The Grotto, the affectionate nickname for the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, is a 62-acre botanical garden and Catholic shrine in Portland, Oregon. The nonprofit organization presents daily masses, a conference center that offers meeting and catering services, professional counseling sessions and scheduled spiritual retreats throughout the year. When in Portland to visit the Grotto, maximize your travel time by eating breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner at an eatery near your destination.
The Country Cat Dinnerhouse & Bar is 3 miles from the Grotto, on S.E. Stark Street. The self-proclaimed “down-home” restaurant presents farm-to-table cuisine in its rustic, casual dining atmosphere. Lunch and dinner menu highlights include a whole hog plate, hickory and molasses smoked duck leg, smoky shrimp and sweet pepper bisque and caramelized autumn vegetable crepes. Weekend brunch items include hazelnut pancakes with citrus butter, mushroom and wild rice stew and roasted red pepper and tasso omelets. The Country Cat presents weekly food and beverage specials and hosts off-site catering.
The New York Times calls Doug Fir Lounge the “primo” place to hang out in Portland. The restaurant presents a striking, contemporary dining room decorated with an eclectic mix of exposed beams, leather seats and dramatic lighting. Doug Fir also offers outdoor patio dining. Breakfast items include Caprese omelets, smoked salmon hash and eggs Benedict. Lunch and dinner offerings include potato leek soup, ahi Mandarin salad and fish and chips. Doug Fir Lounge also presents local and national live music acts throughout the week and hosts private parties in its restaurant and lounge area. The restaurant is located 4.6 miles from the Grotto, on E. Burnside Street.
Alameda Brewhouse is 2.6 miles from the Grotto, on N.E. Fremont Street. Frommer's.com calls the brewhouse's wood-accented décor “chic.” Menu selections include grilled crab cakes, blackened Alaskan halibut spinach salads, falafel pita sandwiches and whiskey-infused baby back ribs. House micro-brews include Wilshire Wheat Ale, Siskiyou Golden Ale and Irvington Juniper Porter.
Established in 1959, Amalfi's presents a casual yet refined dining room adorned with black leather seating, dark wooden tables and natural stone walls. The restaurant warms its outdoor dining area with fire pits nestled in the middle of the tables. Amalfi's is also located on N.E. Fremont Street, approximately 2 miles from the Grotto. You can create your own house-made pizza with toppings such as bacon, artichoke hearts, shrimp and kalamata olives or choose from a house specialty pizza such as the Webber's Milano with mushrooms, chicken, Italian sausage, pepperoncini and Alfredo sauce. Additional menu items include provolone and rosemary chicken-stuffed ravioli, veal Parmesan and house-made lasagna. Amalfi's caters on- and off-site events.
