Portland Salad Week – Salads We Like, Part Two

You’ve seen Part One of Salads We Like during Portland Salad Week—here’s Part Two!

Papaya Salad: Sivalai Thai

Photo credit: Yelp

What’s in it: Green papayas, carrots, tomatoes, peanuts, chili cooked in lime sauce.

We love a good ol’ papaya salad and this one definitely delivers. It’s high in flavor and texture and a little goes a long way. Sensitive palates may want to start slow, as the heat can quickly creep up on you. Those with more tolerance will find themselves reaching for seconds and thirds. –JR

4806 SE Stark Street, Portland. https://www.facebook.com/SivalaiThaiRestaurant/ 

Kale Caesar: Steeplejack Brewing Co

What’s in it: Cured egg yolk, anchovy, lemon, caesar dressing.

I’ve recently tried the brand new Steeplejack location on the West side and it didn’t disappoint. The Kale Caesar was a clear winner and reminded me of the Kale Salad at Life of Pi, which if you’ve tried it, you’ll know that’s a compliment. There’s plenty of shredded parmesan on top and the Caesar dressing is a bit sharp, garlicky, and loaded with flavor. –JR

4439 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway, Portland. https://www.steeplejackbeer.com/location/steeplejack-pizza-and-beer 

Sugarpine Salad: Sugarpine Drive-In

Photo credit: Sugarpine Drive-In

What’s in it: Local greens, herbed chickpea and quinoa blend, seasonal veggies, whipped feta and homemade green goddess dressing.

Just like everything else at Sugarpine Drive-In, this salad is a beauty and uses lots of colorful veggies and even some edible flowers. The chickpea and quinoa blend gives it a bit of nutiness and some added texture and flavor. I’d recommend it as a complement to their signature waffle grilled cheese. –JR

1208 E Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale. https://sugarpinedrivein.com/ 

Seasonal Salad: Tabor Tavern

What’s in it: Mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, feta, balsamic vinaigrette.

Tabor Tavern changes up their salads by season and I haven’t had one I haven’t loved. Their delicata squash salad is good (available in the fall), and I’m a huge fan of their winter salad (winter/spring seasons), in part because of the candied walnuts. The Mediterranean Salad is on the menu now, and, while it’s a bit simpler than some of the others, the ingredients are fresh and comforting. Lots of fresh lettuce, plus cherry tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, and feta, with a Balsamic vinaigrette binding it all together. You can get some grilled chicken, crumbled bacon, or smoked salmon on it, too. Their salads are absolutely worth your time. –MC

5325 E Burnside Street, Portland. https://tabortavern.com

Laap Gai & Yum Sa Moon Phrai: Thai Seasons

What’s in it (Laap Gai): Minced chicken (tofu available) with lime, red onion, mint, cilantro, green onion, fish sauce, chili, rice powder; served with a small wedge of green cabbage

What’s in it (Yum Sa Moon Phrai): Basil, kaffir leaf, betel leaf, ginger, carrot, lemongrass, mint, cashew, peanut, crispy coconut, sesame seed, Thai chili in a coconut lime dressing

Laap AKA Larb, is a meat salad—and one of the national dishes of Laos—found on a lot of Thai restaurant menus in Portland, but Thai Seasons makes one of my favorite versions. It’s full of flavor, savory and tangy, nicely spicy (I like level 3 out of 5), and they do not hold back on the herbs. The cabbage is there to help moderate the spiciness, but I tend to leave it alone. 

Laap pairs nicely with the Yum Sa Moon Phrai, a light and refreshing herbal salad (made popular in Portland at PokPok) with all sorts of delicious things in it—herbs and veggies cut matchstick-thin; the crunchy nuts add great texture. It is a little sweet because of the coconut lime dressing, and that helps moderate the heat of the Laap. –MC

5824 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland. https://www.thaiseasons.com

House Salad: The Pocket Pub

What’s in it: Baby greens, apples, blue cheese, spiced walnuts, Champagne vinaigrette.

I love having a meal in the cozy space that is Pocket Pub, located at the Irvington/Eliot neighborhood border. Along with a pizza, I will almost always get their House Salad. It’s a great mix and has one of my favorite combinations in a salad: walnuts and apples. It’s probably intended for two people but I usually eat it all by myself. Pro tip: if they have panna cotta on the dessert menu, get it. –MC 

2719 NE 7th Avenue, Portland. https://www.pocketpubpdx.com

Peacock Salad: The Sudra

What’s in it: Kale in tahini dressing, soy curls, root vegetables, corn, bell peppers.

