"This would be a one star... but the two stars is for the folks at Clarklewis who tried to help us and spent time trying things to accommodate us but this was a truly horrible time for me and a friend who had never been here before. At least, in the end, her food was good. Over the last year I have been attending a lot of events with a friend new to Portland and she is a vegan. I saw a few things about Veganuary where a few spots in Portland were offering vegan items where their menu might not normally have these options. I would never normally take a vegan here and was so delighted that they had a prix menu 3 course meal offered for a great price. It sounded delicious. I made a reservation through Yelp. I am not a vegan but I love food and I do cook quite a few plant based options myself and I eat a lot of plant based food. The difference is that I am not restricted. We went to our event and were early for our reservation. The restaurant seems a bit darker since my last visit - I appreciate low lighting but this is very near pitch.We were given menus and that was when the awkwardness started. The waiter said he was being shadowed by another person and it was her first day. Totally fine...the weird was that the new person seemed way more to know things than the waiter did who immediately seemed to not be paying attention to us at all. My friend asked if they had a separate menu for the vegan options they had for January. He seemed confused and say yes but said he needed to go ask. He eventually came back, was extremely dismissive saying that was no longer available, started mumbling something and we were confused trying to explain that was GENUINELY the reason we were there. VERY long story short and after a lot of back and forth where he would leave, go somewhere and come back basically telling my friend a bunch of vegetables...we were not understanding because he was just saying they would make 'something'... so we just get charged something for something? Finally his, manager? came over saying similar but it was well, we make pasta but that has egg so we can give you the dried gluten free, add veggies... I honestly checked out just figuring I would order off the regular menu since a Caesar salad sounded good but the entrees... nothing was really jumping out so I just went with the chicken. I was delighted with my glass of Malbec which was great since I was mortified I had talked up this restaurant to my friend. We were told by multiple people that the executive chef took time off and apparently is the only person who could cook the vegan menu. Questions about other items were similar - there was a lot of talk about things being pre made which I found just weird since it was like the whole regular menu was almost described like a TV dinner yet the vegan 3 course was this complex thing that only the executive chef could make. All i know is that there were two things I found delicious - the Malbec and my Caesar which I am glad was filling. My friend ordered a drink described by the staff and the menu a sweet. She was confused and had me taste it... I sent it back for her because it literally tasted like vinegar. She was embarrassed thinking that they would feel like she was just nonstop complaints which is when I sent the drink back. The waiter took it and stormed off while the person ho just started was so kind, coming back saying the bartender wanted to try to make her a drink - he did and she loved it. Luckily she also very much enjoyed her whole meal. I did not want to spoil anything for her and I expected the waiter to make a comment at the fact that I barely touched my entrée. When you are planning to assault a dish with that much fennel, I would expect a heads up or I would not have bothered. I then thought I would correct it and was happy to order a simple orange sorbet. It was served as a soup, it was so melted. The tiny amount that was not melted had a very stringy and awkward texture. It has been a really long time since I have been given this bad of a meal. When I got the sorbet I seriously was laughing wondering if that was a joke. We were just exhausted seriously - my poor friend was having a anxiety attack an I was just glad that her meal was good since I am the one who has all the options normally... well, I will chose another option in the future to not come here. The true perfect ending was that I had parked near the door as I am ADA. Some lovely human in a white Tesla parked crooked over the line blocking my door to get in. The best part was that the spot next to them on their drivers side was empty!"
Matsutake, Oyster & Beech Mushrooms, Butternut Squash, Truffle Butter (can be vegan).
$23.00
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Our top seller. Feeds two. Breast, leg, wing, and two dipping sauces.
$19.00
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Voted best breakfast sandwich by Eater Portland, indulge in the ultimate breakfast experience with Eggs Ray Spex. This delectable sandwich features a house-made sausage patty, a perfectly fried egg, melted cheddar cheese, and a tangy sriracha aioli, all nestled between two slices of fluffy bolo bread. With a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, this sandwich is a true breakfast delight.
$12.00
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served with english muffin, poached eggs*, hollandaise*, laser potatoes; sweetheart ham or seasonal vegetable
$17.00
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"It's been a while since I visited this place. I liked that they have a great outdoor seating area that's covered. I had the French Dip and a side of fries. I enjoyed the beef from the sandwich, and the dip made the meat better. The fries were off good size to share with another person. Overall, it was a good place to go to, and i would go back for happy hour."
