Wow. I came here with some girlfriends for dining month and I'll definitely be returning and incorporating this into restaurants I recommend to friends in town. Hospitality: amazing Ambiance: cozy corner restaurant that instantly feels warm when you enter. You'll witness at least one hug (I saw two!) The set menu for dining month has two options for course 1 and 2, and then a dessert. My favorite was the Nuestra Ensaladilla Rusa with albacore tuna conserva, albacore tataki, confit potatoes, carrots, mayo, and tobiko. This was basically a main course for me and I only finished half the 2nd and my dessert. All very delicious. read more

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This is such a wonderful restaurant. My wife and I dined here with four other friends. I had a bourbon+amaro cocktail and red wine. I ordered olives+anchovies,potato+onion+egg+tortilla, albacore tuna+potato+carrot +peas+mayo+avacado+toasted bun, blood sausage+quail egg+peppers+ piquillo jam+toasted bread, potato waffle+brava sauce+herb aioli+chives, shrimp toast+garlic+chili+sofrito+yuzu aioli+green olive relish, pan (warm baguette) olive oil+brown butter, jamon iberico de bellota, croquetas de jamon+bechamel+hard boiled egg+aioli, octopus+truffle potato+leek marmalade+chorizo, iberico pork collar steak+eggplant+apple relish, nantes carrots+yogurt+date+almond, lamb belly+rhubarb+onion+garlic. All of it, so very good. Our waiter was also great. read more

We had an excellent dinner here. It's a small space with an open kitchen and a relaxed upscale vibe. The dishes are riffs on Spanish tapas--not exactly like anything you'd find in Spain, which is fine. Everything we ate was delicious. I don't eat mammals but still had plenty of choices. We especially enjoyed the carrots dish. The service all stood out. It was friendly and thoughtful without ever hovering or making us feel rushed. This is a great choice for a special occasion meal. read more

This used to be one of our favorite restaurants in the city, but this visit was so different and underwhelming that I felt compelled to update my review.My husband chose this as his birthday spot last minute, and we were fortunate to get in and find seats. Unfortunately, the experience didn't live up to our past visits. The food was below average and missing the flavor and creativity we had come to love. The drinks were also subpar and underwhelming.The one bright spot was the vermouth flight, which we actually really enjoyed ,they have a solid selection there. Service was also below expectations and one of the most sore spot of our visit, which added to the overall disappointment. Needless to say, it was a disappointing experience, and not one we plan to repeat anytime soon. read more

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This is probably one of the best restaurants in Portland. You enter and feel like visiting a friend: everyone welcomes you, the space is super cozy and intimate, and very inviting. The menu is attractive, and I was amazed by how careful the entire team was with all my food restrictions - from the hostess who confirmed them by phone to make sure they captured everything correctly, to the customized menu they made for me, calling out the changes they would make in the preparation of my food, to make sure things that I can't have wouldn't be in the dishes I chose (I never had such treatment anywhere of the world). Everything was amazing... devil egg, the jamon croquettes and the star of my night, the octopus... I feel like I could go to Urdaneta at least once a week to feel the love of that dedicated team and taste the best food in town... I'm in love!! read more

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Fun to try, super creative food and great staff. Wasn't our style but patrons seemed to love it. I'd reco trying as it's hard to find this balance of staff and creativity in Portland. read more

Always a delightful experience at this incredible restaurant! Food, service, ambiance, everything is consistently on point. This is a great place for special occasions, the staff really make the experience feel very warm and welcoming. I would recommend trying as many different tapas as you can, as they are always rotating. End with the basque cheesecake, it won't disappoint! Pro tip: Make reservations, the space is small and it gets busy! read more

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Food was beautifully presented and I'm impressed how each plate came out cosistently delicious. The service was great. I just wish this restaurant was closer to the west side of Portland. read more

