Redwood, a small restaurant on 79th and Stark St., has been fulfilling the Montavilla neighborhood’s brunch cravings since 2013. Well known for being a women-owned business, Redwood provides a cozy atmosphere for those looking to enjoy some of the best brunch in Portland.
Redwood is a women-owned restaurant that’s been in the Montavilla neighborhood for 13 years. Four years ago, ownership of Redwood changed from founders Jessie Hawkins and Susie McWilliam to the current owners, Chantel Chinco and Brenda Dunn. Chinco started working at Redwood in 2017, and was inspired by McWilliam’s love for food and expression of creativity. Chinco and Dunn now operate a successful restaurant with a unique menu.
When you first enter Redwood, you are greeted and seated by the friendly and attentive servers. There are a wide variety of seating options, including a bar and outdoor tables. Throughout your visit, the servers will continue to check on you, ensuring that you have everything you need, and that the food is delicious and exactly what you wanted. They work hard to make sure you get the best Redwood experience possible.
Nadia Brady has worked as a server at Redwood for just over a year, but has been working in the food and service industry for around twenty years. Brady would describe her position with the phrases “fast paced, controlled chaos, [and] getting people fed and happy. Brady continues: “Working the door is more complicated, and I describe it as a constantly moving, non-stop game of tetris.” She appreciates working for Redwood most because of its community and charm. The restaurant is its own experience that attracts a variety of people. “The best thing about working at Redwood is that being happy and natural comes so easy, because I love all my coworkers, and I love all our regulars,” she says. Redwood has a lot of regulars.” This love for the community and job is observable in the service you get throughout your visit to Redwood.
Chinco shares that this community is part of her goal for the restaurant. “I hope that people take true joy away and share it with others. Whether it’s the crispy goodness of a potato pancake, the quirky joke from a server, or meeting a new friend sitting at the table next to you, there are small amounts of joy to be found all over.” This summarizes the experience of going to Redwood, where everyone tries their best to prioritize kindness and quality.
Walking into the restaurant gives customers a good sense of Portland, a city known for having a strong food scene. Redwood uses locally sourced ingredients to ensure the highest quality and flavor. Almost everything is made in-house and to the customers’ liking, and it shows. Portland is also embodied in the ambiance of Redwood. The restaurant is decorated with kitschy items and furnished with benches and tables made from its namesake wood. This decoration makes the restaurant feel homey and welcoming as customers sit down to enjoy their meal. The aromas of fresh-baked bread and spices from the kitchen waft through the cozy, dimly lit dining area, exciting customers for their own meal to come. There is light music playing to provide further ambiance and cover the bustling noise. As part of the Portland food scene, Redwood experiences a large rush during brunch, when customers can expect a half hour wait. Brunch hour typically runs from ten to noon on Sunday mornings. Redwood takes reservations for those who wish to avoid the wait.
While waiting for a table, customers can explore the surrounding Montavilla neighborhood, which is home to many small local businesses and restaurants. They all share their uniqueness, and are active members in the community. One event that happens all year round in the neighborhood is the Montavilla farmers market. Located on a vacated lot on 76th and Stark St., the farmers market happens May through December every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. From January through April, it is every other Sunday at the same time. The farmers market gives visitors a good sense of the culture of the surrounding neighborhood, and is often open during the brunch rush. In the summer, typically towards the end of July, Montavilla holds a street fair, with live music, food, drinks, and booths with people’s creations. The environment there is very creative and welcoming, just like the rest of Montavilla, which is a vibrant neighborhood all year round.
When you get in and sit down to order, it’s clear that the menu at Redwood is extremely expansive. While they specialize in brunch, they also serve sandwiches, beverages, and more. Redwood does not have a signature cuisine, but instead offers a variety of options, ranging from savory meals to sweet dishes to small sides. The extensive menu gives customers the satisfaction of knowing they cannot go wrong in whatever they choose. The biscuit skillet is a good option for those looking for a savory meal. It includes sauteed collard greens, cornmeal biscuits, and eggs. The dish balances tart, salty, and sweet flavors to create a delicious brunch. Unique items such as the cornmeal biscuits and fried oatmeal waffles are parts of their signature menu. Most of the items on the menu are savory, with the oatmeal waffles being one of the few sweet options. This dish comes with fried, fluffy, delicious waffles, as well as eggs cooked to order and crispy bacon. These are just a few examples of the food available at Redwood.
After selling Redwood to Chinco and Dunn, McWilliam has continued to share her love of food. She can now be found running her new bakery, Mt. Hood Baking Company, in the town of Welches, just over an hour east of Portland. She and her previous business partner continue to meet up with the current owners of Redwood for dinners and support. Their continued bond demonstrates the type of connections that can be made at a place like Redwood with such a supportive community.
Redwood is open from Wednesday through Sunday. While it is very busy on the weekends, there is often minimal wait for a table during the week. It is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the week, and stays open for half an hour longer on the weekends. You can check out their menu and events at redwoodpdx.com, and they are also available via the phone for any further questions.
