Mint   

Housed in a turn of the century brick building in a burgeoning patch of industrial North Portland, Mint offers a stunning array of newfangled cocktails alongside a deliciously eclectic menu. The cocktail list is enormous, with a tilt toward fruit purees and the sweet side of sipping, thanks to owner Lucy Brennan, former bartendar of Saucebox. The '816' is fantastic; citrus vodka, Triple Sec, lemon/lime juice and passion fruit puree served up in a sugared martini glass. The 'Avocado Daquiri' is also a top-seller: light and gold rum blended with avocado, cream, lemon/lime juice and sugar. The space is ripe for stylish sipping and swilling -- exposed brick walls, ambient music, and atmospheric candles (even in the bathroom all conspire to give the restaurant a smooth and chic character). The menu, although not as vast, is also extremely innovative, changing about every two months. Start with the prawns stuffed with goat cheese and Serrano ham, breaded and fried, served with a sweet chili dipping sauce. It works, despite the seemingly overwrought list of commanding ingredients. Entrees that standout: Cuban lamb burger topped with mint chimchurri (thick Argentinian herb-sauce); filet mignon topped with sundried tomato tapenade over sauteed mushrooms, caramelized shallot mashed potatoes and poblano coulis. -- Liz Crain