<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<city>
  <area-id type="integer">2</area-id>
  <country>United States</country>
  <created-at type="datetime">2007-12-23T22:16:41+00:00</created-at>
  <description nil="true"></description>
  <highlight>...the birthplace of the northwest farm-to-table movement is becoming a culinary power</highlight>
  <id type="integer">45</id>
  <introduction>NOTE: Portland festivore is now under construction! Watch for lots of new content emerging...

Portland, Oregon was the first city in North America to embrace the farmer-chef partnership to bring fresh, local, and natural foods to restaurant tables. A deep chef culture permeates Portland stretching all the way back to the legendary James Beard, often referred to as the father of American gastronomy, who arose from Portland. The city&#8217;s culinary passion provides a nurturing environment perfect for young chefs who are surrounded by enthusiastic food producers, experienced colleagues, and eager and discerning diners.</introduction>
  <name>Portland / Oregon</name>
  <overview>The dining experience in Portland is defined by its sense of connection with the ingredients and the surrounding communities. Over the last decade the restaurant scene has blossomed largely through the combination of principled growers and producers and accomplished chefs from better-known food hot spots across the country. The city is known for its distinct areas, such as the established Pearl District and the emerging Mississippi neighborhood, and also for its low cost of living. These elements have come together to produce a restaurant scene that encourages innovation and excellence.

The Portland Farmers&#8217; Market takes place three days per week and has become a staple of the community and restaurant scene. Residents buy from the same local farmers and producers that stock chef&#8217;s kitchens. Chefs also work closely with farmers to make sure produce remains plentiful throughout the year and consumers are treated to the best the local environment has to offer. Portland continues to be a pioneer in the ways producers, chefs, and consumers think about eating out and has today become a dining destination all its own.

Restaurant typically open and 17:00 (5pm) and close at 22:00 (10pm) and most restaurants not open Sunday or Monday.

&lt;p&gt;Cost benchmarks for Portland (*cost of a typical meal, without beverage, tax or tip*):&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;$&lt;/b&gt; = less than $10&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;$$&lt;/b&gt; = $10-17&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;$$$&lt;/b&gt; = $17-23&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;$$$$&lt;/b&gt; = $23-40&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;$$$$$&lt;/b&gt; = more than $40&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;

* "&lt;b&gt;cheap eats&lt;/b&gt;" (a CATEGORY AWARD): *less than $10*
* "&lt;b&gt;cost below average&lt;/b&gt;"  (a comment in the VALUES section of the RESTAURANT FEATURES table): *less than $17*
* "&lt;b&gt;can be very expensive&lt;/b&gt;" (a comment in the VALUES section of the RESTAURANT FEATURES table): *more than $60*

Portland has no tax on prepared food (contrast to Seattle's nearly 10% tax), enhancing its relative affordability. Tipping 15-20% is customary.</overview>
  <overview-excerpt>The dining experience in Portland is defined by its sense of connection with the ingredients and the surrounding communities. Over the last decade the restaurant scene has blossomed largely through the combination of principled growers and producers and accomplished chefs from better-known food hot spots across the country. The city is known for its distinct areas, such as the established Pearl District and the emerging Mississippi neighborhood, and also for its low cost of living. These elements have come together to produce a restaurant scene that encourages innovation and excellence.</overview-excerpt>
  <public type="boolean">true</public>
  <scene></scene>
  <state>Oregon</state>
  <stub>portland</stub>
  <updated-at type="datetime">2008-11-06T16:20:59+00:00</updated-at>
</city>
