PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A restaurant booking platform has spotlighted 12 of the Portland area’s hottest food spots.

OpenTable’s “Icons” program features the most acclaimed restaurants in culinary destinations like Chicago, Miami, New York City and, now, the Rose City. When the program first launched in July , the website said businesses could be designated as “Icons” if they have recently earned accolades such as Michelin stars, James Beard Awards and other positive reviews.

Italian dining spot Nostrana was the first Portland restaurant listed. Chef and Owner Cathy Whims was nominated among the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chefs for seven consecutive years.

Eastern European eatery Kachka was tapped as well. The business became a semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2015, and its Bonnie Morales was nominated for Best Chef in 2018.

The Pearl District’s Mediterranean Exploration Company was also featured.

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Positively Portland

For each icon, OpenTable editors write a blurb about how it earned the title. Plus, the website reveals the earliest available reservations for the restaurant.

“This marquee restaurant from hospitality giant Sesame Collective goes big on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors,” editors wrote about Mediterranean Exploration Company. “The menu is meant for sharing; order crispy lamb hummus with fluffy pita before moving on to signature dishes like chermoula-rubbed shrimp cooked in an open hearth in the industrial-chic space. Playful cocktails like a Turkish coffee martini add to the always-festive vibe.”

Oma’s Hideaway and Gado Gado — both owned by husband and wife duo Thomas and Mariah Pisha-Duffly — made the cut, too. The only awardee outside of the city was McMinnville’s Hayward.

Read the full list of Portland-area icons below.

• Nostrana on 1401 SE Morrison St #101, Portland, OR 97214
• Kachka on 960 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
• Mediterranean Exploration Company
• Oma’s Hideaway on 3131 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
• Canard on 734 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
• L’Orange on 3131 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
• Le Pigeon on 738 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
• República on 100 NW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
• Magna Kusina on 2525 SE Clinton St, Portland, OR 97202
• Gado Gado on 1801 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97212
• Han Oak on 511 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
• Hayward on 1140 NE Alpine Ave, McMinnville, OR 97128

“We want to help all diners experience these incredible restaurants – enhancing the search experience is just the beginning,” OpenTable CEO Debby Soo said.

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