RingSide Fish House

Mattie John Bamman of Eater Portland described RingSide Fish House as an "old-school" seafood restaurant in the Fox Tower next to southwest Portland's Director Park. In addition to fish, the restaurant served steak, oysters,{{Cite news |last=Bamman |first=Mattie John |date=2017-07-07 |title=Find $1 Oysters at These 6 Restaurants This Summer |language=en |work=Eater Portland |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2017/1/25/14384756/best-dollar-oysters-in-portland-oregon |access-date=2022-04-05 |archive-date=2021-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427233414/https://pdx.eater.com/2017/1/25/14384756/best-dollar-oysters-in-portland-oregon |url-status=live }} Crab Louie, lobster, cioppino,{{Cite web |title=RingSide Fish House |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/restaurants/ringside-fish-house |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405221308/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/restaurants/ringside-fish-house |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Jacqueline Is Reviving Cioppino, The West Coast's Sloppiest, Spiciest, Fishiest Soup |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2016/12/13/jacqueline-is-reviving-cioppino-the-west-coasts-sloppiest-spiciest-fishiest-soup/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208142945/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2016/12/13/jacqueline-is-reviving-cioppino-the-west-coasts-sloppiest-spiciest-fishiest-soup/ |url-status=live }} poke,{{Cite web |last=Waterhouse |first=Ben |date=2016-07-13 |title=Poke-mania hits Portland: Where to find the city's best raw tuna |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/07/portlands_best_poke.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104185834/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/07/portlands_best_poke.html |url-status=live }} and onion rings.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-04-28 |title=Gerry Frank's picks: Favorite places for breakfast, lunch and dinner |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2017/04/gerry_franks_picks_favorite_pl.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331013850/https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2017/04/gerry_franks_picks_favorite_pl.html |url-status=live }}

The happy hour menu included hibiscus punch,{{Cite web |last=Powers |first=Colin |date=2016-07-15 |title=25 drinks to cool you down this summer: The Cocktail Hour |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/07/25_drinks_to_cool_you_down_thi.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Oregonian |language=en}} as well as oysters for $1 each, as of 2017.{{Cite web |title=Portland Suddenly Has a Whole Hell of a lot of $1 Happy-Hour Oyster Deals—Here's Where To Get Them |url=https://www.wweek.com/bars/2017/05/23/portland-suddenly-has-a-whole-hell-of-a-lot-of-1-happy-hour-oyster-deals-heres-where-to-get-them/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2021-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022053345/https://www.wweek.com/bars/2017/05/23/portland-suddenly-has-a-whole-hell-of-a-lot-of-1-happy-hour-oyster-deals-heres-where-to-get-them/ |url-status=live }} Other drinks included in the El Diablo (tequila, blackberry syrup, ginger beer){{Cite web |last=Powers |first=Colin |date=2015-08-01 |title=Summer's best drinks from local bars: The Cocktail Hour |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2015/07/summers_best_drinks_from_local.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Oregonian |language=en}} and the "Five" O "Three" (pear brandy, apple brandy, lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, apple syrup, lemon twist).{{Cite web |last=Powers |first=Colin |date=2016-04-22 |title=Spring cocktails to taste around town, make at home: The Cocktail Hour |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/04/spring_cocktails_to_taste_arou.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Oregonian |language=en}}

In 2011, the owner of RingSide Steakhouse confirmed plans to convert a temporary Fox Tower location into a seafood restaurant.{{Cite web |last=Bakall |first=Samantha |date=2014-06-26 |title=RingSide Steakhouse through the decades: 70 years of history in Portland (gallery) |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2014/06/70_years_of_ringside.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2023-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504090915/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2014/06/70_years_of_ringside.html |url-status=live }} The 240-seat restaurant opened on the building's second floor on July 18, 2011,{{Cite web |last=DeJesus |first=Erin |date=2011-07-18 |title=Inside Fox Tower's RingSide Fish House, Opening Today |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2011/7/18/6668939/inside-fox-towers-ringside-fish-house-opening-today |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405221308/https://pdx.eater.com/2011/7/18/6668939/inside-fox-towers-ringside-fish-house-opening-today |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2011-07-14 |title=RingSide Fish House opens Monday in downtown Portland, joining other new restaurants in theater-area fray |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2011/07/ringside_fish_house_opens_mond.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430190649/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2011/07/ringside_fish_house_opens_mond.html |url-status=live }} with Johnny Nunn as the initial executive chef.{{Cite web |last=DeJesus |first=Erin |date=2011-03-08 |title=Ringside Steakhouse Keeping Fox Tower Location for Upcoming Fish House; Burnside Spot Re-Opening March 28 |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2011/3/8/6693373/ringside-steakhouse-keeping-fox-tower-location-for-upcoming-fish |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405221417/https://pdx.eater.com/2011/3/8/6693373/ringside-steakhouse-keeping-fox-tower-location-for-upcoming-fish |url-status=live }} RingSide started with happy hour and dinner service.{{Cite journal |date=July 15, 2011 |title=RingSide Fish House opens in Fox Tower |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/print-edition/2011/07/15/ringside-fish-house-opens-in-fox-tower.html |journal=Portland Business Journal |access-date=May 4, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721151824/http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/print-edition/2011/07/15/ringside-fish-house-opens-in-fox-tower.html |url-status=live }}

