Foodies Favorite Finds: Seamus Foran, Acadia Bistro’s New Owner
Monday, May 18, 2015
Here's one of the many delicious dishes provided at Acadia.
Photo Credit: Acadia (Image Cropped)
Seamus Foran is an Oregonian through and through (minus gauge earrings and sleeve tattoos).
Born in Eugene, his family moved to Portland in 1989 where he was raised and still proudly calls home. After graduating from high school with no clear direction, Seamus stumbled quite randomly into the restaurant world.
Young and penniless, he found employment washing dishes one day a week at local southwest Portland institution O’Connor’s. The pace was fast and merciless. From his crowded corner, behind stacks of dirty dishes, Seamus watched on with delight as the symphony unfolded. Orders were shouted, pots and pans clanged, seasoned line cooks whirled and chopped and tossed and fried. Seamus had fallen in love.
Soon, one day a week became a full time dishwashing job. Shortly after, as is common in the industry, cooking positions opened up. Eager to step up to the plate, Seamus asked for an audition. Having looked on and studied for so many nights, he fell right in.
In 2007, after a long, successful run at O’Connors, Seamus sought out new challenges. Responding to an ad on Craigslist, he applied for a part time pantry position at Acadia Bistro and met with Chef Adam Higgs. The two connected and Seamus was hired on as a part-time pantry cook. Once again, keeping his eyes and ears open, Seamus watched on and learned the finer points of Cajun/Creole cuisine. Hard work, determination, and the desire to grow propelled Seamus through the ranks. Quickly learning some of the basic French techniques, Seamus soon found himself as Chef Higgs’ sous chef.
After working side by side for several years, Chef Higgs now plans on selling the restaurant to his young apprentice. Like so many times before, Seamus now finds himself facing new challenges as he steps up to the role as a Chef/Owner of Acadia Bistro.
Since Seamus is a lover of both food and Portland, you might be wondering what Seamus’ favorite foodie spot around town is. Below, Seamus shares some thoughts about his favorite “weird” spot in Portland.
“One of my favorite spots in town is Escape from New York Pizza on NW 23rd. As a Portland native, I've been going here since the late eighties. This is classic New York style pizza. You know the story, you order it by the slice, fold the crust, and eat standing up (possibly hovering over a garbage can). The menu is as basic as they come, toppings are limited to the classics, but for my money, this is the BEST pizza in town. I've been coming here since I had to stand on my tippy toes to reach the sneeze guard, and not much has changed in that time. With all the new artisan pizza joints popping up these days, I'm glad that Escape has stuck to their guns. You won't find kale or clams, or hand made sausage, but it's just good old fashioned New York Pizza.”
Taste some of Seamus Foran’s creations at Acadia.
Acadia Bistro, 1303 NE Fremont St. Monday - Saturday, 5pm - 10pm, and Wedsnessday from 11:30am - 2:30pm. Closed Sundays.
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