Tried my first banh mi ever here!…read more Great vibe and the food is awesome. The portions are huge and very filling. Staff is helpful and inviting.

I decided to give Luc Lac a try after seeing all of the excellent Yelp reviews, and it definitely…read morelived up to the hype. When I arrived, there was a line out the door, which is always a good sign. Fortunately, it moved quickly. The process is simple: order at the counter, grab your own utensils and water, and then they'll seat you. I ordered the papaya salad and the beef pho. The portions were very generous, and both dishes were delicious. The beef in the pho was sliced a little thicker than I expected, but there was plenty of it, and the broth was flavorful. The papaya salad was the standout--fresh, crisp, and packed with flavor. I highly recommend ordering it. The restaurant also has a cool, funky vibe that adds to the experience. If you're looking for great Vietnamese food in Portland, Luc Lac is absolutely worth the wait.

This used to be one of my favorite restaurants a few years back, and it had been a while since my…read morelast visit. The inside still looks really cute, but my mom and I didn't get to sit in the woven chairs even though it was pretty empty when we went. I probably should have asked to move tables, but I didn't want to make it a hassle for the staff. We ordered the cheesy crab wontons, shrimp pad thai, and crispy chicken. The crab wontons were really good , crunchy and filling are well seasoned it wasn't just stright up cream cheese, I enjoyed them a lot with the sweet chili sauce. The crispy chicken was also really yummy, can't say the same for the the pad thai tho it was so, so salty. I'll continue to come back in the future!

While in town for a conference, I went to Buranko Cafe & Bar for my first dinner in town due to…read moreYelp reviews. It was so delicious that I brought my spouse back for dinner when he arrived later in the weekend. When I went the first night I got the shrimp pad Thai and it was the best pad Thai I've had in a long time. So full of flavor and fresh ingredients. I also got the hazy IPA from the local brewery, Backwoods. When we came back later in the weekend, my spouse got the shrimp pad Thai since I sang its praises. I got the million dollar shrimp tom kha ramen and it was DIVINE! I literally cherished every slurp and bite, it was so incredible and flavorful! My spouse got a different local IPA and I got a unique twist on a Negroni. The staff were extremely friendly helpful, ensuring that we had an impeccable experience from start to finish. Prices were also reasonable for the high quality ingredients, quantity, and presentation. The ambiance was wonderful, offering a clean, welcoming, and modern-green chic aesthetic. Not only did we have an amazing dinning experience, but also an amazing service and ambiance experience! If we are ever in town again, Buranko Cafe & Bar will be our top spot to stop!

To be fair we were hangry. But the tofu fresh spring rolls and chicken pad Thai were outstanding…read more The sauce for the rolls has a funk, spicy, sweetness I couldn't get enough of. And the Pad Thai- not too sweet, temp nice and hot with crunchy sprouts. What wasn't to like? What a great start to a move here!

First time here... and staff was great. Very good service…read more I ordered the Tom Kha Ramen soup (takeout) as I wanted to try it. I then went next and did some quick shopping... and picked up the soup when I was done. It was waiting for me even though I was not gone long. Got home, put everything in a bowl... and tried to make it pretty! Chashu pork portion was small, but it tasted fine. The three shrimp included were yummy and large. The soft eggs were ok, as were the bean sprouts and herbs. The broth was sort of like a cross between Tom Kha and Tom Yum.... tasty though. The ramen noodles were basically one solidified block by the time I got home, so I just cut them up a bit before eating. I will have to try some of their other dishes too....

Been wanting to try this place since they opened. Finally stopped in for lunch on a Tuesday. Not…read morebusy at all. We were the only two people in the restaurant during our entire visit. They have two ordering kiosks when you walk in, but since it wasn't busy, the girl behind the counter took our order. She wasn't super friendly, but helpful while ordering. We decided on the Chicken Bop and Beef Noodle Bop. We ended up ordering the large size since the regular one looked pretty small. You definitely get a lot of food for the $16 price tag, but I'm not sure about the quality, preparation, and freshness. I ordered the teriyaki chicken and it was lukewarm. The chicken was kinda mushy, which was a big texture issue for me. The teriyaki sauce was yummy. The fried rice was just okay. Liked the cabbage in the bowl. The mac salad was good. The edamame was served cold, which I didn't like. I love edamame, but have never been served it cold. My husband's beef was good. He ordered the kimchi and calamari salad. He said his was good, but not good enough for a return visit. The have everything set up well inside so you can fend for yourself. You order at the counter, go pick up your food at the counter, and clean off your table and place everything at the garbage station, where they also have lids available for your bowls if you're taking some home. After we grabbed our food, there wasn't one person in the dining room asking if everything was good or if we needed anything. After writing all this, it makes me wonder why they asked for a tip at the counter when ordering. A tip for what?! I did everything myself. Hmmmm, makes me more apprehensive on leaving tips until after my meal going forward. Tipping is so outrageous nowadays... Overall a decent experience. The food was just okay. For a mediocre meal, not sure we'll be returning. There are so many other options in the area.

