Merchant Of Venice Cafe

Sadly, they closed in Sept. of 2010. more

Great food I had the cheese steak at the bar on Monday. It was the best cheese steak I have ever had, and I used to live an hour outside of Philly. That's saying something. I have ate here a few times now and always have great food and good service. more

My husband and I regularly eat at the Merchant as we live in the neighborhood. But even if we didn't, we'd make the trip! The waitstaff are all incredibly thoughtful and go out of their way to make your dining experience pleasurable. The dinner menu is impressive, although I generally don't make it past the daily specials before I've made up my mind! I'd recommend the Merchant to anyone who loves fresh ingredients, a great menu, and fantastic service. Pros: Service, wine selection, atmosphere more

Having read many of the postings I was of course sceptical about dining here. However with a Passport card I figured why not? Apparently the owners have read these posts and have rectified much of what was wrong. The pear walnut salad was sensational as was the bread. And there wasn't a problem getting another basket. Many people underestimate the importance of good bread at an establishment. The wine list plentiful. The Manilla clams were good, the broth excellent and the Pasta Bolognese with chicken was adequate and the portion healthy. I know many complained in the past regarding portion size and obviously the owners have listened. My friend's angel hair fish pasta could have used a bit more fish but was tasty,. The dessert menu was abundant. We chose to split an Amaretto silk pie which was fantastic. The server was polite, knowledgeable, and the food was served timely. Ok, I had ordered chicken meatballs instead of chicken chunks with my pasta, so there are still mistakes. However, the waitress sent out a portion of chicken meatballs on the house. That says something. There is a terrific looking happy hour menu as well. In summary, not the best restaurant in the world, not the best in Portland, but certainly more than adequate with great ambiance and they deserve credit for addressing their previous shortcomings. Pros: Good customer service decently priced food more

My wife and I have to admit, we read some reviews before going to M of V and had mixed feelings on what to expect. But after trying out this resturant We were very delighted with the whole experience from being seated, great service and most excellent food. My wife had the Chicken and I had the 13 ounce steak in brandy sauce. Prices were very reasonable for the quailty of food. Thank You staff and chef for a splended evening more

im happy the merchant has a new chef and a team that really takes care of its patrons. the food is authentic and sometimes artsy depending on the mood of the chef. we always enjoy. but much more now. Pros: food is cooked to your liking, good servive, music, italian feel. Cons: kind of tucked in a corner..have to map quest it..but worth it! more

After reading everyone's reviews, I just wanted to suggest going to the Merchant of Venice for lunch. The service is much better, and the food is extraordinary. It's still a little slower than I'd like for my hour break, but if you can take an hour and a half, I recommend it. I have tried the lasagna, the meatball sandwich and the insalata portia. All were very good, and four of us ate there for $30. Pros: Great food, good atmosphere, quickly seated. Cons: Sometimes service is a little slow more

This was our first time to the Merchant of Venice. It is one of my aunt and uncle's favorite restaurants, so we decided to give it a try. The service was just OK. The servers were not very attentive and there were few patrons in the restaurant. It took more than 10min to get our first drink after the order was taken. The bread was just plain and ordinary. Once the meals arrived, mine was lukewarm. The crabmeat was actually cold in the sauce. My husbands chicken was overcooked. We realize it was a Monday night, but I have to wonder if every night is like this one, based on the other reviews. Pros: We were seated right away Cons: Food wasn't lukewarm and overcooked; service just OK. more

My daughter and I have been eating at Merchant of Venice for 5 months , a *Mother, daughter* night out. The first couple of times we ate there, the food was good, but lately,, the food is either luke warm when served, or like tonight, very bland tasting. The only thing good we had this evening was the bread and the salad, excluding the stale croutons. They had better be looking for a different Chef, as the one they have now will be driving business away with the terrible food that he puts out. We won't be going back there any more. Pros: Never busy always a place to sit Cons: Terrible food!! more