"5/5 would recommend. This place exceeded my expectations. Delicious Detroit style pizza, hefty portions, and perfect for sharing! Great price ($9.50 - price will vary depending on pizza type). Although I felt like their flavor options were verylimited. I ended up ordering the 2 quarter size Number Four (sausage, ricotta, chilies). The pizza was a soft focaccia like bread. Lots of toppings. Super cheesy and paired with the free house made ranch was absolutely delicious. I even had leftovers! Service was speedy quick! Staff were helpful and nice. Ambiance was inviting. I would def come back!"
"I'm a fan of Wonderly (and Crewel Summer next door) and now Bang Bang. The Spicy Pineapple Margarita was refreshingly delicious. We enjoyed the ample portion Crunchy Salad, but the Beef Short Rib Skewer was a tad small. Our favorite was the Spicy Buffalo Nuggets, I suggest complimenting them with the homemade Sriracha-based hot sauce found on every table. Lastly, the Rice Pudding was creative and kind of grew on me after each bite.Prices are fair, but I'M NOT a fan of the entitled automatic tipping model (for healthcare or cost of living too.) I hope this ridiculous trend - that's only found so far in inner Portland - dies quickly or the concept of tipping is redefined.That said, service was very friendly and attentive, I would have easily given 20% anyway. The space cozy and lovely. A great fixture in the neighborhood."
"Highly recommend this place and reservations. Best Italian restaurant I have been to! Had 3 out of town folks wanting something local and it did not disappoint. Be ready for longer wait times in general but the staff communicates it upfront but makes up with hospitality! I recommend inside as the local heathans are in full effect due to lack of local government support."
"I came here because I was craving Vietnamese food and getting kind of tired of only eating on the east side of the Willamette, so I decided to check this spot out! It's a cozy spot, with more seating than it looks and a nice, quiet environment. Decor is nice and they also have a bar, unlike a lot of other Viet spots!I was pretty surprised by how extensive their menu was--there was a lot of options you typically don't see and some unique ones, I've never heard of as a Viet (such as spider roll and lobster pho). I got the hu tieu kho and my boyfriend got the pho; the food didn't take that long to come out. The food was so healing, definitely comfort food, and so so much better than I thought. Although it's probably not the best I've had in Portland, it is definitely on the better side and from their diverse menu, this place will become a favorite as I try more items from them!"
Jen C.
Aug 23, 2024
A friend and I had a reservation, but it wasn't necessary. There was a ton of seating available for an early dinner. Parking can be a bit of a pickle, so give yourself time, but no worse than your average downtown Portland parking difficulties with no dedicated lot/garage.Our server was an absolute doll. He gave us great recommendations and discussed allergy concerns very respectfully. Our drinks were well made; I enjoyed a classic, and my friend tried one of the custom cocktails; both were excellent. I appreciated that the menu was creative and took some risks. If you like to explore flavors, this is a great place to go. The menu changes seasonally, so I'm looking forward to returning in the fall. Portions are very small but beautifully plated. We didn't give ourselves long enough to enjoy dessert as we had to get to our next destination, but I can't wait to go back for a long, leisurely dinner and try the wine menu.
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Jason V.
