Earl Ninsom's regional Thai tasting counter in Portland, hidden behind sister restaurant Phuket Cafe with 33 seats and two seatings a night.
Tip: Reservations open monthly on Resy. The five-course menu rotates by Thai region and changes every six weeks.
Address: 1818 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210
The pan-Asian rooftop at The Nines in downtown Portland, with two outdoor decks looking at Mount Hood and a tasting menu available on weekends.
Tip: Tasting menu is available Thursday to Saturday by request when booking. The view at sunset is the point.
Peter Cho and Sun Young Park's prix-fixe Korean dinner in the Kerns neighbourhood of Portland, served at communal tables in a converted live/work space.
Tip: Dinner Thursday to Saturday is prix-fixe. Sunday brunch and Friday lunch open the door for a la carte and easier bookings.
Duane Sorenson's Italian dining room on SE Division in Portland, with Italian wine list, market-driven pastas and a vegetable-led tasting menu.
Tip: The bar takes walk-ins for the full menu. Order the vegetable antipasti as a starter even if the menu pushes pasta first.
The plant-led Middle Eastern dining room on East Burnside in Portland, with a chef's selection menu of mezze, lamb shoulder and seasonal vegetables.
Tip: Order the chef's selection menu for the table. The covered patio is the best seat in summer.
James Beard winner Gabriel Rucker's communal-table French in Portland, with a chef's tasting available at the counter for spontaneous diners.
Tip: Three communal tables take reservations on Tock. The chef's counter is walk-in only and turns over from 17:00.