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Cannot believe I've taken so long to write an Urdaneta review! I will start off by saying that this is one my friend's most loved, absolutely favorite spots in the city so I was pretty excited to try it! Full disclosure though that I am vegetarian whereas my husband is an omnivore. I think his experience was 5/5, absolutely knocked it out of the park whereas for me it's was solid 4 given the vegetarian bites I was able to try. We grabbed a reservation in advance for a weekend so getting seats was not an issue. The interior is warm, bright, welcoming and it feels intimate without feeling small. Definitely a small plates/tapas style experience and we were there with 2 other omnivores, so ordered a mix of things. I think about 8 things total across the 4 of us; then of course couldn't resist some dessert bites. My husband really enjoyed every dish whereas I found the veggie items to be solid but not mindblowing. Dessert wise, the basque cheesecake was deeelish and a must order. Prices are fair for quality and service and it is definitely a spot to experience, esp if you don't have dietary restrictions! Check it out and see what you think. read more

Listen, I thought I understood how taste buds worked, but after eating at Urdaneta, I realize I've basically been eating cardboard my entire life. This place is a total hidden gem in Portland, though calling it a "gem" feels like an understatement. It is more like a culinary portal to a dimension where flavor actually exists. First off, let's talk about the space. It is cozy and small, which means getting a reservation feels a bit like winning the lottery or successfully completing a secret mission. If you don't have a booking, don't just show up and hope for the best. Plan ahead because the food and drinks are worth every single ounce of effort. Now, the food. I have lived in Oregon for a short while but this is hands down the best meal I have had in the state so far. Every time I put a forkful of something into my mouth, I experienced a flavor profile I didn't even know was possible. It was like my brain was unlocking new achievements in deliciousness. The complexity of the dishes is mind-blowing, and the drinks are just as thoughtfully crafted. The absolute star of the evening, aside from the deviled egg and croquette, was Jeanine. She was so much fun and went above and beyond to make sure we were having the time of our lives. Her energy is infectious and she knows the menu like the back of her hand. She didn't just serve us food, she curated an entire experience that made the night truly special. If you want to have a religious experience involving tapas and incredible vibes, go to Urdaneta. Just don't take my spot next time I want to visit, because I am officially a regular now. read more

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Our daughter who lives locally wanted to take us here for dinner. We made reservations for 5:30, and they greeted me warmly as the rest of our party parked the car. It should be noted there is street parking which can be an issue depending on the time of day. I would venture the owner greeted us and I very much appreciated her asking about food allergies. She kindly took the time to mark items on the menu that should be avoided due to the high dairy content. Our server Nathan was friendly and we received complimentary "Bubbles" and non alcoholic samples were provided as well. We wanted to have a good sampling of the Tapas so we ordered starters and entrees including the jabon and crunchy bread with whipped olive oil and sherry brown butter vegan, and which we all devoured. Next we tried the crab and tetsukubota squash on crusted bread. The presentation of the food was quite pleasing . We liked the crab so much, and since it's on the small side we ordered a second one. My favorite was an entree with quail legs and sliced breast with sweet and savory flavors. Served with paella bomba rice which was a nice pairing. We also tasted the Spring trout with fennel and saffron. I am not a huge fan of trout however, this was fairly light and flavorful. We received a complimentary soup which we were told is a Basque tradition vegetable stock soup in a little clay vase- very hot and delicious. We finished the meal with two desserts: the cheesecake and chocolate olive oil cake with marscapone. We ordered far too much food which I believe was psychological due to the small portions so be careful not to do that. The food is very rich and filling so don't be fooled into thinking you need more. The service was excellent and despite having to chase down the waiter just a bit to complete paying the bill we received excellent service. We finally had to flag down the owner to assist as Nathan was busy in the other part of the dining room. They host an open kitchen which is fun however, the sink with dish washing is all included and once the dining room fills up with patrons it can become quite noisy. So come early right after they open to avoid a crowd as this is a popular spot. The costs are reasonable if you can set a budget on how much food you are going to order. I would definitely return to sample more of the Tapas as there is so much to choose from. read more

