Address: 527 Southwest 12th Ave
Pricing: Moderate (Entrees $14-$22)
Phone: (503) 241-7163
Hours: Dinner: Mon.-Thurs. 5:00pm-9:30pm, Fri.-Sat. 5:00pm-10:30pm; Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 4:30pm-6:00pm
How To Get There:
From I-5 South:
1. Take exit 302B for I-405 W/US-30 W toward Beaverton/St Helens
2. Merge onto I-405 S/US-30 W
Continue to follow I-405 S
3. Take exit 2A for Couch St toward Burnside St
4. Merge onto NW 15th Ave
5. Turn left at SW Alder St
6. Turn left at the 3rd cross street onto SW 12th Ave
Destination will be on the left
From I-5 North:
1. Take exit 299B on the left for I-405 W toward US-26 W/City Center/Beaverton
2. Merge onto I-405 N
3. Take exit 2A toward Salmon St/Pge Park
4. Merge onto SW 14th Ave
5. Turn right at SW Salmon St
6. Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto SW 12th Ave
By public transit:
Located directly downtown and accessible by any TriMet bus route or Max Light Rail line which runs downtown.
Parking:Street parking is available
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Gruner: The ‘greener’ side of Portland’s culinary scene
May 17, 2010
Gruner is a shining example of the bustling restaurant scene in Portland. When most people think of a “European” style restaurant, French and Italian cuisine automatically come to mind. Gruner instead re-invents food and cooking techniques from the Alps region to make a wholly unique yet Northwest-rooted dining experience.
Opened just last year, Gruner is located in the heart of downtown and right next door to some of Portland’s most buzzed about businesses including Canoe, Odessa, and like-minded restaurant Clyde Common. The restaurant was opened by Chef Christopher Israel and is described as “an adventure running through the Alps and along the Danube River which begins at the Black Forest and ends at the Black Sea.”
When first walking in, you will notice a clean and modern design aesthetic. The restaurant revels in the fact that the food does most of the talking. It is a welcome reprieve from many other restaurants focused on Central European fare, which might go for a kitschier look and feel.
For sunny afternoons or warm evenings, there is ample outdoor seating. It is a refreshing way to wind down from work and allows you take in the surroundings. Especially during happy hour, you can sit back and have a lovely meal in the fresh air of Portland.
For dinner, look for inspired takes on classical dishes such as goulash, dumplings, spaetlze, and many others. Overall, the food is filling, but airy enough to not leave you feeling weighted down. They also offer a great selection of beer and wine, including many import drafts and German white wines.
A good idea, especially for first time visitors, is to eat at the bar. It is cheaper with quick service and you still can sample a good portion of the menu. Small bites such as cured meats, vegetables, and even a sandwich or burger can be savored at a fraction of the price.
For a meal that makes you re-think classic European food and still incorporates the flavors and feel of the Pacific Northwest, Gruner will leave satisfied and coming back for more.
HelloPortland Tip: Try Gruner’s happy hour. Reasonably priced and delicious, it makes a perfect stop after a long day shopping or exploring the city.
- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro
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William CraneWilliam Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues.
Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.
