Pearl Tavern Explained

Pearl Tavern
Logo Alt:Circular logo with the text "PT"; an outline of a tree appears in the "P"
Food-Type:American
Street-Address:231 Northwest 11th Avenue
City:Portland
County:Multnomah
State:Oregon
Zip:97209
Country:United States
Mapframe:yes
Mapframe-Zoom:13

Pearl Tavern was a sports bar and restaurant in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District, in the United States. The restaurant was started by former American football player Joey Harrington, bartender Ryan Magarian, and ChefStable restaurateur Kurt Huffman in December 2016. Intended to be more casual than a steakhouse, the family-friendly Pearl Tavern served various cuts of steak, fried chicken, fish, and risotto, as well as bar snacks and other options for brunch and happy hour. The interior had dark leather booths and multiple widescreen television for sports viewing, and the servers wore plaid. Three percent of profits benefited Harrington's non-profit organization.

Pearl Tavern's rib steak for two was one of Portland's most expensive menu steaks. Thomas Boyce replaced Roscoe Roberson as executive chef in mid 2017. The restaurant's critical reception was mixed, and it closed in June 2018.

Description

Pearl Tavern was an upscale sports bar and restaurant in northwest Portland's Pearl District, operating from a building which formerly housed The Parish.[1] Intended to be more casual than a steakhouse, the interior featured "stately" dark green walls, wood floors, a long semi-circular bar and dark leather booths inherited from The Parish, and five widescreen televisions above the bar, used mostly for sports but with audio during "big games" only.[1] [2] Lighting was dimmed throughout, and servers were required to wear plaid prints.[3]

In 2017, Karen Brooks of Portland Monthly described the restaurant as "a manly sports bar-meets-steak-house-y tavern that never got off the ground",[4] [5] and the Portland Mercury Andrea Damewood called Pearl Tavern a sports bar, a steakhouse, and "a man cave for those who drink Bulleit and not Bud". The Oregonian Michael Russell described the restaurant as a "low-key Pearl District steakhouse".[6]

Menu

The family-friendly restaurant served "high-end bar food", including seven cuts of steak with seven sauces such as béarnaise and chimichurri, fish,[7] various sides such as bacon-wrapped baked potatoes and lobster bisque, appetizers, and salads.[1] Cuts included flank, rib, and strip steak. Fried chicken, cornmeal-crusted trout, and winter squash risotto were also available.[8]

Bar snacks included avocado toast, fried cheese curds, onion rings, pigs in a blanket with Olympia Provisions sausage, and spiced toffee nuts.[8] Brunch options included Dutch baby pancakes and "yeasted" waffles.[5] The drink menu included craft beer, wine, and fine spirits.[7] Bottle service was also available.[9] For happy hour, Pearl Tavern offered a cheeseburger, chicken wings, macaroni and cheese, and drink specials.

History

Joey Harrington, a former American football quarterback, established the Pearl Tavern with bartender Ryan Magarian and ChefStable restaurateur Kurt Huffman in December 2016.[2] [7] [10] Harrington and Huffman had attempted to open a restaurant together five years prior, but nothing had come to fruition.[7] Upon opening, Roscoe Roberson and Joel Gunderson were Pearl Tavern's chef and sommelier, respectively.[7] Cocktails were designed by Magarian.[1] Three percent of profits benefited the Harrington Family Foundation, Harrington's non-profit organization which "provides scholarships for Oregon students seeking to stay in-state for secondary education".[7] [11] In 2016, Pearl Tavern's rib steak for two and Ox's 42-ounce bone-in rib eye steak were the city's most expensive menu steaks, at $115.[12]

Thomas Boyce replaced Roberson as executive chef in mid 2017.[4] The switch resulted in minor changes to the menu; Mattie John Bamman of Eater Portland said the most significant difference was "a more focused approach befitting a tavern or pub" featuring "a smaller selection of more carefully sourced and prepared steaks and revamped burgers and salads".[5] Pearl Tavern operated on Thanksgiving in 2017, screening football games and serving special entrees such as confit turkey thigh and maple glazed breast.[13] In May 2018, owners announced plans to close in June. Magarian wrote on social media:

Backwoods Brewing Company confirmed plans to open in the space soon after Pearl Tavern's closure,[14] and began operating on July 9.[15]

