Grolla Restaurant & Wine Bar

When this place opened up in 02 I was amazed, sleepy little spot I took a date to. She was a neighborhood local and saw that it had just opened. We got the Chef's table and we got our socks knocked off by the amazing service and food pairings. I will miss this place and if I ever open a spot it will be patterned much off how this was when it was new. more

I was recommending the restaurant to a friend and it has closed. Too bad. It was a really nice place. Pros: Great food, people and atmosphere Cons: Not there any more more

Went to Grolla?s 2 years ago and it was wonderful. I was very disappointed this time. Took family there after bragging about it. We did the Chef?s Taster. Portions were small and left hungry (and I am a woman). The salads were good and the blue cheese tomato soup was fantastic. Everything was off the main menu though with no surprises. We had a risotto ball (don?t now how to describe it) that prior to tasting we asked what it was. A waiter had no clue what it was. Then looked at it again and made up something. When we tasted it we figure it out and it was not what he said at all. It was very, very good though. Clearly there is no one w/ experience with wine anymore. The wine was not paired w/ the food. Two of them I recognized from the grocery store in the ?cheap? section on the shelf. Yuck! Our main waitress was overwhelmed and needed help (more than the waiter that came from the back). She was very nice though. Awkward moments for her and us came with each course due to making us decide which plate we wanted (though we shared everything). We didn?t know what some items were so it was hard to pick and it made it uncomfortable. The setting was nice, but the main seating area too loud to have a conversation (if you want romance, sit it the back by the kitchen?really). I will only try again if the reviews show improvement! more

I took my son here for his b-day. The atmosphere is gorgeous, warm and inviting. Our servers were attentive and polite but not terribly helpful with recommendations, they seem to be inexperienced with food and wine. We ordered the chef's taster menu which was good but was simply the same things on the menu, there was nothing prepared to match our special preferences. We each received a different item for each course so we sampled each other's plates, so that was nice but there was nothing offered in the chef's menu which wasn't offered on the regular menu. We opted for the accompanying wine samplings and they consistently missed the mark with those. I don't think that anyone in the restaurant actually has any experience with wine and food pairings. We asked for different wine choices with some of the courses and they gave us some small samples to try and we made suggestions along the way which I hope they will use. The food is good, the chef tries to use vegetables grown in their garden which is nice. There is an heirloom tomato salad with olive oil ice cream that is out of this world good. The onion garlic soup is yummy and the sturgeon was also good. The desserts were tasty but uninspired. I think if I return I will order off the menu rather than going with the chef's taster and choose my own wine selections.\r more

Maybe the chef had an off night? Four of us opted for the chef's choice option with wine pairings. After telling the waiter our food allergies/dislikes and being told sharing was encouraged, we were expecting a tailored meal for each person that could be tasted by all. Instead we received course after course containing items we had expressed a dislike for. Were they trying to prove a point? Did the chef think we had given him too many limitations or that our palates were unrefined? Maybe, but then a brief explanation to that effect would have been respectful of customers spending nearly $100/person for dinner. When a table says they are not ""meat adventurous"" and one member is nearly vegetarian, a rabbit and venison sausage course seems like a bad idea. We eat out between 3 and 5 nights a week, and I don't get the hype over Grolla. Pros: Nice atmosphere Cons: Food more

Very disappointed. I've wanted to try this place for years. Sorry to say I won't be trying it again. We went with friends and opted for the 5 course Chef's Taster with the paired wine. The evening began with the waiter asking about dislikes or allergies. He told us the chef sometimes likes to take people on culinary journeys of discovery. To open their eyes to ingredients they only thought they disliked. We should of made him clarify that. They prepared and brought us dishes that specifically incorporated things we told them we DIDN'T like. Lucky us! One small problem - I said I gag on beets because I gag on them. Perhaps the chef could cook something else? Something I might actually enjoy? I was excited to be surprised. With whatever he'd dream up. My only caveat - please steer clear of a couple of things I strongly dislike. Nope. Instead, we paid $90 per person (including tip) to be told ""You're wrong. Your palate is unrefined."" We were so shocked that it took us until the 4th course to say ""Wait a minute, I specifically said I can't eat that."" The waiter responded by switching out the plate with someone else's at the table. Seriously. This is a specially prepared meal crafted around your personal like and dislikes?! But it's magically interchangeable with the meal across the table?! Unbelievable. And the wine pairings? A joke. Everyone at the table shared the same wine with each course, regardless of whether we were served vegetarian risotto, scallops, steak, or venison. The waiter asked us before each course ""What do you feel like now? Time for red?"" Seriously? We're paying extra for this? There was no consideration or thought or explanation given to pairing anything with anything for any reason whatsoever. There are a lot of wonderful places to dine in Portland. With great food and knowledgeable and courteous staff. And sadly we could of enjoyed a couple of those places for the time and money we wasted at Grolla. Pros: Not crowded Cons: Pretty much everything else more

