book this hotelDining in Portland
Abu Rasheed Lebanese Restaurant
1921 SW 6th Ave.
503 274-4412
The dream began 20 years ago in a small deli called Sahara. Restaurant entrepreneur Nabil Shaer decided to bring a little taste of his hometown in Southern Lebanon to the streets of Downtown Portland, Oregon. With traditional family recipes and a lot of hard work Nabil won the hearts and the stomachs of Portlands evergrowing community. At Abu Rasheed's (formerly Sahara) we believe that cooking is an art. Thats why we believe in using only the finest and freshest ingredients to prepare our savory selections. Our traditional family recipes have been preserved over many generations and our dishes are reminicent of those served on the famous ocean-front Rouche in Beirut, Lebanon. Together with our generous Lebanese hospitality and delicious cuisine, Abu Rasheed's has captured the essence of traditional Lebanese dining for over 20 years.
Al-Amir
233 SW Stark St.
503 274-0010
The food is largely traditional Middle Eastern fare, but each dish is surprisingly subtle, complex and full of flavor. The lentil soup is lighter than you'd expect and resonant with lemon. To get a good idea of what Al-Amir is all about, the Lebanese Tour comes with hummus, strangely smoky baba ghanouj, impeccable grape leaves, tabbouleh, falafel and a choice of entrée.
Baan-Thai
1924 Broadway
503 224-8424
You can always tell a great Thai joint by its peanut sauce. And this popular Portland State University hangout doesn't disappoint, with a version you'd be just as happy to eat alone with a soupspoon or poured on a vast selection of curries, stir-fries and regional specialties. For real flavor, opt for the Thai Jungle ($8.50-$12.50), a generous plate of steamed veggies and meat in an avalanche of nutty goodness. Fresh salad rolls ($4) offer tightly bundled vegetables, while the som tum salad ($8) delivers a lip-tingly blend of papaya, chilies, dried shrimp and lime.