Reception

Shortly after Pearl Tavern's opening, Julie Lee of 1859 said the "adulation is immediate for the killer atmosphere, wrap around bar, big screen TV's, inviting leather booths and, most discernibly, delicious food".[16] In 2017, Samantha Bakall included Pearl Tavern in The Oregonian list of Portland's 10 best new happy hours,[17] and Mattie John Bamman of Eater Portland wrote, "Pearl Tavern has received mixed reviews since opening last year, but it hasn't been totally panned or anything — although neither the O or PoMo have deemed the restaurant worthy of a full restaurant review."[5] The Oregonian Michael Russell included Pearl Tavern in his list of "Portland's 50 most notable restaurant openings of 2017".[18] The Portland Mercury Andrea Damewood recommended the burrata appetizer and the General Tso's lamb ribs. However, her review was not entirely positive; she noted "a few serious failures", including the Chinese broccoli side and the trout entree.[3] [19]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bamman . Mattie John . Avila . Dina . Peek Inside Joey Harrington's Pearl Tavern . . . December 14, 2021 . December 9, 2016 . December 30, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161230043342/http://pdx.eater.com/2016/12/9/13902806/pearl-tavern-photos-menu-eater-inside#pearl-tavern . live .
  2. Web site: Frane . Alex . May 23, 2018 . Ex-Quarterback Joey Harrington's Sports Bar Will Serve Its Last Fried Chicken Sandwich This June . Eater Portland . December 14, 2021 . June 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180624140713/https://pdx.eater.com/2018/5/23/17386772/pearl-tavern-closed-joey-harrington-ryan-magarian-sports-bar . live .
  3. News: Damewood . Andrea . A Former Duck Quarterback Walks Into A Bar . December 15, 2021 . . February 15, 2017 . February 22, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170222025631/http://www.portlandmercury.com/Last-Supper/2017/02/15/18846134/a-former-duck-quarterback-walks-into-a-bar . live .
  4. News: Brooks . Karen . Former Spago and Bluehour Chef Thomas Boyce Takes Over Pearl Tavern Kitchen . December 15, 2021 . . July 26, 2017 . 1546-2765 . December 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211215030910/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2017/07/former-spago-and-bluehour-chef-thomas-boyce-takes-over-pearl-tavern-kitchen . live .
  5. Web site: Bamman . Mattie John . Thomas Boyce IN at Joey Harrington's Pearl Tavern . Eater Portland . December 14, 2021 . July 26, 2017 . December 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211215155423/https://pdx.eater.com/2017/7/26/16047696/pearl-tavern-new-chef-thomas-boyce . live .
  6. News: Russell . Michael . Final Four 2017: Where to watch Gonzaga, North Carolina and South Carolina in Portland . December 15, 2021 . The Oregonian . March 29, 2017 . November 11, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201111215920/https://www.oregonlive.com/march-madness/2017/03/where_to_watch_gonzaga_north_carolina_portland.html . live .
  7. News: Russell . Michael . Former Oregon Ducks star Joey Harrington opening Portland restaurant . December 14, 2021 . . October 3, 2016 . . 8750-1317 . November 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108124439/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/10/joey_harrington_portland_restaurant.html . live .
  8. News: Russell . Michael . Joey Harrington's restaurant announces menu, opening date . December 14, 2021 . The Oregonian . November 15, 2016 . December 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211215155501/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/11/joey_harringtons_restaurant_an.html . live .
  9. News: Cizmar . Martin . Joey Harrington Opened a Pleasant, Upscale Sports Bar for People Tired of Eating at Buffalo Wild Wings . December 15, 2021 . . December 13, 2016 . December 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211215040717/https://www.wweek.com/bars/bar-reviews/2016/12/13/joey-harrington-opened-a-pleasant-upscale-sports-bar-for-people-tired-of-eating-at-buffalo-wild-wings/ . live .
  10. News: Herron . Elise . Former Ducks Quarterback Joey Harrington's Pearl District Bar Is Closing . December 15, 2021 . Willamette Week . May 25, 2018 . July 30, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180730213423/http://www.wweek.com/bars/2018/05/25/former-ducks-quarterback-joey-harringtons-pearl-district-bar-is-closing/ . live .
  11. News: Mehlhaf . Nina . Pearl Tavern has philanthropic mission, and sports . December 15, 2021 . . November 22, 2016 . December 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211215194856/https://www.kgw.com/article/money/business/pearl-tavern-has-philanthropic-mission-and-sports/283-355147095 . live .
  12. News: Oregonians Purchased More HRD Vodka Than Any Other Liquor in 2016 . December 14, 2021 . Willamette Week . December 27, 2016 . May 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520205623/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2016/12/27/oregonians-purchased-more-hdr-vodka-than-any-other-liquor-in-2016/ . live .
  13. News: Russell . Michael . Portland restaurants that serve Thanksgiving dinner . December 15, 2021 . The Oregonian . November 1, 2017 . November 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013648/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2017/11/thanksgiving_portland_restaurants.html . live .
  14. Web site: Jackson-Glidden . Brooke . We Now Know What's Taking Over Pearl Tavern, and It's Good News for Beer Geeks . Eater Portland . December 14, 2021 . June 18, 2018 . June 14, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210614223256/https://pdx.eater.com/2018/6/18/17475346/pearl-tavern-backwoods-brewing-new-brewery-portland-washington . live .
  15. Web site: Jackson-Glidden . Brooke . This Knockout Bagel Shop Just Opened on N Russell . Eater Portland . December 14, 2021 . December 26, 2018 . December 8, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191208002931/https://pdx.eater.com/2018/5/2/17311764/portland-restaurant-openings-2018-bars-cafes . live .
  16. Lee . Julie . What's Hot on the Portland Restaurant Scene . . December 14, 2016 . December 15, 2021 . 489252235 . May 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210517155159/https://1859oregonmagazine.com/live/food-drink/new-restaurants-portland/ . live .
  17. News: Bakall . Samantha . Portland's 10 best new happy hours . December 14, 2021 . The Oregonian . April 17, 2017 . November 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030730/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2017/04/portlands_10_best_new_happy_ho.html . live .
  18. News: Russell . Michael . Portland's 50 most notable restaurant openings of 2017 . December 15, 2021 . The Oregonian . August 31, 2017 . November 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022213/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2017/08/portlands_50_best_new_restaura.html . live .
  19. Web site: Bamman . Mattie John . Is Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine Really Worth It? . Eater Portland . December 14, 2021 . September 21, 2017 . September 17, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200917155409/https://pdx.eater.com/2017/1/24/14371374/portlands-best-restaurant-reviews-oregon . live .

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