wants to all get the same dishes? Part of the fun in dining out is seeing a plethora of menu options. And, of course, always wanting what the other person ordered ;). These restaurants all have at least two options for you to choose from per course.
• You have the chance to try something new. I love when restaurants offer both their most popular dishes and something new that reflects the chef's style and expertise.
• The dining month menu offered is a good value. If the dishes normally on the menu would add up to the same cost, you may as well dine at that Portland restaurant any other time of year. There are a few exceptional values on this list. I've pointed them out in the descriptions below.
• Dishes that focus on substance. In Portland, there's a lot of flash. A lot of trends, a lot of hot new chefs, a lot of gimmick. If you're a regular reader here, you know that I'm not about any of that. All I want (and what many of you have told me you want as well) is really good food. Substantial dishes at decent prices. These restaurants offer that, and more.
• The restaurant offers a corresponding wine pairing menu available. This is not a requirement for me. Rather, it's a nice bonus. So not all of my picks offer a dining month wine pairing menu, but many of them do.
• Portland restaurants that accept reservations. Even when it's not Portland Dining Month, this is a must for me. Luckily, all of the participating restaurants accept online reservations.

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Best Places to Eat in Portland Dining Month 2020

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Arden

417 NW 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
https://ardenpdx.com

I've been to Arden twice in the past month. It's a sweet wine bar in the Pearl District. The food is beautifully prepared, and they're so helpful with wine pairing suggestions.

Here is Arden's Portland Dining Month 2020 menu:

First course (choose one):
Roast beets, labneh, fried chili dukkah and soft herbs (vegetarian) (gluten-free)
--or--
Citrus, whipped goat cheese, Marcona almonds, mint and Aleppo (vegetarian) (gluten-free)

Second course (choose one):
Ricotta cappelletti, truffle butter and chives parmesan (vegetarian)
--or--
Chili noodles, Kung Pao sausage, rapini and bay shrimp

Third course (choose one):
Buttermilk panna cotta, poppy seeds, satsuma confit and shiso (vegetarian) (gluten-free)
--or--
Toasted almond financier, marmalade and almond ice cream (vegetarian)

Canard

734 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214
https://canardpdx.com

I love Canard. Read my full review of this central Eastside Portland restaurant to see more food photos and dining info.

Here are your Portland Dining Month menu options for Canard restaurant:

First course (choose one):
Duck confit with Meyer lemon-orange marmalade, sweet pickles and green garlic oil
--or--
Roasted cabbage salad with ranch, cheddar, rhubarb and breadcrumbs

Second course (choose one):
Pork belly mac and cheese with green garlic, peas and horseradish vinaigrette
--or--
Thai fried trout with green curry guacamole and pickles

Third course (choose one):
Chocolateprofiterolescookies and cream with chocolate sauce and sea salt
--or--
Bananas “Foiester” sundae with banana soft serve, foie gras caramel and pecan golden graham crunch

Additional: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.

Carina Lounge

410 NW 21st Ave
Portland, OR 97209
https://carinalounge.com

Carina Lounge is a sweet neighborhood spot in Northwest Portland. Housed in the former Basta's space, it's a relaxing Italian restaurant. The wine list is one of the best in the area. We dined here in early March for Portland Dining Month 2020 and added on the wine pairing menu. This includes three wines - one with each course - for $18 per person.

First course (choose one):

The Carina with mixed field greens, haricot verts, toasted pepitas and pecorino romano (vegetarian, gluten-free)
--or--
Beef carpaccio with pecorino, arugula and lemon vinaigrette
--or--
Fritto misto with calamari, shrimp, lemon and chili aioli

Second course (choose one):

Angel hair pasta pollo con salvia burro with sautéed chicken, sage cream and fresh watercress (substitute chicken for vegetables to make vegetarian) --or--
Cioppino with mussels, clams and shrimp in a tomato broth served with house fries (gluten-free)
--or--
Pork tenderloin with veal reduction, mashed potatoes and vegetables

Third course (choose one):

Panna cotta with fresh berries and cocoa dust
--or--
Chocolate flourless cake with chocolate ganache and whipped cream (gluten-free)
--or--
Affogato with vanilla ice cream and Caffe Umbria espresso

Additional:Wine pairings available for each course.

Ecliptic Brewing

825 N Cook St
Portland, OR 97227
https://eclipticbrewing.com

Ecliptic Brewing has one of the best food menus of all Portland breweries. Check out my post about Ecliptic Brewing with more food and restaurant photos.

