Russian Pop-Up Dinner at Portland Penny Diner

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Contributor

First there were Russian food carts. Then came Kachka, a hot new Russian restaurant in inner Southeast. Now it’s time for a Russian pop-up created by one of Portland’s top chefs. 

Portland chef Vitaly Paley (Paley's Place, Imperial, Portland Penny Diner) will offer his monthly Russian pop-up series, DaNet, on Friday, Sept. 12 within the walls of the Portland Penny Diner.

The pop-up—a five-course, family style experience with cocktail and wine pairing options—transforms Portland’s Penny Diner into something more akin to Paley’s Russian roots. After lunch service at the diner chef and his crew outfit the venue with vintage tchotchkes, Russian decorative elements from Paley’s family as well as artwork. For the dinner, authentic music from the Motherland is played at a level intended to encourage diners to get out of their seats and dance. 

Following a similar format to the previous DaNets, the pop-up will feature zakuski with several types of blinis followed by two subsequent courses and a dessert.

Bar manager Brandon Wise will concoct innovative drinks and cocktail pairings for the events. Guests can also purchase vodka flights, including Russian, local or ‘infusion’ flights, the latter including apple and ginger, beet and caraway, honeyed pear and spicy pepper and black truffle infused vodka. Imperial will also offer global wine pairings with unique offerings.

Dinner is served family style at communal tables, with one seating at 6:30 p.m.

Cost for the five-course Russian pop-up dinner is $65 per person plus gratuity. Imperial bartender Tony Guardian, who moonlights as DJ Expensive Taste, will be spinning a mix of Slavic hip-hop, pop, traditional and old world romance music during dinner. 

To make a reservation for DaNet, please call Imperial at (503) 228-7222.

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