PORTLAND, Ore. — On Tuesday, two Portland eateries landed on the New York Times' annual list of America's 50 best restaurants.
One of the two Southeast Portland restaurants included is L'Orange, a modern French eatery located within the second floor of a Victorian house known for its seasonal menu described by the NYT as "a real charmer."
The founder and executive chef behind L'Orange is Joel Stocks, a Portland native who has been professionally cooking since the age of 15 years old, according to the eatery's website. He attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York and has traveled the world while experiencing various culinary cultures. After working in several kitchens, he went on to co-own Holdfast, a restaurant which later closed due to the pandemic.
After opening in June 2023, L'Orange is Stocks' latest muse, offering delicacies such as smoked and roasted sturgeon served with squash broth, caramelized fennel and pernad.
Inspired by Bangkok's Chinatown, Yaowarat opened its Southeast Portland doors in October 2023, another Portland addition from founder and chef Akkapong Earl Ninsom, known for his James Beard award-winning restaurant Langbaan.
The NYT describes Yaowarat as a "night-market feel." The eatery offers Thai-Chinese delights such as Lad Na, a crispy egg noodle, pork gravy, gailan, peppers in vinegar and white peppers. It also offers desserts such as toasted buns with pandan and Thai tea custards, or milk pudding with strawberry granta, young coconut, jicama and brown sugar boba.
