Pinxtos at Urdaneta PDX

Recently, I visited Urdaneta, located on NE Alberta, for the first time. It has been on my list for a while from when Chef and Owner Javier Canteras with Ryan Spragg was running the Basque Supper Club as a pop up (and which he plans to still do) and then won funding from Restaurant Startup to open Urdaneta. It’s always hard to balance my wishlist with the reality of a reasonable amount of dining out and when some restaurants are literally on the opposite side of town from me (I live in SW Portland). Finally though I made it – and then all I could think about is why did I wait so long and when could I come again? What really stood out was having such unique and strong flavors, so small bites go a long way.

Sherry cocktails at Urdaneta

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Superbite Happy Hour

Have you heard that Superbite recently announced they will offer a happy hour a couple weeks ago? I was able to visit it and with friends try every item on the menu. Having so loved the Metrovino burger (which is when I first experienced the awesomeness of the Dentons) I practically ran there days after the announcement even though it was during our Snowpacalypse with multiple inches of snow. It being mid-January and their happy hour being from 5 – 6 PM daily in the bar area it’s already dark, and I am definitely invested in returning when I can get in some better lighting. But, here’s a first look anyway. Updated in April when I went to happy hour and because of the time change, had sunshine/light!
Exterior of Superbite Exterior of Superbite

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Lincoln Restaurant Happy Hour

Today let’s look at Lincoln Restaurant – lots of great seating if you’re dining alone by the bar at the counter, intimate two-tops for a date, and larger tops for meeting up with friends or bringing your family or out of town guests, because this is a place that is perfect for all of those scenarios. It’s the perfect blend of being great to dress up for a special occasion and celebrate or also hang out and also be the casual neighborhood restaurant. Today I’m highlighting the Lincoln Restaurant happy hour menu which has refreshing takes on classic happy hour choices as well as some more unique and original  menu choices too.
Lincoln Restaurant, Portland Lincoln Restaurant, Portland Lincoln Restaurant, Portland Lincoln Restaurant, Portland Lincoln Restaurant, Portland Lincoln Restaurant, Portland Lincoln Restaurant, Portland Lincoln Restaurant, Portland

Happy Hour menu

Oil cured olives and rosebuds with fennel pollen and orange; Grilled dates and marcona almonds with lime and sea salt; I love how these small classic choices of olives or dates are still given a special twist by Lincoln.
Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of oil cured olives and rosebuds with fennel pollen and orange Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of Grilled dates and marcona almonds with lime and sea salt

Hand cut fries with garlic, rosemary, pecorino-romano; Cornmeal Onion Rings with pimenton aioli; Those onion rings are very addictive. Again, Lincoln adds a little extra something to even just an order of fries or onion rings.
Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of Hand cut fries with garlic, rosemary, pecorino-romano Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of Cornmeal Onion Rings with pimenton aioli

Octopus on the plancha lentils, tonnato, giardiniera; How gorgeous is that octopus!
Lincoln Restaurant, from the Dinner Menu the small plate of Octopus on the plancha lentils, tonnato, giardiniera Lincoln Restaurant, from the Dinner Menu the small plate of Octopus on the plancha lentils, tonnato, giardiniera

Any kind of Hummus that Lincoln makes is awesome, and you can see they are going beyond just the everyday garbanzo beans. They’ve had a well loved carrot hummus, and here is a version that is Asparagus Hummus with labneh, egg and here salmon and accompanied with fresh flatbread
Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of Asparagus Hummus with labneh, egg and here salmon and accompanied with fresh buttery flatbread from Lincoln Restaurant, Portland flatbread

Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of Asparagus Hummus with labneh, egg and here salmon and accompanied with fresh buttery flatbread from Lincoln Restaurant, Portland flatbread Flatbread accompanying the always fabulous hummus from Lincoln Restaurant, Portland

Similarly, ANY pasta by Lincoln is also off the hook. I had to share this Happy Hour item of Spaccatelli with smoked tallow, speck, sherry but I could have eaten the whole plate by myself easily.
'Lincoln

Baked Eggs with cream, olives, herbed breadcrumbs, so simple but sooooo good.
Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of Baked Eggs with cream, olives, herbed breadcrumbs

Of course they offer a juicy cheeseburger on their happy hour menu, but there’s another more exciting sandwich option I think. I love this English Muffin Fontina in Carroza, egg, sopresseta
Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of English Muffin Fontina in Carroza, egg, sopresseta Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of English Muffin Fontina in Carroza, egg, sopresseta

MUST order, do not miss the Fried Chicken with Togarashi White BBQ Sauce
Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of Fried Chicken with Togarashi White BBQ Sauce Lincoln Restaurant, Happy Hour item of Fried Chicken with Togarashi White BBQ Sauce

Now not all of these desserts below are on the happy hour menu, but go ahead and splurge on dessert – one dessert the Brutta Ma Buoni, is on the happy hour menu though.

