Old Spaghetti Factory - Clackamas, Portland, Hillsboro

From velvet armchairs to vintage-looking fringed lamps, this fun, personality restaurant is just the ticket for a family friendly meal. The Spaghetti Factory has a kids menu with smaller versions of their adult dishes, featuring multiple types of spaghetti, as well as macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwich. For myself, I enjoy the browned butter and mizithra cheese spaghetti or the baked lasagna, with it's layers of noodles, tomato sauce and four kinds of cheese. Meals also include a salad, bread and ice cream.

For more info, go to:
www.osf.com

California Pizza Kitchen - Clackamas Town Center, Bridgeport Village

Even before I had a child, I loved California Pizza Kitchen! Great diverse menu, extensive drink list and a family friendly environment makes this one of the places that I can go with a group of friends or with my family to have a great meal. A kids menu (CPKids) with pizza, pasta, chicken, salad and sweets options for kids under 10 years old is affordable and delicious. My daughter usually goes for the cheese pizza, but there are also options like fusilli pasta with tomato sauce and chicken breast with broccoli. For adults, there are pizzas, salads, pastas and other entrees...it's a broad menu, so you are likely to find something for everyone. My favorites are the pizza with goat cheese, roasted red and yellow peppers, grilled eggplant, fresh mozzarella, caramelized onions, italian parsley, and tomato sauce. As well as the original BBQ chopped chicken salad. One thing to mention, these portions are HUGE, so splitting the salad and pizza is perfect for two people...and you will probably still have leftovers :)

For more info, go to:
www.cpk.com

Laughing Planet - SE Belmont, NW 21st, N Mississippi, SW Vermont, SE Woodstock, NW 9th

For inexpensive, healthy food, the Laughing Planet is the place to go. For less than $8, you can get a burrito stuffed with healthy and usually organic goodness like beans, spinach, edamame, and whatever else is fresh. You can also add chicken, tofu or tempeh to any burrito, as well as sour cream and guacamole. Not a burrito fan? Laughing Planet also offers bowls, salads, soups and quesadillas. The restaurant is definitely vegetarian and vegan friendly, although meat eaters can also get their fix.

This is a great place for kids, with toys usually lying around the restaurant on tables. With their healthy, but delicious food, kids will surely find something they want to eat. Items like mini-burritos, mini-quesadillas and taters & cheese are good kid pleasers!

For more info, go to:
www.laughingplanetcafe.com

Pix Patisserie - SE Portland/N Portland

Yum Yum and another Yum! Located at 3402 SE Division St in Portland, with a second location on North Williams, this delectable and artistic place for desserts goes above and beyond by creating edible masterpieces. If you're looking for something sweet to bring home for a night in with your sweetie or a place to go to enjoy a dessert together, this is a great option...and what kid doesn't like dessert?...no matter how fancy it is :)

Treats like the Tiki Tiki features passion fruit mousse-filled sponge cake, while the Aphrodite includes a cherry mousse, chocolate mousse, a single drunken cherry and moscato-soaked chocolate flourless biscuit all hidden inside a crisp chocolate shell. A small range of light bites and panini is also available. For beverages you can enjoy one of over 30 beers, a tasty dessert wine or Batdorf & Bronson coffee.

At their North Williams location, you can see a free movie at Monday Movie Madness, or go by on Thursday for Flight Night where various themed pours of unique liquors, wines and beer are just $10 with some education to boot.

Sure, these desserts are a bit of a pricey, but for a special dessert or night it's a great option.

