Ox

Food, atmosphere, service. All top tier. I may have last been there for a sad reason but the meal was anything but.

This was an amazing experience, already wanting to go back and get the clam chowder. Trust me, you want the clam chowder. Staff was so friendly and able to help us out on a last minute walk in (not guaranteed, we just got lucky and recommend a reservation). Any food you choose here, you'll love. Side note - I went for a N/A cocktail and lemme say, I had to get it twice. Good choices overall!

Standouts for us were the clam chowder with bone marrow and fresh clams, and the Hazelnut Tort dessert. Had the short ribs and Ribeye. Both were good. We were warned that short ribs may be on the chewy side and are not fall-off-the-bone tender. We thought they were tender enough, but found out it's because the ribs tend to sit high above the fire oven and get more tender later in the night (as opposed to an earlier dinner). At first glance, prices seem high but we quickly learn that each dish is meant to be shared. For 3 people, we got by with 2 meat entrees and 2 sides (plus appy and soup). Drinks were outstanding. Entire staff was friendly, helpful and attentive.

It's been a lot of years since we scored an early reservation. The area is a dive with homeless right outside asking for things. They do have their own parking lot, a GOOD thing.Menu looked so tasty and coming as a couple it limits what you can sample. We had off menu Halibut shoulder was excellent.Maitake was delicate and delicious topped. Dungeness Bruschetta and Braised Trips and octopus, they all tasty as was the chocolate cake.One thing all the dishes ( not to cake ) was a bit too much salty, Argentina thing ? Did take all the dishes from perfection, but I'd come back if I scored a reservation.

It's been a little bit over a decade of excellence for Ox, which has ascended into one of Portland's top dining destinations. In addition to numerous local accolades that include The Oregonian's Restaurant of the Year, husband and wife chef duo Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quiñonez are also winners of the prestigious James Beard award, which has cemented Ox into legendary status while catapulting their name onto the national stage.For Portland standards, they are a perpetual date night and special occasion dining destination. Their contemporary and minimalist decor makes for an ideal ambiance and the open kitchen with all the intoxicating aromas of their Argentine inspired grilled meats make it a sensory pleasure from the start. While the main draw is their meats, the rest of the menu skews into a more eclectic European feel, presented largely in tapas form. So many things stand out that it's hard to narrow down anything completely. So I'll break down the various items that I have enjoyed:Asado Argentino for 2 ($125): This is the stuff meat dreams were made of. This plate includes a protein packed collection of house chorizo and morcilla sausages, grilled short rib, skirt steak, sweetbreads, fried potatoes, and a salad. This dish was 100% my highlight and I would have happily ordered this for myself.Beef Ribeye Steak ($70): Order it medium rare to rare, and it's pink to the touch and perfection on a plate. The fat-to-meat marbling is sensational and the quality of the meat is evident with every bite. The only cruel part? It's only 16 oz.Cowboy Ribeye Steak ($170): As the priciest meat cut in the house, it's also the juiciest and most impressive of all the steaks. The 42oz of meat is bone-in, and takes a minimum of 45 minutes to prepare. I would say this is a steak that's a bit more shareable and in terms of taste, just simply outstanding.Fresh Clam Chowder w/Smoked Bone Marrow ($23): It feels like a bit of a gimmick with the bone marrow and all, but the clam chowder is dynamite. The bone marrow, if generous, is also a nice palate pleaser with its rich and indulgent texture and the jalapeño gives the soup a nice added kick.Maple Glazed Heirloom Carrots ($16): One of the most impressive things about Ox is their selection of vegan / vegetable dishes and my favorite is far and away this simple side of carrots. It's sweet, it's addicting, and it's downright beautiful. Order all the meat, but don't forget this dish.I can't sing the praises of the staff enough. They're professional, super knowledgeable about the history of the establishment and the makeup of the food. When plotting my dining options for Portland feasting, Ox will always be on the list of places to consider.My photos: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ox-portland?userid=ysCBsXWPB-LAiewVS3jZfQ

Probably the best steak I've ever had - and it was a surprise to me that it was skirt steak. We came to Ox on multiple recommendations for a quick trip to Portland, and it was unforgettable. The staff was so attentive and warm, service was excellent. We ordered the dungeness crab bruschetta, clam chowder with smoked bone marrow, skirt steak, ribeye, sautéed mushrooms and spinach and fried green beans and cauliflower. Everything was so flavorful and perfectly seasoned. We almost didn't get the chowder because it was a hot summer day, but we would've regretted it if we didn't-it was so good. The only note is that the outdoor tables did have ants, which got a bit pesky. But needless to say, we'll be back on our next visit to Portland.

Definitely a top restaurant in Portland. Regular patron here. Never been disappointed. Their "compliments of the chef" soups are phenomenal, and a perfect way to pique your taste buds before enjoying your entree.

Finally made it to Ox and it was everything that I'd heard it to be!I enjoyed a nice spot at the kitchen counter, overlooking the wood-fired grill. I could feel the heat from that fire! They have a cozy indoor space and large outdoor patio. And a private parking lot :)I had the Heirloom Tomato salad, Maple-glazed carrots, and Filet Mignon. Everything was truly amazing, delightful, and perfectly prepared. While there's so much attention and excitement about the beef, they didn't neglect the sides. They were just as creatively designed and prepared and fresh!Service was also amazing. The servers all pitch in as the need and opportunity arises so I had four people taking care of me!Such a spectacular place! I'm looking forward to returning.

Place was great. Service was excellent. Food was on point. Best meal of the trip. Great bar as well.

What a fantastic experience! End to end delicious meal, wonderful service, and a nice cozy vibe that feels both relaxed and elevated at the same time. I'm glad I checked the yelp reviews before going because the raved about items lived up to the hype -- namely, the clam chowder, ribeye, and tres leche cake were all phenomenal. We also got the beef empanada, tomato burrata salad, shrimp, and chocolate olive oil cake, and a bottle of wine which were all excellent.This was our anniversary dinner and it will be a tough one to top. The service was exemplary -- extremely attentive but not smothering. I highly recommend.