Finally...P.R.E.A.M at Ned Ludd

I have to say...Ned Ludd has been on my list for a long time but I never found a huge desire to get to their restaurant, until....Pizza Monday. I heard about PREAM from a friend and figured I would check it out eventually, because yes, pizza rules everything around me. 

Ned Ludd has been bringing in red and white checkered table clothes and playing the awesome throwback R&B tunes for about a year now. PREAM makes Portland Mondays a little bit better. 

There was no wait and we got a table quickly. The menu is simple with a few salads, pizzas and recently added...pasta! We went for a spinach mushroom pasta and a sausage pizza with a béchamel sauce and chile oil. Not your traditional pizza, but definitely delicious. The popular pizza was the traditional Margherita and I WISH we would have gotten it. Gah...it looked so fabulous. Shocking...I wanted basil, tomatoes and mozzarella. 

If you have a larger group, don't worry because they also serve pizza in their private space, Elder Hall, right next door! 

It is a great spot and the perfect way to start your week. Ned Ludd is cozy with a visible wood fire oven and rustic ambiance. Their team brings out your order as it is ready so a fun place to go for sharing. You all know me...I LOVE sharing. 

               

               

Ned Ludd

3925 NE MLK Blvd 

Portland, Oregon 

503.288.6900

pizza monday | 5pm - close

open tues - sun 5pm - close | sun brunch 9am - 2pm

*Check out this article about PREAM - you might not have to wait until Mondays anymore. New space opening in SE Portland dedicated to pizza.

A Piece of Pie at Apizza Scholls

Another birthday celebration calls for another new restaurant adventure. My brother loves pizza...I mean, he LOVES pizza, more than anyone I know. So, when he was trying to pick a restaurant for his birthday dinner, Apizza Scholls was an easy choice. Surprisingly, no one in our family had been there so it was a new experience for everyone.

You have heard me carry on about all the killer pizza places in Portland (Oven & Shaker, Ken's, Lovely's Fifty Fifty) and now we found another one to add to the list. The atmosphere is casual and doesn't really have a theme like most Portland restaurants, but it didn't seem to bother people because the place was packed! My favorite part was the crust...oh my gosh, yum. My brother doesn't eat crust (unless he as a dipping sauce) and even he ate it!

look at that crust! 

We ordered four of their house pies, but you have the option to make your own as well. They also have a selection of house made salads and antipasti dishes on their menu. All their food is reasonable priced and I have no problem paying for GOOD pizza. I wouldn't recommend going their to drink because their beverage prices aren't cheap with $5 pints and $18 pitchers. Wine prices aren't too bad but beer prices are a little steep.

Apizza Amore

Overall, a fun place for a casual birthday dinner and I will definitely be back for the pizza, even if I just order it to-go! 

Apizza Scholls

4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd

Portland, Oregon

503.233.1286

open mon - sat 5 - 9:30pm | sundays 4 - 8pm

Portland Pizza: Lovely's Fifty Fifty

Another adventure to North Portland led us to Lovely's Fifty Fifty on N. Mississippi. It is a small, cozy restaurant with cute curb appeal. The wood-fired oven warms the whole place and is a perfect spot for a casual night of wine and pizza. I have heard wonders about their ice cream, but we didn't leave enough room to enjoy it. That will be for next time.

The restaurant can accommodate groups, at least up to ten people. We had to wait for a table but that is typical in Portland on a Friday night (don't think they take reservations either). We started with a bottle of wine, something red and Italian, recommended by the waitress. With good company and tasty pie, it didn't really seem to matter what we were drinking. Beer is also available but don't come for cocktails because they only serve brews and vino.

Now, for the pizza. There menu is seasonal-inspired so the vegetable toppings do change according to the season. We decided to share a variety of different selections because the pizzas are delivered to the table as they are ready. The oven only holds a handful of pizzas at a time. Two of our choices were the Meat Lover's and the Ricotta with Provolone & Gremolata. The cheese pizza was my favorite because they used non-traditional pizza cheeses. The ricotta was a nice touch, creamy and delicious.

Overall, it is just another great pizza spot in Portland....add it to your list!

Lovely's Fifty Fifty

4039 N Mississippi Ave

Portland, Oregon

503.281.4060

open tuesday - sunday | 5 - 10pm

Oven & Shaker

I love pizza. I really do and I have fallen in love with a new pizza place - Oven & Shaker in Portland's Pearl District. They had me at "three-time James Beard nominated chef Cathy Whims (Nostrana), veteran Northwest bartender Ryan Magarian, and ChefStable visionary Kurt Huffman." I mean come on, read that line up.

fennel sausage pizza

Oven & Shaker is a fun restaurant with high energy, rustic ambiance and fantastic food. The menu is not over the top, the cocktails are spot on and the service was excellent. We sat up at the bar, which is most of the restaurants seating. There are bar seats facing the window, high seating with bar stools and only a few low banquette seats. The bartender was knowledgeable and offered several suggestions. There was four of us and we decided to dine family style by ordering four different pizzas to share.  

collards pizza

We ordered the Collards, Salami, Wild Fennel Sausage and Chicory pizzas. Yes, those are four different pizzas...check out the full menu. I would say my two favorites were the salami and chicory pizzas. What really made the pizzas was the salami pizza was flavored with honey and chicory pizza was made with aged balsamic. I was very impressed with the flavors and the combinations.    


Good news: Open seven days a week, local microbrew selection, local wines from the barrels, creative and unique pizza menu, attentive and friendly staff, comfortable ambiance   
Not so good news: No reservations accepted and not much seating for large parties.  
Tip: For ginger lovers, try the Pineapple Trainwreck cocktail...it is turning into their signature drink. 

Oven & Shaker

1134 NW Everett Street

Portland, Oregon 97209

503.241.1600

Open: 7 days a week, 4pm - midnight

Happy Hour: 10pm - midnight