Can Font Happy Hour

Can Font opened to a huge buzz last year, bringing Spanish cuisine, specifically Catalan cuisine, to the Pearl District in Portland. This week they are launching a happy hour menu, so I wanted to highlight their offerings. You will be able to enjoy Can Font Happy Hour Tuesday-Thursday 5 – 6 PM and 9 – 10 PM and new, they will be open on Mondays and serving All Day Happy Hour (Mondays only, and it’s only the happy hour menu available) from 5 – 10 PM.

Can Font Happy Hour includes various Montaditos, a tapas of bread mounted with various ingredients. This is the Montadito de Llom with grilled Catalan bread, tomatoes, Iberico cured loin Can Font Happy Hour - Patatas Bravas with potatoes, brava sauce, garlic chips, and optional add on of Filet Mignon

Can Font has quite the pedigree – there is also an original Can Font in Barcelona that is Michelin recognized that Chef Josep Vidal opened there. Then, Chef Josep moved to Portland, and partnering up with investor and fellow co-owner Vladimir Zaharchook-Williams, now here in Portland we have our own oasis of Catalan cuisine at Can Font. What makes Can Font different from other Spanish restaurants in Portland is that they are really dedicated to bringing in many of their ingredients and products used from Spain, including a lot of their seafood and wines.

Can Font Happy Hour menu is now available in the bar area. The most popular cocktail is the Spanish Manhattan with Maker’s Mark bourbon, Atxa vermouth, Licor 43, and orange bitters Can Font Happy Hour menu is now available in the bar area. width=

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Bar Casa Vale Brunch

I’ve shared previously how I enjoy the tapas and the drinks at Bar Casa Vale, but this weekend they are launching a new weekend brunch. From now on they will be serving up, in addition to their all day happy hour on Sunday, brunch from 10 AM – 3 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. I recently attended a media preview that let us share a taste of some of the offerings, so here’s my report back on some of the items. As usual, the menu is subject to change – I think they do tweak the dinner options pretty often by swapping out what is on flatbread or toast and such, so go open-minded. Based on my meal here, I am sorta thinking this is now the best hungover brunch spot in Portland.
Bar Casa Vale Brunch is served on weekends, Sat and Sun 10-3 Bar Casa Vale Brunch cocktail of Tea Cobbler with Brandy, hibiscus, and citrus Bar Casa Vale Brunch Chocolate Toast with pistachio and olive oil Bar Casa Vale Brunch Grilled Sardine Toast with potxta beans, calcot, and 'nduja
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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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Alto Bajo Brunch

We’re rounding the corner to the end of January, and as the dark winter days are now getting shorter, I thought I’d give you still a little more color for your breakfast or brunch. Alto Bajo is a restaurant in the new boutique Hi Lo Hotel (in fact, Alto Bajo is Spanish for High and Low) offering a blend of Northwest with Oaxacan cuisine for weekday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a weekend brunch. All of the seatings take reservations, including brunch.

The hotel and restaurant are new, so still seem a bit under the radar on the Portland scene. I really like their twist on brunch, so wanted to highlight it here for you. Otherwise, I’ve been here for drinks a couple times – getting drinks in the Hi Lo very cool lobby area is a classy way to start a night out downtown. Alto Bajo does not have its own bar, and so the drinks are shared between this lobby bar and the restaurant.

Hi Lo Bar inside the Hi Lo hotel Hi Lo Bar inside the Hi Lo hotel Alto Bajo cocktail - margarita Alto Bajo cocktail

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Late Night Portland Eats: Crown PDX

I was sad to see Portland Penny Diner go, but the Crown PDX, the pizza place that opened in the same space, admittedly gets even more business from me then PPD (which I loved and still miss their breakfast sandwiches). I go probably once a month now, though that is partially because since it’s only a couple blocks from my favorite beer bar (Bailey’s Taproom) that allows you to bring your own food, and I am often going to grab a slice or a whole pie to go with my beer. It’s now 50% Santeria + Bailey’s beer and 50% Crown PDX + Bailey’s beer.
The Crown PDX, by Imperial The Crown PDX, by Imperial

Crown PDX is open late, which is a boon when you feel hungry a little later then the normal dinner hour after a beer share or a show. In fact, I think when it comes to late night / early morning Portland Eats, Crown PDX is among the best 3 in Portland. To be precise, last I checked they are open for lunch on weekdays (mid afternoon on the weekend) and then until 1 AM except Thursday Friday Saturday when they are open until 2:30 AM. 2:30 AM! So if you’re out late in downtown and looking for a bite, this is one of the best options to dine in or grab and go.
The Crown PDX, Imperial pizza with fried chicken, pickles, ranch, honey, hot sauce The Crown PDX, Imperial pizza with fried chicken, pickles, ranch, honey, hot sauce
My favorite pizza from The Crown is this, the Imperial
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