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I love this place. I have been here many times and have never regretted it. Today I ordered the blueberry mint drinking vinegar. If I had made it I might have added a little more honey, but maybe not. Quite good. My sister ordered Chicken Salad with Crispy Bacon and Bleu Cheese. (She asked for less lettuce so expect a larger portion.) They had fresh ground pepper and the salad itself was great, especially the inclusion of the shaved radishes. The chicken itself was a little bland, she felt. The service was great. They were attentive, warm, helpful, and understanding. The interior has those high ceilings and tall windows up front. Today they were playing some serious country music. (Jeremiah by Sierra Farrell, for example.)
Cool spot in the heart of Portland Monte Villa Neighbourhood off Southeast 82nd and Southeast Stark. Friendly Portland ambience with a full bar in the front and back, a back patio and highly doubted brunch in the front. I ordered the shrimp and grits with sausage. The polenta was thicker than I've had before, but all in all the plate was delicious with a nice spicy touch and a little heat, but not too much everything on the menu looks good. as an appetizer, my friend and I split an order of their wings that came on a delicious bed of coleslaw that was outstanding. The wings were a little spicy just like I hoped. I also ordered a blueberry vinegar drink, which was a good aperitif. 7.25/10
I love the food, service and ambiance here. I like that it is a bit loud so that you don't have to worry much about people eavesdropping lol. I have ordered the caesar salad about three times in the past week and it doesn't disappoint! Side note: add bacon bits and extra dressing. It's so yummy!
We forgot to take pictures of our outstanding food! We were talking and laughing so much! My mom and I went there for lunch. The service, the ambiance, the background music and the menu were all top notch! It was like a McMenamin feel with a way better menu. The menu had refreshing eclectic choices! We had the oregano fry bread. So fragrant and we loved the dipping sauces. Mom had the lamb burger and she kept saying how tender and savory it was. She never has had lamb before. We were chit chatting with the people next to us about the food and then grew to a wonderful visit with a husband, wife and his mother. They were lovely! We had the lamb burger
Greeted as soon as we entered. We ordered Chipotle Elk burger with a side of French fries. My daughter said the burger is just like any burger she had but the fries are really good. Son ate his Mac and cheese with smoked sausage. He ate it really fast and said it is really good. Husband had his clam chowder with bits of bacon with a slice of bread on the side, and we both ordered the 10 oz. steak with broccoli florets and potatoes. The steak which should be cooked medium rare, turned out to be medium. It both turned a little tough but I still finished mine because it will not be good when tomorrow comes. The server is quite attentive and keeps checking on us. The place looks really nice and clean. There are 4 bathrooms, two on each side of the restaurant. For sale artwork are on display along the side walls.
Had an awesome time at The Observatory the other weekend. Unlike a lot of places, they run their Happy 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!
Good place to go to during happy hour! So many good dishes to choose from and their drinks were not bad as well. The food came out pretty quick and it was a pretty chill place to go to. A ton of seating in the front and back of restaurant.
The service was great! We sat at the bar and interacted with multiple employees who were all very nice. The bartender made AMAZING drinks from their drink menu. Not pictured, we also had The Capricorn and the Mango Mezcal Margarita which were also super good! We started with wings and slaw which were both super good. They wings had a great flavor with the sweet and chili which paired well with the slaw. My salad was also really good and we tossed for me so I didn't have to worry about mixing it and making a mess (thank goodness!). I got a little big of everything in every bite. Although hubby's chicken was tender, moist, and the breading stayed in place when cutting off a piece with a fork, both it and the mac and cheese lacked a lot of flavor. The mac and cheese appeared to just be noodles tossed with canned parm and the chicken breading had what seemed like zero seasoning. The vibes were super cool, and I loved the low light and aesthetic. I also loved that they incorporated the home-infused alcohols into the bar decor. Although we were disappointed with one of the two entres, I would try this place again and just get something else instead of the chicken. I think the drinks were what made the experience worth it.
