Lotus Card Room and Cafe, Portland
I have written a more extensive review of the Lotus Card Room previously, this post is just an update on a couple more items from their happy hour menu. Mrs. BDB and I were in Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland’s Living Room!) for the 26th annual giant Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, on black Friday.
Generally, the fete went off without a hitch, and a totally packed square and the surrounding streets enjoyed Christmas music from a variety of acts, including Portland’s own “Pink Martini,” (their first Christmas album available online and everywhere now) and brief addresses from politicians and local hoo-haws in general.
After the event, we walked the streets for a bit, decided to have a drink or something, and walked into the Lotus Card Room on 3rd. While joints nearer the Square were backed, the Lotus was just far enough away as to not get the crowd. As is her habit, Mrs. BDB ordered a gin martini with vermouth and olives, and I splurged for a Stella on tap. (In case you are a new reader, ‘splurge’ doesn’t mean $ for me, but rather food and caloric choices.
From the appetizer menu, we went with coconut shrimp atop Asian slaw, and a basket of bar fries. Our server was very genial, and we enjoyed the efforts of her labor.
The four large shrimp in the appy came in a bath of sweetened Thai Chili sauce, with a small portion of the slaw beneath a similarly-sized small portion of onion strings. The fries, rather pedestrian, hot and salty (I would have preferred them at a more mature ‘done’ stage, came with a ramekin of ranch, and I enjoyed them despite their ‘immaturity.’
Lotus is part of a local ‘entertainment’ group, and you can enjoy the same fare at any of their locations, including their newest “Thirsty Lion,” which recently opened at the out lot at Washington Square (across Greenburg from Gustav’s).
Lotus Card Room & Cafe, Portland