Beast – Review

Libby and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary by dining at one of Portland’s coolest dining spots, Beast.  This is Naomi Pomeroy’s (of ClarkLewis, Family Supper, Gotham Tavern fame) most recent culinary hit.  Family Supper was one of favorite stops before the Ripe empire, co-founded by Naomi, folded.  Beast has the same communal table, and super personal service as Family Supper. The setting of this Alberta Arts District spot is cozy with two handsomely set communal tables set around the open kitchen.  If you are the type that can never decide what to order, the fixed-price (no choices or substitutions) menu will be perfect.  We went on a Wednesday night for the 8:45 seating.  This turned out to be the perfect time for a true one-on-one dining experience with the chef.  We were one of two couples in the whole place!  Most seem to dine at the earlier 6 pm seating.

The food was fabulous and the constant conversation with Naomi as she was preparing our meal was fun and insightful.  I would highly recommend for thus looking for unique food in a warm environment.  And please stop by our listings on NE 13th, NE 15th, and NE 29th in the Alberta Arts District :-)

  • Cuisines: Fusion
  • Price Range*: $23-$45
  • Recommended For: Breakfast/Brunch, Local cuisine, Make Reservations
  • Address: 5425 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
  • Phone: (503) 841-6968

July 4, 2009 · Filed Under Alberta Arts District, Fun, Portland

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The Best Cappuccino in Portland?

I recently met a client for coffee at Costello’s Travel Caffe on 2222 NE Broadway.  Even though I’ve dined at the Blue Nile Ethiopian restaurant directly across the street many times, I’ve never ventured into this very cool caffe.  My client said I was going to have the best cappuccino in Portland and proceeded to order for me.  Note, I love coffee, espresso, and mocha with three shots, but I’ve never been a fan of cappuccinos.  I’ve always found them to mild and lacking of flavor.  But as the barista was putting the final touches on our drinks, I was quite intrigued.  As you can see in the picture, each cup is handcrafted.  It was so pretty that I had to take a picture.  Verdict?  One: is that I LOVE cappuccino made by a true barista.  Two: this may be the best in Portland.  Three: Now I’m on a quest for the best cappuccino in Portland!  So if you have suggestions please feel free to share.

Here is some info I grabbed from their website, www.costellostravelcaffe.com

Owned and operated by the Costello family, Costello’s Travel Caffé is warm, inviting, and full of character. With a vibrant, old-world atmosphere, it’s not suprising that Costello’s has become a neighborhood favorite and a destination within the Portland area. While the unique environment is quite distinctive, it’s the great food and attentive service that have earned the loyalty of Costello’s customers.

A visit to Costello’s Travel Caffé can be reminiscent of a colorful European café. The theme of world travel is represented throughout the decor, most notably a pair of wood-framed flat screens. These screens artfully display filmed views from select cities and destinations around the world. Each scene was filmed and edited by owners Dave Costello and his son Chris. Beginning in 2000, Dave and Chris have traveled to numerous countries, armed with a camera and tripod, to film these views for Costello’s. The archive of footage now includes over 20 countries and growing. A typical visit to Costello’s could entail scenes from places like Budapest, Beijing, and Barcelona. The views are often accompanied by their natural sounds and international music, adding to the overall ambiance and realism.

In keeping with a passion of travel, Costello’s hosts weekly foreign conversation nights, foreign films, and international soccer. From the Soccer World Cup to the Tour de France, Costello’s has been a fixture for devoted fans to enjoy sporting events from each corner of the globe. Live music is played on Thursday and Friday night from 8-10pm, ranging from toe-tappin’ Gypsy jazz to Brazilian bossa nova. Foreign Film Night, Wednesday at 8pm, has been a longtime favorite as customers crowd the café to see some of the world’s best films.

April 10, 2009 · Filed Under Fun, Local, Portland

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