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Omg y'all, this place was amazing! All the small plates we had were soo good. Favorites were the Bikini (that honey on it made it) and croquetas de jamon. Also ordered Gilda 2.0, Txangurro, gofre bravas, Jamon Iberico de Bellota, ensalada de tomate, cochinollo, berenjena, and Vieiras. We did order some peppers and it was a 50/50 if they were going to be soo spicy or not so that is the only one I wouldn't order that again. For cocktails, I got the nunca voy a abandonarte which was fruity and tasty and then the marianito which was such a presentation lol. read more

Urdaneta - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Came here for my birthday dinner with my partner. Was delighted. The service was impeccable. The food was exceptional, creative, and absolutely delicious. Even though we sat outside and it was chilly and there was traffic, we had a heater and coverage. It ended up being pretty quiet compared to the boisterous indoor seating. We could hear ourselves talk! We ordered the Foie gras- the most interesting combo of ingredients...Foie gras ganache, banana bread, strawberry gel, peanut brittle. This was outstanding! Texture, flavor, presentation. Top notch! Would eat on every visit. A must. Bikini- kind of like a grilled ham and cheese but fancied up. Very tasty. Tiny sweetness from truffle honey was a nice touch. Ensalada de guisantes- fresh peas, goat cheese, and soft egg made this a nice salad but needed more kumquat. Those got lost in the salad (maybe there was one?) Croquetas de jamón- unbelievably soft on the inside with the thinnest crunch breading I've ever seen. Impressive. Melt in your mouth. Sobrasada - whipped chorizo is amazing. Loved every bite, was sad when it was gone. Hazelnut honeycomb was a nice finishing crunch. Secreto Ibérico - skirt steak cooked perfectly. Rhubarb sauce was just okay, could've done without. Caesar was good, kept me wanting more. Basque cheesecake for dessert. Taste was fine, but drier than others I've had and could've even been day old. A little disappointing and on the small side. Did the job. We also ordered cocktails that were really unique. One had orange cream and dried olives, the other bourbon, cider, and cherries. Super well balanced. We left full and happy. Good birthday dinner overall. Highly recommend for a special occasion. read more

Urdaneta - Food menu - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Food and service were both amazing! Maddy K made great wine recommendations and was so on it. 10/10 birthday experience!

Drinks: - N/A Food: - The Crudo is a must get. It's vibrant both in color and in flavor, I particularly liked the parsley with the fish. Initially I was worried that the fish would be "over dressed" with all the oil and sauce on the plate, but actually the sauce is super light and doesn't take a way from the fish at all. It's one of the best Crudos in Portland in my opinion - The morcilla was a particular favorite of mine out of the appetizers. I really like the pickle and egg combo. The peppers were refreshing. - The Foie Gras was underwhelming. I was expecting something savory and decadent, but it was more sweet. It's interesting, I'll give it that, but I don't think it suites my taste buds. The peanut crumble basically turned it into a cake/candy like experience, which I didn't quite vibe with. - The Crotuetas De Rabo were good. Nothing to write home about, but also nothing complain about - The Gofre Bravas was forgettable - The Tartare De Atun is a large portion, it looks like a giant uncooked meatball on toast. Not necessarily a bad thing, that's just how it looked. It was very tasty. A little hard to eat due to the size - The Pulpo a la Brasa was also okay, the potatoes are good. I didn't really care too much about the octopus, which is a little sad since I was looking forward to it. I can't tell if I feel that way because the octopus was bad or if the potatoes were so good that it outshined the octopus Ambience: - Funny enough, the single biggest décor statement is the cured ham leg on the counter that they cut thing slices of for a dish they serve - The establishment itself is fairly narrow - There's a lot going on with the kitchen. I think the combination of all the hanging pots, high ceilings, and all the shelves give you a lot to look at Overall: I liked my experience here. I don't know if it was enticing enough for me to return, unless I'm down bad for crudo one day. I didn't dislike any dish; however, there was clearly one dish that stood out from the rest, and the rest were just okay to me. The service is great, the vibes were good. This is a great date spot. Outside of the giant cured ham on the counter, there's wasn't much décor that was memorable. I want to like this place more than I did, it certainly has the makings of a fantastic restaurant. read more

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Insane, you need to come here and tell everyone you know about this place. Best Spanish food I've had bar none and I've been to Spain.

