F and I celebrated a wedding anniversary this past weekend, and our perfect place to make merry with food and drink for the occasion was at Dame Restaurant. At Dame, besides the Mon-Tues which offer No Saints pizza popup, on Thurs-Sun you will find Estes by Chef Patrick McKee providing the simply prepared to let the seasonal fresh ingredient be forward food to pair with the global selection of natural wines curated by owner Jane Smith and staff. Here’s a look at the summer dinner at Dame Restaurant we just enjoyed, though honestly I already want to go back because there were multiple other options I wanted to try.
Every time I dine here I order the Grilled Flatbread with Ricotta, fennel pollen, olive oil and I always want a second order. Trust me – get it. The heirloom tomato, grilled peach, padron, and olive oil Gazpacho, is peak summer- get it while you still can
For the pairing the wine was wonderful. They asked us for a few adjectives of flavors and from our “smoke, spice, doesn’t need to be Oregon Wine” we got THREE options to choose from! Trust and you will be rewarded. They have a substantial list of wine bottles, but you can also choose from their good list of wines by the glass and make your own wine flights, or try cocktails. The wine service here isn’t just for those choosing to dine in – you can get free same day local delivery if you order your wine before 3PM, or pick up your bottles with curbside service (along with perhaps some Estes take out as well!).
And now the pasta and summer risotto! Still thinking of that melt in your mouth Scallop Gnocchi of herbed ricotta gnocchi with seared scallops and smoked roe in basil alfredo. Multiple dishes have the option to be vegan, including this summer bounty of flavor, the Summer Risotto with yellow & green beans, summer squash, mushrooms, corn, tomato, basil butter (we had a vegan version here).
Of course one of the dishes tonight also had to be the famous, worth following Chef Patrick from restaurant to restaurant to get (which many people definitely have) Cacio e Pepe with Granda Padano and Black Pepper. F also ate every bite of the Casarecce all-Amatriciana with fresh tomato marinara, and usually guanciale and Parmigiano-Reggiano if we hadn’t had it vegan-style here. Estes offers many dishes that are vegetarian and can be made vegan.
The exterior dining portion of Dame Restaurant is completely open right now because it is summer, but during cooler wetter times has included tenting for cover and heaters. The interior seating among the wine bottles and pretty wallpaper is only for those who have proof of vaccination and is limited seating as well. 
Full of pasta and risotto, we regret we only had room for small bites of the Ricotta Doughnuts with Blackberry Compote. Thanks for the love Dame Restaurant.
Have you been to Dame Restaurant before? Did you enjoy the food of Estes or No Saint? Which dishes do you want to try or are you favorites?
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