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    Jawfish

    4.3 (86 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Jawfish Photos

    Business Info

    JAWFISH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Upscale
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Jawfish

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jason V.

    I was happy to discover a new, seemingly upscale restaurant in the Parkrose area (something we have very few of, in this area), when driving by a few weeks back. I made a note of it, thinking that, based on the name, my wife would enjoy it, as she is a big fan of seafood. When we stopped in for lunch a week or so ago, we were surprised that the menu at Jawfish was surprisingly light on aquatic entrées (I guess that's why the slogan on their menu says "more Jaw than Fish!"). Perhaps this is only true of the lunch service, but even so, there were still many items that appealed to us. We ended up ordering a couple cocktails, the Cuban(o) for myself, the Rocks & Lox pasta for my wife (since she was intent on seafood), and the Cilantro & Jalapeno hummus to split between us. Service was stellar from start to finish, items arrived promptly and in proper time and order (drinks, appetizer, entrée), and presentation was appealing without being pretentious. The fare itself was a tad underwhelming, but still very, very good. Portions were healthy and price-appropriate, but nothing other than the hummus "wowed" us. I need to be very clear about this, because by no means was this a disappointing or lackluster meal; far from it, in fact. However, I think we'd both projected a certain level of haute cuisine expectation (based on things like the décor) that wasn't present in this particular meal. The Cuban was a little dry for my taste, but I still enjoyed it. My wife's pasta was good, but we both felt it was missing some "oomph" factor to really transform it into a five-star dish. Essentially, each main dish was just a hair's breadth shy of perfect, for one nitpicky reason (on our part) or another. We were by no means disappointed with Jawfish, and we absolutely will be back to check out the dinner service. It may feel like I am coming across a bit harsh on what was otherwise a flawlessly executed experience, but I only feel this way because Jawfish is *so* very close to perfection, that missing it, even so slightly, feels disproportionately heavy. That said, you're not going to find *any* restaurant east of 82nd with the chops and competence to compete with Jawfish, and I can't wait to see them really come into their own and make their mark in Portland. We will absolutely be back.

    Exterior
    Lori H.

    Had a wonderful family lunch here today! We had a group of 9. I made reservations over the phone, and received an email confirmation. The gentleman taking my reservation was friendly, helpful and informative. He let me know ahead of time that they automatically charge a 20% tip for large parties, which is pretty normal. It was nice that he mentioned it at the time of reservation though. Our table was ready as everyone was arriving. I appreciated that they seated people at our group table as they arrived and didn't make them wait in the lobby until our entire party was present. So considerate. Super cool vibes inside! Love all the colorful globes hanging from the ceiling. The water vapor display in the bar was really cool too! Nice and comfortable seating. The restrooms were nice too! The floor to ceiling doors on the bathroom stalls were great! I appreciate the extra privacy. Our table ordered quite the variety of food and drinks and everyone enjoyed everything, no complaints. The Bait Shop Mule cocktail was a favorite with a wide range of flavor options. My husband liked the blood orange. As for lunch entrees we ordered burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pasta. I had the Salmon BLT. It was delicious! The salmon was cooked perfectly, and the dill cream cheese paired extremely well. My husband ordered the Rocks & Lox pasta dish. He absolutely loved it. He said it had great flavor and was plentiful. For dessert, I ordered the Almond Roca. OMG, it was soooooo good! The salted caramel and almond roca pairing was perfection! Service was friendly and attentive. The manager checked in a couple times and accommodated my request for a group picture! Great atmosphere with tasty food and drinks, and friendly service...what more could you ask for? I would highly recommend!

    The Bar
    Robin K.

    Food is good- service was pleasant- Only real complaint is the limited hours- Also limited salad selection- But all food ordered was EXCELLENT

    JF Burger with bacon
    J. A.

    Happened to see this place on our way back home to Seattle. I have all good things to say from the food, the service, the staff and the place itself. Rare and good find, will definitely be back to try other menus :-) Sauce/marinade did not overpower the real taste of those juicy and soft ribs!

    Flory W.

