Restruants That Serve Kobe Beef in Salem Oregon

For my 14th birthday, my mother took me to Genoa in Portland, a since-closed Italian restaurant. We drank sorrel puree out of teacups and ate piles of fresh ricotta and pea tendrils. When I went to the bathroom, I'd come back to a folded napkin, like an elf had snuck up and fixed it for me.

I felt like a princess.

There is something equalizing about going out to eat. I will never live in a penthouse; I will never drive a Mercedes; I will never be a member of a country club. Luxury isn't in the cards for me.

But if I save for a few months, I can be waited on. People will serve me, pour my wine, clean up, and I will taste something challenging or comforting or unique.

We celebrate at the table. Sure, we eat out more than we have in the past, but the restaurant still makes us feel special. Maybe you don't want a napkin elf or pea tendrils; maybe you'd swap sorrel for sirloin. But we all treasure our celebration restaurants.

Maybe it's your anniversary or a birthday dinner. Maybe you're going to propose or your daughter is graduating from college. Whatever the occasion, you know you want to feel like royalty.

This is where I go.

Intimate evening

Small groups in a sophisticated setting

Bari

The gist: Bari's interior is small but beautiful, with local art on the walls and an extensive whiskey collection at the bar. It's lively enough to not feel stuffy but intimate enough to feel special.

Private space:The restaurant has no private room, but Bari's attached second dining room can be reserved for large parties.

Must-orders:Carbonara rarely disappoints, as well as the restaurant's several desserts.

What you'll spend: $9.50 to $15 for appetizers, $19 to $30 for entrees

If you go: 3:30 to 10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 136 High St. SE, 503-991-5386

Read more:

Dining review: Bari is so good, you have to slow down to enjoy it

Andaluz

The gist: A small, festive, small-plate spot downtown, Andaluz serves tapas, salsas and cocktails for small parties.

Private space? No private space, but people can rent out the restaurant; it seats up to 50.

Must-orders: Those Parmesan-chorizo croquettes are little salty pillows of joy, but the trio of salsas will forever be my favorite.

What you'll spend: Expect to spend $25 to $30 per person on small plates.

If you go:4:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 4:30 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays,  130 High St. SE, 503-585-1773

Read more:

Dining Review: Andaluz walks line between fun and fancy

Rafns'

The gist:Ethically and sustainably sourced food in an elegant setting, Rafns' has become a no-brainer for an intimate night out.

Private space? No, but the restaurant will close for private events.

Must-orders:Chef and co-owner Nate Rafn consistently delivers spot-on, developed plates of risotto and pasta, complete with sharp cheeses and fresh seafood. I particularly enjoy the bolognese and mushroom risotto.

What you'll spend:$3 to $16 for appetizers, $16 to $34 for entrees

If you go:5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 479 Court St. NE, 503-580-2936

Read more:

Dining review: Rafns' succeeds at local, organic food

DaVinci

The gist: DaVinci's sprawling interior, with an upstairs dining space and a cellar-esque wine room in the back, is chic with exposed brick and old black and white movies playing on a long mounted sheet. The food is just as dramatic.

Private space: DaVinci has several spaces within the restaurant that can be reserved, including the wine room and the upstairs space.

Must-orders:Ravioli and gnocchi are handmade in-house, with fillings like local chanterelles.

What you'll spend:Prix-fixe dinners range from $47 to $67, with appetizers from $12 to $20, flatbreads for $18 and entrees from $22 to $48, with an average price around $27.

If you go:5 to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 180 High St. SE, 503-399-1413

Table FIVE 08

The gist:Globally inspired flavors in a "rustic industrial" space, Table FIVE 08 is known for its affable and charismatic bartender Rob Melton (known on the internet as "Rob Drinkenstein"). The menu has everything from miso-glazed salmon to macaroni and cheese for a range of palates.

Private space:Guests can reserve the back room, which seats 20.

