Some bulletpoints because theres so much to say! - hubby…read moreloved his So Real cocktail. He said "would drink 10." - Dungeness Crab Bruschetta was so so good! We recommended it to the table next to us, and they liked it too! - Mushroom soup was so smooth and delicious! Perfect mushroom flavor without tasting like dirt. - Beef Tounge was not for me (I really hate capers ). Also was not a fan, personally, of Blood Sausage. Hubby loved both so if thats your thing, you'd probably really like them! - The rest of the Asado Argentina for Two was AMAZING! - I put the chimicurri on everything and they were so nice and brought me an extra bowl of it AND extra togo!! Thank you!! - The wine selection was incredible! I had the '21 Sangiovese and it was so so good. - Our server was very familiar with the menu and gave us such a good description of the specials and each dish we asked about! - The rest of the staff was very nice and they took away dishes and cleaned our table (literally wiped away crumbs) from previous ones so quick. - The overall vibe was so cool! I really want to sit outside next time we visit! I will be recommending this place to everyone from now on!

Oh, the joy of Ox…read more It's become a staple -- the kind of place that quietly works its way into your rotation and then suddenly holds weight in your personal ranking whether you meant for it to or not. As of right now, it sits at number one for my dad and a few of my friends alike. For me? I'm not ready to crown it just yet. I need a few more visits, a few more comparisons against my usual haunts. But it's up there. No question. When I first moved to Portland almost a year ago, this was one of the spots that kept coming up. Highly recommended, spoken about with a kind of confidence that usually means it's either overhyped or the real deal. We went for Mother's Day. Then again for Father's Day. My parents loved it -- the kind of love that doesn't need explanation -- and honestly, I get it. The service is immaculate. Thoughtful, attentive, but never hovering. You feel taken care of in a way that's increasingly rare -- like the front of house actually wants you to have a good time, not just turn the table. There's a real sense of pride in what they're doing. The team feels aligned, almost symbiotic. Front of house lifting up back of house, back of house delivering in a way that makes that support feel earned. Whether that relationship is perfect behind the scenes or not, it reads as seamless from the outside. And the food -- it's just excellent. Cooked perfectly, consistently, without unnecessary theatrics. No foams, no gels, no overworked plating trying to prove something. Just honest, confident cooking over fire. The kind of food that reminds you how good simple things can be when they're done right. It's indulgent in the best way. The kind of meal that might even tempt a few vegans back to the dark side -- at least for a night. It's not cheap. Let's be clear about that. I don't go here casually, and I'm not pretending I do. Thanks, Mom and Dad. But it's the kind of place that's worth saving up for -- not just for the food, but for the experience. For some people, this might be a random Wednesday night. For most of us, it's something you plan for. And when you do, it delivers. It's special without making a big deal about being special. And that's exactly why it works.

Had always great things about RingSide and it did not disappoint…read more Cocktails and the famous onion rings to start. Absolutely delicious onion rings, then a beautiful filet for my entree . Cooked to perfection. Also a shout out to our server Austin. A real Pro's Pro. Walked us through the menu, and was spot on encouraging us towards the onion rings!!! Can't wait to visit again!!!

It's a great, classic, steakhouse. Service is great, atmosphere is great, steak is fine. Just like…read morePeter Lugers in NYC it feels like it has out lived it's reputation. My last visit was probably my last visit. Why? The cost. Taking my son out for his birthday the meal for three - one adult and two kids - was just shy of $400. Was it a great meal? Yes. Was it worth $400 - not even close. A few days prior I took a client to Laurelhurst Market and the steak was less than a 1/3 the cost and it was twice as good. Not nearly so fussy, dark or traditional but it was much better in every way. The first time I went was 12+ years ago and it feels like the costs have tripled. It's really hard to justify $75 for an 8oz fillet or $100 for a 12oz New York. Sadly it's time to move on.

Absolute hands-down favorite bar in Portland! Scotch Lodge…read moreis a must-visit every single time we are in Portland! The food, the cocktails, and the hospitality are consistently incredible. You cannot miss the oysters here--the granitas they pair with them are an absolute work of art. For the first time, we tried the beef tartare, and they hand-chop the meat right on the spot. The funky richness of the cheese on top was perfectly balanced, and wrapping it in gem lettuce made it such a unique and delicious treat. As for the drinks, every single cocktail we ordered was outstanding. I'm not a big fan of overly sweet drinks, so the 'Mojo Jojo Casa House' at the end was absolutely perfect for my palate. I also loved the 'Brand New Key,' which was packed with fresh tarragon flavor. My husband prefers smoky whiskeys and mezcals, so he ordered along those lines--not exactly my personal style, but he loved them! The ambiance and overall vibe here are unmatched. Just a heads-up: this place gets packed quickly, so making a reservation is a complete must. Highly, highly recommend!

