The space is currently the fried chicken-focused The Waiting Room. If I wanted a disgusting overcooked elephant ear I would wait until summer and go to the fair. The space became home to a long string of failed restaurants (most notably, Zinc Bistrot), and now is the spicy Chinese restaurant Kung POW! It closed this past summer after 21 years in business. Wildwood closed in 2014, and the space at Northwest 21st and Overton has sat empty ever since. Great food and great outdoor seating arrangement in a sweet little downtownmore, American (Traditional)Cocktail Bars$$Montavilla, When ordering the fried waffles, I didn't realize we were at a cringey carnival with dirty fry oil.more, Skating RinksAmusement ParksMini GolfSouthwest Portland, About the rides, Carnival rides at best other than the purple coaster on the end.more, BrewpubsAmerican (Traditional)Tapas/Small Plates$$Pearl District, The burger I got had two meats, which was a *bit* much, especially because of the carnival ridesmore, no tres leches cake (disappointing but understandable). Nothing fancy or trendy. Website: Namaste Indian Cuisine. From the elegant Italian spot Alba Osteria & Enoteca to the legendary Zefiro, which redrew Portland's dining map, here are 97 historic dining spots we wish were still around. The last Portland Farrell's, on Northeast Weidler Street, closed in 2001, but several Farrell's still operate in Southern California under different ownership. The restaurant closed at the end of 2011, but the space is still available for private dining and catered events. Portland Gas & Coke Co. building. They boldly served dishes of tripe, sardines and bone marrow that might have turned off the squeamish, along with house-cured meats and perfectly cooked seafood. Portland's cocktail culture exploded in the late 1990s, and there was no place better to see how creative mixed drinks could be than this Northwest Portland martini lounge, where the air was always thick with cigar smoke (this was before Oregon's Indoor Clean Air Act took effect). (503) 477-4904. The Northwest Kearney space is now Caf Nell. For 59 years, this diner served massive omelets, supersized plates of pancakes, and biscuits and sausage-studded gravy. When we asked readers which closed Portland restaurants they missed the most earlier this year, a surprising number nominated The Carnival, a family-owned burger and shakes place that ran from 1950 to 2000. The demise of this Northwest Portland restaurant was one of the saddest crash-and-burns the city's dining scene has ever seen. But when the Pearl District dining scene took off, they moved it to Portland in 1998. The wait was long, but they give you a beeper so you can wander. Best Dining in Portland, Oregon: See 141,638 Tripadvisor traveler reviews of 4,520 Portland restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more. GEORGE'S GIANT HAMBURGERS 11640 SW PACIFIC HWY IN TIGARD 2. Have her check out the Freak Show. When we asked readers which Portland restaurant they missed the most, an overwhelming number called for this venerable Northwest Portland spot, which for 58 years was home to giant German pancakes, molded fruit salad, and Princess Charlotte pudding. What did people search for similar to carnival restaurant near Portland, OR? The best seat in the house was at the chefs counter, which offered an eagle-eye view on how the kitchen operated. The original U-Betcha has been home to Muu-Muu's for almost 20 years now. Brothers Rob and Bruce Burns ran a company that was known for truck-stop restaurants, and in 1978 opened a fancy New Orleans spot in the historic Barber Block building on Southeast Grand Avenue. Seafood. This quaint diner, tucked away in a tiny Hillsdale strip mall, may have been the perfect neighborhood restaurant. We go out to eat when we need a taste of comfort after a hard day. The old brick building was home to one of the city's best after-work bars, and the kitchen in recent years produced impressive American fare, like giant prawns with bacon and avocado, a remarkable veggie burger, and chocolate souffl. More information Carnival Restaurant, Portland, OR 17. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Also, what is with frying the tortilla up like a giant tortilla chip? This quirky burger diner opened in 1954 across Sandy Boulevard from the iconic Hollywood Theatre in an oddly shaped building that was originally a street trolley ticket station. Portland, Oregon. Both Rustica and Pizza Luna closed in 2003. For 35 years, this Chinese restaurant in downtowns Morgans Alley was the place for hot-and-spicy fare served with flare, like the Dragon and the Phoenix, a dish combining crab and chicken, served with delicate flowers sculpted from apples and cucumbers. Foursquare. Under founding chef Cory Schreiber, Wildwood opened in 1994 championing the food ideals of Oregon native and food legend James Beard, who celebrated Northwest regional cooking on a national stage. Unforgettable, in every way! OK, this ridiculously extravagant waterfront restaurant may have been the biggest dining belly-flop in