Tried the Merchant this Saturday evening. We were surprised it wasn't too busy, but traffic continued to pour in/out. Started with the calamari, which was very tender and great tasting!! Wine list has many choices for low to higher budgets. Also, the mark-up on wine was very, very reasonable, not like most establishments. Entrees are also fairly priced (for meat/seafood: $13-19, pasta/pizza $10+). We had the ribs and pork daily special, both were very good. Food was not over the top chic trying to be edgy-Pearl district-like, but good home cooking with no fuss. We enjoyed it, immensely. Unpretentious service, as well as attentive and efficient. We finished with dessert, many to choose from for <$6. It was a very romantic night (even in Hillsboro) and Merchant made it extra special! We were also happy to find this gem of a place on passport unlimited, and took advantage of saving the price of one entree, even though the prices are still reasonable. Thank you Merchant for a relaxing evening and yes, we will return many times. Pros: friendly, romantic, unpretentious. Simple, but excellent Italian fare Cons: out of the way for us, but worth the drive! more

My husband and I don't get the chance to eat out much in that we have three small children so when we do it is a very special event. We went to the Merchant on a friday night and even though they were extremely busy we only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. The waitress (a blond girl i think named Sammy) was as sweet as could be and when she found out that we were on a "date" away from the kids she went out of her way to make it special for us. She reccomended a wonderful wine and was there with order in no time. I started with the portia salad and it was delocous. My husdand ordered pizza, he loved it (I think it had salmon on it). Anyway it was a lovely dining experience with great food and service in such a nice atmosphere. We will definetly be making this restaurant our regular "date" place, hopefully with the same waitress. more

After reviewing the previous reviews of this restaurant, I felt compelled to write, as I am a regular at this lovely restaurant. The staff is always kind and attentive, and while they have a small crew, there are new employees on occasion. This may be what the previous critiquer is referring to. Trainees sometimes take a little practice, it's only right to allow them time to learn! I have always had above par service at this establishment, and the food is much better than I ever get at a chain restaurant. Their ingredients are fresh, and they will adjust just about anything for a custom order if you ask for it politely! They may be closed for holidays such as Memorial Day, as it is common knowledge that many people go out of town, and these small businesses have a harder time staying afloat during these times than do any large corporate restuarants. That is why we should be supporting the locals. If you give them a try, I guarantee you won't be disappointed. As for those people that feel leaving a bad tip makes up for you having a poor experience, maybe you should try talking to your server while you are there, when they can actually do something to make your experience better. Pros: Location, fresh ingredients, local Cons: Not open Sundays more

I have gone to the merchant a few times over the past few years (I don't eat at restaurants very often, but when I do this one is on the top of my list) I enjoy stopping in for happy hour every so often and they have one of the best menues around. From pizza to salmon pasta, even the simplest items are delisious....and at a price that will leave change in your pocket for dessert as well. The Merchant of Venice is just one of those places where you keep coming back because you know that the food will always please and the people will always be friendly. Pros: The food, the staff, it a great place to dine! Cons: it is a smaller restaurant and it can be busy at times althought they can usually make room for large groups.....just ask more

I took a friend there for dinner one night. It was a Wednesday, around 5:30, it wasn't even busy. First of all it took us forever to just be greated at the door the waitress was busy flirting at the bar. We ordered something simple we each got a salad, I got the Portia and she got the Chicken Ceaser. When the food finally came, I think they had to go to a farm and pick the lettuce themselves, we had two ceasers and no portia. When I explained there was a mistake she asked if I still wanted the Portia, or if i would like to keep the ceaser, if I order a portia I want a portia, you can have a ceaser anywhere. I got my salad and it was good, we had both finished our salads before the waitress even came back to see how everything was, and when she did it was just to bring us the bill. I told her that we would like dessert, and she acted as if I was putting her out. Once again the wrong desserts were brought, when I asked to speak to the manager, she claimed she was the manager!!! I will not be back. Pros: Easy parking Cons: Waitress more intersted in flirting with guys in the bar to wait on table and bring correct food. more

