Portland Restaurant: Lucky Strike

What: Lucky Strike
Where: 3862 SE Hawthorne Blvd
When: Sun - Thurs 4 - 10pm, Fri - Sat 4 - 11pm
Honey's Heart: Dan Dan Noodle and Sauteed Shanghai Baby Bok Choy

I don't think I've mentioned it on the blog yet, but Adam and I got engaged after Thanksgiving! We've been wedding planning and next on our to-do list is hiring a photographer. After meeting with a wedding photographer in SE last week Adam and I remembered we had a Groupon to Lucky Strike.

Founded in 2007, Leopold and You bring Sichuan style favorites from You's hometown. Neither have formal culinary training, but they combine fresh local ingredients and Sichuan spices to their dishes. I am definitely not an expert on traditional Sichuan flavors, but our friends Keith and Rachel have frequented Lucky Strike since Keith's visits to China, claiming it's the closest thing to the real deal that he can find here. Adam and I were excited for some great food while talking about wedding details.

A little overwhelmed by the menu and not wanting to order the typical apps like egg rolls, we asked the waiter for a suggestion. We started out with JiaoZi Dumpling in Spicy Sauce ($6). These pork and cabbage filled dumplings are served with either clear broth or Sichuan style spicy sauce. We opted for the spicy sauce, and although I can be sensitive to spice, I liked that the heat of this sauce didn't overpower it's really great flavor.

For main dishes Adam immediately spotted the KungPao Chicken ($12) sauteed with crunchy peanuts, scallion and sweet and spicy ginger sauce. This is originally a traditional Sichuan style dish and although I can't attest to it's authenticity, it had a different flavor than other KungPao dishes I've ordered. It was spicy with a lot of peppers mixed in, but the sweetness in the sauce made it one of those dishes that you keep eating for the initial flavor and the spice hits you after.  I'm not sure we would order it when we go back in place of trying something new, but it was a good choice!

One of my favorite dishes we ordered was the Sauteed Shanghai Baby Bok Choy ($7) with fresh chopped garlic. If you don't like a lot of garlic, don't order this, but I love it so that was fine with me! The sauce on the bok choy was awesome and with the option to add tofu ($2) to this dish I would absolutely order it again.

My other favorite was Dan Dan Noodle ($5). These spicy Sichuan style noodles were topped with minced beef, crushed peanuts, and fresh scallions. Adam and I both loved the flavor in this dish and for only $5 who could pass it up?

Our drinks took a long time to arrive, but once they did I think we were both pleased. I've been ordering a lot of Moscow Mules, or pretty much anything with a ginger infused vodka or ginger syrup, so I chose the Vice is Cooler ($8) with house-infused lemongrass ginger vodka, muddled cucumber and basil, citrus and soda, served on the rocks. Yum! Adam ordered the Hot Toddy ($8) with earl grey tea, lemon, honey and whiskey in the hopes it might help combat his cold.

This was a great first experience at Lucky Strike, I'll be back to check out their happy hour menu featured daily from 3 - 6pm! 

Portland Restaurant: Il Piatto

What: Il Piatto

Where: 2348 SE Ankeny St, Portland

When: Lunch Tues - Fri 11:30 - 2 pm, Dinner Nightly 5:30 pm

Honeys Heart: Goat cheese fritters!

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Living in NW makes me SO bad about going to eastside restaurants. Which is extremely unfortunate because there are incredible restaurants in NE and SE. Something I have done to remedy this is buy any and all Groupon, Living Social, and Tozmoz deals (those happen to be the ones I get emails from) that feature at least 50% off any eastside restaurant that I've wanted to try. My rationale: I can't afford not to and since I've already paid, I should at least go try it! 

One recent example of this is my dinner at Il Piatto, an intimate and popular italian restaurant in SE. Adam and I decided we needed a date night last Friday and made reservations for two. I've heard that sometimes reservations are needed, but we could have easily just walked in, even with eleven Vancouver high school students (yes, an odd number) sitting in the middle of the room enjoying a pre-prom dinner. They were great entertainment while we checked out the menu. 

