Quaintrelle Happy Hour

I’ve always been a fan of Quaintrelle, and only regret that they are in a part of town I do not visit very often so I don’t go often enough. When I have some girlfriends looking to meet up, Quaintrelle is always one of the first that comes to mind that I recommend, thanks to the lovely beverages from Bar Manager Camille Cavan, and how the menu descriptions always include an experience descriptions of the flavors, not just a list of ingredients. Recently a chef shakeup replaced Chef Bill Wallender with previous DOC chef Chef Ryley Eckersley, and an update to the Quaintrelle Happy Hour menu. Now I think Quaintrelle’s happy hour may be among the most beautifully plated and fresh in showcasing Northwest products in Portland. Even if you don’t come to happy hour, you will be pleased to experience beautifully plated dishes showcasing the best of current seasonal ingredients at their peak.

You will find Quaintrelle happy hour runs every day from 5 – 6:30 PM, and on Sundays the entire evening (5-9 PM). If for some reason you are looking for wine instead of cocktails, consider coming on their Wine Wednesdays when they additionally offer 50% off bottles from a hand selected list (available all evening on Wednesdays). On offer for Happy Hour is always a Prohibition Punch, an ever changing daily punch inspired by a prohibition cocktail, for $6. If you don’t drink, ask for her seasonal mocktail – one visit this was concocted of cherry, mint shrub, lemon, lime, and ginger ale.

As for me, I will always order cocktails at Quaintrelle. For instance, right now you should not miss ordering the Amour Propre, a cocktail of Pisco, verjus, orgeat, falernum, lemon, lime, and pink peppercorn that the flavors descriptions aptly explain are tropical, bright, bold. It’s a perfectly balanced cocktail that is refreshing but has just that hint of prick with the pink peppercorn.

The menu does change often, but here’s a hint at a few of the other drinks you may find: yes the glassware here really is gorgeous. Here you see the cocktail of The Greater Good with Jamaican rum, amaro nardini, tamarind, spices, ginger liqueur, lime, which results in flavors as the menu describes that are rich, refreshing, ginger finish. Another one that may or may not still be on the menu is the Midnight Special, a drink with Bourbon, sherry, gran classico, lemon oil, egg white and offers full complexity, smooth, citrus forward.

Or, get a cocktail that comes with a snack, the cocktail Fall of Voltaire with Mezcal, oloroso sherry, cardamaro, allspice wash that offers flavors that offer an experience of smoke, deeply layered, vibrant. The almonds that are served long with help bring out a bit of salt and more savory to this complex drink which I would definitely order again.. And here is Camile’s Three Sunsets cocktail with Campari, cocchi di torino, lemon, sage, bitters, sparkling rosé whose name reflects that its colors echo the colors of sunset, and whose flavors are refreshing, slightly bitter, subtle.

I mentioned that I love how the new happy hour menu has more offerings of fresh, farm to table ingredients then most other happy hour menus in Portland. This means that by the time you visit, based on what is in peak season at week, you may see some ingredients or dishes change out, but this should give you a really good idea of what Quaintrelle happy hour offers. For instance, during my visit, our group shared:

Vegetarian options like Artichokes with aioli and grilled lemon, or these Padrons with aioli, romesco and grana padano. I also loved these Little gems with blue cheese, radishes, seeds, pistachio and would just eat this dish by myself and not share it at all. And, if you muse choose one of the vegetarian happy hour dishes, get the tempura dish with squash, beans, baby carrot tempura, chili honey, and pecorino.

If you eat meat, definitely consider the Toast with chicken liver mousse, nectarine, cherry, and celery, which is very rich and luxurious but has brightness from the fruits if you want to treat yourself. And Quaintrelle continues to offer the best carpaccio in town with their Beef carpaccio with peanuts, ponzu, and wasabi

On the seafood side, there’s the beautifully plated octopus with padrons, walla walla, baby kale, and colatura dish, or the Albacore with tomatoes, olives, pine nuts and aioli that were incredible dishes in flavors and textures, and the seafood was perfectly executed for both dishes.

And I could not stop eating these Mussels with green curry, coconut, and lime

Don’t feel like you only have to order the happy hour items below though – make sure you browse through the dinner menu and maybe some super seasonal dishes will catch your eye. Like because it is peak summer tomatoes time, this Tomatoes, basils, ricotta, quinoa dish, or this very summer dish of Beets, blueberry, strawberies, chevre, favas, hazelnuts, and mint

I hope this post has given you a good idea of the farm to table menu at Quaintrelle, and the diverse offerings of their happy hour now that they have expanded the offerings of the Quaintrelle happy hour menu food. A lot of restaurants purchase ingredients from local farms – it’s almost a given. But, Quaintrelle goes above and beyond in making sure the natural fresh flavors of those main ingredients really shine, and carefully think about textures and plating to make it fun and a feast for the eyes too. I’ve been a fan, and continue to be a big fan, of Quaintrelle and want to encourage you to give them a visit!

Which of these offerings from Quaintrelle catches your eye?

Disclosure: This meal was complimentary at a media happy hour, but I have been to Quaintrelle many times previously on my own dime and will also visit on my own in the future: this was just a way to get a wider taste of the menu. As always, 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.