Mint Restaurant & 820 Lounge

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Inventive Cocktails

I truly, truly, truly love 820. I believe they have the best cocktails in Portland. In fact, Lucy Brennen, Mint/820 owner, published a book of her cocktail recipes called Hip Sips because people love her drink concotions so much. Now you can go there and order your standard cocktails, beer and wine, but why not take a chance on inventive drinks ranging from the Avocado Daquiri to my personal favorite the Ruby - a beet infused vodka cocktail. Yes, I said beet. I say it's the best way to get your veggies. They also offer a Cucumber Margarita, which I have yet to try.

820 offers so many options you'll definitely (or should) make several trips back to try them all. Well anyway, that's my excuse of regularly going back to imbibe on well-crafted beverages. My favorite time to go is for happy hour where a good handful of their drinks are only $5. They have a happy hour food menu to go along, which offers a yummy and tender Fried Calamari, sweet and salty Sweet Potato Fries, a crisp and creamy Spicy Caesar salad, and a couple of other choices. Plus they have a great patio to soak up the good weather days as long as they last. My real only complaint about this place is the inconsitency of the wait staff. My service has ranged from the friendly and attentive to me feeling forgotten and ignored. And although the latter is never a pleasant experience, all is almost forgiven when I finally do receive my Ruby.

Definitely at the top of my list, 820 serves up cocktails like no other.

Keywords: Just you alone / As a single, Dress casual, Outdoor / Patio seating, Good for first date, Bar, Restaurant, With a group, Happy Hour, Cheap (US$ 5 - US$ 10), Dinner, Moderate (US$ 11 - US$ 20), "In" place / People watching, With business partners, As a couple