Thursday Tours: Date Night Dinner Out

I’m really excited to bring you a new edition of the Thursday Tours blogger series I am doing with Meredith of Martha Chartreuse. In case you missed the last one (if so, go check it out!), we are doing a regular series where we interview other bloggers and tastemakers to get their favorite spots in Portland.

This edition is all about the date night dinner out. Whether you’re off for a night on the town with your spouse of many years, the dude you met on Tinder a few weeks ago, or your best friend (because friend dates are a must), date nights are a great thing. And of course, the venue can make all the difference.

Brooke Bass of the incredible blog Chocolate + Marrow is here to share her top three spots for that special night out. Brooke was recently nominated as a finalist for the Best New Voice of the Saveur Food Blog Awards, which is like the Oscars of blogging (winners will be announced June 4th!). It is not only an extremely impressive honor but it is also very well deserved. Her photos are gorgeous beyond belief. Her stories are well written. And her recipes, oh man, they make me real hungry. Plus, Brooke is such a sweet, humble and fun person. I am so excited to share her recommendations!

By Brooke Bass of Chocolate and Marrow

1) Fenrir: 2005 SE 11th Ave & Harrison

I am crushing really hard on this place right now. They have such a fun, relaxed vibe and an inventive menu. As the sun sets and they light the candles in their dining room, which occupies the second story of an old Portland house, the whole place exudes romance in an almost old time-y kind of way. I’ve had nearly everything on their menu and have never been disappointed. But some favorites include the bone marrow and the pork rinds. Having grown up in the south, I’m a sucker for pork rinds and Chef Ian’s are perfect. Light, airy and herbaceous. Insider tip, the cocktails are just as fantastic as the food. Don’t miss their Scandinavian take on the Negroni, which is the perfect balance between bitter, sweet, and smooth.

2) Laurelhurst Market: 3155 E Burnside & 32nd

My hubby and I go here on date nights with just the two of us as well as double dates with friends. It’s got such a great selection of meats and veggies, it’s hard to choose just one favorite. But the dish we always have to order is the Smoked Wagyu Brisket with a side of Mac N Cheese. It’s super rich and decadent, but well worth the calories. Insider tips: 1) during the summer they have a little known, but really beautiful patio and 2) their butcher counter is open until 10pm, so you can pick up some fresh sliced bacon for the next morning! (You know, in case you haven’t had enough meatiness for one weekend.)

3) People’s Pig (the brick and mortar, not the food cart): 3217 N Williams & NE Cook

This is one of our favorite spots for a more casual date night. The space has such a funky retro vibe. It’s a blast to just plop down at one of their counter stools and watch them work. I always order the Smoked Fried Chicken Sandwich because it combines two of my favorite cooking methods for chicken and the flavors are unreal. Insider tip: 1) never overlook the special board. Whoever is working the kitchen that night gets to play around with new dishes and some of their specials are off the charts amazing. 2) Also, not sure if this is really an insider tip, but I have a recipe for a smoked fried chicken that was inspired by The People’s Pig on my blog here in case people want to make it at home!

#ThursdayToursPDX is a collaborative series between Portland, OR bloggers {Erin} Bakery Bingo + {Meredith} Martha Chartreuse. In a city filled with amazing restaurants, artisan experiences, and fantastic tastemakers the inside scoop is a must. We will be asking our friends and fellow bloggers for their recommendations and tips for all the City of Roses has to offer.