I find the 35mm is a bit long for my tastes (=50mm on film) but I just stand a bit further from the subject. I would prefer a 28mm (=40mm) but there aren't any good, cheap ones. I have a 5-element 28mm f2.8 and the resolution can't match the 12Mpix sensor on the D300, so the D7000 would be even worse.

I have a 85mm f1.8. I find it useful for stage performances to freeze the action and get into the scene. If I was looking for a portrait lens then I would check out the 60mm macro. It doesn't open to f1.8 but I think the focal length is better suited to waist-upwards portraits. Plus you can also use it on small objects..