recent years, opening and closing in a matter of months in 2008. They had big flame broiled burgers before Burger King ever existed in Oregon, (BK's first restaurant opened in 1954, in Florida - The Carnival opened in 1950) and they had a huge condiment bar you could help yourself to with enough hamburger relishs to make any kid drool. The Carousel Restaurant stood in the canyon on Terwillger Blvd for some 50 or so years. Acclaim for Wildwood quickly followed: In 1995, the restaurant was named The Oregonians Restaurant of the Year; and in 1998, Schreiber won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Pacific Northwest. LeChon, Casual Dining South American cuisine. Explore menu, see photos and read 2883 reviews: "Sensational customer service and great food and choices!". Fruition closed after six years in 2008, and the Greek spot Dorio Caf & Taverna resides there now. In the 2000s, the restaurant moved to a posher space further up 23rd, but the magic was gone. This happy chain of health-focused Mexican restaurants got its start in 1981, a collaboration between restaurateur Michael Vidor (of Genoa and LAuberge fame) and businessman and former filmmaker William S. "Tiger" Warren. (503) 284-6747. 30th Ave., 503-719-4373, gabbianospdx.com ($$$) Read more: Gabbiano's is the red sauce Italian restaurant Portland didn't . Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. Winterborne closed in 2004, when owner Gilbert Henry decided to focus on Cuvee in Carlton (where Crab Juniper sometimes is on the menu). HOURS. At first glance, Fruition seemed like another neighborhood coffee shop catering to hospital workers on the then less-traveled north end of Northwest 23rd Avenue. But, the taste was great, the fries great, the beer great, the service great. Instead of the cute duck, drivers got a massive sign with that ridiculous owl logo. Open in Google Maps. Lucy's closed in 2011 after a 13-year run. Great for happy hour. 2225 NE M L King Blvd, Portland, OR 97212-3727 +1 503-284-3366 Website Closed now : See all hours See all (145) Ratings and reviews 350 #29 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details PRICE RANGE $45 - $75 CUISINES Steakhouse, Argentinean Special Diets Gluten Free Options View all details meals, features Location and contact Pancake is not the word that I would describe these things. But there is a small plaque remembering Henry Thiele's long run. Coffee People Road Tour mugs. When ordering the fried waffles, I didn't realize we were at a cringey carnival with dirty fry oil. After 21 years in business, it closed in 2013, becoming Brooklyn House Restaurant. Before the Pearl District turned swanky in the late '90s, it was mostly home to warehouses. amalfispdx. When this Thai restaurant from Bo and Steve Kline first opened in 1995, it served appetizers, salads and fancy desserts that hadnt been served in Portland before. Photograph: Courtesy Salt & Straw. There was no way diners could keep from smiling while having breakfast at this funky North Portland caf, which dished up creative breakfasts and hefty sandwiches beginning in 1994 on a then-gritty stretch of North Killingsworth Avenue. Owners Huston Davis and Jeff Jenness created special house drinks like the Pomegranate Red Martini and Pear-Sage Margaritas, many of them crafted with homemade fruit infusions ladled out of super-sized apothecary jars. In 2005, the restaurant moved out to Southeast 82nd Avenue, where it ran for a decade before closing last year. Local musicians like guitarist Dan Balmer and singer Nancy King had regular gigs here, and luminaries of the national jazz scene, like Dexter Gordon and Art Blakey, performed here. Chef Billy Schumaker was inspired by the creativity of Mexico City's dining scene, and wanted to do more sophisticated fare than the rustic Oaxacan menu served at Nueve. You can read all about them in More tasty memories: 84 closed Portland restaurants we wish were still around. I" more Outdoor seating Delivery Takeout 2. There was absolutely no fear of butter and cream at this all-seafood French restaurant in Northeast's Beaumont neighborhood, which was considered one of Portland's best restaurant in the 1980s and '90s. From the specialty flavors that change each month to the classics you can only get on the west coast (like the subtle Arbequina Olive . On top of that, they are one of the few mexican restaurants i have encountered that offer breakfast! The space now is a Grand Central Bakery location. And those over-the-top Dale Chihuly sculptures, which were pretty magnificent when seen up close. 