It’s only been a little more than a year since King Tide Fish and Shell made its debut along the South Waterfront, within the Riverfront Hotel, replacing the previous Three Degrees Waterfront Bar and Grill. The modern American food has been upgraded to seafood that takes its inspiration from the Pacific Northwest and American classics with intriguing touches of Japanese and Mexican.
The patio is my favorite of those offering a view almost literally steps from the Willamette River, while still also having the convenient location of being right downtown. The bar even offers rocking chairs with heaters. Even if dining indoors, floor to ceiling windows provide a view.
Here’s a look at how close to the water King Tide’s terrace patio is
Now that waterfront festival season is here, I would recommend instead of paying for overpriced fried festival food, consider the short walk to eat and drink here or at it’s summer pop-up of ceviches and fish tacos outside that takes you that extra few feet closer to the river.
Treat yourself with a seafood tower and sparkling – they have Seafood Platters ranging from 1-2 people to 3-6 people.
For a step up in sophistication, and more layers of flavor carefully crafted, I highly recommend the Kanpachi. Chef Lauro Romero adds intriguing layers of texture and flavor with sesame croquant, sudachi ponzu, bird’s eye chili, and finger lime
Another excellent bites are the Pickled Deviled Eggs with dungeness crab, and smoked salmon roe. I love how the eggs come in regular and mini quail sized, so precious!
For something warm, look for the Mussels with guanciale, smoked pork dashi, bonito, crispy bread, or the Chowder Fries with razor & manilla clams and bacon. Yep, shellfish, bacon, and a carb to soak up the juices from both are always a good combo.
Vegetables for your table, I highly recommend the Roasted Beets with carrot, candied walnuts, glacier blue cheese, avocado-habanero crema, and IP8 vin.
And then the main event, which is the recommendation I give everyone who comes to King Fish and Tide – my favorite fish in Portland is the Seasonal Catch whole fish they offer here. The fish obviously varies, but it is grilled in the kitchen, and then de-boned and fileted tableside for you.
The fish is served with truffle potato purée, wild mushrooms, and a luxurious chasseur sauce. It’s definitely enough for a nice party to share.
King Tide Fish and Shell also serves lunch, breakfast, and brunch. Happy hour is available in the lounge daily from 2 – 6 PM. Tacos + Tequila, the pop up for the summer I mentioned earlier, is open from Wed – Sun noon to 8 PM but weather permitting so check their social media on whether they are open the day you plan to go.
They also do private parties – in fact in mid-June I helped to organize my work team’s scavenger hunt to end up here for celebration along with food and drink. Here are a few more dishes I’ve had at King Tide Fish and Shell which I don’t see currently on their regular menu, but might be something to think about requesting for your private dining and are examples how King Tide Fish and Shell can go beyond the regular American classics at private events I have attended in the past.
Sweet Prawn Crudo with yuzu-vanila, quince preserva, trout roe, or Tuna Poke with avocado, papaya, sesame candy, limu, spicy soy
At a party, they put together party platters of Tostadas with Dungeness Crab, smashed avocado, pickled ahi dolce or Steelhead rye toast with chipotle cream and hibiscus, pickled onions, sift egg, caviar; and a Tower of Ceviche with Surf Clam and Avocado Aguachile, served with Sweet Potato Chips
Or how about these pretty passed appetizers including that tray of those Dungeness crab and smoked salmon egg topped deviled eggs!
Check out these whole fish platters for a buffet that included Cedar Plank Salmon with citrus chili glaze, Sablefish with miso chile marinade and brown butter yuzu, Rock Fish with guajillo with Veracruz salsa, and Red Snapper with clam salsa verde. Such beautiful presentations right?
Where is your favorite place to dine with a view in Portland?
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