I'm looking at other japanese food restaurants downtown. If anyone would so kindly volunteer to go down this weekend, let me know how I might thank them... (Unless you all want to eat at Todai, which is quite good I think...) Here's some I've found, within a few blocks of the hotel (have I mentioned I hate walking?). I'll just say what the price of bentos are, since those are a good dinner type food if you've worked up an appetite from running around con. Coloring the names I'm personally interested, just so you'll all be biased and think, "Well, the name is a pretty color...")
Koji Osakaya (about 6 blocks north of the hotel): Looks nice, menu's a little even (
as in, sushi rolls cost around $4 which is a bit much though they also have a selection of udons and tempuras and such dinner is more expensive).
http://www.koji.com/locations.htm (The one in downtown portland), though the website is unclear whether or not they might have a private area, or could at least section us off like at Todai. Dinner bentos cost $17.95, which are a little large but probably what I would be ordering. The website hasn't been updated since at latest December 2007 (it says under jobs, a new store will be opening in Fubonn.. December 2007), so be warned.
Masu Sushi (6 blocks west, 2 north?): This seems to be more of a bar, but it is open until 12:30 so we could hang out for longer if necessary. In contrast, Todai is open until 9:30 (sorry, but since that's my base at the moment, it's what I'm going off of...). It's on the second floor of american apparel, in case anyone wants to go shopping. There aren't bentos, but dinners are fairly cheap, ranging from 12-24 (not including any rolls you want), however the selection is fairly small for entrees. Happy hour is until 6pm (and then again from 11pm until closing) so we wouldn't make that one.
http://www.masusushi.com/ Warning: the music is annoying.
Hey, intermission, how much will we be bothered if this turns into less of a kings game and more of a "eating and enjoying the other persona cosplayers' presence?" I'll bold any results that might fit the Kings Game idea better, and italicize restaurants we can just enjoy, perhaps without the luxury of a private room (though to be honest, I don't live downtown, and anyone willing to take up this mission will have to look around a little themselves. I'm really, really, really sorry I didn't look into this more when I went. I was just couting on Bush Garden being open, and cheap. :/ If tomorrow I can miraculously finish my Shirley outfit early, I might be able to go on another downtown adventure this weekend.. But it would mean SO, SO MUCH if someone else could please, please do this...)
Banzai Bento (about 8 blocks north): Doesn't have a website, but it looks pretty cheap. The review I saw said it was $4.25 for a meal and they couldn't finish it. From the description though, it sounds a little...dingy. (503) 227-3709
211 SW Sixth Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
Bahama Mama's Bento Grill(3 north, 1 east): All I could find about this is that it's, like, two feet away from Todai and it doesn't have a website or any reviews. Todai is in pioneer place, this looks like it's either in pioneer place or right next to it. (503) 721-0171
700 SW Fifth Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Ming's Dynasty and Sushi Bar (4 north, 3 east): Going by the bar name, I'm assuming there are no rooms...again, I didn't see a website. There was one terrible review for this place, but it was unrealistic (the bill had them paying for ONE DISH they didn't like because the typically chewy meat was...chewy! Omg, EW!). It's actually a chinese restaurant, but, you know, sushi. Very important. (503) 224-9440
510 SW 3RD Ave
Portland, OR 97204
Dragonfish Asian Cafe (1 north, 1 east): I've eaten here looong ago, but the atmosphere was very Kings Gamey, and unfortunately that's all I remember from this place. Rolls are the same prices as large dishes ($12-18?) but there are a variety of small foods. I'm not positive if we could get a private room, because according to the website (
http://www.dragonfishcafe.com/pdx/default.html) they offer (under the catering section, I should add) a $600 space for parties of 50 or more. I'm not positive on the details, but if we could get our own room, I'd be pretty interested in here. Still, once you factor in a tip and any potential room fees, it's not much more than Todai if that's our main concern. :/ Then again, I'll probably eat like 3x what you guys eat ugh i am such a black hole
Okay, that's all I could find under Asian and Japanese places in downtown portland within 10 blocks. Now, it's 4:30 AM, I am going to sleep. PM me if you need my cell phone or something. Um, yeah, hope this is helpful?
