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    Urban Bliss Life » Restaurant Reviews » Portland Oregon Restaurants » Cozy up to Radar restaurant in Portland, Oregon (closed)

    Published: November 30, 2017 / Updated: May 9, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Cozy up to Radar restaurant in Portland, Oregon (closed)

    1 shares

    UPDATE May 2022: Radar restaurant is now closed permanently.

    If you find yourself on or near North Mississippi Avenue in Portland, Oregon, be sure to make your way to Radar restaurant. This sliver of a hot spot packs a beautiful, delicious punch in its cozy, compact space.

    Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    It was a dark and stormy night the first time I wandered into Portland's Radar restaurant on North Mississippi Avenue.

    Literally: dark and stormy. The night sky was silky black and the relentless Portland rain blew sideways against my face (no umbrellas for this Portland native). The 6pm moon was smiling seductively through the clouds as if it were midnight, and I didn't trust it one bit. 

    Just when it felt like I was about to enter a bad B-movie horror flick, I stepped into Radar and the scene changed.

    Looking for a place to eat and drink in Portland, Oregon? Be sure to read the full Urban Bliss Life Portland Restaurant Guide!

    Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    With the closing of the door behind me, I was met with the welcoming, warm glow of flickering candles like lanterns calling the ships to shore in the storm. The restaurant embraced me with exposed brick, intimate seating areas, and a peacefully buzzing open kitchen.

    The storm was forgotten, and I happily cozied up inside the sweetest neighborhood bar I've seen in some time.

    Radar: A Portland, Oregon restaurant

    Radar restaurant and bar in Portland, Oregon. Restaurant review on UrbanBlissLife.com

    If you don't know where Radar is, you might miss it: it's a sliver of a restaurant wedged between other businesses on bustling North Mississippi Avenue. The name is etched above the thin door, but there's so much noise on this street now - literally and figuratively - that it quietly blends in.

    It would be a mistake to miss this place. Radar is an inviting bar and restaurant that serves Northwest food with Scandanavian influences, plus inventive, mighty tasty cocktails.

    Run by wife-husband team of Lily Tollefsen and Jonathan Berube, Radar is named after Tollefsen's father - Skip Radar Tollefson. A Long Island-based restaurateur and artist, he painted the large nautical painting hanging on the back wall of the restaurant.

    Skip Radar - he was clearly cool long before names like Skip Radar were cool. His namesake restaurant lives up to that coolness. 

    PDX Cocktails

    Fairgame Cocktail at Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    Radar's galley-like space is flanked on the left by a long bar. Behind that bar, Lilly Tollefsen serves up beer, cider, wine, and a half dozen or so expertly crafted cocktails.

    During our visit, I tried the Fairgame cocktail ($11). This tall beauty has Appleton rum, sherry, lime, marmalade, and mint. A rum drink warmed me right up.

    Fairgame Cocktail at Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    Salads

    All of the plates at Radar are meant to be shared. I felt like the portions were enough for two people to share 2-4 plates and call it a meal.

    Butter Lettuce Salad at Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    Unlike some other restaurants that offer salads as an after thought, I found the salads at Radar to be thoughtful and just as delicious and filling as the other dishes.

    The Butter Lettuce Salad (pictured above; $11) with shaved radish, scallion, and green goddess dressing was just enough to satisfy immediate hunger cravings. Butter lettuce with radish is one of my favorite salad combos, so I loved this one.

    Small Plates

    Deviled Eggs Three Ways Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    Deviled eggs are definitely finding their way onto almost every restaurant menu again - and I love it.

    Radar restaurant's Deviled Eggs Three Ways (pictured above; $6) are a nice offering of creamy eggs topped with bacon, piquillo, and trout roe.

    House Gravlax at Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    Try the House Gravlax, which is potato cakes with pickled fresno chile, and topped with herbed crème fraiche. I definitely recommend this dish!

    Kale Salad at Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    The Lacinato Kale Salad ($12) is made with sultanas, mint, and topped with an absolutely delicious peanut dressing.

