Andina
Though the restaurant is quite large, reservations are recommended at this always-packed purveyor of Peruvian cuisine. The bar and dining hall are in separate sections but both feature the warmth of terra cotta colors, rough-hewn wood posts and brick walls. If you're with your league, reserve one of their private rooms, the biggest of which can seat up to 65.
The native cooks can start you off with Pulpo a la Oliva, which are octopus slices swimming in a Botija olive sauce, or Jamon Serrano, a plate of ham that is aged for 12 months. Traditional entrees include Lomo Saltado, which is beef wok-fried with onions, tomatoes, oyster sauce, garlic and aji, or Seco a la Norteña, which is lamb shank slow-cooked with black beer, aji, onions and garlic. End your repast with Canutos de Quinoa, which are cannolis covered with quinoa and stuffed with passion fruit mousse.
Andina
1314 NW Glisan
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 228-9535
AndinaRestaurant.com
50 Plates
The design echoes the 1950s with its armless dinette bench seating and walls accented by miniature tiles, but modern touches included a loftlike, exposed ductwork ceiling and a glass garage door that rolls up to bring in fresh air during sunny weather. Chef Patrick Miller addresses 21st-century concerns by committing to organically grown and humanely raised ingredients from Oregon producers.
For lunch, grab a Lil' Kahuna Burger, made from Kobe beef glazed with pineapple teriyaki, or Turducken Salad with grilled turkey, duck confit and citrus chicken mixed into romaine lettuce, filberts, apples and blue cheese. For dinner start with Pacific oysters in citrus-soy sauce and Champagne mignonette. Then dig into Yukon potato crusted Alaskan halibut, bok choy and malt vinegar butter, or spice-rubbed lamb chops, enhanced with arugula, garlic, cherry tomatoes and emerald mustard.
50 Plates
333 NW 13th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 228-5050
50plates.com
Blitz Pearl
You won't even have to change out of your golfing duds to eat at this popular sports tavern. The upper level specializes in coffee-inspired cocktails, espresso drinks, free Wi-Fi and all-day breakfasts highlighted by VooDoo donuts. Downstairs, you can watch 21 TVs boasting major sports networks, NFL Sunday Ticket, ESPN College Game Plan and MLB package. You can also play air hockey, shuffleboard and pool. Pub grub includes burgers, tots and sandwiches.
Blitz Pearl
110 NW 10th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 222-2229
Blitzpdx.com/Pearl
About The Author
Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. He published his first book in 1996 and had his first play produced in 2005. He is now a playwright, director and actor in Southern California. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington.
