Lincoln
If I did not possess the unquenchable compulsion to eat somewhere different nearly every night, and could have a favorite neighborhood restaurant, a sanctuary of consistently good food and lovingly chosen wines and potent cocktails and really nice people and ambiance to spare, it just might be Lincoln.
I’d sit by the roll up doors and enjoy the warm breeze and sip a glass of Cremant, or maybe a Salty Dog if my day had been particularly trying, and then I’d order another butterscotch sundae.
I would arrive at half past seven each night and my usual server, whom I would of course know by name, would greet me warmly and ask me if I wanted the usual, which would be the baked hens eggs with cream, olives, and herbed breadcrumbs, and the thyme flatbread with chicken and sage terrine, followed by the hangar steak with blue cheese butter and onion rings and a hot butterscotch sundae. I’d sit by the roll up doors and enjoy the warm breeze and sip a glass of Cremant, or maybe a Salty Dog if my day had been particularly trying, and then I’d order another butterscotch sundae. Yup, that’s just what I’d do.
Happy Hour aficionados, if Lincoln isn’t already on your list of favorites it should be, the prices are fantastic and since it’s very humanely timed from 5:30 to 7 pm, you won’t even have to fake a migraine and leave work early to get your order in before last happy hour call.
Details
Cuisine: New American
Executive Chef: Jenn Louis
Owner: Jenn Louis and David Welch
Atmosphere: Sophisticated with a great neighborhood feel
Outdoor seating: Yes, in nice weather there are sidewalk tables and the large roll-up doors go up, making the entire interior feel almost patio-like
Best Seat: I like to sit by the front windows facing N. Williams, but there isn’t a bad seat in the house
Noise Level: Normal - Boisterous when full
Dress Code: Casual
Bathrooms: Past the open kitchen, on the right side
Parking: Free and plentiful on N. Williams and nearby side streets
Cocktails: Full bar, and a handful of signature cocktails ($7)
Beer: Oregon, Washington and California microbrews on tap ($5), bottled beer $3.5
Wine: Yes
Corkage: $20 per 750 mL
Teetotalers: Lincoln makes its own soda, flavors change seasonally ($3)
Ideal Meal: Baked hens eggs, hangar steak, sundae
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Vegan Friendly: Yes
Good for the following occasions: Casual Date, Meal With Friends, Family Meal
Group/Private Party Details: Yes, Lincoln owner Jenn Louis also has a catering operation called Culinary Artistry (www.culinaryartistry.net), and the restaurant can handle almost any size party. They are also willing to let you reserve the entire restaurant, which seats about 75, and you can reserve dinners for groups of up to 12 in their commercial kitchen.
Reservations: Yes
Take-Out: Yes
Delivery: No