Restaurant Focused On Foraging & Wild Foods To Open Soon In Portland

What started as research for a dinner series became a full-fledged restaurant in Portland.

Eater Portland says that a new spot focused on foraging foods and ingredients from the Oregon wilds will be coming next month. Morchella plans to open at the end of September, serving up dinner 1315 NE Fremont, Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Future patrons can expect dandelion greens, elderberries, wild roses, mushrooms, and more in the dishes. Writers say there will be an emphasis on vegetation over a game at Morchella because Chef Cameron Lee Dunlap wants to "emulate survival foraging as much as possible with the menu."

"If I’m foraging for real, to survive, I’m going to be really lucky if I get more than one protein in my meal," Dunlap, the mind behind Morchella, said. "That’s going to be what’s available in real life... so I’m trying to emulate that by creating an entire meal with wild things, maybe with one piece of meat [in a dish]."

As for meat, Dunlap will feature proteins like freshwater fish, quail, venison and pheasant on seasonal menus. One thing you won't see on the menu, however, is beef.

“The only way a burger would be on there is an elk burger with an acorn bun I make myself,” the chef noted. There will also be a small cocktail menu and local wines, Eater Portland added.