Must-orders:For a lighter warm-up dish, the Ramen 508 is not quite a ramen, but it's still a lovely soup with a poached egg, pickled vegetables and a pho-style side of hoisin and sriracha.

What you'll spend:$10 to $36 for dinner, average price at $14 to $22

If you go: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays, 4 to 11 p.m. Saturdays, 508 State St., 503-581-5508

Special celebration

Large groups in a luxurious location

Roberts Crossing

The gist: This rustic-on-the-outside, sophisticated-on-the-inside lodge out River Road has an expansive menu and a handle on no-fuss, high-end comfort food.

Private space? The restaurant has two separate venues for larger parties. Seat up to 26 in Roberts Shed and up to 70 in Roberts House.

Must-orders: The Parmesan-encrusted halibut is a popular item, and it's no wonder why — the cheesy skin is as crisp as a wafer, served on a bright but silky pesto risotto.

What you'll spend:$8 to $12 for appetizers, $13 to $33 for entrees

If you go:4 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 4 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4 to 8:30 Sundays, 3635 River Road S, 503-584-1035

Rudy's Steakhouse

The gist: This Salem institution recently moved to sleek new digs downtown, with its charcoal-grey lounges and white-tablecloth dining rooms.

Private space?Rudy's has two venues to choose from, including a banquet hall across the street from the main restaurant. The private room can accommodate up to 30, and the banquet hall can accommodate 80 seated, 120 for standing service.

Must-orders:Steaks, of course, but you'd be surprised by the quality of the clam chowder — fresh, tender clams with a nice, New England-style, spoon-sticks-straight-up base. Top it off with a Marionberry lemon drop.

What you'll spend:$3 to $14 for appetizers, $24 to $60 for entrees

If you go: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays, 350 Chemeketa St. NE, 503-399-0449

Read more:

Rudy's will move into Urban Alley space

Orupa Kitchen & Bar

The gist: Longtime Salem chef Hans Afshar owns one of the coolest rooftop decks in town for summer parties, with plenty of seating and privacy from the main room. The eclectic menu ranges from pasta dishes abundant with seafood and meat to chicken paella made with Spanish basmati.

Private space?In the summer, you can reserve the rooftop, but you also can host people in a "Wine Room," which hosts up to 24 people.

Must-orders:Wine. Orupa's wine list is extensive and very fairly priced. As for food, the macaroni and cheese fritters are dangerously delicious.

What you'll spend: $10.95 for lunches, $18 to $24 for entrees

If you go:11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 4:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, 4:30 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Sundays, 500 Liberty St. SE, 503-588-3639

Read more:

Dining on the cheap: The best 10 happy hours in Salem

Chira's Restaurant & Catering

The gist: Dramatic high ceilings and red curtains make a statement at this Reed Opera House restaurant, which serves everything from "really big nachos" to butternut ravioli.

Private space?Chira's is the official caterer for the Trinity Ballroom at the Reed Opera House, which seats 200. For something smaller, Chira's rents out a 50-person party room and a side-room of the restaurant that seats 25.

Must-orders: The Kobe Beef Burger is possibly my favorite in town, with tender, flavorful meat, thick bacon, a soft-yet-sturdy bun and a generous swab of housemade aioli.

What you'll spend:$4 to $15 for appetizers, $11 to $34 for entrees

If you go:11 a.m to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 189 Liberty St. NE, Suite 111, 503-851-8956

Casual get-together

Small groups and low-key food

Xicha Brewing (pronounced "chee-cha")

The gist: Bright colors and brighter flavors, West Salem's new brewery and Latin American restaurant is a fun, casual spot for an impromptu shindig.

Private space?Not yet, but the restaurant plans to use the patio space for events in the summer.

Must-orders:I'm partial to the nachos, which come drenched in a housemade queso fundido.

