portland. TRICKY

Someone wrote:

>I have a real tricky one here for all of you.  i really hope that someone can
>be of help.  A good friend of mine is going to be getting married this summer
>off in the Portland Oregon area.  The wedding party is hoping to find an
>appropriate setting to throw a small get together (perhaps about ten people
>total).  What we're most interested is a combination of good food and fresh
>beer.  I don't suppose that there is such a thing as a Mobile rated brewpub?
>We're all pretty eclectic in our tastes, so the style of the place really
>doesn't matter too much, as long as we can have a really memorable get
>together.

>and while people are at it, if anyone can recommend good mexican in the Phoenix
>az. area, could you please drop me a line.

>thanks in advance,

>			richard

I'm not sure you can get reservations, but the best food/beer combination is probably B. Moloch in downtown Portland. They have a brick oven and make their own breads/designer pizza, etc. In addition, they are the site of the second Widmer brewery and offer Widmer and other micros on draught. They unquestionably have the best food.

Probably the best solution for a wedding party, however, would be The Power Station, McMeanamin's brewpub/theatre/winery/meeting rooms/ bed & breakfast. They are a little east of town, in Troutdale. I'm not a great personal fan of McMenamin's beer, but  many others are. Call (503) 669-8610 for information.

--Jeff Frane

Try the Heathman Bakery downtown.  Serving brewed-right-on-the-premises Widmer beer & other Northwest favorites, it should satisfy any beer lover.  The food ranges from gourmet Wofgang Puck-style pizza with amazing selection of toppings (can someone help me out here, it's been a while since I've been there) They've also got a full menu that will satisfy most tastes & great desserts & a fairly substantial wine selection.   The atmosphere is stylish-cafeteria, and you'll need to push a few tables together, and on a Friday or Saturday night the bar crowd overflows into the restaurant.  It's a happy, friendly mix of people, though, so it should be pleasant.