Looking for spots in PDX or surrounding areas. I’ve heard of some Italian places doing this for wine and a high corkage fee.
Wouldn't hurt to ask at places that offer wine corkage. I did that with Canlis here in Seattle and once I explained to them what I planned on bringing (Ale Apothecary) and that it wasn't a couple bottles of Bud Light they were more than happy to allow me to do so.
Exactly this. Quite a few places in Portland will allow you to bring your own wine (not just Italian places), though most charge a sizeable corkage fee ($15 seems to be the going rate, though there are places that also charge far more than that). I would call in advance and work it out with the restaurant before hand, just to make sure their corkage policy applies to beer as well as wine. I can't see why they would mind though, as long as you're willing to pay the corkage. This seems like a good time to throw out some love to a local Italian place near us in Lake Oswego. Tucci's in LO serves up above average Italian food and they have NO corkage fee. They're no Nostrana, Luce or Gino's, but the Italian food there is still pretty decent.
