Le Pigeon

Le Pigeon is one of Portland's best restaurants.  It's the place you go when you want rich, meat-centric food.  It's where I tried and enjoyed sweetbreads for the first time.  There is a small counter area surrounding the front of the kitchen that is available for walk-ins and there are a couple large communal tables that are available for reservations.  We walked in a little after 5:00 on a Friday night and had no problem getting a seat at the counter.  And I much prefer to sit at the counter, it's fun to sit and watch the chefs work.

First, the butter lettuce salad with bleu cheese, radish, and chives.  It was a nice, simple, but flavorful salad.  I always really like bleu cheese when I'm out at a restaurant, but I rarely use it at home.  

Next up, the burger and the daily fish special.  The fish special that night, was ling cod with a creamy broccoli and wild rice sauce on the bottom, which was super yummy.  The burger is quite tall and comes with a knife through it.  It was well cooked to medium, juicy and beefy, and topped with pickled onions.

And finally for dessert, I was really full, but I had been longingly watching the desserts go out to several people who were enjoying the tasting menu.  So we asked if we might get just one foie gras profiterole and sure enough, they said okay.  It was a great way to end the meal, sweet and savory and satisfying with foie gras ice cream and caramel.