Shaw closed Fife in 2009 and relocated to Durham, N.C. Open in Google Maps. But eating was just something to do while waiting for the music to start. Heres another Hollywood District landmark that gave up the ghost in the last few years. The building is scheduled be torn down to make way for a new county courthouse. Southpark Seafood 1483 SeafoodAmerican (New)$$$Downtown This is a placeholder "For $20 (+ tip) we had 2 glasses of wine, fried chick peas (like carnivalfood for grown-ups), and a." more Outdoor seating Delivery Takeout 2. First opened in 1971 on Northeast 43rd Avenue, it moved to 24th in the 1980s, where it was known for its family-friendly atmosphere and outdoor dining on its large patio when the weather cooperated. The late restaurateur Peter Hochman created this Alberta Arts District temple to surf & turf in 2005, where then up-and-coming chef Eric Bechard celebrated not just oysters, but rustic fare like fried veal sweetbreads with glazed shallots, chestnuts and a raisin sauce. While Shawna ran the business, Claire cooked every mole and made every tortilla by hand (she even rendered her own lard). Every time I'm in the city, I try to convince someone tomore, Breakfast & BrunchCoffee & TeaJuice Bars & Smoothies$$Northwest, sent any other funnel cake I've ever had on the walk of shame back to their sad little carnival.more, I love crowds, and the feeling of a carnival. I especially love the Friday special, the phenomenal fermented fish noodle soup. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. 17. But in the case of this cozy Spanish tapas den, which opened in 1995, there really was a Fernando owner Fernando Moreno. The Carousel Restaurant stood in the canyon on Terwillger Blvd for some 50 or so years. ORDER ONLINE HERE. Its impossible to imagine what Portlands dining scene would be like today without this landmark Italian restaurant, which was opened in 1971 by Michael Vidor, and was The Oregonians Restaurant of the Year in 2001, when it was owned by Kerry DeBuse and Cathy Whims (who would later open Nostrana). Notable chefs Daniel Mondok and Jake Martin spent time cooking here, showcasing luxurious dishes like lobster and mushroom risotto, while the bar featured some of the city's most-creative mixologists. By 1998, Northwest Hoyt Street in the Pearl District was cementing its place as a dining hot-spot, and after a rough opening, this homey Italian restaurant became of its most-dependable players. The cart's house-made "bing sauce" gives each bite a nice salty-sweetness, while the addition of zha cai provides a burst of tang to bring things together. Carts rattled around the dining room, delivering places of hom bao, sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves, barbecued ribs and chicken feet. This longtime Chinatown restaurant was never much to look at, but in the 1980s and 90s, this was the place to go for some of the citys best dim sum. This seller consistently earned 5-star reviews, shipped on time, and replied quickly to any messages they received. Clockwise, from top left: Portland Monthly's recreation of a 1970s-era Henry Thiele Restaurant breakfast spreadsignature German pancake and tooth-achingly sweet Green River soda included; an "Eat 'Em Alive" menu from downtown's Dan and Louis Oyster Bar, which opened in 1919; PoMo's recreation of a 1950s-era buffet of Oregon . The. For decades, this Chinatown restaurant on the corner of Northwest Couch Street and Third Avenue was known for strong drinks and traditional Chinese fare. There were always lines out the door and the parking lot was usually packed. Here's a restaurant that pioneered the northern edge of the Pearl District a few years ahead of its time. Long before tiki bars became retro-cool, this downtown restaurant was mixing stiff Polynesian drinks and serving puu puu platters to students from nearby Portland State University. Tim Cuscaden ran the candlelit front of the house with panache, while chef Paul Klitsie manned the stove, exploring Italian regional cuisine, with many dishes made out of seasonal ingredients harvested from Cuscaden's garden. It closed in March, making way for the just-opened Headwaters Restaurant. It closed in 2014 after 35 years (or more, if you count Fong Chongs original incarnation as a grocery before becoming a restaurant in 1979). Namaste Indian Cuisine. First opened in 1928, it served chop suey, chow mein and lo mein when they were considered exotic. But when chef Marco Shaw opened Fife in 2002, it finally had a destination restaurant. Have her check out the Freak Show. Music, Performing Arts, Readings & Talks. Before Oregons indoor smoking ban, this was a restaurant that eagerly welcomed smokers, and it seemed like everyone at the counter took drags of cigarettes between sips of strong coffee. Disco dancing and backgammon?! Some diners didn't like the lack of authenticity "There's not much roux at Roux," one famously complained and after a brisk first year of business, Blythe