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Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Portland / Oregon

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OpenTable
Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Portland / Oregon? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Arden restaurant
4.9
4.9 (980)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Northwest Portland
About the restaurant
Arden is an idyllic retreat tucked into Portland's Pearl District. Arden delivers seasonal Pacific Northwest cuisine and an award-winning wine program featuring over 250 bottles, many with bottle age. Guests have the option to dine a la carte or enjoy the chef's prix fixe menu ($70): a shared experience that features 4 courses of seasonal cuisine. Coursed wine pairings are also available ($45).

Arden is named in homage to Shakespeare's famous forest - a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and appreciate nature's bounty and beauty. The restaurant invites you to take an exiting culinary adventure through the Pacific Northwest, and explore the incredible range of ingredients that the region has to offer.

Top review
Lauren
Dined today
Absolutely wonderful. Staff was kind and tentative. Food was some of the best I’ve had. Also love that I could see the food being made by the amazing chefs!
A photo of Don's Favorite Foods restaurant
4.9
4.9 (88)
$50 and over
Contemporary Italian
Beaverton
About the restaurant
Don’s Favorite Foods is a prix-fixe restaurant created by husband and wife team Chef Don Salamone and Kate Laurents in partnership with Sommelier Adam Galbraith.
We also offer cocktails courtesy of Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Benjamin "Banjo" Amberg.

Our Italian and French-influenced menu changes monthly and highlights dishes Don grew up with as well as those he mastered though his experiences working at Michelin-starred restaurants all over the country.

From Don: At Don’s, you may find gnocchi like my Ma used to make or Italian sausage modeled after my Godfather’s, Oreste “Ernie” Capone. You might also find scallops still in their shells, Oregon pork in the style of Braciole, and popovers I learned to make from my mother-in-law, Terry, because the Laurents family makes those every Christmas morning... beef tartare, sea urchin, caviar, etc too. These things are all my favorites.

We hope you’ll find some of your new (or old) favorites here too.

Top review
eileen
Dined 6 days ago
This was our first experience dining at Don's Favorite Foods, but it certainly will not be our last. Small, intimate, warm, inviting environment, where we were able to enjoy phenomenal food that was only surpassed by the amazing staff working there. We consider ourselves well educated and far traveled foodies and have always respected the Portland area for the diversity and quality of their restaurants. The background, experience and training of the staff were perfect and we were close enough to the kitchen to see how they operated much like an expensive Swiss watch, yet being done in a manner that was neither noisy or distracting. The team at Don's are extremely aware of what each attendee is expecting in terms of service, timing and delivery. Almost immediately we struck up very positive connections with the entire staff and enjoyed their recommendations, experiences and knowledge. Nothing was ever pushed upon us, rushed or having to wait too long. We really loved the fixed menu option, especially because sometimes restaurants offer too broad of a menu which often results in mediocre or lesser quality meals. In other words, quantity over quality. This fixed menu allows Chef Don to take the best of the best from local providers (very much a farm to table effort). which ensures that the food provided aligns with the very best of the season. We recommend you include the wine pairing as part of your experience. We started off ordering the 1/2 portion for each serving, but if/when we liked one we could ask for a full serving, which worked out perfectly. Oh yeah.....their drink menu (while very limited) is stellar as well). The Old Fashioned is one of the best around. For the both of us, this was the highlight of our short trip to Portland. Hope if you do go there that you are able to enjoy a dining experience similar to ours. Bottom line: Amazing.
A photo of Le Pigeon restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1617)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Southeast Portland
About the restaurant
Le Pigeon serves adventurous French-inspired food, along with a varied selection of wines in an intimate dining room on Portland’s East Burnside Street.
Top review
laurie
Dined 5 days ago
Great service, food and chatting with chefs made it a n experience. Wine pairings outstanding. Very relaxed long dinner experience.
A photo of Del Alma restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1832)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Corvallis
About the restaurant
Del Alma Restaurant, located in downtown Corvallis, offers an elegant yet warm and inviting dining atmosphere with a view of the riverfront. Del Alma translates to "of the soul", and the entire del Alma staff strives to create a dining experience that reflects their passion for excellent service, warm hospitality, and great food. The menu is inspired by the flavors and cuisines of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain and offers items ranging from tapas to full entrees. Del Alma brings its passion for the vibrant flavors of Latin America and pairs them with the offerings of the Pacific Northwest, using fresh ingredients from local markets, farms, and ranches. The bar hosts an array of libations ranging from south-of-the-border classics to contemporary cocktails, plus an interesting and food-friendly wine list featuring both Old and New World selections. Prix-fixe dinner specials are available on Wednesdays and pairing dinners are regularly featured.
Top review
Scottvip
Dined on Oct 31, 2024
We spent a special night having dinner at Del Alma. We are new to the area and took a chance. What luck we had. From the moment we entered until the moment we left, everyone was attentive and available to us even though they were busy. Great food at a reasonable price for this level of service. The ambiance was awesome. Clean, teared seating with a modern feel.
A photo of Kennedy's Steakhouse restaurant
4.8
4.8 (107)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Eugene
About the restaurant
On the corner of Pearl and 5th Street you'll find the newest addition to the Eugene restaurant landscape, Kennedy's Steakhouse. Kennedy's strives to bring guests an elevated, yet personable dining experience.

