#ThursdayToursPDX {Lunch + Brunch Mashup}

Thursday, September 3, 2015

I can't believe that Erin and I started the #ThursdayToursPDX almost 4-months ago! It has been such an honor to have some or Portland's best bloggers and tastemakers share their recommendations! Are you enjoying the series? Are there any topics you would like us to cover? We would love to hear from you.

In previous posts the lovely Mary Ellen shared her favorite brunch spots in Portland and Natalie let us know the best lunch spots in NW Portland! And today Erin is sharing her favorite lunch and brunch spots! I have a feeling your weekend plans will include a lot of morning and afternoon meals.

And if you would like to know my favorite spots head on over to Bakery Bingo!!

Hello Martha Chartreuse readers! It’s been a while since I’ve been over here sharing my favorites for #ThursdayToursPDX. Here are my go-tos for the midday meals: lunch and brunch!

Brunch: Who doesn’t love a good brunch? I mean, it’s Portland, so dumb question, everyone does.

Beast – 5425 NE 30th & Killingsworth: If you’ve got a special occasion and want to go big, get reservations at Naomi Pomeroy’s acclaimed restaurant. With 5 courses, this is no light-weight meal. If you want to experience a long, decadent start to your day, this is how to do it. It’s got everything: something sweet to start like a clafoutis with whipped crème fraiche and candied bacon, something savory like the Beast Hash with a stunning poached egg and braised pork belly, an immaculate cheese course, a crisp salad, and then of course a chocolatey dessert to finish it all off. As it’s reservations-only, there’s obviously no wait needed.

Sweedeedee – 5202 N Albina & Sumner: This place on the other hand will likely always have a line. Even if you go on a weekday, there is typically a wait. But trust me, it is worth it. And it really isn’t so bad. You place your order, then wait for a table. Once you get seated (usually 20-40 minutes for a table for 2-4), voila! Your food appears! And the food. So good! I love it all. Their freshly baked pastries and quick breads. Their homemade thick-cut breads that are beautifully toasted, alongside eggs or salads. The corn cakes served with rich maple syrup and slices of bacon. And man oh man, that salted honey pie, definite must-have.

Lunch: I am a big fan of a good lunch outing. Why bother prepping the night before when you can have someone make you a fantastic meal instead? There are so many awesome options out there. But if I have it my way, here are the two that never let me down:

Bollywood Theater – 2039 NE Alberta or 3010 SE Division: I love their Indian street food. Plus the space is super fun and unique with lots of Indian paraphernalia and old Bollywood movies playing on a big screen. I absolutely love the Kati Roll, like an Indian burrito. I get it with paneer cheese, a thick house made cheese, mixed in with egg pickled onion, cabbage, and green chutney all rolled in a perfectly flaky, chewy paratha flatbread. It is giant but I can never get myself to stop eating, no matter how full I am. I also really like their “Poor Man’s Burger” of Mumbai called the Vada Pav, a spicy potato dumpling, dipped in chickpeas then lightly fried. It is served on the fluffiest of buns.

Addy’s Sandwich Bar – SW 10th & Yamhill: Ever since this place was a food cart whipping out, I’ve been in love with Addy’s.  They now have a brick-and-mortar near the downtown library and it seems like the secret is out on this place. When I popped in a couple days ago, it was swarmed with workers taking a midday break. Not to work, like any good downtown lunch spot, they are quick. For sandwiches, my pick is the tuna sandwich on the best of Little T Baker baguettes. It isn’t overly mayonnaised (that is the worst) and comes with a hard-boiled egg on top. I also love their “Power Salad” where you can choose from any two side salads mixed together then topped with sunflower seeds, avocado and a hard-boiled egg. My go-to is the kale and quinoa salad mixed with the chickpeas, so good.