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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! 

My husband and I have recently been on a bit of a smoothie kick. Our busy schedules make smoothies a fantastic quick and portable breakfast option. We’ve tried a whole bunch of variations. Most of them include some array of vegetables, fruit, and non-dairy milk. Occasionally we will do a smoothie with yogurt, protein powder, or chia seeds.

This post is in partnership with Oregon Berries. All opinions are my own. Check out my Instagram (@JenniBost) for your chance to win 10 lbs of Oregon Blackberries delivered right to your door! Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk.  

 

Triple Berry & Miso Smoothie Ingredients | A Well Crafted Party

After reading “Eat and Run*” by Scott Jurek, my husband began adding some miso into his smoothies. It took me a long, long time to try it, but I finally did. If you don’t know what miso paste is it may be a good idea to try this BEFORE finding out what is… just skip right down to the recipe and enjoy the extra layer of flavor that it adds to a smoothie.

Those who want to know what miso is… it is a paste that is made with a fermented soybean and grains. It also has a lot of beneficial bacteria and is high in protein.  Miso has many nutritional properties that are said to be beneficial for the digestive system, immune system, and may even help prevent certain types of cancer. I love miso soup, but wasn’t quite feeling the idea of including it in my morning smoothie. I’m so glad I finally tried it! Miso brought just enough salt and savoriness to this smoothie to cut some of the sweetness and really highlight the flavors of the Oregon grown berries.

Berries are incredibly nutritious for you as well (packed with antioxidants and fiber)… but, there is no need to convince me to eat more berries! I honestly didn’t know how good berries could be until I moved to Oregon where I got to taste berries picked just days before! I love that the freshness of the berries is preserved in the frozen berry selection found by the different vendors working with Oregon Berries.

Triple Berry and Miso Smoothie | A Well Crafted Party

Triple Berry & Miso Smoothie featuring Oregon Blackberries

Make two 8 oz smoothies with this recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 8 oz bag of frozen triple berries (Oregon blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries- I used the Health Berry Blend from Stahlbush Island Farms)
  • 1/4 cup spinach
  • 1 heaping teaspoon mellow red miso paste
  • 1/2 cup very hot water
  • 1 cup vanilla coconut milk
  • Fresh blackberries for garnish

Triple Berry and Miso Smoothie | A Well Crafted Party

I pretty much add spinach to every smoothie I make. If you don’t put too much spinach it is really, really easy to cover up the flavor while getting all the spinach goodness in your drink.

Directions:

  1. Dissolve the miso paste in a half cup of very hot (but not boiling) water.
  2. Put the miso solution and other ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth..
  3. Garnish with a fresh blackberry or two!

Triple Berry and Miso Smoothie | A Well Crafted Party

Don’t forget to jump over to my instagram and enter to win 10 lbs of Oregon Blackberries!

UPDATE: This giveways has ended. Giveaway Guidelines: Enter by following my Instagram account as well as the @oregonberries account and commenting below with your favorite way to use Oregon Blackberries. Get an extra entry by tagging a friend! The drawing will take place on Saturday, August 5, 2017. Winner will be notified on Instagram. Giveaway winner must 18 or older and must have a U.S. based mailing address. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the prize, the prize cannot be delivered to a P.O. Box. This giveaway is in no way sponsored my Instagram or Facebook. 

To me there is an art to pairing drinks with meals. However, I’m pretty easy when it comes to drinks too. I enjoy a lot of different items and a lot of different pairings. Some of my favorite types of beverages to serve happen to be beverages that pair well with many different foods and are pretty friendly. Hard Cider is one of those types of beverages. Every year I head out to the Portland Apple Festival mainly for the opportunity to taste a bunch of local and delicious ciders. I tend to think of Hard Cider in the fall, but was pleasantly surprised at how summer-friendly they can be when Julian Hard Cider sent me an array of ciders to try out for the upcoming 4th of July holiday.

This post is in partnership with Julian Hard Ciders. All opinions are my own. For more information about sponsorships on this blog visit my policies page

4th of July Drinks with Julian Hard Cider | A Well Crafted Party

4th of July Drink Ideas

With names like “Cherry Bomb” and “Apple Pie” these hard ciders were pretty much made for an Independence Day celebration, don’t you think? But, even if the names weren’t perfect for a 4th of July party then the sweet and tart flavors make for a refreshing and easy to pair beverage solution. The ciders are made without added sugar and are sweetened with 100% juice.

The Julian Hard Cider flavors include: Cherry Bomb, Apple Pie, Harvest Apple, Black and Blue, Pearanormal, and Razzmatazz.

My three favorites for 4th of July pairings include the Cherry Bomb, Apple Pie, and Black and Blue for refreshingly sweet pairs to some of my favorite foods to eat at an outdoor BBQ.

 

4th of July Drinks with Julian Hard Cider | A Well Crafted Party 4th of July Drinks with Julian Hard Cider | A Well Crafted Party

Julian Hard Cider: Cherry Bomb

The Cherry Bomb was sweet and tart both with BIG notes of cherries. This was my favorite of the ciders mostly because I’m obsessed with cherries this time of year. It is made with the traditional apple cider and Montmorency Cherry juice. I think this cider would pair nicely with some BBQ ribs or brisket. It could even be paired well with a juicy burger topped with a roasted red pepper and garlic aioli.

Julian Hard Cider: Apple Pie

The Apple Pie hard cider tastes just like fall to me. The crisp bite of a juicy apple with notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, and nutmeg. Why do I like it for 4th of July if it tastes like fall you ask? Well, easy… is there anything more American than apple pie!? This would pair well with a hot dog piled high with sauerkraut or grilled onions. I’m personally going to serve the apple cider with our yearly Crab Boil. I think it will be great with the flavors of crab, sausage, and corn on the cob!

Julian Hard Cider: Black and Blue

Blackberries and blueberries make this cider fruity and bold. Maybe it is the name of this cider… but, I’d pair this with a big burger topped high with bacon and blue cheese. Blueberries and blue cheese just belong together. I’d also pair this one with steak. Mmmm… grilled steak.

 

4th of July Drinks with Julian Hard Cider | A Well Crafted Party

 

Other ideas for 4th of July Beverages:

Spiked Ice Cream | A Well Crafted Party Spiked Cherry Limeade | A Well Crafted Party

Cherry Sangria - a sweet & sour sangria | A Well Crafted Party

Need some other beverages to serve alongside your hard cider this holiday? My favorite summer cocktails include:

Of course, you don’t want to serve only alcoholic beverages. Make sure you have some infused waters on hand to keep everyone hydrated!