| Isabel Pearl | |
|---|---|
 | |
_-_006.jpg) Exterior of the building which previously housed Isabel Pearl, 2022 | |
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| Restaurant information | |
| Owner(s) | Isabel Cruz |
| Chef | Isabel Cruz |
| Food type | Latin-Asianfusion |
| Street address | 330 Northwest 10th Avenue |
| City | Portland |
| County | Multnomah |
| State | Oregon |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 97209 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 45°31′33″N122°40′52″W / 45.5257°N 122.6811°W /45.5257; -122.6811 |
Isabel Pearl, or simplyIsabel,[1] was aLatin-Asianfusion restaurant inPortland, Oregon'sPearl District, in the United States.
Named after chef-owner Isabel Cruz, Isabel Pearl was located at the intersection of 10th and Flanders innorthwest Portland'sPearl District.[2] The restaurant was attached to acondominium.[3]Frommer's described Isabel Pearl as a "glass-walled jewel-box of a restaurant" offering "big, creative" breakfasts.[4]Portland Monthly described Isabel Pearl as "Latin-Asianfusion done up in a distinctly boxy building" and said the restaurant was "known best for a strongbrunch and a wicked blood orangemimosa".[5] Michael Russell ofThe Oregonian said Isabel Pearl was part of aSan Diego–based chain and also described the menu as Latin-Asian fusion.[3]
The coconutFrench toast was served with a raspberrypurée. The Omar Special hadscrambledegg whites, cheese, green onions, tomatoes, grilled chicken, and mushrooms, and was served withbrown rice and a sauce made of avocado, cilantro, and lime.[2] The avocado scramble had black beans, cheese, jalapeños, and rosemary potatoes.[1] The menu also includedroast beefhash.[6] Thehappy hour menu includeddraught beers, cocktails, and small bowls ofrice and beans.[5] According to Kevin Max of1859 magazine, the restaurant used "as much produce as possible" from its farm inSandy.[2] Isabel Pearl had a poster of Cruz and her cookbooks for sale.[1]
In 2012, the Elizabeth Lofts Condominium Owners Association filed a lawsuit inMultnomah County Circuit Court against the restaurant's parent company Isabel LLC. The association sought $3,748.83 in unpaid dues plus "assessments, late fees and other charges".[3]
In an overview of Portland's best restaurants, Frommer's recommended the coconut French toast orpesto scramble.[4] Kevin Max of1859 also recommended the coconut French toast.[2]
Willamette Week's Mike Thelin said Isabel Pearl showcased Cruz's "own brand of California Asian-Latin fusion" with offerings "as cutting edge asMichael Dukakis". He wrote, "There seems to be a pattern: Avocado for color and good fat, black beans for fiber, tomatoes for zing, rosemary for flavor; all bound together by what's straightforwardly referred to on the menu as 'cheese'—seven times on the breakfast menu alone." In 2007, Thelin opined, "The fare is neither innovative nor memorable, but Isabel provides the Pearl District with another healthy breakfast and lunch option ... and the neighborhood response has been good so far." He said options were "well priced", apart from the orange juice, and wrote, "In today's Pearl—where I'm pretty sure personal trainers outnumber working artists these days—Isabel's could do quite well."[1]
InMoon Portland, Hollyanna McCollom wrote, "Isabel Cruz, the California-based chef and owner of this smallish Pearl District fusion café, draws influct from Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican, Japanese, and Thai cooking. While lettuce wraps and edamame alongside carnitas may seem strange, Cruz manages to make it work. Her food is akin to spa food—elegant, colorful, and oftentimes quite good for you." McCollom recommended, "Order Cruz's signature Crispy Dragon Potatoes as a breakfast entrée with eggs and bacon or as an appetizer. For dinner, the Big Bowls are always reliable. The menu also includes a decent happy hour, but the breakfast and lunch offerings are still more extensive."[7]
