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Thai food shop, café and take-away. Affordable, tasty, completely what you expect from any Thai restaurant in the area, done very well. Fresh ingredients. A serious hand with the spicing. Sweet and spicy wings. A place we’ll return to often.

Back when the Spartan Grill was a food cart in Monument Square, it was a favourite lunch time treat to pick up a piece of spanikopita or baklava. I didn’t see either of those on my recent lunch visit to the Monument Square restaurant, but did enjoy the Roasted Chicken Gyro ($6.95). Chunks of marinated chicken, grilled and served with romaine, tomato and tzaziki sauce in a thick, grilled pita. Spartan Grill is among with local restaurants posting calorie counts of their menu items; this gyro is 488 calories and worth every one.
Also on offer – Greek salad, Holy Donuts, a cheeseburger special (with fries, which I didn’t see listed separately), cookies, CBD coffee, and a wide variety of gyros.

Tipped off by the Chubby Werewolf blog, we headed to Minami on a recent Monday evening. After a hectic day, the lovely and serene space was calming and welcoming. The cocktail menu listed a variety of Polynesian style drinks, a selection of bottled beer, and a few wines, all at reasonable prices. My mai tai was refreshing but a touch sweet. The waitress explained to us that sushi and hibachi selections could be ordered separately, and were included in the buffet price ($17 for dinner). We enjoyed a few bites of sashimi before diving into the extensive buffet. We selected bites from most stations – soup, appetizer, dim sum, hot entrees, cold salads, sushi, raw bar, and dessert . I particularly liked the miso soup, pork/veg gyoza, “baby ribs”, asian greens, salmon with an orange/pepper glaze, hibachi “sticks” with Maine shrimp, spicy clams, tuna tartar, and several of the sushi rolls (most combos with tuna and salmon). Green tea ice cream provided a refreshing conclusion to the meal.

I find it odd that Portland’s sporting venues serve such unhealthy food. The Cheapskate Café is no exception – burgers, dogs, popcorn, pretzels, ice cream, candy, and my most favourite of all – mozzarella sticks. Excellent mozzarella sticks, cooked to a perfect golden crispness, oozy their innards once punctured, and a bargain (5 for $3).

Top quality fish (not inexpensive). Interesting cheeses (Hahn’s End). Fantastic wine and caviar selection. Upscale pantry items. Delicious soups. I especially recommend the crab mac’n’cheese.