Navarre

"For decades, this Northeast 28th charmer has been a tightly-packed, intimate-but-festive locale for shellfish steamed with white wine and saffron, house pates served with sliced baguette, and slices of cake served with tea or digestifs. Menus change seasonally and plates are meant to be shared; do not leave without one of the vegetable gratins, however. If the night is going well, grab an after-dinner cocktail at Angel Face next door." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden, Thom Hilton

"This Northeast 28th European restaurant’s weekend brunch has been a staple in Portland for years, and it is just as good as ever. Sure, visits may involve standards like Benedicts and omelets — however, the Benedicts will come with things like cod cakes or collard rabe, and the omelets will arrive filled with seasonal vegetables like fava greens. Dishes rotate frequently; seafood here is often a treat, be it mussels and clams steamed in saffron-scented white wine or a simple cut of fresh halibut with aioli. Seating is available in the intimate, bustling dining room or on the patio. Brunch runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays." - Rebecca Roland, Brooke Jackson-Glidden, Paolo Bicchieri

"This Northeast 28th European restaurant’s weekend brunch has been a staple in Portland for years, and it is just as good as ever. Sure, visits may involve standards like Benedicts and omelets — however, the Benedicts will come with things like cod cakes or collard rabe, and the omelets will arrive filled with seasonal vegetables like fava greens. Dishes rotate frequently; seafood here is often a treat, be it mussels and clams steamed in saffron-scented white wine or a simple cut of fresh halibut with aioli. Seating is available in the intimate, bustling dining room or on the patio. Brunch runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden, Jenni Moore

"Navarre is a step away from strictly French-focused fare, relying on a general European influence through a range of rotating small and large plates with Old World wines in a dimly-lit, date-worthy atmosphere. If diners aren’t wedged together inside and clinking glasses among tableside candles and shelves of wine bottles, they’re likely grazing on the patio, taking in the bustle of this busy 28th Street nook. Order dishes a la carte like rabbit compote, watermelon radish salads, and braised lamb by ”checkmarking” your items on a paper menu, which helps servers navigate the crazier weekend evenings." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden, Katrina Yentch

"With a menu featuring French, Spanish, and Italian small and large plates, Navarre tastes and feels like a neighborhood European restaurant, with an ever-changing menu. Recent notable dishes have included winter chicory and pear salad with smokey citrus dressing, grilled steak with brandy cream sauce and dry-cured ham, and gateau Basque. With about 50 wines available in half pours, the restaurant allows visitors to taste a variety of different imports relatively inexpensively." - Thom Hilton, Nick Woo