Happy Hour at Normandie

Have you checked out Normandie yet? Opened by alumnae of Portland classic Veritable Quandry, and the 2/3 of the co-wonders (one of who is the chef) are women. The food menu has been changing a bit as they tweaked it, but some favorites that were out of the gate when they opened in October last year still have remained. Several of them you can find on the happy hour at Normandie, which runs from 4-6 PM and again 10 PM -12 AM daily. except Sunday and Monday where happy hour is offered all night.

Happy hour at Normandie PDX Happy hour at Normandie PDX

Still on the menu is the Chicken Liver Mousse served with Duck Fat Madeleines, Port Poached Plums, Piment d’ Espelette Honey. These are perfect to a creamy start, or also do perfect well as an end of your meal savory dessert

Duck Fat Madeleines, Port Poached Plums, Piment d’ Espelette Honey available at dinner and happy hour at Normandie PDX Duck Fat Madeleines, Port Poached Plums, Piment d’ Espelette Honey available at dinner and happy hour at Normandie PDX

A round of perfect bites comes in the form of Croque Madame Beignets with Fig Jam and Chive Aioli. It manages to be crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, and I admit I’m more partial to that chive aioli.

Croque Madame Beignets with Fig Jam and Chive Aioli available at dinner and happy hour at Normandie PDX Duck Fat Madeleines, Port Poached Plums, Piment d’ Espelette Honey available at dinner and happy hour at Normandie PDX

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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.
Quaintrelle Happy Hour, Prohibition Punch, an ever changing daily punch inspired by a prohibition cocktail, for $6Quaintrelle Tomatoes, basils, ricotta, quinoa

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.
Quaintrelle Happy Hour, Prohibition Punch, an ever changing daily punch inspired by a prohibition cocktail, for $6

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Tusk Weekend Happy Hour

I’ve raved about Tusk before, which totally delivers on the hype the food writers in media have given it with its fresh, seasonal, farm to table Mediterranean food.  Tusk only takes reservations for their dinner, or if your table for their brunch (served weekends only) is 8 people or more. But, anyone looking to enjoy Tusk there is double good news. First, in the past month or so, they have completely enclosed their outdoor patio. The end result is really increasing their capacity for seating and protecting you from the sometimes moody spring weather so the area is usable all year round. Secondly, there is now a Tusk Weekend Happy Hour. Instead of closing between brunch and dinner, they offer happy hour drinks and eats from 2:30 – 5 PM. Here’s a detailed look at their offerings.
Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner. A great way to slip in between the brunch and dinner rush

First, drinks. Tusk will be offering a rotating menu of three special happy hour cocktails available only during weekend happy hour, and three wines by the glass (all under $10) as well as beer. Don’t worry – the full Tusk cocktail menu will also be available.
Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner. They have 3 special cocktails available only during happy hour, though you can also order from their regular cocktail menu here Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner. They have 3 special cocktails available only during happy hour, though you can also order from their regular cocktail menu here

The Mr. Kiss cocktail features Olmeca Altos Plata tequila, lime, tahini, ghost pepper, and chocolate. Despite the wide ranging combination, the cocktail flavors are pretty tame – mostly a little bit of lime and tequila citrus followed by a little savory from the chocolate and hint of heat from the ghost pepper, but not spicy at all, don’t worry.
Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner. They have 3 special cocktails available only during happy hour, though you can also order from their regular cocktail menu here like here The Mr. Kiss cocktail features Olmeca Altos Plata tequila, lime, tahini, ghost pepper, and chocolate.

The Hazy Jane cocktail is one of their signature drinks and offers Reyka vodka, almond, house made basil syrup, ginger, lemon, rose, and yogurt. The end result is light and refreshing with just a little bit of creamy mouthfeel from the yogurt.
Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner. They have 3 special cocktails available only during happy hour, though you can also order from their regular cocktail menu here. This is The Hazy Jane cocktail is one of their signature drinks and offers Reyka vodka, almond, house made basil syrup, ginger, lemon, rose, and yogurt. The end result is light and refreshing with just a little bit of creamy mouthfeel from the yogurt.

If you are looking for a non-alcoholic drink, definitely consider their iced matcha tea.
Tusk Iced Matcha Tea.
Foodwise, the happy hour menu is filled with a sampler of some of Tusk’s best dishes, not only priced lower but also are sized perfectly for filling your whole table with lots of little dishes to try everything. Make sure you also try everything with a little bit of the 3 condiments on the table of Aleppo chile oil, za’atar, and cumin salt, to see how they enhance the flavors of any dish.
Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner with lots of favorite dishes at discounted prices and perfectly sized for filling your tables with one of everything to try it all Tusk condiments for every table - make sure you also try everything with a little bit of the 3 condiments on the table of Aleppo chile oil, za'atar, and cumin salt, to see how they enhance the flavors of any dish

Here’s a look at all the happy hour dishes – I’ve tried them all!
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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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Recommendations at Bar Casa Vale

Have you heard of Bar Casa Vale? They opened last year, and Willamette Weekly declared them Bar of the Year 2017. I’ve mostly been for drinks, particularly their goblets of gin and tonics although they have lots of other amazing cocktails, but recently I also got a chance to try more of their menu and wanted to share my recommendations with you.

Bar Casa Vale Bar Casa Vale Clam Conserva with Lardo Toast, Fried olives with sobrasada and piri piri mayo

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