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    Chaval

    4.3 (300 reviews)
    Open 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Chaval Photos

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    CHAVAL ATMOSPHERE

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    Intimate
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    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Chaval

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    Spring salad. Fresh greens and seasoning made it.

    Seems to be hit or miss and service can make or break you. Steak has to be recooked 3x to achieve the medium pink but at least they did so. Private party in house so they shuttled us to the back. The desserts made up for hiccups here and there and friendly service. Spring salad had good seasoning and tamarind sweet potato et al in-house soda is worth a try. Restaurant has potential and I've heard friends have enjoyed their meals there.

    Strawberry dessert
    Margaret O.

    We stopped in for dinner at the bar and had a great time! The food and drinks were absolutely delicious but the service was what we were really impressed by. Asher and the rest of the team were knowledgeable, friendly and had great attention to the detail. Super cute and cozy ambiance.

    Beet
    David Z.

    Heard about this charming place and had to check it out. Easily made reservations within a few days of date and table was ready to roll upon arrival. Recommend incorporating in a little time for parking if going on a busy night as there is limited parking around this location. Staff quickly received us upon arrival and once seated explained the menu and recommended good pairings for meal. Warm olives were flavorful and always love a good beet salad as well. Both were delicious! The coq au vin was exquisite and had us craving for more. We were full by nights end and very thankful we decided to try Chaval for a quiet night out on the town!

    Cristina C.

    Amazing date night spot. We decided to follow the specials and enjoyed every bite. We also opted for the drink specials and were blown away! Service was impeccable.

    Dayo cocktail
    Jane G.

    What was great: - The radishes (with cashew dijon butter, dulse, and sea salt) - the radishes were soft (in a good way; the butter tastes vaguely of wasabi [in a good way]) - Pan con Tomate (garlic-rubbed sourdough, diced tomatoes) - The ceviche special - The Day-o (a sweet cocktail) - The Asparagus ice cream () with capers and lemon, paired with vermouth Small, inventive, tapas-style plates, a cozy and inviting atmosphere, and friendly staff!

    Jamon on iconic meat slicer
    Tina B.

    One of our favorite restaurants in Portland. Warm and welcoming, with dishes that are classic and well-prepared. Awesome bar program. We always get the amazing Jamon! And best kept secret in town: vermouth happy hour with flights of vermouth and sherry! Save room for dessert. You won't regret it.

    Mushroom Toast

    Outstanding service, and creative dishes. We sat at the bar and were able to watch them cook which was a nice added bonus. They have really good synergy in that kitchen and it's obvious by the food. The bartenders also put a lot of effort in and added up to a great experience. I ate myself right to the limit, if anything stood out if might be the mushroom toast with the frontage blanc, but every single bite was fantastic. Really great vibe too, you get the sense that a lot of people there are regulars.

    Churros Desserts
    Emily K.

    This felt like a really nice elevated dining experience! The menu was innovative and interesting. Our server Jud was very personable and had great recommendations. We tried the fingerlings with caviar (first time trying!) it came together nicely with the crema and the brininess of the caviar. We also tried the pan con tomate which was good but not outstanding, and the head on shrimp special which was delish! We tried three desserts - a kind of berry trifle with a honey/pine meringue (very good and botanical!), the churros (classic, good vanilla curd), and the white asparagus ice cream because what? The first bite was weird - it's definitely asparagus, but as you go on it kind of mellows out and becomes surprisingly delicious? There are crunchy fennel and caper toppings which again sounds weird, but added so much! Would definitely be back to try more as it seems the menu changes frequently. They also are hosting cocktail classes this summer that look super fun!

    Perfect g&t
    Alyssa N.

    I can't believe I haven't reviewed Chaval until now TL;DR - everything on the menu is good so definitely over-order, leave room for dessert, and enjoy excellent service!! Chaval is absolutely one of the best restaurants in Portland (Leeward and Regards would be the others I'd put in the same category). The menu changes quite a bit, but you really can't go wrong with anything. Portions aren't huge, but it's fine since you'll want to try a few things. Cocktails and wine list are also excellent. Desserts are top notch and if you remember one thing it is that you absolutely need to save room for something sweet!!!! Service is impeccable. You'll interact with multiple people - all of whom can answer questions (or just share a nice convo with). If you haven't been yet this is your sign to make a reservation asap!

    The D.

    Checked out Chaval for my first time! The staff were welcoming, funny and knowledgeable. We weren't too hungry so we picked the Potatoes and the Cheese plate, both 10/10. They threw in an off menu salad for us to share. How sweet! Can't wait to come back for more! Thanks Chaval xx

    Wild Local Mushroom stew w poached egg starter
    Alexander F.

    For me the height of any meal is if after a bite having a moment of pause and mandatory "WTF!" aka "OMG" reflection. That was literally each of the 3 starters thru the 2 desserts.. Super friendly attentive service to boot. This s what I expect of a Michelin experience..

    Carrot tartare - delicious!

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    5 months ago

    the food is always excellent with a welcoming neighborhood feel and great people. An absolute must in Portland.

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    6 months ago

    Stellar food, great atmosphere, wonderful drinks. Service was amazing. A great meal with friends while visiting my old neighborhood.

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    1 year ago

    Don't accept reservations on a day you CLOSED your restaurant. Ridiculous lapse in customer service and communication.

