• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Urban Bliss Life logo

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • contact
  • shop
  • cookbooks
  • cooking classes
  • resources
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Asian recipes
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Dairy-free Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Entertaining Recipes
    • Filipino Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • 5 Ingredients
    • Kid-Friendly Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • Dog Treats
  • Wine
    • Oregon Wine Guide
    • Washington Wine
    • California Wine
    • Food and Wine Pairing
    • Wine Country
    • Wine Tips & Wine Pairings
  • Travel
    • Europe
      • Greece
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Liechtenstein
      • The Netherlands
      • Switzerland
      • The UK (United Kingdom)
    • Canada
    • USA travel
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • Oregon Travel Ideas
      • Utah
      • Washington
      • New Orleans
    • Travel Gear
    • Japan
    • Travel Tips
    • Hotels
    • Family Travel
  • Restaurants
  • About
    • Work With Urban Bliss Life
    • Press
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Work With Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Urban Bliss Life » Restaurant Reviews » Portland Oregon Restaurants » Weekend Bliss: Smallwares [closed]

    Published: March 14, 2015 / Updated: October 14, 2021 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Weekend Bliss: Smallwares [closed]

    0 shares

    UPDATE: Smallware is closed. Chef Johanna Ware has opened up a newer location, Wares. 

    Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name (name that TV show!), where the food is predictable and safe and comfy. Sometimes, you want the unexpected - to be surprised, challenged, impressed.

    I've been to Smallwares a few times now, and each time, I've gone in having no idea what to order, but walked out being completely blown away by the plates set in front of me. I leave full and happy.

    Smallwares

    Located on the corner of NE 46th and Fremont in the Beaumont neighborhood, Smallwares is billed as offering "inauthentic Asian" cuisine. Here, you're greeted by a decor that gives you a good idea of what you can expect on your plate: a playful mix of Chinese, Korean, Middle Eastern, and Northwest styles. Chef Johanna Ware, a Food & Wine magazine Best New Chef nominee two years in a row, is, in my humble opinion, one of the more quietly inventive, hardest working chefs in town. I've had the pleasure of tasting her food at several events throughout the past few years, in addition to dining at Smallwares and Barwares, and I'm always impressed not only by her food  -- which is always, without fail, impeccably presented and incredibly flavorful-- but by her humble demeanor and clear passion for the food she serves.

    Cocktails

    Whether you are dining in the front restaurant section, known as Smallwares, or the back bar room, known as Barwares (see what they did there?), I definitely recommend starting with some cocktails.

    During our dinner, my husband had his favorite - a Vesper Martini - as well as Hite, a smooth, clean Korean lager. Meanwhile I, unable to decide on a cocktail or a wine (they have a great wine list), ordered the Smallwares Mocktail (grenadine, ginger, lemon, soda) -- plus vodka. It was divine.

    Smallwares Portland Oregon Restaurant

    Shareable Small Plates

    When dining at Smallwares, it's best if each person orders a dish or two (all menu items are prepared as small plates) to be shared by the table. This allows you to get a full overview of the wide range of styles and flavors. And, if you glance at the menu and aren't quite sure what certain ingredients are or whether you might like a certain dish or not, please do ask your server. They are so very helpful and can guide you toward dishes that would satisfy your tastes.

    You can't go wrong by starting with the scallop sashimi ($11). Made with yuzu butter, vadouvan, bottarga, and shiso, the sashimi is expertly prepared and beautifully presented.

    Smallwares Portland Oregon Restaurant

    The fried kale ($10) was coated with a healthy dose of tempura and retained some nice salt and crunch from the candied bacon. The mint was subtle but added a nice refreshing taste. I could have eaten this all night.

    Smallwares Portland Oregon Restaurant

    We also tried brussels sprouts ($8), which were prepared with XO sauce, almond brittle, and nigella seed. I also think ours might have been topped with shredded basil, perhaps? Like all dishes at Smallwares, this was a seemingly simple dish but once you dove in, you were introduced to more complex layers of flavor with each bite.

    Smallwares Brussels Sprouts Portland Oregon restaurant review

    The Mapo Dofue dish ($10) was hands down my favorite dish of the night. This is an excellent example of something I likely would not have ordered just based on the menu description, but oh my word this was amazing!