Dessert

Brutta Ma Buoni with orange, grapefruit, creme fraiche; Chocolate Fudge Cake with Sea Salt and Caramel
Dessert at Lincoln Restaurant, here Brutta Ma Buoni with orange, grapefruit, creme fraiche Dessert at Lincoln Restaurant, Chocolate Fudge Cake with Sea Salt and Caramel

I particularly loved this Malabi Israeli Milk Pudding with Marionberry, Rose Petals, and Orange Blossom Water, Candied Ginger, Pistachio.
Dessert at Lincoln Restaurant, Malabi Israeli Milk Pudding with Marionberry, Rose Petals, and Orange Blossom Water, Candied Ginger, Pistachio Dessert at Lincoln Restaurant, Malabi Israeli Milk Pudding with Marionberry, Rose Petals, and Orange Blossom Water, Candied Ginger, Pistachio

Lincoln Restaurant Happy Hour happens Tuesdays –  Fridays from 5:30 –  7 PM. I appreciate that it goes to 7 to give anyone a chance to still enjoy happy hour after work. Which of these dishes catches your eye?
Lincoln Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

 

Disclosure: I attended a complimentary Bloggers Happy Hour, but I’ve come here on my own dime before and after that and I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own.

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Renata’s Italian Happy Hour – Aperitivo

I’ve been a big fan of Renata since they first opened, as I first wrote about almost a year ago. Back then, I was really impressed by their beautiful patio as well as their incredible pastas and in house aged whole animal (which would appear once in a while when the aging was complete as a special dish on the menu) and the craft cocktails. And then came the rush of the people when Renata was announced as Oregonian’s 2015 Restaurant of the Year, and they went through a trial by fire every day.

Now the rush of the trendy crowds have calmed down – on recent visits I dined with sweet senior citizens and families with kids during early dinner seatings, and then with a range of ages of professionals on business or on date night or with a boisterous group of friends later in the evening. The breathing room now gives Renata the opportunity instead of focusing on executing all the food to the necessary volumes, a chance to experiment and tweak the menu based on new ideas. One of those new ideas is Renata’s Italian Happy Hour – Aperitivo.
Bar of Renata Bar of Renata Bar of Renata Patio of Renata

During Aperitivo, located in the bar and patio only from 4 PM – 6:00 PM Monday – Friday, what was once a Punch Hour before they begin Dinner Service now celebrates Italian Street Food and seasonal cocktails. For spring, this included for instance on their menu the Spring Cocktails of Arrossire with cappelletti, punt e mes, benedictine, soda or Paper Moon with pisco, vermouth, bay leaf, chamomile, egg white, lemon.
Renata Spring Cocktail of Arrossire with cappelletti, punt e mes, benedictine, soda Renata Spring Cocktail of Paper Moon with pisco, vermouth, bay leaf, chamomile, egg white, lemon

I tried the pretty pink house cocktail of Occam’s Razor with vodka, elderflower, blackberry, citrus and prosecco. Or go for the Old Fashioned Flight included one rye with demerara, one bourbon with smoked maple. and one made with scotch and burnt honey.
Renata house cocktail of Occam’s Razor with vodka, elderflower, blackberry, citrus and prosecco Renata Old Fashioned Flight included one rye with demerara, one bourbon with smoked maple. and one made with scotch and burnt honey

Meanwhile, on the food menu enjoy bites such as

Salt and Vinegar Pork Rinds which have this light airy feel of a pork rind but then you pucker up after a bite!
Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Salt and Vinegar Pork Rinds

Salumi alla Casa plate, this visit with spicy coppa, mortadella, prosciutto cotto, Vacca Bruna parmigian
Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Salumi alla Casa with spicy coppa, mortadella, prosciutto cotto, Vacca Bruna parmigian

Formaggio plate, for this visit that included Sheep with bloomy rind cheese Valentine, Cow hard rind cheese Andrea Menzazana, and a Sheep + Cow washed rind cheese Willow Creek
Renata's updated happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Formaggio that includes Sheep with bloomy rind cheese Valentine, Cow hard rind cheese Andrea Menzazana, and a Sheep + Cow washed rind cheese Willow Creek

Stuffed Fried Olives with Trotter and Calabrian Chili Aioli look like aracini, but don’t be fooled – there is an olive in there, adding a nice counterpoint to the deep fried exterior
Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Stuffed Fried Olives with Trotter and Calabrian Chili Aioli

Aracini with pork sugo and fontina are creamy and rich
Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Aracini with pork sugo and fontina Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Aracini with pork sugo and fontina

