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Suddenly… it’s March. And, in Portland, March means, Portland Dining Month! Portland Dining Month is a time when several Portland restaurants offer up three-course menus for $33. Read on to see my favorite restaurants on the list this year and to win one of two gift cards to experience Portland Dining Month yourself!

This post is written in partnership with Travel Portland and Portland Dining Month.I received compensation in exchange for sharing about Portland Dining Month. However, all opinions are my own. To learn more about my policies on partnerships please visit my sponsorship page

This year marks the 9th annual Portland Dining Month (PDM) and more than 120 restaurants are participating. In addition to the restaurants that are participating this year several local chefs are offering pop-up dinners at just $33 through Feastly. To make this month even more of a good thing… Portland Dining Month is partnered with Open Table to support the Oregon Food Bank. All you have to do is book your table through the Portland Dining Month website. 

Portland Dining Month 2018

You’ll have to visit the PDM website to see ALL the amazing restaurants participating and their delicious menus, but I wanted to share some of my favorites on the list this year. In no particular order… here are my favorites for this month. Don’t forget to scroll down to the bottom to enter my giveaway for one of two Portland Dining Month restaurant gift cards!

Favorite Restaurants Participating in Portland Dining Month

Below are some of my go-to restaurants here in Portland that are participating this month.

Acadia Soft Shelled Crab | A Well Crafted Party

Acadia – American/ New American/ Southern/ Cajun/ Creole

What I love about Acadia? I’ve eaten at Acadia a few times now and each time it is always a delicious experience. The flavors are fresh, and bright on the tongue. The Southerner in me feels at home here. See my review of Acadia here on the blog.

What to get at Acadia? For sure try the Portland Dining Month menu and I’d highly recommend the Jambalaya, the Smoked Pork Cheeks, or the Crawfish Andouille Mac N Cheese. However, if you are dining off the dining month menu I’d also recommend getting the Louisiana Barbecue Shrimp or the (pictured) Corn-Meal Fried Louisiana Soft Shell Blue Crab. Absolutely try a cocktail there as well!

The Acadia Portland Dining Month Menu:

  • First course: Field greens salad with creole mustard vinaigrette and crumbled egg
  • Second course (choose one):
    • Jambalaya, with house made andouille sausage, smoked chicken and tomato relish
    • Cornmeal fried catfish with black eyed peas and deviled tasso
    • Gulf Shrimp Creole with kale, spinach, mushrooms, and white rice
    • Crawfish Andouille Mac n Cheese
    • Smoked Pork Cheeks with cheddar grits, apple, red chili honey
  • Third course:Acadia’s bread pudding with bourbon caramel sauce, whipped cream and toasted pecans

Where is it located?  NE Portland | 1303 N.E. Fremont St., Portland, OR 97212

Andina | Photo by Mary Boyden Photography for A Well Crafted Party
Photo by Mary Boyden Photography

Andina-Peruvian

What I love about Andina? Oh man… every time I’ve had the opportunity to dine at Andina I’ve fallen more and more in love. I do have to say that I have a special place in my heart for this restaurant because my husband and I chose to celebrate our 10th anniversary with a large party for our nearest and dearest. Working with Andina was a great experience, and the food was delicious as always. See my review of Andina’s food here on the blog.

What to get at Andina? Don’t you love it when the Portland Dining Month Menus have choices? I do! Andina’s selection this year is fantastic and I would highly recommend (and have tried) each of the items. But, if I were selecting for me I’d choose the Causa Morada followed by the Lomo Saltado (pictured) and the Chocolate Andino. If you are going off of the PDM menu I’d recommend trying out one of their amazing Ceviches and for sure getting a cocktail. Check out my Andina cocktail recommendations here on the blog.

