Dining in Southeast Portland, Oregon: Six Not To Be Missed Restaurants

Portland’s restaurant scene is abuzz with new talent, old world cuisine, and homegrown celebrity chefs making the City of Roses a true culinary destination. What’s more, these new places are popping up throughout Southeast – revitalizing the economy and bringing life back to an old Portland neighborhood.

For the savvy traveler, the cultural landscape of Southeast Portland is best discovered through gastronomy. In a city that celebrates the fresh bounty of the Northwest coupled with an appreciative appetite for authentic world cuisine – the outcome is nothing short of foodie bliss.

Here are six restaurants that have made Southeast home and brought with them a revitalized vision of what food should be. Read on…

Castagna: 1752 SE Hawthorne Blvd || 503.231.7373
Anchoring the West end of trendy Hawthorne, Castagna offers a mix of simple French and Italian cuisine that is uncluttered and refined as its sleek, cozy dining room. Fresh local ingredients combine with imported meats and cheeses to create the occasional flavor profile that may surprise – all while maintaining a well-executed and delicious menu with serious consistency. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 5:30 – 10:30pm. Call for reservations.

Lauro Kitchen: 3377 SE Division # 106 || 503.239.7000
A family-owned and operated neighborhood restaurant, Lauro Kitchen offers a unique Mediterranean twist on old favorites. Headed by nationally recognized executive chef David Machado, the expansive restaurant space displays an open kitchen turning out inspired fare such as Portuguese-Style Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Peppers and Cilantro. Machado is a longtime board member of Portland’s Farmers Markets and works closely with local producers that provide fresh seasonal ingredients. Lauro Kitchen is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 – 10pm, Sunday and Monday 5 – 9pm. Seating is on a first-come first-served basis.

clarklewis: 1001 SE Water Avenue || 503.235.2294
clarklewis gives Portlanders a taste of simple, elegant Italian cuisine presented in a tapas fashion. Edgy and innovative, clarklewis offers three sizes – small, large and family size. The menu changes on a daily basis and is categorized by main ingredient such as lamb, mussels, or mushrooms. Chef Morgan Brownlow directs the cuisine and turns out unfussy simply prepared entrees with artfully appointed industrial style. clarklewis is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11am – 2pm. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday 5:30 pm – close. Call for reservations.

Vindalho: 2038 SE Clinton Street || 503.467.4550
Vindalho is a neighborhood restaurant and bar piloted by Executive Chef and longtime Portland restaurateur David Machado. The cuisine is inspired by the diverse regions of the Indian subcontinent and absolutely alive with flavor. Machado and Chef de Cuisine David Anderson use flavors such as ginger, cumin, garlic, saffron, coriander, cilantro, lemon and yogurt to “stimulate the senses and excite the palate.” Like Machado’s Lauro Kitchen, Vindalho features a kitchen that opens to a unique two-story tropical space using industrial concrete highlighted by mango colored walls. A tandoor oven is used to cook Vindalho’s Indian fare such as Chicken Tikka and Nan. Vindalho is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 – 10pm and is closed on Sunday and Monday. They only accept reservations for parties of 6 or larger.

Nostrana: 1401 SE Morrison || 503.234.2427
Earning the title of Restaurant of the Year from The Oregonian in 2006, this newcomer has knocked the socks off Portland diners and seems to be on a predestined path to restaurant greatness. Serving authentic rustic Italian cuisine cooked by fire, Nostrana offers guests rare treats from old world Italy. Slow food champion and former owner/chef of Genoa, Cathy Whims directs the ever changing menu to reflect the seasonality and authenticity of cuisine. Recently named Restaurant of the Year 2006 by The Oregonian, Nostrana uses an 800-degree wood-burning oven to cook everything from their leg of lamb and chop with tomato walnut salsa to one of eight varieties of Neapolitan style pizza. And don’t miss Gnocchi Thursday’s, where Whims and crew cook up traditional potato Gnocchi served with Basil and Ricotta Pesto & Fava Beans. Nostrana accepts reservations for six or more.