The chandelier in the wine cave lends Old World glamour to the “cave” (Julie Pacheco-Toye)
Pullman Wine Bar and Merchant at the Eastlund Hotel is Portland’s newest wine bar and is worthy of a visit by wine aficionados and fans of the other David Machado restaurants. This chic and modern wine bar, Portland restaurateur David Machado’s newest venture, also boasts a private dining wine cave with an Old World feel.
It’s clear that there’s a lot of excitement about Pullman Wine Bar and Merchant, and that David Machado fans have been looking forward to this with good reason. This is the third restaurant he has at the Hotel Eastlund, the other two being Altabira and Citizen Baker.
The new Pullman Wine Bar and Merchant (Photo Julie Pacheco-Toye)
Décor That Both Complements and Includes the Wine Offerings
The newest space at the Hotel Eastlund in the Inner Southeast Corridor is bright, warm and spacious, with the considerable wine collection serving as the main decoration. But as one passes through the main bar area into the private dining cave, it’s not just the temperature that changes; you’re suddenly transported to a gorgeous stone-clad cave. This Old World feature is decorated with stunning chandeliers and flamenco-themed paintings inspired by the art of John Singer Sargent.
The wine cave, with it’s Old World feel (Photo Julie Pacheco-Toye)
In fact, this flamenco lover couldn’t help but wonder if the designer of the space isn’t also a lover of flamenco and Spanish culture, especially after noticing the beautiful bottles of Intrinsic red wines with their flamenco dancer labels lining the other wall in the cave.
(Photo by Julie Pacheco-Toye)
Although the space itself and David Machado were the stars of the preview event, the impressive display of over 135 wines and the fantastic food promise to keep the fans coming. Fifty percent of the wine list comes from the Pacific Northwest.
(Photo Julie Pacheco-Toye)
Wine-friendly Small Plates
At the opening preview, guests were treated to a wide variety of fabulous hors d’oeuvres representative of the food choices that will be offered at the wine bar and beautiful desserts created from Citizen Baker.
Desserts from David Machado’s coffee bar and bakery, Citizen Baker, also in the Eastlund Hotel (Photos by Julie Pacheco-Toye)
We enjoyed a 2015 Pinot Noir and a 2016 Chardonnay from Rose Rock Vineyards, an Oregon winery in the Eola-Amity Hills.
The current food menu of mostly small plates includes a wide variety of delectable wine friendly snacks, such as beef empanadas, mushrooms stuffed with blue cheese, veal and mushroom meatballs and an heirloom tomato salad with basil and burrata. Breads and desserts from Citizen Baker are also featured.
The wine bar features an innovative wine system from Napa Technology which allows the sampling of almost any bottle of wine, something rare at most wine bars. Pullman Wine Bar will feature three different wine flights daily.
The food menu complements, but is sure to not take a backseat to the wines as the Pullman Wine Bar and Merchant was created by one of Portland’s most successful purveyors of a variety of cuisines. They are serving lunch, late afternoon and early evening menus, and wines are available by the tasting pour, glass, bottle, or case.
For More:
- Pullman Wine Bar & Merchant, www.pullmanwinebar.com
- On our site: Altabira: Fabulous Food and Brew with a View
- On our site: Fava Bean and Strawberry Salad recipe from Altabira.
-All photos by Julie Pacheco-Toye.
