Foodies Favorite Finds: Clyde Common Carlo Lamagna

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Monday, March 30, 2015

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Features Editor

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. Clyde Common Executive Chef Carlo Lamagna's favorite place for fried chicken is the one and only Reel M Inn in Southeast Portland. 

Lamagna was born in the Philippines, and lived in Canada and Michigan until he was a teenager when he returned to the Philippines. Starting out as a psychology major in college, it wasn’t long until he discovered his passion for cooking and moved back to Michigan at 20 to begin his culinary career. 

Lamagna cooked at several restaurants in Detroit before attending culinary school at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. After graduating, he moved to Chicago and worked with Bruce Sherman at North Pond. From here, Lamagna went to Europe, traveling to Germany, France and Spain to gather more culinary perspective. From the anchovy and Serrano ham pinxtos in San Sebastian, to a classic duck casserole in Lyon, France, to blutwurst and brats in the Black Forest in Germany, each destination has helped shape his cooking style today. 

At the core of Lamagna’s cooking is his family and his Filipino heritage, both of which played significant roles in his career. The food he ate while growing up, from his mom’s potatoes and beef on rice, his brother’s chili, his dad’s pork adobo, and his sister’s baking, all hold a special place in his heart and have been large influences in his cooking today. At Clyde Common, Lamagna’s dishes are a glimpse into his life: where he’s come from and where he’s been, coming together to make something new. He uses classic techniques with modern, beautiful plating, and his food is old school flavor, with new school style.

Outside of work, Lamagna enjoys spending time with his family, hiking and traveling. He also loves practicing martial arts, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Arnis.

Lamagna also enjoys seeking out the off-the-beaten path and odd places to eat in addition to his regular stand-bys of tacos, fried chicken, dim sum and Vietnamese. Speaking of chicken, Reel M Inn is one watering hole where he has found some of the best.

"Reel M Inn is one of those places that you feel awkward walking in at first but at home, comfortable, and full when you leave. I was introduced to this place by my first chef here in Portland, Johnny, and haven't looked back since.  Dive bar to its bones, it also has great fried chicken....honestly, some of the best i have ever had hands down.  I usually get 3-4 wings, 1-2 chicken thighs, an order of jojos, and a cold, cheap beer like PBR, Rainier, or Old German....all depending on how hungry I am of course."

Reel M Inn is located at  2430 SE Division St., (503) 231-3880.

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