Last night we had a marvelous dinner at the Red Star Tavern in downtown Portland.  We both had the Chef’s 3 course taster menu.  Each course was paired with a beer by the chef.

1st Course
Organic Butter Lettuce, Baked Fig Vinaigrette, Toasted Almonds, Powdered Goat Cheese
Beer: Roots Organic Brewing Saison

2nd Course
Wood Grilled Kobe Beef, Marinated Treviso, Goat Cheese Foam, Red Wine Essence
Beer: Ninkasi Brewing Red Ale

3rd Course
Frozen Hazelnut Mousse, Brown Butter Sponge Cake,
Hot “Nutella” Milk Chocolate, Frangelico Foam
Beer: Caldera Brewing Pilot Rock Porter

All of the beers were excellent.  I thought my mocha porter compared favorably to the Caldera porter.  The Ninkasi Red Ale was fantastic.  I enjoyed the saison, but I thought the red ale had more flavor.  The kobe beef was awesome!