Talk about sensory overload. The space, in my guests and my opinion, is WAY overdone. A huge iceberg looking thing separating the bar and the dining room is suppose to replicate Mt. Hood. It looks like more of a bad carnival ride meets the iceberg that doomed the Titantic. The decor was described to us as "Mt hood meets the grafitti of Portland" OK????? We sat on the patio (no other guests in sight with 5-6 tables in the main dining room). Great wine list, unfortunately food that matches the likes of restaurants that you end up being dissapointed in the end. Our server was very professional, and was educated well on the menu. Our food arrived, and was auctioned off to us!!!!! We only ordered 4 plates. We couldnt believe they asked us who had what!!! Food was good, but forgetable, as I have heard from numerous people who know food. All the dishes seemed underseasoned with exception of the cromesquis of Fourme D'Ambert, they were nice, and good portion size as well. The same person who brought us our small plates, also brought us dessert. He took almost 3 minutes (no kidding) to describe both desserts, but forgot what the main component was. (A Cannelais which was heavenly) Served with corn ice cream, popcorn and blackbery dust. WAY to many components on the dishes, which seemed to lose the focus on the main ingerdients. The celery sorbet clashed with the rhubarb, on the nicely done not over sweetened meringue Vacheron. He made a joke that seemed very unprofessional. "You all have forks to dig in with, unless you want to stab each other with them". What is that supposed to mean???? Some say is Portland ready for this, but I say,
Portland is a town of very talented chefs who create food with passion and heart. There are so many more restaurants that would sink this place with there simple and genuine approach to the dining scene. BTW, Lucier, you claim to be the finest in PDX, define that for us. Being the finest encompasses more than you think.
Pros: great patio
Cons: unknowledgeable staff, sensory overload
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