Laurelhurst Market is a prominent restaurant and butcher shop located in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Established in 2009, it is widely recognized for its high-quality steakhouse offerings, whole animal butchery, and commitment to local and seasonal ingredients.
History
Laurelhurst Market was founded by Ben Dyer, David Kreifels, and Jason Owens, building on the success of their other ventures in the Portland culinary scene. The establishment quickly gained a reputation for its unique hybrid concept, combining a sophisticated restaurant dining experience with an active, full-service butcher shop under one roof. This model allowed the restaurant to control the quality and sourcing of its meats from farm to plate, specializing in dry-aged beef and other locally sourced proteins.
Cuisine and Concept
The culinary focus of Laurelhurst Market is primarily on steaks and other grilled meats, often prepared using traditional methods and showcasing the natural flavors of the high-quality ingredients. Their in-house butcher shop is central to their operations, allowing them to perform whole animal butchery, process specific cuts, and offer custom aging, which directly benefits the restaurant's menu. In addition to a wide selection of steaks (including various cuts of dry-aged beef), the menu typically features other seasonal entrées, appetizers, and side dishes that reflect Pacific Northwest sensibilities. The butcher shop also operates as a retail outlet, selling fresh cuts of meat, house-made charcuterie, and other specialty items to the public.
Recognition
Since its inception, Laurelhurst Market has received numerous accolades from local and national food critics and publications. It is frequently cited as one of Portland's best steakhouses and often included in lists of top restaurants in the city. Its innovative farm-to-table approach, particularly concerning its integrated butchery, has been praised for its sustainability and commitment to quality. The restaurant's ambiance is often described as rustic-chic, blending the industrial feel of a butcher shop with the warmth of a fine dining establishment.
Operations
The facility houses both a full-service restaurant with indoor and sometimes outdoor seating, and a distinct retail butcher counter. The synergy between these two components is a defining characteristic of Laurelhurst Market, allowing for efficient use of whole animals and offering customers the opportunity to enjoy the same high-quality meats at home as they do in the restaurant.