Brett F.
Yelp
This is for the cocktail program only, though I have had lunch here as well (which is delicious, but with serious tourist pricing). When people ask for the best cocktails in Portland, the answers rarely surprise: Blyth and Burrows usually leads the list, followed by some combination of the Armory, Hunt and Alpine, Via Vecchia, Sagamore Hill, Independent Ice. Maybe North Point, Bramhall, Paper Tiger, Jewel Box, or Bar Chocolate. Heck, maybe even Luna in this hotel. But, and hear me out before you call me crazy...I think the best pure cocktails might be in this Hilton-owned lobby hotel bar.
Salt Yard hired a local mixology genius, who previously created the menu at the under-the-radar Sonder and Dram, to create their bar program. The result is a dozen of the most creative, local, and cohesive cocktails in the city. As much as I love Blyth and Burrows, I rarely ever know what I'm actually drinking there. It's beyond me. Salt Yard has an elevated program that is still approachable. Their version of the Old Fashioned includes Moxie, the divisive state soda, in addition to orange bitters and Fernet. Somehow, it works. Another bourbon cocktail is washed in brown butter Maine lobster fat before being mixed with Amaro and vermouth. Crazy, but delicious! The espresso martini is concocted from local coffee shop beans, Plantation Rum, Griffin's coffee liquor and chipotle molasses syrup. Other cocktails include Hardshore Gin and local ciders. The prices, at $13-$18, push my tolerance, but it's the rare occurrence where I think it's worth it. Even the $9 happy hour deals on weekdays (from 4-6 pm) are unique. Vodka, Tequila and Bourbon are creatively infused. You pick your infused liquor and pick a fruit mixer for a wildly colorful, and sneakily strong, beverage.
Don't get me wrong, the Salt Yard bar isn't a scene. It'll be quiet, and anyone there will be a tourist. For a lively bar experience I'd go anywhere named above. But if you ask me for the best cocktails in Portland, this is my surprising pick.