Dine Out Tonight to Support Japanese Earthquake Relief

The panther loves nothing more than a good meal out, and when she can support a good cause at the same time, all the better!  So today we would like to share with you a wonderful fundraising event organized by MercyCorps.  Tonight, Tuesday, March 29, 2011, if you dine out at any of the participating restaurants, a portion of proceeds will go to MercyCorps for Japanese Earthquake Relief.

Read the details and the full list of participating restaurants here:
http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/portlandrestaurantrelief

So many amazing restaurants are participating, it is hard to choose. 
I'll share with you just a few of my favorites:


Bunk Bar:  1028 SE Water Ave.
http://bunkbar.com/

Bunk Bar is the late night version of Bunk Sandwiches.  This no-frills, noisy bar is always bustling.  The drinks are great.  I do believe they make the best Paloma in town.  In case you have never had a Paloma, I highly recommend you try one here.  They perfectly blend the tequila and grapefruit soda and just lightly salt the rim...fabulous.  Really, this place is all about the sandwiches though.  I am partial to the pork-belly Cubano.  You must try the Debris Fries...crisp french fries topped with a gravy of whatever meats they happen to have on hand that particular night.  Sinful and yummy!

Gruner:  527 SW 12th Ave.

http://www.grunerpdx.com/

Gruner may be tiny, but the flavor is huge.  This is elegant German cuisine with a creative twist.  The restaurant is dark, cozy, intimate and sexy.  May I suggest stopping in for an appetizer of crisp polenta croquettes stuffed with blue cheese and a glass of wine.  Yummy.



Produce Row:  204 SE Oak St.
http://www.producerowcafe.com/welcome/

I've been spending a lot of time at Produce Row lately.  This place is always fun and full of good energy.  The recently remodeled dining room is cozy, while the huge covered and heated patio with bowling alley tables is open and airy.  The cocktails here are perfect, especially the hot cocktails.  They have several beer and whiskey pairings available too.  The sandwiches here are amazing.  The bacon-wrapped meatloaf is to die for.  My personal favorite is the bow-tie pasta with pulled pork.   It has enough garlic to keep vampires away for weeks but it is soooo yummy.

The Sapphire Hotel:  5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

http://thesapphirehotel.com/

I love the Sapphire Hotel.  This place is so romantic.  It is dimly lit and cozy.  A former hotel/brothel, the Sapphire Hotel is full of history and stories.  The appetizers are excellent and my favorite cocktail in all of Portland comes from this place.  The cocktail I am in love with is called the Going Up?  It is a serrano pepper infused vodka muddled with cilantro, lime and sweet & sour with a salted rim.  It is sweet, spicy and savory, and the most fabulous mix of flavors.

We appreciate all of the participating restaurants for this event.  Go out tonight, try something new or go back to one of your faves... just be sure to support this great cause.

-The Panther