The Secret Garden

The plan was to review Bonobo, the pizza joint/bar in the West End, but I found, like many venues in Portland, they aren't open on Mondays. A little disappointed, but planning to return this weekend, I headed down Forest Avenue prepared to review the first bar I saw. Just past the bike shop, I spotted a Miller Lite sign and snatched a free parking spot out front.

Forest Gardens was a bar I'd never noticed nor heard of. No one I know has ever suggested hitting up the place. In all my internet research of local bars, I've never found the bar, yet it's been there since the 1950s, according to John, the bartender.

If it weren't for the Miller Lite sign, you'd never even know it was a bar. Inside it's just as inconspicuous. Take a second look and you'll find subtle, but rich character. John said entering the bar is "like a time-warp to the late '80s." They just removed the pay phone and the only time-stamp is the hi-def, flat-screen TV behind the bar.

The owner, Ricky Piacintini, is said to be on of the most likable guys you could meet. John says most of the customers are regulars and very loyal to Ricky. The night before Thanksgiving has always been their busiest night - it's a holiday tradition for those coming back to Portland to stop in just to visit Ricky.

This simple, little place serves lunch and dinner (until around 7 pm) with a menu of traditional pub food. Prices are fairly cheap - you can get chicken fingers for $1 and a clam cake for $1.50. Other items include cheeseburgers ($3 and supposedly the best in town), french fries ($1.75-2), Fish Burger ($3), Clam Burger ($1.50), hotdogs, 10-inch pizzas ($4.50-8), steak sandwich ($4.50-6.25), tuna sandwich, grilled cheese, ham & cheese and a Tina Sandwich (something like an Italian and named after Tina, who used to work in the kitchen awhile back).

Beer and wine are the only alcohol served. Draft beers include Budweiser, Miller Lite, Sam Adams, Geary's Seasonal and Long Trail. Bottled beers include Guinness ($4), Heineken, Amstel Light, Miller Lite, Budweiser and a few other staple beers (with the exception of PBR). Domestics are $2.50 and micro-brews are $3.50. Wine will cost you $3.50 a glass and just the basics, White Zinfandel and Merlot, are available. There is no liquor available. But they do have free Tootsie Pops while supplies last.

They don't accept credit cards or have an ATM on site, so bring plenty of cash. There are no drink specials or frills. Forest Gardens is your average neighborhood bar with regular customers who are the middle-aged, no-nonsense kind of drinkers. Nothing exciting - just beer and conversation.