I'm a North Portland resident.
For the past two years, Acadia has been my favorite French-Creole restaurant, with Roux a close second. [disclaimer: I've never ventured south of Fremont to try similarly themed restaurants, but I've eaten several meals in New Orleans and am a big Emeril TV fan.]
Tonight that changed.
I've always known the great quality of the food available. Tonight the level of service pushed it over the top.
When one dines alone at the south end of the bar, one has an unfettered view of the staff.
Whether is is salads, bar menu (oysters on the half shell like no other, crawfish pie that makes you rethink the whole crawfish thing), dinners (tonight was oven-roasted chicken with garlic potatoes and vegetable -- a favorite for this foodie) or dessert (although I didn't order a dessert, I received a couple of small chocolate shortbreads that amazed me) -- you cannot go wrong with the food.
On the drinks side, I have tried one cucumber sort of martini (pretty nice), but am basically a wine guy. The pinot is Willamette Vineyards -- acceptable. I'd be more excited with a Tori Mor pinot at the $10/glass price.
But tonight the service was outstanding. I've always had good personal service, but I hadn't noticed the attention to detail that occurs that is not directly diner-related. A server preparing after-dinner espressos who not only warms the cups prior to pouring the coffee, but smelled the cream before pouring it into the creamer. A bartender who holds every glass up to the bright northern window and then polishes all smudges that might be detected. A server not responsible for the bar noticing an empty plate and quietly removing it from me.
Excellent food has always been my Roux experience. Excellent service tonight sealed the deal.
rscowboy
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