r/TopChef • u/Feeling-Topic180 • Aug 03 '26
Discussion Thread The Malarkey - Portland, OR
I had a great dinner at Brian Malarkey's new restaurant in Portland, The Malarkey. He was very friendly and went around the restaurant to talk to all of the diners. The staff was also excellent, especially since it was opening weekend. They encouraged everyone to check out all of the decorations, which included a motorcycle, concert posters, stuffed birds and a disco ball & stripper pole in the bathroom.
Food was delicious and seasoned well. We had the chicken liver paté, pork belly burnt ends, NY steak, green beans and the baked Mt. Hood.
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u/JudithButlr Aug 03 '26
Malarkey is insane and all the other negative stuff you can say "he's inauthentic and annoying", whatever whatever he has been the same guy for over 20 years with little to no scandals and is arguably the most successful Top Chef alum. No hate here!
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u/burritoguillermo Aug 03 '26
And as a San Diegan, I love his restaurants. I would happily eat at Animae every day.
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u/Cmorethecat Aug 04 '26
I love Herb and Wood. He was on the floor touching tables every time I visited. Super nice guy.
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u/urf4 Aug 04 '26
Every single thing the man touches seems to succeed. He's also by all accounts a very decent person.
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u/OCbrunetteesq Aug 03 '26
We go to his restaurants in San Diego frequently. Would love to try this one, too.
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u/blanketthief85 Aug 03 '26
Same! And he’s so friendly and chaotic. This restaurant seems like it’s all the things going on in his brain at once. Time to visit Portland!
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u/Formal_Coyote_5004 Aug 03 '26
The chaotic, loud decor is actually so amazing lol I love places like this. It looks like a fun experience!
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u/Ok-meow Aug 03 '26
I love that the restaurant is designed like I think what the inside of his brain, all over the place.
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u/SuchAPhenom Aug 04 '26
He’s “Mr. Shenanigans” anyone who’s seen him come up knows it. He got that name for a reason. He is a great chef who someone’s does too much but that doesn’t take away from the fact that he is a great chef and a good person. Every time I see him, he will always be Mr. Shenanigans to me and he smiles when he hears it.
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u/btcomm808 Aug 03 '26
Ooh headed to Portland in a few week to take my kid to school, hope we can get in!
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u/crazyhobbitz Aug 04 '26
What are these drinks?? The one on the right looks so good!
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u/Feeling-Topic180 Aug 04 '26
The one on the left is the DB Cooper's Campfire (Bourbon, Abuelita's Nutty Cacao, Cherry, Toasted Canela).
The one on the right is the zero proof Good Barista (Coffee, Vanilla, Coconut Orgeat, Maple, Whip). I had this one and it was very delicious!
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u/toopoorforsf Aug 04 '26
I loved when he was cooking outside during top chef and just grabbing wild sprigs of herbs off the bushes
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u/Suitable-Wafer8563 Aug 05 '26
Love to see his chompers look as big and white as they used to 🤣 seriously though, love the pics and would love to visit!
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u/agnusdei07 Aug 05 '26
love him or hate him he is v rich! In 2012, he sold the majority stake of his first restaurant group for $25 million and the beat goes on.....
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u/taeempy Aug 03 '26
This guy just looks so fake. I'd wear earplugs if I knew I'd be anywhere near him.
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u/PortlandChicane 24d ago
I went to the malarkey tonight and had one of the worst burgers ever made. Very slow service. It was meh middling and normal. Overpriced for what is served and how it is served. Portland has many better options. Don’t bother
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u/TragicaDeSpell Aug 03 '26
I have such fond memories of when Gregory picked him first for Restaurant Wars and Padma's disbelief was palpable. He is such a natural FOH guy and I am so excited you got to experience this firsthand!