Navarre Reviews

I dined at Navarre with my son and wife. We ordered seven different items off the menu and were extremely pleased with all of them. The service was great and the food was fantastic. I will be going back next time I visit Portland

Stumbled into Navarre randomly on a snowy Thursday night in Portland (rare). A trustworthy friend had spoken highly of this spot and, in sum, I agree with her raves. I, a vegetarian, was not put off by the menu; plenty of options for me. When you sit, there's a check list that you mark off with what you'd like to order, with small and large options. An additional menu for seasonal specials. For two of us, our waitress recommended 5 small plates. We ordered 4 + bread and were completely satisfied. If you plan on skipping the bread, which I wouldn't recommend because it was great (from Ken's Artisan Bakery, another recommendation), the French butter even better, 5 small plates would probably be satisfactory for 2. In addition to the bread, we ordered kale with gruyere, a celery root and potato gratin, brussel sprout top, squash, and grass salad with parm, and a salami plate. All great! Unfortunately, we didn't save room for dessert but the cakes looked wonderful. Ambiance is romantic and charming.

Amazing rotating tapas menu by region, you have to try the red velvet cake for dessert.

All good except for the chanterelles which we sent back They were extremely overspiced and not fresh Been here often and never had a bad dish before

We went to this restaurant on the recommendation of a friend. It is not much to look at, inside or out, but don't be put off by that or the paper menus on clipboards. The food is excellent. You can order food as large plates (family style) or small plates. We ordered a large serving of duck breast. My husband and son loved it. I'm not a fan of duck, but the sauce was quite good. We then selected four smaller dishes, plus the bread and olives. This was plenty with dessert. The braised shallots were excellent, as were the corn salad, fennel and porcini and potato gratin. The olives and bread were also good, but the olive oil was tasteless. The restaurant was full the whole time we were there on a Monday night. The service was good, but a little slow. There were only two waitresses for the whole restaurant. The waitresses did their best, and were very friendly and helpful, but they can only do so much. We would highly recommend this place if you like good, inventive food. This was probably the best meal we had in Portland.

We stumbled upon this place as we were walking through the neighborhood, and what a find. The restaurant serves a wide variety of small plates, all of them quite delicious. We had turnips, braised lamb, green beans in a tomato sauce, and a lentil potato salad. They were all well-seasoned and tasty. Their bread is also a cut above what you'll find at most restaurants. We topped off our meal with a piece of blueberry pie. All told, the bill was less than $50. You can't beat that. And the service was top notch, too.

I've been eating at Navarre on and off since it opened but hadn't been in awhile. My husband and i ate there last night and I was really impressed. The food was delicious: lamb, duck breast, roasted squash and sauteed greens. Four (generous) small plates and we were very satisfied. I am studying wine and work in the industry. Their wine list is amazing! So many wines by the glass and by the 1/3 bottle which I've never seen before. Our server was wonderful in helping us decide (not easy!) and we shared a 1/3 bottle which was a good value for a unique wine. Dessert was a wonderful cake (and a glass of Jurancon dessert wine) and coffee. Start to finish fantastic. The atmosphere is lovely too: small, intimate, simple and very unpretentious. On a Tuesday night it was about half full and not too noisy. It would probably be noisier if it were full. Navarre has stood the test of time in Portland's demanding restaurant scene. They know who they are and they do what they do very, very well.

We totally enjoyed Navarre. It's our second visit and the food is consistently delicious and the staff extremely friendly and helpful. We'd return here in a second.

good tapas bar...the scene seems a little too pretentious for its own good.

can be great. really depends what you order. ask the server for tips

Four of us traveled from out of town to eat at Navarre based on what had been written in different reviews from different sources. One reviewer called it the best of 2009. One of us is a professional chef and restaurant owner, one is the owner of a cookware store, and all of us have eaten in all sorts of restaurants. I had neither read nor heard anything of Navarre before we entered other than it featured Meditteranean cuisine in a small plate, "tapas", format. We dined on a Sunday evening. We arrived early (5:30) since they do not accept reservations for less than 6 people and were one of 5 tables at that time. We were greeted by one of the most unpleasant wait people I have had the mispleasure of experiencing, ever. Once seated, we were greeted by menus that had only the name of a dish and its price. For instance, lamb 6/20. That's it. The menu of specials had to be passed among the four of us. In order to find out how dishes are prepared, one must ask, presumably with every single item on the lengthy menu. Our order was taken, wine opened, and then the wait person was not seen again. We sat for about 30 minutes with nothing but bread and then all the food came at once. She finally came back to the table after the bill had been presented by the other wait person that was working the floor and asked if she could get us anything else. Apparently, she had been told by someone in the back to come get the credit card so they could turn the table. The cards and receipts were practically thrown on the table without a word. I don't know what this person was doing, but the other wait person had to pick up the slack and was the one who brought our food and check. Maybe it was an off night,, they were short handed, or something of the sort, but I don't take kindly to being treated rudely when I am paying money for a service. So about the food. We ordered 7 different small plates, one being bread. We all found the food to be satisfactory, nothing more. It was OK, not bad, not great. I don't know what all the fuss is about in the reviews I've read since I came home. We didn't find the preparations to be particularly inspiring or creative. The presentation was just plain awful. I don't care what you say, when eating in a restaurant, presentation of the food on the plate does matter. It makes a statement about the chef and the restaurant. It doesn"t have to be some fancy-shmancy vertical tower, but it should at least look like someone cares. Most of the food was plated as if the school cafeteria crew had plopped it on the plate. We had a fava bean potato puree that was presented as a big green blob on a plate. It looked like someone had taken a big spoonful of it and slapped it on the plate, splat. Done. The lamb we had was OK, but most of the flavor seemed to come from the tapenade that was served with it. For $6 we received 5 slices that were roughly 1/4" thick, 1/2" tall, and 1 1/2" long-2 bites for a buck twenty. Five lonely little pieces of lamb on a plate. The statement made was "We don't care." Not impressed at all. Atmosphere? It's wonderful if you are a fan of the popular trend of jamming as many tables as possible into an old funky warehouse space with the acoustics of a gym. Conversation? Forget about it unless you want to lean forward and talk REALLY LOUD so that you can drown out the people sitting 2 feet away from you who are trying to drown out you. By the time we left, the place was full of people practically shouting to be heard. If you like that atmosphere, you'll love this place. One reviewer I read said it reminder him/her of a small restaurant in rural France. The small rural restaurants at which we've eaten in rural areas of France and Italy would never let food be presented the way food was presented here, tonight. Never. For the life of me I don't see why this place is so popular. Maybe there is some sort of coolness factor happening here for big city folks. Beats me. None of us will be returning. There are far too many restaurants with better service and better food, at this price point, to go back. The only up side was that it was not very expensive. That and the bread from Ken's Bakery in NW Portland was excellent.

