Where is the Best First Date in Portland, Oregon?
Ok, here is my first review when I had a good experience: I really liked this place. The happy hour apps are nice and the drinks are tasty. The bartender guy (Jason maybe?) is really nice and I really enjoyed everything. I thought the sweet potato fries were perfectly crispy. They were nice and hot and served with a perfect dipping sauce. The “spicy” caesar is really good too. I would definitely go back to this place. It’s not like many places in Portland where the servers ignore you and expect 20%. This place is more “normal” in that regard. Check it out!Ok, now here is another review that I would like to share with you since I went there again and the experience was quite different: I went there with some friends late at night, and even though we ordered food when they were slowing down, it took forever. Also, we could never find our server to get more drinks. When someone came to our table, we tried to order a drink but he said that he doesn’t take drink orders because he’s not a s
I agree with all comments from the previous review.The staff is wonderful, kind and personable.The food is superb. Fresh wrapped is good if it is not fried. All soup is scrumptious. The fried lobster bites are awsome (especially with the sauce)… the list goes on. Eat anything and you will be happy. Drinks are great and made by a bartender who knows their stuff.Big screen that is showing cartoons (or sportscenter) as you are listening to music.I miss the live DJ, but the staff generally has a good choice in music (or Aqua Teen Hunger Force). Not too crowded… and to me, this is the best part. This is an intimate and cozy bar with a non-smoking room in the front, a smoking room in the back (with great wall-art), and a couple tables out front during the dry season. Highly recommended! You must go there and try it out yourself!Pros + food, drinks, intimate atmosphere
I agree that it was crowded on valentine’s day, but isn’t that expected? We thought the staff did a good job adjusting to the high expectations of the fanciful holiday. Valentine’s was not our first time here, it is one of a handful we love (hence my husband taking me there for the occasion) and we thought the food and service met the high standards they have on any other night. We enjoyed the custom menu, something new and different for the holiday. As far as romance, we get that from each other, and didn’t find the other diners distracting, but perhaps the chaos of trying to meet unrealistic standards of tightwad boyfriends who are already bitter for having to take out their ladies, caused some unhappy exchanges. We however were quite pleased, the only reason I score 4 not 5 is I couldn’t have my favorite Panna Cotta, oh well – we will just have to go back I guess.
It’s a new location at the “old Rocket”, on top of a great building on E. Burnside. It’s definitely lost some of the “neighborhood” vibe from the old location and is now a more trendy yet still comfortable wine bar. It is VERY different from the old location. If you liked the cozy, low key environment from the old place, the new busy trendy vibe from the new NR may not be your thing. It seems that it’s no longer a “neighborhood wine bar” but a “downtown wine bar”. There’s still the same staff and same menu, which kept a continuity, but there is definitely some growing pains with the added staff getting used to the new kitchen. I’m excited to experience it in the summer with the view. The wine list is great, the prices are fantastic, the food….could have been better, could have been worse. Our party (5) enjoyed a lot of the menu. Our favorites: The cheese plate (great variety and the most fantastic triple creme that I’ve ever had) and the onion tart (classic and the perfect size). Th
