I often get asked for Portland-specific recommendations and if you’re going to be in town and are looking for a great place to grab brunch or dinner, Tusk is where it’s at. I’ve been thinking about their food ever since I dined there two weeks back (always a good sign!) because it’s a really special mix.

The overall menu theme is Middle Eastern and stocked with the basics you’d expect (start off with a large hummus) but it’s produced with Pacific Northwest sourced Ingredients and plenty of surprises (the Pistachio Gooey Butter Cake and Za’atar Biscuit with orange blossom and honey butter are absolute musts). The dishes are meant to be communal so order a mix of items.

Because the ingredients are seasonal, I’m not seeing a few of the items I tried off the brunch menu but let me put it this way: my table of 4 ordered around 10 dishes total and we liked all of them from breakfast sandwiches to yogurt topped with edible flowers. I mean, just check out all of these beautiful ingredients and colors!

Beyond the delicious food and drinks, the service is super friendly — they even surprised us with extra dishes on the house to try!

And, let’s talk about the unavoidable centerpiece of the bright white, modern interior — that massive photo of Keith Richards in a swimming pool about the bar! The second you walk in, Keith is there to greet you. It’s a hilarious, unexpected touch that somehow works.

I could go on and on about Tusk and how they got every detail right from the food to the scent of the candles they burn to the service to the art but really, you just need to experience the place for yourself.