The service here is top notch and so is the food. Even more, the wine pairing with the food is spot on - a real treat if you just ask. I've been here a few times and really loved it. I honestly wasn't sure I'd like it because I didn't know everything on the menu but that was sorta kinda part of the fun. We couldn't pick wrong because everything was so well executed. My honorary sister is kind of addicted to Urdaneta - so after a few visits she had a big party here for the big 5-0. They were able to accommodate our party of 12ish which was impressive given the space is really intimate. I honestly don't think there is one item on the menu that wasn't delicious but she did have a custom bday menu. I'm super excited to celebrate another friend's birthday here shortly. If you want to celebrate life, this is a great pick! read more

Pre-show dinner on a Friday. Cozy little neighborhood joint with fabulous Spanish food. Second time I've been there and the experience and the food were consistently good. We sat inside, but they do have tables on the sidewalk. We mostly had tapas. Everything we tried was great. I especially liked the croquettas de jambon - crispy and filled with a wonderful cheese and ham sauce. The torta Espanola was really good, but not really shareable. Servers were helpful but didn't hover, which I like. They were also knowledgeable about the Spanish wine list. They had also tried pretty much everything on the menu and had their own recommendations. read more

Absolutely loved everything about my experience here! From the friendly and helpful staff, to the food, to the wine, to the ambiance. This is a place for any foodie who also values great service. Tapas style dining, great menu and I need to go back to try everything on it. read more

Urdaneta - Ensalada Tomate - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Enjoyed our visit to Urdaneta for a birthday dinner this last weekend. Had very high expectations given the strong reviews and while the overall experience was good I think there were a few things that didn't quite get them to a 5/5 for us. I will say the service overall was fantastic. The servers were kind and attentive, eager to help answer questions and offer assistance. They also brought out a little wine for us to toast to which was very thoughtful. The atmosphere was nice and cozy. It's not a big place by any means and we wound up being the first table when you enter the restaurant which is not the worst thing but never the preference being say 8 feet from the door. Additionally, the table and chair we were at both were wobbly which is such a minor thing but can definitely distract over the course of a meal. When it came to food, many things were delicious, but some didn't quite hit the mark for us. The presentation was stellar across the board I will say. The two things that I think could have been better were the salad, which had some odd textures and the bread and butter which I may just not have been familiar with but tasted rather stale honestly. Everything else was tasty, but portions are definitely small so come prepared to order a bunch of things if you're sharing. Overall a nice evening but maybe just not a place I'd immediately rush back to. Reservations definitely encouraged. read more

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Last came here five years ago, and we loved it then. So when we knew we'd be driving by Portland, we decided to make a reservation for a return visit. And I gotta say... It seems like they've gotten even better! Urdaneta is a tapas restaurant that focuses on small dishes that are shareable. This is my favorite because I love getting to try a bunch of different dishes as opposed to picking just one or two. Everything we got was absolutely delicious! Love a good slice of bread, and the Pan Con Tomate was flavorful, crispy, and hearty topped high with the best tomatoes. Great start to the meal. The Secreto Iberico is perfectly cooked, juicy, flavorful little steak gems. If you like steak, there is no question if you will like this dish. Their Tarta de Queso is one of the best cheesecakes I've had in a long time. Perfect amount of caramelization with a creamy center. Other notable mentions include the Gilda 2.0, Croquetas de Jamon, and the Jamon Iberico de Bellota. All other winning choices. Wonderful alcohol selections. Their seasonal sangria is bomb - great fruitiness. We also did the sherry flight, and our server was incredible in helping with the pairings. We ordered the flight and our food, and he individually picked the perfect sherries to complement the food. Great job! Service is superb. Everyone was so friendly and fun to talk to. It's one open room and the tables are close together, so it does get a bit loud. Great for a date night, but if you're looking for a more intimate setting, there isn't much privacy. Definitely recommend reservations. The day we came, they were full and only accepting those with reservations. Definitely recommend coming for a fantastic dining experience. read more