Scotch Lodge was a delight. Incredibly well designed space with friendly service that helped a…read morenovice scotch/whiskey drinker find something they loved. Good music, good vibes, and what looked like a killer food offering.

Beyond beautiful cuts of meat!…read more The people that work there are friendly and helpful. Beyond the butcher shop, they have a restaurant with a menu that is absolutely delicious. You know you are getting great cuts of meat in your dish as you walk past the showcased cuts prior to being seated. YUM!

My husband is always craving a steak for his birthday and I've heard never-ending, amazing things…read moreabout Laurelhurst Market, so we made a reservation to celebrate. We got seated right away, the hostess was friendly and mentioned the birthday listed on the reservation. To start, we ordered two cocktails, the beef tartare, and the shishitos peppers. The beef tartare was incredibly fresh and flavorful and the mustard vinaigrette was the perfect touch. The blistered shishitos were good, however, they were underwhelming compared to everything else and we probably wouldn't order them again. For our entree, we shared the Brandt Ranch Ribeye which was phenomenal - definitely one of our top 5 steaks we've ever had. We prefer medium rare and it was cooked perfectly with just the right amount of crème fraiche to not overpower the flavor of the steak. Plus, the bacon vinaigrette went very well with the entire meal. We were incredibly impressed with the meal and the atmosphere, and we'd join again for sure. The area in which our experience lacked was the service, which was disappointing and didn't make us feel great ordering anything else. After we got our appetizers, and then entree, we were not checked on once and I had to wave down our server for another round of drinks. At the same time, he was supposed to get us a water refill which we never ended up getting. Our server didn't mention anything in regards to a birthday, never asked how our cocktails or food was, checked on every table around us (besides us) and we didn't even get a thank you as we passed him heading out the door. Because I've consistently heard amazing things about Laurelhurst, I'll take this as a fluke because I definitely believe in second chances, especially when the food was that good, but I hope the next server we get is more attentive and friendly. Neither of us would expect a birthday beverage or dessert, but after dining at several places where they offer a glass of champagne, a small dessert, etc. it definitely stands out when an establishment like this doesn't offer or acknowledge a celebration. Till next time - Cheers

Had an awesome time at The Observatory the other weekend. Unlike a lot of places, they run their…read moreHappy Hour on the weekend, which is what drew my partner and I in. You can absolutely smell the fish and vinegar as soon as you walk through the door, which I think gives the place a very homey pub feel. I ordered a spiked peach Arnold Palmer, which I enjoyed (and it was pleasantly strong) and a glass of the house white, which was good for the price. Our server was very fast and attentive. To eat I got the tomato soup with a grilled cheese, which was absolutely fantastic. The soup was so creamy and flavorful, and I cannot imagine a better meal after spending all day walking outside in the rain. The fries were super crispy and I liked the batter. My partner and I shared some of their breadsticks, which were deliciously baked (fresh!) and came with a super refreshing basil crema and a nice tomato-y dip. Wonderful all. My partner ordered fish and chips, and was surprised to find that it is one large fillet of fish, not multiple pieces like you would typically expect. He said the fish was fine, but a little tough. Overall, a wonderful experience. I definitely hope to return. I highly recommend this place as a refuge during the cold winter months!

You know what I will admit that my ardor for The Observatory has cooled over time. I do still count…read moretheir rosemary pear martini as my favorite cocktail in town - and really their cocktail menu overall is still excellent. But the last few times I've stopped in for a meal, it feels like the food isn't quite as impressive as it used to be. Could be all in my head. Not sure. But it's always a nice spot to hang out and chat with friends, you can get seated quicker if you enter through Over & Out, which basically functions as an extension of the main Observatory, with it's own bar and pool tables.

