West End Portland

Whenever I desire a meal at a stylish Portland restaurant, I head straight for the restaurants and cafes along SW 12th Avenue in the West End.

The West End is just a five minute walk from downtown Portland, and has undergone revitalization in recent years. What has evolved is a wide choice of sophisticated restaurants, where the interior design is as impressive as the food.

Take for example the gorgeous interior of my favorite Italian restaurant on 12th, Dolly Olive. It's modern and elegant, with leather banquettes, patterned tiles, and a beautiful, wood slat wall. The sleek, minimalist interiors of Grassa (pasta) and Bamboo Sushi are also instagram-worthy.

The Based General Store is actually a coffee shop, that could easily be mistaken for a design studio. It has a yummy brunch menu with cinnamon rolls, and cheese omelettes, but it also sells art books, flowers, and gourmet food items.

I also love the wide selection of offerings for sweet tooths along 12th Ave, including Saint Cupcake, and Petunia's Pies and Pastries. The Toasted S'Mores Bar is a super cool concept that looks like a campsite, and includes classics like Car Camping, Mom's Caramel and Berry Patch. My s'mores order was toasted right in front of me!

Where is West End Portland?

I would recommend focusing on the four blocks along SW 12 Avenue (bookended by Yamhill and Harvey Milk). This area is just a 5 minute walk from downtown Portland.

5 best things to do in West End Portland

1. Eat at chic restaurants along SW 12th Ave.

There are so many restaurant choices along SW 12th Ave. Here are my top picks:

• Bamboo Sushi has a strong focus on sustainable aquaculture, which is a fancy term for environmentally friendly fish farming. I highly recommend the spicy salmon rolls and green machine signature rolls.
• Grassa serves handmade Italian pasta, including delicious offerings like fusilli alla vodka, and black truffle pappardelle.
• Hachi is a top rated Japanese restaurant along 12th. It first opened in Las Vegas, and its second restaurant is here in Portland. It has warm, traditional Japanese decor with cosy booths, and is open late night. I highly recommend the authentic yakitori here.
• Dolly Olive is a chic Italian restaurant that's perfect for date night. I adore the tagliatelle pasta dish, and herbed fries.

2. Enjoy a yummy brunch. 

I adore the french inspired brunch spot in West End Portland, Cheryls on 12th. I love the delicious, green omelette and breakfast burrito, and bakery menu full of muffins, cinammon rolls and coffee cakes.

Another fun alternative is the Daily Feast around the corner on 11th Avenue. It's a more slick version of a 1950's diner, with all my favorites like creamsicle floats, smoothies, and the full monty breakfast with hashbrowns, eggs, bacon and sausage.

3. Hang out at a cool coffee shop.

The Based General Store is like a modern twist on a corner store. It covers off all the essentials, like coffee and a light breakfast, fresh cut flowers, art books, and gourmet grocery items.  It's so cool that I can order a brunch bouquet, and they will have it there before I arrive!

4. Spend an evening at a sophisticated cocktail bar in the West End.

One of the most beautiful bars in Portland is the gorgeous Multnomah Whiskey Library. It has an old world ambiance, with leather chairs, chandeliers, and a wall of distilled spirits. It feels like I'm stepping into the library of an English country mansion, where the books have been replaced by liquor bottles.

The Green Room is directly below, and serves plates and cocktails in an even more intimate setting, with bright accents of green in the tiled walls and overhead lighting.

The Multnomah Whiskey Library is membership based, but you can get a hall pass for one-time reservation.

5. Indulge in delicious sweet treats.

There's so many decadent dessert options along 12th Avenue in West End Portland. Here's my top recommendations:

• Saint Cupcake has mini and full size cupcakes, in flavors like peanut butter big top, and toasted coconut cream. Don't forget to try their Portlandia popcorn in butterbeer, and orange sea salt caramel flavors.
• Petunia's Pies & Pastries is the place to go for vegan treats like red velvet babycakes, thin mint brownie bars, iced sugar cookies, marionberry pies, and blueberry lemon scones.  I really enjoy their light filled space with plenty of seating.
• Toasted S'Mores Bar is a novel concept, where I can watch a s'more being toasted right in front of me! The bar has been designed like a campsite, with a woodsy, forest feel.