We went at a quiet time (weekday 5pm), however the service was still a snail's pace. The icing on the cake was our server spilled my seafood stew on our table. She apologized and brought some towels for cleanup. However I asked for another beer, as she'd managed to get broth in it. This was fine, until I got charged for what should have been a complimentary replacement. I normally tip 20%, but prior to this they were already down to 15%. So deduct another $3.25 for the beer. See how you like that $4 tip. The food that remained on the plate was definitely below average quality. Ingredients weren't all that fresh, and it hadn't been brought together all that well. It reminded me of Italian dishes you'd order at Shari's or IHOP. You'd be better off at Bugatti's a mile away. We went the week before the Memorial Day holiday weekend, and there is large signage informing customers that they are closed Saturday, Sunday & Monday. You'd think this would be the busiest time for restaurants, and that they'd stay open. Do yourself a favor, and head to Bugatti's instead. Even drive to one of Pastini's excellent locations, than waste 25 bucks a head here. Pros: Orenco Station location Cons: Slow service, poor quality food. more

Reading the reviews here shows this is an on-or-off restaurant. Clearly you need to have the 'it' factor to get good service here, because we certainly didn't. The four of us were dressed nice and were polite, but we clearly didn't rate. We should have listened to our instincts and left, but we stuck it out. Yes, that was our mistake. The food when we finally did get served was simply average. Nothing that will bring us back. Orenco Station could use a good, friendly place to eat with friends, but this isn't it. Pros: Clean Tablecloths. Cons: Wait staff. more

Merchant of Venice, our favorite Italalian restaurant! My wife and I quite often dine at "The Merchant." Often in the dining room or outside where we choose from the many menu items or the special menu of the day. Other times we will choose the bar where we enjoy bar menu and happy hour specials as well as the full menu. The staff is always friendly and efficient. The food is prepared fresh and they can often adjust it to meet special requirements (no seeds, please, I can't eat them.) The dinner salad is huge, we split one between us. No extra charge for serving it on two plates and we can opt for different dressings. I have never had a bad meal at The Merchant. They once brought the wrong meal (a variation of the one I had ordered) It was delicious and I was completely happy with it. None the less, the waitress apologized profusely and did NOT charge me for the dinner. Many of the servings don't appear large when they arrive, but looks are decieving. I always leave full and my wife often brings home leftovers. Don't forget dessert. The Swedish Creme is my favorite. YUM!! We have eaten there with a group of twenty as well as with our grown children or with friends. Always a delight. Atmosphere is wide open yet the tables are not crowded so that you can have privacy. We enjoy the paper table toppers and crayons. I have fun doodling. My son, 21, is aa art major and often creates some mini masterpieces. The waitstaff is small so that they get to know you when you become a repeat customer. Kira is our favorite! The prices a VERY reasonable. An added benefit is that The Merchant of Venice is a locally owned restaurant, not a chain. Pros: Delicious food, Friendly service, Fair prices. Cons: Closed Sundays more

The Merchant of Venice is my favorite Italian restaurant. The bar is great if you just want a drink or try the bar menu - it is very good. The coffee drinks are good on a cold day. Their ravioli is great. One of my favorite dishes is the chicken manicotti. The bread is fresh and served with olive oil and vinegar. The waitstaff is very friendly. Pros: cozy, doesn't take long to get meal, great pizza Cons: bar is a little small, isn't open on Sunday more

The Merchant of Venice is a lovely restaurant where southern european cuisine meets west coast hospitality. the food is great, the pre-meal bread with olive oil and vinegar is wonderful. I definitely suggest you try the rigatoni gorgonzola, my favorite. The tables are small for the most part, seating 4 or 5, but if you have a bigger group, they are more than accomodating (I went in with a party of 18 and they were more than happy to push some tables together and make us feel welcome--just make sure you do the courteous thing and call ahead with a large group). The food is great, the atmosphere is warm and as for the wine glasses. they don't have those funny little wine glasses anymore, just regular wine glasses (as if the shape of the glass really changes the taste anyway!) more

I have been going to the Merchant of Venice for 5 years now, and I am continually satisfied with all aspects of the dining experience. The staff is friendly and helpful, it's like a family there. They always have daily specials, and while they offer unique twists on the classic Italian pastas and pizzas, they also have a wide variety of entrees, from the juicy chicken saltimboca to the tender NY steak. There is also a great bar atmosphere here, with a nice wine selection and they always mix a good cocktail! Why pay more at a chain restaurant when you can support the local Merchant with its fresh ingredients and neighborhood feel?! Pros: Fresh quality ingredients, great service, good value more