I was tempted to order a lemon drop with lavender simple syrup, but $11 seemed a little steep, so we stuck with water for the evening. Our waitress brought us bread, which interestingly, is served with humus and we ordered hazelnut crusted goat cheese, caramelized onion, and date fritters on greens ($10) and the cornmeal crusted calamari with spicy red pepper aioli ($11.)  

The fritters were amazing. I absolutely love goat cheese and the warm combination of caramelized onions and dates was incredible. Also, one fritter was the perfect amount since it is so rich and creamy. 

As a calamari lover I was excited to try their cornmeal crusted version, but was really disappointed by the bland flavor and unenjoyable texture. We didn't eat that much of it and I almost never leave a dish unfinished! 

Il Piatto's menu offers salads, pastas, and entrees. We thought about sharing a pasta and an entree, but really, we both just wanted pasta so we went that route instead. I ordered the Gnocchi ($14) housemade potato gnocchi, lightly browned, with house cured pancetta and parsley pesto. This gnocchi was denser than other versions I've had, but I liked it. I'm not sure that it would cover a serious pasta craving, but it was filling and the parsley pesto was a nice change. Though I don't think I would order this dish again, I was glad I tried it (the pancetta may have influenced me...)

Per a recommendation, Adam went with the Bolognese ($15) with ground beef "bolognese" simmered in red wine, vegetables, tomatoes, and spices on spaghetti. This dish was really great, definitely a rich, hearty pasta dish with a good amount of sauce. Enough for Adam to pile on a couple slices of bread after the noodles were gone! If I went back I might go for a pasta dish more like this than the gnocchi. 

Overall our dinner there was nice. The wait staff was friendly and the food was good, but it wasn't a rave worthy experience and in other reviews I've found that people have really had "hit or miss" experiences at Il Piatto, typically having good food, but poor service and long wait times. You can read other reviews on Yelp or City Search. 


I'm not dying to return, but they do have a happy hour menu which I might try to check out this summer. There is also an accompanying Asian inspired lounge, Jade Lounge, that I hope to check out soon.

Portland Happy Hour: Produce Row Cafe

What: Produce Row Cafe
Where: 204 SE Oak Street
When: HH Mon-Sat 4-7pm, Mon-Sun 11pm-2am (Food Only)
Honey's Heart: Potato Skins

Typically when Joe and Adam venture off to HH I stay home or have a HH of my own to attend, but recently the three of us tried out Produce Row Cafe (per Joe's suggestion) in the Eastside Industrial area. I'm glad I went though because we did receive one of my favorite group nicknames ever, "the power trio." I'm assuming this was because we sat at the bar and ordered a lot of food, because I didn't even order a drink!

I think what originally caught Joe's eye was the whiskey and beer pairings on their menu, but what caught mine was the food selection and renovated restaurant at this increasingly trendy location. The bar has 4 areas with slightly different vibes. The bar area has a large bar and communal style dining tables. Behind that is a lounge-y area with sofas, which looked nice to enjoy a drink, but incredibly uncomfortable to eat at as it required eating with your plate sitting in your lap. In the back corner there are booths and outside has a covered, heated patio area. It was BUSY when we got there so we decided to take a seat at the bar.

Adam and Joe both ordered, and greatly enjoyed, beer and whiskey pairings ($6, $7) and I stuck with a water. I was nursing a cold and decided to be responsible, but the drink menu looks pretty good and I wish I had ordered "The Elder" ($8.) I suppose that's a reason to return.

On to the food selections. Adam and Joe both ordered the Pulled Pork Sliders ($6 - they're so matchy matchy) while I opted for the Ruben Sliders ($5).

My "sliders" were bigger (since it was essentially a sandwich cut in triangles), and I think better, though both were absolutely satisfying. Of course since I didn't order a drink I had to order extra food to make my time there more interesting, so I also got a side of the Baked Mac and Cheese ($4.50). It was hearty, but I have to admit I'm a sucker for just plain old noodles and creamy cheese (like at Davis Street Tavern) so this wasn't my fav.