This has recently become a go-to spot for us that offers a nice night out and elevated fare, for reasonable prices. For dining, I much prefer the front room/bar as opposed to the much louder, less cozy back area. Extra kudos that they offer an Elk burger, which has been harder to find on menus around town lately. Also appreciate that the dinner menu has quite a few great fish options, as it should in the PNW. All of them are good, and somewhat unique preparations you don't find on every chain menu. The salads are also solid, but I do wish they had some better start options in the $10-15 range. None of the others really reel me in. Drinks are fine and the service has always been friendly. Highly recommend this spot for dinner or lunch, just aim to sit in the front.
We were in the area visiting our family and were recommended to go try this spot. Wow! One of the BEST spots on our trip so far! The restaurant had a unique and lively ambience. I would say it was family friendly as well as a great spot for groups or for a date night. Service was friendly, patient and very accommodating. Our server was very attentive to our needs. The drinks were amazing, the dinner absolutely delicious and the desserts out of this world! For starters we had the bread and the Mediterranean Platter - they were both wonderful! I had the mango margarita and it was so tasty! This was an amazing spot - highly recommended and we would definitely go again when we're in the area. Go check them out - you won't be disappointed!!
2 days ago
This was some of the best food I've had in a while! I was a little iffy about coming here for lunch since I had been here once for dinner and it wasn't my favorite experience, but I'm so glad I gave it another try. The lunch portions were incredibly generous, especially the grilled cheese and fries, which were actually a kids meal! The buffalo chicken Caesar wrap was a little lacking in Caesar flavor, but where it lacked in Caesar, it definitely made up for it with the buffalo flavor, and it was still incredible. 10/10 across the board! The customer service was also amazing, and the staff were genuinely such a pleasure to interact with. And the little doodle on the bag was just the cutest added bonus! Definitely left much happier with this visit than my first one! read more
Came here recently with a friend and left thoroughly impressed. We started with the oregano fried bread appetizer, served with a crème fraîche basil sauce and a roasted tomato dipping sauce -- it was absolutely delicious and set the tone for the rest of the meal. For mains, my friend ordered the elk burger, and as a self-proclaimed elk burger connoisseur, her approval means something -- she thoroughly enjoyed it. I went with the pulled pork sandwich, which was good and flavorful, and paired really well with their pepper & cabbage coleslaw on the side. We also split a cup of the roasted red pepper and tomato bisque, which was honestly a highlight of the whole meal -- rich, well-balanced, and worth ordering on its own. Drinks deserve a shoutout too: their non-alcoholic options were great. My friend raved about the guava lemonade, and I had the blueberry vinegar shrub, which was excellent -- bright, crisp, and refreshing. read more
1 month ago
11 days ago
I love this place. I have been here many times and have never regretted it. Today I ordered the blueberry mint drinking vinegar. If I had made it I might have added a little more honey, but maybe not. Quite good. My sister ordered Chicken Salad with Crispy Bacon and Bleu Cheese. (She asked for less lettuce so expect a larger portion.) They had fresh ground pepper and the salad itself was great, especially the inclusion of the shaved radishes. The chicken itself was a little bland, she felt. The service was great. They were attentive, warm, helpful, and understanding. The interior has those high ceilings and tall windows up front. Today they were playing some serious country music. (Jeremiah by Sierra Farrell, for example.) read more
6 hours ago
Cool spot in the heart of Portland Monte Villa Neighbourhood off Southeast 82nd and Southeast Stark. Friendly Portland ambience with a full bar in the front and back, a back patio and highly doubted brunch in the front. I ordered the shrimp and grits with sausage. The polenta was thicker than I've had before, but all in all the plate was delicious with a nice spicy touch and a little heat, but not too much everything on the menu looks good. as an appetizer, my friend and I split an order of their wings that came on a delicious bed of coleslaw that was outstanding. The wings were a little spicy just like I hoped. I also ordered a blueberry vinegar drink, which was a good aperitif. 7.25/10 read more
1 month ago
I love the food, service and ambiance here. I like that it is a bit loud so that you don't have to worry much about people eavesdropping lol. I have ordered the caesar salad about three times in the past week and it doesn't disappoint! Side note: add bacon bits and extra dressing. It's so yummy! read more
