Inside the old YMCA building in East Liberty that is now an Ace Hotel, Whitfield fits into the “new East Liberty” better than most of the more established restaurants in the neighborhood.
Whitfield and the ACE being Portland weird and the hipster ethos front and center and that’s not a bad thing. The drinks have lots of ingredients (whiskey, cinnamon plum syrup, old fashioned, bitters) but are very well made. The bar is dimly lit, the bartenders are mustached/tattooed/pierced appropriately and the room is a little stark but nicely decorated. The restaurant is right off the lobby and, because of the high ceilings, hard floors and minimal art, it’s a bit loud. Service was great and the food fit right in. It leans towards being a steakhouse but it’s not Morton’s by any stretch.
This was a big loss due to stupid COVID-19. We really miss the bar scene, the staff and the food here.