Finally, probably one of the tastiest, gilty pleasures of the night was two orders, yes two, of the Potato Skins ($4) with peppered bacon, scallions, cheddar cheese and cili-spiked sour cream. They were awesome.

Since I didn't try any drinks, and the regular menu looks good and fairly priced I'll likely have to return. I have recently talked to a Portland native who has just returned from 2 years in Korea and was sad to hear that this Portland establishment has changed and no longer offers what sounds like some of the biggest sandwiches EVER. I guess I'll have to get his thoughts after he goes back and tries their new menu...a real compare and contrast.

Portland Happy Hour: Paragon Restaurant

Posted by Kelly

What: Paragon Restaurant
Where: 1309 NW Hoyt at 13th
When: 4:00 - 6:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Honeys Heart: Infused vodka!

In my new position as an events manager at The Sparks Group I get the pleasure of meeting with a variety of wonderful people in the Portland event industry. Last night I enjoyed an incredibly delicious happy hour at Paragon with Hailey Bernstein of Zest, a fantastic floral and event design company.

Paragon's Portland location is in the heart of the pearl on the corner of NW 13th and Hoyt. Their happy hour menu is not extensive, but it has a handful of scrumptious items that will surely leave you satisfied. We started our evening with a couple drinks (typical). I ordered the house raspberry infused vodka drop ($6) off the happy hour menu and Hailey went for a house raspberry infused vodka and soda.

After the first raspberry drop I switched to the house infused blackberry vodka drop ($6), which was also great, while Hailey stuck with her tasty and refreshing raspberry vodka and soda.

Once we decided on a cocktail we were able to focus on food. Paragon is one of Hailey's favorites and she recommended the Mini Ahi Tuna Tacos ($12) with avacado wasabi in mini taro tacos. I am so glad we ventured off the happy hour menu because these were awesome!

Off the happy hour menu we enjoyed the Herb Risotto Fritters with smoked mozzarella and romesco sauce ($5) and the Turkey Rueben Sliders with housemade bbq chips ($5). When I return to Paragon for happy hour I would be happy to have either of these again! The fritters had a deliciously cheesy gooey center with a crispy fried outside and the rueben sliders were perfect on white bread rolls.

Overall Paragon's happy hour menu isn't extremely well priced, but $6 drops isn't bad and for good quality food, atmosphere, and company I'm willing to pay a little extra every now and then. Definitely worth a visit!

Portland Happy Hour Hop: Andina, Fenouil, Irving Street Kitchen, Three Degrees

Posted by Kelly

After graduating from University of Portland many of my close friends left Portland and I can't begin to express how wonderful it has been to have Sofi, Katie and Megan here! Unfortunately the time came for Sofi to venture out of this beautiful city. For the last year neither of us had "office" jobs and consequently spent many hours in coffee shops and many nights at happy hours. This series in particular was Sofi's send off just before leaving Portland to go to Spain. We went to happy hour after happy hour until we met up with friends for a farewell night of food and drink.

First Stop: Andina
Where: 1314 NW Glisan St.
When: 4-6pm Daily

Sofi and I had been talking about going to Andina forever and this night would be our last opportunity so we had to make it our first stop. It was awesome and I have been meaning to go back. The bread came with three dipping sauces ranging in spice and sweetness. This was a unique alternative to butter or olive oil and balsalmic, and each dip had completely different flavors, but were equally good!

Unfortunatly this happy hour was actually a month ago so I can't remember the names of our drinks, but I'm fairly certain I enjoyed a mojito-esque (can't go wrong) drink and Sof ordered something involving gin...

Unlike me, Sofi is a big oyster fan. At Andina there are three different types of oysters and three different salsa like creations to pair them with. Though I skipped the oysters I did steal some of the salsas for my bread. They were once again, amazing. Amazing enough that I might have been tempted to try an oyster.

Finally for our main happy hour meal we ordered the octopus. I have never had octopus prepared this way and it was freaking delicious. I'm craving it now. It was perfectly cooked, not chewy, and served over mashed potatos. I would absolutely order this again!