All local food ingredients, menu changes daily, amazing wine list....... god. I love this place.

Great place to try lots of dishes, all very tasty. Option to choose a large portion is also nice, rotating menu keeps you coming back for more! Seating can be a bit challenging but well worth it.

We make several trips to Portland each year and one stop we always make is dinner at Navarre. I've eaten at most of the trendy restaurants in Portland and Navarre is my absolute favorite. Unlike many hip restaurants, it always feels casual and welcoming. The food, which is always changing depending on what they receive from a CSA they work with, is inventive and delicious. The wine list is fantastic -- I've never had a less than wonderful glass. They focus on food from France, Spain, Italy and now Morocco. Their bread and olive oil is fantastic, as are their crab cakes. They once had a halibut with alioli that was to die for. Deserts are also great -- love the dark chocolate mousse. Yum.

The little place fills up quickly, with good reason. The food is wonderful! Everything is served ala carte in small or large sizes, perfect for sharing. Four of us shared bread (from Ken's), duck breast, lamb meatballs, potato with Anaheim chili, greens, cauliflower, pie, and tart. Dishes were creative without being overly complicated so the quality ingredients and handling really came through. Service and food were excellent.

Tonight we dined at Navarre for the first time, we had the "Chef's Choice" which was just as it sounds, whatever the Chef wanted to give us tonight. It was wonderful! I'm not sure how many dishes we had, but more than enough food for the two of us to share. The escalloped potatoes were to die for and the pork stew was amazing. Also had the hanger steak, carrots, trout and about 4 other dishes that I can't remember right now. All were wonderful. I would highly recommend this restaurant for any special occasion (or any occasion)

I like this restaurant. Ordering is fun - it's sushi style paper menus that you mark off the dishes and portion size you'd like. Everything is so delicious that I recommend getting small plates of more dishes.

I'm reluctant to use the word "tapas," but it's that kind of experience - get a bunch of bites of different things & create a meal out of it. Evening specials are vegetable-heavy, which allows the chef to set the menu based on what's freshest, but there were a couple of really tasty lamb dishes available. Seating can be an issue if you're there at peak hours - place is quite small. Service was friendly and helpful. I was most impressed with their wine list - some great and unusual choices available by glass, carafe, or bottle.

We weren't very hungry, so the tapas menu was perfect, allowing us to have small bites of several excellent dishes: clams, olives, fish, bread. We also loved that we could buy less than a full bottle of wine, so we split a 2/3 bottle of an excellent Chianti Classico. Great service, too.

Lots of vegetarian options like braised greens, cucumber salad, fennel and green bean salad and eggplant. After having the chef recommend the eggplant we had to try it. The eggplant was creamy in texture and it was topped with a sort of cole slaw mixture. The steamed clams where good and tasty. If you like rabbit the pate was good. Remember to order olive oil or butter with your bread or it will come plain. You get a choice between a small portion or large portion of most dishes. The small portion is enough for two people and the large enough for 4. The service was good but there did not appear to be any air conditioning which made it pretty warm throughout the meal. Go early because street parking can be a hassle. It does get crowded with a longer wait for a table about 7 PM. They have a pretty good selection of wines both domestic and foreign (French/Spanish). Their fruit pies are great with crispy crust and good size pieces of fruit.

It had been more than one year since our last visit, too long. As always, the food is excellent, properly prepared, and quite tasty. My wife expressed this visit that it is her favorite of the many restaurants we have eaten at in Portland. We give it an excellent review even though if one is looking for ambience, this is not the place. The food is served in small plates which can be either small or large. We strongly recommend the small, even though the bill adds up a bit more, one can share more. And yes, even though plates may cost $7-$8 apiece, those amounts can add. They also have an extensive wine list by the glass, and most are most reasonably priced. Plates also are divided into regular and regional and rotating specials. The regions change periodically, so that on repeat visits, different regions can be sampled. Of the standard plates two are especially noteworthy: potato pancakes and leg of lamb (for lamb lovers, this is the best). The server told us that they buy a lamb once a week, so their lamb always is fresh. Additionally my wife had asparagus, very tender and delicious. I had the grilled bok choi - simply prepared but excellent. We also had their chicken in 2 garlics; it was so tender it fell off the bone. Finally, all of their deserts are amply sized ($6). I did find the red velvet cake, one of their specialties, was a bit dry his time. The trick in orderings is to do small selections each time. What one orders comes at the same time. We had what would pass a appetizer type dishes, then moved on to more substantial ones. This helped make a pleasantly relaxing dinner. A word of caution: if you arrived a peak time on the weekends, be prepared to wait. It is a small restaurant. Also, go there to eat. If décor is part of your requirements, go somewhere else. This place is quite plain (might update their bathroom a bit however), but relatively quiet.

The food was ok, nothing great. The portions were small even taking into account they are tapas. The service was ok - one server was nice the other crabby. The 50+ wine list offers many wines my the glass. We tried four different wines. All were mediocre or worse. At $8-12 dollars a glass that's a big let down. Why try to impress people with a big wine list if the wines aren't good?

Our two slices of Phoebe's Devils food cake were so small we were shocked. AND, one was noticeably smaller than the other. A big rip off. Sheesh, charge a little more and give us a generous piece of cake!!!

The wife and I were just looking for a light, quick dinner and thought, tapas! Navarre is tapas with a Basque flair (read pinxtos). Love the menu, with the check the box size and style approach. Got some bread with awesome olive oil (fruity or grassy) and several veggie dishes and lamb with an olive tapenade (really good). The piece de resistance was the seared duck breast with fresh sweet and fresh sour cherries. Wow was that dish great! Service was fast and friendly and very Portland. Fun wine list with lots of Spanish wines (although they didn't seem to have a Txakolina) Would definitely go again!

