A menu full of seafood items showcasing the best in Pacific Northwest cuisine greets diners at the Alberta Street Oyster Bar and Grill. Enjoy fresh-from-the-boat oysters on the half shell, pan roasted monkfish or grilled ahi. Or, let the chef make the hard choices for you. Try the Chef's Whim, a five-course tasting menu that showcases available, freshly caught seafood. A wine pairing is available for an additional fee. A wine list is available, and the bar serves up expertly mixed cocktails.

A fourth-generation family enterprise, this Portland institution dates from 1907. The interior has the feel of a ship, thanks to nautical memorabilia and a huge collection of plates and steins. It's an apt setting for the fresh, briny seafood the place serves. Raw oysters and oyster stew began the tradition decades back and still pull in patrons today. You'll also be swayed by clam chowder, crab stew and salmon chowder, along with variations on about any sea creature imaginable. Scallops, halibut, cod, calamari and shrimp can be found, and you can get food broiled, fried and in combination platters. Steak, chicken, burgers and sandwiches are available to satisfy those finicky landlubbers.

Damask wallpaper and dark polished woods impart an intimate atmosphere to this elegant restaurant, a Portland tradition for over 100 years. Known for its emphasis on fresh seafood and simple preparation, Jake's pulls in both loyal locals and visitors who want a taste of northwestern bounty. The menu, printed daily, features a very wide selection of fresh seafood, and may include grilled red salmon, kung pao ahi tuna, steamed mussels or sauteed swordfish. You'll also find fish and chips, a host of entree salads, and a good selection of steaks, soups, sandwiches and pastas. During happy hour, Jake's offers an inexpensive menu of tasty tidbits in the bar, and during dinner hours, the full menu is available nightly until 1a.m. Luscious desserts range from hazelnut mousse to the famous chocolate truffle cake. Service is attentive and professional.

This saloon-like place, with its tiled floors, architectural detailing, and mounted animal heads, feels as if it's been around forever. That's just what the owners were hoping for. The friendly, popular eatery is a great gathering place, especially when you want good food that's done well. Along with traditionally prepared steaks, you'll find cuts seasoned with cabernet, garlic and peppercorns, and blue cheese. Chicken, seafood and pastas are available as well, along with entree salads, sandwiches and an array of hot comfort foods such as meat loaf, Salisbury steak and chicken pot pie. Specialty beers and West Coast wines create another layer of flavor.

DOWNTOWN. Occupying a lovely, traditional space in the Failing Building, M&S plies Portland residents and visitors with some of the city's freshest seafood. You'll find a variety of regional oysters each day, along with a lengthy list of fresh catches. Grilled Oregon ling cod, smoked rainbow trout, and pan-fried razor clams provide a local taste, while pan-seared thresher shark and grilled mahi mahi add an island flair to the menu. A sauté of Dungeness crab and rock shrimp is enticing, and a chunky seafood stew warms you when the fog rolls in. Steak, chicken, lamb, and pastas are also available. This long-standing favorite has great regional wines as well.