Andina’s Portland Dining Month Menu:

  • First course (choose one):
    • Causa Solterito, a classic timbale of fresh, lime-scented Yukon Gold potato with a salad of green beans, fresh corn, cotija cheese and tomatoes
    • Causa Morada, a classic timbale of fresh, lime-scented purple potato and shredded chicken breast with ají amarillo
  • Second course (choose one):
    • Quinotto “Chisaya Mama”: quinoa risotto with Grana Padano cheese, golden beets, local mushrooms and truffle oil
    • Lomo saltado: wok-fried Cascade Natural beef, onions, tomatoes, oyster sauce, garlic and ají amarillo, served with Yukon Gold papas fritas and garlic rice
  • Third course (choose one):
    • Chocolate Andino: a quinoa flour brownie layered with gold-dusted chocolate ganache and accompanied by a seasonal fruit gastrique and avocado crème anglaise
    • Alfajor: a classic Peruvian cookie, scented with key lime and filled with manjar blanco

Where is it located? Pearl District, NW Portland | 1314 N.W. Glisan St., Portland, OR 97209

East India Company

East India Co. Bar & Grill – Indian

Why do I love East India Co. Bar & Grill? See my review of East India Co. here on the blog.

What to get at East India Co.? Last year we did the Portland Dining Month menu and then ordered a few things off the pre-selected menu just to give it a try. We loved the Chicken Tiki Masala on the Portland Dining Month menu and the dessert was fantastic! I’d also recommend going off menu for the Tandoori Khumbi which were grilled mushrooms marinated in five herbs, with ginger and lemon and a spicy Tamarind-Date Chutney. Don’t forget to get one of their great cocktails to accompany your meal. The Rangpur Chill, a refreshing and spicy combination of gin, chilis, and cucumber was my favorite!

East India Co. Portland Dining Month Menu:

  • First course (choose one):
    • Papdi chaat: mini crispy poori and spiced garbanzo beans topped with curd, tamarind and mint chutney
    • Bhel Puri: puffed rice with sev, tomato, onion and potato, tossed with a tangy tamarind sauce and green chutney
  • Second course (choose one):
    • Navratan korma: vegetable blend of ginger, raisins and creamy cashew gravy, served with saffron rice and tadka dal
    • Chicken tikka masala: chicken marinated in yogurt and spices with tomato masala sauce
  • Third course:Kulfi Trio of mango, cardamom and chocolate

Where is East India Co. located? Downtown | 821 S.W. 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97205

 

Shannon Feltus Feastly Pop Up Dinners
Photo via Feastly

Feastly Pop Up Dinners

Why do I love about Feastly Dinners? I’ve had the extreme pleasure to get to try items from a few Feastly chefs now and each time it has been a great experience. Personally, I’m so excited for the opportunity to try meals crafted by a chef for a pop-up dinner. I’m a little biased as well because a good friend of mine, who is an AMAZING chef, is one of the Feastly chefs.

What do I recommend from Feastly? Again, a tad biased here, but I’d recommend checking out the menus crafted by Chef Shannon Feltus. I recently hired her for an event and she did a great job (post to come soon!). Her St. Patrick’s Day Lunch Menu  and 2018 Menu Sampler  menus look amazing!

GIVEAWAY: Shannon is giving away two tickets to her upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Lunch on her Facebook page, Urban Farm Foods. Enter to win by Sunday, March 11th!

Where is Feastly Located? The Portland Dining Month meals for Feastly are located at the Inner South East location at: 912 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214.

Fogo De Chao

Fogo De Chao – Brazilian Steakhouse

Why do I love Fogo De Chao? MEAT. Dear lord, good meat is gonna get me every time. See my review of Fogo De Chao here on the blog.

What do I recommend from Fogo De Chao? For sure get the Portland Dining Month menu as it is a crazy good deal down from the normal cost of $52.95. However, because you are getting such great savings there… let me recommend going ahead and getting the shrimp cocktail for an appetizer and the Key Lime Pie for dessert. Don’t forget to get a classic caipirinha cocktail.

Fogo De Chao Portland Dining Month Menu:

  • First course:Market Table: fresh salads, exotic vegetables and Fogo® feijoada black bean stew, served with rice and seasonal soup
  • Second course:Brazilian side dishesPão de queijo, crispy polenta, mashed potatoes and caramelized bananas
  • Third course:Tableside service of fire-roasted meats, which include:
    • Picanha (sirloin): Prime part of the top sirloin, seasoned with sea salt and garlic
    • Alcatra (top sirloin): One of our largest steaks, tender and thinly sliced
    • Fraldinha (bottom sirloin): Flavorful cut with strong marbling
    • Medalhões con bacon: Bacon-wrapped steak with hardwood-smoked, honey-cured bacon
    • Cordeiro (lamb): Fresh leg of lamb
    • Lombo (pork): Parmesan-encrusted pork loin filets
    • Costela de Porco (pork ribs): Marinated and slow-roasted for tenderness
    • Bisteca de Porco (pork chops): Cured, center-cut and roasted on the bone
    • Linguiça (pork sausage): Slow-roasted and savory
    • Frango (chicken): Bacon-wrapped breast or tender legs