quit. The dining room had a sexy vibe that inspired diners to dress up something of a feat in flannel-loving Portland. Many of the servers waited tables for decades. Weekend brunches focused on skillet scrambles featuring things like homemade veal sausage. The building was eventually demolished to make way for condominiums. Banning's Restaurant & Pie House Family Style Restaurants American Restaurants Sandwich Shops (20) (248) 8.9 Website View Menu 43 YEARS IN BUSINESS Amenities: (503) 244-2558 11477 SW Pacific Hwy Some of these places dated back to the 1930s, and sounded incredible. Bima closed in early 2000, followed by a long list of forgettable spots (remember Terra? It's now home to Greg and Gabrielle Quinonez Denton's SuperBite. When you visit Thiele Square shopping center today, the red brick building that houses a World Market and Levi's store offers few hints to its historic site of a much-loved Portland restaurant. For 10 years, this downtown delicatessen, bakery and pizza spot was a popular pre-theater spot with the symphony crowd, drawn by affordable sandwiches and salads in a cheery two-level space featuring large paintings by 19th-century French caricaturist Colomb who signed his name backwards as B. Moloch. The menu varied in quality and offerings over time, though the restaurant's Mushroom Pate appetizer and steak frites were signatures. They offer the standard taqueria fare and are soon to be selling beer. But which incarnation of The Crab Bowl? Before the soon-to-close Macys was remodeled in 2006 to make way for the Nines Hotel, its top floor was home to the Georgian Room, a stately restaurant on the 10th floor of the Meier & Frank department store. The restaurant shuttered earlier this year after almost 18 years in business. It had numerous owners over the years including Inka Elliott (seen here in 2004). When this elegant Pearl District restaurant opened in 2006, the initial reviews were terrible, and much was made about how the food played second fiddle to the atmosphere. Fuel? The menu at the "taco club" may have lacked the authenticity of Oaxacan or Southwest fare, but filling combo plates made it among the most-satisfying Mexican places at the time. This no-nonsense burger place dished up cheeseburgers and milkshakes for more than five decades, including a 27-year stretch in downtowns historic Charles F. Berg Building. The most-recent incarnation in Old Town closed in 2013. Aloo Tikki Chaat. Address: 1403 NE Weidler St, Portland, OR 97232, United States. TAKE-OUT. There's panic a-brewing at the Carrousel Restaurant (formerly the Carnival) located at the foot of Oregon Health & Science University.Loyal . Olea? People also searched for these in Portland: See more carnival restaurant in Portland. Opening hours: 11am - 9:30pm (daily) 10. The space is now a strip club. In recent years, Northwest Portland has accrued a number of destination-worthy spots, including the casual Kashmiri cafe Bhuna and acclaimed Mexican tasting menu restaurant Repblica. Before the Pearl District turned swanky in the late '90s, it was mostly home to warehouses. The menu was a throwback, too, with dishes like Chicken Oscar that you could imagine Don Draper digging into with a second or third martini. Portland, Oregon. Dishes reflected the neighborhood's funkiness: salt-and-pepper calamari, pan-roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, and a Thai flatiron steak with sticky rice. Its now a womens athletic clothing store. In 1994, Chen was murdered while visiting China to explore the possibility of opening restaurants there. The space is now an outpost of Barista coffee. We created the space with an acute attention to detail, from our intimate booths which are perfect for date night, to our custom stained glass sconces which create a warm and inviting space to share a drink. All rights reserved (About Us). Since the 1930s, this was a spot where ladies lunched on iceberg lettuce salads and chicken a la king. Details: Gabbiano's serves dinner Wednesday to Sunday at 5411 N.E. Over the years, Genoa was home to numerous prominent chefs, including Jerry Huisinga of Bar Mingo and John Taboada of Navarre. It closed in 2007, and Bar Mingo opened the following year. Live Wire with Luke Burbank. The restaurant was demolished after the city purchased the block to make room for the streetcar line connecting downtown to the South Waterfront District. Like nearby Henry Thiele Restaurant, this longtime New York-style delicatessen called Northwest 23rd Avenue home long before it became a trendy shopping district. !gimme gimme all day everrrday ]more, It was that unmistakable carnival-style sound that France is known for.more, Perfect amount of food to share amongst friends to have a carnival of tastes all across themore, like stubby cigars, with a batter that reminded me of childhood treats at the summer carnival.more, Fast FoodDelisSandwichesSouthwest Portland, My husband and I tried this place for the