Naomi Pomeroy’s Beastly Dining Guide
Travel Oregon, September 2014
When native Oregonian Naomi Pomeroy took home the 2014 James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest for her intimate 24-seat restaurant, Beast, it was the culmination of many years of success. Since opening Beast in Northeast Portland in 2007, Pomeroy has been named one of the top six of a new generation of female chefs by Bon Appétit (2008) and recognized as one of the “10 Best New Chefs in America” by Food & Wine (2009). In 2010 Pomeroy was awarded top honors for women in business by both Oprah Magazine and Marie Claire. She represented Portland on season three of “Top Chef Masters” and served as a judge during the 10th season of “Top Chef.”
Closer to home, she’s enjoying success at Expatriate, a cocktail bar across the street from Beast that she opened with her husband, Kyle Linden Webster, in 2013. We met at one of her staple lunch spots, Roman Candle, to talk about some of her favorite culinary destinations around Portland.
Kerry Newberry: Let’s start with the basics. What are you looking for when you go out to eat?
Naomi Pomeroy: When I go out, I want service. I want to sit down and not think about anything. I want to have a bottle of wine. I want to just be in the luxurious moment. It doesn’t have to be fancy at all. It can just be a mason jar of wine and something super simple.
KN: Where would you go for something like that?
NP: Paley’s Place. It’s totally relaxing. The food is classic, straightforward and a little bit French. It’s all great ingredients, simple production.
KN: What’s a particular craving you have, and where does it send you?
NP: Pho Oregon on Northeast 82nd Avenue. I love the pho with brisket and slices of round steak.
KN: What’s your favorite place to eat with a group of friends?
NP: Wong’s King Seafood Restaurant for dim sum. You can have 10 people or more, the menu is really big, and there’s something for everybody.
