If you haven't heard already these two fine looking fellows -- co-owners of EaT Oyster Bar on North Williams -- are set to open another Cajun/Creole restaurant in the Pearl this summer called The Parish in the space that used to house In Good Taste. According to a recent press release:
"The menu at The Parish blends urban New Orleans cuisine with the country-style Cajun cooking. Focusing on locally sourced ingredients, the menu will reach beyond seafood and oysters to local wild game birds, rabbit, and even a whole pig. The co-owners have strong ties to the oyster farmers in Oregon, CA and Washington and will continue to offer fresh raw oysters year-round with a shucking bar and a new retail oyster program. A section of the menu will include classic southern dishes that won’t change such as BBQ shrimp, Seafood gumbo, Shrimp Étouffée, and an assortment of po’boy sandwiches."
Here's what Tobias had to say to me recently about The Parish, which is set to open this summer...
Why the Pearl?
We like it because of it's central location for the Metro area. We'll have close proximity to the central business district providing access to business luncheons as well as after work meet-ups. We're also excited about the opportunity to expose our concept to people who live on the west side of the city and the suburbs to the west who don't generally head to the east side of the city.
So you'll be selling oysters wholesale and retail?
We will have an oyster wholesale center to service downtown restaurant customers as well as a retail oyster basin up front to sell directly to the public.
What are a couple menu items that you're really excited about?
Our Duck Confit Gumbo (served with a crispy Confit Leg on top) is really good, we're also going to be doing some great hot apps and oysters off the grill that will be visible up front by the oyster bar.
Can you give me some details about the space?
It will have a large visible oyster bar with other fresh seafood available. There will be some nice booth seating and a nice big bar where we'll have local wines on tap by the glass, several local beers on tap and serving some great cocktails from the pre-prohibition influence that Portland has become famous for. To reference this tradition we're referring to the bar as Bar Vieux Carre or "The Old Quarter" or a common name for the French Quarter in NOLA. It's also a Tennessee Williams play set in NOLA.
Will there be live music at The Parish?
We're planning on having a classic Jazz Brunch on Saturday and Sundays maybe music will happen other nights, but we don't have plans for that quite yet.
Number one thing that you're looking forward to with the new restaurant?
Getting open and presenting the space to our city as a showcase Creole restaurant and oyster bar. We've been strong proponents of oysters for many years with EaT and before. We're very excited to update the concept of an oyster bar using our Farm connections to showcase the best oysters from the NW and beyond. The Parish (and Vieux Carre Bar) opening summer 2012 231 NW 11th Street, Portland, Oregon
