Showing posts with label Lebanese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lebanese. Show all posts

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Half a dozen diverse restaurants in one block, SW Morrison, between 10th and 11th

For months as the No. 15 bus turned west at SW Morrison on my way home from work, I have noticed the juxtaposition of two restaurant signs and pondered on them, not in a culinary way but in a geographical sense--India House on the corner, Perian House down the block, right here in Portland, Oregon. Neat.

So the other week when I walked that block after my trip to the Central Library, I decided to look closer, once this MAX Blue Line slid by bound for Hillsboro, a suburban city like Brandon, Clinton, Madison, Pearl, and Ridgeland.

Imagine my surprise when I realized that six separate restaurants populate the block! And they're easy to get to, with a Smart Park garage down at SW 10th and Morrison, plus the nearby MAX and bus stops. I wonder what the block looks like at lunch time as well as dinner time? Oh, let me make it clear that I've not yet dined in any of these diverse eateries; I'm just impressed that there are six in one single block and thought you Jacksonians would be, too. I well remember how much Jacksonians enjoy a meal out, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or is that breakfast, dinner and supper? Or breakfast, lunch and supper? Are you hungry yet?

Now you're looking west towards the bus stop I often use after my trip to the library. It appears other parking exists to the south, too.

Back at the corner of SW 10th and Morrison the first restaurant on the south side of Morrison is a Mexican one. I didn't go back around the corner to get a photo of it's front, so I don't know it's name. Any of you Portlanders reading this know? I'd love it if you'd share it. I do know that one young man often on my homeward-bound bus when I catch the No. 18 says the food there suits him.

Glowing reviews for Habibi Lebanese & Mediterranean Cuisine exist at Citysearch. What do you think about those reviews? Do you use them as guides for your dining pursuits? I like those green umbrellas; they're interesting, in an eccentric sort of way. And the font used for the restaurant's name esthetically appeals to me.

Just what is casual Italian, as the round sign for La Capanna states?

Persian House's sign goes on to explain that the menu is continental in addition to Persian. Their Web site says Spanish, Italian, French, Greek, and Middle Eastern recipes. I must admit, that broadness makes me wonder about the attendant quality.

Here's India House at the opposite corner from the Mexican restaurant. Those umbrellas stand out, too. I suppose midday diners need them, especially if they don't have any sunglasses.

Directly across the street from India House is this Big Town Hero Sub Sandwich Shop, born in Corvallis. Their slogan on the Web site: an army travels on its stomach.


I'm hoping my Mississippi buddies will share names and details of their favorite dishes at any and/or all of these ethnic restaurants. One of these days I'd like to stop for a bite or two, but I'd like to go in with some knowledge. Also, any Portlanders reading this willing to share your knowledge about these restaurants, feel free to comment.