The space has been transformed into a captivating blend of vintage allure and contemporary design. Step inside to discover a welcoming dining area adorned with plush booths and elegant tables, a well-crafted, beautifully appointed bar, and an exclusive private dining space.

At Kennedy's, the menu shines with 28-day wet-aged steaks expertly seasoned, an abundant variety of succulent seafood options, classic steakhouse sides, and fresh salads. Indulge in the experience of our martini cart, serving your favorite martini tableside. To ensure the perfect pairing, Kennedy's also offers an extensive wine menu selection both by the glass and bottle.

Top review
Kenneth
Dined today
This was my 3rd visit to Kennedy's I have yet to be disappointed. The entire staff always ensures we have a nice meal in a great atmosphere. My newest favorite place in Eugene.
A photo of St Jack restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2610)
$31 to $50
French
Northwest Portland
About the restaurant
After 14-plus years, St. Jack has become an iconic staple of the PDX dining scene, in the wonderfully walkable "Slabtown" neighborhood of NW Portland. Chef and restaurateur Aaron Barnett's unique menu features rustic dishes from the countryside of Lyon - the heart and soul of French cooking.

We are excited to offer full service inside, as well as outside on our sidewalk tables (weather permitting). We also allow walk-up guests as space allows - Fridays and Saturdays it is highly recommended to make reservations.

Our full menu is also available at the bar counter.

Top review
Verne
Dined 5 days ago
This restaurant was listed by the New York Times as one of the 25 best restaurants in Portland, so we had to try it. The place had an energetic vibe with its open kitchen, and it was packed with diners. The food was beyond excellent - one of the best dinners we've ever had in Portland.
A photo of Bistro Maison restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1178)
$31 to $50
French
McMinnville
About the restaurant
This authentic French bistro has been located in the heart of Historic Downtown McMinnville since January 2003. Owners operators Deborah & Jean-Jacques Chatelard have decades of solid success in the NYC landmarks of Cafe des Artist, Lowell Hotel, the Essex House Hotel, Russian Tea Room, & Ferrier. The huge success of this restaurant is largely based on repeat visits from the savvy food & wine centric local, Portland, Salem and coastal clientele. Providing a real "family" feel which the best restaurants foster is present and embracing from your arrival.

Jean-Jacques' emphasizes the use of outstanding locally sourced foods to prepare the bistro classics He also provides a modern twist to the market driven French-American daily specials. Items include coq au vin, moules or steak frites, cassoulet, duck confit, steak tartar, white truffle fondue, and his stellar repertoire of soup and sauces.

We welcome you to our Bistro & our Maison.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Oct 27, 2024
The staff and food at Bistro Maison are amazing! The fondue was outstanding, and the salad was great. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
A photo of Paradiso at the Grand Theatre restaurant
4.7
4.7 (227)
$31 to $50
French
Salem
About the restaurant
Intimate dining space for inspired French and Latin fusion.
Top review
Liatris
Dined 7 days ago
We eat at Paradiso frequently. Last night was particularly lovely; it felt like winter is on the way, and we were warm and well fed inside, watching the hallowe'en celebrants walk by. The food is consistently excellent. The decor is Deco and the music suits the atmosphere. The bar is excellent with interesting cocktails and well made standards. Robyn, our usual waitress, was as friendly and attentive as ever and always remembers us and recommends anything new. She has never steered us wrong. We recommend for a special eating experience.
A photo of The Painted Lady restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1700)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Newberg
About the restaurant
Oregon's only AAA four diamond and Forbes four star restaurant, The Painted Lady in Newberg offers a seasonal tasting menu nightly celebrating the products of their local neighbors- Oregon's world class ranchers, farmers and vintners. Inspired by the grand tradition of restoring Victorian homes across America, the restaurant uses classic culinary techniques to create a stunning modern menu. With timeless grace and a contemporary palate, The Painted Lady is more than a restaurant, it is an experience to remember.
Top review
Michael
Dined 5 days ago
Painted Lady is a lovely time. Incredible service and presentation of some real stand-out food.
A photo of Urban Fondue restaurant
4.5
4.5 (2063)
$31 to $50
Fondue
Downtown
About the restaurant
Urban Fondue offers a unique perspective to fondue dining. From the indulgent cuisine, and boldly delicious and extensive martini selections, to the chic and smoldering décor and expert and personable service, Urban Fondue is a feast for the senses. Enjoy house made cheese fondue, succulent meat entrees cooked "fondue" style and delectable dessert fondues accompanied with side dishes such as fingerling potatoes and garlic sausage.
Top review
Holly
Dined 3 days ago
Took all the managers out to dinner. It was a great time. The food was fabulous. It was an experience. We laughed for hours.
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