Davis Street Tavern

Davis Street Tavern was a restaurant located at the intersection of Northwest Davis Street and Fifth Avenue in downtown Portland's Old Town Chinatown neighborhood,{{cite web |title=Davis Street Tavern |url=https://www.thrillist.com/venue/eat/portland/restaurants/davis-street-tavern |website=Thrillist |access-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803130249/https://www.thrillist.com/venue/eat/portland/restaurants/davis-street-tavern |url-status=live }} offering a menu with American cuisine.{{cite news|last1=Coleman|first1=Patrick Alan|date=June 11, 2009|title=Charming Imperfection|work=Portland Mercury|url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/charming-imperfection/Content?oid=1416677|url-status=live|access-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816230647/http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/charming-imperfection/Content?oid=1416677|archive-date=August 16, 2016}}

Housed in a historic building previously used as a bakery,{{cite journal |last1=Carter |first1=Dan |title=Jean Pierre Veillet Siteworks: Davis Street Tavern |journal=Daily Journal of Commerce |date=December 3, 2008 |url=https://djcoregon.com/news/2008/12/03/jean-pierre-veillet-siteworks-davis-street-tavern/ |access-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002351/https://djcoregon.com/welcome-ad/?retUrl=%2Fnews%2F2008%2F12%2F03%2Fjean-pierre-veillet-siteworks-davis-street-tavern%2F |url-status=live }} a major remodel resulted in an interior with exposed brick and high ceilings.{{cite journal |title=Davis Street Tavern |journal=Portland Monthly |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/bars/davis-street-tavern |access-date=November 23, 2020}} The décor has been described as "a beige hipness for fortysomething professionals". In her 2012 book Portland, Oregon Chef's Table: Extraordinary Recipes from the City of Roses, Laurie Wolf wrote: {{Quote|The restaurant is huge. There is seating for about one hundred people between the front dining room and bar and the back two-level dining area and the outdoor tables. The main room is handsome and comfortable, with spacious tables and booths, neutral tones, wood beams, and exposed pipes.{{cite book |last1=Wolf |first1=Laurie |title=Portland, Oregon Chef's Table: Extraordinary Recipes from the City of Roses |date=July 17, 2012 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=116 |isbn=9780762787111 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rRY8Uqjen8kC&pg=PA116 |access-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002402/https://books.google.com/books?id=rRY8Uqjen8kC&pg=PA116&lpg=PA116&dq= |url-status=live }}}}

Hanger steaks came with green chili pepper hollandaise sauce and home fries, and pulled pork sandwiches were served with blue cheese potato salad. Seared chicken breast came with macaroni and cheese, pancetta, and broccolini, and pan-fried quail was served with hazelnut and quinoa stuffing, topped with marionberry gastrique, as well as escarole. Steamed mussels were served in a "Thai-inspired, tom kha-esque" broth. The Caesar salad had Romaine lettuce, boquerones, parmesan, and toasted focaccia croutons. A "slightly caramel-sweet" Dungeness crab bisque and sautéed squash were also on the menu. The dessert menu included chèvre cheesecake.