Great place. Food is simple and great. Easy place to just chill and get a good meal with some good wine.

With the advent of the celebrity cook and celebrity restaurants, many new places have opened. As well, many have closed. Navarre has stayed open because it is wonderful. There is no pretense here. The dishes are made from locally grown ingredients with gusto and creative force. They are continually experimenting. It's a small place with small tables and one long communal table. Dishes can be ordered as small plates or large plates. There is great variety and terrific value in terms of price. On a previous night we had a less satisfying dinner for four that cost nearly as much as a dinner at Navarre for 9!! Great place with a generous host.

Navarre had something to please each of my party of three, from the vegan to the carnivore. They create a new menu each day, depending on what's in season. The many small plates are perfect for us, as we're small people with a limited capacity but love to try lots of dishes. There were so many interesting vegetable side dishes, from greens to a lovely little potato pancake, and a stewed rabbit that was heavenly! The bread is delicious, and the wine list is unusual in that you can get a glass, half bottle, 3/4 bottle, or full bottle of anything. We were unsure if 3/4 of a bottle would be enough of the rose we ordered, but the waiter assured us that he would save the bottle for us in case we decided we needed the rest of it! I can't wait to return to this place!

They say it is Spanish, I sense a strong French influence. What ever the style the food is always OUTSTANDING. It is a small place and can often be crowded so don't come when you are in a hurry. The menu has a number of set items always available and although everything is Tapas style you can still choose a smaller or larger size serving. In addition to the set menu there is always a generous selection of season, fresh additional choices. Recently I enjoyed a lamb dish with garlic and blue cheese, braised rabbit, potato cakes, watermelon radishes with French butter and a leek dish. Everything was superb. I would be considered a light eater volume wise but my guest and I were perfectly full and bill was about $120 for two and that included 5 glasses of wine and two slices of house made baked goods.

Another of the wonderful establishments on 28th Street just North of Burnside. Navarre features friendly, casual country French cuisine at its best. The decor is simple and austere. The menu is written on the window each day as the chef chooses from locally available fresh produce, fish, meats, and cheeses. All items are ala carte, and you have the option of 'chef chooses' to put together a meal for your party. Nothing here disappoints. Everything is prepared in-house, including the pickled vegetables. Excellent selection of wines, including by the glass. The coffee was strong and wonderful. I was disappointed by the pie - though very good, it was not a knockout like the rest of the meal. Even my kids loved the vegetables, as they were so fresh and flavorfully prepared! Navarre is open later than most restaurants in the area, a true bonus for the late-night crowd. We'll be back!

My husband had a Tuna dish and a Trout wrapped in parchment. Both were quite tasty and well prepared. I had some duck gizzards, duck pate, lamb and salad that was delicious. We shared a salad and clams. The house is very small, but well run with attentive service. Ordering is done by the customer on sheets of paper provided.

The food was good and interesting but the atmosphere was like eating in Lake Oswego - stuffy and snobby. Even the servers had an 'attitude'. We ate at the bar (the only place they would seat us because we didn't have a reservation) and our bartender/server was the nicest person at the restaurant. Too many other good places to go in Portland. Won't go back.

We've eaten here three times over the last few months. Our first visit was great - we had a helpful waitress, food was interesting and well prepared (although charging $8 for bread and a little olive oil seems a little steep). Our next two visit was just OK - the food and service felt indifferent. But, every restaurant can have a bad night, so we returned a few weeks ago. We probably won't be back. Here's why: Our waitress was downright surly. This is a restaurant where the menu changes daily, and where there are many unusual ingredients and items listed. But when we asked a simple question about one dish, the waitress nearly snapped our heads off, and answered in the most condescending way possible. A while later, she and one of the male servers appeared to get into an argument. This is a small restaurant, and it was hard not to notice the two of them glaring at each other for the rest of the meal. The food this time was lackluster, and certain plates were downright inedible. But, the topper came when we watched one of the waitresses pouring SEVERAL glasses of wine back INTO bottles behind the bar. That was enough to convince us that the $8 bread and olive oil wasn't worth it. Portland has tons of great restaurants where the service is friendly and dependable. We'll go elsewhere next time around. IF you do eat here, make sure to order a bottle of wine, not a glass, and make sure that they uncork the bottle in front of you.

The menu is very confusing until explained but the food is good and the staff is very helpful. This is a very casual family type of place (though not cheap); not somewhere to go for a romantic dinner.

930, Sunday night, November 27. Food was great..Waitperson very rude. Seems like we were an irritant to her from the time we walked in until we were done. So rude one of my friends mentioned she will not return. Please note we were NOT rude, pushy or obnoxious. In fact we tried to warm her up to no avail. Watch out for the young brunette with glasses, avoid her tables.

This restaurant consistently does not let down. Great food and excellent service. The variety and the quality of that variety is impressive. Great wine list as well. The night we dined, there was a very disruptive guest. I was so impressed how the staff handled the situation in the best interests of other diners as well that guest. Very professional.

First, the good things: their food really is very good. They have a wonderfully creative menu, and they really know how to cook it. You can find things here you didn't even know existed, and they will taste absolutely wonderful. Each time I have gone, though, there have been hitches with the service. First, the people I go with are always somewhat confused by the menu style. I think once you get the hang of it, it makes sense, but you have to fill out a checklist with different sizes, and it's somewhat overwhelming for some people. Also, I really can't say that I have been impressed by the service. One time, we indicated what we were looking for in a wine, and the server's recommendation turned out to just not be the kind of wine we were looking for. If she didn't know, she ought to have found someone who did rather than recommending something that did not fit. Another time, some of the people at our table wanted to go Chef's Choice, while others did not. The servers said the only way to do this was for the non-Chef's Choice people to wait through several CC courses without getting any food, while the CC diners ate. After discussing our options, we called the server back and asked her to try to find away around this rule, but they did not budge. We didn't even get a reason beyond "that's just how we do things." This kind of inflexibility seems odd for a high-end restaurant. I want to like this place, but I do think I have to put other Portland restaurants ahead of it.