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Last came here 5 years ago, and it was one of my first introductions into upscale tapas. I remember ordering the sangria and the basque cheesecake, which were both the best of their kind. Been dreaming about that cheesecake and the Iberico ham as well. Finally got the chance to return a couple months ago when we drove through Portland. Everything was just as delicious as I remembered. The ham was so tender and juicy it melted in your mouth. Loved the Gilda 2.0 - the perfect blend of salty and savory. This time around, I got the sherry flight. The server was knowledgeable about pairing my sherries to my food order. Great dining experience. Recommend reservations. 10/10 would come again. Hopefully sooner than another 5 years. read more

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This was a lovely Spanish tapas meal. We came very late in the evening and they were still so popular that we could only get patio seating. Nonetheless, the patio was well lit, comfortable and clean. Our server was quick to greet us and offer recommendations from the menu. The pulpo was tasty, but a fairly small portion. The pan was delicious but also kind of small for the price. The secreto iberico was our favorite dish of the night. You'll likely want to order several dishes as the portions were definitely on the smaller side. The sangria was very tasty and refreshing. All in all, enjoyed this meal and this place was also recommended to us as a must visit in Portland. I definitely recommend, but get a reservation if you can, they are super popular. read more

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Great server Maddie!!! She helped explain the different Spanish tapas. All were delicious! 6 of us for ladies birthdays in March. Favorites were Oxtail, Shrimp and Octopus!!! We will be back!!! read more

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went here for my birthday dinner, was extremely underwhelmed. tasteless dishes and in the middle of our dinner, protestors appeared outside of the restaurant showing graphic imagery of geese being force fed to protest the foie gras on the menu. staff did nothing but laugh. when we expressed our dissatisfaction with seeing graphic imagery despite nothing being done by staff, they went "aw, sorry about that, here's the check" will not be returning read more

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Any previous non 5's had to have some other ax to grind because the food and service was amazing! The quail paella absolutely rocks, and the croquettes were awesome too read more

Everything was great. I can be particular about Spanish food and am often disappointed, but Urdaneta was great. The lamb dish and dessert were my favorites - don't skip the basque cheesecake! Croquetas and pan de tamate were also quite tasty - good starters! Our server was nice and good with recommendations. Lovely little wine selection. read more

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Such a fun spot for tapas in Portland! The space is small but cozy, with a lively vibe and super friendly staff who know the menu inside out. We tried a bunch of plates -- the croquetas were creamy perfection, the grilled octopus was tender with just the right char, and the Basque cheesecake was worth saving room for. Drinks were on point too, especially the Spanish wines. Only downside: it gets loud and the portions are true tapas-size, so you'll want to order a few extra plates. Overall, delicious food, great service, and perfect for a date night or catching up with friends. Definitely a place I'd come back to! read more

This was the best restaurant experience I've had in Portland. The food was absolutely delicious, but the service was amazing! They were so welcoming, the entire service team attended to us and they all have us great suggestions and were so friendly. I'm now a huge fan and we'll be back again soon. read more

Urdaneta - Some pinxtos. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This dinner took me out. I wish I had documented every delicious bite, but I was too busy enjoying food heaven to snap photos of everything. Highlights: the service (thank you, Maddie! A little Tempranillo goes a long way when the kitchen is slammed/food is coming out at a slow pace); the whole trout (the brining/subtle fermented notes/crispy jamon - gahhh, what a dish); the Matrimonio and mushroom pinxtos; the tahini swirl surrounding the Brussels; the pear tres leches... I could go on and on. Rhapsodic. Cannot wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. My only "dislike" is the closeness of the seating/loudness of the room; it felt like we were hostages to our next-table-neighbors' conversation for a good portion of the evening. This isn't a deterrent against a return trip, but something to keep in mind if you're looking for a quiet meal (this is not the place for it on a Friday night!). read more

