Portland's Best First Date Spot 2008

Luscious wine, food and decor pay homage to artful indulgence at this Eastside neighborhood wine bar.

Reviews:

• “Great night out…. "
• “Bad food!”
• “used to be good”
• “horrible”
• “Elf portions”

Tips: Sample similar wines on flights—three two-ounce glasses organized by region or varietal.

Noble Rot or email Noble Rot

Enjoy big-screen fun with some microbrews and pizza.

Reviews:

• “Great service, beautiful theater”
• “great theatre, terrible restaurant”
• “Poor customer service, sub par food, awkward restaurant set-up”
• “Recommended for Single Alcoholics; Families Beware”
• “Awesome concept, iffy execution”

Tips: Best strategy to score a good seat and quickest beer is to split up: One person gets beer, the other finds seats.

Bagdad Theater & Pub

This combo of slick ’50s lounge and rustic mead hall draws a diverse crowd for live tunes and late-night noshes.

Reviews:

• “Nice Place for Cocktails & Happy Hour”
• “Thanks we had fun”
• “After Years Of Support… The Doug Finally Disappoints”
• “Great place to see an intimate show”
• “Really bad food”

Tips: Mint juleps and bloody marys are potent and not for the light of heart. Daintier palates will appreciate a blackberry cosmo or specialty martini.

Doug Fir

This stunning waterfall hosts hikers who marvel at this example of the Columbia Gorge’s natural beauty.

Reviews:

• “gorgeous but waayyyyyy tooo crowded”
• “You just have to "
• “Simply beautiful”
• “Multnomah Falls”
• “Good place for Brunch”

Tips: The drive through the Columbia Gorge to Multnomah Falls is famous for its brilliant fall colors. Make a day of it with stops at Bonneville Dam, the fish hatchery and the many surrounding waterfalls.

Multnomah Falls

Feel like you’re dancing on air at this historic live-music venue.

Reviews:

• “Great Venue!”
• “Old place but Decent”
• “one of the best places to see music”
• “Great place”
• “heard so much yet to just be disapointed”

Tips: The ballroom can accommodate 998 people for your private party. Contact the sales office for information.

Crystal Ballroom

With its soaring trees and serene ponds, this is the place to find inner peace in Old Town.

Reviews:

• “Calm and Cool”
• “Every Step is a Story”
• “Quiet Spot in Busy City”
• “Skip the Classical Chinese Gardens”
• “My backyard”

Tips: The artisans and architects who designed the garden came from Suzhou, China, Portland’s sister city, renowned for its urban gardens.

Portland Classical Chinese Garden

Vintage decor, global cuisine and cocktail recipes from the 1920s add up to date-perfect ambience in north Portland.

Reviews:

• “Cozy and absolutely delicious!”
• “This is a great place!”
• “I DON’T GET IT”
• “Very long wait, too noisy”
• “Great, no-nonsense staff and wonderful food!”

Tips: Authentic 1920s cocktails include the Pegu Club, a sophisticated mix of Bombay Sapphire, Cointreau, fresh lime juice and bitters.

Lovely Hula Hands

Singing servers, big steins of beer and fabulous fondue make this a bustling bit o’ Bavaria.

Reviews:

• “Wow, are we spoiled here in Portland!!!”
• “German Food Done the right way”
• “Great for late night”
• “Great German Cuisine”
• “AMAZING”

Tips: No dining experience here would be complete without a giant stein of German beer.

Rheinlander German Restaurant or email Rheinlander German Restaurant

Eastside urbanites flock here for adventurous tapas and sizzling scene.

Reviews:

• “Know Why You Go…”
• “great time”
• “That blonde lady is the best server ever!”
• “4.5 Stars?, you must be Joking!”
• “just eh”

Tips: The wine list is sophisticated and every selection is available by the glass, quarter carafe, half carafe or bottle.

Navarre

For more than 40 years, this chain restaurant has served seafood and steaks in a relaxed atmosphere.

Reviews:

• “Great!”
• “Terribe, terrible service, food was cold”
• “Not worth the $ this time”
• “Good, but not worth the money”
• “Best view and food in the city…”

Tips: Chart House gift cards are available in $20 to $200 denominations, and can be ordered through the restaurant’s website.

Chart House

Bogie and Bacall meet Fred and Ethel Mertz at this beautifully renovated theater-pub.

Reviews:

• “Great, cheap theater pub.”
• “greasy food beer good”
• “The best theater EVER (he says, snapping gum and using valley girl accent).”
• “too good”
• “The Best Theater!”

Tips: Settle back with a beer or a glass of wine, nosh on Pizzicato pizza, and enjoy a movie without having to leave the neighborhood.

Laurelhurst Theater and Pub

Powered by Citysearch