I know that I should have written this sooner. It has been over a week since the night Matt and I wandered down to clarklewis and had an indulgent dinner. But I guess it is also a testament to the experience that it remains vivid in the memory so long.
The atmosphere is everything that you could want. Well, I can’t really say that cause I don’t know what you want, but it is pretty damn good. The space is industrial (think cement) but this is softened and made dreamlike with flickering candlelight and a wooden bar. And also the outdoor is brought inside with giant glass garage doors, bottom a window to the capricious northwest weather, and a testament to what this warm and modern space used to be. This particular night, the last of a late summer, the doors were rolled up and warm breezes toyed with the candles, making the space one of flickering shadows and liquid, yellow light pouring over individual tables. (I know overdramatic writer is me, but again testament to my newfound love of this place).
Now to the part that seals the deal, anyone can have a great space, and really the food (getting there in a sec) was superb, but many a talented chef’s restaurant has failed… No our server, Austin, won a lot of points for the venerable clarklewis. There was a water carafe on our table, I’m not sure that we ever got to pick it up. Silently as he passed on other errands he would fill wine glasses and water glasses, not disturbing our conversation. But oh when the time to order things occurred he was not afraid to suggest, to offer polite alternatives when he thought we wouldn’t be pleased with a selection. This service was rare and precious indeed.
Food amazing. Really, I don’t know what else to say. This was speechless food, the kind that you stare at your dining partner in wonder and say, “Ohhhh.” Long and drawn out and truly the only syllable in the English language that does the combination of tastes and textures any justice at all. Highlights: halibut in chanterelle sauce, summer squash tagliatelle, arugala salad with proscuitto wrapped figs. There were more, but the names were sadly lost to the power of the flavors. I strongly recommend that you orders the Chef’s Menu. For one price the chef will choose 3 to 4 course for you, and they will make sure that you and your date get something different each course, the better for stealing bites, or as Matt and I do, trading plates completely several times each course.
So clarklewis had earned the best meal of my life through a combination of food, atmosphere and service, and I have eaten some great meals. I cannot say enough about it, but you are probably tired of reading. So go forth and eat:
503.235.2294
www.ripepdx.com/clarklewis.html
No comments:
Post a Comment