Portland’s Best Restaurants and Bars, Spring 2025 | Eater Portland

"In his years at Le Pigeon, chef-owner Gabriel Rucker often molds the casual or unexpected into a fine dining format, from fried chicken to coconut shrimp. More than 15 years after its opening, Le Pigeon is as inventive as ever, thanks in part to the recent appointment of former Canard chef de cuisine Dana Francisco to head chef. A tasting menu might involve courses like beef carpaccio invigorated with habanada peppers and crowned with thinly shaved matsutakes, or sturgeon pastrami circled with a Swiss cheese and caviar sauce. While Rucker has consistently revamped his tasting menus over the years, the finale — a foie gras profiterole — remains a testament to Rucker’s cheeky culinary style. Vegetarian tasting menus are available." - Katherine Chew Hamilton