What you'll spend:$5 to $16 per plate

If you go:11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays, 576 Patterson St. NW, Suite 140, 503-990-8292

Taproot Lounge & Cafe

The gist:Healthy bar snacks and live music make Taproot a popular late-night spot, with plenty of local taps and tapas. It's a big hit with non-drinkers, with plenty of juices and non-alcoholic shrubs alongside cocktails and beer.

Private space?Yes. The private lounge space behind the cafe has no reservation fee, but the restaurant requests parties spend a minimum of $250 on food and drink.

Must-orders: Samosas pair well with beers and cider, but the wild Willamette sandwich, a blue cheese and bacon PB&J, is hard to forget.

What you'll spend:$4.50 to $12

If you go:7 a.m. to 1 a.m. or later daily, 356 State St., 503-363-7668

Santiam Brewing & Cidery

The gist:Santiam Brewing's award-winning beer and spirited servers only improve with Black Sheep Catering next door, which offers platters of ribs and sandwiches with handmade slaws and sides.

Private space?Depends on the group, but smaller parties can rent out the lounge space in the taproom.

Must-orders: Baby back ribs, served with a dijon cole slaw, are fall-apart delicious and delicately touched with smoke.

What you'll spend: $6 to $14 for food

If you go:11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays-Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays,  2544 19th St. SE,  503-689-1260

Big, fun bash

Large groups in a lively space

Venti's Cafe + Basement Bar (downtown)

The gist: Open for more than 20 years, Venti's has become a Salem staple for low-key healthy bites and comfort food alike. The downtown location regularly hosts live music and other events.

Private space:Rent out the downtown location's basement bar, as well as the upstairs bar. The basement bar seats 40, while the upstairs bar seats 25.

Must-orders: The queso-laden spicy mac is a favorite comfort food of mine, but the restaurant's lighter fare fares just as well — try one of the restaurant's bowls or the Mediterranean salad.

What you'll spend: $5 to $14 for appetizers, $8 to $15 for entrees

If you go:11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays,11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays, 325 Court St. NE, 503-399-8733

Ritter's Housemade Foods

The gist: Ritter's Housemade Foods' lively bar menu features an outrageous bloody mary to go with made-to-order pizzas and dreamy salads — a turn of phrase that does not come naturally. Between Ritter's and co-owner Jessica Ritter's other business, Wild Pear Restaurant & Catering, the Salem family has parties on lock.

Private space: Ritter's separate room, called the Reserve Room, uses Wild Pear catering exclusively. Those set on Ritter's flavors can reserve the upstairs mezzanine space.

Must-orders:I often talk about the Phat Mike's pizza, but the restaurant's salad bar is just as bangin'. I would take shots of the shallot-sherry vinaigrette.

What you'll spend:$6.50 to $15

If you go:11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 102 Liberty St. NE, Suite 100, 503-339-7928

Best Little Roadhouse

The gist:Best Little Roadhouse is a popular family spot, with outdoor mini golf for the kiddos and its wild spiked teas for grown-ups. Meat-eaters love the restaurant's selection of steaks and barbecue, but vegetarians stick to spicy mac and cheese.

Private space:The restaurant doesn't have a private room, but larger parties often dominate the year-round patio.

Must-orders:Tender but still firm with a touch of sweet char and smoke, tri-tip evokes backyard barbecues, even in the midst of rainy Oregon winters.

What you'll spend: $4 to $10.50 for appetizers, $9 to $29.50 for entrees

If you go:11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 1145 Commercial St. SE, 503-365-7225

Brooke Jackson-Glidden thinks no celebration is complete without whiskey, wine and cheese. She'd love to know how — and where — you celebrate. Email brookejg@statesmanjournal.com or call 503-428-3528. Follow her on Twitter @jacksonglidden, or like her Facebook page www.facebook.com/BrookeJackson-Glidden.

More:Our favorite comfort foods in Salem

More:Who caters in Salem?

More:Dining on the cheap: The best 10 happy hours in Salem

bittnerfrethe.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/life/2017/12/01/our-favorite-celebration-restaurants-salem/872731001/

Share this post