A goal of mine while in Portland was to try new things. My best friend Ashlyn and I said that we were going to try west coast oysters at our lunch that we were having on the Saturday we were out there and shook on it. Ashlyn and I tried our very first oysters together last year, however, they were east coast oysters. We had been told that west coast oysters were a bit more intense, so we went with the east coast ones the first go around. It was time to be brave while we were in PDX, so we went to Southpark Seafood and shucked some west coasters!
Food + Drink
Obviously we were all about the seafood at Southpark. We started out with some shigoku and kumamoto oysters. These are the smallest ones that Southpark has. We also ordered sparkling drinks to go with our oysters, as we were told by our waitress that this would enhance the experience. I ordered the La Jara, Rose Frizzante, Treviso, Italy NV. If you shuck and fill with some of the juice, sip some rose, shoot the oyster, and sip some rose again, you will have one of the best food experiences of your life. It's hard to explain, but the saltiness from the oyster mixed with the bubbly effect of the rose created something that I had never felt or tasted before. It sounds ridiculous, but it was magical. For our lunch entrees we both ordered a bowl of the clam chowder and it came with a piece of focaccia bread. I have high standards when it comes to clam chower, and Southpark met it. The clam chowder was creamy and delicious, just how I like it!
Ambience + Atmosphere
I would say Southpark is a classier establishment. I feel like lunch is a little bit more laid back, but I can see everyone dressing up for a nice dinner at this restaurant. It's a big open restaurant with a lot of natural light. Perfect for a date night out in Portland or lunch with your best girl friend.
Obviously we were all about the seafood at Southpark. We started out with some shigoku and kumamoto oysters. These are the smallest ones that Southpark has. We also ordered sparkling drinks to go with our oysters, as we were told by our waitress that this would enhance the experience. I ordered the La Jara, Rose Frizzante, Treviso, Italy NV. If you shuck and fill with some of the juice, sip some rose, shoot the oyster, and sip some rose again, you will have one of the best food experiences of your life. It's hard to explain, but the saltiness from the oyster mixed with the bubbly effect of the rose created something that I had never felt or tasted before. It sounds ridiculous, but it was magical. For our lunch entrees we both ordered a bowl of the clam chowder and it came with a piece of focaccia bread. I have high standards when it comes to clam chower, and Southpark met it. The clam chowder was creamy and delicious, just how I like it!
Ambience + Atmosphere
I would say Southpark is a classier establishment. I feel like lunch is a little bit more laid back, but I can see everyone dressing up for a nice dinner at this restaurant. It's a big open restaurant with a lot of natural light. Perfect for a date night out in Portland or lunch with your best girl friend.
Location + Transportation
Southpark is located in downtown Portland. Like the rest of our trip, we drove to the restaurant and parked at a meter. We were able to find a spot almost right in front of the restaurant.
Extras + Details
I highly recommend making a reservation if you chose to go for dinner. We made one for lunch and it wasn't necessary, but I also like to make reservations at a place if they accept them just in case. The service was excellent in terms of recommendations and timeliness. Our waitress was spot on for what kind of oysters to order and what to do with the oysters. It is slightly pricey, but that's to be expected for a higher end seafood restaurant, and I didn't feel that the price was unfair for what we got. They accept cash and credit.
Southpark is located in downtown Portland. Like the rest of our trip, we drove to the restaurant and parked at a meter. We were able to find a spot almost right in front of the restaurant.
Extras + Details
I highly recommend making a reservation if you chose to go for dinner. We made one for lunch and it wasn't necessary, but I also like to make reservations at a place if they accept them just in case. The service was excellent in terms of recommendations and timeliness. Our waitress was spot on for what kind of oysters to order and what to do with the oysters. It is slightly pricey, but that's to be expected for a higher end seafood restaurant, and I didn't feel that the price was unfair for what we got. They accept cash and credit.
Overall Impression
Southpark was a great new experience for the both of us! We thoroughly enjoyed our seafood lunch and really liked that we had the opportunity to try something new. We will definitely be coming back again in the future for some more magical oyster experiences!
Southpark was a great new experience for the both of us! We thoroughly enjoyed our seafood lunch and really liked that we had the opportunity to try something new. We will definitely be coming back again in the future for some more magical oyster experiences!
Have you ever had oysters before?
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Check out Ashlyn's blog to keep up with her new adventure in Portland!
Make sure you like the Yellow Monday's Facebook page to stay in the loop with all that is new!
Check out Ashlyn's blog to keep up with her new adventure in Portland!