Site Name: Staccato Gelato
Site Address: 232 NE 28th
Portland, OR 97232
Staccato Gelato is (as the name would imply) a gelato shop. However, a friend of the blog that lives near Staccato alerted us that they also make their own doughnuts. As we'd never let a research opportunity go to waste, we headed over.
Figure 1. Site Exterior
You have to give it to Staccato on presentation. The doughnuts are gorgeously coated in a mix of novelty and gourmet ingredients. And listen to the music playing. This shop is pure Portland.
The atmosphere is fun and kid-friendly. Unlike many true doughnut shops, the environment is inviting to the whole family. There's tons of color, slowcoustic jams on the radio, and friendly bearded staff happy to pull a shot of sustainably harvested espresso. Most doughnut shops seem to only encourage loitering in old men wanting to talk politics and nurse watery coffee. Well, and old men trapped in young men's bodies (like Josh).
Figure 3. Site Interior
Right off the bat, Staccato Gelato does not sell fritters (strike 1). Josh sampled a maple, chocolate cake doughnut. He was not happy with it. The cake was dense, the maple was distinctly un-maple-y. He reported that it didn't really taste like a doughnut so much as a cupcake formed into the shape of torus.
Figure 4. Josh's Sample
That said, Lorna had a much different experience. She sampled a triple-chocolate (cake, frosting, sprinkles) cake doughnut. She found the sample airy and light, with a nice crispiness on the outside. As caught on the recording below, even Josh was forced to admit that the chocolate was pretty good.
We then split a salted caramel cake doughnut. This has become a pervasive flavor combination in the Portland foodie scene and we must admit that we're usually big fans. This one, however, did not meet expectations. It was more butterscotch than caramel and the salt wasn't really there.
Figure 5. Shared Sample
This is not to say that Staccato is not a good place to pick up an early morning treat. It's a great spot to bring the kids (they have a box of toys in one corner) or maybe to give visiting relatives a non-threatening taste of Portland quirk. But if you're looking for a place to pick up a great Portland doughnut, Staccato should not be at the top of your list.
Site Address: 232 NE 28th
Portland, OR 97232
Staccato Gelato is (as the name would imply) a gelato shop. However, a friend of the blog that lives near Staccato alerted us that they also make their own doughnuts. As we'd never let a research opportunity go to waste, we headed over.
Figure 1. Site Exterior
You have to give it to Staccato on presentation. The doughnuts are gorgeously coated in a mix of novelty and gourmet ingredients. And listen to the music playing. This shop is pure Portland.
Figure 2. Doughnut Array
The atmosphere is fun and kid-friendly. Unlike many true doughnut shops, the environment is inviting to the whole family. There's tons of color, slowcoustic jams on the radio, and friendly bearded staff happy to pull a shot of sustainably harvested espresso. Most doughnut shops seem to only encourage loitering in old men wanting to talk politics and nurse watery coffee. Well, and old men trapped in young men's bodies (like Josh).
Figure 3. Site Interior
Right off the bat, Staccato Gelato does not sell fritters (strike 1). Josh sampled a maple, chocolate cake doughnut. He was not happy with it. The cake was dense, the maple was distinctly un-maple-y. He reported that it didn't really taste like a doughnut so much as a cupcake formed into the shape of torus.
Figure 4. Josh's Sample
That said, Lorna had a much different experience. She sampled a triple-chocolate (cake, frosting, sprinkles) cake doughnut. She found the sample airy and light, with a nice crispiness on the outside. As caught on the recording below, even Josh was forced to admit that the chocolate was pretty good.
We then split a salted caramel cake doughnut. This has become a pervasive flavor combination in the Portland foodie scene and we must admit that we're usually big fans. This one, however, did not meet expectations. It was more butterscotch than caramel and the salt wasn't really there.
Figure 5. Shared Sample
This is not to say that Staccato is not a good place to pick up an early morning treat. It's a great spot to bring the kids (they have a box of toys in one corner) or maybe to give visiting relatives a non-threatening taste of Portland quirk. But if you're looking for a place to pick up a great Portland doughnut, Staccato should not be at the top of your list.
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