For more info, go to:
www.pixpatisserie.com

Vault Martini Bar - Pearl District

Located in the heart of the Pearl District, Vault Martini Bar has a sophisticated, but relaxed vibe where you can enjoy a wide array of martinis and other cocktails. Plush couches, raised tables with stools and cozy corner booths give you a range of options to sit and enjoy any one of more than 50 martinis. There can be a little bit of the "wanna-be" crowd at times in here, but overall, everyone is really chill and just want to have a good time. It can get busy, so on Friday/Saturday, get there a little early to snag a seat or table if you're coming in a group. Some of their delicious drinks include the Gluttony martini with Smirnoff citrus vodka, raspberry puree, and fresh lime or the Chocolate Kiss with Godiva chocolate liquor, Frangelico, Kahlua and cream on the rocks. Although they don't have an extensive food menu, they do have some tasty dishes like a caprese salad, smoked gouda grilled cheese sandwich with tomato, flatbread pizzas, and smores fondue. Definitely a great choice for a girls night out or date night :)

For more info, go to:
www.vault-martini.com

Fratelli - Pearl District

A rustic atmosphere with stucco walls and candlelit tabletops, this Italian restaurant in the Pearl District is perfect for a special occasion. Intimate seating provides the ideal setting for a romantic dining experience. The menu highlights fresh, local ingredients in hearty, traditional, northern Italian cuisine. Yummy dishes like the pan seared rockfish with tomato, olives, and extra virgin olive oil or the seared chicken wrapped in prosciutto with parmesan polenta and mushroom jus make this a mouthwatering location to visit. Desserts do not disappoint and neither does the extensive wine list. Definitely a place to consider for Valentine's Day (during which they will have a special "aphrodisiac"prix fixe menu for $39 per person, call for reservations) or just anytime you want to have a special evening out :)

For more info, go to:
www.fratellicucina.com

Laurelwood Public House - NW/NE Portland

Laurelwood Public House & Brewery is located in NE Portland at 5115 NE Sandy Blvd.  As well as a NW Portland restaurant, Laurelwood Public House at 2327 NW Kearney St.  These family friendly restaurants, which include a kiddie play area, are just the ticket for a fun and enjoyable meal.  Offering breakfast/brunch on the weekends, happy hour daily from 3pm-6pm and 9pm to close (with food items offered at only $4 and pints of beer for $3), they also have lunch and dinner daily, except for the NW location which is closed on Mondays.

Appetizers like housemade beer battered onion rings and Laurelwood garlic fries are a great way to get started.  A few of the food options that grabbed my attention were a mediterranean sandwich with chicken or veggie patty, topped with spinach, tomato, smoked mozzarella, red onion, roasted red pepper and basil-pesto spread on focciacia bread.  They also had a kobe beef burger with garlic aioli, extra sharp cheddar, caramelized onions, mushrooms and charred tomato.  Yummy!  Make sure to pair your meal with a delicious pint of Laurelwood beer, certified organic.  The Mother Lode Golden Ale is a refreshing, easy to drink beer.  For the more adventurous, try the Workhorse IPA, featuring over the top hop flavor and aroma.  All menu items were definitely in the affordable range and a kids menu is available.

For more info, go to:

www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com

Pastini Pastaria - NW/NE/SE/SW Portland, Beaverton, Bridgeport Village,

A locally born chain, these quick and easy Italian restaurants pack in families and couples every day for yummy meals. Starters include multiple types of bruschetta, antipasto plates and a large variety of salads. For the main course, options like rigatoni con chicken cacciatore, baked ziti with grilled italian sausage, fettuccini alfredo are all on the menu to tempt your tastebuds. Grilled panini and other sandwiches are also available for those who want a non-pasta option.

There is also a kids menu with items like pizza bread, macaroni and cheese, and chicken fingers with veggies. All kids meals are $5.50 and includes a soda. All restaurants are open for lunch and dinner. The entire menu is available to-go, so feel free to call ahead if you're in a hurry. Pastini is also available for catering.

For more info, go to:
http://www.pastini.net/

Mama Mia Trattoria - SW Portland

As an Italian girl myself, this delicious southern italian style cooking is right up my alley! Homemade mozzarella, handmade pasta...mmm! Their focus is on the dishes made by southern Italian immigrants who adapted the food of their motherland to the available ingredients in their new American homeland. Everything is made from scratch, using the best possible ingredients and they use local products whenever possible.