Second Stop: Fenouil
Where: 900 NW 11th Ave
When: 4-6pm Daily

I met someone recently whose favorite restaurant is Fenouil so I suppose I need to go back and try their food. We just stopped in for drinks here, each enjoying a $9 concotion. I really wish these were $5 so I could have justified two!

Third Stop: Irving Street Kitchen
Where: 701 NW 13th Ave

At Irving Street Kitchen (in the former location of Bay 13) we also just enjoyed a beverage. We each went for a glass of white wine poured from a wine spout, much like how restaurants serve beer out of kegs, but for wine. Something I hadn't seen before, but I definitely liked the vibe it gave the bar area. This is another spot I need to revisit to check out food and other drink options. It seems like a neat place so I recommend stopping in, ignore the scary font on their sign though!

Final Stop: Three Degrees
Where: 1510 SW Harbor Way 
When: 4-7pm Daily

By this point we weren't taking pics anymore and I wasn't there in time to view the happy hour food menu, but what the girls had ordered looked alright and the wine we drank was at a happy hour price!

All of these happy hours were the perfect way for Sof to say good bye to Portland!

Portland Happy Hour Revisited: Heathman Restaurant & Bar

Posted by Kelly

What: Heathman Restaurant & Bar
Where: 1001 SW Broadway, at Salmon
Honeys Heart: Crab Cakes, Grapefruit Drop, Mac n'Cheese!

Katie and I have blogged about the Heathman's Marble Bar happy hour before, but I recently returned with my fam and was reminded of just how delicious this happy hour really is. Offering 50% off their normally priced bar menu for small plates the food is diverse and fairly priced for it's exceptional quality.

The drinks are what really rack up the bill. With no discounted cocktails, each one of these delicious Grapefruit Drops adds at least another $8 to your total. I also suggest you try a Lemon Drop, and if you're feeling adventurous try a refreshing pineapple summer cocktail made with jalepeno vodka...it was SPICY. I would recommend asking for half jalepeno, half regular vodka to tone down the heat.

You really can't go wrong with this menu and there is something for everyone. The beet salad with spinach and blue cheese was awesome and the crab cakes are a must!

Adam ordered the deviled eggs which come with three of different varieties and the pita with three dips. More snack-ish options and both exceptional for such seemingly simple items.

My grandparents and mom all ordered the razor clams and all were very pleased. If you are a razor clam fan these were perfectly cooked!

I know, I know, of course I ordered the Mac n'Cheese. I'm glad I did though. The penne pasta was covered in creamy, cheesy, goodness on the inside and the crispy top supplied a little crunch. I loved it!

All the food is available in regular or small portions and I have never been disappointed by the quality of their food or drinks. It's not an everyday afforadable happy hour for everyone, but it's worth the splurge every so often. The Heathman also tends to be a hot spot for celebrities to stay when they're in Portland so I recommend doing a little people watching or seeing if you can get any hot gossip from the bartender!

Portland Happy Hour: Jimmy Mak's

Posted by Kelly


What: Jimmy Mak's
Where: 221 NW 10th Ave, (between Davis and Everett)
When: Mon-Sat 5-7pm
Honeys Heart: Gyros!

The summer before our junior year of college Adam and I went to Greece. It was beautiful and fun and the food was great and I want to go back! Our favorite easy lunch was to get gyros at food stands throughout the city, piled with lamb, veggies, tzatziki and Adam's favorite addition, fries and chili powder. I'm always looking for a good gyro so recently I convinced a few of my friends to try Jimmy Mak's with me. I have been there before to listen to jazz and have a tasty cocktail with the fam, but last friday was my first happy hour experience at this popular jazz club.

A little after 6 pm, we were ordering, Dustin and Adam were playing pool and we were the only people there. I think this is a more popular late night spot. The happy hour menu is great though.  All items are $5 and mostly Mediterranean with some pork sliders, chicken drumettes, onion rings, and pizza thrown in there. There is also discounts on their beer and well drinks.

Megan and I shared a gyro and greek salad.

Both were so good, I would definitely recommend the salad! YUM. Adam got a gyro and Dustin went with the Mediterranean pizza.

