The Parish

Last updated

The Parish
The Parish, Portland - logo.png
The Parish interior, Portland, Oregon, 2015.jpg
The restaurant's interior in 2015
The Parish
Restaurant information
EstablishedMay 22, 2012 (2012-05-22) [1]
ClosedSeptember 2016 (2016-09)
Previous owner(s)
  • Tobias Hogan
  • Ethan Powell
Food type
Street address231 Northwest 11th Avenue
City Portland
County Multnomah
StateOregon
Postal/ZIP Code97209
CountryUnited States
Coordinates 45°31′30″N122°40′57″W / 45.52495°N 122.68246°W / 45.52495; -122.68246

The Parish was a Cajun, Louisiana Creole, and seafood restaurant in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District, in the United States. It was opened by Tobias Hogan and Ethan Powell in 2012, and became known for its oysters. In 2015, the restaurant was split in half, and one side of the space began serving brunch, lunch, and happy hour as the Palmetto Cafe. The Palmetto was converted into a private event space and pop-up restaurant in February 2016, and The Parish closed abruptly in September of that year.

Contents

Description and history

The Parish (located at the corner of 11th and Everett in northwest Portland's Pearl District) [2] was established in May 2012 by Tobias Hogan and Ethan Powell, who had operated the North Williams Avenue restaurant Eat: An Oyster Bar. [3] [4] [5] It held three preview events—a private event with local blues duo Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager on May 18, a multi-course seated dinner on May 19, and "Sunday Jazz Brunch with Pete Krebs" on May 20—before opening to the public on May 22. [6] The 80-seat restaurant replaced In Good Taste, a cooking school which occupied the space for eleven years and closed in February 2012. [7] [8] [9] Its name (inspired by Louisiana's administrative divisions) was reflected by the restaurant's "ecclesiastical" interior, which included gray and pewter-colored "cathedral-esque" arches over the bar and a host stand which was a refurbished Prohibition-era Mississippi church pulpit. [2] [5] [8]

The Cajun, Louisiana Creole, [4] [7] and New Orleans-style seafood restaurant served entrees such as andouille, étouffée, [8] frog legs, jambalaya, maque choux, pork belly, [7] and turtle soup, [10] and was best known for its oysters. [3] [4] Its bar, Vieux Carré (French Quarter), served New Orleans cocktails including Bourbon-based drinks, daiquiris, and house infusions. [2] The Parish's 4,000-square-foot (370 m2) interior, designed by Mark Annen, [2] had a shucking station, oak floors, [7] French-blue walls with gray accents, [5] [8] exposed brickwork, subway tiles, and salvaged woodwork. [2]

Hogan and Powell reportedly worked at both Eat and The Parish, switching daily. [11] Like Eat, The Parish was a wholesale supplier of sustainably-farmed oysters to other Portland restaurants. [2] [12] Powell said about the difference between the two restaurants:

When we were doing the oyster bar, we wanted a turn-of-the-20th-century, early-1900s style—what you would find in Slidell, a po' boy shop with good gumbo and jambalaya, a little rowdy, where people consumed a lot of booze. The idea behind The Parish is to take it uptown, to the 1920s ... and (New Orleans') Garden District. [7]

In July and August 2015, the restaurant was split in half, [4] with one side serving brunch, lunch, and happy hour as the Palmetto Cafe. [3] [13] The 38-seat cafe's brunch menu included breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and pastries; [6] its lunch menu included a fried green tomato sandwich with pimento cheese and coleslaw, po' boys, salads, and shrimp and grits. [13] [14] [15] Fried chicken, kolaches, natchitoches meat pies, pimento cheeseburgers, seafood salads, and soft-boiled eggs were happy-hour menu items. [6] [14] In February 2016, the Palmetto was converted into a private event space and pop-up restaurant, [3] and The Parish resumed serving lunch from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. [15] The restaurant closed abruptly in September 2016, with little explanation. [3] [4]

Reception

Interior of the Palmetto Cafe, 2015 Palmetto Cafe, Portland, Oregon.jpg
Interior of the Palmetto Cafe, 2015