    It was hubby's idea to take me here for lunch today, after Easter, since I've been sick with hip and thigh pains, basically limping, and I was missing Holy Week. I thought, OK, I needed to get out of the house, it's nice & sunny, why not! I've not heard of Jawfish. But, as we walked in, I was already impressed. We were seated by the window, my choice. (I needed to look out). Our waiter was friendly and charming. And answered my question. I ordered the two piece (I got a bonus) Steelhead Fish & Chips with Sweet Potato Fries. You don't see Steelhead Fish & Chips everyday. It was my first! The cole slaw, I'm trying to figure out what was added to it. Hubby ordered the Crispy Chicken Sandwich with Fries and the Jawfish Clam Chowder. Everything we ordered was slightly different than the usual. The sandwich had some unusual ingredients. The potato in the chowder was sliced, and there were too many of them, which I didn't care! The restaurant had only been there for 4 months. The decor was modern and interesting. The bathroom, I like the fact, they have a section to lay your phone down, or purse. Spotless! All in all, we had a great experience. I also had a pleasant conversation with Eric, who brought our meals to our table, who was the manager there today. We have something in common, by golly!

    Brittany H.

    We enjoyed an evening with La Petite Chef at the Jawfish. It was an amazing experience and was quite cute. Overall this is a more expense experience but we felt it was worth it. Door opened on time and for us we were early so we enjoyed a drink at the bar which was very nice. The atmosphere in the room we were in was very cute and classy. We were only a party of two so we had to sit with another party of two. They were wonderful! The host/waitress were amazing and great in character. The food was delicious and to be honest it was a lot for a 5 course meal. There was no leaving hungry. The smore old fashion was to die for! YUM. The part of this that is very cool is the animated experience of La Petite Chef making your food in front of you. The animated video was darling and not super long. I thought it was a fun touch and the whole reason this experience exist. This isn't a often event but could be a full every couple years thing!

    Asked for them to be split into 2 so we could share

    Absolutely Amazing, stayed at the hotel next door and walked over for a quick dinner. The salmon blt and the pasta are the best. Would definitely be back here regularly if I didn't live in Indiana. Destiny is great and so is Riley

    Delicious amaretto sour
    Elizabeth B.

    Overall, the food was really great! I truly have no complaints about the meal itself. I ordered the bone-in ribeye cooked medium rare, and it was cooked to perfection. I'm usually pretty picky about mashed potatoes since they can often be dry, but these were rich, creamy, and delicious, with extra butter added, you can tell. I also ordered the house side salad (pictured is half since my husband and I split it). For the middle of February, it was surprisingly fresh the greens were crisp , and the crunchy green beans were a really nice touch. The cocktails and atmosphere were equally impressive. They were able to make me an amaretto sour m which isn't always easy to find and it was fantastic. The service was wonderful as well, with very attentive staff throughout the evening. My only hesitation is the pricing. It may be due to the restaurant's proximity to the airport and catering to travelers, but while the steak was excellent, I'm not sure it justified the $75 price tag. Even splitting it between two people, that felt steep. I would absolutely return for the convenience and ambiance and a quick meal, but I might explore other menu options next time, as you can likely find a comparable steak for less at other places in Portland.

    Korean Teriyaki Steak Bites with Rice
    Darbie E.

    Gorgeous interior (even the bathroom was pretty)! Fabulous server - we LOVED her! Food was good. We shared the fried green beans & asparagus & both had the Korean teriyaki steak bites with a side of rice. Yummy! I did tell our server (somewhat jokingly) that the little skillets the bites were served in were unnecessarily far too hot. She (being Korean herself) explained that this is what makes them Korean-style, but I would argue this isn't a Korean restaurant & made the food too hot to enjoy for a very long time. Hot skillet, sure. Skillet from the bowels of hell is a bit too much. Otherwise, great lunch!

    Ready to try this place!
    Aubrie R.

