(songbirdpdx.com) – Mt. Tabor neighborhood, Portland, Oregon

How I heard of this place: We were set to meet up with a good friend who also chose this establishment, on the Portland Dining Month list of participating restaurants, and one of her favorite breakfast spots in the city.

Type of cuisine: “songbird is about fresh NW food, farm to table, and neighborhood-y, friendly service.

songbird  is open for brunch, lunch, happy hour! and dinner.  

Only touching on the goodness that is in store … we serve Stumptown Coffee and house made pastries in the morning, along with a full brunch menu. Lunch is healthy, hearty greens, amazing burgers and delicious sandwiches. Happy Hour is just that, very happy with a selection from our lunch and dinner menus and drink specials. Dinner offers a delectable array of small and large shared plates, complemented by an extensive wine and cocktail list. Innovative specials for brunch, lunch, and dinner, daily.”

Ambiance: Set in what seems to be a newer housing complex on a quiet, residential street near the hiking trails and beauty of Mount Tabor, songbird is truly a hidden gem known mostly to local-locals. This neighborhood eatery offers limited seating in its small, yet cozy establishment with an artistic feel and brightness made more apparent with natural light streaming through the open windows. The bar, hardly separate from the restaurant meets the dining area back to back, recessed lighting giving a romantic air as the sun begins to set over the outdoor patio. The colorful food served on ceramic, white plates giving a true color palate to each dish.

What I ordered: I opted to share with my dining companions, while soothing my throat and stomach with a large cup of Harmony Tea, an infusion of peppermint, cardamom, lemongrass, ginger root, black pepper, and licorice root.

My husband ordered off of the fixed price menu, a three course meal ($29) beginning with a Roasted Beet Salad with Baby Greens, Housemade Ricotta and Popped Quiona,

followed by Potato Gnocchi with seasonal vegetables (including rainbow chard, fennel) and sage brown butter,

and topping the meal off with a Chocolate Pot d’ Creme, a salted caramel flavor topped with fresh whipped cream and served with two gluten-free coconut chocolate chip cookies.

Our dining companion selected the Lamb Meatballs in a tangy Tomato-Onion Sauce sprinkled with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese ($9) and three large leaves of arugula,

and the Draper Valley Chicken, roasted with fennel, apples, cream and pan sauce (1/4 bird $12, ½ bird $18). 

What I loved: The potato gnocchi dish with the fresh and creative flavors of the bitter chard against the roasted fennel, the light and airy quality of the gnocchi against the buttery, silky sautéed greens. Yum.

Why I loved it: A friendly, neighborhood establishment we likely would not have come across on our own, a hidden gem of a treasure found in Mt. Tabor, where neighbors walk over for a drink, a meal or just to say hi.

Cost: Average ($15 – $23 per dinner entree)

Tags: Featured