I have come here since I was a child for birthdays, graduations, and family get togethers and it…read morewill always hold a special place in my heart. It's near impossible to find restaurants that make your money worth it and Sayler's does that by always giving you sides of bread, salads, veggies and more. The steaks are great, sides are great and they even have oyster shooters. Sometimes I've ended up with a ribeye with too much fat, but I personally love steak fat so it's not the biggest deal to me. They do a great job at achieving medium rare/rare. The ambience is moody and rustic, the parking is relatively easy even on busy nights, and I've always had great service. I suggest Sayler's to my coworkers and friends and plan to forever!

Having been born in a small town setting, rural North Carolina I long for the days of simple menu…read morestyle restaurants that don't try to zhuzh (is that word?) up everything from mac and cheese to a simple tomato soup. Sometimes simple is better IMO. Sayler's isn't exactly simple but it doesn't fuss around with all the "extra". The meal I had was cooked to perfection (ribeye steak) and all the sides were fresh and delicious. Service was fantastic with frequent table visits and delivery of food timely. I love old Portland and this place sits squarely at the top of my roster when I'm looking for comfort, nostalgia and simple delicious food.

10/10 no notes…read more Came in on a whim and was craving tartare. I had previously came from laurelhurst market which was closed randomly? So this was the next on the list and I'm glad I came. Got sat immediately during lunch on a weekday. Ordered the tartare and garlic soup. I asked if they had lattes and they recommended me go down the hall while I wait for my order for a coffee at ranger chocolate how fun! The tartare hit the spot. Ice cold, the meat was fresh, Briney from the olives. Delicious would get again. Garlic soup, very rich. Never had it before it was delightful. Was a quick stop so I only grabbed a couple things but this was such a joy would recommend ! Looking forward to returning to try more things on the menu.

Ordered: -2 cheese charcuterie…read more -Anchovies -Happy daiquiri -Lager Pro: -Friendly staff -Dog friendly (atrium seating) -Everything was tasty! Don't skip the cocktails! Con: -A bit pricey for the portion size during happy hour ($49 total including 20% automatic gratuity)

Good place overall. Food was decent and service was fine. Nothing outstanding, but everything was…read moreokay and met expectations.

We had 12 people in our party for a birthday celebration. I had to add the last two to our…read morereservation at the last minute and the hostess who answered the phone was so sweet and double checked for me that it was ok we bring our own cake. Our server was patient and made excellent recommendations. The ambiance was perfect for our little gathering and everyone kept asking who picked the restaurant because they loved the food so much. Personally, I think I ended up getting to try half the menu and it was all good, but the corn fritters, plantain empanadas, ceviche, and patatas were all next-level good. I don't know what they put in their sauces, but I wanted to bring home bottles of all of them. Splitting the check up at the end was kind of chaotic, but they were patient with us while we did the math and, if they were at all stressed out by the large number of diners, we couldn't tell. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants flavors you can't get anywhere else.

In the search for a place to meet up with an old friend to catch up that is quintessentially…read morePortland, we chose PCC and what a treat it was. The views here are absolutely incredible. We got here about an hour before the sunset and we got to have amazing drinks and food while watching the sun disappear in the horizon. The Spicy Prickly Pear Margarita is fantastic and made with Don Julio Tequila, jalapeño and desert pear syrup and lychee sour. A fun twist on a classic, very surprising in a good way. I also tried the Amalfi Stroll with gin and aperol and passion fruit, lime and grapefruit. Perfect balance of sweet and touch of bitter from the aperitif. Other solid choices, pun intended, included the rockfish jambalaya which was loaded with flavor and very filling. And to end the night, butterscotch bread pudding ftw. Great place for amazing view, drinks and overall wonderful atmosphere and service.

I was disappointed by my experience at Portland City Grill, especially given the price point and…read morereputation. One of my biggest concerns was dining with dairy-free and gluten-free restrictions. I asked whether there was anything on the menu that could accommodate both without substitutions, because with higher-end dishes, removing key components often leaves you with a plate that feels incomplete and not as thoughtfully prepared as intended. I was told that essentially every item on the menu contained one or the other, or both, which was frustrating and made it very difficult to order comfortably. Unfortunately, the service issues started before we were even seated. When we arrived, the hostess initially ignored us and had us walking around trying to figure out where to go for help, only for us to end up back where we started. When she finally acknowledged us, she rudely told us to stand against the wall until she was ready. It set an unwelcoming tone right away. Our server was also very cold and unfriendly throughout the meal. When I pulled out my chair to sit down, I found a bunch of crumbs on it that I had to clean off myself, right in front of the server. The plate already set in front of my seat, with the napkin on it, also had crumbs on it, which made the table setting feel careless and unclean from the start. Then when our wine arrived, the service got even sloppier. On the second pour, after originally pouring us each the correct wine, our server mixed up the bottles and topped off our glasses with each other's wine. It was a noticeable mistake and frustrating because the wines were already in our glasses and then ended up mixed together. For a restaurant that charges premium prices, I expected much better hospitality, cleanliness, and attention to detail. The view is lovely, but unfortunately the overall experience did not live up to the standard the restaurant presents.

