Perhaps Portland's most exclusive restaurant, the hip, sleek Bluehour caters to an upscale set with its scintillating cuisine and clean-lined, lush decor. The Northwestern fare takes cues from the Mediterranean, always using, of course, the best ingredients produced in the region. Starters include seared scallops, beef carpaccio, poached oysters and grilled quail. Main courses, from a menu that changes daily, could feature venison medallions, fresh pasta laced with herbs, horseradish-crusted salmon and a risotto flavored on the kitchen's whim. Desserts are executed by an in-house pastry chef and feature innovative takes on chocolate pudding, creme brulee and cake and ice cream. A well-received bar draws the nightlife crowd.

DOWNTOWN. This downtown French restaurant boasts a welcoming interior, outstanding menu items and excellent prices, making it an overall great value. The ambiance is casual and intimate, with wicker patio chairs lending a country feel. The menu offers traditional favorites as well as a small collection of nightly three-course prix-fixe dinners. A small bar serves tasty drinks, allowing patrons to indulge in their favorite cocktail before eating. An outdoor dining area's the perfect spot for meeting friends for lunch or dinner during cooperative weather.

Spare and elegant, this husband-wife collaboration has carved out a substantial niche for itself. Specializing in Italian and French cuisine, the restaurant makes good use of local, organic ingredients, and the well-considered flavors reflect the quality. Among the options you'll find are grilled rack of lamb, sauteed halibut, braised rabbit, and filled pastas. Fresh seafood, whether it's salmon carpaccio or grilled scallops, is consistently well-prepared, and desserts, whether they're simple fruit sorbets or more elaborate offerings with cream and chocolate, are beautifully executed as well. Adjacent to the restaurant is the Castagna Cafe. They offer similar bistro-style food in a more casual atmosphere, from 5pm daily.

For more than a generation, this Portland institution has pampered diners with elegance and quality. Perfect for special occasions, the restaurant lovingly presents a seven-course dinner and perfectly times it over the course of an evening. Since the menu changes every few weeks, entree selections are recited by servers nightly; diners are provided the other courses. You may find pan-roasted rabbit, truffle-infused quail, rack of lamb, or fresh trout as an entree and tortes, tarts, or crème brûlée as a dessert. Portions are perfectly sized, allowing you to enjoy the meal rather than be overwhelmed by it. Italian and Oregon wines are specialties. Just make sure to reserve a table; in the small space, they fill up quickly.

The Heathman Hotel's restaurant, a study in oak, glass and brass, surrounds diners with comfort and elegance. The menu fuses French technique with Northwestern ingredients, fashioning a delectable cuisine from the mix. Selections change seasonally, depending on what's best and most available, but you're likely to run into Maine or Australian lobster, veal breast with wild mushrooms, braised rabbit and a range of fresh game and seafood. The chef dovetails the foods of Normandy with the foods of the Pacific Northwest to great effect. The extensive wine list offers French and domestic vintages to complement any meal. Breakfast at the Heathman is a special event, featuring French toast, eggs Benedict, smoked salmon hash and even homemade granola. You'll find even more selections on the a la carte menu, all meant to be savored with coffee and juice in the lovely setting. Great for a leisurely repast.