The Landscape Architect’s Guide to

Noble Rot Restaurant

Your Guide

Looking to enjoy fresh, seasonal food accompanied by a great view of the downtown skyline? Noble Rot is well-known in Portland as the place to go. Powering this seasonal menu is a 3,000 square foot roof garden directly above the restaurant. Moderately agile people not carrying oversized bags can climb up the ladder to the rooftop for scheduled garden tours with one of the staff—usually a chef. Together, the chefs and garden guru, Marc Boucher-Colbert, work to provide fresh food in an urban setting. Garden tours occur on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.

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Sustainability at the Top

High on the fourth floor sits Noble Rot, a restaurant run by people who believe in creating a menu based solely in what local farms can provide. The owners knew they wanted to have an intensive roof garden when they built the building, and so added enough structural support. The building is on its way to being certified LEED Platinum.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom NR2

Multi-purpose Green Roof

Once up the ladder it is obvious that every inch of this rooftop is put to use, whether it is for providing some relaxation for stressed staff, or providing food for the restaurant.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom NR3

Growing Challenges

With this height and exposure come some difficulties in maintaining a good growing environment. Sun and wind are two of the biggest challenges to rooftop gardening.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom NR4

Lavender

Head gardener Boucher-Colbert and others there are constantly experimenting and tweaking what is grown. Although the menu is based on the upcoming crop of plants, the chefs are creative and maintain strong relationships with the local farmers and can make an emergency substitution if a crop does not work out as planned.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom NR5

Cool and Dark

One recent successful experiment: growing mushrooms in this specialized drawer that keeps the mushrooms cool and dark, just how they like it.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom NR6

Lettuce Eat Local!

Noble Rot maintains close ties with surrounding farmers since the roof garden cannot provide all the needs of the restaurant. Diners come knowing that they will get fresh food, whether it comes from the roof or other local farmers.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom NR7

Fresh Rosemary

In addition to bolstering the food menu, the rooftop grows items like fresh rosemary that benefit the drink menu as well.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom NR8

Pops of Color

Life on the rooftop isn't all hard work. Flowers like this poppy provide enjoyment and color.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom NR9

A Role Model

Since rooftop gardens need the support of structural design and the aid of a person experienced in gardening in this harsh environment, they are not a viable option for everyone. But if a restaurant wants to emulate Noble Rot yet cannot create an intensive rooftop garden, they can ensure fresh food by developing strong ties with local farmers.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom