I’m obsessed with food. For me, my obsession isn’t just about how good particular things taste, it’s about learning where it comes from, how it’s made or why flavors work together. In another life, I wouldn’t even be a college student, just a food blogger roaming around the world looking for the best restaurants. Back to reality though… In this new series, which I have dreamed up as a way to pretend I’m a Bon Appetit editor sent on a mission to find the best Portland restaurants, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite spots and dishes so you can try them too!
1. Boda
On my first trip to Portland as a Colby student, I wandered into Boda right when it opened for the night. As a freshman who was already sick of dining hall food, I was craving anything that didn’t remind me of Dana, and Boda exceeded my expectations. The restaurant itself is compact and contemporary, with brick and slate colored walls and cozy wooden tables. The atmosphere is perfect, casual and warm with a hint of classy flair. It’s the type of place where you know the food is going to be good from the minute you step inside.
But let’s get to the good stuff: the menu. Known for hip “very thai food,” Boda’s menu pushes restaurant goers to be a little adventurous while still sticking to the familiar. From dishes like Thai Sticky Rice Balls with massive flavors from soy, pepper, scallion and garlic to Beef Panaeng with a spicy and luxurious coconut curry cream sauce, Boda has a little bit for everyone. My suggestion: is togo with a big group so you can sample everything. Here’s the real kicker though: Boda’s late night menu. After the dinner crowd has come through, the late night menu, full of sticky, spicy and sweet skewers, drunken noodles and out of the box cocktails, is up for grabs. Open til 1am, Portland bar crawlers can head in for one last drink and some flavorful food that isn’t full of grease and cheese. I promise you, Boda will not disappoint. You just might have to fight me for a table!
My order: Double fried brussel sprouts, Pork Belly skewers with salt and scallion and crispy Yaoworat Duck with five-spice honey sauce.
2. Local 188
I found Local 188 with my boyfriend completely by accident. It was midmorning on a Sunday and all we wanted was brunch, but every restaurant we tried was crazy busy. After almost giving up, we saw people inside of Local 188, which as it turns out, is right next door to Boda (must be something about Congress Street). Though there was still a wait, the place was so inviting, with a neighborhood feel and eclectic furniture. We decided to give it a shot, and I am unbelievably glad we did.
While we waited for our table, we ordered iced coffee and iced chais, which were the perfect thing to tide us over. On our first visit, we sat right at the bar, watching the chefs in the open kitchen pumping out orders like machines. While Local 188 is a Spanish restaurant, serving up twists on Spanish fare like Breakfast Paella and Huevos Rancheros, they also make great scrambles with add-in’s like goat cheese or fresno chiles which you can get with a scratch made biscuit on the side. I would like to talk about my favorite dish on the menu though: a single pancake with blueberry compote. If you are my friend, I have told you about this pancake, maybe even in extensive detail. But it is SO worth it. I will even go out on a limb and say it is the best pancake I have ever eaten. It all starts with the golden crispiness that surrounds every inch of surface on this giant pancake, thanks to its preparation in what I believe to be a cast iron pan. It’s so buttery and fluffy on the inside, but somehow manages to stay so crunchy on the outside. A miracle one might call it. This pancake is not flat whatsoever, but filled with airy pockets that allow the giant scoop of butter on top to flow in. And then, there’s the blueberry compote. The perfect tangy note to this decadent pancake. It just works. You take a bite and then you blink and the entire thing is gone. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I beg you to check this place out, you’ll thank me later!
My order: I think this was obvious but just in case, I’ll say it again. The pancake.
Check back in a few weeks for the next round of Portland’s best. I will be on the hunt to find it all, so brace yourselves. We may gain a few pounds on the way.