The candlelit tables are cozy, and the dishes are generously portioned, which makes it a great place for groups. It's definitely a place where families can pass around the plates to share. Stuffed portobello mushrooms, manicotti, gnocchi, tiramisu and an ample wine list are just a few things on the menu here. They also have a kids menu with items like spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, and ravioli. Enjoy a happy hour? All of the food on their happy hour menu is $3 with a beverage purchase from 3pm-7pm weekdays.

For more info, go to:
www.mamamiatrattoria.com/

The Nines Hotel - SW Portland/Pioneer Square

A luxury boutique hotel with a modernized shaggadelic austin powers vibe...that's the first thought I had upon entering the halls and rooms of this beautiful new hotel. From the long crystal chandelier in the corner of the room and the dark wood furniture, to the white leather headboard and turquoise colored couch/lounger, I fell in love immediately. These rooms are sexy, fun and well equipped with everything you might need for a very relaxing stay. Robes, a safe, mini bar, and large HD tv are all there for your enjoyment. A radio with iPod docking is right next to the bed, so you can listen to your favorite tunes and create a more familiar environment even when you're away from home.

We went to the 8th floor where Urban Farmer, a bar and a spacious lounge area are located. Pricey meals, but worth it for a special splurge, we had the flat iron steak...soooooooooooo goood! Also, tried the crab cakes and the carmelized onion soup, delicious as well. If you're staying at the hotel and want to save a few bucks when heading down to the restaurant/bar on the 8th floor, consider bringing your own bottle of wine and paying a $15 corkage fee. They also have an early and late happy hour with prices around 30% off the regular menu.

This is definitely the place to go for a dressed up girl's night out, date night or a Portland "staycation" if you want to stay close to home :)

From now until April 18th, 2009, you can discover the Nine's gracious hospitality with a rare opportunity to stay at this landmark hotel from $99 for 99 days only. You can reserve your stay online, through your preferred travel professional, or by calling the Nines at 888-627-7208. Please ask for rate code 99NINES.

For more info, go to:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1757

Aqui Mexican Cafe - SE Portland

At 1408 SE 12th Ave you'll find a cozy and casual dining experience at Aqui Mexican Cafe. Great for families, you'll enjoy a variety of traditional dishes and items with a twist. Their chicken enchilada casserole, goat cheese stuffed jalapenos and tres leches cake are just a few of the dishes you can order here.

Known for their outdoor/patio dining, they also have a lounge and a dining room for when the weather is not as hospitable. They make great margaritas here and they have good meal and happy hour prices to keep things affordable.

Hours change unexpectedly sometimes I've been told and they are closed most major holidays, but other than that they are open 5pm-10pm M-W, 4pm-10pm Th-Fr, 3pm-10pm Sat.

On Deck - Pearl District

Brews, Burgers and Sports...can't really go wrong when all three combine at this sports bar in the Pearl District.  With Superbowl approaching, I figured it would be good to review some places that you could enjoy the game with friends.  

With a huge patio, you can sit outside and enjoy the sunshine when the weather is nice.  During the other 80% of the year's weather :) you can sit inside the restaurant.  Although I am slightly reminded of the college aromas of spilled beer and desperate singles from the previous night, I ventured here for lunch and enjoyed a delicious burger that I couldn't even finish because it was so big!  Definitely stick with the "pub food"...trying anything fancier is at your own risk.  I'm sure you could find something for the kiddies to eat here as they have many different options, but there is no kids menu available.  Minors are allowed in the restaurant until 9pm. 

At night, this is a great place to watch a game with friends and enjoy a cold beverage.  They have a great happy hour menu that runs from 3:30pm-6:30pm Monday thru Thursday, 8pm-close Sunday thru Thursday, and 9pm-close Friday and Saturday.

