Comment Archives: Locations: Restaurant/Cafe: 3 Stars
Re: “St. Honoré Boulangerie”
Pretty good overall, but just about everything is baked too long. I would enjoy the breads much more if they weren't so heavily browned and hard-crusted.
Re: “Amalfi's Italian Restaurant”
To me Amalfi's is classic 1950-60 America's interpretation of Italian. Kind of like the old Hi Hat was American interpretation of Chinese. I have not been to Amalfi's in several years but they used to do a decent pizza. Not on a par with Ken's but classic American-Italian pizza. If you like that sort of red sauce only type of Italian, it is a great place, take granny & grandpa or if you want a nostalgic trip to the 50's as far as the food goes, this is the place.
Re: “Milo's City Cafe”
Breakfast was alright. That's the impression I walked away with. I wanted to like it more. The decor was comfortable and inviting. The staff was friendly and warm, and they were right there whenever I wanted more coffee. Unfortunately the food let me down. Not that it was bad, but it wasn't great. I got the scrambled eggs with ham, cheese and scallions, and a waffle. First, the eggs got to my table cool. Not cold, but definitely not hot, and a little too close to room temperature for me. They were still tasty and I ate them all, but I would have enjoyed them more hot. The waffle also tasted decent, but seemed undercooked and soft for a "crisp," thin style waffle.
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. The price was decent and the staff seemed nice. You could do worse.
Re: “Stumptown Coffee 2”
Well, there is a fine line or is that a blurred grey area? No, wait; a dark brown blurred fine line with every cup of coffee depending on who you ask, who brewed it and who drinks it when hot, then when warmed down, then finally after half a day remaining in the cup, take a sip cold. Coffee is an organic substance infused from seed-beans inside a cherry-like husk. It can become what ever you like. I have roasted my own for several years. Stumptown is good in anyone’s humble opinion [if you like coffee on the slightly under-roasted side] but then I also like Peet's. I am not a particular fan of Starbuck’s though as I find it very inconsistent and more so as to who has just brewed it. I only order it as a pour-over there and for years as a French press- and never from their mass brewed urns. I have been buying local roasted coffees in Portland, such as at Kobos Company since the mid 1970's. That was long before many of these newbie transplants were born and have come to replace many of the local roasters. Welcome to transplanted coffee roasters from other states with much different tastes and cultures than the real local Oregonians. Welcome to the new Portland, transplanted with thousands from other places. - Born in the Pearl at Good Samaritan Wilcox Memorial in August 1954.
Re: “Wildwood”
It was good. It was not amazing. Which is what I want for a fancy dinner when I'm shelling out big bucks for it. I don't think you can judge a restaurant 'til you've eaten there more than once, but there are too many amazing restaurants in Portland for me to return to this one in the near future.
Re: “Kenny & Zuke's Delicatessen”
A salt-lick. Remember when flavor didn't involve salt? I still do.
I don't understand Portland's love affair with this place. Average service and average taste.
Re: “Phờ PDX”
Downgrading my previous review. They raised their prices on many items ($.50) [which I am fine with, actually.] but they subsequently lowered the quality and amount of food of said dishes[which I am not ok with given the raising of prices]. I no longer visit. Shame, I easily spent hundreds a year here.
Re: “Corbett Fish House”
I applaud this restaurant's commitment to gluten-free recipes and sustainable practices. The staff was friendly; attentive, but not too intrusive.
However, I cannot agree with their claims of "Portland's best" fish & chips, and certainly not "World's Greatest Fries." The fish (I had cod, admittedly the least expensive option) portion was small, especially for the price, and the flavor was nondescript. The fries were also definitely middle-of-the-road, even for just Portland, let alone the world.
The New England Clam Chowder wasn't bad, but still, not particularly memorable.
Perhaps "Okayest" is a more accurate adjective than "Best" or "Greatest."
Re: “Heart Coffee and Roasting”
would have loved this place if it weren't for the fact that the Barista was unwilling to dail in the esspresso she offered me in the fist place. Listen, don't offer up your services if your not going to do it, or don't want to. Especially considering that they have decent espresso. Maybe she was having an off day. whatever. at least put forth a good effort to try.
Re: “Mickey Finn's Brew Pub”
The wait staff is so-so. Nice, but scattered. I live in the neighborhood and even got to know the people on staff a little from frequenting the place. They take a lot of smoke breaks, get distracted and don't check back with you. You could need some ketchup for a really long time-- or sit with an empty beer for 15 minutes when you or your friend want a second one and it's not because they are busy, as they often aren't. Food's fine, pretty good beer selection.
Re: “Casba Mediterranean Cafe”
Such a cute, simple place. I work across the street and love the lamb gyros with extra tziki sauce, some of the best downtown!
Re: “Del Inti”
Loved the Ceviche, was a bit hesitant to try it but very pleased. Our well informed waiter convinced us to try it for the first time. Great balance of spicy and citrus and the seafood was certainly not frozen. Mains were a bit small but well composed. Loved the take on Peruvian, seems quite strongly bistro influenced.
Re: “La Sirenita”
just ok. better than bonita for their prices, but still too high, and not that good. think javiers on lombard is way better.
Re: “Rock Bottom Brewery”
The asiago cheese dip got me wet. They only serve it fall/winter, but it keeps me coming in. The drink prices are terrible unless your a beer swiller (They make thier own on site and it is pretty good). Some of the bar tenders are snotty so I stick to the dining room but the food and non-bar wait staff always make up for it. Happy hour has awesome selections but even the expensive stuff is worth it. They try really hard to be fancy, being right on the max line makes that hard but also can provide great entertainment while dining. They also have pool tables and big screens for you sporties.
Re: “Clinton Street Pub”
Love it. Just kinda getting overrun with hipsters, like everything. Sad.
Re: “Le Bistro Montage”
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants in town (read- mid-1990's). It still has the atmosphere I like, but the food is just not up to par.
Re: “¿Por Qué No?”
I can tell you por que' no. Downsides: though based on one experience, the tacos are technically done in the traditional mexican style, yet super-watery with sauce and overdone in cilantro. The tamales with eggs were nice and I liked the touch of it served on a banana leaf, but wasn't worth the money in my opinion. One of the margaritas we ordered was relatively stiff, making up for the other that was juice. We spent $38 on two lunches, two margaritas, and chips. Upsides: (1) their homemade chips were delicious, (2) we took a gamble on reviews that seating was difficult, and though crowded, their turnover was pretty quick (3) they have walls full of latin chotchkes and bright colors to help the atmosphere.
RSSGoing to Seattle?
Re: “Pambiche”
Why the hell is this categorized as Mexican/Latin? This is CUBAN food ya'll...and Latin is a dead language. Ignorant. If you want some overpriced criollo food and soak up some ignorant-ass honkie hipster vibes, this is your place. The little lady out at La Pulga makes better sandwiches anyway. Shit.