Known for its plant-based Indian food, The Sudra, packs a punch in flavor and fresh ingredients. I like the addition of soy curls, which add extra protein, and the tahini dressing is what really makes the salad sing. A small version of this dish is pretty filling on its own, but if you’re super hungry you can opt for the large sized plate, which may leave you with some yummy leftovers. –JR

Various locations in NW, SW, NE, and North Portland. https://www.thesudra.com/

Cauliflower and Broccoli Salad: Tusk

Photo credit: Tusk

What’s in it: Gouda cheese, golden raisins, crispy quinoa, Calamansi vinegar, cashews.

A beautiful medley of textures and flavors, this salad nicely represents Tusk in all its glory. They’ve sliced the veggies so they are bite sized and lovely, and the infusion of golden raisins adds nice sweetness to each bite. –JR

2448 E Burnside Street, Portland. https://www.tuskpdx.com/ 

Verde Salad: Verde Cocina 

Photo credit: Verde Cocina

What’s in it: Mixed greens, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, radish, apples, strawberry vinaigrette.

Like everything at Verde Cocina, this salad is fresh, vibrant, colorful and made with healthful ingredients. I love the mix of veg and fruit, which creates a medley of textures that are a lovely pairing to richer dishes such as their enchiladas or gringas con mole. –JR

Two locations: one in SW and one in NW Portland. https://www.verdecocinamarket.com/ 

Salad Rolls: Wok Shop Kitchen

What’s in it: Chilled rice paper rolled with a combination of fresh green leaf lettuce, pickled carrots and daikon, crispy egg roll skin. Served with a side of peanut sauce. Protein options: chicken, beef, sausage, shrimp tofu.

I first heard about these rolls via an article on the internet, and knew I had to try them. They are fantastic, with great flavor and texture from the crispies. I previously wrote about them and said this: “There are a number of things about these rolls that set them apart from the others. They do not contain rice noodles; they do include bits of crispy fried egg roll skin; and they also contain pickled carrots and daikon. There’s also lettuce in there. The chicken salad roll involves warm grilled chicken thigh—moister than breast meat—and the whole thing is crazy delicious.” Can be made gluten free, just ask for no crispies. –MC 

2120 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland. https://www.wokshoppdx.com

Wedge Salad: Woodsman Tavern

What’s in it: Blue cheese, bacon, shallot, egg

The Woodsman Tavern’s menu is filled with fantastically flavorful and deeply sating dishes—oysters, steak tartare, pork chops, a burger—and this wedge salad doesn’t veer far from that. It’s a meal in itself and Judith and I loved eating it while planning Salad Week. I especially liked the contrast of the crisp crunch of the Iceberg lettuce with the creaminess of the blue cheese dressing. The amount of bacon and onions was just enough, too (sometimes the bacon can overwhelm). –MC

4537 SE Division Street, Portland. https://www.thewoodsmantavern.com/

Fava Bean Salad: World Foods

Photo credit: World Food

What’s in it: Fava beans, red peppers, red onion, lemon, vinegar, olive oil.

I often grab this quick and easy salad when in the deli section of this international market. It’s one of the more affordable salads on display and packs a lot of flavor. It’s delicious and fresh on its own but I also recommend pairing it with one of World Foods’ famous fresh pitas. –JR

Two locations: one in SW and one in NW Portland. https://www.worldfoodsportland.com/ 

Cabbage Salad: Ya Hala

Photo credit: Ya Hala

What’s in it: Cabbage, lemon, garlic, mint, olive oil.

Even non-cabbage lovers will appreciate this clean, crisp salad that’s served with most of their meals and shawarma plates. It cuts the richness of the meats that are high in flavor but also fat content. Aside from this being a good addition to a meat dish, it’s also a nice palate cleanser or a nice way to start your meal. –JR

8005 SE Stark Street, Portland. https://yahalarestaurant.com/ 

Turkish Carrot Salad: Yalla

Photo credit: Yalla

What’s in it: Carrots, dried cherry, almond, mint.

One of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants in Portland, they prepare veggies very well. The carrot salad is a great way to start your meal or you can get it as a shared plate with protein. You’ll get nice sweetness from the carrots and cherries, but also freshness and earthiness from the mint and almonds. –JR 

7850 SW Capitol Highway, Portland. https://www.yallapdx.com/