Chef Crush

PATRICK, JACKSON, & CHRIS @ Olea (503) 274-0800
1338 NW Hoyt, Portland, Oregon, 97209

Why they’re dreamy:
Uber cutie Jackson has been on our radar for a while now, but all three of these crush-worthy cooks won our hearts recently with a meal left to their whims. The celeriac soup with fresh crab salad on a parmesan cheese crisp made us swoon, while the chicken tagine, not something we would normally ever order for ourselves, surprised with new flavor combinations in every bite- juicy, crispy-skinned chicken, sweet raisins, crunchy almonds, tangy capers…Topped off with a not-too-sweet date coffee cake with almond mascarpone, praline pecans, and caramel sauce, the meal was like the perfect prom date- comfortingly familiar but never boring, with more than a few tasty surprises tucked up its tux sleeves, errr, chef’s whites.

KYLE @ Roux (503) 285-1200
1700 N. Killingsworth Street, Portland, Oregon, 97217

Why he’s dreamy:
Tasso-wrapped sea scallops with roasted pepper puree, lemon zest, and fried capers really get our hearts thumping, and deliciously simple fried green tomatoes make a wonderful Summertime starter alternative to a boring old salad. Moist snapper with toasted almonds, salted lemon, and sauteed savory spinach fill us up without weighing us down. In fact, this gorgeous chef crush has quite a way with seafood of all types and comfort food faves as well. Warning: Beware the “Bourbon Street Sour,” especially at happy hour when they serve them in mason jars. Danger, danger!