4703 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213. The Monte Carlo on Belmont! Delivery & Pickup Options - 247 reviews of Taqueria El Carnaval "Just checked out Taqueria Carnaval for the first time today and I have to say I was pretty pleased. The last location closed in 2003 when the company filed for bankruptcy. $31 to $50. It was really good. The attention to detail earned her a James Beard nomination. Bima closed in early 2000, followed by a long list of forgettable spots (remember Terra? After seven years, Compass closed in early 2003, making way for Apizza Scholls. After an attempt to rebrand it as Delfina's Ristorante, owner Michael Cronan closed it, remodeled the kitchen and dining room, and reopened in 1999 as Serratto Restaurant, named after Delphina Serratto, who inspired the original place. Salt & Straw Ice Cream. This elegant Northwest 21st Avenue restaurant specialized in updated Mediterranean fare with a few Asian touches, like pomegranate-glazed baby back ribs and wild boar ravioli. Slabtown still rocks. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Far too soon! The wine list offered Italian vintages not found elsewhere, and the vibe was spiffy without being stuffy, making it popular with regulars. With this colorfully painted Southeast Portland spot, he did just that, creating one of the most-popular eateries of the 1990s, and being named The Oregonian's Restaurant of the Year in 1992. Its impossible to imagine what Portlands dining scene would be like today without this landmark Italian restaurant, which was opened in 1971 by Michael Vidor, and was The Oregonians Restaurant of the Year in 2001, when it was owned by Kerry DeBuse and Cathy Whims (who would later open Nostrana). The kitchen was a unique collaboration between co-owners Bruce Carey, Christopher Israel and Monique Siu. But the spell didnt last. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Live Wire with Luke Burbank. There are numerous McCormick & Schmick's seafood restaurants still operating across the country, but the once Portland-based chain is now owned by Landry's Inc. restaurant group. The restaurant side of the operation was basic seafood and steaks, with a few Cajun touches. The Carousel Restaurant stood in the canyon on Terwillger Blvd for some 50 or so years. The second Vat became a Pastini Pastaria. Remember the old feel of PDX years ago - share a memory. Diners couldnt get enough of the oven-roasted mussels with saffron and tomato. The Greek fare included comforting fare like braised lamb shanks, fried calamari, and saganaki, an ouzo-drenched cheese that was served in flaming glory. When this large New Orleans-inspired restaurant opened on North Killingsworth Street in 2005, its ambitions ran high. Others elevated our tastes and expectations. The menu featured comforting fare with international flair, venturing to a new destination cuisine every month. Address: 6424 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97206. It closed at the end of 2008, and the building was converted into a bank, though the distinctive pagoda exterior remains. The dining room had a lively vibe, and the dishes coming from the open kitchen included flavors of Spain, Portugal, Greece and Morocco in addition to the expected Italian fare. The old-school menu focused on bargain cuts of steak and baked potatoes, and the kitchen didnt try to latch onto culinary fads. The big draw, of course, was the stunning view of downtown Portland, the city's east side and (on clear days) Mount Hood. In the 1950s and 1960s, which American drive-in culture was at its peak, traffic would sometimes back up with cars waiting to get in. With an ever-changing menu and innovative raw bar, you won't find a better place for a dozen on the half shell. Olea? After a change in ownership forced it to briefly close and reopen, it never fully recovered, closing for good in 2009. During this period (around 3 months) all we ate was a low quality, unclean food that's not worthmore. The basement space became a live music venue known as The Cave.. The Ripe restaurant group made a big splash when it transformed its Gotham Building Coffee Shop into this remarkable yet short-lived restaurant in 2004. In the kitchen, Israel created ever-changing risotto, which might be dotted with duck or wild mushrooms, from-scratch pastas, and a whole-leaf Caesar salad that was meant to be eaten with your hands. In later years, owners Jack W. Chin (left) Sam H. Chin and Louis F. Lee focused more on the thriving bar scene than the food. Delivery services on our menu pages. I also really like that they support our local policemore. People also searched for these near Portland: See more carnival restaurant near Portland. Videos of cricket matches were played on the big screen, while bartenders whipped up batch after batch of strong mango margaritas. Paul closed his last location in 1998. This beautiful Old Town restaurant, which opened in 2005, became a winter wonderland at Christmastime. But it served as a proving ground for a lot of up-and-coming chefs, including Paul DeCarli (seen here in 2004), and Marco Shaw, who cooked here before opening Fife. Isn't the best part about huevos rancheros sopping up all the goodies from the sauce and egg? After a decade, the Joannideses sold the business to new owners, who opened a short-lived second location in Beaverton. Morrow's Nut House in Lloyd Center back when it wasn't enclosed. The Dentons went on to open Northeast's acclaimed Ox. Have her check out the Freak Show. Under chef Teodoro KuMay, the kitchen produced an array