About Thirst

Thirst Bistro opened in 2006 with our main dining room, bar and outside space. Thirst expanded with The River Room (private parties) in 2008 and expanded our menu from traditional wine bar to full restaurant including cocktails. In 2010 we opened The Cellar, another private dining room where we also hold our wine dinners and classes. In 2011, Thirst expanded again by opening The Cellar during the day as downtown Portland’s only Tasting Room featuring revolving Pacific NW Wineries. Thirst has patio seating for 125 outside on the Esplanade and is the best place to watch downtown fireworks in the summer and The Christmas Ships in December. Enjoy the unobstructed River and Bridge views year-round.

Leslie Palmer is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Thirst Bistro. An 18 year veteran of marketing management in Corporate America (Gillette, Intel), when Thirst opened in 2006, she continued working at Intel while managing all events, marketing and business/financial management at Thirst.

Leslie became the Executive Chef at Thirst in 2009 and has been cooking since she was a young child at the heel of her two grandmothers, both avid cooks and entertainers. Leslie specializes in ‘modern comfort food’ and uses local ingredients for her wine-friendly menu, including fresh produce from Thirst’s garden on Sauvée Island. She especially loves hosting wine dinners at Thirst, pairing wine with food, and teaching food/wine classes.

Leslie graduated from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh with a degree in communications and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Relations from Syracuse University. When not at Thirst, Leslie enjoys making jewelry, traveling, decorating, reading, films and especially spending time with her three little kids.

Gary Kneski, Co-Owner and Wine Director at Thirst Bistro is a former video producer and high tech sales manager. He has a degree in Mass Communications from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Gary left the corporate world in 2005 to build, open and manage Thirst.

Gary studied wine theory and wine making at Chemeketa Community College, worked at Elk Cove Winery for a season, and was a tour guide for Grape Escape Wine Tours. He has made wine at home, as well as beer. Gary enjoys continually learning about wine because of his deep appreciation for the talent and time involved in growing grapes and also the patience involved in making great wines. His favorite wines are Willamette Pinot Noir, Walla Walla Syrah, Red Mountain Blends, and Paso Robles Grenache.

When Gary is not at Thirst, he enjoys visiting wine country, photography, fishing, golf, gardening (he manages the garden on Sauvee Island), making pizza and chasing after the three Kneski kiddos!