My 6-year-old son is not going to last the tasting menu at Castagna, but he has proven he’ll behave for a beautifully-presented sweet treat. ‘Tis the season for dressing up and decadence—and special memories, so enjoy it with your children, perhaps at these upscale, child-friendly places. We visited them anew, just for this article, and just for dessert.
PAPA HAYDN
The East side location of this classic dessert spot (5829 SE Milwaulkie Ave) was opened in 1978, when I was younger than my son, and the West side location (701 NW 23rd Ave) opened when I was about my daughter’s
age. I recently took them both to the West side location for a treat and found that it
exceeded the memories I had in terms of service, décor, food, and treating children
with consideration and respect. The beautiful dessert case contained ice cream and cakes that were a perfect mix of old-fashioned and contemporary recipes. We settled on a six-layer ice cream cake ($8.95), which came perfectly plated with chocolate, caramel and vanilla sauce for dipping. papahaydn.com
MAURICE
“This place is adorable,” my daughter gushed, when we walked into Maurice, an intimate (best for parties of two or three) luncheonette located near Powell’s downtown, at 921 SW Oak St. The restaurant captures perfectly the rustic yet modern charm of a casual French restaurant, and appealed enormously to my ‘tween girl. The desserts, like the lunch menu, are a study in quality over quantity. Sit at the counter with your darling, order the Meyer lemon soufflé pudding cake ($6) or a plate of perfect macaroons ($.75 each) and cookies ($1 each), choose from their extensive and exotic selection of warm drinks, and watch the cooks working in the small open kitchen radiate intensity and care with the items they are preparing from their thoughtfully curated menu. It was named one of America’s best new restaurants by Bon Appetit in 2014 but, in true Portland
style, is unpretentious and welcoming to patrons of any age. mauricepdx.com
THE CITY GRILL
At night, the City Grill may feel like a bit of a scene, but I promise that your kids aren’t going to notice, particularly if you can steal one of the tables with a beautiful view over the city. Even just the ride up to the 30th floor of the building (located at 111 SW 5th Ave), where the restaurant is situated, adds to the excitement for children. The restaurant is sleek and sophisticated and the dessert menu, where items cost between $7 and $12, is extensive enough to find something for just about any palate. portlandcitygrill.com
THE PIED COW
The Pied Cow, located at 3244 SE Belmont, is another old Portland institution,
dating back to the early 1990s. A coffee house with a full menu, it specializes in
decadent desserts served in a charming and somewhat wacky Victorian setting.
(Don’t be put off by the sign advertising Hookahs—that just happens outside.)
Inside, chandeliers and draped fabric ceilings will make them feel like they are
someplace special. For 12 dollars, three of us shared a rich chocolate fondue, served with marshmallows, apples, bananas, and donut holes for dipping. While the donut holes could have been fresher, portions were very generous (it could have easily served 4 or 5) and a steal compared to the same offering at the Melting Pot ($20 a la carte +$10 per additional person).
PIX PATISSERIE
Pix patisserie’s desserts, fantastic looking creations garnished with gold or with
artful towers of chocolate, inspire wonder in children. Their location on the Eastside 2225 E Burnside is decorated with an eye towards decadence, and the bartenders and experienced enough and patient enough to create a non-alcoholic cocktail that will make your child feel pampered.
pixpatisserie.myshopify.com
By Laura Locker
Laura Locker is a native Portlander who has lived and eaten around the world. She has two restaurant-loving children, aged 6 and 10.
