Tusk

Sure, there are plenty of jokes to be made about how seriously Portland takes its produce, but once you eat at Tusk, you’ll find yourself legitimately curious about farmers and soil content if only to find out how it’s possible for the plate of vegetables in front of you to taste so good. This Middle Eastern/Mediterranean spot on East Burnside serves colorful plates of vegetables, fruits, and grains, along with really great hummus and other dips you’ll want to eat with their homemade flatbread. If you need some extra protein, you can add grilled chicken or lamb and pork skewers to round things out. Besides the great food, Tusk also serves interesting cocktails with ingredients like rose, yogurt, and cardamom.

photo credit: AJ Meeker