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A Culinary Overture: Amélie

Whimsy and Adventure: Expect the Unexpected on this Colorful Tour of Some of Northeast Portland's Most Delectable Hidden Gems

Portland Playhouse’s upcoming season kicks off with a musical based on the beloved 2001 film of the same name. Quirky, dreamy hero Amélie Poulain is a romantic at heart; in her honor, we celebrate cozy neighborhood hangouts, adventurous menus, and an appreciation for beauty on the plate. Bon appétit!

ACT I: Expatriate

5424 NE 30th Avenue, Portland

Our journey begins at Expatriate, a travel-themed cocktail bar created by the late and much-beloved Portland culinary icon Naomi Pomeroy, whose dazzling global menu of “drinking snacks” ranges from James Beard’s Onion & Butter Sandwich to a Burmese tea leaf salad. The cocktail menu is equally inspired, though the Diplomatic Pouch, a bespoke beverage crafted just for you on the spot, might tempt the most adventurous drinkers. I would go back again just for the Amélie, a fresh, fizzy, pink-hued concoction created for our readers by Daniel and Andy behind the bar. It is the perfect start to your night.
Gabi’s Caesar. Photo by One Haus Creative, Kelsey Curtis.

ACT II: Gabbiano’s

5411 NE 30th Avenue, Portland

In the film, we see Amélie, who takes pleasure in finding the magic in simple things, make herself a dinner of pasta with butter and cheese. Gabbiano’s, which translates to “seagull” in Italian, is a quirky Cully neighborhood spot with a bright pink door. Chef Liz Serrone cooks up playful twists on unpretentious Italian classics; it is the kind of place server Amélie would enjoy, a comfortable neighborhood spot where the recipes blend affectionate nostalgia with humor and whimsy. The French always appreciate a good salad, and Gabi’s Caesar is the perfect starter—crisp Little Gem lettuce comdraped in just the right balance of garlic, lemon, and anchovy, dusted with crunchy crumbs so you do not have to go fishing for croutons. The Agnolotti Carbonara, pillowy seasoned ricotta-stuffed rectangles sprinkled with pea shoots and pancetta in a lush sauce you will want to lick off the plate, is a decadent but unfussy upgrade on Amélie’s buttered noodles with cheese.

The Amélie. Photo courtesy of Pix Pâtisserie.

ACT III: The Pix Pâtisserie “Pix-O-Matic”

2225 E Burnside Street, Portland

All right, fine, this one is nowhere near the theater. But we promise it is worth it. Can Bar (formerly Bar Vivant) is the only brick-and-mortar location in the city to obtain Pix Pâtisserie’s iconic sweets, thanks to the 24-hour “Pix-O-Matic” vending machine in the driveway. That means if you want to celebrate Amélie by enjoying a single-serve version of chef Cheryl Wakerhauser’s award-winning cake, inspired by the film and named The Amélie, to East Burnside you go. (Unless you think ahead and pre-order a whole cake to eat at home in your pajamas, which can be done through Pix’s website, and for which, none of us would judge you.) This delectable concoction, winner of the Patis France Chocolate Competition, combines a Grand Marnier-spiked crème brûlée (favorite dessert of Amélie herself!) with glazed chocolate mousse, caramelized hazelnuts, praline crisp, and orange liqueur génoise. There is no better way to end your night out.

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