Portland Italian Gem 🍝 Arden

Had a reservation at that 🌰 spot Bellpine, but the second I saw Arden’s menu, I canceled it—my sushi chef friend said “this is Portland’s must-eat summer Italian,” and she wasn’t lying. Lucky the owner’s a friend, who squeezed us in last minute—so glad I skipped Bellpine! 🍽️ Menu: Creamy with Local Seasonal Twists, Every Bite “Summer Softness” The menu’s wrapped in a creamy veil, but never cloying—thanks to tons of fresh Portland local ingredients: Must-try No.1: Chilli oil blood orange with goat cheese Sounds like a weird combo, but first bite shocked me: blood orange slices sweet with a hint of tart, coated in creamy goat cheese (no harsh tang!), drizzled with “gentle chilli oil” where heat hides in fruitiness—like eating “a fruity salad with a little sass.” The best part? Crispy crackers underneath, dipped in cheese and juice—so good, I’ve officially changed my mind about goat cheese[bow down] Must-try No.2: Wild berry strawberry tart Afternoon-fresh wild berries pile high, strawberries bright red, bursting with sweet juice mixed with berry tartness. The cream has a tiny hint of goat cheese, adding a salty depth, drizzled with local floral honey—even my friend who hates sweet things spooned it up, saying “it’s like putting summer’s orchard in a dessert”🍓 Slightly disappointing: Smoked salmon Skin crisp as potato chips, fish tender enough to see through, smoke flavor so strong it “ ambiance (vibe)”—but issue is, it arrived billowing smoke, filling the whole restaurant. Eating it made my eyes water, and the emulsified sauce separated, oily and messy. Wasted good ingredients [wipe sweat] Foie gras mousse: Optional Thought it’d be seared foie gras, but it’s mousse with bread—the mousse is silky, nice on bread, but cloying after a few bites. We tasted it and left the rest; better save stomach for the first two stars～ 🍞 Bread service: A surprise from the bakery across the street, butter pairing is divine Bread comes from the bakery across the road, still warm from the oven—crisp crust, soft inside, full of wheat aroma in every crumb. Served with salty butter mixed with olive bits and big spicy Peruvian nuts (can’t remember the name but so fragrant!), slathered on bread it’s salty-spicy-delicious. We polished half before mains—“good bread is a restaurant’s pride”[thumbs up] 🍷 Drinks: Local female winemaker’s wines—half hits, half misses Friend said “Portland wine is either amazing or bad—gotta try,” so we ordered the local female winemaker series: First sip of sauvignon blanc: super refreshing, like biting into a green apple, light aroma, perfect with blood orange cheese; Chardonnay: new vintage this year, (unsurprisingly) just okay, a bit astringent, like “unripe pear”; Final pinot noirs from south/north bank— (regions) are so close, I really couldn’t tell the difference (maybe I’m just bad [facepalm]), but friend said “north bank is smoother.” 💰 Price: $200 for 4, Portland’s honesty makes New Yorkers cry Total came to: 4 mains $75 + drinks $45 + foie gras add-on, $200 total, plus 30% tip (totally worth it). Compared to NYC Italian spots of the same caliber, this is “practically free”—friend said “thank god Michelin hasn’t hit Portland,” or this kind of value might disappear～ Leaving, carried bread and fruit scents, and I got why the sushi chef raved: Arden’s deliciousness isn’t in fancy plating, but in “blending creamy and fresh just right”—like Portland’s summer, soft and full of heart. 📍 Arden (search the name, book ahead—last minute spots are pure luck～) #PortlandEats #ItalianFood #SummerDining #FoodieFind