Foodie’s Favorite Finds: Chef Pat Manning of Toro Bravo

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Monday, April 27, 2015

Portland and the surrounding region is a food lover's paradise. But with so many different places to choose to eat, drink and be merry at, some of the coolest places don't get the spotlight they deserve. GoLocalPDX has asked local food luminaries to share their favorite off-the-beaten-track dining hot spots. Here is one chef's back story and his favorite out-of-the-way dining spot  This week's spotlight is on Toro Bravo Executive Chef, Pat Manning, and his love of growlers. 

Pat Manning is the Executive Chef of Toro Bravo, a Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant in Northeast Portland, Oregon created by restaurateur chef John Gorham. Manning sees food as an opportunity for friends to gather together and enjoy each other’s company, and that is how he approaches the engaging, fun, family-style menu at Toro Bravo. 

Born and raised in a small town in Colorado, Manning had little experience with diverse cuisine until his early 20’s when he began to understand that food could be more than just about eating. Upon this realization, he finished his business degree at Western State College in Colorado and immediately enrolled in Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon. Manning began washing dishes at Toro Bravo in 2007 and soon climbed the ladder to a grill position. To be closer to family, he moved back to Colorado and worked at Cho Lon for a year, but decided to return to Portland where Gorham, a close friend and mentor, welcomed him back to the Toro Bravo team as sous chef.

Manning was named Executive Chef of Toro Bravo in 2014 and his influence at the iconic Portland tapas restaurant can be seen in the seasonally-driven specials served alongside Toro Bravo’s beloved signature plates. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outside picnicking and grilling with his wife Kate and their two huskies, Dash and Illa. He also loves Tin Bucket growlers: 

"One of my favorite places to go on my way home from Toro Bravo is the Tin Bucket on North Williams. They are the first place in Portland to have pressurized growler filling station, which I usually don't take advantage of. Instead I pick from the 35-40 beers they have on tap to drink there and the awesome bottle selection to take home. There's good music and if a game isn't on you might catch a bad movie like "Batman Forever" or "Bloodsport." While they don't offer any food, you are free to bring in anything you like. Life of Pie pizza or a snack from New seasons are my go-tos. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. I can't help but drink two or three Grapefruit Sculpins if it's on tap. Jason would say "that's easy drinking beer."

Locations:

Toro Bravo: 120 NE Russell St, Portland, OR 97212

Tin Bucket, 3520 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227

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