Where is Fogo De Chao located? Downtown, SW Portland | 930 S.W. Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204

Serratto Italian in Portland, Oregon

Serratto – Italian

Why I love Serratto? I’ve been to Serratto about four times now and each time I’m surprised by the creative, wholesome approach to Italian food. Great ingredients and simple, delicious flavors. See my review of Serratto here on the blog. It has a great date night atmosphere!

What to get at Serratto? The braised Carlton Farms pork cheeks are phenomenal and I’d recommend going that route. However, you can’t go wrong with the fresh spring flavors in the Spaghetti with asparagus and preserved lemon.  Whatever you do… pair it with one of the wonderful wines that Serratto serves. Ask your server for a recommendation to pair with your meal.

Serratto’s Portland Dining Month Menu:

  • First course (choose one):
    • House salad: organic baby greens, candied walnuts, Gorgonzola crumbles, and red wine vinaigrette
    • Cream of fennel soup with grilled spring onion, fennel pollen, and \ chive oil
  • Second course (choose one):
    • Braised Carlton Farms pork cheeks with farro, black trumpet mushrooms, pea tendrils, and whole grain mustard cream
    • Spaghetti with asparagus, preserved lemon, escarole, peppered chèvre, and extra virgin olive oil
  • Third course:Rum raisin pudding with crème anglaise

Where is Serratto located? NW Portland / Nob Hill, NW Portland | 2112 N.W. Kearney, Portland, OR 97210

 

Portland Dining Month Must Try List

There are plenty of restaurants on this year’s list that I haven’t had the opportunity to try yet. This list would be super, crazy long… but, I wanted to focus on what was realistic for me to possibly try this year. Here are some of my must-try list for this year.

Ataula- Spanish

Why I want to try Ataula? I am obsessed with good Spanish food and have only heard great things about Ataula. The handmade pork sausage and olive oil ice cream sandwich are screaming my name.

Ataula’s Portland Dining Month Menu:

  • First course:Remolacha with beets, piquillo-goat cheese cream, crispy quinoa and wine-infused pears
  • Second course (choose one):
    • Butifarra with handmade pork sausage and Catalan bean salad
    • Vegetal with roasted broccolini and Catalan bean salad
  • Third course:Bocata chocolate cookie and olive oil ice cream sandwich

Where is Ataula located? NW Portland / Nob Hill, NW Portland | 1818 N.W. 23rd Place, Portland, OR 97210

Jacqueline – New American

Why I want to try Jacqueline? I really love fresh, delicious seafood. I love that Jacqueline focuses on great seafood and vegetables. I’m so looking forward to my meal here!

Jacqueline’s Portland Dining Month Menu:

    First Course:Wedge salad with blue cheese, Nueske’s bacon, fried shallots, fines herbs and pickled celerySecond Course:Hama Hama clams and mussels with Rainer, smoked potatoes, carnitas, kale and crème fraîcheThird Course:Buttermilk panna cotta, huckleberries, bee pollen, lemon curd and brown butter

Where is Jacqueline located? Division / Clinton, SE Portland | 2039 S.E. Clinton St., Portland, OR 97202

SouthFork – New American/ Creole / Southern/ Cajun

Why I want to try SouthFork? I’m obsessed with finding great cajun restaurants in Portland and this one has consistently come up in my search. The stuffed pork tenderloin with sunchoke is reason enough to give this place a try!

