Aviary Restaurant Review: A Portland Culinary Gem (Archived)
Please Note: This review is for historical purposes only. Aviary restaurant closed its doors in December 2020. While no longer operating, this article remains on our site as an archived reference to a beloved Portland dining establishment.
For years, when friends, colleagues, and readers sought recommendations for the best Portland restaurants, one name consistently surfaced on my list: Aviary. Tucked away in the vibrant Alberta Arts District, Aviary was more than just a restaurant; it was an experience. This is why it was one of my favorite Alberta Street Restaurants. Let’s take a nostalgic journey back to the time when Aviary graced Portland’s culinary landscape.
Established in 2011, Aviary quickly garnered a reputation for its inventive and eclectic dishes. The restaurant was a testament to the Pacific Northwest’s dedication to fresh, local ingredients. The magic behind the menu was the collaborative effort of three talented chefs: Sarah Pliner, Jasper Shen, and Kat Whitehead. Together, they crafted artistic small plates bursting with flavor, transforming each dish into a culinary masterpiece.
Chef Pliner’s culinary prowess was widely recognized. She earned nominations as a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest and as a nominee for Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef award. To celebrate these achievements, Aviary hosted an all-night happy hour, providing a perfect opportunity to reunite with fellow food bloggers and rediscover some of my personal favorites.
Drinks
Aviary’s barman, Russ Hunsinger, was a master of mixology, creating some of the most memorable cocktails in Portland. One standout was The Brix Layer, a sophisticated blend of Buffalo Trace bourbon, Cabernet Sauvignon, cubed sugar, cherries, and slices of orange. Its was truly a perfectly balanced cocktail. You can read about this drink and other happy hour eats in my previous post on Aviary.
The Food
Throughout my numerous dining experiences at Aviary, I honestly struggled to find a single dish that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. Each plate was a feast for the eyes, a visual delight that heightened the anticipation. But the true magic lay in the intriguing flavor combinations. They seemed unconventional, yet they always harmonized beautifully, leaving a lasting impression.
Let’s take a virtual tour of some of the delectable bites I savored during my most recent visit:
The Restaurant
Beyond the exceptional food and drink, I adored Aviary’s ambiance. It embodied Portland’s industrial chic aesthetic. The main dining room offered ample space, the bar was cool and inviting, and there was a back room that could be reserved for private dining, accommodating 8-18 guests. For a romantic date night, I wholeheartedly recommend the back room—it was intimate and charming. Adjacent to the private dining area were the restaurant’s gardens, where they cultivated many of the fresh ingredients used in their dishes, adding a touch of farm-to-table freshness.
What to Wear
This was Portland, so truly anything was acceptable – with the exception of athletic wear or hiking attire. While jeans and t-shirts were perfectly fine, Aviary was a place where I liked to dress up a bit, mainly because it was where I went on date nights with my husband or for girls’ night outs with a small group of dear girlfriends. While I did see children dining there occasionally, and we would probably bring our kids there eventually, it wasn’t the first place I would think to take them. The menu was a little too eclectic for their tastes and the space was just sophisticated and “adult” enough to where they might feel uncomfortable.
I would, however, happily bring a group of out-of-town guests and work colleagues to Aviary. It was an excellent opportunity to introduce them to the flavors of Portland cuisine without having to endure long waits and deafening noise levels. Plus, I consistently found street parking on the same block as the restaurant.
Aviary (Address & Contact – Archived)
Please note that this information is for historical reference only. Aviary is now closed.
1733 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211
[email protected]
(503) 287-2400
aviarypdx.com
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 5 – 7pm
Dinner: Monday-Thursday 5-10pm
Friday-Saturday 5-11pm
Closed Sunday
Final Note (December 2020): Aviary restaurant is now closed. This Portland restaurant review will remain on our site as an archived historical reference article, a testament to the lasting impact Aviary had on the city’s culinary scene.