WOW! That is the only word I could start with, and I will explain why…read more I recently learned that Top Bop originally started in Alaska, where it is already quite popular. It finally opened its first Washington state location a few months ago. This new location is in Vancouver, Washington. It is a bit of a drive from the Seattle area but much closer if you are coming from Portland. Still, no matter where you're coming from, it's absolutely worth the trip! Top Bop is located in the Hazel Dell area of Vancouver, in a modern and well-kept building with plenty of free parking. The interior is very clean and welcoming, with interesting artwork on the walls. There are two self-service kiosks where you can browse the full menu with pictures and place your order without needing to talk to a staff member. It might feel unfamiliar at first, but once you try it, you will see how simple and convenient it is. I personally enjoy using the kiosk because it clearly shows all the customization options and makes the ordering process smooth and easy. Okay, let's talk about the food. As you can see from the photos I took, Top Bop uses a build-your-own-bowl format. It is similar to how Chipotle works. You start by picking your protein. Then you choose two free toppings. Next, you select your desired spice level for the sauce. Finally, you can add optional extras to your bowl. As a poke lover, I chose poke for my protein. They offer both salmon and tuna. I could not decide which one to go with, so the friendly staff allowed me to do half salmon and half tuna. Perfect! My friend almost chose the Beef Bop (because, let's be honest, you can't go wrong with Korean bulgogi), but ended up getting the Shrimp Katsu Bop instead. Let's save the Beef Bop for next time. Once we placed our orders, it took about 7 minutes for the food to be ready. Everything is made fresh to order and fully customizable. The portion size was very generous. One bowl could easily be enough for both lunch and dinner. Now back to the WOW. The taste was outstanding. I got the poke bowl with two free toppings for only fourteen dollars. That is incredibly rare in today's market. The bowl was packed with fresh salmon and tuna. I could really taste the quality and quantity of the fish. I chose calamari salad and seaweed salad for my toppings, and they paired perfectly with the poke. The signature sauce at Top Bop is another highlight. I selected Level 3, as recommended, and it elevated the entire bowl to the next level. I also tried a couple of bites of the Shrimp Katsu. It was crispy and flavorful. From the menu variety, to the prices, to the taste, Top Bop truly delivers on every level. It is my number one pick for a restaurant this year so far. I genuinely hope they open a location in Seattle or Bellevue soon so I can visit more often. I will definitely come back soon to try the Beef Bop, Spicy Pork Bop, and of course, another bowl of Poke!

What a gem of a spot! I stopped in recently and ordered the chicken larb and mushroom fritters…read more Both were delicious! The fritters had great flavor and texture, and the larb was well-seasoned and satisfying. My only small note is that I wish the larb had packed a bit more heat. I ordered medium and was hoping for a little more of a kick. The menu has plenty to explore with lots of tempting options to try on my next visit. The space itself has a really nice vibe with both indoor and outdoor seating. The staff are absolutely wonderful! Friendly, attentive and welcoming from the moment you walk in. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area. Highly recommend giving this place a try!

Nice relaxed ambiance. Perfect for summer to enjoy some outdoor seating. Great service. Lovely…read moredrinks. Wonderful food. They also have a fantastic happy hour!!

Great chocolate Haupia cake!! Awesome totally recommend this delicious treat! It was moist, the…read morefrosting yummy! Everyone loved it! Thank you for the easy online service and attention to the presentation of the cake. Just beautiful!

Kiawe Island Bistro scratched that Hawaiian food itch perfectly. I went for the spicy ahi poke and…read morewas genuinely impressed, the fish was tender and incredibly fresh. My only minor gripe was that it leaned a touch salty but it didn't detract much from an otherwise really tasty bowl. It's on the spendier side but the portion size is generous enough that you'll leave satisfied. For the quality of the fish alone, I'd say it's worth it. I'd absolutely come back when the craving for solid Hawaiian food strikes.

yummy food, relaxed, casual Portland vibe, great coffee and service. fair prices as well…read more #WINNING

On the main strip in Kenton, a cute and slightly upscale Vietnamese spot with craft cocktails…read more While eating dinner with a group, I shared the Viet platter with lemongrass shrimp and the miso braised beef ribs. The beef ribs with mashed potatoes, gravy, and brussel sprouts was to die for! The kind of meat & potatoes plate that warms your belly & your heart! Viet platter was the opposite - bright and full of veggies! It felt healthy, but I thought it could have had more shrimp. Jalapeños were overflowing! Ratios could have been better. These two dishes combined for two were perfect. I once got a Vietnamese iced coffee and banh mi to go, both seemed small for the price.

Have been traveling to Portland for work and have been there five times now in the past few months…read more Every time, we go to Bistro Elysium either once or twice a week for lunch, so that shows you how much we like it. I normally get the Black​ Oil Tonkotsu Ramen, which is awesome, really good. I also tried the Pad Thai once, which was good, not great. A bit too much sauce for me. And then one other time, I got the fried rice with a soy sauce egg in it and that was really good. But, if you're looking for a good ramen, the black oil tonkotsu is a good one to get. Really good service, too. They get the food out quick and are friendly and helpful.

Very good Thai food - I had the Pad See Ew with chicken ($16) - it came out hot and fresh and…read moredelicious. The only drawback is the ambience, which is really not their fault. They keep the door locked and you have to knock for access. We worked out rapidly this was because of the overwhelming number of homeless who want to come in and use their restrooms. Portland unfortunately has a real problem with these folks. I don't think I'd be around after dark but I'm staying in the hotel next door. Fortunately it's summer so it's light out in the evening.