Classic Portland with a Twist: Creative Takes on Traditional Cuisine at Some of Downtown's Most Beloved Dining Spots
Marilyn is a world premiere full-length ballet choreographed by Oregon Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director Dani Rowe, the company’s first woman AD, with an original score by Shannon Rugani and co-produced with BalletMet and Tulsa Ballet. This production calls for a night of retro cocktails, midcentury glamour, and a chef’s personalized spin on classic Portland dining. You will want to dress up for this one.
ACT I: The Driftwood Room
729 SW 15th Avenue, Portland
A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but the Pretty in Pink (vodka, Chambord, lime, and Lillet Blanc) is a balletgoer’s best friend. To be honest, you can hardly go wrong trying to capture Old Hollywood vibes with any of the options at the Driftwood Room, a dimly lit little time capsule of retro elegance straight out of the movies. Not in the mood for something pink? Try a Clint Eastwood (bourbon, Cynar, orange bitters) or an Elizabeth Taylor (champagne and Crème de Violette) instead. The Driftwood Room is in the Hotel deLuxe, where portraits of rising stars of the silver screen adorn the walls left and right; sip your cocktail while people-watching in the elegant lobby or cozy up in a back booth in the bar. Either way, Portland has no better bar to channel your inner Marilyn.
ACT II: The Tavern at the Heathman Hotel
1001 SW Broadway, Portland
For dinner, hop the MAX one stop or take a short stroll down SW Yamhill to the Heathman, where you will be close enough to the theater to linger over your meal, celebrating some of Marilyn’s favorite dishes without rushing. “I must be part rabbit,” she laughingly told Pageant magazine in a 1952 interview about her diet and exercise tips. “I never get bored with raw carrots.” The actor ate them nearly every night. We think she would be delighted by executive chef Andrew Shedden’s bright, flavorful Carrot Tartare, an elegant trio of carrot flavors—a roasted puree, a fresh salad, and a pickled garnish—tasty enough to convert even the carrot-neutral. Our table ordered extra bread just to scoop up every last speck. The Root Vegetable Pot Pie continues the theme, with a mountain of veggies—including some addictively caramelized roast carrots—tumbling out of their puff pastry lid, bathed in a spicy coconut curry.
ACT III: Huber’s
411 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland
Founded in 1879, Portland’s oldest restaurant features unchanged-in-a-century decor—a brass-and-mahogany aesthetic with stained glass skylights. The menu is extensive, but let us not kid ourselves: You’re here for the Spanish Coffee. Dapper, dextrous waitstaff set Triple Sec and rum ablaze tableside and then extinguish it with Kahlúa, each with applause-worthy sleight-of-hand, before topping it with coffee, whipped cream, and a dusting of nutmeg. The beverage has been a Portland staple since the 1970s, and it still holds up alongside one of Marilyn’s favorite sweet treats, such as the Chocolate Mousse or the Ice Cream Sundae, and pairs well with the late-night happy hour menu.
Pre-matinee Brunch: The Daily Feast
837 SW 11th Avenue, Portland