first time yesterday and we asked ourselves why we waited so long! What did people search for similar to carnival restaurant near Portland, OR? What's something fun to do downtown? The building was demolished to make way for apartments. A Portland staple for homey comfort food since 1903, Besaw's serves classic dishes with a fine-cuisine twist, like chicken and waffles with Korean fried chicken and gochujang, or curried chickpea ragot. Explore menu, see photos and read 2883 reviews: "Sensational customer service and great food and choices!". The original U-Betcha has been home to Muu-Muu's for almost 20 years now. You can read all about them in More tasty memories: 84 closed Portland restaurants we wish were still around. Diners couldnt get enough of the oven-roasted mussels with saffron and tomato. Downtown's stately Heathman Hotel was home to this landmark restaurant, which ran from the 1980s to earlier this year. Nothing amusing about it! Adding a business to Yelp is always free. Farrell passed away in 2015 at age 87. It closed in 2005 after a 26-year run. Pence returned to Seattle in 2014, where she currently is running a chef-made dinner delivery service. After Zefiro, Israel created Grner, Siu founded Castagna, and Carey opened several restaurants, most notably Bluehour. In 2005, the restaurant moved out to Southeast 82nd Avenue, where it ran for a decade before closing last year. For more than half a century, this palatial restaurant in the basement of the Benson Hotel was where the citys elite went for hearty meat and potatoes and seafood dishes, paired with one of the deepest wine cellars in the city. But that location, which felt like the heart and soul of the chain, closed in 2009, and the company was taken over in 2012. The menu was a mix of familiar pasta dishes and hearty fare like osso bucco and veal saltimbocca. But the kitchen never entirely found its groove until chef Jake Martin and pastry chef Kristen Murray arrived in 2010, taking the menu to new heights. We celebrate milestones like birthdays and anniversaries there. The restaurant closed at the end of 2011, but the space is still available for private dining and catered events. The haunting structure near the St. Johns Bridge on U.S. 30 is yet another lost remnant of Portland's industrial past. All locations closed abruptly in 2012. The Greek fare included comforting fare like braised lamb shanks, fried calamari, and saganaki, an ouzo-drenched cheese that was served in flaming glory. JK Gill's. Dishes included a hearty beef short rib goulash, and sauerkraut-covered sausages. Great for happy hour. After 20 years, it closed in 2014, and the space now is a marijuana dispensary. But her bistro soon became more of a neighborhood place, and was particularly popular at lunchtime. The space now is an outpost of Lovejoy Bakers. Chef-owner Kurt Spak specialized in Piedmontese cuisine, including house-made pasta, like agnolotti stuffed with veal, pork and rabbit. A 2009 electrical fire in a space next to the restaurant forced Sel Gris to close for good. Eric and Connie Laslow opened this offshoot of their smaller Northeast Broadway bistro in 2000, serving a menu of Northwest fare like pumpkin custard crab cakes, grilled salmon with roasted mussels, and hibiscus-rubbed duck breast. Foursquare. Genoa closed briefly in 2008, reopened the following year, then when on "hiatus" in 2014. 30th Ave., 503-719-4373, gabbianospdx.com ($$$) Read more: Gabbiano's is the red sauce Italian restaurant Portland didn't . The building is scheduled to be demolished to make way for new development. Seafood. At the same time, the cocktails from the bar became some of the citys best, spawning a popular happy hour scene. When chef and restaurateur David Machado opened this Mediterranean spot in 2003, it ushered in the food renaissance along Southeast Division Street. The company's filing status is listed as Inactive and its File Number is 118340-17. When this Thai restaurant from Bo and Steve Kline first opened in 1995, it served appetizers, salads and fancy desserts that hadnt been served in Portland before. After an attempt to rebrand it as Delfina's Ristorante, owner Michael Cronan closed it, remodeled the kitchen and dining room, and reopened in 1999 as Serratto Restaurant, named after Delphina Serratto, who inspired the original place. The best seat in the house was at the chefs counter, which offered an eagle-eye view on how the kitchen operated. The food was hardly remarkable, but there was a sense that you were dining in a place with history. Arrives by Jan 19-26 if you order today. The cozy setting of a converted old house with lacy curtains made this a place to quietly enjoy beef roulade, sauerbraten, fondue and cheese blintzes, all washed down with hard-to-find German beer and wine. Bombay Chaat House. space later became Metrovino, and now is home to The Fields sports bar. Join Emmy award-winning host Luke Burbank for the taping of Live Wire, the fastest-growing entertain. WELCOME TO OUR CASA They may want to rethink potato pancake? The second Vat became a Pastini Pastaria. The open kitchen was a collaborative space for Pomeroy and co-chef Tommy Habetz, and the staff included Gabriel Rucker (who later would win a James Beard award for his cooking at Le Pigeon). The 21-year-old Indian restaurant Bombay Cricket Club poured its last mango margarita in August. After several remodels, it became known for its elaborately carved wooden booths, and a lounge that welcomed smokers. What did people search for similar to carnival restaurant in Portland, OR? Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list. The corn cheese, finished with a surprising drizzle of mint butter, is a fun twist on a classic. Pancake is not the word that I would describe these things. Joe Esparza didn't want to open up just another Mexican restaurant. In 1998, B. Moloch served its last designer pizza, and the space was transformed into the seafood restaurant SouthPark. It closed in 2013 after the building was sold to the Multnomah Athletic Club. Fruition closed after six years in 2008, and the Greek spot Dorio Caf & Taverna resides there now. It's here that the deli became known for corned beef sandwiches, Reubens, kosher pickles, cinnamon rolls, cheesecake and multi-layered cakes. In 1978, Mike and Rose-Marie Barbeau-Quinn opened this quirky downtown restaurant and wine bar, which became a hit with the symphony crowd, drawn by the blaring opera on the sound system and the dependable roasted game hen and the smoked pork chop. Zefiro's burger was considered the best in town. Best carnival restaurant near Downtown, Portland, OR, Departure Restaurant + Lounge - Temp. The menu featured modern takes on French classics, and the cooking was so good the restaurant was named The Oregonians 2008 Rising Star of the Year. Specialties: At Q Restaurant & Bar we wanted to create an inviting space to create new, rich memories, meet old friends, and make new ones. Enjoy your order of the Man Platter, sir. Adding a business to Yelp is always free. Coffee People Road Tour mugs. At first, this was just a coffee and cookie company, but evolved into a lunch and dinner spot, featuring approachable fare like halibut tacos and duck quesadillas. In the 1950s and 60s, this was a place for special occasion dining think anniversaries, marriage proposals along with dining events, like this 1965 Esquire Gourmet Feast, which featured whole pheasant, served by manager Adrian Sliedrecht, left, and head waiter William Underwood. The restaurant was known for inventive salads, Szechwan noodles, and Black Angus chocolate cookies. There was absolutely no fear of butter and cream at this all-seafood French restaurant in Northeast's Beaumont neighborhood, which was considered one of Portland's best restaurant in the 1980s and '90s. Did we forget your favorite restaurant from yesteryear? amalfispdx. The wine list offered Italian vintages not found elsewhere, and the vibe was spiffy without being stuffy, making it popular with regulars. 2225 NE M L King Blvd, Portland, OR 97212-3727 +1 503-284-3366 Website Closed now : See all hours See all (145) Ratings and reviews 350 #29 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details PRICE RANGE $45 - $75 CUISINES Steakhouse, Argentinean Special Diets Gluten Free Options View all details meals, features Location and contact The menu was straightforward: burgers, fries, BLTs, Reubens, milkshakes from the soda fountain, and strong cups of coffee. When we asked readers which closed Portland restaurants they missed the most earlier this year, a surprising number nominated The Carnival, a family-owned burger and shakes place that ran from 1950 to 2000. The last location closed in 2003 when the company filed for bankruptcy. Opened in 1959, Poor Richards became known for two-for-the-price-of-one dinner specials, a deal that started in the 1970s that became the restaurants calling card. Like nearby neighbor Veritable Quandary, which closed earlier this fall, Toms served its last bento in November. Hurley tangled with foie gras protesters in 2004, who camped outside the restaurant and harassed customers, hurting the bottom line. But labor and lease disputes damaged the restaurants reputation, and newer street-style Thai restaurants started to get more buzz. This funky restaurant, which started in the mid-90s in the Hollywood District before moving to the Belmont Dairy development, featured spicy Caribbean-style barbecue like Jamaican jerk chicken, along with addictive coconut shrimp and Cajun paella. The restaurant menu is hyper-seasonal and . The burger was regarded as one of the city's best, and Israel received a James Beard nomination for his work here. Longtime owners Jeanne and Bob Durkheimer retired in 2008, and the business was taken over by their daughter Kim until her unexpected death in 2014 forced the restaurants closure. The Barbers sold those pickles wholesale, and