Portland

Jamie White: An atmospheric Italian-American restaurant, with the look, feel, and fantastic food that you’d expect at the buzziest Brooklyn hot spot.

Jamie White: A seductive underground lair lined with obscure malts from around the world.

Jamie White: Don’t miss the baked prunes with Taleggio, or the polenta with chicken thigh sugo, mozzarella, and poached egg.

Jamie White: Staff will deliver wine and popcorn straight to your seat.

Andy McMillan: This place transcends Foursquare tips. It is simply not possible to convey just how good this pizza is, or even suggest a pie that stands above the others. But order the margarita with truffle oil.

Andy McMillan: Start with tsukemono & kimchi, then follow with the ramen, straight up. As you leave, you may notice you're radiating a warm glow, accompanied by a feeling of complete fulfilment, but that's normal.

Andy McMillan: Order the Death by Sushi. And the Lotus Roll. Actually, everything else too. All of it. The lot. It's all incredible.

Andy McMillan: Picking a sandwich at Double Dragon is like falling in love. Sure, there are probably other options (read: sandwiches) out there, but once you've found true love (read: the pulled pork), who cares?

Andy McMillan: Good news, it's salami night! Order the salami board to start (omfg the talegio jesus h christ) and the salami pizza (its drizzled in mf'n honey) to follow. Tie it all together with an Old Fashioned.

Andy McMillan: If I ever find myself on death row and the guard asks what I want for my last meal, I'll snap his neck, break out of the prison and come here for the Classic Sweetheart Ham Benedict to celebrate.

Andy McMillan: Get the italian cured meats with peppers and provolone. No, the pulled pork with apple cabbage slaw, pickles and mustard. No, the meatball hero. Fuck it, get anything, it's all so, so good.

Andy McMillan: If you've scrolled this far through the tips and not decided to order the fried chicken and waffles, what the hell is wrong with you? Can't you take a hint?

Andy McMillan: Hands down the best bar in SW Portland. Taps change too regularly to nail a favourite, but the staff know their shit—tell them what you're into and prepare for some of the best beer you'll ever drink.

Andy McMillan: Pretty incredible tap list, pretty average food, pretty terrible service.

Andy McMillan: The half-plate of nachos are an absolute bargain. Practically a full meal. A full meal of nachos.

Andy McMillan: Beers, cocktails and a few midsized plates all $3 from 5-7pm every day. Pretty good bargain, especially if you order one of the larger sandwiches.

Andy McMillan: Oft considered the de-facto Portland experience ("oh, you have to go to Clyde Common!"), so it gets pretty packed. My tip: order a sazerac from the bar and take it out to the sofas in the Ace lobby.

Andy McMillan: Yep, omakase. Ranges from $15 - $30, but any amount paid seems to translate to "we'll feed you until you die". The kimchi, ojingoh, and pork buns are a definite highlight before your untimely demise.

Andy McMillan: Slow smoked pulled pork ramen with a slow poached egg and buttermilk fried chicken oh my good good yes do it.

Andy McMillan: Everyone will recommend the Asado Argentino, but also be sure to start with a cheese board, and end with a Rabid Mastiff. Quite possibly the best restaurant in Portland.

Andy McMillan: The breakfast sandwich is both award-winning, and served all day. Swap the bacon out for ham, grab a coffee, and start your day with a healthy dose of carbohydrates.

Andy McMillan: Yep. The Pork Meatball Bamh Mi, for sure. With a side of fries. They top them off with a little grated parmesan, so tasty. Oh, and root beer on tap! This place wins.

Andy McMillan: Roasted turkey with havarti, bacon, sweet onion, mayo, lettuce on sourdough and a root beer. Every. Single. Time.

Andy McMillan: If you're visiting Portland, consider extending your trip a few weeks to allow yourself time to work through every item on the menu. Alternatively, the Polenta & Sausage Ragu, and the Potatoes Bravas.

Andy McMillan: One of the best brunch spots in the city that no one seems to know about. Start with a Mixed Bag, then graduate to Mary’s Organic Fried Chicken & Waffles. Amazing Bloody Mary too.

Andy McMillan: The brioche dough alone is enough, but add that everything is fresh baked, organic and cooked in rice oil and you're on to a winner with just about anything from the rotating selection.

Andy McMillan: After extensive research I can indeed confirm, this is the greatest ice cream ever made by anyone in the history of ever. If it's on the board, try the pear with blue cheese. Amazing.

Andy McMillan: No power outlets if you're planning on planting for a while, but damn if that ain't the best cup of coffee you'll ever drink.

Andy McMillan: A great coffee shop to work from. If you're planning on planting for a while, grab the tables over to the left of the bar.