Back in 2011, when McMenamins first opened Zeus Cafe, the “upscale” restaurant (read: no tater tots) at downtown Portland’s Crystal Hotel, a press release touted the new establishment’s many house-made ingredients, an ambitious drinks menu and the fact that “75 percent of our current staff was hired from outside the McMenamins company.”
Among those hires was Hal Finkelstein, the longtime Wildwood general manager known for his personal touch and charming demeanor.
Now, 12 years later, McMenamins has renamed Zeus Cafe — itself named for former nightclub proprietors Nate and Tilly Zusman — after Finkelstein.
“Hal opened Zeus Café, lending his ethos of fine dining and the highest standards — and the energy to go with them,” reads a note on the Hal’s Cafe menu. “In his trademark white button-down with the sleeves rolled up, Hal buzzed around, constantly busy polishing, training and managing, but he always had time for a kind word or a chat with a table.”
A colorful portrait of Finkelstein, who died in 2022, now hangs at the updated Hal’s Cafe.
In addition to the name change, McMenamins has added new items to the brunch, lunch and dinner menus; upgraded the Pride Plaza patio with new bamboo fencing, lighting and more plants; and rolled out a seasonal drinks menu including summer cocktails using house-made syrups and shrubs. New menu items include Hal’s favorite smoked steelhead eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles with hot maple honey and, at dinner, a seared steelhead filet with a pinot gris beurre blanc.
Read more
McMenamins new Zeus Cafe aims for find dining — hold the tater tots (2011 review)
Q&A with Brian McMenamin: 40 years of creation, fun and no regrets
In honor of 40 years, here are our 10 favorite McMenamins locations
— Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com
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