Oldtown/Chinatown, bless its heart, is not known for its fine dining. That changed when Davis Street Tavern opened in late 2008 at the corner of NW Davis and NW 5th. The restaurant and adjoining bar are sophisticated in a comfortable sort of way–red brick walls, low leather banquettes, loungey bar sofas, flattering lighting, very interesting metal and wood chandeliers, and a huge portrait of half-naked Bathsheeba covering most of the South wall (you can buy it for $28,000). The burger matches the ambiance–sophisticated but approachable, a strip loin burger topped with braised pork belly, sharp Tillamook cheddar, tomato jam, and romaine lettuce, served with a pinch of the house pickled vegetable salad and a pile of perfectly light, fresh and salty shoestring fries ($10). During DST’s daily happy hour (4-6:30pm), you can get the burger for $6–paired with the $3 happy hour microbrew, you’ve got a superb under-$10-meal.