    Smallwares Portland Oregon Restaurant

    You first get the top layer of mapo dofu, which is tofu in a bean sauce, then your spoon hits the egg custard, and when you start to scoop up you grab a scallion or two. . . then, when all of those layers hit your tongue, your tastebuds get this crazy delicious collision of fresh textures. It's Chinese Sichuan meets casual comfort food, and Smallwares does such a great job with this blend of Asian influences. I'm craving it as I write. I will most definitely be ordering this again the next time I visit.

    Finally, we were treated to the hangar steak ($17), which is served with greens, ginger black vinegar, and boquerones (anchovies).  The hangar steak was so tender, and the portion was the perfect size to be shared between two people.

    Smallwares Portland Oregon Restaurant

    Happy Hour

    Smallwares hosts a happy hour from 5 - 7pm each night, as well as a late night happy hour. Our fellow diners to each side of us ordered items from the happy hour menu, and I can attest that they all looked delicious. They looked quite tempting! And, from my eavesdropping (not hard; tables are somewhat close to each other), I could hear only happy reviews.

    Smallwares Portland Oregon Restaurant

    Smallwares also offers a kids menu, and a unique family style ssam menu, which is a traditional Korean meal served family-style. 

    $1 Oysters

    Smallwares is one of 30+ local restaurants participating in Portland Dining Month. Through March 31, you can enjoy a three-course meal for just $29. Such a great excuse to try out new restaurants, and if you haven't been to Smallwares yet, I think their Portland Dining Month menu is definitely a good one. Check out their Portland Dining Month menu on their website.

    Finally, you MUST know that every Monday, Smallwares has $1 oysters while supplies last, so get there early if you plan to fill up on $1 oysters!

    Smallwares Restaurant

    Smallwares is a wonderful place to dine with a small group of friends, to do for date night, or even to enjoy a work lunch or after work drinks.

    smallwares: 7 days a week 5pm-10pm Saturday & Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm
    barwares: 7 days a week 5pm-1am
    email: info@smallwarespdx.com
    address: 4605 ne fremont street portland, or 97213
    phone: 971.229.0995

    Smallwares Portland Oregon Restaurant

    Thanks to Smallwares restaurant for treating my husband and I to this complementary meal. As always, all opinions and photos are my own. I only write about places, events, and products I support and believe you will all love too! 

    « Travel Bliss: Where to Stay on Hawaii, the Big Island: Mauna Lani
    Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs »
    0 shares

    Get recipes, travel tips, deals and more delivered to your inbox!

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Shahin says

        April 28, 2015 at 3:22 pm

        mapo dofu - on my list of must haves now. Your description had ME craving it! And you know I am a sucker for good brussels sprouts!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          April 29, 2015 at 1:22 pm

          That mapo dofu... I look at the photo and am instantly transported and HUNGRY for it again. SO GOOD!

      2. Melinda says

        March 14, 2015 at 11:14 am

        I've never been to Smallwares...in fact, I've had to miss a few opportunities to go. But, man, those brussels sprouts look delicious!

        Reply

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

      Primary Sidebar

      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      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).

      More about me →

      Featured In

      Urban Bliss Life Press Featured In graphic

      Spring Recipes

      • Lucky Charms Cereal Bars
      • Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Herbs
      • Strawberry Crinkle Cookies
      • Cheese and Spinach Mini Frittata Recipe

      New Recipes

      • Crab Deviled Eggs
      • Taco Dip with Ground Beef
      • Ice Cream Parfait
      • Chocolate Coffee Cake

      New Travel Tips

      • Bells Up Winery
      • Wat Chalong Temple
      • Downtown Victoria Restaurants
      • Best Bangkok Temples
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Instagram
      • YouTube

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      logos of media outlets that have featured urban bliss life.

      Recipes

      • 30-Minute Meals
      • 5-Ingredients
      • Air Fryer
      • Asian
      • Dairy-Free
      • Pasta
      • Seafood

      About

      • About
      • FAQs
      • Privacy & Accessibility Policy
      • Terms & Conditions

      Contact

      • Contact
      • Work with me

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
      Copyright © 2022 Urban Bliss Life

      All rights reserved. You may not use any photos or recipes on this site for any personal or commercial use without my express written permission.