Stopped by early for dinner on a Friday night. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive. I was amazed to be able to get 1/3 of an incredible bottle of wine (a French Chablis premier cru) while waiting for our friends. We started out ordering 3 small plates for the 4 of us, then another 3, then another 3 & then dessert. Everything was very flavorful. I will go back SOON! Reservations only for parties of >4 at a large table.... They have great wines here.....

I love the hangar steak and their pizzas are off the hook.

Nararre has a good selection of pintxos or small plates in the Basque tradition. There were three of us at dinner and we chose six different plates to share. I liked all the selections but one, but it was a vegetarian dish and I’m more of a carnivore.

Order individually or family style. The menu changes frequently but will always delight. The wine list is extensive and the servers very knowlegeable about their offerings.

genuinely interesting food! Farm-fresh-improv delivers unique tapas for the demanding, yet fun-loving locovore. Plus, some of the best bread and olive oils I've ever encountered. In short, quality food attentive but unfussy service at a fair price.

Menu features small plates, some of which can be ordered in larger size; always a nice selection of offerings, most of which seem to change monthly. Sometimes there is a featured region (Brittany, Tuscany, etc) with related wine selections. Food quality is always consistent and excellent. This is the sort of menu that lends itself to sharing portions, and the gregarious staff encourage the diners to order something, and if they're still hungry, to order something else.......a bit like the best tapas places in Spain! Interesting wine list changes regularly, quite fairly priced with the advantage that one can order a quarter or half bottle, too. It's usually easy to drop in here on weekday evenings, a little busier on Fridays and Saturdays. Highly recommended for its casual atmosphere, its excellent wait-staff and its always interesting cuisine; its the kind of place that gives Portland a good name in the food world!

We love Navarre for so many reasons. The staff, the food, the way the menu works to order the right portion size. For me it is such a treat to go for dinner at Navarre, it has all the elements to make it a place to go back to for the next dinner, and we love to back to it.

Not a bad place for dinner. Lots of couples go there. The lighting is dark but it goes well with the decor. The service was really good and they were suitably attentive. The food was good as well but I was not a fan of their small tapas and portions for the food. I had to order more just to feel content but took more of a hit in wallet. No worries. What i did like a lot was their fo grah. Sweet deliciousness. They also had a good selection a wine with a lot of beaujoulais to chose from. Cheers.

The facility is small and quaint. Staff are friendly and their service is very good. This is a type a place to come, unwind, and not be in a hurry. There are daily specials depending on what produce and protein is in season. Dishes are created by the chefs. There were three of us sharing four specials of the day and the bird off the regular menu. All were tasty. I enjoyed the purple potatoes. After the delicious meal, we each enjoyed a one ounce glass of rose port .

Navarre seems to get a lot of positive reviews. We’ve had so much better in Portland that I was disappointed in Navarre. We got there around 6:30pm and it was quiet. The restaurant filled as the evening went on. Servers were pleasant enough at first but seemed to get stressed when others showed up. Navarre is, primarily, a tapas style restaurant. We started with a simple salad of greens with some dried cherries. Nice, but should have been more to it. We moved on to a pleasant dish of sautéed mushrooms—nothing special, just nice. The next round we got some pork tenderloin—just 7 thin slices of pork. The flavor (hard to screw up a pork tenderloin) was nice but it just seemed too skimpy. We also had a scrawny chicken thigh and leg in a pleasant enough sauce. Along with that we had a dish of onion scapes—finally, something noteworthy and creative. Except for the scapes, everything else was something we could have quickly and easily cooked at home. I see no reason to return.

We stopped by early: 6 pm; and were the first to sit outside. The menu was tantalizing, and the proof, as they say, was 'in the pudding'. We share six different small plates; the flavors were intense and delicious; each taste was unique from the others. What a treat! We will definitely visit again. Although a bit away from the urban core, this place is worth the trip and then some. Unpretentious venue with outstanding food. What more do you want?

The flavors of these delicious plates jump off the plate and into your mouth. The food was so wonderful. We wanted to order everything from the menu. There were four of us and the very lovely waitress suggested we order about 3 small plates per person, which we did and it was just the perfect amount, although I wanted more just because I wanted to experience more flavors. We had pork chop stuffed with figs, braised greens, potatoes gratin, steamed clams, an Italian cheese sampling and a French cheese sampling. The waitress was very knowledgeable when we asked questions about things. We had cabbage with sausage and a lovely beet salad with fennel. It was just delightful, the wine list was excellent as well. All the ingredients were fresh and the place was busy and fun. We did not have to wait for a table at all ... but then we did not get there until almost 8pm so I'm sure there rush time was over. We also had excellent cake.

We were late and looking for a place to eat. “Is the kitchen still open?” After a few noes, the yes was welcome. We had had a few glasses of wine elsewhere and were not very hungry. We ordered a couple of small dishes and shared them. The food was fresh and tasty; the hummus was not too thick. This is a good take on Mediterranean food that I am happy to recommend.

On a recommendation from family member, we went there for lunch and completely enjoyed our meal and wine. It was refreshing and fun to savor unique food items and a variety of meat and vegetable tapas. I would suggest this restaurant to anyone interested in a good dining experience, and am impressed with the fresh, local food items. Wine selection is also quite large. An excellent and pleasurable meal was had by all- can't wait to go back soon. Reasonable prices, and cheerful, attentive service.

Visiting from the East Coast for a few days, my wife and I tried numerous Portland eateries, and enjoyed all but one of them (a breakfast joint out on the East side not worth mentioning here.) Navarre we enjoyed very much, particularly the bottle of red wine from Languedoc that the waitress worked real hard to find. As for the food, we had five small plates, plus bread, and couldn't finish it all. All was delicious, particularly the lentils.

What I liked about this Mediterranean inspired restaurant was first and foremost the quantity and quality of the dishes and secondly the excellent service we received. We ate here for a late night dinner and had the chefs' choice, meaning the chef sends a selection of dishes. I lost count of the number of dishes we shared. The appetizers were outstanding and the entree offerings were hearty. They have an extensive wine list and we asked from some help from our knowledgeable waitperson. As I speak Spanish I ended up chatting with one of the sous chefs and he was most solicitous and relished our compliments. Be forewarned that this involved a prodigious amount of food. The venue is small in what I guess is typical of Portland eateries (we were visiting our son) We stayed so late the wait staff was eating their dinner and they encouraged us to return on Sunday for brunch! It was a charming and delicious meal. I recommend the experience.

