Inexpensive Dinner, Portland

I%26#39;m planning a bachelor party in May in Portland. I%26#39;m not from the area.

We%26#39;re trying to keep the cost down, especially because it will be a long weekend. I pricelined at the Benson in downtown Portland and we got a great price. Now I have the problem of where to eat for ';the big meal';.

First, I don%26#39;t know what Portland normal prices are. I%26#39;m used to Baltimore/DC prices. Taking a girl out, I expect to pay: Entrees $20+, cocktail $9+. Is that normal for Portland?

I%26#39;ve found a place called Henry%26#39;s Tavern and the pictures look cool. We like the tavern feel. But the prices seemed like DC/Baltimore prices for a date night. Ideally, we%26#39;re looking for $10-$15 entrees. Anything near the Benson Hotel?

Inexpensive Dinner, Portland

We just happen to be in Portland right now and ate here last night. Comfortable, friendly place with very good food and in your price range. Easy to get to as it%26#39;s just one block walk from the MAX yellow line stop north of the Rose Garden, on the east side of the river.

http://www.widmer.com/gasthaus.aspx

Would highly recommend it :-)

Inexpensive Dinner, Portland

First off, I think the $20 entree/$9 cocktail isn%26#39;t too far out of line with most of the better restaurants in downtown Portland. Having been to Henry%26#39;s a number of times, I can see where you%26#39;d find that vibe appealing...atmosphere is cool, cocktail list is long and beer selection is outstanding. I typically go during happy hour, when they have super-cheap food in the bar (which makes paying $5.50/pint balance out somewhat)...

An alternative would be Clyde Common; it%26#39;s got the same %26#39;cool%26#39; feel, creative food, good drinks and is located at the ground floor of the hip Ace Hotel. It%26#39;s also about 1-1/2 blocks closer to the Benson than Henry%26#39;s...prices are pretty close to Henry%26#39;s though http://www.clydecommon.com/

I%26#39;ll keep thinking... :)

Brian

Despite the name, Henry%26#39;s doesn%26#39;t really have a tavern feel, or at least not the kinds of taverns I%26#39;m familiar with. Places to consider that are a little down-scale from Henry%26#39;s, but still have a casual tavern kind of appeal, would be Bridgeport Brewpub, Widmer%26#39;s Gasthaus Pub, possibly Rogue Ales Pub, or any of the McMenamin%26#39;s places. These are all local, and make some great beers. Another thought is Rock Bottom, which is closer than the others to the Benson, but not ';local';.

Then, there%26#39;s always Mary%26#39;s Club!

Thanks for your suggestions.

I did a quick search and Rogue Ales Pub looks great. The prices are more down to wear we%26#39;d like to be.

Anything else you%26#39;ve got send it my way.

Also, we%26#39;re looking for a party after dinner. What%26#39;s the deal with Dante%26#39;s on Saturday night?

You will love the Benson, we stayed there over the summer and enjoyed it very much. You should try to get up to the Portland City Grill and enjoy the view there, you can walk from the Benson. They have yummy desserts at PCG. Enjoy Portland! :)

Hmmm...PCG is fine for a view, but about as far from a %26#39;tavern%26#39; as I can think of...

So I kinda missed the %26#39;tavern%26#39;thing my first go %26#39;round, too. Rogue definitely has the vibe you%26#39;re looking for, pretty casual, borderline grungy (with a corporate slant - look for lots of Rogue schwag...). Lots of beers (around 40 Rogue beers alone) plus house spirits they make on premise. If you%26#39;re up for shooting pool and having beers/cocktails and pub grub, the McMenamins Crystal Ballroom is about 5 blocks from the Benson.

Brian

You might try Piazza Italia in The Pearl. Beer and wine only but the food is outstanding and the price is right.

Consider the Deschutes Brewery.

deschutesbrewery.com/brewery/鈥efault.aspx

Walking distance from the Benson. Leaves you in the middle of many bars (albeit relatively expensive ones).

One other fact that would be useful. How many guys? Some places can absorb a large crowd better than others.

Thanks. There will be 8 - 10 of us.

I%26#39;m glad you did the priceline thing. It%26#39;s always worked well for me.

I have a non-downtown idea that I think you might find appealing, although maybe it might not be exactly what you%26#39;re looking for.

Hopworks Urban Brewery has some of the city%26#39;s best beers in my opinion, and the food is pretty darn incredible for the price. It%26#39;s also about 89 feet from a place called the Safari Club. The dancers are very--for the lack of a better term--predatory. You can buy goldfish at the bar and feed them to live piranhas. They have an outdoor pool for chrissakes. It%26#39;s pure debauchery. And Janine makes a mean Singapore Sling. SO I HEAR.

You can call Radio Cab at 503.227.1212 and ask them for the van--they%26#39;ll have no problem fitting you all in there.

For a night about 4 or 5 notches less crazy, then yeah: Rogue and then Dante%26#39;s. Mary%26#39;s--in my opinion--is too crowded lately on weekends to really enjoy it.

I%26#39;m not a big fan of Henry%26#39;s (despite it%26#39;s swanky ice bar and great service) but only because it%26#39;s PCR corporate.

If you want to be a total tourist then check out Kell%26#39;s on 2nd Ave. Or Rialto or Greek Cuisina. All three are great place for groups from out of town.