+1 for pok pok, although I like whiskey soda lounge more. Across the street, same owners, similar menu, excellent whiskey and scotch selection, and authentic (i.e. no ketchup) pad Thai.
Regarding the gorge: some hikes are fine on weekends. Eagle Creek Falls trail requires a $5 per car day use fee, which keeps out the crowds. It's one of the best trails in the gorge. Skip it if you don't like heights though, and be careful if it's raining.
When I went, it was an all out dinner sort of thing. I guess it's not crazy, especially for the OP coming from the bay area, but two people with no drinks tipping the $65 scale is steep for my bootstrapped self :)
I'll have to checkout the whiskey lounge, and great tip on Eagle Creek. Gotta love that slick drop off to the raging river below :)
Regarding the gorge: some hikes are fine on weekends. Eagle Creek Falls trail requires a $5 per car day use fee, which keeps out the crowds. It's one of the best trails in the gorge. Skip it if you don't like heights though, and be careful if it's raining.