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    Ask the Community - Chaval

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    Central Provisions

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    Dinner at Central Provisions was such a standout experience. The small plates format made it fun to…read moretry a variety of dishes, and everything felt thoughtful and well-executed. The flavors were creative without being overcomplicated, and each dish had something that made it memorable. The atmosphere struck a perfect balance--lively but still intimate enough to enjoy conversation. Service was attentive and knowledgeable, with great recommendations that really elevated the meal. Definitely one of those places you leave already thinking about what you'll order next time.

    We were happy with the service and speed at which the small plates were delivered to us however…read morethere was a small instance where we got a dish we didn't order (not pictured and it was the special). The lemon sole (fish) and octopus carpaccio (not pictured) were filled with flavor! The pork belly was very underwhelming and I would not order again. The waiter said 2-4 plates per person. I recommend starting on the lower end and adding additional dishes based on how you're feeling. The amount of food was very different from dish to dish. For example the tuna dip had way too much bread and the pork belly was very small in size. Overall I was half impressed. I wish the staff would take a moment to announce the plate as it's placed next to you or point it out on the menu for those hard of hearing and wanting to know what they are about to enjoy. However the music, overall restaurant vibe and half the dishes exploding with flavor made my experience pleasant and I will return again knowing a bit more of what to expect and looking at photos of the menu/meal options beforehand.

    Photos
    Open kitchen
    Open kitchen
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    CP Frites
    Cold Fashioned

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    Cold Fashioned
    Lucky Cheetah

    Lucky Cheetah

    4.2
    (77 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    The Lucky Cheetah is an absolutely amazing place! Think delicious dim sum with a twist combined…read morewith a fun tiki bar vibe combined with a sophisticated retro speakeasy décor and ambiance. What could be better than a dumpling lounge? We just went for the first time and were blown away. The ambiance of the place is unique. It feels like a chic timeless but retro speakeasy with the fun atmosphere of a tiki bar. Dark red and black colors, floral art, Art Deco chandeliers, lacquered tables, kitsch and fun cheetah lamps and statues. It immediately put a smile on our faces. The food is also unique. Dim sum for dinner but with more sophisticated twists and better quality than you'll find in most Chinatowns. You start by getting a dish with three different dipping sauces for the dumplings. The hot and sour soup was rich in peanut flavor, filled with tofu, mushrooms, and seaweed, with a cumulative little kick of spiciness. It was a great start and a major cut above anything we've ever had in a Chinese restaurant. The sichuan cucumber salad are Chinese cucumbers innovatively cut into a spiral like a slinky or coil spring. You pick them up with chopsticks and they spring up and down! Served in a horseradish and pepper coulis, they had a spicy kick. Don't miss the mojo baby corn. It's grilled, crispy, and addictive. You'll want a bucket of it when watching a movie. Steamed soup dumplings are filled with ham or prosciutto, a nicely salty and meaty twist on the standard ones. Steamed mushroom and truffle dumplings are probably the closest to traditional dim sum, rich, flavorful, and packed with shrooms. Crab and lobster lucky bags were deep fried wontons filled with a mix of ground lobster and crab, on a bed of crème fraiche with scallions. A great contrast with the crispy salty shell and soft filling! Our favorite was the sesame beef bao. They look like the traditional sesame balls in Chinese restaurants, crispy on the outside, pillowy soft inside but filled with brisket! They were mouth wateringly delicious! There was a selection of larger entrée plates that looked good (fried rice, lo mein, crispy chicken) that we didn't try but will next time. The drink menu was three pages long. Every kind of creative cocktail you can imagine, a long list of wines and sparking drinks, at prices from reasonable to 'special occasion.' For the atmosphere and ambiance, it seemed like cocktails or sparkling wine went best. All the staff and the manager couldn't have been nicer and more welcoming. They made us feel like old friends. Their warmth was genuine, we were sincerely touched by their friendliness. We were smiling and laughing the whole time, and amazed at how delicious the food was. It's unique. It's so much more than just a delicious meal. Going here is truly an experience, one that we'll remember for a long time and want to repeat often. It's an incredibly special place, and you feel special being here. You won't find a place like this outside of New York City, but here it is in Portland. We're going to go back often and regularly.

    I wouldn't recommend Lucky Cheetah…read more The aesthetics, atmosphere, and cocktails were all great, and I can see why the place is popular. Unfortunately, the service completely overshadowed the positives. The moment I walked in, I was asked if I had a reservation, which is perfectly normal. When I said no, the host gave me a look that felt very much like, "How dare you?" before telling me I was lucky they had one spot left at the bar. Oddly enough, the bar appeared mostly empty, but whatever. I was seated in what felt like the worst seat possible--tucked into a corner right next to the POS station, where servers were constantly moving back and forth picking up drinks. It wasn't exactly a comfortable or relaxing place to sit. The bartender was pleasant enough, but the overall vibe remained off the entire time. I felt less like a paying customer and more like someone they were reluctantly doing a favor for by allowing me to be there. I ordered the lobster and crab rangoon bags, which had a nice texture but were overwhelmingly salty. As soon as I placed my appetizer order, the menu was taken away, which made me feel rushed and unwelcome. The bartender also didn't check in much throughout the meal. It's a beautiful space with good drinks, but hospitality matters. Unfortunately, I left feeling unwelcome from start to finish, and I wouldn't return.

    Photos
    Decor in the back room
    Decor in the back room
    Sweet & sour cod
    Sweet & sour cod
    Sweet & sour cod

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    Sweet & sour cod

    Chaval - spanish - Updated July 2026

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