Our small plate meal with seven dishes was excellent. The meal was worth the difficulty ordering. The service, different offerings, and food were all very good.

So what were they thinking, The Oregonian, when they named Navarre the Best Restaurant in their price range ($$). I recently went there with friends because of their rave review to a hugh disappointment. HUGH. This restaurant takes minimalism to an art form. The service from our waitress was beyond minimal--almost non-existent. We had to keep snagging the other waitress from a nearby table to get any kind of attention. The menu, or better described as a food list, gave no information as to how the items were prepared--simply: pork, lamb, salad, etc. We ordered an assortment of small plates and they all came at once--the cold getting warm and the hot getting cold before we could get to them. The food in all cases was lack luster in its presentation. Some of our choices proved to be quite tasty while others were pretty dismal. Thankfully the price was $$. Everything else about Navarre fell into the "Why the heck did we come here?" category.

We have been going to Navarre since it opened in 2006. I have never been disappointed, the food is thoughtful, you have choices of entre servings or more of a "tapa" sized serving. We tend to graze our way thru the menu. Also a real bonus, the wine list is extensive (often with a fine selection of wines from Southwest France). This is one of our faves here in Portland.

This is a family style restruant. They give two sheets one has the main dish which you pick the amount from small or large. Only seats about 30 people and the place is always packet. Out of the meal iwould suggest the bird it was in a curry sauce the side we got was peaches and tomatoes which sounds weird but wounderful.desert to get is the devil food cake

Have been here before but out of town guests wanted to try it, As usual t seating is a bit of an issue, ended up by the door so every time someone entered we were chilled. The focus was Lebanese flavors, so was a little thrown off expecting more French and Italian influences but the food was nice. Was there anything that stood out, not really and usually I am very happy with my meal, so kind of disappointed that it wasn't as fabulous as I had built it up t be. Would I go back, yes but may call and find out what may be influencing the menu that night..

a little bit of a european/bohemian feel to this place. cool without being hip. stylish without attitude. such interesting, off beat wines to choose from. lots of greens and veggies for those who need some fiber with their gourmet. no shortage of indulgent gratins and exquisite sauces. we had good service too.

We've had 3 visits lately. The food is excellent and creative. Unfortunately, in the first two visits we waited an hour or more after ordering for the food. This is a small plates restaurant, so each table orders multiple plates. The orders are prepared so that a table's order arrives basically all at once. While this allows everyone to sample all the dishes at once, when the restaurant is busy and you're hungry (that's why you're at the restaurant), the wait can be almost unbearable. On our last visit, the restaurant was only about 40% full, and our food arrived in about 25 minutes. This was a 5 star experience -- working out the timing is the main step Navarre needs to take for greatness (plus they'd turn over tables faster and make more money, allowing them to add staff in the kitchen).

I was really looking forward to having a light dinner at Navarre before the movie around the corner. When I arrived, my group had already began to figure out the ordering system (you choose from small plates and mark your choice) and explained it to me. No one greeted me or took a drink order. Since there were no explanations of the different dishes, I just chose the lamb and potato pancake as I thought that would be simple. We sat for a bit with our form all filled out and no one stopped by. So I went up to the bar/kitchen and asked what their system was. At that point I was told a waitress would stop by. She helped several other tables before stopping by to get our order. It arrived.... simple sliced lamb was nice but the potato pancake was dry and hard. I used the meat knife on the potato. We all thought the meal was "OK." I did get my glass of wine at my request. It was horrible when we wanted to pay. After requesting, we got the bill. It wasn't itemized so we couldn't decide who would pay what. Requested itemization so we could pay. All the while the primary waitress was gruff with us. Second waitress was much more cheerful and I, believe, helpful. No one thought they would return.

Navarre is one of those places people recommend with almost a reverence for the extensive and creative menu. Small plates (also available in large sizes) offer a mix of tapas and family style dining. It is easy to see why this restaurant has such a large following, some of the dishes become instant favorites- the potatoes, the duck breast, others seem to be complete misses - the sliced peppers, steamed (or was that fried) chard leaves. Still if you pick wisely, you will have a great time. We only tried one dessert- Devils' Food Cake, all agreed the frosting was exceptional. Thought the ordering system of writing your chioces on the clipboard a bit corny for a restaurant with such high(er) aspirations. But, yes, it's Portland, where the effort to be different sometimes goes in strange directions as in the oft spotted bumper sticker- keep Portland weird.

This restaurant offers a unique dining experience anyone would look for when traveling far ... it has a distinct local feel to it. The food was definitely unique ... Everything has a healthy spin to it, yet was very yummy at the same time - pretty rare huh :) We ordered a number of small plates and shared .. each one of them was delicious.. I would go back to this restaurant with friends any time ...

Navarre is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland because they know how to bring out the natural flavor of food. Even with something as simple as a side order of carrots you come away saying "I didn't realize carrots could taste so good". The entrees and desserts are also outstanding. I've eaten there several times and have not eaten anything that was not delicious.

We've read solid reviews about Navarre and its newer version, Luce. So when friends came to town, we put our old standby restaurants aside to try something new. The tapas menu is extensive and it can be kind of difficult to know what's really good. However the two waitresses that looked after us were very helpful in pointing out the restaurant's most popular items. Eventually we agreed on about 8-10 different plates for our table. The "bird" plate (chicken) was braised very nicely but without much seasoning. The crab used in the crab cakes did not seem fresh, at least to me. Everyone commented on the unusual flavor of the crab cakes. In any case, we left some crab cakes behind uneaten. While the staff was welcoming and helpufl, our impressions were, "Well we tried it and it was fine". But I doubt that any of us will go back. Pity.

