Portland's Best Martini

Sophisticated food, seductive cocktails and a romantic setting give Portland a reason to dress up for dinner.

Reviews:

• “Best Romantic Dinner!”
• “What a Buzz…”
• “What a memorable evening”
• “snobby & yummy”
• “Great Food and Best Bartender in Town!”

Tips: On Monday evenings, buy a bar appetizer and get a martini for $1. During happy hour Tue-Wed, 3pm-6pm and 9pm-close, get half off most bar menu items.

Carlyle

This refined lounge shakes and remakes the perennially cool martini in Portland’s hippest ’hood.

Reviews:

• “Great place for a drink Friday after work.”
• “Best martini bar in the Pearl”
• “Always a great time!”
• “They lost my Debit card….”
• “Pleased with this martini bar”

Tips: Drink specials run from 4pm to 7pm weeknights. Sip martinis and cocktails for $4 or margaritas and bubbly drinks for $5.

Vault Martini Bar or email Vault Martini Bar

A former warehouse space makes a fitting setting for this hot spot’s light, airy dining room and bar.

Reviews:

• “Best burger in town. Amazing space!”
• “Great place for a date”
• “Wonderful experience”
• “Nice ambiance, but…”
• “Lively Time”

Tips: Arrive a few minutes before your dinner reservation to sample from the extensive international beer and wine list. Also try the seasonal house cocktails such as melon-habanero infused vodka.

Olea

Northwest seafood shines at this well-kept secret.

Reviews:

• “Great Neighborhood Restaurant”
• “Above average food, great happy hour, spotty service.”
• “Great desserts”
• “Love the food!”
• “Fabulous Food and a Wonderful Menu”

Tips: For the more frugal diner, a cheap eats menu is offered (Daily, 3pm-5:30pm; Sunday-Thursday, 8:30pm-9:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 9pm-10:30pm).

Seasons & Regions Seafood Grill

Latin eatery heats up the Pearl with its sophisticated decor and inventive food.

Reviews:

• “Resting uncomfortably on its laurels”
• “Home of the $24 tamale”
• “Thoroughly enjoyed our evening”
• “Great happy hour and drinks!!!”
• “Innovative menu, great wine list and excellent service 4.5 stars”

Tips: From 4:30pm to 6:30pm daily all well drinks are $3 (including margaritas, lemon drops and cosmos), and a special selection of tapas are $3 to $4. Available in the bar only.

Oba Restaurant or email Oba Restaurant

Upscale downtown bistro delivers elegantly simple Northwestern fare.

Reviews:

• “make reservations”
• “Charming and comforting atmosphere with excellent service.”
• “Nice Decor, Good Desserts, Small Menu”
• “Will not be returning”
• “Again, a Delightful Experience”

Tips: While the restaurant is perfect for special occasions or expense-account dining, choose a lower-priced, more laid-back meal from a shorter menu at the bar.

Higgins Restaurant and Bar or email Higgins Restaurant and Bar

Creative Northwest cuisine and comfort food attract diners to this intimate, warm restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Did not live up to the hype – the service was terrible.”
• “Poor Service, Will not go back”
• “Great wine, and service but that’s it”
• “Nice Choice for more “not your everyday” dinner fare"
• “Look elsewhere for a fine dinner experience. "

Tips: For less fuss but no less quality, have a bite in the bar area where the full menu is served and the bartenders make a mean cosmopolitan.

Paley’s Place

Slick eatery tips the hip scale for sizzling scene and creative pan-Asian cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Beautiful place, beautiful food”
• “My Not So Secret Secret”
• “Best Salmon!!”
• “too mutch salt!!!”
• “Totally Worth it!”

Tips: Happy hour is Tuesday-Friday, 4:30pm-6:30pm and Saturday 5pm-6:30pm. The discounted menu includes noodle dishes and small plates in the $1-$4 range. Select beers are $2, select specialty cocktails are $4.

Saucebox or email Saucebox

Toss your worries from the third-story windows and trip the light fantastic.

Reviews:

• “The Best Damn Dance Club, Period.”
• “good place”
• “Variety and affordable cover”
• “Delightful!!”
• “Eighties night that wasn’t”

Tips: The Fez is fully rent-able for guests over 21.

Fez Ballroom

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