    We had such a nice experience here from start to finish! I wish people were more careful with their low ratings for a BRAND NEW restaurant. We were greeted by waitstaff, not a host, and they realized there wasn't a clean booth so they asked us to wait for them to clean it. That was fine! We were seated, had menus, and the bus-staff greeted us and brought water. Our sever then made it over and apologized for the wait - but honestly it wasn't bad! We loved all our dishes - the hummus was a standout and our server brought us extra flatbread bc there was enough hummus left over! My Thai noodle salad was delish (rolling my eyes at the person who left the review complaining about the number of noodles in the salad compared to the lettuce... It's called a Thai NOODLE salad.) Hubby's fish and chips were delicious, and the kiddos mac & cheese was stellar. One note... She got it with bacon, and I think it may have been served with candied bacon rather than regular savory bacon. If that was a mistake, we are the right people to make that mistake with because we love sweet things, but if that's not your jam, it might not have been so great for you. If I had a choice, I would always go for candy bacon. I'm not a monster. Our server Taryn could not have been kinder. She seemed genuinely interested in making sure that we had a good visit and was authentically nice and super competent. I really love what they've done with this place in terms of the decor and the ambience. It's welcoming and artistic without being overstated. Architecturally, you can tell that it used to be Beaches, but they've made it so lovely and interesting inside and the bar is genuinely pretty. We will absolutely be back... It's so nice to have an option like this so close to the airport!

    Salmon platter was properly appointed
    Terrance S.

    First visit was great and the options were solid. Some great options with the salmon, sirloin, ribs, clam chowder, and more. Brand new build out and great ambiance and vibe. Full bar with stunning decor. I would definitely use this as an option to kill time for a good meal near the airport.

    Thai Sesame Pork
    Nakila B.

    I went to Jawfish for dinner the other night and found the staff to be friendly, and the restaurant was cute. It had a simple menu, and I was excited to try the food. I was slightly disappointed in the food. The food was presented well; however, the flavors just missed the mark. Everything looked delicious, but the taste was mid at best.

    Tuscany chicken. My friend ordered this and ate the entire thing because she loved it so much
    Jerry P.

    Stopped in tonight for another fantastic dinner. The food was on point as always! I had the Pork Chop as well as my wife. She ordered the same. Both perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. Our friends ordered the pizza and the Tuscany chicken. They were both very pleased with what they got. They said it was fantastic. The service tonight, however, was not as good as we normally experience. We were very much ignored tonight. No drink refills, they took our water jug to fill and never came back. I asked for more water and a glass of ice and they came back with more water and a glass of ice, which was nice. However, one of the servers came by the table and asked if she could clear some things and we said sure and the only thing she took at that time was my ice water. We pretty much ignored the whole night. I was very disappointed as the service that I normally get is top-notch. I can't take away anything from the food because it was perfect. But this is my second visit in a row where the service was not great. I will be back!

    Very good crispy chicken sandwich. The scalloped potatoes were too salty though.

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    1 month ago

    food and mixed drinks were delisious, salmon. staff were welcoming and friendly, made the dinner very enjoyable

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    Eric U.

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    4 months ago

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    Eric U.

    We appreciate you bringing in the family!

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    Eric U.

    Such a fun dining experience!

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    15 days ago

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    Eric U.

    we appreciate you!

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    3 days ago

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    Eric U.

    Thank you Rylee! We'll be here when you come back.

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    Eric U.

    Always good to see you Jerry!!

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    Eric U.

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    Eric U.

    Thank you!

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    14 days ago

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    Eric U.

    Thank You so much!!

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    Eric U.

    Thank You!

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    5 days ago

    Perfect, food was excellent. Service was wonderful. Best clam chowder I have ever had.

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    7 days ago

    very-high quality food and amazing service. good prices. we made a good choice coming here.

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    Eric U.

    Thank you Gary, glad you enjoyed!

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    Eric U.

    Best place to pre game before a flight or wait for one to land!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Jawfish

