Noble Rot

Voted Best Wine Bar of 2009 in Sunset Magazine (yes, yet another award... I am contemplating on creating a blog label just for "awards"), Noble Rot is quite the little gem on E. Burnside and from its fourth floor locale (plus it already sits on a hill), has magnificent views of downtown Portland - the only place I know of on this side of the river. If you know of any others, please do tell!

I'd never been to its previous location (on Ankeny St.) but this newer location has a rooftop garden which produces all year round (their seasonal food menu changes depending on whatever is ripe at the moment)! Happy hour is literally just an hour (5-6PM M-F), which is kind of lame for Portland standards, but for a wine bar, their menu is very generous. The place has a smooth, urban, cozy feel to it and the u-shaped booths are perfect for a close group of friends... or better yet, a first date! I really like it!