Gluten-free at its very best! We opted for the milk-braised pork and pan-seared scallops... both of which melted in our mouths... Wow!! With just enough room to share a desert, we choose the flourless chocolate cake... can you believe it, flourless?!? The wine was exceptional and paired per Chef's recommendation. Our server was very attentive, answered all of questions and was a joy to have waited on us. We will back very soon for the Chef's Taster, can't wait! Thanks Grolla!!\r \r Also, a friend of mine just turned me on to Restaurant's website; they sell certificates for Grolla, along with a lot of other good restaurants. I checked it out and for $10 you can purchase a $25 gift certificate!! Pros: Ambience. Food/Wine. Service more

The atmosphere is wonderful, the wait staff is attentive and personable without being pushy or intrusive, the food is everything you could hope for, and Chris (the chef/owner) is charming. We love doing the pre-fix menu, and leaving the choices up to the chef. The fact that each diner gets a different dish for each course makes it especially enjoyable, and allows you to share and swap. I have no reason to go to the Pearl when we have restaurants like Grolla on our side of the river! Pros: It's small and intimate; great service; great food; wonderful wine selections more

Hubby and I travel a lot and when we know we’re going to a specific place, I search out wonderful reviews from like-minded people who love to eat. Grolla's sounded perfect. On 9/12 we met friends to share what we thought was going to be a great dining expeience.\r \r The service was unbearably slow. When we first sat down, Josh came over to us and took our orders for appetizers. 30 minutes later, appetizers were served. There was only one other table dining at that time.\r \r Then Josh forgot about us. We kept trying to catch his eye, but he was engrossed in a conversation with a couple sitting at the bar. He finally remembered us and asked for our dinner orders. Every question we asked about what was on the menu was given the answer that he didn’t know. He didn’t even offer to find out.\r \r I truly wanted to order the Tasting Menu, but he said that I couldn’t unless everybody else did also. Nowhere on Grolla’s website or on the menu does it say this. I was so disappointed.\r \r When we finally got our entrees, we thought we were going to faint from hunger. Our server didn’t even offer any extra bread, or anything to keep us going. The entrees did not have the ingredients described on the menu.\r \r We finished our entrees and wanted to try the goat cheese cheesecake for dessert. Josh was still caught up in his bar conversation and one of us finally interrupted him to ask dessert. We placed two orders of the cheesecake thinking we would share them between the four of us. Imagine our surprise when each $8.00 slice of cake was big enough for two bites. And imagine our friend’s dismay when we were charged $7.00 for each bottle of water.\r \r On their website it says: “When you walk through our door, you will be treated as an honored guest of our family. We offer the hospitality of the old world where dinner is a joyous, social occasion which brings friends and family together.”\r \r We certainly did not have this experience. Pros: Website looks good. Cons: We didn't get what was on the menu. The service was abominable. more

I've eaten here several times and it never disappoints. Great wine selection too. The owner is a very genuine, engaging person who strives to make your dinner great. more

The other three members of my group raved about the food (lamb & duck) and ambience at Grolla. I on the other hand was very disappointed. The portions were very small. I had the wild game sausage plate which was advertised as being served with mango salsa, slaw, and potato salad. Sounded good to me but the sausage was two small links of a tasteless meat, the salsa was just a yellow smear on the plate, the potato salad was four small chunks of boiled potato, and the slaw was not like any other slaw I have ever eaten. The deserts were small as well.\r \r The service was just OK and it was a bit expensive.\r more