2 months ago
We forgot to take pictures of our outstanding food! We were talking and laughing so much! My mom and I went there for lunch. The service, the ambiance, the background music and the menu were all top notch! It was like a McMenamin feel with a way better menu. The menu had refreshing eclectic choices! We had the oregano fry bread. So fragrant and we loved the dipping sauces. Mom had the lamb burger and she kept saying how tender and savory it was. She never has had lamb before. We were chit chatting with the people next to us about the food and then grew to a wonderful visit with a husband, wife and his mother. They were lovely! We had the lamb burger read more
3 months ago
Greeted as soon as we entered. We ordered Chipotle Elk burger with a side of French fries. My daughter said the burger is just like any burger she had but the fries are really good. Son ate his Mac and cheese with smoked sausage. He ate it really fast and said it is really good. Husband had his clam chowder with bits of bacon with a slice of bread on the side, and we both ordered the 10 oz. steak with broccoli florets and potatoes. The steak which should be cooked medium rare, turned out to be medium. It both turned a little tough but I still finished mine because it will not be good when tomorrow comes. The server is quite attentive and keeps checking on us. The place looks really nice and clean. There are 4 bathrooms, two on each side of the restaurant. For sale artwork are on display along the side walls. read more
Had an awesome time at The Observatory the other weekend. Unlike a lot of places, they run their Happy 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! read more
9 days ago
11 days ago
12 days ago
Food and service was good! Get the garlic Parmesan fries. The soup is also really good especially the tomato bisque. read more
Good place to go to during happy hour! So many good dishes to choose from and their drinks were not bad as well. The food came out pretty quick and it was a pretty chill place to go to. A ton of seating in the front and back of restaurant. read more
The service was great! We sat at the bar and interacted with multiple employees who were all very nice. The bartender made AMAZING drinks from their drink menu. Not pictured, we also had The Capricorn and the Mango Mezcal Margarita which were also super good! We started with wings and slaw which were both super good. They wings had a great flavor with the sweet and chili which paired well with the slaw. My salad was also really good and we tossed for me so I didn't have to worry about mixing it and making a mess (thank goodness!). I got a little big of everything in every bite. Although hubby's chicken was tender, moist, and the breading stayed in place when cutting off a piece with a fork, both it and the mac and cheese lacked a lot of flavor. The mac and cheese appeared to just be noodles tossed with canned parm and the chicken breading had what seemed like zero seasoning. The vibes were super cool, and I loved the low light and aesthetic. I also loved that they incorporated the home-infused alcohols into the bar decor. Although we were disappointed with one of the two entres, I would try this place again and just get something else instead of the chicken. I think the drinks were what made the experience worth it. read more
21 days ago
3 days ago
This has recently become a go-to spot for us that offers a nice night out and elevated fare, for reasonable prices. For dining, I much prefer the front room/bar as opposed to the much louder, less cozy back area. Extra kudos that they offer an Elk burger, which has been harder to find on menus around town lately. Also appreciate that the dinner menu has quite a few great fish options, as it should in the PNW. All of them are good, and somewhat unique preparations you don't find on every chain menu. The salads are also solid, but I do wish they had some better start options in the $10-15 range. None of the others really reel me in. Drinks are fine and the service has always been friendly. Highly recommend this spot for dinner or lunch, just aim to sit in the front. read more
We were in the area visiting our family and were recommended to go try this spot. Wow! One of the BEST spots on our trip so far! The restaurant had a unique and lively ambience. I would say it was family friendly as well as a great spot for groups or for a date night. Service was friendly, patient and very accommodating. Our server was very attentive to our needs. The drinks were amazing, the dinner absolutely delicious and the desserts out of this world! For starters we had the bread and the Mediterranean Platter - they were both wonderful! I had the mango margarita and it was so tasty! This was an amazing spot - highly recommended and we would definitely go again when we're in the area. Go check them out - you won't be disappointed!! read more
3 months ago
3 months ago
2 months ago
