"Portland’s popular collection of Scandinavian restaurants extends east with this Hood River outpost, with a Nordic brunch menu that arguably tops the in-town offerings. Inside this dining room, tucked in downtown’s historic Hood River Hotel, diners can find round Danish aebleskiver pancakes with lingonberry jam and lemon curd or chevre-stuffed lefse topped with runny eggs, complemented by cardamom-scented coffee or a dill-aquavit-spiked bloody mary. During lunch, opt for gravlax-topped smørrebrød open-faced sandwiches or Swedish meatballs, particularly nice alongside a flight of regional and international aquavit like Portland’s Krogstad, Älskar from Seattle, and Icelandic Brennivín." - Molly Allen