Good food is hard to come by...even at places you have to know Donald Trump or Lindsey Lohan to get into. Anyone can throw cream, butter and a truffle into anything and make it ""tasty."" But, unique kitchen artistry cannot be obtained at cordon bleu or by apprenticing for a food network chef. It only comes with loving devotion to the taste, smell & texture of each ingredient.\r \r So, let's talk: GROLLA'S happy hour from 5-6:30.\r \r For $4:\r ""Charred Roma Tomatoes marinated in a roasted garlic and sweet red wine vinegar are stuffed with pine nuts, capers and red onions then served on mixed greens with a charred tomato vinaigrette.""\r One medium tomato stuffed with all the things mentioned above, plus a roasted garlic clove or two, also a tiny drizzle of olive oil and a few sprigs of rosemary. It was as if each ingredient had been prepared on its own, then stuffed into the tomato before it was lightly charred (a great, tasty sear). The multitude of flavors and textures was a delight. I was in shock. More?\r yes!\r \r Next...$4 Polenta Cakes:\r ""Fried gorgonzola stuffed polenta cakes with dried apricot-almond preserve.""\r Delicious. Perfect balance of flavors and textures - sweet and sharp & crunchy and smooth. Not heavy at all. So many different flavors complementing each other on one plate. yowza!\r \r Then I had a dessert pear that had some sort of iced wine grape soak and a scattering of walnut pieces with a not-too-sweet brown sauce - yum!\r \r I left with a $27 tab (incl 2 glasses of wine) and this was BY FAR the best food I have had in Portland after a year of trying the supposed best restaurants. I left feeling I had eaten the most delicious while nutritious and creatively prepared food I have had in a long time.\r \r Oh, and hey-all the ingredients are from their personal farm or local growers. And the restaurant is gluten free-so the chef seeks out alternative flours, which seems to work out quite favorably. \r wow! Pros: food! service, wine Cons: regular menu a bit expensive, but worth it more

We had a group of 8 a few nights ago at Grolla and had an absolutely wonderful evening. We did the 5 course tasting menu and given the size of our group, got to taste pretty much everything on the menu. The food was wonderful (organic, local and delicious) and the pace of the service was ""European"" and very appropriate for a five course meal. Rushing through a meal like this would be silly so don't come if you are in a hurry! The atmosphere of this restaurant in the summer is lovely. The many french doors are thrown open to sidewalk tables so no matter where you are sitting, you can take advantage of the warm summer air. The neighborhood is eccletic and a nice change of pace from the standard downtown, Pearl District scene. And we were so surprised to find out that the menu is gluten free. I could tell that my gourmet parents were nervous when this was mentioned by our waiter, but I promise that you will not have the slightest idea that the meal you are served is gluten free. For those of you with gluten intolerance you will rejoice and for those of you who can eat anything, prepare yourselves for a great meal! Pros: high quality, seasonal ingredients, atmosphere Cons: interesting wines but not always fabulous wines more

I ate at Grolla last night and found it disappointing. \r \r What was good: interior design, ambiance, pollenta appetizer, pan seared scallops entre, wine, interesting neighborhood\r \r What was not good: tuna with tapenade & mashed potatoes entree was confused, desserts were very disappointing, our waiter seemed to have a very hard time keeping up with just three tables and was not very knowledgeable, no music, only one vegetarian entree on menu\r \r For the cost I do not coonsider it a good value and do not plan to go back although overall it was fine/okay. more

We picked the restaurant since the menu reflected a good use of local ingredients in mediterranean classics. When we arrived as a group of seven we were immediately attracted to the chef's tasting menu since we were all food junkies. The service was good (perhaps a little slow had it not been for great dinner conversation). Each course was even better than the last with the chef coming out to hear our comments and designing his next selection based on our feedback. The wine pairings were not always excellent but always interesting - providing more stimulus for discussion. Having eaten at top end restaurants worldwide like Charlie Trotter's, etc. I would have to say this small quaint little bistro can hold a candle to any of them. The chef seemed to adapt quickly to our tastes and preferences but still showed the full range of his talents and the local ingredients. This is definitely a can't miss on any Portland trip. Pros: great food Cons: a little off the beaten track more

