Pagoda Restaurant and Lounge in Portland (opened 1940) closed; last operating day was new year's eve, 12/31/2008. Owner retired and sold property; building to be razed for a new bank branch. An attraction definitely for the architecture and dusty ambiance than the food. The entrance to the bar was over a bridge and water feature, the whole of the interior was distinctly 1950's over-the-top Chinese gold-leaf restaurant decor. Chinese chandeliers hung from the mouths of dragons, bar banquettes upholstered in red sparkly vinyl and the bartender called you, 'hon'.
The private dining room had long ago been converted to an Oregon Lottery VLT mini-casino.
Our last meal there was lunch on closing day. Food wasn't great, but the portions were generous all the way to the end. It will be missed for being a classic from a time long-gone-by.
While in the neighborhood, visit the Hollywood Theatre, which is operated by a non-profit as a year-round multiscreen arthouse now. Several doors down what is now a Rite-Aid store was the location of THE original Fred Meyer store. MAX stop: Hollywood/NE 42nd, Red and Blue lines.
With Pagoda closed, consider The Alibi, a tiki restaurant at 4024 N Interstate Ave, Portland.
Pros: 1940's and 1970's architecture
Cons: By the time you read this, Demolished
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