First course (choose one):
Deviled eggs with boquerones
--or--
Broiled oysters with bacon and bay shrimp béchamel
--or--
Beets with pumpkin seeds and pecorino (vegetarian) (gluten-free) (vegan upon request)

Second course (choose one):
Ecliptic burger with pancetta, red onion, cave-aged gruyère, arugula and Russian dressing on a potato bun and served with fries
--or--
Beet melt sandwich with roasted beets, goat cheddar, Granny Smith apples, pickled onions and grain mustard on sourdough and served with fries (vegetarian)
--or--
Vegan classic burger with black bean-bulgur-walnut patty, tofu mayo, lettuce, onions and pickle on ciabatta and served with fries (vegetarian) (vegan)
--or--
Steamed mussels with tomato, helles lager, garlic, bonito and grilled sourdough
--or--
Pan-roasted chicken with rice noodles, maitake mushrooms, hot and sour egg drop, chilies and almonds (gluten-free)

Third course (choose one):
Tiramisu (vegetarian)
--or--
Seasonal sorbet (gluten-free) (vegan)

Additional:
Meal includes one pint of beer and $10 gift card (redeemable upon future visits and not redeemable with any other promotions).

Farmhouse Kitchen Portland

3354 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214
https://farmhousethai.com

You can see the dishes that I enjoyed last year for Portland Dining Month in my recent blog post about Farmhouse Kitchen Portland.

This is one of the best Thai food restaurants in Portland, and their dining month menu is legit. You get so many options, all of them absolutely delicious. Click the Continue Reading button below to learn more about this fun, fabulous Portland restaurant.

First course (choose one):

Par dip fresh tuna with Esarn style diced fresh maguro tuna, green onion, cilantro, dill, long coriander and dehydrated chili served with rice cracker (spicy)
--or--
Peek Kai Yang with grilled Thai style marinated chicken wings served with Nam Jim Jaew
--or--
Larb tofu with Thai spicy tofu salad bite, lemongrass, shallot, green onion, cilantro, aromatic rice powder, dry chili and mint (vegetarian, gluten-free)
--or--
Mieng jackfruit with fresh herbs bite and caramelized tamarind (vegetarian, gluten-free)

Second course (choose one):

Farmhouse Khao Soi with traditional Northern Thai curry noodles
--or--
Slow braised bone-in-short-rib in house coconut curry with egg noodles, boiled egg, cilantro, bean sprout, pickled mustard and raw shallots served with garlic chili oil and lime
--or--
Run Juan sizzling with organic fried tofu (Ota, PDX) sautéed in homemade spicy curry paste, basil, onion, pickled peppercorns, krachai and bell pepper served with jasmine blue rice (vegetarian, gluten-free)

Third course: Sweet ending - chef's choice dessert

Extra course: Tom Kha - Coconut soup, mushroom, tomato, galangal, kaffir lime, lemongrass and long coriander (vegetarian, gluten-free)

Jackrabbit

830 SW 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
https://gojackrabbitgo.com

Celeb chef & restaurateur Chris Cosentino and Executive Chef Brett Uniss create hearty, jaw dropping dishes at Jackrabbit restaurant. Located on the first floor of The Duniway Hotel in downtown Portland, this is a great spot for work dinners, group dinners, and date nights.

Check out dishes and restaurant reviews from a couple of prior visits to Jackrabbit:
Spring menu debuts at Jackrabbit restaurant
Dinner at Jackrabbit restaurant in Portland, Oregon

First course (choose one):
Little gem salad with heirloom radishes, pickled shallot, green goddess and “bird seed” (vegetarian) (gluten-free) (vegan)
--or--
Roasted carrot soup with cilantro and harissa yogurt

Second course (choose one):
Bertha roasted chicken breast with roasted mushrooms, spring onion, soft polenta and green garlic salsa verde (gluten-free)
--or--
House made pappardelle pork osso buco rug with gremolata breadcrumb
--or--
Vegan “Italian dip” with Impossible meatball, “mozzarella”, marinara and chips (vegan)

Third course:
Bay leaf panna cotta with lemon granita and blueberry conserva

LeChon

113 SW Naito Pkwy
Portland, OR 97204
https://lechonpdx.com/

Chef Jaco Smith creates mouthwatering dishes focused on South American cuisine using Pacific Northwest ingredients. With possibly the most dishes offered for Portland Dining Month 2020, LeChon's menu is sure to please everyone in your dining party. I'll be heading here to enjoy the Portland Dining Month menu in a few days. Be sure to follow along as I share this dining experience in my Instagram stories!