South Fork’s Portland Dining Month Menu:

    First course: Spicy greens salad with butter-poached spring vegetables, cornbread croutons and soft eggSecond course: Bacon and mushroom stuffed pork tenderloin with sunchoke and potato galette and smokey pork jusThird course: Warm chocolate brownie with smoked maple ice cream and pistachio brittle

Where is Southfork located? NE Portland | 4605 N.E. Fremont St., Portland, OR 97213

 

Portland Dining Month Giveaway

Don’t you want to try one of these awesome restaurants? I know you do! Well, Travel Portland and the restaurants associated with it has ever so graciously offered up two gift cards to A Well Crafted Party readers. One lucky reader will win a gift card to SouthFork while another will win a gift card to Ataula. To enter, read the below giveaway guidelines and comment with your favorite from the Portland Dining Month menu and whether you prefer to try SouthFork or Ataula! You’ll also need to make sure you enter a correct email address as that is how I will contact the winners.

Giveaway guidelines:

Giveaway is for a gift card to either SouthFork restaurant in Portland or Ataula restaurant in Portland, Oregon. There is no cash value. If the winner is unable to use the gift card, A Well Crafted Party, Travel Portland, nor the restaurants involved are responsible for gift card use. The promotional value of the gift card is based on Portland Dining Month Menu Pricing for two guests (excluding beverages), OR a Portland Dining Month menu for one person with additional food and beverages of your choice. Gratuity is not automatically included in the meal. I encourage you to treat this as any other meal and tip as appropriate for good service. Gift cards are only guaranteed to be valid during Portland Dining Month (March 1-31, 2018) and any balance remaining after the promotion may be forfeit. I encourage making reservations through PortlandDiningMonth.com so that a donation will be made to the Oregon Food Bank and you will be guaranteed your seat! Giveaway entries are accepted from Thursday, March 8th through Sunday, March 11, 2018. The winners will have 24 hours to send back their mailing address or another winner will be chosen. Enter by commenting below! 

Each year I look forward to Portland Dining month, devour the menu of each restaurant a few times, and select a couple of restaurants to try a three-course meal for just $29. This year I was offered the opportunity by Travel Portland to try Portland Dining month at one restaurant and share that experience with you the readers! Part of my meal was covered by this opportunity. All opinions are my own. 

March Madness?

The month of march is basically a holiday for foodies in Portland. Portland Dining Month (PDM) gives guests an opportunity to try an array of restaurant specialties at $29 for a three course meal. Each March I try to pick at least two restaurants that I’ve not been able to try (or favorites I can rarely afford) and take the opportunity to enjoy a three course meal at an affordable price point. There is a whole rating system for my husband and I when it comes to restaurants participating in Portland Dining Month. We check out their PDM menus, reviews, and local blog coverage. Places that give choices on their menus get moved up on the list. Ones we’ve tried before get moved down. It is an ordeal. So far this month I’ve only been able to try one restaurant, a great choice if I do say so myself, but I hope to hit one more before the end of the month. Best thing about this game of chance? Everyone is a winner. SO many great restaurants to choose from!

India Trading Company — Great Indian Food in Portland, Oregon

Setting up a reservation for India Trading Co. was simple, but I am glad that I did it! When we walked up to the door the place looked empty, however what we couldn’t see was a fairly full restaurant dining room just past the bar. We used OpenTable through the Portland Dining Month website so that our reservation also helped to make a donation to Oregon Food Bank (more on that below) and it literally took less than two minutes to get our reservation for a Friday night.

 

East India Company - Indian Food in Portland, Oregon

We haven’t had Indian food in years. YEARS. That is seriously shameful. I love Indian food but have only ventured to make it on my own one time. We kept talking about going back to one of our favorite local restaurants, but with the kiddos it has been difficult due to the spice levels of my favorite dishes. My husband prefers milder dishes and I personally enjoy medium to spicier flavors. This was the perfect date night opportunity and we now added another local restaurant to our favorites list.

 

East India Company Cocktails - Rangpur Chill

 

We started our meal out with something that isn’t on the PDM menu… cocktails! We love trying house-recipe cocktails. I had the Rangpur Chill, a refreshing and spicy combination of gin, chilis, and cucumber. My husband enjoyed the Harabi Lassi that features a Saffron infused vodka, lassi and mango. Both were delicious. His sweeter and mine spicier… kind of like us, really.

