Portland Staple is Back with a Twist: Q Restaurant

828 SW 2nd & Taylor St, Portland • Q-Portland.com • 503.850.8915

Brunch hours: Sat & Sun 9:30am – 3pm

As a lifelong Oregonian, there are only a handful of restaurants that are “Portland staples,” ones that have been around since my childhood and hold special memories. Papa Hadyn where I fell in love with desserts and did a mini-internship with their pastry department as a high schooler. Serratto where I had life-changing lasagna before Prom junior year (not the smartest of menu choices while in a tight ballgown but a girl’s gotta have priorities!). VQ where I enjoyed incredible meals with my family in their gorgeous outdoor patio.

Because the Portland restaurant scene is so much about the new hot spot, I get especially nostalgic for the places that span the generations. I was therefore extra crushed when VQ closed down this summer. It had been open since 1971 and was a true staple for so many Portlanders.

But the good news is, while the old VQ may be no longer, nearly all of the staff have moved on to open Q Restaurant. Just a few blocks over, instead of a funky and slightly too-small space, they’ve now got seats for nearly 100 including a 7-seat chef’s counter. The bar is gorgeous and very art-deco.

 

While Q has their lunch, dinner and late-night offerings going strong, just like at VQ, it’s the brunch that’s a real winner. My friend Meg and I attempted to eat most of the menu, despite us being a party of 2.

Without the recommendation of our lovely server, I probably wouldn’t have ordered the Blackened Catfish but damn, am I glad we did. With a poached duck egg, crispy potatoes, peppadews, artichokes, cipollini onions and a creamy hollandaise sauce, it was a perfect breakfast hash. The catfish was beautifully cooked and added a nice salty kick of protein.

Don’t leave without an order of their signature Chilaquiles. I mean, who doesn’t want breakfast nachos? But these are a step above with crisp, light fried tortillas smothered in a red chile sauce and topped with fluffy scrambled eggs, queso fresco, guacamole and creme fraiche.

On the sweet side, go with the Cinnamon & Sugar Churros with warm Mexican dipping chocolate or the Ricotta Lemon Pancakes with ginger poached pears and toasted hazelnuts.

On the drink front, they’ve got a vast selection of delicious morning cocktails like the BFD made with vodka, blackberry puree, lime juice, mint and cava. Yum. If you’re having to abstain from the booze, their coffees and teas did not disappoint, being served on a gorgeous platter and with a surprise mini biscotti (I could have just eaten a bowl of those…).

Heads up before you go, it is on the spendier and classier side. Unless your brunch game is oblivious to cost, Q should be more of the place to take your visiting relatives or for that special brunch occasion.

Another plus? They take reservations! So no need to set an alarm or wait in an absurd line on a Sunday morning. Both of which can be total brunch buzz killers if you ask me.

Heads up before you go, it is on the spendier and classier side. Unless your brunch game is oblivious to cost, Q should be more of the place to take your visiting relatives or for that special brunch occasion.

Additional info:

• Reservations – via Yelp’s SeatMe or directly with the restaurant
• Other Meal Hours – Lunch: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm; Dinner: Daily 5-10pm; Bar: 3pm-12am