The Japanese restaurant Zilla Sake operates on Alberta Street in northeast Portland's Vernon neighborhood. Eater Portland has described the gluten-free[2] restaurant as "cool and casual"[3] with a "dark, transportive atmosphere",[4] as well as a "small, quiet sake bar with neighborhood izakaya vibes" that "exudes a focus and professionalism".[5] According to Portland Monthly, "The intimate, dimly-lit shotgun space (booths line one side, a chef's counter on the other) offers up-close-and-personal views of the chefs at work."[6] Zilla Sake serves sushi and other seafood. Some products are sourced from Hawaii and Tokyo.[7] The menu also includes Dungeness crab,[8] lobster karaage, and braised Portuguese octopus.[3] The restaurant serves cocktails[9] and has an extensive sake collection.[7][10][11]
History
In 2016, Zilla Sake launched a breakfast menu with options like egg, fish, rice, and vegetables.[12][13] The restaurant expanded in 2017.[14][15][16] Chef Kate Koo has been the owner since 2018.[17]
As of 2017–2019,[18][19][20] Zilla Sake had approximately 80–100 types of sake. The collection is the largest in Portland,[19] as well as one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest and possibly the West Coast.[18][21]
Reception
Seiji Nanbu included Zilla Sake in Eater Portland's 2019 list of ten "unbelievable" chirashi bowls in the city,[22] and in a 2024 overview of "knockout" sushi restaurants in the metropolitan area.[3] In the website's 2024 overview of Portland's "knockout" gluten-free restaurants and bakeries, Sararosa Davies wrote, "This Alberta sake bar isn't just one of the city's best sushi restaurants; it's also one of the city's finest gluten-free restaurants."[10] Rebecca Roland, Brooke Jackson-Glidden, and Nathan Williams recommended Zilla Sake in the website's 2024 list of restaurants on Alberta Street.[23]
