Quadrant by Quadrant: Northeast

Perfect for Paleos due to the a la carte steak menu, salad offerings, and veggie sides to make your own primal meal. They've also got a butcher counter so you can stock up on grass fed meats for home cookin.

This candle-lit Southern eatery dishes out creative, comforting takes on New Orleans classics. Must order: barbecue shrimp in a lick-the-bowl-clean-it’s-so-good sauce of white wine, pepper, Worcestershire, lemon, and plenty of butter.

Dogs are allowed both indoors and out, and there are dog-specific menu items. On the spot’s (often long) sign up sheet, you have to account for how many canines are in your party when you put your name on the waiting list.

This contender for Portland's longest brunch line serves an outstanding burger and chicken & waffles. Bring 5 friends and make a reservation to skip the wait!

When hungry herbivores crave a large helping of greens outside of their own kitchens, they head to Blossoming Lotus, where the standout Crispy Thai BBQ salad is packed with filling ingredients and crave-worthy flavors that will make even the most discerning of diners happy.

Much more than the sum of its parts, the shaved kale salad at Yakuza manages to be both healthy and indulgent at the same time. The good green stuff is sliced confetti-thin, then tossed with shallots, lemon, and edamame.

Northeast Alberta’s sweet little saké and sushi bar, has curb appeal that extends to the hip interior, and the kitchen dishes up comforting flavors and a sake list so long it’ll surely impress your arm candy.

Romantic and delicious, a perfect date night spot. Get the tasting menu! Oh, and the name stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, Italy’s system for labeling high-quality homegrown products.

A former pizza parlor got the Cinderella treatment and is now a colorful haven for farm-to-fork cuisine. No wait for brunch--get the polenta w/ mushroom gravy! All salads are delicious.

Sport bar heaven. Newly revamped menu from owner Nate Tilden includes small plates and sandwiches, like BBQ pork belly and wings, smoked tri-tip steak, root vegetable sandwiches, and refined salads. Plus, skeeball.

When three young chefs combine forces with international influences, the result is an eclectic and flavorful menu of modern dishes like crispy pig ear salad and heirloom tomato french toast with preserved lemon aioli.

Greg & Gabby Denton raise the bar on PDX grilled meat (veg, too). Expect long waits rewarded by transcendent meals. New bar next-door offers refreshments while you wait. Don't skip dessert (try the brown butter torte)!

On my tour of must-try Portland eateries: exemplifies the PDX love of comfort foods, customization, and quirk (you eat in a schoolbus). Gluten-free options available!

Bakery Bar's Biscuit Jammers make my world go round. Great outdoor seating for brunch with the dogs (plus free housemade dog biscuits) mean this place loves pooches as much as I do.

Step up to the counter and try ALL of the "farm-to-cone" flavors, but order a scoop of Sea Salt with Caramel. Want to avoid the line? You can skip to the front with pint orders.

Sweet and romantic French-inflected restaurant with a woman-powered kitchen, great cocktails, refined entrees, and a must-try happy hour menu. Sundays are all-day industry happy hour.

James Beard-award winning cookbook author opens whole-grain-powered bakery. Try the Figgy Buckwheat scones and the chocolate espresso cake (fueled by Ristretto Roasters java).