Your Eater 38 Essential list overwhelms me : )

We fell for Portland on our first trip and are now frequent visitors. I consider Davenport a must-dine. Kachka was great. Blue Star make my favourite doughnuts. I much prefer the biscuits from Lauretta Jeans over Pine State, but no fried chicken at LJ's.

re current Eater 38: I'm keen to try Ataula as we have no good Spanish where I'm from, but haven't managed it yet (lineup averse). Tanuki also appeals but haven't swung it yet. The deck of Paley's Place is a very fine thing for a warm-weather dinner though it might be too hot right now for best effect.

Have a super time!

I would definitely try Bollywood Theatre...we've been there many times. They serve chaat -- Indian street food. Go to the SE Division location -- it's larger and has a patio. The don't take reservations and there will be a line in the evening but it moves pretty quickly. The food comes out quickly too.

I'm conflicted about Pine State... Been there a few times. To tell you the truth, I can make better biscuits with Bob's Red Mill biscuit mix that doesn't require a drive across town. If the biscuit was better, IMHO, the Reggie would be a gift from God.

Bob's Red Mill (http://www.bobsredmill.com) is in Milwaukie just south of Portland in Clackamas County ("Clackistan"). They have a tour there if you're interested: http://www.bobsredmill.com/tour-our-w...

I think Pok Pok is way overrated. My experience there was not very pleasant at all. Food was OK but not great, IMHO. For what I paid and the amount low-level abuse I had to endure from the staff, it should have been A LOT better. I like Ricker's noodle place, Sen Yai, a little farther up SE Division a lot better.

I liked Kachka a lot ... mostly because the Russian fare (and the horseradish-infused vodka) are so different than your average Portland restaurant. Kachka is not for those with cholesterol (or alcohol) problems.

Lardo is really good...not for vegetarians or those with cholesterol problems either.

I wasn't all that thrilled with Tasty 'n' Sons either. It was crowded and the food just didn't seem to measure up for me. I like Po'Shines a lot better...straight-ahead breakfast (catfish, grits, eggs), no frills and no faux-inventiveness to screw things up. The fried green tomato BLT I had at Tasty was pretty damn good though.

Blue Star makes amazing doughnuts. I like them best with no frosting. You may not... Once you've had one, frosted or not, you will never understand the Voodoo Donuts hype.

I'm surprised Salt & Straw and Ruby Jewel Scoops are not on your list. The ice cream there is AMAZING! There's a Ruby Jewel Scoops just about next door to the Blue Star downtown. Call me boring but a scoop of RJS vanilla in a waffle cone is the perfect end to a hot summer day.

YMMV...

-- sw