According to The Portland Mercury 's Marjorie Skinner, "Though the cocktail menu is as fancy as the next, the bar staff is unfussy and approachable, and food prices for the most part steer well clear of the $20 mark—downright cheap eats compared to the rest of the neighborhood." [10] In her book, Food Lovers' Guide to Portland, Oregon: The Best Restaurants, Markets and Local Culinary Offerings (2014), Laurie Wolf wrote: "I like The Parish. I like the guys who own it, Tobias Hogan and Ethan Powell. For the Pearl neighborhood the prices are super reasonable and the small menu certainly delivers the best of the offerings." [16] In her book, Seafood Lover's Pacific Northwest: Restaurants, Markets, Recipes & Traditions (2014), Karen Gaudette Brewer complimented the "open, warm and fun" restaurant with a caveat: "Like its sister restaurant, The Parish can get a little too laid back when it comes to service and consistency." [17] In 2015, after the opening of the Palmetto Cafe, Willamette Week 's Robert Fernas called The Parish a leading destination for oysters and said that the restaurant was not negatively impacted by the split. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wong's King</span> Defunct chain of Chinese restaurants in Oregon, U.S.

Wong's King Seafood Restaurant was a chain of Chinese/Cantonese and seafood restaurants in the metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon, United States. In addition to the original restaurant in Southeast Portland, the business operated in Beaverton, Estacada, and Sandy, and specialized in dim sum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irving Street Kitchen</span> Defunct restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Irving Street Kitchen was a restaurant serving American cuisine in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District, in the United States. Conceived by Doug Washington, Mitch Rosenthal and Steve Rosenthal as their interpretation on American cuisine with a Southern influence, it opened on May 6, 2010. With executive chef Sarah Schafer, Irving Street Kitchen added to their serving hours over the years, opening up for lunch and brunch. The restaurant also shifted towards casual dining in 2019, revamping its menu and ambiance. Irving Street Kitchen ultimately closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta Cafe</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Delta Cafe is a Southern, cajun, and soul food restaurant in the Woodstock neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Anastasia Corya and Anton Pace opened the restaurant in 1995. They sold Delta in 2007 to open another Southern restaurant, Miss Delta, with two of the cafe's cooks. Frequented by Reed College students and neighborhood residents, Delta Cafe has been recognized as a favorite local comfort food destination. The cafe also has a cocktail bar called Delta Lounge. In 2016, a mural was painted on the restaurant's exterior as part of a neighborhood beautification project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Byways Cafe</span> Defunct diner in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Byways Cafe was a diner in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon, United States. Owners, Collin McFadden and Megan Brinkley, opened the restaurant in 1999, serving American breakfast and brunch comfort foods such as corned beef hash, omelets, and pancakes. Guy Fieri visited the diner for a 2007 episode of the Food Network show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Byways received generally positive receptions and was voted the city's "best brunch spot" by readers of The Oregonian in 2016. It closed in late 2019, after the owners were unable to reach a lease agreement with the landlord.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuller's Coffee Shop</span> Diner in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Fuller's Coffee Shop is a diner serving standard American cuisine in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District, in the United States. Established in 1947, the restaurant has operated from its location in downtown Portland since 1960. It serves breakfast all day, and the menu features a cheeseburger with a recipe that has not changed since the diner's establishment. Described as a greasy spoon, Fuller's has received a generally positive reception, and appeared in an episode of the television series Grimm in 2017. Founded by Jack Fuller, the diner was later owned by his son John then by Urban Restaurant Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cricket Cafe</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Cricket Cafe is a restaurant in Portland, Oregon. The cafe's slogan is "champions of breakfast", offering the meal throughout the day with additional lunch options. It has received a generally positive reception, especially for its Bloody Marys, vegetarian options, and biscuits and gravy. Previously owned by Dan Bartkowski, the cafe closed unexpectedly in June 2017. Gordon Feighner and Katie Prevost reopened Cricket Cafe months later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ned Ludd (restaurant)</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Ned Ludd was a restaurant in Portland, Oregon's King neighborhood, in the United States. Established in 2008, the restaurant was owned by chef Jason French. It served Pacific Northwest cuisine.