The other tasty “ball” item on the menu (besides the marinated olives which I did not try – but those are more like ovals right?) are these juicy and large Polpettine, a dish of lamb and beef meatballs with polenta that are decadant just like the aracini.
Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Polpettine a dish of lamb and beef meatballs with polenta Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Polpettine a dish of lamb and beef meatballs with polenta

While the Ceci Bean Panelle with pecorino and lemon are light ceci bean fritter that’s impossible to only have 3 or 4 of them…
Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Ceci Bean Panelle with pecorino and lemon

Dumplings are given a crispy crunchy exterior but oozy cheesy interior via these Panzerotti with mozzarella and marinara, which is one of my recommendations as it’s one of my favorites of the Aperitivo menu.
Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Panzerotti with mozzarella and marinara Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Panzerotti with mozzarella and marinara

My other recommendation and outstanding item on the menu are these Piadina with broccoli pesto, ham, and ricotta which make use of the pizza oven and dough to make a flatbread sandwich that is crispy like a quesadilla’s tortilla on the outside but stuffed with goodness like a panini but without all the heavy bread.
Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Piadina with broccoli pesto, ham, and ricotta Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Piadina with broccoli pesto, ham, and ricotta Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Piadina with broccoli pesto, ham, and ricotta

In Chicago, one of my super fond food memories that I haven’t been able to find very often is enjoying smelt – back then we got them from DiCola’s Seafood, with mom driving after school to order us the fried smelt by the pound that we started eating just barely past the door. Now Renata has offered me an outlet via their Fritto Misto with calamari and smelt that unlike most calamari you find (I should know – my brother loves calamari and orders it every time it’s on a menu when we dine out), Renata’s version is very lightly battered to a crisp and not soggy with oil.
Renata's Italian happy hour, called Aperitivo, is available M-F 4-5:30 in the bar and patio only. This is one of the available dishes, Fritto Misto with calamari and smelt

I know their Aperitivo is only a short period of time on weekdays – and coming in from Hillsboro where I work, sometimes public transit doesn’t work in my favor and I get there too late. But, I still encourage you to visit. One of the obvious pleasures of Renata is the incredible pastas they have there – I’ve ever had one I didn’t enjoy. There are pasta shapes that I’ve encounted for the first time here, such as when I had Pici with roasted suckling pig and green garlic which is a firm tubelike pasta to when I had Squid Ink Corzetti with Lamb sausage, clams, and breadcrumbs where corzetti is a stamped flat pasta.
"Pici Squid Ink Corzetti with Lamb sausage, clams, and breadcrumbs where corzetti is a stamped flat pasta

One of the more secret pleasures is that Renata buys whole animals and ages them after doing their own butchering and often uses the whole animal. So, whenever I see for instance any beef on the menu, I am there, enjoying a secret steak that I think is among the top 3 in Portland when it appears.
Renata Renata 20 oz Ribeye with roasted garlic butter

Don’t overlook the smaller ways that the meat may show up on the menu – from being in the pasta to on Chef Matt Sigler’s super on point crostini in the Bites section of the menu (more like half an open faced sandwich!) like this Crostini with Beef Brisket, Horseradish, and Potato Artichoke Puree on that perfectly chewy Pugliese. I was torn on whether to enjoy the beef brisket as part of the whole dish or pick off bits of that melt in your mouth beef to enjoy on its own. I did both.
Renata Crostini with Beef Brisket, Horseradish, and Potato Artichoke Puree on that perfectly chewy Pugliese Renata Crostini with Beef Brisket, Horseradish, and Potato Artichoke Puree on that perfectly chewy Pugliese

And look for anything on their grill and fire, like here Grilled Octopus or a side of Coal Roasted Polenta with Gorgonzola picante
Renata Grilled Octopus with English peas, olive, mint Renata Coal Roasted Polenta with Gorgonzola picante

In checking out their wine list, ask about the wine selections from the Lava Bar section. These are incredible selections of wine where the grapes are grown on volcanic soil. It was only after a friend who took notes and always asked about vineyards and soil that I started taking those same notes, and I realized that whenever at a tasting event or room I tried volcanic soil wine 8 out of 10 I would end up purchasing a bottle. So clearly I have a preference for it – regardless of grape. Maybe you do too – come give it a try!

One of my favorite patios in Portland is the one at Renata, and I confess I’m there pretty often. What do you think of the updated Italian Street food Aperitivo happy hour there, what would you order? Where is your favorite outdoor patio for dining in Portland?

Disclosure: I attended a complimentary shared blogger Aperitivo happy hour, but I also returned on my own and on my own dime multiple times. I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own. 

