Nuestra Cocina ("Our Kitchen") is one of the best new restaurants in SE Portland. Specializing in traditional dishes from the central Mexican regions of Oaxaca, Yucatan and Vera Cruz, Nuestra Cocina takes the concept of fresh, simple and bold flavors and does it to perfection: Masa cakes filled with chorizo, black beans and chile; [...]

Deciding what to do for a special occasion is always fraught with indecision around here. Tradition would dictate choosing one of several high-end dining spots on the list of favorites, like Castagna or Paley's Place. Or going to one of the seemingly endless number of new restaurants that have opened and we haven't yet made it to. Then there's the temptation to grab a couple of steaks, fire up the 'cue and shake up a martini right here at home.

But to take advantage of the occasion (our anniversary), we decided to go for a drink at our new favorite hangout, Bar Avignon, and think about where to have dinner. After a cocktail and their killer pate plate, we took the easy way out and simply walked across the street to Nuestra Cocina.

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So, I was treated to a dinner with my brother in law, out of state aunt visiting a friend who lives in Portland, and the Portlanders who've lived here 30 years plus. Enjoyed a meal at Nuestra Cocina and Pix Pasteries in the SE side. There was discussion on places people have eaten, travelled to, or meant to travel to in the Portland area.
  My wife and I are happy hear and my brother in law is enjoying the area as well, and we've all been here about a year, we moved from Michigan to here. I began to wonder for those of us who migrated to PDX, when did you know, this was your town?
  For myself, I'd have to target Stumptown Comics Fest, being a comic book writer and being able to show off my product to people who understood what myself and the other artists did, wasn't just a kids' hobby, and two, Beavers baseball at PGE Park -- mostly because having been raised watching baseball in the midwest, it's a comfort zone.

  So migrants, feel free to share , what your defining moment might have been? Perhaps, when you stumbled into Powell's and collapsed onto you knees to worship the god Thoth (Merccury)? Or Saturday Market where artists hocking their wares wasn't simply a seasonal event, meant to draw tourists? Perhpas Stumptown coffee and Voodoo Donuts lured you in?  Or maybe it's when you cussed at your first bicyclist, driver, pedestrian, for not watching where they're going...all in one day.

So, have at, have fun.

# of visits: 2 not your run-of-the-mill mexican fare. nuestra cocina serves wonderfully refined dishes that take traditional ingredients to new heights. we had a variety of appetizers and mains: seafood, poultry, lamb and pork; all were cooked perfectly. nice tequila selection as well. 2135 SE Division St. ph: 503-232-2135 web: nuestra-cocina.com other opinions: food dude portland.citysearch more

Here is a recipe that was inspired by Ben Gonzales, chef/owner of Nuestra Cocina on SE Division. My wife loves Ben's dish and orders it every time we eat there. She has intentions of trying something different on each visit,...