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    Urban Bliss Life » Restaurant Reviews » Portland Oregon Restaurants » Buckman Public House in Portland, Oregon [closed]

    Published: August 17, 2017 / Updated: May 19, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Buckman Public House in Portland, Oregon [closed]

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    Buckman Public House in Portland, Oregon has a vibrant cocktail program, and serves artfully presented, creative lunch and dinner dishes in a former high school building.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Portland, Oregon may be a young city but there are still so many untold stories and history within the walls of old structures in the midst of the city's massive growth. While many landmarks have been paved over and forgotten, some have been carefully and lovingly preserved in varying degrees.

    One of those buildings is the old Washington High School.

    I remember Washington High School. I was a kid at the also now-closed North Powellhurst Elementary School in Southeast Portland when it closed in 1981. To walk through the space that was formerly occupied by the school's science lab and boiler room made my heart happy.

    Buckman Public House

    The renovation project included preserving the historic exterior while updating the interior. I absolutely fell in love with the space itself.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    The beautiful ocean blue mermaid tile backsplash in the bar welcomes you in.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    In addition to outdoor seating during warmer weather, the L-shaped interior offers plenty of seating throughout the restaurant. Choose from booth seating and open table seating.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    I love that there is SO much room between the tables. The higher ceilings also help create an airy open atmosphere, making you feel comfortable and relaxed during your time here.

    Cocktails

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    The cocktail program at Buckman Public House is led by bar manager Pete Maben (Vintage Cocktail Lounge, Raven and Rose) .

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    You'll find a vibrant selection of cocktails here at Buckman Public House. Sure, you can order beer and wine, but let's face it: cocktails are prettier and sometimes just more fun!

    Here's a look at some of the cocktails our group enjoyed during this last visit.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Watermelon Fields Forever ($8) - watermelon, rancio, damiana, lemon and lime. So light and refreshing!

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Mr. Blue Sky ($10) - this is Buckman Public House's rendition of a mint julep. Rye and pisco with peach and mint, served over snow cone crushed ice (love!!) with a blue curacao finish.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Islands in the Stream ($8) - I can't resist a cocktail with hibiscus in it. This has hibiscus-infused vodka, cocchi americano, lemon, cardamom sugar, raspberry liqueur and teapot bitters.

    Food

    The Buckman Public House kitchen is led by Executive Chef Jeff Emerson (Tucci, Cafe Castagna, Ava Gene’s, Alba Osteria) and Chef de Cuisine Ian Wilson (ex-Chef/Owner of Fenrir).

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    You could, as I like to do, make a meal just from the starters alone.

    They are beautifully presented, artful creations of classic and creative flavors and a happy blending of textures within each dish. Here's a look at the dishes we sampled during this visit.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Deviled Eggs ($5) - picked mustard seeds, chives, horseradish. I LOVE the deviled eggs. The pickled mustard seeds are a nice addition of textures that pop amid the creaminess of the deviled eggs.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Lamb Tartar ($16) - shaved shallots, fish sauce, picked mustard seeds, sauce vert, and endive.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Chicharones - choose from either pork or veggie for $6 each or get a mix of both for $7.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Chop Salad ($11) - carrot, shallot, kohlrabi, fennel, herbs, rye chips, yogurt vinaigrette, sunflower seeds.

    The main dishes are just as beautiful and yummy.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Cauliflower ($15) - this stunning dish is a delicious main course, or you can use it as a starter split between your group of four or more. Chili puree, fried lemon, orange zest, cashews, queso fresco, cilantro. This is perhaps the most creative use of the ever trendy cauliflower I've seen in town, and it totally works. LOVE this dish!

    You can add pork belly for an additional $4, and I am not sure why we didn't do that... next time!

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Green Risotto ($16) - fresh sheep cheese, herb puree, favas, scallion, pistachio pesto. A very green risotto indeed... and very tasty, too!

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Griddled McFarland Trout ($22) - salad of fennel, arugula and mizuna, labneh, aleppo chili, and black barley. If you're in the mood for fish, definitely order this dish. It's an elegant main course that is packed with so much flavor.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Fried Half Chicken ($23) - you get your choice of 2 side dishes with this, and we ordered a side of Citrus Slaw and Mac and Cheese. The sides are normally $6 when ordered on their own.

    Dessert

    You can't leave Buckman Public House without ordering at least one of their delectable desserts!

    BOOZY SOFT SERVE, people! Need I say more?

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    The Boozy Soft Serve ($5) looks like a childhood dream, adult-ified with some Tullamore Dew Vanilla or Black Amaro (or get a swirl!). Topped with confetti sprinkles. Oh my. These are dangerously good!

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    One more shot of the boozy soft serve, just because.

    There are also various dessert specials so be sure to ask your server.

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    This hazelnut cake torte concoction was a hit with our group. Chocolatey nutty goodness at its finest!

    Buckman Public House restaurant in Portland, Oregon, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Finally, we devoured this churro ice cream creation. More sprinkles. You can never have too many sprinkles!

    Visit

    Whether you remember the old Washington High School or not, you're sure to enjoy the new Buckman Public House that now occupies the old space. Go for drinks and apps, or enjoy a full lunch or dinner here with friends. It's totally kid-friendly, too! It's a testament that New Portland progress can be a very good and tasty thing, indeed.

    Buckman Public House
    1310 SE Stark St.
    Portland, OR 97214
    503-206-5451
    HOURS: 
    Sunday - Thursday 11am - 10pm
    Friday - Saturday 11am - 12am
    https://buckmanpublichouse.com/

    Which food or drink looks most appealing  to you? If you live outside of Portland, what's a renovated building in your area that you love? 

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Pech says

        August 18, 2017 at 10:43 am

        Mmmmmmm I'm still thinking about dessert there! Beautiful photos!

        Reply
      2. Create/Enjoy says

        August 18, 2017 at 10:30 am

        LOVE that tile and the colorful food on the white plates. The Washington High School project is so cool, love seeing how it is used now! We went to a live podcast there last winter!

        Reply
      3. Meg says

        August 17, 2017 at 8:35 pm

        Dang that food is gorgeous. And I love love love things with pickled mustard seeds on them! What a fantastic spread - I'll have to stop by soon. Thanks for featuring this place!

        Reply
      4. Eva Tweedie says

        August 17, 2017 at 5:43 pm

        I love restored historic buildings and am so happy to see more and more around here in Portland. I'll definitely have to make a visit here exclusively for that cauliflower dish!

        Reply

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      Hey Hey! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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