Jul 26, 2023
Or visit to Café Nell was fortuitous, as the nearby restaurant we'd planned on checking out was unceremoniously closed during their posted operating hours (both online and terrestrial), for some unknown reason. We looked for something similar in the neighborhood, and this classy little bistro jumped out at us, having both an intriguing brunch menu and an adorable aesthetic.Upon arrival, and lacking a reservation, we were informed that the only available tables were inside (awesome!), and were seated immediately. Pleasantly surprised to see a variant of one of my favorite cocktails (the Rusty Nail) on the drink menu, I ordered the Kentucky Nail to go with my chicken paillard, while my wife ordered the French 75, a sort of sparkling lemon gimlet, along with the shrimp and grits; I'm still flabbergasted that she didn't order the Dungeness crab mac & cheese!In both cases, the entrées were incredible; the shrimp and grits, an elevated home-cookin' comfort classic, hit all the right notes. Meanwhile, the chicken paillard was a complex amalgam of savory, sweet and sour, unified by the acerbic mustard vinaigrette dressing drizzled over both greens and fowl, it's only weakness being there wasn't enough of it. This would be my only complaint about our dining experience here: without the presence of an included side dish, this otherwise exemplary dish seemed a little exorbitantly priced for the size of the portion, yet not enough to be a detraction. Still, those with larger appetites should plan, and order, accordingly.As gorgeous as the covered outdoor seating is, especially as it was on the warm Sunday morning in which we visited, the interior décor is no slouch, with its upscale-diner-meets-Parisian-boutique vibe. It's cute, cozy, and intimate, particularly after sunset, when the lighting manifests a moodier, duskier, more sultry ambiance. Perfect for a date night!Portioning and pricing taken into consideration, a meal at Café Nell is still a worthwhile experience. They do things differently enough to stand out among their competitors, offering some truly incredible dishes, uncommonly great (and uncommonly encountered) cocktails, and stellar service, all packaged together in a charming little corner space that wouldn't seem out of place in any of the 20 Parisian arrondissements...which is saying something, because this is ostensibly an American café. When you can stand toe-to-toe with the culinary colossus that is French cuisine and culture, you're doing something VERY right.
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Andrew A.
Jun 16, 2023
What happened to one of my favorite pizza spots in Portland?- no more cocktails, they used to make a wonderful Boulevardier that complemented pizza oh so well.- no more bottles of Calabrian chili oil. This set them apart from the pack.- no cashGood service and pizza was still delicious, but was served lukewarm.
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Bob S.
Dec 3, 2022
Amazing neighborhood spot on NE Fremont. The Spousal Unit and I stopped in for dinner. Happy hour was still on so we quickly ordered drinks (wine/cava) and food. They were out of their well-known cauliflower dish so we ordered Brussel sprouts, a chicken skewer, buffalo-chicken nuggets, french fries and a side of green curry sauce. Bang bang! Sounds like a nice light dinner, eh? All amazingly deeleeshous! Next time I'll order a beef rib skewer as well. Yup! That'll do it. Friendly service, nice ambiance. Check it out.Note! They add 20% gratuity for indoor dining.
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Jody J.
May 13, 2024
First I would like to let you know that there is a time limit on the tables. There was nothing on the menu, website or from the wait staff that told us that. Once we paid our check one waitress said stay as long as you like followed by another waitress telling us we needed to leave because they had another reservation for the table. The location is great. The table/chairs not so comfortable. We had a reservation. Somehow we ended up with two waitresses and were asked the same questions twice... Very odd. We both had the traditional Bolognese... The noodles were good but the sauce mediocre. The tiramisu was delicious. Unfortunately we won't be back. The whole ambience and situation pretty much ruined our evening.
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Ben C.
Mar 12, 2023
Sort of nice but sort of a lot of design ideas started, then stopped, then not maintained. Relaxed vibe belowstreet level seating with Vietnamese coffee house acoustic music in the background ~ nice.Food is good just not proportioned to the bill which is ~ too pricey. Come here if you are calorie restricting yourself and you need someone to control the small portions for you.Staff is almost non existent before the meals are served and no where to be seen when you are waiting to pay. Could not get a single water refill.
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"Took way way too long to try this spot but so glad we finally did!!! Don't believe the hype....!!! This spot exceeds all expectations and probably one of my top 5 chicken spots here in Oregon!! Clean perfect portioned, sized and prepared with a healthy amount of seasoning finished off on there open wood fire grill!! Served with an out standing variety of great sauces to choose from but seriously not even necessary but great options!! All sides sounded great but we went with the Cornbread....Highly recommended and definitely ask for extra butter!! Grill cabbage was ridunkulously good! Grilled prawns were good but sauce was highlight of dish for me? Pleasantly surprised how many none chicken items on menu but most definitely recommend the pork chop!!! Perfect cook inside and great char on outside!! Grilled Radicchio was a perfect matched side and really made the plating look amazing!! Only my first time so definitely will be back to try everything we missed and highly recommend y'all to try too!! Pease go check this spot out and support a local chef and owner who really pours his passion and love into his food!! Ambiance, vibes staff are all great too!! Nice selection of cocktails and wine!!!"