    Fried Shrimp at Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    Ras El Hanout Fried Shrimp ($13) is served with preserved lemon aioli and shishito powder. The shrimp is coated with a nice thick crunchy coat.

    Radar restaurant and bar in Portland, Oregon. Restaurant review on UrbanBlissLife.com

    One of my faves of the night was the Smoked Pork Shoulder ($8). At Radar restaurant, it's served on grit cakes and topped with a chile purée.

    Smoked Bluefish Pate at Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    Try the Smoked Bluefish Patê ($15) with house pickled vegetables and house bread. It's a specialty here; they fly in smoked bluefish from the Northeast each week.

    Radar restaurant in North Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon

    Radar also has a long table out back in a cute little covered area. Perfect for groups! 

    I have also heard that this is THE brunch spot to go to now. But, I have not yet had the pleasure of eating here for brunch yet. Soon! If their brunch is as delectable as their happy hour and dinner, I'm sure it's amazing.

    Visit Radar restaurant

    Now that I know Radar exists, I won't walk past it again. Tuck into this cozy space for a drink with your honey. Meet the girls for a couple of drinks and a boatload of yummy snacks and call it dinner.

    Or, if you find yourself maneuvering the busy streets of North Mississippi Ave on a dark and stormy night, slid right up onto a bar stool solo and treat yourself to a soul-soothing solitary meal.

    UPDATE: Radar restaurant is now closed.

    More Portland restaurants

    Looking for a place to eat and drink in Portland, Oregon? Be sure to read the full Urban Bliss Life Portland Restaurant Guide!

    • Canard restaurant
    • Bamboo Sushi
    • Olympia Provisions
    • Bullard Tavern
    • Bar Casa Vale
    « How to Host the Ultimate Holiday Wine Pairing Party
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Rachel Lloyd says

        December 04, 2017 at 10:01 pm

        A friend and I had a plan to go to a restaurant near-by for dinner but the line was over 2 hours. We popped into Radar and it was the BEST surprise. It's such a cool spot. Love your write up as well!

        Reply
      2. Sebastian Bach says

        December 04, 2017 at 3:18 am

        Wow everything looks so yummy! While reading your post water was coming in my mouth, because I can’t stop myself to eating without Smoked Bluefish Patê.

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          December 04, 2017 at 7:45 pm

          LOL. Sorry for making you hungry!

      3. Jenny says

        December 01, 2017 at 12:36 pm

        What a fun restaurant!! This looks like a perfect place to meet a friend for a drink!

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          December 04, 2017 at 7:45 pm

          It's perfect for that! It's a great place! :)

      4. Meg says

        December 01, 2017 at 12:28 pm

        Everything looks so good here. I'm very happy to see deviled eggs getting more play on menus these days. Interesting about the lacinato kale salad with a peanut dressing. We do a lacinato kale salad at home with parmesan, olive oil, lemon, and chili flakes but hadn't considered peanut as compatible. I'll have to stop by Radar and give that salad in particular a try. Thanks for the great photos and descriptions of all those yums!

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          December 04, 2017 at 7:44 pm

          That salad sounds great! Thanks so much, Meg! :)

      5. Mary says

        December 01, 2017 at 11:32 am

        That place looks awesome! You had me at deviled eggs. And I think that’s the kale salad that could turn my husband into a kale salad eater!
        Adding this to my list of Portland restaurants to check out. Thanks!!

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          December 04, 2017 at 7:42 pm

          The deviled eggs are seriously to die for! Thanks, Mary! :)

      6. Create/Enjoy says

        November 30, 2017 at 11:55 pm

        Yum! Sounds like a fun place! Love those mirrors.

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          December 04, 2017 at 7:41 pm

          Me, too! It is a great place!

      7. Eva says

        November 30, 2017 at 6:36 pm

        Wow, the food looks amazing! Especially that fried shrimp. I'll keep my eye out for Radar next time I'm on Mississippi.

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          December 04, 2017 at 7:40 pm

          You definitely need to give it a try!

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      Hi! 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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