Circa 33 Brunch

Circa 33 on SE Belmont is probably most  known for in the evening as a neighborhood Prohibition-themed cocktail bar. But, did you know they also offer an al fresco dining alley area, and on weekends by the restrooms when the red light is on, host a speakeasy type bar? And don’t overlook the additional hidden gem of its weekend brunch, served 10 AM – 2 PM, featuring a curated list of dishes which include several vegetarian and vegan friendly options and of course, cocktails. Today I share my brunch visit, and here’s a look at the secret speakeasy – which will be put to good use on a Prohibition Party in a couple weeks!
Circa 33 interior during the day. Circa 33 is a Prohibition-themed cocktail bar and on Fri Sat boasts a hidden speakeasy - look for the light to be on - and you can enter past a bookcase door with a special code Circa 33 brunch, Bloody Mary c.1921 with vodka, summer-spiced bloody blend, creole-salt rim and choice of bacon/veggie/combo garnish

The name Circa 33 is a nod to the neighborhood street block they are on (SE 33rd block on Belmont) as well as the year prohibition was repealed, 1933. Their cocktails are a mix of drinks from the late 1800s and early 1900s as well as more current inventions that follow the framework of spirit, sugar, citrus, and bitters. You’ll see a dozen options of specialty cocktails. If you are not into cocktails, not to worry – they have almost a dozen wines by the glass and smaller selection of beer, and non-alcoholic beverages like a ginger limeade. Below, you’ll see the Circa 33 cocktail, The Huntress which is c.1937 with Effen vodka, bubbles, black currant, citrus, Becherovka herbal liqueur
Circa 33 is a Prohibition-themed cocktail bar. This Circa 33 cocktail, The Huntress is c.1937 with Effen vodka, bubbles, black currant, citrus, Becherovka herbal liqueur
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Ya Hala Brunch

The first time I realized Ya Hala had a brunch was when it was listed as March of 2015 when they initially launched it and were recommended by Portland Monthly (Three Reasons To Try Ya Hala’s New Lebanese Brunch) and the Oregonian (Ya Hala’s brunch goes beyond bacon and eggs: Cheap eats). And then this was reinforced when shortly after I tried Ya Hala’s entry at the Portland Monthly Country Brunch last year of a Breakfast Canape with grilled potato, tomato marmalade, egg relish, and smoked lamb bacon was assembled on the spot by Chef Mirna Attar and team. It was one of the best bites of that brunch event, and so I knew I had to go.

Ya Hala Lebanese Restaurant in Portland

Since then, I’ve been a few times. It’s located in Montavilla, at SE 80th and Stark, literally right across the street from famous brunch / fried chicken restaurant The Country Cat. Unlike The Country Cat though, each time I’ve been there has never been a line, and so I think Ya Hala is still one of the best kept brunch secrets in Portland.
Ya Hala Lebanese Restaurant interior in Portland Ya Hala Lebanese Restaurant interior in Portland

Here’s a look at some of the dishes I’ve tried – they are huge, meant for sharing!

A thick hit of Turkish Coffee is a classic start to the day
Sludgey thick hit of Turkish Coffee to start at Ya Hala Brunch Lebanese Restaurant

Meanwhile, I like to opt for the Flight of Mimosas, which includes sparkling white and muddled cucumber with mango, guava, or pomegranate juice. These are wonderful, every time.
Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch Flight of Mimosas, sparkling white and muddled cucumber with mango, guava, or pomegranate juice

One of my favorite dishes to share is the Brunch dish of Fried Haloumi and Rainbow Carrots served with a Pomegranate Demiglace, Arugula and two Fried Eggs. It had me at the words Fried Haloumi. And, the additional Rainbow Carrots with the sweet Pomegranate Demiglace and the slightly peppery arugula make it seem healthy enough to justify eating fried cheese as part of brunch.
Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch dish of fried haloumi and rainbow carrots served with a pomegranate demiglace, arugula and two fried eggs Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch dish of fried haloumi and rainbow carrots served with a pomegranate demiglace, arugula and two fried eggs

There’s also the Lebanese take on the classic, a Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch big plate of Lebanese Country Breakfast with house-smoked lamb bacon, house soujouk, fried egg, potato-mint hash. All the good breakfast meats of bacon and soujouk (the sausage) are here to share with your brunch party. I think I preferred the soujak to the lamb bacon.
Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch big plate of lebanese country breakfast house-smoked lamb bacon, house soujouk, fried egg, potato-mint hash Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch big plate of lebanese country breakfast house-smoked lamb bacon, house soujouk, fried egg, potato-mint hash

The huge earthen bowl of Houmous Balila with garlic spiced garbanzos, classic homous, vegetarian ghee and pine nuts is F’s favorite. When you sit down, you are given a complimentary HUGE freshly baked and grilled pita to share, still warm, so this is a great accompaniment for the pita.
Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch plate of houmous balila with garlic spiced garbanzos, classic homous, vegetarian ghee and pine nuts

If you order the fried chicken dish, remind yourself that this is not going to be your crispy Southern fried American chicken. It’s Moroccan Fried Chicken, so it will be in a tangy sticky sauce that includes flavors of with onion and garlic with cinnamon and cardamom, so don’t expect crispy breaded chicken. The Moroccan Fried Chicken is served with couscous gratin and a fried egg.
Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch plate of Moroccan Fried Chicken served with couscous gratin and a fried egg Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch plate of Moroccan Fried Chicken served with couscous gratin and a fried egg

Personally, I think the star of this platter is actually the creamy cheesy but fun texturally Couscous Gratin. Having this dish eventually inspired me to make a Israeli cheese couscous which I’ve shared before. They are a great mash up of the luxury of a risotto and a mac and cheese, combining their powers!
Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch plate of Moroccan Fried Chicken served with couscous gratin and a fried egg

You can order this for dessert or just as a sweet starter, but the small brunch plate of Kanefe Bejeben, a sweet cheese pie served with a sesame pita and rose water syrup is definitely unique to Ya Hala by offering this Lebanese dessert. It’s gooey and yet feels like a perfect combo of rich and light. This is especially fine paired with that Turkish Cofee.
"Ya Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch small plate of kanefe bejeben, a sweet cheese pie served with a sesame pita and rose water syrup

To go, consider taking a chocolate halva croissant or za’atar croissant (I went for the latter) for later!
Ya Hala Lebanese Brunch hand-rolled croissants where you have a choice of chocolate halva or za’atar

Have you heard of the Ya Hala brunch before? Have you had a Lebanese Brunch before, which of these food dishes I highlighted would you order? Where is your brunch secret spot?

Ya Hala Lebanese Cuisine Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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