You know when you have one of those ah ha moments, when you’re watching or experiencing something that puts a huge smile on your face? Well I had one of those moments while at E.A.T., a kid-friendly restaurant and performance space inNE Portland. Sitting in one of the pews in The Old Chapel at E.A.T. listening to Mr. Ben perform, I felt so rewarded watching what played out before me, kids dancing and playing, parents hanging out on the floor, everyone having a great time in a great atmosphere, it just made me so proud to be bringing up my daughter in a city that can stimulate so much diversity and difference. And that is exactly the goal of E.A.T.!
E.A.T. or Eat Art Theater is part of a thriving community of artists, called Milepost 5, which is located within the Motavilla neighborhood. The main goal of Milepost 5 is to have an environment that fosters creative pursuits and artistic engagement, one that E.A.T.’s owner Mark Carnahan and the new Creative Director of Milepost 5, Claire Willett, fully intend to cultivate.
“I think this is such an exciting community and it’s an unusual thing to have these artists and residents and this restaurant and performance space and these galleries all under the same umbrella, it’s a very inspiring place to be,” Willett said.
Although the vision wasn’t as clear two years ago when Carnahan found his diamond in the rough, “it had old linoleum tiles, very cafeteria style looking, but I could see the potential.”
Potential is exactly what he found, turning a bland space into something special. The restaurant has a great open feel, very clean and extremely kid friendly. Staying true to the artist community, there is local art hung from artists within Milepost 5 and the nearby neighborhoods. Of course the food, which is very delicious, is sticking to basics, but certainly not boring! “We focus first and foremost on fresh house made food and to keep the menu simple and fresh for the kids,” states Carnahan.
The restaurant does boast a full bar and is definitely taken advantage of by parents every Saturday when E.A.T. hosts a family happy hour, with food and drink specials and where two different kids acts perform to keep the kiddos entertained. “It’s been a smash hit ever since it started, it’s our busiest time of the week, definitely something we really enjoy doing,” Carnahan said.
But Carnahan isn’t only striving to make a successful restaurant; he has a vision for E.A.T. that’s so much more. “We’re really trying to become a community oriented space, not just a restaurant, something that the community and the area can really rely on. It is important to me because I live in this neighborhood, it forced me to have a quality family place that we can enjoy, but not just for the family but that the community can enjoy.”
That is where E.A.T.’s attached venue space, The Old Chapel comes in. From the restaurant you can walk into the chapel, a funky space filled with pews, stained glass windows and walls adorned with art. This is a space that Carnahan fully intends to use to its full potential. The use is actually pretty endless, a variety of musical acts, open mic events, plays and even monthly readings utilize the space. “I think more and more people are finding out about the space, the good thing about events different people come in here all the time and are blown away by the space.”
Local “kindie” rock legend and weekly Thursday lunchtime performer, Mr. Ben agrees, “the combo of the roomy open beautiful restaurant with this amazing venue space attached really sets this place apart, there’s nothing else like this inPortland.”
E.A.T. really is a cut above the rest, the diversity that the space brings to the community is extremely unique. Being a father of two, Carnahan has first hand knowledge of what he would like to see in an establishment that caters to families, but also to the rest of the neighborhood. Melding fantastic food with diversified performances, and embracing the artistic feel of the community, Carnahan has created something very special that everyone can enjoy.
By Jana Wingate
About:
Jana is the Mother of 4 year old Rowyn, and lives with her Husband and Daughter in North Portland; she graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a BA Degree in Journalism.