I've been here several times and it's become one of my favorites. Downtown Montavilla has some great food. In this particular occasion I only stopped in for a post dinner drink, but from experience the food is fantastic. They have a great drink menu with a lot of different and curated selections. I was with a large group and we each got something different and everyone loved their selection. The service was fast and friendly. It took a bit to get our drinks, but I was ok with it considering there was a group of us and it meant they were making everything fresh. It's always clean and to me the lighting is perfect, but it is on the darker side, so be aware if you aren't in to the more mood lighting in establishments. read more
Been coming here for years now and it never disappoints. From the interesting, flavorful dishes to the bright and airy decor, to the excellent service, they always get it right. (To be clear this review is for the original, front space off Stark - the more casual sports-bar-ish back area warrants its own review). The bar program is spot on, with both classics and seasonal specials, the wine is always well-picked and the prices are reasonable - especially at happy hour. We had the pulled pork BBQ tacos - tender shredded pork, not too saucy and stuffed nicely - spicy chicken wings, with a lovely sesame ginger marinade -- and garlic rosemary fries, that were to die for. Nobody went home sad. A mix of tables and booths take up the bright and airy high-ceilinged main area, and there's a good bunch of stools at the long wraparound bar counter as well. Street parking can be a bear at peak hours but it's not impossible. Happy to support this small Montavilla business that's soldiered on through thick and thin. read more
9 days ago
We went here for lunch on a Saturday with family. Wondering why they get such great reviews. Maybe it's for dinner. The lunch/brunch menu looked ordinary and since it was after 1pm we wanted lunch. Boring. Our son & I got Reubens. Nothing special with the sandwiches. The best thing was actually the fries which were excellent. My daughter-in-law got the burger burger, which was just a burger-nothing fancy. She didn't remark on it being great or not. My husband got the vegetarian burger and he thought it was ok. So...maybe we didn't order the best items on the menu or maybe people love dinner here? It wasn't close to amazing. I've had amazing and this wasn't it. Not that it was bad, mind you. read more
We found this place on Yelp which was on the way to Airport. We were not sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. It was a very cute, cozy family friendly restaurant. Staff was so friendly, they had a full bar. The menu had a variety of dishes. Service was quick and the food was really good. read more
16 days ago
5 months ago
2 months ago
Quick service and open until really late. Nice soft light ambient. Servers and nice and efficient. They watch your water and fill it. The food was amazing. Absolutely loved the sage cream chicken linguini. It had chicken, pea, spinach, mushroom and butter squash. Food came fresh and the bread was well seasoned. Also got the burger burger with cheddar medium. Very classic burger, and they put the tomato, lettuce, and sauce on the side. Very simple burger, but the highlight is the French fries. They have a seasoned fried fries. Perfectly crispy on the outside. read more
3 months ago
7 months ago
Had a very lovely dessert date here with a mentor. Super friendly staff. Very nice service. Came on a separate occasion on a Sunday and did not see anything on the menu that looked good so I skipped and didn't order anything. I wouldn't come for a meal but it's a cute spot for dessert. read more
2 months ago
2 years ago
Came here for dessert on a week day evening. We sat up at the bar and ordered a few rounds of drinks and dessert. The food was outstanding but the server and bartender were both visibly unhappy. We didn't interact with the server but the bartender was about as sour as it comes. A second bartender helped us out mid way and was very kind. Overall, the staff vibe just seemed angry and even with how amazing the food was, not sure I'll be back based on the service. read more
11 months ago
Nice place to go, a little something for everyone. Food and drinks are good. Service is friendly. Ambient lighting is a bit dark and dated for me, but that's the old Portland vibe. read more
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More info about The Observatory
8115 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97215
Montavilla, Southeast Portland
Directions
(503) 445-6284
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.theobservatorypdx.com
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Ask the Community - The Observatory
Is there parking?
Only street parking that I know of. But it's not hard to find near by.
Are there gluten free options for people with celiac disease?
I think they do have GF options.
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