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    Wilder

    Wilder

    4.3
    (267 reviews)
    4.5 mi
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    I've looked forward to writing this review for a number of weeks now... ashamed I haven't done it…read moresooner. Wilder. WOW. JUST WOW. This is another one of those rare reviews I write where I regret we can't give more than 5-stars! Wilder is truly one of the greatest restaurants in all of the Portland metro. Discovered on a random Saturday morning months ago, we stumbled in for a late brunch... it was a knock-your-socks off moment. First, their Benedict is absolutley delectable! We all know I'm a sucker for a good Benedict but I'll put this one in my top-3 EVER! Absolutely wonderful! Secondly, having returned multiple times for brunch, I can confidently say, you can't choose wrong from their menu! During brunch one morning, we came to the realization that Wilder offers dinner, as well! Sure enough, we were back within the week. First thing we noticed was gluten-free fried chicken... what? Who would have thought?!?! Of course, it was on the list + their Steak Tartare. I'll just say, we couldn't have ordered better. Their chicken is literally, out of this world. Having lived in the southeast of the country twice now, I feel as though I've experienced some pretty darn good fried chicken. However, the Wilder's Fried Chicken was absolutely enchanting, every bite! The Steak Tartare was served beautifully, with a yolk on top... how much better does it get? Ambiance is cozy and romantic. Bright and intimate in the mornings for brunch, dark and moody in the evenings for dinner. It strikes the perfect mood, every visit. We would be remiss not to mention their fabulous staff. Each and every member of their team is a delight. Professional, kind, friendly, and engaging. Nothing but positive interactions, every single time. Drinks are wonderful, bar staff is obviously knowledgable. Great selection of spirits and wine. Food is to die for. Staff is top-notch! Wilder has earned nothing less than a perfect 5-star rating. Truly in our Top 3 favorite restaurants in all of Portland and permanently on our weekly list of places to visit. As it has started to become our Friday "date night" spot, it certainly makes me anxious for the weekends to get here! Go enjoy, you won't regret it! Thank me later!

    Wow! Been sleeping on this place. Everyone that worked there was a delight and seemed to work…read moreeffortlessly together. Special shout out to the kitchen staff for big multitasking energy: watching the game, closing out the place, and firing out some amazing food. Wilder's near-close happy hour offerings were both tasty and generous. Cocktails featured offerings from local distillers that yielded complex flavors but nothing that was "trying too hard" to be artisanal. Also Made my date's night that they were using polenta as a bun.

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    Steak frites
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    Terra Mae

    Terra Mae

    4.5
    (163 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    Delicious food! Lots of vegetarian options. Excellent service. Highly recommend! Great ambiance.read more

    (TEH-ruh-MY) translates to "My Mother, Your Mother" - In the elegant second floor of CASCADA, two…read morefemale Chefs (Jules Boyd & Megan Sky) are blending PNW ingredients with flavors from Portugal & Japan. Aspen greets me like an old friend, a happy welcome into an expansive, ethereal space that feels more like LA than (perennially in the 90s) Portland. Low lounge & hi-top tables surround an open-air kitchen - transparency in the atmosphere as well as their "nose-to-tail" cooking techniques. The bar is long and dotted with glowing agate votives, vines extending down over a broad selection of booze (whisky & bourbon by style, including Japanese). One menu offers cheeky cocktails, mocktails, and a wide variety of Willamette bottles + a broad selection of European & South American wines. Another menu presents Cold dishes/RAW bar/Small Plates & Larger (sharing recommended). First course is a bluefin TUNA SASHIMI (butchered in-house with absolute precision) alongside a Serrano black sugar tamari (RIDICULOUS blend of salty/umami/spicy/sweet and smartly balanced by THICK-cut servings of tuna & chutoro (3x3). The fresh fish shines, as does explosive flavor in the sauce. Brilliant, bravo! Second, bartender recommends a house-favorite DUMPLING - this is one like never before, blending Linguiça (a Portuguese sausage), leeks, and cabbage that has a familiar texture within tissue-thin rice dumplings, but completely original umami, especially paired with the Japanese curry. It's wholesome and comforting, not too filling, and entirely new. THIRD if I MAE (pronunciation, questionable) - LAMB SPARE RIBS in a heaping portion with sweet/spicy tamarind sticky sauce that's barely reminiscent of BBQ, a perfect counter-balance to fatty, slightly gamey lamb. It's the cilantro herb salad on top & green olive tapenade that make it sing - textures and flavors are exotic, playful, herbal & funky (in a good way) all at once. Whether you're seeking a hot date night, a special staycation (right here in the Historic Arts District), or hosting a board meeting, there is space and plenty of taste for all, with a refinement in technique characteristic of larger cities. A sweet and savory reminder that family is a state of mind, and we're all connected for better or worse.

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    Bar area
    Bar area
    Sunomono
    Sunomono
    Old fashioned

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