Tastebud Farm

If you’ve ever had a warm wood-fired Tastebud bagel at Farmer’s Market or bitten into one of their roasted lamb pita sandwiches, you can understand why I was excited to hear that they’d opened a restaurant.

The dining room, on SE Milwaukie near the Aladdin Theatre, is small, elegant and filled with fresh flowers, sort of like my grandmother’s parlor except without the crimson velvet sofa. To save space, tables are somewhat communal but if you’re not a fan of supping with others and the restaurant isn’t full, socialization isn’t mandatory. If the weather is cooperating, request one of the round tables on the pretty garden patio outside—complete with flourishing flora and fauna and a burbling fountain.

Chewy, slightly tangy crust with beautiful bubble blisters and just the right amount of char, you can choose your own adornments or you can order one of the pizzas on the menu, like the summery zucchini, ricotta, parmesan, and argula pizza.

The simple menu features a few seasonal salads, such as spring greens with basil, cucumber, lemon and olive oil, and fresh off the fire specials such as the hearth-roasted clams with garlic and Aleppo peppers, or lamb chops with spring pea ragu and salsa verde, but the real stars are the pizzas. Chewy, slightly tangy crust with beautiful bubble blisters and just the right amount of char, you can choose your own adornments or you can order one of the pizzas on the menu, combinations include more traditional arrangements like sausage, fennel, tomato, mozzarella, as well as pizzas that reflect the season, like the summery zucchini, ricotta, parmesan, and arugula pizza.

The wine list is brief but excellent, and quite affordable with bottles starting at $21. Desserts are homespun and utterly satisfying, save room for one of the seasonal fruit crisps or something light and refreshing like the strawberry semifreddo. And since this is, after all, Tastebud, you can always stop in for a bagel, the bagel window is located just inside the door.

Details

Cuisine: Regional

Atmosphere: Intimate, immaculate, elegant little dining room that sadly affords no view of the kitchen

Outdoor seating: Yes, Tastebud has a private patio in a very pretty garden setting

Best Seat: The patio

Noise Level: Energetic, it’s a small place so it gets lively when full

Dress Code: Casual to Dressy Casual

Bring the Kids: Yes

Bathrooms: Yes, outside the dining room and take a right, they are brand new and spotless

Parking: Free and generally plentiful on surrounding streets

Cocktails: No

Beer: Two local microbrews on tap ($5), and a half dozen (mostly local) bottled beers ($3-$8).

Corkage: $10 per 750mL

Coffee: Stumptown

Tea: Stash

Good for the following occasions: Meal With Friends, Casual Date, Dining Al Fresco

Group/Private Party Details: The Dining Room can be reserved for private events, call 503.234.0330 for more info

Reservations: For parties of 8 or more

Take-Out: Yes