demand was so strong that they closed the restaurant in 2013 to focus on the Picklopolis brand. The business gradually expanded to include a line of products sold at grocery stores. to love it again. Portland Gas & Coke Co. building. Whatever. But it wasnt enough. This Northwest Portland restaurant helped pioneer the farm-to-table dining movement in the early 1990s by emphasizing regional and seasonal ingredients, prepared with the utmost of care. Lauro closed in 2012 after its lease expired, and now is the Roman-themed Ava Gene's. Back in the 1980s, this Italian restaurant was one of the anchor businesses at the Water Tower at Johns Landing, an innovative shopping center and office complex that opened in a renovated furniture factory. In its early years, the rustic Northwest menu was overseen by chef Greg Higgins, who was chef at the sister Heathman Restaurant, and later would go on to win a James Beard award at his own namesake restaurant. Local musicians like guitarist Dan Balmer and singer Nancy King had regular gigs here, and luminaries of the national jazz scene, like Dexter Gordon and Art Blakey, performed here. Crowds would begin lining up early for burgers and fries, grilled sandwiches, homemade pie and legendary cheesecake, and the clientele included a mix of neighborhood residents and noteworthy regulars, like several Portland Trail Blazers and the late Oregon Symphony conductor James DePreist. For 15 years, chef Ron Paul helped define Pacific Northwest cuisine with this small group of restaurant, which first opened in Northwest Portland in the 1980s before moving to Northeast Broadway, and at one point included locations in the Progress neighborhood and Southwest Macadam, plus a downtown take-out shop. Customers could sit beside a waterfall that ran down the cliffs above, thanks to a large outdoor seating area. The attention to detail earned her a James Beard nomination. In 1963, Robert "Bob" Farrell co-founded this popular chain of ice cream parlors that were the home of countless children's birthday parties, and at one point had 55 locations throughout the West, including this shop on Northwest 21st Avenue (whereToast & Pho currently resides). Opening Hours Takeout & Dine In Monday - Sunday: 11:00 am - 8:30pm HOLIDAY HOURS UPDATE CLOSED Christmas & New Years Day December 24th Closing Early at 5:00pm Both sister restaurants closed in 2008, though Taqueria Nueve reopened in 2014 in a new location. The old brick building was home to one of the city's best after-work bars, and the kitchen in recent years produced impressive American fare, like giant prawns with bacon and avocado, a remarkable veggie burger, and chocolate souffl. We visited this restaurant on March 26th, 2019. Digger O'Dell's Oyster Bar and Restaurant. But, the taste was great, the fries great, the beer great, the service great. (503) 284-6747. When this Parisian-style French bistro opened downtown in 1978, it quickly became a popular nightspot, thanks to its in-house magician, live jazz, and paper-covered tabletops, on which diners were encouraged to color while waiting for their food. Morrow's Nut House in Lloyd Center back when it wasn't enclosed. The Monte Carlo on Belmont! What are people saying about carnival restaurant in Portland, OR? A lovely, fresh and accommodating menu, thoughtful and attentive service, and reasonable prices, plus bonus points for their own small parkingmore, Bay shrimp on the Louie Salad tasted like it had been plucked fresh out of the ocean and onto my plate. Website: Namaste Indian Cuisine. Salt & Straw Ice Cream. With an ever-changing menu and innovative raw bar, you won't find a better place for a dozen on the half shell. Nothing fancy or trendy. When this cozy French restaurant from chef Anthony Demes opened in 1995 in Goose Hollow, it was difficult to get to, thanks to ongoing construction of the Westside MAX tracks. The bar was home to "social hour" their version of a happy hour, when it could be tough to score a table. After 15 years, it closed in late 2013, making way for Bellino Trattoria Siciliano. Colloquially called "GasCo," the plant was . The menu was pure Americana -- chicken pie, bacon and blue-cheese burgers, chocolate cake, and peanut butter pie. Vegetarian and vegan restaurants arent hard to find these days, but when this veggie-focused kitchen (they served a little seafood, too) opened in 2003, no one had heard of quinoa, and it was OK to not like kale. This quirky burger diner opened in 1954 across Sandy Boulevard from the iconic Hollywood Theatre in an oddly shaped building that was originally a street trolley ticket station. Kitsch ruled the day at this Portland offshoot of the famous San Francisco burger joint, which operated in a number of downtown locations, most notably on the corner Southwest Park Avenue and Taylor Street, where it ran from the 1970s until 1996 (where the Fox Tower is now). Perhaps the proper label for the cuisine was dishes the chef really likes.. This