Mediterranean

One of Southeast Portland [1]’s leading restaurants is Lauro Mediterranean Kitchen (3377 SE Division St., 503/239-7000, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–9 p.m. Tues.–Thurs., 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 5–9 p.m. Sun., $12–21), which started out as a Portuguese restaurant but now serves a more pan-Mediterranean menu. The mussels with chorizo sausage, swimming in tomato-garlic broth, are outstanding, as are the savory chicken Tangine, rich with the flavors of Tangiers, and the paella studded with clams, crab, and sausage.