Christopher and Angela Lachmann have it nailed. We were treated to a most engaging menue, ranging from a delectable smoke-infused tomato/gorgonzola soup, shrimp ceviche, seafood scallops and venison. . . all so amazingly tantalizing that flavors seemed to literally dance across our tastebuds; each creating another undeniably delightful nuance. We ordered and then felt compelled to share our selections, each determined that our choice surely could not be compared. Pure fun and folly! Flawless presentation, masterfully prepared, throughout. \r Christopher and his young daughter greeted us, and this, on Father's Day. The service and wine selection, at Christophers hand, left us feeling comfortable and well-cared for--as though we had made a new friend. We will not hesitate to return... our only concern is that this little, low-key jewel, out on Killingsworth will become a veritble hot spot.... If, however, you are stuck in the Pearl.... well, we'll be happy to consider Grolla our personal treasure.\r more

Grolla was the perfect introduction to Portland dining, while I was on vacation. My girlfriend and I both took part in the five course tasting menu, and it was a nice change to let the chef choose our courses. The highlights were a roasted beet salad on the first course which was exellent. The second course were two types of Mushroom soup, a white bean and a chowder which were both hearty and tasty. The fish course was new for both of us, I had a calamari steak, which was suprisingly tender, she had the mussels which just melted in her mouth. For the main course the Lamb Osso Bucco was dark and rich but just fell away from the bone, our favorite dish though was her Beef over Rissoto with Raspberries, and what I believe was a raspberry-balsamic reduction, too good. Dessert was simple and classic with Creme Brulee and a flourless chocolate truffle cake with raspberry sauce. It may not be the hot place to go, and the neighborhood is a bummer, but it's worthy of being a destination dining experience. Pros: Atmosphere, Service, Food Cons: Nothing else to do in the area if you're early or want to walk off dinner. more

My wife and I recently enjoyed a great, romantic evening with great food. While we were a bit hesitant based on recent reviews, we were both quite happy to see that, if there were any recent glitches in service, these have since been addressed and the food is top-notch. My entree was among the best I've had recently, and the style of the kitchen was both interesting and very satisfying--the chef's menu offered great variety amidst unpredictability, all while taking into account one's specific dietary preferences. The service, while attentive, was not intrusive--it struck the perfect balance. The only con's to the evening? It is, admittedly, a tad drafty in winter. And the wine pairings, while plentiful (we had a glass each of sparkling white, pinot gris, syrah, malbec, crianza, and port) were, except for the crianza, unfortunately a bit mediocre (although pairing the same wine simultaneously to a vegetarian's and a carnivore's courses is, admittedly, a difficult task). However, the food was excellent and the service superb. We will definitely be going back in the summer, when the kitchen will have a different set of ingredients to work with. more

9.6 rating led me to pass over Higgins for out-of-town dinner guest. The owner was sweet and tried hard to make it up to us, and I love to support a sweet neighborhood spot. But it was an atrocious experience. Service was dreadful, waiter was incompetent. Didn't tell us what they'd run out of till we started to order. We finally asked, after people who sat after us started getting served, to find that the kitchen had ""lost""our order. The house salad was pedestrian, the soup cold, as were 2 of 3 entrees, sauces all unctuously sweet & heavy, ""fire-roasted"" yellow squash underdone, boring AND bitter. Friends we sent there who showed up same time were similarly miserable, kept waiting for their table and then food for almost an hour. To paraphrase Dolly Parton, it has to take a lot of efforrt to be this awful. Did I mention cold & drafty? Good intentions just not enough at those prices. Pros: sweet ambience more

My wife and I found Grollas on City Search and decided to try it before going to a concert. We had approximately an hour and a half to get to the concert. When we first walked into the restaurant, we weren't sure what to expect from the surrounding neighborhood. Our misgivings were quickly reversed upon opening the door. All of the tables were handpicked antiques, all set up perfectly and so very different from the table next to it. The restaurant is rather small having seats for only about 30 patrons on about 10 table varying table settings. \r \r Sitting down at a four top, the only other guests were an older couple sitting on the other side of the room. The waiter was quick to greet us and provide the small, yet adequet menus and wine list. I did not get a look at the wine list since I was driving and hate to be tempted with something good. My wife and her friend purchased a very good red of which I cannot recall the name or the price.\r \r The menu included a variety of tastes both in their salads and entrees. I had the Elk which was very good and I would recommend to any meat lover. The prices are somewhat high and the portions seemed small, but the atmosphere and the service is excellent. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone for a meeting place. Pros: Great atmosphere, variety of foods Cons: Not recommended for those on a budget more