Whether it's porterhouse, New York, sirloin, chicken, veal or fish, the portions are large and of fine quality. More than four years later and about 15 miles away, the Merchant has been reborn in the award-winning suburban development called Orenco Station and serves up the same homey Italian food. Italian 1341 NE Orenco Station Parkway, Hillsboro, 640-1523. It may be located in an unlikely spot, but this is an inventive restaurant drawing skillfully from a broad palate. Friendly, efficient, old-school waiters run the dining room serving classic fare such as prawn cocktail, crab, escargot and porterhouse or New York strip.
Dinner comes with biscuits, green salad and baked potato.
Old School 9589 SW Barbur Blvd. You won't find any trendy offerings here like Philadelphia or Spider rolls. Customers tend to be Japanese-Americans or intelligent Americanos who don't require pandering. The seafood is extra fresh and the attention to preparation is artistic and obsessive. Japanese 6334 SW Meadows Road, Lake Oswego, 684-7521.