East India Co. Portland Dining Month Menu

East India Co. Tikka Masala

For the Portland Dining Month menu we chose to eat the Bhel Puri first course, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Kulfi. We then went off  the PDM menu and tried the Tandoori Khumbi which were grilled mushrooms marinated in five herbs, with ginger and lemon and a spicy Tamarind-Date Chutney. We also tried, on recommendation of our server, something completely off-menu! We did their Korma (“a characteristic Indian dish which can be traced back to the 16th century. The flavor of a korma is based on a mixture of spices along with cashew nuts, fresh ginger, green chilies and cream”) with lamb. It was amazing and SPICY. I always like asking the servers favorite. They are almost always in the know about the best menu (or off-menu) dishes. We also added garlic naan to our order. Naan is perfect for getting all the amazing sauces from the dish into your mouth.

We loved the entire meal, but I have to say my favorites were the grilled mushrooms and the chicken tikka masala.

East India Co Kulfi

More info on Portland Dining Month

Portland Dining Month, now in its eighth year, returns to the Rose City this March with a host of new restaurants serving up three-course dinners for just $29 every night of the week. Portland Dining Month, a Travel Portland initiative, gives visitors and locals the opportunity to try Portland’s fan-favorite restaurants and newbies on the scene at a significant discount.

This year, more than 120 restaurants have joined Portland Dining Month, with award-winning chefs preparing three-course prix fixe dinner menus. New additions to the 2017 roster include buzzworthy locales Tusk, Bar Casa Vale, Headwaters, Jacqueline, La Moule, Rue and Wayfinder Beer, as well as classic Portland standbys Huber’s Cafe, Higgins, Jake’s Grill, Mother’s Bistro and Paley’s Place. A full list of participating Portland Dining Monthrestaurants and their menus can be found at PortlandDiningMonth.com.

“Portland has become a world-class culinary destination, which is evident in the seemingly never-ending creativity and fresh concepts that Portland chefs bring to the table,” said Jeff Miller, Travel Portland president and CEO. “Portland Dining Month is the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors alike to try a new restaurant or old favorite while celebrating this incredible food destination.”

Reservations That Give Back 

During Portland Dining Month, diners are encouraged to make reservations online through PortlandDiningMonth.com. Once again, Portland Dining Month will partner with Oregon Food Bank, making a donation to the hunger-relief organization for every reservation booked through the OpenTable links on PortlandDiningMonth.com.

 

 

I seriously cannot stop sharing images from this amazing night. Our tenth anniversary party was absolutely an excuse for us to celebrate our marriage with the people that we’d gained over the last ten years—the people who are our support group now (and always). It was also an excuse to eat ridiculously good food and drink some delicious beverages. Andina Restaurant in Portland, Oregon provided the perfect venue and menu for our little shindig.

(Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way.)

Andina's Party Menu for special occasions from A Well Crafted Party

We chose Andina restaurant in Portland, Oregon as our venue for four very good reasons:

  1. We loved the food there and had one of our most memorable post-marriage date nights eating a delicious meal there.
  2. They had a GORGEOUS space that fit our party’s numbers.
  3. Andina’s team of people that helped me secure the space, view it, try foods, and plan my party were so very helpful. I am a tad anal with events (spreadsheets are your friend!) and they were nothing but gracious hosts.
  4. It was affordable. I mean, it wasn’t inexpensive… but, I wanted a GREAT meal. A great meal was certainly had. Don’t believe me… let me show you:

(Amazing photos by Mary Boyden of Mary Boyden Photography)

 

Andina's Party Menu for special occasions from A Well Crafted Party

Andina's Party Menu for special occasions from A Well Crafted Party

 

Party Menu at Andina Restaurant in Portland, Oregon

There were several different choices and price points to create the party menu that we wanted. We chose to do a four course meal along with Tres Salsas Con Pan (breads with salsas/dipping sauces). My favorite part was being able to let my guests actually peruse the menu and select items that they wanted. I have done every style of dinner party there is from family style to buffet to plated… but, getting to have choices really made me feel like I was able to treat my guests. For our menu guests were able to choose from three selections of each of the courses. We chose those three selections prior to the day, but the guests got to choose their own items in the moment. I created the pictured menus because I wanted the menus to match the rest of the paper goods. The restaurant will make menus for you based on your selections if you aren’t as particular as I am. ::wink::