Jennie Peterson, the daughter of RingSide owner Craig Peterson, was the general manager, as of 2014,{{Cite web |last=Beck |first=Byron |date=2014-08-20 |title=RingSide's GM Peterson Hangs at SW's Jola Cafe |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2014/8/20/6168409/ringsides-gm-peterson-hangs-at-sws-jola-cafe |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2015-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913011443/http://pdx.eater.com/2014/8/20/6168409/ringsides-gm-peterson-hangs-at-sws-jola-cafe |url-status=live }} and David Ezelle was executive chef, as of April 2015.{{Cite web |last=Centoni |first=Danielle |date=2015-04-01 |title=Be Mesmerized by Super Fast Videos of Chefs Breaking Down Whole Animals |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2015/4/1/8326941/be-mesmorized-by-super-fast-videos-of-chefs-breaking-down-whole |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2019-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516202405/https://pdx.eater.com/2015/4/1/8326941/be-mesmorized-by-super-fast-videos-of-chefs-breaking-down-whole |url-status=live }} Jonathan Gill was the executive chef from 2016 to 2018.{{cite web |last1=Breslouer |first1=Lee |title=Signs You're in a Bullshit Seafood Restaurant |url=https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/seafood-restaurant-red-flags |website=Thrillist |date=October 19, 2016 |access-date=April 5, 2022 |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625114906/https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/seafood-restaurant-red-flags |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2018-07-30 |title=Seafood Menagerie RingSide Fish House Is Closing in Fox Tower |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2018/7/30/17631270/seafood-restaurant-ringside-fish-house-closing-fox-tower-downtown |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2018-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817123120/https://pdx.eater.com/2018/7/30/17631270/seafood-restaurant-ringside-fish-house-closing-fox-tower-downtown |url-status=live }} Trever Gilbert was also a chef at the restaurant.{{Cite web |title=Flying Fish Will Open a Patio Food Cart Called ChefShack With a Rotating Lineup of Culinary Experts |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2022/01/11/flying-fish-will-open-a-patio-food-cart-called-chefshack-with-a-rotating-lineup-of-culinary-experts/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331205302/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2022/01/11/flying-fish-will-open-a-patio-food-cart-called-chefshack-with-a-rotating-lineup-of-culinary-experts/ |url-status=live }}

In 2016, Ringside Fish House hosted Take Your Kids to Work Day, offering lunch to children at no cost.{{Cite web |title=Bloody Mary Bloc Parties, Movies in the Pix Patisserie Courtyard, and More Portland Food Events |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2016/04/bloody-mary-bloc-parties-movies-in-the-pix-patisserie-courtyard-and-more-portland-food-events |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817173645/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2016/04/bloody-mary-bloc-parties-movies-in-the-pix-patisserie-courtyard-and-more-portland-food-events |url-status=live }}

In July 2018, Peterson and RingSide Hospitality Group announced plans to close the seafood restaurant on August 12, after operating for seven years.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2018-07-31 |title=RingSide to close downtown Portland fish house next month |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2018/07/ringside_to_close_downtown_por.html |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2020-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040959/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2018/07/ringside_to_close_downtown_por.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Giegerich |first=Andy |date=2018-07-30 |title=RingSide Fish House to close in August |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/money/business/ringside-fish-house-to-close-in-august/283-578809205 |access-date=2022-04-05 |website= |publisher=KGW |language=en-US |archive-date=2018-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731112359/https://www.kgw.com/article/money/business/ringside-fish-house-to-close-in-august/283-578809205 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Chad |date=August 1, 2018 |title=RingSide Fish House is Closing Next Month—But Going Out With a Bang Today |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2018/08/01/21726898/ringside-fish-house-is-closing-next-month-and-going-out-with-an-early-bang-today |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Portland Mercury |language=en |archive-date=2018-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902073152/https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2018/08/01/21726898/ringside-fish-house-is-closing-next-month-and-going-out-with-an-early-bang-today |url-status=live }}