For more info, go to:

www.ondecksportsbar.com

 

50 Plates - Pearl District

A pulled pork sammie in one hand and an expertly made cocktail in the other...this is definitely an interesting pairing! 50 Plates is an eclectic and diverse mix of delicious meals from across the US. Sliders, sammies, clambakes, beignets, salads, po' boys, fried cherry pies...the crazy, fun mix of options goes on and on.

Definitely a place to start off a girls night out or a date night, this is not really a good place to bring the kids. It is definitely a sleek and classy Pearl District restaurant, make no mistake about that. This place manages to maintain a relaxed vibe even with the beautiful interiors and expertly crafted beverages. The food is delicious, but definitely a little bit of a "splurge" if you are a budget minded mom :) The drinks I've tried, North Beach Bramble and Indian Summer were both fantastic as well.

For more info, go to:
www.50plates.com

Old Town Pizza - NW Portland

Possibly haunted or not, Old Town Pizza at 226 NW Davis Street is a Portland icon, not to mention a great place to get amazing pizza. A wood bar and order-window greet you upon entering the restaurant. The multicolored, stained glass lights gently light the tables and booths. You can always sit on sofas and chairs around a coffee table if you prefer a even more relaxed setting.

Pizza is clearly "the thing" here, with traditional and customized pies available with medium-thick crusts, delicious sauce and fresh toppings. But they also serve panini, pasta and salads as well in case you want something different. They also serve a good selection of microbrews and wine.

I always have a great time here and it's very family friendly as well. Prices are reasonable and the ambiance and charm of this old building add to the dining experience. However, the pizza is always good as take-out or delivery too :)

They also have a location in NE Portland.
For more info, go to:
www.oldtownpizza.com

Deschutes Brewery - Pearl District

Being a typical Portlander, I figure the more breweries the better :) So I'm definitely a happy girl ever since Deschutes Brewery opened their Portland location in the Pearl District. Right next to the Gerding Armory at 210 NW 11th Avenue, you couldn't ask for a more central and fun location for lunch or dinner with friends or family.

If you are starting off the night with some friends for drinks, head to the spacious and beautiful bar area where you can order a 10 oz, 20 oz or pitcher of your favorite Deschutes brew. They continually update their beer selection with seasonal brews as well, so try the sample tray of six 4oz tasters to get the full experience and figure out which is your favorite.

If you are there for dinner, you will enjoy the experience of the large dining room area that includes reclaimed wood pillars that are carved and crafted into beautiful art. Whether you have a large group or small one, they can definitely accomodate any size family...and any appetite with the great menu :) There are many "beer-based" dishes on the menu, like Black Butte Porter Bolognaise and Brewery Corned Beef Reuben. I had the Classic Cheeseburger with a Twist (1/3 Pound Natural Beef Burger Marinated in Sweet Island Spices with Gruyere Cheese, House Pickles, Tomato, Grilled Red Onion, Mayo and Pub Mustard) which was really yummy and the fries were delicious too. The Cascade Ale was a light and pleasant pairing with my meal and I enjoyed that too. Not much of a kids menu, so I think that next time I will split one of their pizzas with my daughter.

Their prices were pretty much what I expected ($11.25 for my gourmet burger) but it is in a fantastic location in the Pearl District...so I wasn't surprised. Fairly noisy in here, so at least the kiddos won't stand out when they start acting up either :) Outdoor seating on picnic benches is available when the weather is nice.

For more info, go to:
www.deschutesbrewery.com

Sushiland - Pearl District/Beaverton/Tigard/Clackamas/Lloyd Center

Sushiland has 5 locations in the Portland Metro Area and 6 locations in Washington. I must admit that I probably go to Sushiland at least once a week for lunch and occasionally I go for dinner as well. At any given time, at any location I've gone to, there are usually at least a couple families with younger children enjoying a meal.

I must admit, I was skeptical of "affordable" sushi on a "train", but after just one visit I was hooked! I am not a person who eats alot of sashimi, I'm definitely a "roll sushi" girl :) The california rolls, asparagus tempura rolls and philadelphia rolls are my favorites and all are made well enough that I feel full and happy when I leave. With plate prices starting at $1.00 and ranging to $3.00 for most of their basic sushi items, you can't beat the deal that they offer.

