Have you hit up any of the Portland Dining Month dinners yet? No idea what I’m talking about? It is when numerous Portland restaurants join together to all over (at least) 3 courses for $29 for the entire month of March.
The dinners are typically a set menu, so some deals are better than others. But overall PDM can sometimes just be the excuse to go somewhere too expensive to do on an average night out, or that fun restaurant on your list you just haven’t been to yet.
That was the case for me to get to Muselet, this new wine bar and restaurant in the South Waterfront. I was seriously blown away by how phenomenal this place is.
Complimentary wine tastings every Saturday from 5-6:30pm!
The space is beautiful, but not stuffy. The service was impeccable and staff so welcoming. The wines were of course fantastic – with quite a few bottles in the $35-50 range, so not terribly expensive either. And the food, oh man, was it outstanding.
Muselet’s signature “Bubble Dessert” with goat’s milk custard, streusel and blackberry bubbles.
Their PDM dinner is actually SIX! courses! Yes, you read that right. A pear and burrata salad. Charcuterie. Fluffy warm Parker House Rolls. Hamachi and pea shoots. Beets with feta and yogurt. They just kept the food coming. (Read the full menu here.)
And while it is all fantastic, I really cannot stress enough that you have to order their house porridge in addition to the PDM menu. I was skeptical but our friends at the table who had been to Muselet insisted. Thank god they did. We ended up ordering it again because it was that good. Imagine that Asian comfort food of creamy rice porridge with a fine dining twist, topped with a warm yolk, trout roe, and chive. INCREDIBLE.
Brice summed it up perfectly when he reflected back on the dinner saying “that is perhaps my new favorite restaurant in Portland.” Yup, that good. Thank you PDM for getting me there.
You’ve got 1 week left (apologies I am just now posting this! This new job of mine is making my blogging schedule all sorts of upside down…) to take advantage of these $29 offers.
Where else do I suggest you hit up (because I definitely recommend Muselet!):
Willow PDX – This is a brand-spankin new restaurant by chefs Doug Weiler and John Pickett of the sadly now closed Glyph and Racion. Their fine-dining menu is already making headlines as the new “it” spot. It is following the Holdfast and Farm Spirit model of serving up a prix-fixe menu to limited seats at the chef’s counter. Their PDM menu includes a vegetarian entree option and the most perfect dessert: chocolate cake s’more with meringue and graham cracker. YES. I’m going on Tuesday so I will report back shortly!
Bar Avignon – I went to this charming French-inspired bistro last year for PDM and was so impressed. It is such a great space with a European feel, and the food is fantastic. Their menu offering includes caramelized carrot risotto and their famed warm chocolate and butterscotch blondie with cinnamon and whipped sour cream.
Fogo de Chau – Ok, I admit this wouldn’t really be on my recommends list as I’m usually not for chain restaurants and I’m a vegetarian. But, here me out. If you like meat and dig the whole Brazilian steakhouse, PDM is an insane deal here since you get almost their entire menu for about half what it normally costs.
Read the full list of restaurants and what they are serving on Travel Portland’s website!
Such an epic and memorable meal!! Very excited that I just added Willow to my PDM schedule.
I absolutely cannot wait to give Muselet a try – Especially early on Saturday for their wine tasting! I probably will not make it for Portland Dining Month, but their prices seem so reasonable, it’s definitely on the list for a visit soon!
I really think you will adore Muselet, Erin. With your love of wine, it will be a great place to stop in!
That dessert is insane!! Everything looks fabulous. Thanks for the tip!