Went around 4 pm on a Saturday. Small plates of Mediterranean influence. Hummus, lamb, rabbit, lots of veggies. Extensive wine list and can purchase 1/3 or 2/3 of a bottle, as well as by the glass or full bottle. Food was good, varied. Two of us split five small plates and that was enough. Service, at first, was excellent. Francine was great but once another waitress came on and relieved Francine, service sucked. There were only three tables and there were 3-4 employees standing around doing nothing but talking. I, personally, have a hard time with that. Real turn off

We recently returned to Navarre with some friends who asked for a recommendation. Navarre is a pioneer in both the "locavore" and small plates movements. Seasonal vegetable dishes are always a good choice. Crab cakes and lamb are regulars on the menu and always great. When we first started going there the service was somewhat slow as it was usually understaffed, but that is no longer the case. Staff are very helpful in navigating the many choices and making recommendations both for food and wine. A unique Portland experience that I highly recommend.

We were a party of 3 and we had the Chef's Choice, which was 10 plates of a nearly dizzying array of fantastic dishes! There were vegetables that I wouldn't normally have ordered, but everything was so delicious! Huge kudos to the chefs - excellent dinner! Will definitely go back next time I am Portland! Tips: they were quite busy for dinner on a Saturday night and they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more, so you may have a wait or you can sit at the bar and have a great view into the kitchen, where the staff work like a well-oiled machine! It is a small restaurant and so quite noisy with all the happy customers' chatter.

Our neighbors, my wife and I went to dinner early on a Sunday evening, hoping to find a new restaurant to add to our Favorites List. Well, we did. This cozy eatery is an absolute gem. The menu changes every week, as we learned, so there will always be something new to be savored. You can choose between a wide variety of small plates, like tapas or pintxos, or an entré-sized portions. We decided to order a number of small plates to share. Being little piggies, we sampled the pork, lamb, and salmon plates, several roasted veggies dishes, and the cheese and salami charcuterie. Every dish was prepared and presented to the very highest standards. In other words, it was delicious from beginning to end. Our server was very attentive to our needs, explaining the restaurant's unique and quaint ordering system, taking our drink orders, and periodically checking to see if we needed anything. She was excellent. This restaurant has a fabulous wine selection. My wife had a superb white while my two neighbors and I shared a bottle of red, both Riojas. Finally, I must say that this place has tons of charm. It is small and inviting, just the right ambiance for a fine meal.

We read about this restaurant in The Oregonian and decided to check it out. We liked the small plates and the service was excellent. The server was very knowledgeable and guided us to through the menu. The decor was decidedly low-brow and the emphasis clearly was on the food. My wife especially liked the crab cakes declaring them the best she has ever had.

With the days much longer, we wondered out of the Laurelhurst movie theater one evening and went across the street to a line of very interesting eateries. This is the one we thought had the best ambience plus they were serving later than some of the others. Loved the unique menu that changes often depending on what can be gotten fresh & locally. I really enjoyed the rabbit which you rarely see on any menu. The braised greens were also a nice, tasty surprise. The other veggies we ordered extra were just ok. Also enjoyed the Smith local brand of hot tea with a lovely dessert that we shared by candle light. Such a nice experience!

Attentive service. Lovely atmosphere. Good wine (seven devils from Willamette Valley really nice) selection. Clams delicious. Rabbit - love it! Top fav was the shaved fennel and apple salad. Salmon - Wow! Only con: be sure and ask for a 'fresh' cut of cake. Otherwise you might get the piece from the day before that's been sitting on the counter, uncovered, about 6 inches away from other diners who may have coughed, sneezed or touched that piece! They really need to cover those old slices. Same for the open, half eaten pies. Why would I want yesterday's old cake/pie when I can have a slice of today's fresh??? That is just wrong!

We ate here twice recently mid-week around 5:30, and the food and service were excellent both times. Small plates made sharing fun and allowed for some adventure. The rabbit was wonderful. Be sure to order Ken's bread and olive oil. Earlier in the year, we had tried to get in on a Thursday evening, and the little restaurant was already full.

There are a number of competing restaurants popping up all over Portland that offer a sophisticated meal at a decent price - however, Navarre is a stalwart in the market and a true tone setter. From the enormous variety of food offerings to the richly curated wine and drinks - going to Navarre is like going to a friends house for dinner who happens to be a chef and has impeccable taste. What more could you want in a dining experience. It can be a bit hard to find Navarre - as it sits in a nondescript shopping place along Northeast 28th Street in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Portland. In addition, there are a few really decent places in very close proximity to Navarre. Never fear, its worth seeking out . . . and in spite of the less-than-super-inspiring decor - it is a fantastic night out with great protein selections and a wide variety of fresh vegetable offerings.

My wife and I have been here twice. Both times we elected to have the fixed price meal. The restaurant changes its menu to highlight regional european cuisines. Most recently it was Balkan and absolutely delicious. Several courses with an accompanying wine pre-selected (for additional $ of course). Don't miss this chance to travel without leaving Portland!

A repeat visit. I had been charmed the last time; completely won over on this visit. Perhaps it is simply what I look for: an unpretentious venue; an incredible menu with reasonably priced small portions; an excellent wine list; great service; and the flavors! To die for. For a lousy $71, which included an entire bottle of wine, we were in culinary heaven. What else are you looking for?

I used to go to this restaurant regularly but haven't had a chance again until last night. The tapas are amazing and such a perfect way to eat where you can order some and if you're still hungry order more. Lots of delicious veggie options too. Fantastic sweet potato gratin as well as trout in parchment and shrimp with lemon. Even the bread and olive oil are terrific. Will start going here more often for sure. Small place that feels neighborly.

An excellent representation of the basque way of eating : PINTXOS style. All dishes are prepared to accent the ingredients and flavours they carefully chose. Rotating menues based on seasonal choices ensure repeat customers. Simple, excellent and extremely well prepared. Real food. Their wine menu is also well thought out and unpretentious. More wine Choices from the extreme southwest of france would be much appreciated. BRAVO!

If you're interested in deliciously prepared small plates then this is the place (though they also do larger plates of everything too). Everything is beautifully prepared and wonderful flavours. Relaxed atmosphere with no pretense. Friendly and helpful service, great wine list. Really good to see such an extensive choice of wines by the glass.