Renata Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Happy Hour at Altabira City Tavern

Happy Hour at Altabira City Tavern is the latest hot happy hour in Portland. Located at 1021 NE Grand Ave, it’s location makes it right next to the Max stop for the Oregon Convention Center and perfect after an event there or before or after something at the Moda Center a block or so away.
Altabira City Tavern Altabira City Tavern

Located on the sixth floor of the boutique hotel Hotel Eastlund, it offers not just a hip indoor bar area that continues the contemporary cool look of the hotel inside, but also an outdoor rooftop patio to appreciate Portland sunshine and is ready for cooler weather with heaters and fire pits. Seating at the Altabira bar and patio are on a first come first serve basis, and this outdoor happy hour is a hit so expect to see lots of beautiful people along with the beautiful view!
Altabira City Tavern Altabira City Tavern

Beware though that with it’s location so close the convention center, you can see a small rush of big groups looking to network and have a bite/drink around 5:45 or so when conferences typically end during a weekday, so the outside can get busy. But, there were plenty of seats for smaller groups still available at the bar.
Altabira City Tavern Altabira City Tavern

The Happy Hour at Altabira is is Daily between 4PM – 6 PM. Here are some examples of what I’ve tried and adored from their happy hour menu:

$7 Pizza Special (half off from the regular Tavern Menu)
I was particularly enchanted with the Spinach, Walnut and Blue Cheese Pizza though the Roma Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Pizza was also enjoyed. These pizzas are enough for 2-4 to share.
Altabira City Tavern's Happy Hour, Roma Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Pizza Altabira City Tavern's Happy Hour, Spinach, Walnut and Blue Cheese Pizza

Don’t overlook the Citizen Baker Pretzel with Spicy Beer Mustard and Pimento Cheese if you want something small and it goes great with their big beer list that includes 14 beers and 2 ciders almost all from Oregon (1 was from California).
Altabira City Tavern happy hour special (also on their Tavern Menu) of Citizen Baker Pretzel with Spicy Beer Mustard and Pimento Cheese

A lot more messy but pretty tasty is the Smoked Chicken Wings which can be found on the Tavern Menu and also on the Dinner Menu though the best deal is of course at happy hour.
Altabira City Tavern happy hour special (also on their Tavern Menu) of Smoked Chicken Wings Altabira City Tavern happy hour special (also on their Tavern Menu) of Smoked Chicken Wings

More substantial happy hour offerings include an Altabira Cheeseburger on Brioche Bun and a Smoked Brisket Sandwich with Spicy Cole Slaw.

For cocktails, I tried Altabira City Tavern’s cocktail Sandia Mountain with Vodka, Fresh Watermelon Juice, Lemon and Lime and the Summer Squall with Coruba Dark Rum, Ginger Beer and Pineapple Juice. For happy hour, be sure to ask what the special cocktail of the day is – one time it was this tasty coconut cinnamon beverage!
Altabira City Tavern's cocktail Sandia Mountain with Vodka, Fresh Watermelon Juice, Lemon and Lime Altabira City Tavern's cocktail Summer Squal with Coruba Dark Rum, Ginger Beer and Pineapple Juice For happy hour at Altabira City Tavern, be sure to ask what the special cocktail of the day is, one time it was this tasty coconut cinnamon beverage

I also have tried some dinner starters:

Cornmeal Fried Local Oysters with Spicy Remoulade were light, crispy, perfectly executed (note: the photo is for a platter that is more than one order, it’s not an individual order).
Cornmeal Fried Local Oysters with Spicy Remoulade at Altabira City Tavern

Country Style Pork Pâté are a great appetizer as wellthat when I had it, had a crust around the pate of bacon. Yup. Note: the photo below is for a platter that is more than one order, it’s not an individual order).
Country Style Pork Pâté at Altabira City Tavern Country Style Pork Pâté at Altabira City Tavern Country Style Pork Pâté at Altabira City Tavern

It’s nice to see the Near SouthEast Side starting to come into it’s own instead of being just a bunch of generic convention center hotels. With the completion in the future of some high rise condos in the area, this is going to be a happening neighborhood that has the convenience of easy access to highway and public transit and some pretty sophisticated choices such as Altabira.

In walking distance/a stop or so away on the streetcar are neighboring hot restaurants like Renata, Kachka, Oso Market, Mirakutei, Simpatica, Nong’s Khao Man Gai, the bars of Coopers Hall for wine and Loyal Legion and White Owl Social for beer all to the south within 1 mile, and Reverend’s Nat’s, Upright Brewery, Ox Restaurant, Toro Bravo and more to the north within 1 mile makes this area by the Lloyd District an up and coming neighborhood.

Welcome Altabira City Tavern to the area, I believe many convention center goers are so happy to finally have a destination right here for them besides the usual chain, and they thank you!

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