The Country Cat makes the Rotation

Who would have thought that right off 82nd and Stark lurked a new up-and-coming restaurant row? Flying Pie Pizza has been churning pizza piled high with toppings and a toothsome crust for years on this hidden street in the shadow of Mount Tabor. Enter the Country Cat, a charming "dinnerhouse bar". While Keith was smitten with the chef, who was bouncing around the well-appointed and laid-back dining room in overalls, Nick and Peter enjoyed the view from the best seat in the house, an oversize table in the glass corner of the restaurant.

A mountain of thin-thin-thin onion rings accompanies a house-butchered burger (with house-made ketchup that admittedly left something to be desired). The burger is over all good, and the onion rings are addictive.


One of the house specialties is the whole hog, with rolled belly, brined chop & smoked shoulder. Keith liked the yummy sweet beans, which as is turns out are actually Bing cherries.


Things are pretty dialed in for a new restaurant, but with time the kinks (such as slightly underseasoned meat) will be worked out. We saw country ham and prosciutto curing in the cooler behind the bar, which our knowledgeable server says will be ready come Christmas. Speaking of service, it was unpretentious and attentive (our barometer is if we are asked if we need another drink before the current one is gone). Check it out!

The Country Cat
7937 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
503-408-1414
www.thecountrycat.net