Christopher Handford and chef Gabriel Kapustka opened Davis Street Tavern in 2008.{{cite web |last1=Bamman |first1=Mattie John |title=Davis Street Tavern Has Grilled Its Last Burger |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2016/10/7/13203186/davis-street-tavern-closes-old-town |website=Eater Portland |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=October 7, 2016 |archive-date=April 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408170704/http://pdx.eater.com/2016/10/7/13203186/davis-street-tavern-closes-old-town |url-status=live }} The two were co-owners, as of March 2010.{{cite web |last1=Hagberg |first1=Eva |title=Davis Street Tavern to Be Featured on Chef vs City |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2010/3/9/6740895/davis-street-tavern-to-be-featured-on-chef-vs-city |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=March 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002354/https://pdx.eater.com/2010/3/9/6740895/davis-street-tavern-to-be-featured-on-chef-vs-city |url-status=live }} Handford's cousin Blake Smith has also been credited as a co-owner and for opening the restaurant.{{cite web |last1=DeJesus |first1=Erin |title=Sidecar Taking Over Lupa, Moloko Owner Opening Uchu |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2011/1/10/6702807/sidecar-taking-over-lupa-moloko-owner-opening-uchu |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=January 10, 2011 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002357/https://pdx.eater.com/2011/1/10/6702807/sidecar-taking-over-lupa-moloko-owner-opening-uchu |url-status=live }} After approximately 18 months with Davis Street Tavern, Kapustka asked to be bought out by his partners. He left the restaurant in September 2010.{{cite web |last1=DeJesus |first1=Erin |title=Kitchen Shuffles |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2010/9/9/6719995/kitchen-shuffles |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=September 9, 2010 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002422/https://pdx.eater.com/2010/9/9/6719995/kitchen-shuffles |url-status=live }} Scott Shampine became executive chef in November, having served as an advisor and offering kitchen support for the previous few months, especially after Kapustka's departure.{{cite web |last1=Beck |first1=Byron |date=November 16, 2010 |title=Scott Shampine New Executive Chef at Davis St. Tavern |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2010/11/16/6709799/scott-shampine-new-executive-chef-at-davis-st-tavern |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |author-link=Byron Beck (blogger) |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002423/https://pdx.eater.com/2010/11/16/6709799/scott-shampine-new-executive-chef-at-davis-st-tavern |url-status=live }} Smith confirmed Shampine's departure in February.{{cite web|last1=Beck|first1=Byron|author-link=Byron Beck (blogger)|date=February 7, 2011|title=Scott Shampine No Longer Executive Chef at Davis St. Tavern|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2011/2/7/6698231/scott-shampine-no-longer-executive-chef-at-davis-st-tavern|access-date=November 22, 2020|website=Eater Portland}} Katy Jane Millard replaced Shampine in March 2011.{{cite web |last1=Beck |first1=Byron |title=Davis St. Tavern's New Chef Talks Food, Family & Flavors |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2011/3/28/6690073/davis-st-taverns-new-chef-talks-food-family-flavors |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=March 28, 2011 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002357/https://pdx.eater.com/2011/3/28/6690073/davis-st-taverns-new-chef-talks-food-family-flavors |url-status=live }}

In 2012, Davis Street Tavern and the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association led an effort by restaurant industry groups to overturn the U.S. Department of Labor's rules prohibiting gratuity sharing with kitchen staff. The federal suit was filed in the District Court for the District of Oregon on July 12, with plaintiffs arguing the rules violated the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit's 2010 ruling in Cumbie v. Woody Woo Inc., which decided "employers may institute tip pools that include kitchen workers if the employer pays employees full minimum wage and meet other criteria". The plaintiffs were represented by Jackson Lewis.{{cite journal |last1=Culverwell |first1=Wendy |title=Davis St. Tavern, ORLA sue feds over pooled tips |journal=Portland Business Journal |date=July 17, 2012 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2012/07/17/davis-st-tavern-orla-sue-feds-over.html |access-date=November 23, 2020 |publisher=American City Business Journals |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002425/https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2012/07/17/davis-st-tavern-orla-sue-feds-over.html |url-status=live }}

Davis Street Tavern closed in September 2016.

In May 2010, Davis Street Tavern hosted an after-party for the "pig cook-off" known as Cochon 555. Later in the evening, event co-founder Brady Lowe and Eric Bechard, a chef at the restaurant Thistle, got into a fight outside a local strip club; Lowe's leg was fractured during the incident.{{cite web |last1=DeJesus |first1=Erin |title=Food Fight (Literally!): Thistle Chef Arrested Post-Cochon |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2010/5/18/6733125/food-fight-literally-thistle-chef-arrested-post-cochon |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=May 18, 2010 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002401/https://pdx.eater.com/2010/5/18/6733125/food-fight-literally-thistle-chef-arrested-post-cochon |url-status=live }} Bechard was reportedly upset at Lowe for allowing non-local pigs into the event.{{cite news |title=You Gotta Fight, For Your Right, To Oregon Pigs. |url=https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-11994-you-gotta-fight-for-your-right-to-oregon-pigs.html |access-date=November 21, 2020 |work=Willamette Week |date=May 18, 2010 |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709210239/http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-11994-you-gotta-fight-for-your-right-to-oregon-pigs.html |url-status=live }} Eater Portland's Mattie John Bamman described the altercation as "one of the Oregon hospitality industry's most infamous brawls".