I went to Navarre with a large number of people (nine of us), and I'm not the person who ordered the small plates that made the round of the table, so I've no knowledge of what the dishes were called. Suffice to say that the staff was helpful and friendly; the relatively small space (crowded when we arrived) still allowed for us to carry on a lively conversation. One orders as one often does in a sushi restaurant by checking off what one wants (and whether one wants smaller or larger portions) from a list. There was grilled shrimp (excellent), steak, something that involved poratoes and, I believe, pate (very, very good) and another kale dish that I recall standing out. The bottles of Pinot Noir and glasses of Proseccho ordered were great. I hope to rerurn with fewer people (and less need to talk business), so I can pay more attention to and savor the food. Still, there are not many places with casual dining and good food where one can gather a largish group and hear what everyone is saying. For that alone, I'd put Navarre on my list of restaurants to keep in mind.

If you are traveling through Portland or live in town try this unassuming delight in the SE part of town, wonderful dishes (some are on their usually) and others are added daily. The menu comes in small and sharing portions. Feels like your eating in someone's kitchen, don't miss the Red Velvet cake!

This place is a real "find." The food is innovative, fresh, and superbly-prepared. Amazing flavors, creatively combined. Very high-quality ingredients, very good wine list. The service is attentive, informative, and friendly. Prices can be reasonable, if you stick to the "small plates." I suggest going at an "off hour," as there sometimes is a long wait at peak dinner hours.

We ate here on our honeymoon. It was our first tapas-style dining experience, and it wasn't disappointing. My husband and I shared several plates that included olives, cheese, crab cakes, dill potatoes, trout, and buffalo. Everything was excellent, although the crab cakes were totally different from what this East Coaster is used to - and I have to stick by the East Coast style. It did take a very long time for us to receive our food, but we were also brought a complimentary plate, so it was worth it.

I came here last year on my last trip to Portland and so when a group of friends said we were eating here again last night o couldn't wait. They all live in the neighbourhood and are long term eaters here. We had 5 different veg dishes, the squash and chilli, the Romano(?) beans, the chard and potato, tomato and pesto and Padron peppers, all utterly delicious. The Tomatos were the most vivid red tomatos I've had in a long time, the Padron peppers delicious too. For the two meat eaters we also had we had a small bit of pork and steak. I didn't choose the wine and have no idea what we had but both very great, one lighter for the veg and for heavier for the meat. Finished off with a superb plum pie. Delicious. Finished off with a cocktail next door. Great art on the walls as well.

This was right down the street from our B&B and was probably the best dining experience of the trip. The food is fresh and local and the service unpretentious. I won't even tell you what we had since it changes so frequently, but grab a seat at the bar and watch the cooks work their magic in a small space. For those expecting a local wine list, ask for recommendations with their Euro-centric selections and be pleasantly surprised by something like an Italian Arneis (full-bodied, white).

Navarre has a "we choose" option where the chef selects your meal. Our party of four selected that and we recieved a lot of very tasty food. The crabcakes are wonderful, long on big chunks of flavorful fresh crab. Many of the other dishes were very good, the lamb was tasty and melt in the mouth tender, the pate, vegetables, and bread topnotch. The fresh greens ordinary. At $32.00 a person it is more than I usually spend but a reasonable value. Service was good but not as good as some better local restaurants. Located in an area of many popular Portland restaurants. Evening street parking not too hard.

navarre was highly recommended to us and we liked the idea of farm to table concept - share french dishes. we ordered potato terrine (very nice), asparagus spears and morrel mushrooms in cream sauce (just as nice), dungeness & scallop crab cakes (delicious), farra salad (tasteless), fois gras that was to be the piece de resistance for me turned out to be a complete let down - it was strangely sugary! no kidding! however, we cannot fault the service we got - we were waited upon by the most friendly staff who even made a list of places nearby we should visit.

I made my second trip to Navarre after a long absence. I had read about all the horror stories of poor and rude service and found it all to be so untrue. Yes, the staff are not entertainers, but they are serious about their profession and go about their jobs with a focus. Everyone was very friendly and the food was super. I would recommend this for anyone who understands that this restaurant is about the food and little else. The wine list is well thought out and the same ol' boring wines do not exist here. Someone knows what he/she is doing in wine buying. If you're looking for entertainment and fancy service, there are plenty of other restaurants for you. For me, it's Navarre.

A fun take on fine mexican cuisine in a cool neighborhood

A group of 8 gathered here for a meal on a Sunday night. Currently this restaurant is featuring foods from Normandy and Brittany, as well as other specials. The chef works with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) so food is sourced from local farms and features organic seasonal produce and free-range/pastured beef, pork, chickens. Ordering is done by checking a box in front of the desired dish, as well as writing in specials featured that day.There was also a Chet's selection of 13 items. The wine list is amazing, especially since it features 40-50 wines by the glass, and portions of a bottle; 1/3, 1/2, and includes many from France, Spain, and Italy, as well as a few regional wineries. The menu is also quite extensive, and on this night, featured foods such as rabbit and duck prepared in the style found in Normandy and Brittany. All plates are served family style so you can share. Our party of 8 ordered approximately 10 dishes, and instead of dessert at the end, had an assortment of French and Spanish cheeses. Eclectic, interesting, and well-prepared dishes. A plus was a corkage of $13 each for 3 bottles of wine we brought, and a reasonably priced Italian wine purchased from their list.

I go here 3 - 4 times year, and have for several years. While it takes a couple of times to get used to the method of ordering (you check off and write down what you want based on lists that change regularly), I have always found it to be worth the challenge. It is consistently excellent. You can order small or large plates of all the dishes, so it is perfect for a group. I love to take out of town guests here. Small plates give everyone a taste. Large plates are more substantial. The vegetable selections are seasonal and delicious. Perfectly prepared. The wait staff is attentive and very knowledgeable about the wines (they will give you a taste, so don't be afraid to ask). The only criticism is that the lighting is so low, we all have to use the flashlights on our phones to read the menu. I will keep going back!

We have been golf that you can't go wrong with restaurants in Portland. This we were pretty disappointed with our dinner last night. We did the 'chef's choice' and it of a bunch of dishes only about two had any distinction. None were bad and all were fresh but they were decidedly average. If I had had them at our neighbors I would have been impressed but to pay for them at a supposedly really good restaurant was disappointing.

We went to Navarre as a group of twelve and while we were there during peak dining hours, albeit a Sunday, the staff had no problems handling our large, diverse group. Several wines, cocktails and beers complimented the dozen or so dishes we all ate Tapas style. Particularly delicious was the lamb lollipops and pork belly & tuna dishes. We all had a wonderful time and will put this place on our 'visit again soon' list.