File:Sam at the opening of the new Ringside Fish House downtown. (5952631243).jpg at the restaurant's opening, 2011|right]]

In 2015 and 2018, RingSide Fish House received a Best Of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator as part of the magazine's annual restaurant awards.{{Cite web |last=Perdue |first=Andy |date=2015-08-05 |title=Northwest shines in Wine Spectator restaurant awards |url=https://greatnorthwestwine.com/2015/08/05/wine-spectator-restaurant-award/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Great Northwest Wine |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002233140/https://greatnorthwestwine.com/2015/08/05/wine-spectator-restaurant-award/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Degerman |first=Eric |date=2018-07-05 |title=Metropolitan Grill in Seattle receives rare Grand Award from Wine Spectator |url=https://greatnorthwestwine.com/2018/07/04/metropolitan-grill-in-seattle-receives-rare-grand-award-from-wine-spectator/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Great Northwest Wine |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002105928/https://greatnorthwestwine.com/2018/07/04/metropolitan-grill-in-seattle-receives-rare-grand-award-from-wine-spectator/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal |date=August 25, 2022 |title=12 Prime Wine Restaurants in the Pacific Northwest |url=https://www.winespectator.com/articles/prime-wine-restaurants-in-the-pacific-northwest |journal=Wine Spectator |access-date=May 4, 2023 |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001010042/https://www.winespectator.com/articles/prime-wine-restaurants-in-the-pacific-northwest |url-status=live }}

Eater Portland included RingSide Fish House in a 2015 overview of "where to get your East Coast lobster fix in Portland".{{Cite web |last1=Brownfield |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Alburger |first2=Carolyn |date=2015-07-22 |title=Where to Get Your East Coast Lobster Fix in Portland |url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-lobster-restaurants-portland |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222055414/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-lobster-restaurants-portland |url-status=live }} The website's Heather Arndt Anderson included the restaurant in a 2017 overview of "where to eat and drink Like a pirate in Portland". She wrote, "If you want Salty's menu options and buttoned-up atmosphere without that pesky riverfront view, there's always Ringside. It's a nice spot for a fancy downtown dinner date."{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Heather Arndt |date=2017-11-02 |title=Where to Eat and Drink Like a Pirate in Portland, Mapped |url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/nautical-restaurants-pdx-portland-pirate |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2021-12-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204175421/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/nautical-restaurants-pdx-portland-pirate |url-status=live }}

Michael Russell included Ringside Fish House in The Oregonian{{'s}} 2016 list of Portland's 12 best oyster bars.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2016-03-22 |title=Portland's best oyster bars |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/03/portlands_best_oyster_bars.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331205825/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/03/portlands_best_oyster_bars.html |url-status=live }} The restaurant ranked third in the Best Seafood Restaurant category of Willamette Week's annual "Best of Portland" readers' poll.{{Cite web |title=Here are the Winners of the Best of Portland Readers' Poll 2017 |url=https://www.wweek.com/promotions/2017/02/16/best-of-portland-readers-poll-2017/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2019-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106055250/https://www.wweek.com/promotions/2017/02/16/best-of-portland-readers-poll-2017/ |url-status=live }} In Unique Eats and Eateries of Portland, Oregon (2018), Adam Sawyer called RingSide Fish House "the perfect Yin to the steakhouse's Yang" and said the restaurant "proudly sports one of the best early and late-night happy hour menus in Portland".{{Cite book |last=Sawyer |first=Adam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ijt8DwAAQBAJ&dq=%22RingSide+Fish+House%22&pg=PT141 |title=Unique Eats and Eateries of Portland, Oregon |date=2018-10-01 |publisher=Reedy Press LLC |isbn=978-1-68106-186-3 |language=en}} RingSide Fish House received "honorable mention in Russell's list of "Portland's 25 most painful restaurant closures of 2018".{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2018-12-20 |title=Portland's 25 most painful restaurant closures of 2018 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/life-and-culture/erry-2018/12/b44021df315012/the-25-most-painful-restaurant.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2020-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128004729/https://www.oregonlive.com/life-and-culture/erry-2018/12/b44021df315012/the-25-most-painful-restaurant.html |url-status=live }}

{{Portal|Food|Oregon}}

• List of seafood restaurants

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|RingSide Fish House}}

• [https://www.thrillist.com/venue/eat/portland/restaurants/ringside-fish-house RingSide Fish House] at Thrillist

{{Defunct restaurants in Portland, Oregon}}

Category:2011 establishments in Oregon

Category:2018 disestablishments in Oregon

Category:Defunct seafood restaurants in Portland, Oregon

Category:Restaurants disestablished in 2018

Category:Restaurants established in 2011

Category:Defunct restaurants in Southwest Portland, Oregon