Came over for the first time to celebrate my birthday with a few friends. We were meeting for…read moreHappy Hour and was surprised how big the lounge area was. There were many large seating area available. One main cedar table was a big attraction. There is a fireplace with a table by it We got a table. I ordered a Borgona, fruit puree juices mix with Sprite. Never had one, but sounded really good. It came and it was delicious and fruity for a mocktail. We ordered a shrimp ceviche and octopus skewers to start out with. The Shrimp Ceviche was very delicious and it was something that I was very happy to share it with my friends. It was a big portion of shrimp cocktail with salsa on the bottom and these large sized blue chips. It was so good that we ate it quickly. Octopus skewers was a tad charred. Yet very delicious especially if you eat it with the pineapple together. Brings out the flavor of the pineapples quite well. We ordered the Pork Belly Tacos and Mole Shrimp Tacos which came in 3. I absolutely loved street tacos filled with good fresh ingredients. And both of these hot the spot. The pork belly was an absolute great flavor of the pork belly. The Shrimp was delicious. Cook perfectly and easy to devour quickly. DeFuego Nachos had Jalapenos. But wasn't listed. The nachos were delicious and it was quickly devoured. Wings came in 4 wings with garlic parmesan with carrots and celery and ranch on the platter. Heavily garlic on the wings yet very delicious. Half wedge salad was a surprise how much there is in the salad. A lot of fresh veggies there with cherry tomatoes and sliced radishes in it. I had a absolutely fun experience celebrating my birthday here. DeFuego had Happy Hour from 3pm to 6pm, seven days out of the week. Seems the Happy Hour here is very popular. You have 21 appetizers to choose from on the Happy Hour Menu. There are Mocktails, and any drinks you want available. Definitely will come back again.

Shoot. Last night I took my boyfriend here to celebrate a special event & we left so disappointed!…read moreWe got there at 7:15 & we were stuck there for over 2 hours! I ordered 2 things and both came out wrong. Our waitress spoke very loudly and we could hear her having long personal conversations with people a couple tables away from us for 10+ minutes at a time, several times. While we waited for her, we ran out of water a few times and I had to ask for more. It was over an hour before our order was even taken. We did flag her down to order an appetizer, brussel sprouts with cheese on the side due to a dairy allergy, but... the sprouts came out with cheese on them. They corrected this fairly promptly, but then we sat for another 45 minutes before our order was actually taken. I ordered a steak as "somewhere between medium & medium well" and she correctly repeated my order back to me "medium/medium well." When the steak came out, it was WELL well done. Like, burnt. I wanted to send it back, but I didn't want to deal with the embarrassment or have to wait even longer for food. We were about an hour & 45 minutes into dinner by the time we got our food. I was so disappointed! I also wanted to get dessert to celebrate the occasion but the service was SO slow that we had to cancel our after-dinner plans. We ordered it anyway & requested the check promptly, giving up on our plans for the rest of the evening. We were only a party of 2, we arrived early for our reservation, & we watched several larger parties come and go while we waited for our order to even be taken. It was a Wednesday night and not overly busy, there were several empty tables, so I'm not sure what the hold up was. We were also seated at an odd table next to the kitchen with a small divider between us and the staff. It was noisy and I even heard 2 staff members exchange a joke about how someone else had left & said they'd never come back. They laughed about it. I wish I had the guts those people had to get up & leave! I've never once left less than a 20% tip and felt immense guilt not tipping well, but after experiencing the poor service then also hearing the staff blatantly acknowledge it & not care.... I was appalled. The Hilton bought the hotel attached to De Fuego and I'm shocked. This was a Monarch hotel before and I'd assume that the Hilton's standards would be higher but the service and quality here have tanked hopelessly low since the acquisition. I had a similar experience at The Underground before it closed. I've learned my lesson & won't come here for a special occasion again.