First course (choose one):
Baocito with pork belly, pickled slaw, steam bun and Peruvian-Chinese BBQ sauce
--and--
Spiced tuna tiradito with pineapple relish, orange leche de tigre, cucumber and sesame emulsion
--and--
Strawberry and quinoa salad with burrata, spring lettuce, cashews and aji white balsamic dressing

OR, choose this for your first course:
Baocito with miso mushrooms, pickled slaw, steam bun and Peruvian-Chinese BBQ sauce (vegetarian)
--and--
Vegetable ceviche with hearts of palm, tomato, cucumber, aji lime amarillo and cilantro (vegetarian)
--and--
Strawberry and quinoa salad with burrata, spring lettuce, cashews and aji white balsamic dressing

Second course (choose one):
Plum-glazed flat iron steak with roasted sweet potato, toasted coconut, herbs and romesco
--and--
Shrimp chaufa with fried rice, heirloom cauliflower, peas, basil, cilantro and soy-lime teriyaki
--or--
Arepa with avocado purée, chickpeas, kale, melted peppers, fried egg and aji verde (vegetarian)
--and--
Chaufa with fried rice, heirloom cauliflower, peas, basil, cilantro and soy-lime teriyaki (vegetarian)

Third course: Key lime pie with raspberry

Mother's Bistro & Bar

121 SW 3rd Ave
Portland, OR 97204
https://www.mothersbistro.com/

I have never had a bad meal at Mother's Bistro, and I've had the pleasure of dining here several times over the years. Chef Lisa Schroeder and her team work tirelessly. And have been serving Portland's ultimate comfort food since the year 2000. They moved to larger digs in 2019. So there's even more room to accommodate hungry Portlanders.

What I love about the Mother's Bistro & Bar Dining Month menu is that it's SUPER flexible. Instead of offering 1-3 second course options, you can choose anything on the menu except for three dishes. It's such a great deal!

First course (choose one):
House salad (vegetarian)
--or--
Caesar salad
--or--
Cup of soup

Second course:
Any entree except steak frites, grilled salmon or crab cakes (vegetarian option available)

Third course:
Any dessert except crisp or cobbler (vegan option available)

Pok Pok NW

1639 NW Marshall St
Portland, OR 97209
https://pokpoknw.com

Pok Pok NW is a Portland Thai restaurant classic. The food here is always reliably delicious. And, for this year's Portland Dining Month menu, they're going for the Over-Achiever Award by offer FIVE different second course options.

First course:
Papaya Pok Pok-Central Thai-style spicy green papaya salad with tomatoes, long beans, Thai chilies, lime juice, tamarind, fish sauce, garlic, palm sugar, dried shrimp and peanuts, made to order in the pok pok (mortar and pestle)
-or-
Miang Kham with betel leaf wraps filled with diced ginger, lime, Thai chilies, peanuts, toasted coconut and shrimp floss, shallots served with a sweet palm sugar-tamarind sauce

Second course (choose one):
Seasonal Khanom Jiin with rice vermicelli noodles and Thai-style "curry”
--or--
Khao Soi Kai/Jay: a Northern Thai mild curry noodle soup made with Pok Pok’s secret curry paste recipe and house-pressed fresh coconut milk
--or--
Khao Soi Neua: a Mild Muslim style beef curry noodle soup made with a complex dry spice mixture
--or--
Cha Ca “La Vong” with catfish marinated in turmeric and sour rice, fried in turmeric oil with scallions and dill and served on rice vermicelli with peanuts, mint, cilantro and Mam Nem.
--or--
Hoi Thawt: a crispy broken crêpe with fresh mussels, eggs, garlic chives and bean sprouts served with Thai sriracha sauce

Third course:
Ai-tiim: one scoop of rich, creamy and very flavorful housemade ice cream in a cup with your choice of mango, durian, Thai tea, or Thai coffee.

Additional: Optional beverage - Cha Yen -Thai tea with milk or Cha Manao -Thai tea with fresh lime

Radar restaurant

3951 N Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR 97227
https://radarpdx.com

Radar is a cozy spot on Mississippi Ave in North Portland. I love it. I've only been for happy hour and dinner. However, I hear brunch is fantastic here. Check out more food photos and restaurant info in my blog post about Radar restaurant.

Here's the Radar restaurant Portland Dining Month 2020 menu:

First course (choose one):
Seafood bisque with dungeness crab cake, Gilded Green micros and crème fraîche
--or--
Fennel and citrus salad with watercress, oil-cured olive, pistachio and champagne vinaigrette (vegetarian) (gluten-free)

Second course (choose one):
Braised pork cheeks with smoked celeriac purée, pepper jelly, Urfa biber and sautéed greens (gluten-free)
--or--
Pan-roasted scallops with preserved lemon aioli, braised fennel, roasted fingerlings, black garlic and fennel pollen

Third course (choose one):
Olive oil cake with Meyer lemon sorbet, pine nuts and Castelvetrano olives
--or--
Crème caramel

Additional: Full menu wine pairings available

More Portland Dining Month Restaurant Guides

• Portland Dining Month 2019 Picks
• Portland Dining Month 2018
• Portland Dining Month 2014
• Portland Dining Month 2013

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