of meat and seafood dishes. The space is now an outpost of Barista coffee. But this wasn't Polynesian food. After he died in 1952, Margaret Thiele Petti and her second husband August Petti (seen here in the restaurants garden in 1986) kept the legacy going, serving a legion of regulars. ), before settling in as Brix Tavern. Lines frequently were out the door, and the wait was always worth it. Things would really heat up late at night, when the romantic setting and Latin dancing drew big crowds. A gochugaru-rubbed salmon is another standout, with the spice complementing (not overpowering) the fish's buttery flavor. The menu varied in quality and offerings over time, though the restaurant's Mushroom Pate appetizer and steak frites were signatures. By 1998, Northwest Hoyt Street in the Pearl District was cementing its place as a dining hot-spot, and after a rough opening, this homey Italian restaurant became of its most-dependable players. Craig Plainfield (shown here in 2005) curated an extensive wine cellar that included bottles of port, sherry and Madeira, some dating back to 1795. When Broadway musicals or the ballet were on stage, the dining room's pace could be faster than a caffeinated tap dancer. The company's filing status is listed as Inactive and its File Number is 118340-17. At the original location on Southwest First Avenue, waiters wore white coats and served pristine seafood, while the stately bar made a perfect after-work gathering place. This popular lunch spot, which was open almost 25 years, took great pride in serving high-quality seafood and meat, particularly wild salmon and scallops, which were grilled to perfection and served over rice with crisp steamed veggies. The bar, which stocked 54 different types of rum, mixed up tropical drinks that were designed to calm the fire, and the island-themed atmosphere could warm up a rainy Portland night. An exciting rush fills my head every time.more, My wife and I came to the united states on December 20th, 2018. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. But diners who ventured in could feast on the seven-course menu, crafted out of luxurious ingredients like black truffles, lobster, foie gras and quail. Vivid? Weekend brunches focused on skillet scrambles featuring things like homemade veal sausage. Both sister restaurants closed in 2008, though Taqueria Nueve reopened in 2014 in a new location. Northeast's Beaumont Village has long been home to dependable neighborhood restaurants. The building is scheduled to be demolished to make way for new development. Review of Oaks Amusement Park Reviewed August 21, 2019 via mobile Claire now is a culinary instructor in Vancouver, B.C. Best carnival restaurant Near Me in Portland, OR Sort:Recommended Offers Delivery Offers Takeout 1. The elaborate dishes featured complex sauces and emulsions, and presentations were intricate. Nestled between downtown and Pill Hill, the restaurant attracted nurses and doctors from nearby OHSU, and the goldfish pond became a popular place for childrens birthday parties. Piluso's was a 1950s Italian restaurant at Southwest 30th Avenue and Barbur Boulevard, where meals were punctuated with a glamorous nightly water show featuring synchronized swimmers. Great great great.". Opening hours: 11am - 9:30pm (daily) 10. Kitsch ruled the day at this Portland offshoot of the famous San Francisco burger joint, which operated in a number of downtown locations, most notably on the corner Southwest Park Avenue and Taylor Street, where it ran from the 1970s until 1996 (where the Fox Tower is now). ORDER ONLINE HERE. The restaurant had indoor and out door seating. The menu featured regal dishes, and the kitchen boasted one of the first tandoor ovens in the city. When chef and restaurateur David Machado opened this Mediterranean spot in 2003, it ushered in the food renaissance along Southeast Division Street. Digger ODells (named after the undertaker on the 1940s radio show The Life of Riley, of all things) served Cajun fare liked blackened catfish before it became an obsession of the 1980s. Redwood 408 American (Traditional) Cocktail Bars $$Montavilla "My friend had the scramble he enjoyed it as well. WELCOME TO OUR CASA At its peak in the mid-'90s, under then-wunderkind chef Mark Gould, the kitchen served towering constructions of food this was the era of architectural cuisine with hints of Asia running throughout. Join Emmy award-winning host Luke Burbank for the taping of Live Wire, the fastest-growing entertain. The building was eventually demolished to make way for condominiums. Pence returned to Seattle in 2014, where she currently is running a chef-made dinner delivery service. Little Wing's last flight was in early 2006, after a 13-year run. The cooking was sometimes rocky, but when the kitchen was on, you could count on wood-grilled skewers with creamy grits, pecan-crusted catfish and chocolate-espresso pecan pie pure Southern comfort. There's panic a-brewing at the Carrousel Restaurant (formerly the Carnival) located at the foot of Oregon Health & Science University.Loyal .