I believe I have mentioned before that I live pretty much right next door to CBar, so I tend to frequent it quite often. What can I say? It is convenient, I am lazy, and I love every single person that works there.

This weekend I tried a new item on the menu: Bacon Potato Cakes with Poached Eggs and crema.

It was amazing. It was just the thing I needed to help me overcome my jello shot hangover from the night before. The cakes are more like croquettes, really light on the inside. I didn’t really get a lot of bacon in them, but I was too hungry to really give a shit. The crema on the plate is citrus-y and totally necessary to brighten the cakes. There is also two giant pieces of slab ham underneath those cakes. This is a huge breakfast, I didn’t even finish half of it.

Also what I love about CBar: Giant Mimosas. Do you see this bad boy? There is like half a bottle of champagne in there. A word to the wise: If you are hungover, have ONE, not TWO. If you have one you will be fine, if you have two you will stumble home, watch Legends of the Fall for the billionth time, and cry your face off all day. Don’t ask me how I know this.

Salmon Tartare.

Having seen and heard the hype about this new, super-posh, catch-inspired addition to the Pearl, I made reservations for myself and my entire family for my sister’s graduation dinner. Had I realized that this dinner was the same night as the Starlight Parade I may have chosen a restaurant on the other side of town all together, and would have missed out on this inventively fresh and appealing dining experience.

Sea Bass Tartare.

I did not have the most adventurous eaters with me, however everyone at the table was a sushi fan, and therefore willing to sample every single thing on the raw menu. The Salmon Tartare, the Sea Bass Tartare, and the Salmon Carpaccio were bright, fresh, and we pretty much licked the plates.

Salmon Carpaccio.

I did not sample the oysters, but they looked delicious and did not go to waste.

My vegetarian sister ordered these salt-cured, grilled prawns and did not expect them to come with their heads on. She freaked out, it was just a minor scene, no big deal. She ate asparagus, potatoes and brussels off the side menu and seemed fine. I am kind of a mean sister for making reservations at a meat-dominated venue, but whatever, all the upscale restaurants are meat-centric. It’s just the way it is.

My Steelhead Salmon with crispy skin. I ate it, skin and all. It was decadent.

Half an Herb-Roasted Chicken.

Several people had the  chicken, and I didn’t hear any complaining. It was pretty salty though, so I have to say  my salmon was better.

All in all, the service was fabulous and our server was very attentive. The drinks were good, except they use a GIANT ice cube the size of your glass which seems to reduce drink volume by a considerable amount. I appreciate the aesthetics though.

Overall:

- Parking sucks, so account for that if you have a reservation.

- Don’t take a vegetarian.

- Order everything. It’s all good.

I believe this one was the “Horsey Mary” named for the extra horseradish, I would believe.

Everyone’s favorite special: Crab Cake Eggs Benedict with Asparagus and roasted potatoes. I swear the lemony hollondaise sauce on these bad boys is foodgasm worthy.

Here we have their famous Huevos Rancheros after being massacred by my husband who apparently needs to cut everything on his plate into tiny little bites before he eats it. (Rolls eyes).

And the basic eggs, chicken sausage, potato and toast breakfast for the kiddo:

The chicken sausage is particularly good. It has lots of sweet apple and a little bit of pepper. Yum.

I love Genies, but I rarely go there for brunch on the weekends because it is always so busy, there is almost always a line out front. That never bodes well for one with a hungry child with them. Your best bet is to try to hit them up during the weekdays. Open 8-3 daily.

I am going to come right out and say this: I love CBar. I really do. I live just down the street so it would be an understatement to say that my friends and neighbors and I spend an inordinant amount of time there.

I love the bartenders, I love the drinks,  I love the cooks, I love their burgers. Love it. I do have to say that their drinks and drinking atmosphere outweigh the food to some degree, but no matter! CBar is still a great hangout!

They have a great cocktail menu, literally one of the only in town where I would be happy to order pretty much anything. My favorite is the Whiskey Snap: Makers Mark, ginger ale and a healthy heap of fresh shredded ginger root. Served on the rocks:

I order their burger pretty much any time I dine there. They have other tempting things on their menu such as Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Chimichurri Hanger Steak, but those never seem to tempt me as much as their good ‘ol burger.

The burger comes with the fresh staples: tomato, onion, butter lettuce, your choice of cheese and house-made aioli. You also get your choice of soup/salad/fries so you can go as heavy or as light as you want.

CBar also offers brunch from 10-3 on the weekends, and allows minors until 10PM, so feel free to bring the kiddos, or stumble in on the weekends for a giant mimosa or spicy Bloody Mary.

Each course is paired with a brew from a local brewery. This month the contributing brewers were Migration Brewery. I am in LOVE with their 8.9% grapefruity Belgian ale. Let me tell you….

First we had the pastrami cured gravlox on a crostini atop a bed of lightly dressed arugula and red onion salad. The gravlox packed a flavor punch to be sure, and were perfectly paired with the tangy dressed herbs.

I’m not going to lie, the star of the night was the sashimi napoleon. Extremely fresh ahi cut to order and layered with edamame hummus, crunchy wontons, mint leaves and a sweet soy reduction. SO AMAZING.

I can’t exactly remember what this was other than the fact that it was delicious. This is a testament to how much fun I was drinking the beer. Heh.

I’m pretty sure it was pork belly with a carrot and jicama slaw served with natural gravy. I think.

By dessert I unfortunately was stuffed and had to run home to rescue my babysitter. However, the best part of the night was the fact that all the proceeds went to benefit RIDE ON. The service that drives you and your car home from the bar for a flat $10 rate in SE Portland.  Thanks RIDE ON, for keeping me and others safe.

Where Bridgeport once touted pretty typical pub food: Burgers, Salads, Pizzas- they now have a eclectic collection of Asian-inspired dishes along with some other new and fancy items, and of course some of the tried and true favorites as well.

Their rice bowls are to die for. I don’t know what goes into the sauce but it is sweet and tangy and not too salty. You can order them vegetarian or not, and they are sure to please either way.

The hummus platter was standard but good with lots of olives and cucumbers.

Bone marrow! Totally new item. This was delicious but a little messy, I must say. It was so tempting however, that even my 4-year-old had some. This stuff is high in calories, but great for nutrients- and I would definitely recommend ordering it. Just ask for extra napkins first.

This will be the first of many more trips to check out Bridgeport’s new menu. Everything is priced reasonably and they have a kid menu for your picky little kiddos.

Roasted vegetable tower.

Truffle Fries.

Amuse bouche of white bean soup with olive oil and parsley.

White bean salad with braised pork shoulder and spicy arugula.

Humboldt Fog cheese with poached pears and walnuts.

…. as usual, more to come once I get my act together!