Since we are officially teetering on the cusp of rainy days and a wardrobe consisting primarily of The North Face jackets, it is important we have a destination in mind that will take us (or our taste buds at least) south of the border when the drops begin to fall. ¡Oba! Restaurante, located in the heart of Portland’s Pearl district, provides such a palate-pleasing oasis.
With their promise of mojito and margarita pitchers for a mere $25 and a range of small plates with small prices, ¡Oba! is known for its phenomenal daily happy hour from 4-6.30 p.m. A variety of options, including fish tacos, chicken empanadas and a burger and fries make for perfect post-work consumption-driven relaxation, catching up with old friends, or for those evenings you simply don’t want to make your own meal.
The dinner menu boasts of vibrant “nuevo latino” flavors from Spain, Portugal, the Caribbean and across the Americas that come together with local ingredients in an interesting, innovative and delicious way. Before entering the restaurant, make sure you pick your date(s) wisely because in traditional “nuevo latino” fashion, majority of the plates—tapas y pinchos—are best ordered in high quantities and shared among the table. Why limit yourself to one delicious dish when you can graze through an array of flavors and textures?
The true star player of this team had to be the Tableside Guacamole, handcrafted from fresh produce right in front of your eyes. Don’t like spice? Not a problem—simply ask them to skip the jalapeños. The flavor ratios can be matched to meet your specific needs and produce a green dip so delicious it will make you hesitant to share the bounty. Fortunately, menu items like Seared Ahi Tuna, Crispy Belizean Coconut Prawns, and Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños make it much easier to share—you will not want to miss out of any of these flavors. This restaurant truly has a treat for everyone with large entrees, gluten-free, vegetarian and dairy-free options available as well.
¡Oba! is an obvious believer that no meal is complete without an accompanying glass of wine and for that, we applaud them. Their award-winning wine list features fabulous selections grown and produced on local and faraway lands. Experience a perfect cap to your week on Sundays and enjoy sipping on lavish liquid—a majority of their featured bottles over $65 are half-priced.
Rather than allowing the impending grays skies get you down, head over to ¡Oba! where you can dine and drink your way into the sunshine.
¡Oba! Restaurante || 555 NW 12th Ave, Portland || obarestaurant.com
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