(sheratonportlandairport.com/columbia-grill-and-bar) – Sheraton Portland Airport, Portland, Oregon

How I heard of this place: We stayed at the hotel. We ate at the hotel.

Type of cuisine: “Northwest cuisine using local, high quality ingredients.”

Ambiance: A hotel restaurant, found in the lobby, the Columbia Grill & Bar features a small bar, ample seating immediately off the lobby and, as well as more intimate dining in the large room behind the bar, towards the kitchen. Soft instrumental music plays in the background as the bur bur carpets and dark-wood fixtures maintain the standard corporate setting.

What I ordered: I nibbled on the bread and butter from the bread basket,

and shared the Artichoke-Spinach Dip ($10.50),

while my husband savored the Baby Back Ribs ($26.50), slow braised and finished on the char-broiler with house-made espresso bourbon BBQ sauce, served over mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Our dining companion – celebrating her birthday – selected the house special ($35) 14-ounce steak served with crab cakes, mashed potatoes and asparagus.

For dessert, one Warm Fudge Brownie ($7.25) with chocolate sauce over vanilla ice cream for the birthday girl,

and a Hand-Dipped Vanilla Milkshake ($4.50).

On a return visit, Friday, March 28, 2014: I returned for a breakfast buffet on our last morning at the Sheraton, and indulged in a handful of their buffet options: from oatmeal with brown sugar to fresh fruit and juices, not to mention the crispy bacon and home fries. I did, however, order two eggs, over medium from the kitchen, as buffet “scrambled eggs” seem a little too unlike egg to me.

What I loved: The ample vanilla bean flavor in the milkshake!

Why I loved it: Convenience.

Cost: High ($13.75 – $32.25 per dinner entree)

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