For more info, go to:
http://www.sushilandusa.com/

Hopworks - SE Portland

Hopworks Urban Brewery...as I enter I am completely in love with the wood beams, high ceilings and copper finishes. I sometimes forget how seriously we take our breweries in the Northwest :) I am reminded of Rock Bottom Brewery, except minus the "frat/alumni" crowd that often convenes there. There is the main L-shaped dining rooms with lots of booths and in one section with tables there is a kids play area. The kids play area at this place is fantastic! It has a wooden toy train set on a platform, chalkboards and a variety of other toys for the kids to play with. My daughter went straight to the play area and absorbed herself in it until dinner arrived at our table...which means I got some "me" time to relax and enjoy some adult conversation.

When dinner came we were pleasantly surprised by the size of a "medium" pizza. 4 people could've shared it with 2 good sized slices apiece. We order the "Gatherer" which included mushrooms, caramelized sweet red onions, artichoke hearts, roasted garlic, red bell peppers & black olives, topped with fresh parsley. Sooooooo good! This is in my top pizza places list from now on...and the Organic HUB Lager complimented the meal perfectly. Great beer, great pizza...it doesn't get much better than that! My daughter had the cheese pizza with organic apple slices and apple juice for her drink, only $4.75! Great deal and she ate all of it.

I will definitely be coming back for happy hour as well, but without the little one. Happy hour is only in the bar area and minors are not allowed. The menu includes many of their dishes for a fraction of the cost, like a slice of pizza for $1.75 or a chicken caesar salad for $3.75. This is definitely a great after work spot for people who want to unwind, catch up with friends or watch a game on the tv in the bar.

For more info, go to:
http://www.hopworksbeer.com/

Blitz Ladd - SE Portland

Blitz Ladd is the sister restaurant and bar to Blitz Bar in the Pearl District. A great place to grab pub food and a beverage, hang out with your friends and watch a game. Children are welcome everywhere in the establishment, except for the bar/pool table/shuffleboard area. They have a pretty good kids menu for a pub/sports bar with mini pizza, chicken strips, grilled cheese, mac and cheese and several other options...All $5 with a drink included. My daughter had the mini cheese pizza and loved it! It came with celery and carrot sticks on the side, so that was a nice "healthy" touch. However, it would be nice if they added more kiddie friendly drink options...I think the options given to me were soda or cranberry juice. Maybe milk and apple juice would be a good start.

I was there for a get together with friends and found it to be a very relaxed environment where a noisy toddler could be silly and have fun without disrupting anyone else's good time. I had a great time and enjoyed the Blitz Black-n-Blue Burger with cajun blackened beef, smoked pepper bacon, Oregon blue cheese, grilled onions and honey dijon mayonnaise. Sooooo good! And huge enough that I had to take half of it home. It was a pretty great meal (or two with leftovers in my case :)) for just $9.

For more info on Blitz Ladd and upcoming events, go to:
http://www.blitzpdx.com/ladd_index.html

Noodles & Company - Pearl District/Beaverton/Hillsboro/Clackamas

With 4 locations in the Portland metro area, Noodles & Company is always nearby for you to enjoy a quick, convenient and tasty meal. With 3 distinct categories of noodles to choose from, like Mediterranean, Asian and American, you'll find something for you and for your little tortellini :) The kids will love the Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, while you can savor the very adult dishes of Whole Grain Tuscan Linguine or Indonesian Peanut Saute, just to name a few. You can add chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu to any dish. There is also the choice to expand your meal by adding soup or salad.

Friendly and quick service gets you and the ravenous little ones fed in no time at all. They also have healthy drink options for the kids, like milk and juice. They usually have cookies and rice crispies by the checkout too...so watch out for those! :) Overall, this is a great place to bring yourself during lunch or the kids on the weekend. Enjoy!
For more info, go to:
www.noodles.com