Al-Amir
Al-Amir is a hidden gem tucked away in a quieter stretch of downtown Portland, just west of the waterfront.
The service here is so warm and welcoming - the type of place where they treat you like family from your very first visit. But of course, to be recommended here, the food has to be outstanding as well.
Al-Amir serves up some amazing Lebanese comfort food with a menu that is mostly gluten free and very well marked. Lots of vegetarian options as well so it’s a great spot for a gathering with those of varying dietary restrictions.
This most recent visit, I finally tried the Kharouf Mohammar, which is super tender, flavorful lamb shank on top of basmati rice. The cucumber yogurt sauce on the side is so addictive and quite a bit different than a typical tzatziki sauce. It’s a little thinner and a little more acidic - much stronger in ingredients like lemon juice and/or vinegar compared to the amount of garlic and cucumber. It was the perfect match for the lamb meat!
I also could not resist finally ordering the falafel, which was also delicious and unlike most falafel I’ve had elsewhere. These were light, fluffy balls of chickpea goodness with a gentle crispy crust. And again, the accompanying sauce was outstanding.
Al-Amir has some nice Lebanese wines that pair perfectly with the food. And while they don’t have a cocktail menu, they do have a full bar and are happy to mix up whatever you may desire. They do also serve Turkish coffee, which is a lovely way to close out a meal even if you can’t enjoy some baklawa on the side.
This is the type of place I love supporting - family owned, authentic food, and amazing service. And so many safe gluten free options of course!
