My partner and I wandered into the ""C"" after a stiff upper lip dinner at another place. While the Carlyle maintains classy, consistent energy at all times, it is not a stuffy joint. We had dessert and cocktails at the bar, and Derek Palmer served up several of his custom concoctions, and we were dazzled. The two desserts we had were FAB. He improves on every standard drink out there, like a food scientist. You have to give him the chance to work his magic at the bar.\r
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I was astonished that this place existed and that 1) his drinks don't yet rate above other vaunted venues, and 2), that Carlyle itself appears nowhere in recent magazine coverage.\r
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This is a Portland Gem. And we will back to sample the rest of the menu. Next time the Portland Monthly sends out its overrated taste committee, we hope they will head out under the Fremont bridge for some real action.
Pros: Great Food, Specialty Drinks, great desserts
Cons: None yet
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