Beast Brunch

5425 NE 30th Ave & Killingsworth ● BeastPDX.com ● 503.841.6968

Hours: Brunch – Sundays 10am and 12pm; Dinner – Wed-Sat 6pm and 8:45pm; Sun 7pm

Towards the end of 2014 when bloggers and food writers were documenting their favorite meals of the year, I got to thinking about mine. Sure, there was a lot of good food eaten over the year, but only one complete meal really sticks out. A dinner prepared by Chef Naomi Pomeroy for the IZZE Friendsday event held last March.

I remember that I had another commitment that night and was in debates on whether or not I would go. I also had no idea if it was going to be a full dinner or just small plates, so I truth be told ate a snack before I left. Fortunately not only did I change my plans that night, but I also have a large appetite!

The dish that really impressed me was a fregola pasta served with grilled broccoli raab and Maitake mushrooms. It was almost a year ago now and I still think about how amazing the food was.

Naomi Pomeroy, at both her restaurant Beast and her bar Expatriate, continues to completely impress me.

Now obviously going to a multi-course, prix-fixe dinner that only has two seatings a few nights a week is not super practical for the everyday, or even for some special occasions. Beast’s brunch, on the other hand, is a bit more manageable at only $45 a person and still a lot of fun with four courses and optional wine pairings.

My friends and I had been talking for years about doing a birthday brunch there but it just never seem to work. Finally for my dear friend Hannah’s birthday in January, the stars finally aligned and we were able to get reservations.

While the menu does change regularly, there seems to be a set pattern of starting with something sweet, then a savory entree, followed by a cheese and salad course, and finally finishing off with a decadent dessert. Although I obviously have a sweet tooth, I love the balanced combination of both sweet and savory.

We started our meal with a Spiced Crimson Apple Clafoutis, topped with fresh whipped crème fraiche and crispy maple-glazed house bacon that tasted like candy.

The “Beast Hash” is what breakfast foods all aspire to be. Tender braised beef cheeks and beautifully seasoned and cooked vegetables including delicata squash, turnips, brussel sprouts, kale, Yukon gold potatoes, topped with a perfectly cooked duck egg and then smothered in a black garlic hollandaise. Seriously. So. Good.

You can’t go wrong with a cheese plate from Steve at Cheese Bar and a simple radicchio salad.

We ended our meal with a Bete Noire, a rich flourless chocolate cake with a light vanilla rum crème chantilly cream on top.

This could very well be another one of those meals that I remember for years to come.