"Superior dining experience thanks to our delightful and attentive server Benji. Really felt like he went above and beyond for us.Recommend the ravioli, bruschetta, and the cacio e pepe pasta is delicious with prawns added. Ambience is nice and waters were always filled. Best service in West Linn. Highly recommend."
"The lemon chicken here may be the best thing I've ever tasted. Seriously. The tofu veggie wraps with peanut butter sauce also have a special spot in my heart. If this review were based on food alone, it'd easily be five stars. Unfortunately, the restaurant is dark and uninviting. I wish it looked a little tidier and more put together inside. This business is situated on the adorable Willamette Drive strip in West Linn. This area is so posh and from the outside, Thai Lemon appears to fit in, but upon entering it looks like you're stepping into another, slightly less appealing, world. That being said, the outdoor seating is 10/10 when the weather allows for it. The staff here is always kind and friendly, but not supper attentive. I've eaten here a handful of times and while I can appreciate not being incessantly pestered while I'm eating, I do wish they'd maybe do a walk through every now and then. I find myself almost always going up to the host stand to ask for a to go box and my bill. That being said, I know what to expect here so I don't mind choosing a seat outside and expecting to flag someone down when I'm finished. The food is worth it and the people are kind."
"Wait, now either this or that? What does one get at such a charming and leisurely cafe? Either/Or was the destination of choice to meet up with a few of my friends in Portland. The cafe was the ideal space for us to catch up, sip on our beverages, and sit in during the rain.Lots of cafes are serving a mixture of caffeinated beverages and alcoholic drinks--Either/Or is one of them. The ambiance is free and easy, making it a great place to work, gather, or drink and chill. We met up in the late morning and there were some seats available. They have combined booths and tables for solo or small groups to sit at. The ordering process was typical of a cafe--browse the menu, order, and pick up your drink. Our drinks came out efficiently and warm which was appreciated.The menu is decent with an easy-to-read menu. They serve coffee, tea, seasonal drinks, various libations, and small baked goods. I was torn between a few drinks but ultimately chose their Lavender Fog Latte with Soy Milk. The drink was light on the lavender, warm and soothing, and beautiful with the blue! My friend called it a Smurf latte. My companion got a Drip while my friends got various lattes. Everyone enjoyed their drink and seemed like the customers inside also enjoyed theirs!As a visitor, I'm unfamiliar with the coffee shop scene in Portland but we were all happy campers at Either/Or! This is a casual neighborhood spot perfect to drop in or comfortably work at. We all enjoyed our coffee and tea drinks and brisk service. Find them off N Williams Ave with street parking."
"You need to come here. I am a club member at another urban winery in Oregon and I've been to a lot of wineries in Oregon. The wine here is outstanding. Come for the charcuterie vending machine and stay for the amazing wine. I was impressed by all of the pinot noirs, the skin contact pinot gris, and the cab sauv. Every wine tasted beautifully."
"Bellissima beautiful ~ equally enjoyable indoor or outdoor. Pup friendly on the patio.Service ~ consistent. Not so personal, just proper.Our own Italy here ~ freshest quality ingredients means $$$$ but chewy pasta textures and extensive wine selection is top notch.Only good memories here."
"Came for lunch and for my first meal in Portland, it really set the bar high! Service was exceptional and had a yummy cocktail to start with.I love sandwiches and The Randy really called to me because I'd never seen a sandwich with ham, apples, blue cheese, hazelnuts, frisee, shallots and aoili. It was hands down the best sandwich I've ever had! Everything was so fresh, the sweetheart ham was savory, and the touch of hazelnuts was crunchy and fabulous. We also ended with the chocolate torte and it was divine.Would definitely be back especially for the sandwich!"
"Atmosphere: Sophisticated, upscale without being dressy.Food: Loved the ceviche, which was probably the highlight. Salad was a big miss. The Lomo Salgado was a good portion size and overall pretty good, but the meat was a bit overcooked and frankly, I've had equally delicious Lomo Saltado from food carts. The Pollo a La Parilla was pretty good, but not cheap for chicken.Price: Prices are high for what it is. Granted, it's an upscale restaurant that is popular so no surprise but expect to pay more for the name and experience than for the best Peruvian food in the area.Service: Service was good. We changed our reservation multiple times and they were always very accommodating.Parking: Street parking."