Pork Cheeks, Braised Peppers and Onions, Pickled Octopus, Aioli

After watching episodes of Portlandia, I went into Beaker & Flask expecting a similar snooty approach to food. Yes, the food was prepared in a way that would startle a Southerner like myself (sarcasm), yet it wasn’t off-putting. Allow me to list the pros and cons of my Beaker & Flask experience:

PROS:
-Drink menu is very extensive. Imagine a Pacific Northwest version of Holeman & Finch’s drink menu.
-Seasonal food menu means that I’ll get to enjoy something new upon my next visit.
-Intimate space. It’s perfect for a date, or a small group of friends.
-Blue cheese butter on the beef shoulder was heavenly. I’d even eat it straight up.

CONS:
-Pork cheek was over-salted.
-Purposely mismatched glassware = they’re trying too hard.

Grilled Beef Shoulder Tender, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Spinach, Blue Cheese Butter, Fried Leeks

Risotto, Late Summer Vegetables, Mascarpone, Herbs