Bijou Cafe, the eatery of choice for Portland's power brokers, serves creative American cuisine that's whipped up using fresh, local ingredients. During breakfast, corn-flour pancakes are served with a side of oyster or snapper hash, and the super health-conscious can even get a bowl of steamed brown rice. Lunchtime offers up a roster of soups, salads and special entrees.Organic products are frequently incorporated, and you can also find tofu dishes. As is typical with popular eateries, Bijou can get crowded at times and could demand a wait.

The Heathman Hotel's restaurant, a study in oak, glass and brass, surrounds diners with comfort and elegance. The menu fuses French technique with Northwestern ingredients, fashioning a delectable cuisine from the mix. Selections change seasonally, depending on what's best and most available, but you're likely to run into Maine or Australian lobster, veal breast with wild mushrooms, braised rabbit and a range of fresh game and seafood. The chef dovetails the foods of Normandy with the foods of the Pacific Northwest to great effect. The extensive wine list offers French and domestic vintages to complement any meal. Breakfast at the Heathman is a special event, featuring French toast, eggs Benedict, smoked salmon hash and even homemade granola. You'll find even more selections on the a la carte menu, all meant to be savored with coffee and juice in the lovely setting. Great for a leisurely repast.

DOWNTOWN. Polished woods and subtle colors enliven the dining rooms in this historic building. An open kitchen provides a glimpse of efficient, almost choreographed preparation, led by the chef, an expert in Northwest cuisine. Local, organic and seasonal meats and produce provide a base for intuitive flavor combinations, such as seared halibut with spring vegetable stew and cheddar-green onion spoonbread. A seafood stew features braised greens and red wine, and duck magret comes with rhubarb chutney. The menu changes frequently but always features well-considered, inventive entrees that are both beautiful and tasty. Business lunches are especially popular at Higgins, and the bar scene draws a bevy of patrons, who love the great beer selection. A bistro menu is available all day in the bar.

DAYTON. Set in a gracious, two-story mansion, this restaurant is located in Oregon's wine country about an hour's drive south of Portland. The menu revels in wild mushrooms and regional wines, incorporating them (and a mix of culinary influences) into such fare as Willamette Valley coq au vin, Carlton filet mignon with pinot-noir sauce, and Oregon salmon with curried couscous and porcini duxelles. Mushroom soup, three-mushroom tart, and rack of lamb are all house specialties that will give you a new appreciation for humble fungi. A prix fixe option is available, along with an array of great regional wines. A perfect stop after a day in the countryside.

Named for the owner's Italian grandmother, Lucy's Table honors her with an Old World culinary sensibility and fantastic food. The enveloping space, done in metallic tones and lush fabrics, invites diners to sink back and enjoy the evening ahead. Both large and small plates are offered, and may include meat and game, seafood or pasta. The menu changes often to take advantage of seasonal produce ­ signature dishes include Goat Cheese Ravioli with Crispy Shallots & Pancetta, and Pomegranate Glazed Baby Back Ribs. Desserts are a worthy extension of the meal, with such indulgences as Boca Negra, a warm flourless chocolate cake with whipped cream and nut florentine. Service, of course, is impeccable. Valet Parking Wed-Sat.