Where to Eat and Drink in Portland’s Pearl District
"MEC, as its known, is arguably the crown jewel of the Sesame Collective restaurant group, roasting coffee-rubbed sweet potatoes and shawarma-spiced cauliflower in its 700-degree oven. Begin with an assortment of meze, like crispy-lamb-topped hummus, house-made labneh, or beef bacon-wrapped dates; from there, pick a few grilled items — chermoula-rubbed shrimp, hawaij-spiced carrots — to complement dishes from the oven. Smaller groups can enjoy food and drinks in the sleek subway tiled bar, with bare Edison lights dripping from the ceiling." - Maya MacEvoy, Thom Hilton