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Brace yourself, this is going to be a long post because this was a special meal. True to the nature of tapas, we tried SO many things on their menu and they're all unique and delicious, representing the cuisine in the Basque region. Really opened up our palate and culinary worldview. Open kitchen, cozy space, and lively energy. The ambience at Urdaneta made for a fun dining experience. We started off with some delicious and refreshing house Sangria. We were also given some complimentary marinated olives which were BOMB. And, I'm not even an olive person. These had great a texture and well-balanced flavors. Next came the assortment of pinxtos: Mejillones En Escabeche, Bikini, and Morcilla. These were small biters that were somewhat shareable but we totally wished we just got one each of everything...The Escabache had a crispy paella base topped with slightly brined mussel, playing with the contrast in textures. The Bikini was a twist on the classic ham and cheese sandwich with super crisy toasty and the gooeiest cheese. The saltiness from the jamon serrano paired amazingly with the touch of truffle honey. So good! Last but not least of the pinxtos, the Morcilla was some of the best, if not the best, blood sausage served on a tasty toast. Now we might make this sounds average but it's so tasty we wished they sold the blood sausage in bulk. The primeros were equally impressive. We tried the Pan with whipped olive oil topped with sherry brown butter. Need I say more. Loved the airy texture of the olive oil, didn't know that this is a thing! The Nuestra Ensaladilla Rusa was an albacore paradise with the fish prepared in multiple ways on the dish. It sorta reminds me of tuna salad but with more umami. The thin and crispy waffle potato chips were a great company to the dish. Then there's the Croquetas De Jamon which were the croquetas to beat all corquetas. The outside crispy and thin while the inside was soooo creamy. I don't know how they do it but it's amazing. Hope you're still with us cause we got segundos. The Piquillos Rellenos were wild boar stuffed peppers stewed in a rich yet bright sauce. The gaminess of the board worked surprisingly well. Not to mention it's very tender and juicy. Meanwhile the lamb loin in the Cordero was equally delicious and so preciously presented we didn't want to touch it. But we did and it's great. After all of these delectable dishes, we're satisfied but, you know what they say, go big or go home so we got not one but two desserts and a decaf espresso to round of our food adventure. We got the Arroz con Leche with bruleéd top which to our surprise was served cold but it worked! The rice was very creamy and not too sweet. The crunchy sugar top added a nice contrasting texture and it's fun to break into. The lavender was present but in the most perfect way, not at all overwhelming. The star of the desserts though was the Tarte de Queso or Burnt Basque Cheesecake. So creamy and smooth and the membrillo was so damn good. This was a spendy meal but we couldn't be happier with it. The restaurant and the team put in thoughts and efforts to create such a unique experience. They regularly travel to Spain to refine their menu and techniques so you can be sure to have a great time whenever you go. read more

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The sangrias were sweet & well balanced. Didn't taste too much of a punch/ spice, more wine forward. The paella with quail was absolutely delicious. The quail was tender, juicy, and salty. It was so good!! The rice seemed a bit undercooked some parts were crunchy and some were ok. We got the o grilled octopus and this is the plate to get!!!!! It was creamy and fluffy with the base, Smokey and salty from the octopus, fatty and spicy from the chorizo. My favorite plate. The basque cheesecake was caramelized, creamy, and smooth. Our waitress, Maddie, was helpful and nice. I will definitely be coming again! read more

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Was walking by this place on a glorious summer evening and just had to stop and try to get in. I'd been wanting to come here for such a long time. Host said reservations were booked three weeks out. But there was a table free outside. I'll take it! We had just finished dinner so I knew this would just be a short, strategic, reconnoitering expedition. But that was ok. I just had to seize the day and go for it. Wine? Of course we'll start with wine. Let's make it Orange Wine! Delightful! Crab something? Crab anything - yes! Bring it! OMG - Heirloom tomatoes? Bring it! Steak bites? Gotta have my protein! Desert? I cannot possibly leave without devouring that Cheesecake. And yes, I'll be back. You betcha. I'll be back. read more

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Loved that they had sherry and vermouth flights, I hadn't seen that at a restaurant before. I tried the dry sherry flight, which was fun. Service was excellent, our waitress was delightful. We got the bread, oyster shooters, cauliflower tartlet, Jamon, octopus, and oxtail. They were all delish, with amazing layers of contrasting textures. Finished off with the goxua for dessert. It was a little too sweet, but really nice textures. I enjoyed watching the chefs work in the open kitchen. My only real complaint was that it was chilly inside. read more

