Langbaan
Portland, Oregon
Thai comfort food crafted with no open-flame cooking; only ovens and induction burners.
Opened ∕ March 2014
Annual Sales ∕ $1–$3 million
Average Check ∕ $65 (without alcohol)
Chef/Owner∕ Akkapong Earl Ninsom
The Squeaky Bean
Denver
A pop culture–driven atmosphere grounded by a garden-inspired menu (produce is grown in the neighborhood) and creative cocktails defines The Squeaky Bean, where weekend bingo is a popular draw. On Saturdays, a drag queen calls the numbers, on Sundays, it’s a stand-up comedian.
Opened ∕ May 2009 (relocated June 2012)
Annual Sales ∕ $2–$3 million
Average Check ∕ $50
Owners∕ Johnny Ballen and Josh Olsen
Guard and Grace
Denver
At this modern steakhouse, guests can store their own reserve bottles, alongside the restaurant’s collection, in the massive wine cellar.
Opened ∕ March 2014
Average Check ∕ $80 (estimate)
Chef/Owner∕ Troy Guard
Rioja
Denver
Chef Jasinski won James Beard Best Chef: Southwest in 2013, and, at its 10-year anniversary, the restaurant closed for four weeks to undergo a major makeover including new walls, floors, furniture, and artwork.
Opened ∕ November 2004
Annual Sales ∕ $3–$5 million
Average Check ∕ $69
Owners∕ Chef Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch
Frasca Food & Wine
Boulder, Colorado
Paying homage to the food of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy, Frasca’s signature dishes include Cannelloni (Homarus deep sea lobster, English pea, and tangerine) and Pappagallo (Parrotfish, Parmesan broth, lava bean, ramp, and black pepper), and the restaurant won James Beard: Outstanding Wine Program in 2013.
Opened ∕ August 2004
Annual Sales ∕ $3–$5 million
Average Check ∕ $125
Owners∕ Chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Bobby Stuckey
Beast
Portland, Oregon
Completely self-trained, Chef Pomeroy operates in a 100-square-foot kitchen (the restaurant itself is only 800 square feet) and serves 26 guests per seating, delighting with a six-course prix fixe menu that changes weekly.
Annual Sales ∕ $1–$3 million
Average Check ∕ $102 for food; $150 with wine pairings
Chef/Owner∕ Naomi Pomeroy
Kachka
Portland, Oregon
Serving the authentic Russian foods of her childhood, Chef Morales has been wowing Portland diners by combining Slavic fare with Portland values such as quality, freshness, and local sourcing, and polishing off the experience with a house-infused vodka program.
Opened ∕ April 2014
Annual Sales ∕ $1–$3 million
Average Check ∕ $35
Owners∕ Chef Bonnie Morales, Israel Morales, Ramzy Mattar
Ox
Portland, Oregon
Both chefs were finalists for James Beard Best Chef: Northwest this year, and the building has its own illustrious fame. Built in 1890, it once housed a general store, an auto dealership display room, a bar, a creamery, and a house of ill repute.
Opened ∕ $1–$3 million
Annual Sales ∕ $1–$3 million
Average Check ∕ $45–$55
Chef/Owner∕ Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quiñónez Denton
Cucina Urbana
San Diego
Part Italian-inspired restaurant, part design incubator. All of the furniture is made by craftsmen who live in San Diego.
Opened ∕ 2009
Average Check ∕ $42
Chef/Owner∕ Tracy Borkum
State & Lemp
Boise, Idaho
Chef Kris Komori was recently nominated for the People’s Choice Top 100 Best New Chefs in the U.S. by Food & Wine magazine, while State & Lemp was called the Best Restaurant in Idaho this year by Business Insider.
Opened ∕ October 2013
Annual Sales ∕ $500,000
Average Check ∕ Menu: $75/person, $30/wine pairing
Owners ∕ Remi McManus and Jay Henry
Mélisse
Santa Monica, California
Season-driven prix fixe menus with rich offerings such as Wagyu Beef Tartare and Wild Alaskan Halibut.
Opened ∕ 1999
Average Check ∕ $260–$270
Chef/Owner∕ Josiah Citrin
Bar Sajor
Seattle
Featuring Mediterranean-inspired dishes and homemade breads, Bar Sajor was named one of the 25 best restaurants in America in 2014 by GQ magazine.
Opened ∕ March 2013
Average Check ∕ $45 for dinner, $21 for lunch
Chef/Owner∕ Matthew Dillon
Canlis
Seattle
A legend in Seattle, this 65-year-old restaurant is revered for its approachable dishes like prawns with dry vermouth and garlic, has a 90-page wine list, and—to celebrate its 50th anniversary—created a city-wide scavenger hunt for 1950s-era copies of its menu, rewarding finders with dishes at 1950s prices.
Opened ∕ December 1950
Average Check ∕ $154
Owners∕ Mark and Brian Canlis
Joule
Seattle
Husband-and-wife Chefs Yang and Chirchi were finalists for Best Chef: Northwest in 2015. Driven by Chef Yang’s Korean heritage, dishes are bathed in hints of sour and bitter flavors, such as White Stuffed Kimchi and Mackerel.
Opened ∕ 2007
Average Check ∕ $25–$35 (estimate)
Chef/Owners∕ Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi
Lark
Seattle
In 2014, the restaurant moved to a larger location expanding the dining room; adding amaro, the Italian digestif; and a crudo bar.
Opened ∕ 2003
Average Check ∕ $70–$80
Chef/Owner∕ John Sundstrom
The Whale Wins
Seattle
Chef Erickson, a finalist for Best Chef: Northwest in 2015, has a knack for surprising diners and is known for serving dishes at room temperature at The Whale Wins, whether her famous pickle plate or a salt-roasted filet mignon.
Opened ∕ October 2012
Average Check ∕ $50 (estimate)
Chef/Owner∕ Renee Erickson
MW Restaurant
Honolulu
With its Hawaiian regional cuisine, MW is a favorite of both locals and tourists; the restaurant hosts an afternoon tea once a month, with a sweet and savory bites prix fixe menu, priced at $35.
Opened ∕ October 2013
Average Check ∕ Lunch: $25–$35, Dinner: $55
Chef/Owners∕ Michelle Karr-Ueoka and Wade Ueoka
Pomp/Resort at Paws Up
Greenough, Montana
Pomp is part of a 37,000-acre working cattle ranch that offers luxury vacation homes and luxury tents, which reportedly sparked the “glamping” (i.e. glamorous camping) trend, as well as luxury dining at Pomp, which received the Award Of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine in 2012 and 2014.
Opened ∕ June 2005
Annual Sales ∕ $3–$5 million
Average Check ∕ Dinner: $65
Owners∕ Dave, Nadine, and Larry Lipson
The Rookery Café
Juneau, Alaska
Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Juneau, the upscale-casual Rookery Café is known for adventurous dishes such as its Alaskan Reindeer heart tartare or its recent pasta dish that featured house-made squid ink spaghetti noodles, local lemon basil, and uni (urchin roe) in a simple citrus and wine and butter sauce.
Opened ∕ November 2010
Annual Sales ∕ $1.35 million
Average Check ∕ $21
Owners∕ Travis Smith and Chef Beau Schooler
