As I covered in my previous posts, March is a time when 140+ restaurants offer three course meals for $33 all month long. I shared my top picks in one post, recapped a dinner at Headwaters and today’s post is the another of my dinners: Portland Dining Month 2020 at The Hairy Lobster. Like the dinner at Headwaters, you can make reservations on OpenTable via the PDM site in order to help donate to the Oregon Food Bank. Update: Hairy Lobster has temporarily closed in response to COVID-19.
If haven’t been to this gem in the Pearl District because of the weird name, you are missing out. The chef there has been in the kitchen for 50 years, and his wife (they co-own The Hairy Lobster, also known as THL) has had 3 Michelin Star experience. It is well reflected in the warm friendly service, and made me kick myself for not having been by even though it’s been here for 5 years already.
For the Portland Dining Month 2020 menu there are 2 options each for the 3 courses.
First course (choose one): Roasted butternut squash bisque with cranberry, orange and shallot confit (vegetarian) (gluten free) –or– Lacinato kale salad with pickled wood ear mushroom and coconut habanero (vegetarian) (gluten free). I am not usually a salad person, so soup it is for me! I loved the addition of the cranberry orange shallot confit to add brightness to the creamy butternut squash.
Second course (choose one): Lobster ‘n jalapeño cheddar biscuits with Maine lobster, spring root vegetables and wilted greens –or– Breakfast for dinner with grilled asparagus omelette, lemon crème fraîche and creamer potato (vegetarian) (gluten free). I went with the lobster n jalapeno cheddar biscuits and found this dish is more filling then it looks – and I enjoyed the classic but new biscuits and gravy twist.
Third course (choose one): ABC sundae with housemade vanilla ice cream, whipped butter caramel and cracker jack’d rice (vegetarian) (gluten free) –or — Key lime parfait with key lime custard, roasted graham and toasted marshmallow. I opted for the key lime parfait which was a perfect mix of textures, and that tartness helped to fuel me to get me home (and to my evening work calls!) after the warm hug that was the lobster and biscuits.
When the check comes with this walking friend you can’t help but leave in a happy mood.
I also had two great cocktails while I was enjoying my meal. I strated out with the dangerously too easy to drink The Golden Courage with rum, brandy, Batavia Arrack, pineapple, lemon, spices, and is milk washed. Then I also enjoyed the Jungle Love with Snow Leopard Vodka, Novo Fogo Cachaca, Thai basil, lime, Brazilian Bitters.
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