10 out of 5. Urdaneta gives a beautiful experience for your palate, your eyes, and your psyche. I always leave here in a better mood. The staff is LOVELY and the food is filling and fantastic. read more

Urdaneta - Tres Leches Torrija (the delicious dessert) and Gintonic de Gresa (strawberry gin and tonic) - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Wow! The food was incredible. I loved the open kitchen ambiance - it added such a warm, engaging energy to the experience. Every dish was beautifully presented, and I tasted flavors I never knew existed. The servers were kind and welcoming, letting us know we could ask anything about the ingredients, which I really appreciated. It's definitely on the pricier side, but absolutely worth it for a special night out. read more

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This restaurant is not just food. It is an experience of food and flavor. Having dinner at Urdaneta was a fantastic. This restaurant was highly recommended and now I know why. I felt like every dish was the best. It seems that every dish has unique flavors that work together. The food came out perfectly timed I was able to enjoy each dish. If you are in Portland you must visit Utdaneta. The service and food were phenomenal. We went off our servers favorites and that consisted of grilled octopus, iberico pork steak, brussels sprouts, and ensaladilla rusa. All were delicious!! read more

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Food at Urdaneta was the highlight. The jamon iberico was my favorite offering of the night. A half serving ($18) nets you 6 paper thin slices of the prized ham. I would pay for it again! Service was great -- we had Nathan. Nathan was very knowledgeable of the menu and the restaurant's history and how they curate the menu. Ambiance was fine -- nothing to write home about, but comfy enough. Urdaneta loses 1 star because an employee (not Nathan) asked me if I wanted some bread to finish off my clam broth. There was an extra charge at the end of the dining experience, and this charge was not disclosed beforehand. It's a small piece of bread, you'd think a restaurant that nets an average of $100 per person could just toss you the bread. read more

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A Polished Take on Spanish Cuisine, But Not Quite a Postcard Urdaneta is the kind of restaurant you book five weeks in advance, dreaming about the meal you'll have, imagining that first bite transporting you straight to Spain--where the jamón ibérico melts like butter, the seafood sings with brine, and the counters are lined with meats and fish unapologetically lounging in pools of olive oil and mayonnaise. The reality? A very good meal, a little too polished to feel like the Spain I know, but delicious nonetheless. Service was spot on--attentive without hovering. The atmosphere was intimate, lively, and a touch cramped, but in a way that felt charming rather than claustrophobic. The meal started strong: an amuse-bouche of ajo & pan soup, simple and warming, followed by well-balanced, creative cocktails. The standouts? The sobrasada--deeply spiced, rich, and spreadable in the best way. The foie gras on banana bread--a decadent, slightly absurd pairing that somehow worked, balancing savory fat with a whisper of sweetness. And the bacalao en salsa verde, which brought just the right amount of briny brightness. But not everything hit the mark. The jamón ibérico--which should have been a guaranteed knockout--was smooth but underwhelming, missing the deep, nutty funk that makes acorn-fed pork legendary. The croquetas, tortilla española, ostra shooter, and rabo de toro (the last one tasty, but questionably priced) were all fine--good, even--but not the transportive bites I'd hoped for. It's not that Urdaneta isn't worth visiting. It absolutely is. Just don't expect rustic, rough-edged Spanish food that feels plucked straight from a bar in Madrid or a seaside taverna in San Sebastián. Expect a well-executed, modernized version--one that caters to Portland's upscale dining scene, with thoughtful plating and a price tag to match. Go for the experience, the excellent service, and some truly standout bites. But if you're chasing the ghost of Spain's oil-slicked counters and paper-thin napkins, you might need to book a flight instead. read more

It was a chance "find" and we are so glad that we found this gem very appropriately after a Flamenco show we watched right across at Alberta Rose Theatre. Not May places offer well balanced and original Small Plates in Portland area nowadays. My wife and I loved the ambiance and were very moved by the spontaneous warm service we experienced here.... You gotta experience it - I am sure you will feel special! read more

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