Kapustka and chef Ryan McMullan represented Portland on the second season of the Food Network's Chefs vs. City. Davis Street Tavern hosted a viewing party for the June 25, 2010, episode.{{cite web |last1=DeJesus |first1=Erin |title=Davis Street Tavern's Chefs Vs. City Ep Gets Air Date |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2010/5/26/6732079/davis-street-taverns-chefs-vs-city-ep-gets-air-date |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=May 26, 2010}} In July, the restaurant took part in Yelp's "drinks week", which saw establishments offer three drinks at happy hour prices for an entire week.{{cite web |last1=DeJesus |first1=Erin |title=All Happy Hour, All the Time During Yelp Drinks Week |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2010/7/26/6725401/all-happy-hour-all-the-time-during-yelp-drinks-week |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=July 26, 2010 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002446/https://pdx.eater.com/2010/7/26/6725401/all-happy-hour-all-the-time-during-yelp-drinks-week |url-status=live }} In 2011, Davis Street Tavern participated in the Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers' Mountains to Metro (previously called Pinots in the Pearl), an annual winery event showcasing the viticultural area.{{cite web |last1=Beck |first1=Byron |title=Chehalam Mt. Winegrowers Change Event Name & Venue |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2011/3/21/6691537/chehalam-mt-winegrowers-change-event-name-venue |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=March 21, 2011 |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926072352/http://pdx.eater.com/2011/3/21/6691537/chehalam-mt-winegrowers-change-event-name-venue |url-status=live }} The restaurant also hosted Willamette Week{{'s}} Skidmore Prize Celebration and Give!Guide Kickoff; the former recognizes individuals for quality nonprofit work and the annual Give!Guide raises funds for local charity groups.{{cite news |title=Skidmore Prize Celebration and Give!Guide Kickoff! |url=https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-18118-skidmore-prize-celebration-and-give-guide-kickoff.html |access-date=November 23, 2020 |work=Willamette Week |date=October 23, 2011}}

Davis Street Tavern's annual Robert Burns Supper celebrated the Scottish poet and lyricist. The 2013 event featured Great Highland bagpipes, poetry, and a three-course prix fixe menu with haggis, cock-a-leekie, and Scotch pairings.{{cite web |title=Events on-Tap at Barwares, Riffle, Davis Street, MORE |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2013/1/22/6492275/events-on-tap-at-barwares-riffle-davis-street-more |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=January 22, 2013 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002507/https://pdx.eater.com/2013/1/22/6492275/events-on-tap-at-barwares-riffle-davis-street-more |url-status=live }} The restaurant hosted Joto Sake to offer guests five types of sake and a collaborative dinner pairing "the Japanese spirit with American food" in August 2013.{{cite web |last1=DeJesus |first1=Erin |title=Events On-Tap at the Fireside, Davis St., Bent Brick, MORE |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2013/8/7/6389791/events-on-tap-at-the-fireside-davis-st-bent-brick-more |website=Eater Portland |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=August 7, 2013 |archive-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625051534/https://pdx.eater.com/2013/8/7/6389791/events-on-tap-at-the-fireside-davis-st-bent-brick-more |url-status=live }}

In 2009, Patrick Alan Coleman of the Portland Mercury wrote, "In a city so earnest about the perfection and provenance of food, there's something oddly refreshing about dining at a restaurant where there is not a single assurance of ethics or high-minded cuisine. The Davis Street Tavern seems to be concerned with nothing more than providing a straight-ahead, if slightly skewed, menu of American bistro classics .. Based on the price, and the décor, Davis Street is the kind of place where the perennially fussy—food critics, say, or finicky debutantes—can still nit-pick their way through a meal and remain completely satisfied. Wolf opined in 2012, "This is a restaurant where you always feel welcome and never rushed." Portland Monthly described Davis Street Tavern as "a taste of the Pearl in Old Town" and "forever charming" with an "elegant feel". Thrillist described the menu as "innovative comfort food ... with inventive twists".

Eater Portland{{'s}} Mattie John Bamman said the restaurant was "beloved for its happy hour and power-lunches". In an article about the restaurant's closure, Bamman said of the Cochon 555 altercation, "The story lives on as a reminder of the city's commitment to local sourcing, as well as a warning to not take it too seriously."

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• Tavern

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{{Commons category|Davis Street Tavern}}

• [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g52024-d1469361-Reviews-Davis_Street_Tavern-Portland_Oregon.html Davis Street Tavern] at TripAdvisor

{{Defunct restaurants in Portland, Oregon}}

{{Old Town Chinatown, Portland, Oregon}}

Category:2008 establishments in Oregon

Category:2016 disestablishments in Oregon

Category:Defunct restaurants in Northwest Portland, Oregon

Category:Defunct restaurants in Old Town Chinatown

Category:Restaurants disestablished in 2016

Category:Restaurants established in 2008