Sunshine Tavern was a restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everybody Eats PDX</span> Defunct restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Everybody Eats PDX was a soul food restaurant in Portland, Oregon. The business closed in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pearl Tavern</span> Defunct restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Pearl Tavern was a sports bar and restaurant in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District, in the United States. The restaurant was started by former American football player Joey Harrington, bartender Ryan Magarian, and ChefStable restaurateur Kurt Huffman in December 2016. Intended to be more casual than a steakhouse, the family-friendly Pearl Tavern served various cuts of steak, fried chicken, fish, and risotto, as well as bar snacks and other options for brunch and happy hour. The interior had dark leather booths and multiple widescreen television for sports viewing, and the servers wore plaid. Three percent of profits benefited Harrington's non-profit organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southpark Seafood</span> Seafood restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Southpark Seafood is a seafood restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toast (restaurant)</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Toast is a restaurant in Portland, Oregon, United States. Owner Donald Kotler opened the cafe in 2007. Known for its breakfast and brunch menu, Toast also offers happy hour and dinner options.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacqueline (restaurant)</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Jacqueline is a seafood restaurant serving Pacific Northwest cuisine in Portland, Oregon. The restaurant was established in 2016 and has an aquatic theme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flying Fish Company</span> Seafood company based in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Flying Fish Company is a sustainable seafood company which operates a fish market, restaurant, and food cart in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RingSide Fish House</span> Defunct seafood restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

RingSide Fish House was a seafood restaurant in Portland, Oregon. The business operated in southwest Portland's Fox Tower from 2011 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuvrei</span> Bakery in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Nuvrei is a bakery in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eat: An Oyster Bar</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Eat: An Oyster Bar is a Cajun and Louisiana Creole restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Off the Griddle</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Off the Griddle is a restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Owned by Ashley Arthur and Dan Harding, the business started as a food cart in 2010 before becoming a brick and mortar restaurant in southeast Portland's Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood in 2017. The menu includes vegan and vegetarian burgers, as well as breakfast options, salads, sandwiches, and cocktails.

References

  1. Jones, Allison (May 17, 2012). "Inside The Parish". Portland Monthly . ISSN   1546-2765. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jones, Allison (April 11, 2012). "Sneak Peak[sic]: The Parish". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Korfhage, Matthew (September 9, 2016). "The Pearl's Beloved Cajun Restaurant Has Very Suddenly Closed". Willamette Week . Portland, Oregon: City of Roses Newspapers. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Bamman, Mattie John (September 12, 2016). "The Parish Shutters in the Pearl District". Eater Portland . Vox Media. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 "Cajun Deliciousness Be Thy Name". Thrillist . May 17, 2012. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Bakall, Samantha (July 20, 2015). "First look: Palmetto Cafe, a brunch and coffee counter from The Parish owners, in NW Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 14, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Russell, Michael (January 17, 2012). "The Parish restaurant to bring uptown New Orleans cuisine to Pearl District". The Oregonian . Portland, Oregon: Advance Publications. ISSN   8750-1317. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Grigsby-Rocca, Camille (September 20, 2012). "Introducing: The Parish". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  9. Jackson, Reed (June 20, 2012). "Eastside Restaurants Flock to Downtown Portland as Economy Improves". Daily Journal of Commerce . Portland, Oregon: BridgeTower Media. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Skinner, Marjorie. "The Parish". The Portland Mercury . Index Publishing. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  11. "1859 and Dine: Oysters". 1859 . Bend, Oregon: Statehood Media. March 1, 2013. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  12. Williams, Christina (April 23, 2012). "Portland restauranteurs spotlight sustainable oysters". Portland Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  13. 1 2 Bamman, Mattie John (August 24, 2015). "The Test Period Is Over: Palmetto Café Reveals Brunch, Lunch, and Small Plates Menus". Eater. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  14. 1 2 Walsh, Chad (August 19, 2015). "The Parish Splits Itself in Two; Offers Brunch, Lunch, and Small Plates Happy Hour at Palmetto Café". Eater. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  15. 1 2 Bamman, Mattie John (February 1, 2015). "Palmetto Cafe Becomes Private Event Space; The Parish Brings Back Lunch". Eater. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  16. Wolf, Laurie (January 14, 2014). Food Lovers' Guide to Portland, Oregon: The Best Restaurants, Markets and Local Culinary Offerings. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 110. ISBN   9781493006700 . Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  17. Brewer, Karen Gaudette (November 4, 2014). Seafood Lover's Pacific Northwest: Restaurants, Markets, Recipes & Traditions. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN   9781493015269 . Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  18. Fernas, Robert (October 27, 2015). "The Parish". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.