Dame Sets the Table for Community

For Portland-based Chef Patrick McKee and his crew, every dish represents a sense of satisfaction that goes beyond delicious food. It's a virtuous experience that nourishes not just your body, but also your soul.

This feeling is attributed to the inspiration behind Dame–the restaurant serves as a love letter to Chef Patrick’s Italian heritage and the from-scratch family meals his Mother dished out on their table. These values and memories have established Dame as much more than a restaurant. It's a community, a family, and a testament to Patrick’s upbringing. Every dish is comforting and made with love by a team that shows up for each other like family. 

In the kitchen, hard work is balanced by equally hard laughter and bonding moments for the crew–including yearly trips to Italy, allowing each team member the opportunity to experience the warmth and style of cooking that inspired Chef Patrick from the start. 

Dame is more than just a restaurant. It's a place where people can come together and share in the joys of life–and whether you’re a neighborhood regular or a first-time patron, you’ll depart feeling fulfilled to have participated in an experience that goes beyond food itself.

Just as it takes a team to craft a single dish, bringing this story to life required a collective effort. We extend our gratitude to Chef Patrick McKee and his entire crew at Dame Restaurant, who shared their space, and individual stories with us. We’d also like to thank our incredible videographer, Carter Hiyama, for honoring the work of Dame’s culinary athletes with immense skill and creativity.