Say When brings blue-collar French to NW Portland
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Fans of Sit Tite, North Portland's Jersey-inspired dive, won't be surprised to learn chef BJ Smith is also behind a newly opened "blue-collar French" bar — words not typically used in the same sentence.
Zoom in: Say When opened in the former Cha Taqueria space on Northwest 21st Avenue last month and features all the classics average diners would associate with French cuisine.
- "I think it's just an everyday food, not a special occasion food," the "Top Chef" alum told Bridgetown Bites of the menu.
Baguettes, oysters and deviled eggs? Check. How about steak frites, croque monsieur and crème brûlée? They got that, too.
- The blue-collar descriptor may have to do more with the price. Snacks and starters range from $6-18, while sandwiches and larger plates cost between $14-23.
- Smith told Bridgetown Bites that he's lived in the Northwest for some time "and there's just not a place that we can walk to for everyday food that's not crazy expensive" — something he aims to change with Say When.
The menu is rounded out by a thoughtful list of somewhat Parisian-inspired cocktails, liqueurs and wines.
- Like a playful riff on a French 75 that swaps in cucumber gin and elderflower or the "Corpse Reviver #2," which uses Lillet, a French aperitif wine.
If you go: Say When (305 NW 21st Ave.) is open daily from 4pm to midnight, and on Fridays and Saturday until 2am.