Thursday Tours: Outdoor Eating

Well it definitely seems like summer has been here for quite some time. Thank you, global warming! Now that that heatwave is over, it’s back to outdoor eating instead of hiding wherever there is AC! This edition of #ThursdayToursPDX is all about grabbing that perfect spot in the sunshine for your meal.

The super cute Pechluck!

Pech is here to share her favorites. She seriously seems to be everywhere. I have no idea how she is able to eat out and check out so many restaurants and events as she does. However she does it, she is is a great resource for delicious places to go. She had quite the list so this time around, we are featuring Pech’s favorites on both my blog and Meredith’s. So be sure to head over to Martha Chartreuse for even more recommendations!

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Outdoor Eating brought to you by Pech of Pechluck’s Food Adventures

All photos courtesy of Pechluck Laskey

Glyph Cafe & Art Space

Editor’s Note as of 10/5/2015: Unfortunately Glyph is no longer open. Hopefully it will be back up elsewhere.

Want to be at a restaurant instead, but also eat food that is very Portland and Northwest? Escape to the serenity of Glyph Cafe and Art Space (www.glyphpdx.com/) where the art is on the walls, in the tables, and on the plate. They have about a dozen tables on the sidewalk facing the North Park blocks. One of my favorite things about Glyph is how they buy most of their ingredients from the Portland Farmers Market so you really are getting the seasonal bounty of the Northwest, and they aim to use the whole ingredients with little to no waste. They have a wonderful Wish Wall where you can leave and also read the wishes of others, giving your lunch a whole zen and peace vibe. I have enjoyed everything I have here a the menu is small and very curated, but particularly recommend the Whole Vegetable Special whatever it is.

Glyph Café & Art Space Wish Wall

Glyph Café & Art Space Whole Vegetable Special of Carrots with Heirloom Carrots in a carrot emulsion, carrot top pesto, salted green garlic and toasted farro

Glyph Café & Art Space

Sen Yai

I draw from my Thai heritage to recommend Sen Yai, the Thai noodle restaurant by Andy Ricker. Yes, Pok Pok serves lunch too, but the menu items there if you were in Thailand are more likely items you will have for dinner. Whenever I have been in Thailand, what I see the regular Thai people eating are more items that you see on the menu of Sen Yai, and they will eat it for lunch, mid day, dinner, or late night.

Needless to say, mix well before eating the Ba Mii Tom Yam Muu Haeng at Sen Yai. Dry wheat noodles with ground pork, pork balls, cracklings, peanuts, bean sprouts, long beans, preserved radish, fried garlic, chili vinegar, fish sauce, and chili powder, broth on the side (though my server forgot to bring mine). The dish can also be ordered “naam” soup style, where the broth is already in the bowl with the noodles. I often like the Dry/Haeng dishes if I feel too hot for the soup, and particularly for this dish it amps up the flavor by focusing all those seasonings directly onto the noodles rather than in the broth.

Sen Yai perfectly recreates the atmosphere of the roadside restaurant feel in Thailand, from the bright colors, plastic tablecloth (hey, at least we’re getting chairs instead of plastic stools) and plain white plateware and the Thai music in the background. Just like in Thailand, you are expected to make use of the condiment tray to season the food exactly to your liking, and the dishes here are the exact same proportions you would get in Thailand.

My favorite dishes here include the Ba Mii Tom Yam Muu, Suki Haeeng, Phak Buung Fai Daeng, and any of the rice dishes. And I mentioned to make use of the condiment stuff on the table already right – that is the Thai way,  and an essential tip when dining here.

Morning time at Sen Yai… not drawing crowds yet

My last two outdoor lunch option recommendations are what I think will be the hottest new spots this summer.

Lil’ Wares

Editor’s Note as of 10/5/2015: Lil’ Wares is closed for the fall/winter season but check out Smallwares!

Lil’ Wares in the former Red Fig space, with the inauthentic Asian and super tasty kitchen of Smallwares (crafting powerfully tasty combinations.

Renata

Editor’s Note as of 10/5/2015: Renata is no longer doing lunch but be sure to check it out for dinner because it is amazing!

Their amazing pastas and substantial charcuterie and pane boards. Both offer lovely wood patios to dine al fresco for lunch.

Honorable Mentions:

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#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.