Oh...and I convinced Adam he wanted to share the kalamari with me. (Sorry I kind of forgot to take photos before we started eating, as you can tell by the half eaten gyro, salad, and kalamari) Total food bill: $25 ...for 4 people and filing portions, I'd say that's a good deal.

The boys had beer, $1 off during happy hour. Good deal for good beer.

And Megan and I went with a vodka tonic and a greyhound.

I really enjoyed this happy hour and will definitely return when I'm in the mood for a gyro. I would also recommend lounging and listening to some jazz!

Jimmy Mak's generally charges a $5-$10 cover depending on the night of the week and the music playing but if you're just coming for food/happy hour, no worries, you won't have to pay (unless you end up lingering to listen to the music).

Portland Happy Hour: Kells

Posted by Kelly

What: Kells
Where: 112 SW 2nd Ave
When: Mon-Fri 4-7pm, Mon-Thurs 10pm-12am, Sun 7pm-10pm
Honeys Heart: Regular status!

Recently we celebrated my friend Sofi's birthday...for like 3 weeks...but on her actual birthday we had to go to a happy hour and what better spot to visit than Kells where Sofi is in fact a "regular." I LOVE achieving regular status, so I was more than willing to help Sofi maintain hers.

I usually think of Kells only on St. Patrick's Day or for beer drinkers, but their happy hour has pretty great prices and isn't bad. Not my favorite hh ever, but for $3 (for all items) it's a steal.

We ordered some of Sofi's favorites. Wings and oyster shooters.

But since I'm a bad wing eater and sometimes just can't stomach the texture of an oyster, we also ordered the daily quesadilla (which that Tuesday happened to be cheese and black beans) and sweet potato fries.

Kells also requires that you order a minimum beverage purchase (not hard to do on a birthday) so while Sofi ordered beer, I went for the house wine. Yeah I know beer would be more "Irish" of me, but I still just don't really like it (unless drinking for competitive purposes)

Overall, it's worth a try. Cheap, great atmosphere, nice waiters, friendly bartenders...

Portland Happy Hour: Pambiche

Posted by Kelly

What: Pambiche
Where: NE Glisan and 28th
When: Mon-Fri 4-6pm, Fri and Sat 10pm-Midnight
Honeys heart: Empanadas! ($3)

Occasionally I get in a rut and frequent happy hours with the same types of food on their menu like burgers, cheese, mini sandwiches, various fried vegetables, with the occasional unique item, so it was a breath of fresh air to go to happy hour at Pambiche, a Cuban restaurant.

Adam and I met friends, Shannon and Steve, at Pambiche Friday night. One of their favorite happy hours with great food, prices, and distance from their apartment. It seems as though they are becoming regulars while enjoying living in a very wonderful apartment a story above the restaurant in the vibrantly colored building on NE Glisan. At 5:30, with happy hour nearing it's end, it was busy and completely full inside, so we opted to brave the wind and sit under a heat lamp outside.

We ordered Empanadas ($3 each), which Steve quite wonderfully described as hot pockets but way way better. Adam and I shared one beef and one chicken and corn, but Steve and Shannon's spinach and cheese empanada looked pretty wonderful.

Both pairs ordered Croquetas ($3) available with ham, chicken, shrimp, or codfish and potato. Adam and I wanted the shrimp, but they were out so we went with Steve and Shannon's ham suggestion. These were so good, and I definitely want to return for the shrimp croquetas.

Finally Adam and I chose the $2.75 Moros & Cristianos (black beans with rice and spiced pork) and Steve tried something new by accidentaly ordering Cuban red beans and rice ($3). I think he was glad he did though!

We skipped drinks, coffee or dessert though all looked amazing and wrapped up with an $11.50 bill (for Adam and I), not too shabby! I heard a woman speaking quite highly of their white wine sangria, their coffee is Stumptown (already a fav) but apparently incredibly prepared and the dessert case was full of tiny tasty treasures so I think that means I must go back... I am usually not a dessert person but I almost went for one of the beautiful looking desserts in the case.

I believe Pambiche has also been featured in Portland Monthly for their breakfast, which our friends also spoke highly of, so we'll definitely be heading over to the east side for breakfast some weekend morning!