Gruner was one of the restaurants that we planned on visiting prior to arriving in Portland. While we were in town it was recommended by several locals – all the better.
We ended up having a very nice evening. Before dinner we went to Kask, the bar attached to the restaurant and after dinner we went to the awesome Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library.
The room, service and food at Gruner were all great. The menu is what I would call “Farmer Friendly” Lots of sausage options, lots of thick flavors. Keeping that in mind they do a nice job with portions – you’re full but not stuffed.
They also have a wine flight option (ours was a flight of rieslings – not something I’d normally like but really enjoyed) which paired up well with dinner.
We had the speck appetizer, the “gruner” salad. Mary Catherine had the summer herb spätzle, edelweissblack forest ham, leeks, hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, fava beans, zucchini, parmesan, crème fraîche, chives and I had the house-made bratwurst & saucisson sausages, sauerkraut, sweet-hot mustard, yukon gold potatoes. For dessert we had the house made kirschwasser ice cream, dark chocolate brownie, fudge sauce, sweet pickled cherries and cacao nib tulle – excellent.