Gulf Coast-themed restaurant opened in 1995 in a one-time factory, setting the stage for other trendy spots that would open up nearby on Northwest Hoyt Street. The original on Southwest Barbur that opened in the 1940s before moving to Tigard in 1983 (in what now is an adult video store)? Struggling with debt and a downturn in business caused by the recession, the Pences closed the bistro in 2009 after a 17-year run. At first glance, Fruition seemed like another neighborhood coffee shop catering to hospital workers on the then less-traveled north end of Northwest 23rd Avenue. Every day from 11am-09pm. In 2006, it moved to a larger space further north, and would close in 2009 (though the offshoot pizza place Lovely's Fifty-Fifty is still going strong). Lines frequently were out the door, and the wait was always worth it. Legin closed in 2012 to make way for Portland Community College's expanding southeast campus. Craig Plainfield (shown here in 2005) curated an extensive wine cellar that included bottles of port, sherry and Madeira, some dating back to 1795. But bad first impressions can be hard to fix, and Ten 01 closed at the end of 2010. In 1970, Vida Lee Mick opened this popular restaurant that became a Northwest Portland institution. But those views of the Willamette! Great great great.". The Vat resurfaced a block away in 2003, but closed when Rose-Marie, a French-Canadian, was forced to return to Canada in 2005 following an immigration dispute about the length of her marriage to Quinn, who died in 1991. Earlier this year, we asked readers which closed restaurant they missed the most, and the response was incredible. Demes dishes were elaborate, architectural, and often unforgettable. His background in wine hospitality and distribution made his evening tastings an event, when he would showcase unusual varietals from around the globe, which you could pair with happy hour quesadillas made with blue cheese, walnuts and fruit. Others elevated our tastes and expectations. It closed in 2014. The weekend brunch was one of the citys best, and the Saturdays-only Indian feast was difficult to get into. Winterborne closed in 2004, when owner Gilbert Henry decided to focus on Cuvee in Carlton (where Crab Juniper sometimes is on the menu). Trader Vics returned in 2011, reopening in a large Pearl District space, with blazing tiki torches burning outside. I would recommend a smaller one so you don't feel weighed down afterward. In September, downtown's Veritable Quandary closed after 45 years. Uncle Chen closed two years later after 17 years. National acclaim followed when Gourmet named it one of the 50 best restaurants in the country. Nestled between downtown and Pill Hill, the restaurant attracted nurses and doctors from nearby OHSU, and the goldfish pond became a popular place for childrens birthday parties. For 41 years, comfort food reigned at this popular Alameda neighborhood restaurant. As Typhoon!s popularity grew, it expanded to seven locations. When Caprial Pence opened this Westmoreland spot in 1992, expectations ran high. The last burgers were served in 2005, when the Broiler closed following a lease dispute. The space is currently the fried chicken-focused The Waiting Room. Genoa was known for seven-course menus, served in a dark setting that evoked a Florentine palace, and the meals could last an entire evening. Horrendous food. Acclaim for Wildwood quickly followed: In 1995, the restaurant was named The Oregonians Restaurant of the Year; and in 1998, Schreiber won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Pacific Northwest. But diners who ventured in could feast on the seven-course menu, crafted out of luxurious ingredients like black truffles, lobster, foie gras and quail. From the specialty flavors that change each month to the classics you can only get on the west coast (like the subtle Arbequina Olive . Perhaps the flames were a bad omen: The Pearl reincarnation closed earlier this year after being damaged in a fire. In 2003, North Mississippi Avenue was emerging as an important dining district, and this quaint little spot, in a painted-pink Old Portland saltbox house, anchored the street's south end. When Northwest Portland's Caf des Amis closed in 2003, it made way for this upscale French restaurant from former firefighter Tom Hurley. There was no way diners could keep from smiling while having breakfast at this funky North Portland caf, which dished up creative breakfasts and hefty sandwiches beginning in 1994 on a then-gritty stretch of North Killingsworth Avenue. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. After closing, the tucked-away space on Northwest Kearney became Hurley's, and now is Caf Nell. The small but focused menu featured upscale bar fare, but food was hardly the point. By the end of the 1990s, though, locations began closing as sales dropped off, and when Warren was killed in a 1999 plane crash, the Mouses fate was all but cast. But the spell didnt last.