There were some very good & average dishes since we had 9 plates. But my objection was to the serving of both cold and hot dishes all at once. The portions were very small and I would have enjoyed it more if it were a hot dinner.

Had a great meal here! Service was great. Gave us the right amount of attention and yet were able to enjoy uninterrupted time as well. Recommendations were spot on. Foie gras was outstanding as was the gratin. Cozy spot with wonderful food.

My husband and I did not enjoy our ridiculously expensive meal and even went home hungry. Ordered 7 small plates as recommended by server. Each plate was miniature sized but very pricey, $10 or $11 minimum. Two of the dishes tasted good (and I literally mean tasted--we each had perhaps 2 small bites) and the rest were bland and uninteresting. Service was indifferent. The desert was a joke. We shared "chocolate mouse" for dessert. It consisted of a very small plate with "Jello"-like brand pudding and consistency, with a dollop of whipped cream on top. Very unappealing presentation for a top ranked restaurant--looked and tasted like cafeteria food. We left hungry after paying $100.00 plus including tip. Also, the tables are extremely small and the restaurant serves everything you ordered all at once so there is no room for all the plates. We were urged immediately to empty one small plate to make room for the other small plates. Chaotic meal and very unsatisfying. At the conclusion, we were not presented with a bill. My husband put his credit card down and the server took it and brought back the charge receipt. We then asked for a bill and the server returned with a checklist with numerous dollar amounts but no corresponding menu items. When we asked how we were to briefly scan and approve our bill, i.e., amounts charged for items we ordered, the server brought us a menu and suggested that we use that to figure out what we ordered, the items' prices, and whether those corresponded to the dollar amounts on the "checklist." We were very disappointed by this entire experience. We last ate at Navarre about a year previous to this visit. While the table size was an issue then too, overall the experience was much better. Portions were bigger, most dishes truly outstanding and service very attentive. We can only surmise that the restaurant has gone downhill or it was a very very bad night!

Small restaurant on the corner of 28th and Burnside in North East Portland. Very unique food and great offerings. The food is freshly made and you have a peak into their kitchen. The servers are very friendly. Our food was delivered in very prompt manner. What we were nicely surprise is the desert variety they have. Great and tasty pies, made fresh every couple of days. After our visit I came back couple more nights just for the dessert :) Very good and healthy offerings.

Headed to Navarre after a disappointing meal at Piazza Italia. We ordered the red velvet cake, sweet potato pie and pear tart. There red velvet is hands down the best red velvet I've ever tasted. We had a couple glasses of rose as well. Talked a bit with the own John who is always helpful when picking a good wine. Service was great as well.

My wife and I dined here last night to celebrate our anniversary. Small and intimate with an attentive, knowledgeable staff, we were pleased with every aspect of our dining experience. We love tapas and the small servings we shared of: fiore gras on cumin toast, steamed clams, Chantalle mushrooms, braised greens, carne salad, and duck breast were all perfect. Except for the duck which was beyond perfect, orbiting orgasmic somewhere out in the cosmos. Wonderful wine list from which we chose a lovely 02 Vin du Pays; "La Soula" that started off wonderful and ended up a perfect match for all our tapas. Topped it off with a scrumptious Devil's Food cake with a lovely vintage port and we were totally satisfied. We will be back.

Went here for an early dinner on a Wednesday night in a party of five. The ordering system (fill out a form) is fun, and the sharing approach allows you to try lots of different dishes. What stood out was: Pommes dauphinoise (perfect), foie gras on cumin toast (the spice cut through the fattiness nicely), head cheese (yum), and radishes with butter (nice to see this classic French dish appearing on more menus). The service was great, and the dining room is pretty.

Outstanding food and wine experience! This restaurant offers more than 60 wines by the glass along either side of offering 1/3 and 2/3 bottles in addition to full bottles. You select your food in writing from a long list of delightful options. Plates are tapas size and are beautifully prepared and served. The service and staff at Navarre are outstanding. I will return on my next visit to Portland!

We spent 8 days/nights eating out in Portland and this meal was one of our top. Every seat indoors and out was full, the staff were attentive, cool-headed, eager to make suggestions given it was our first time there. We sat at the bar (best seat in the place) and the atmosphere was vibrant with an open kitchen and wall to ceiling shelves lined with homemade pickles. We watched as the two chefs masterfully churned out dish after dish of beautiful, unique dishes with so much flavour. The snap peas with mint I could eat for a week straight. The crab cakes were so wonderful, not heavily breaded like most-they use scallops to bind the delicate meat together. Served with delicious chutney. The hanger steak perfectly prepared and so flavourful. Porcini salad...excellent. The value was incredible. If we lived in Portland, we would come here weekly. It was just excellent on every level.

Simple seasonal menu items to mix and match and share. I love the model, and i love the creativity of the food. The individual plates are cheap, but somehow it always ends up an expensive experience - but worth it.

My wife and I wanted to catch dinner before a movie and walked into Navarre on a lark. The staff seated us immediately and our server was very helpful in explaining the restaurant's scheme. We ordered an excellent bottle from the well chosen wine list. The food was excellent -- we had three vegetable small plates pared with two meat -- rabbit and chicken -- plates. Perfect amount of food. The flavor of each dish was tongue tingling. We are definitely going to return to this well-run establishment.

My wife and I took my brother and sister-in-law out to eat at this restaurant partly due to being highly rated in the latest edition of Portland Monthly. When we got there my wife and I remembered we had been there before and had enjoyed our meal. The restaurant has an interested means of ordering - you basically check off or write down what you want and whether you want small or large portions. The menu is quite diverse so there is something there to like for everyone. Navarre also has a good wine selection. I can't remember all the items we ordered but we shared and enjoyed them all. The wait staff were very friendly and service was good. I would highly recommend Navarre as a change of pace place to eat ala tapas style. Its on par with Toro Bravo and not quite as busy. They don't take reservations for parties under 6 but then were not crowded between 5-6 which is when we ate.

Interesting place, good food

Navarre offers a menu with a lot of small plate options, similar to tapas. Most of the food was delicious and there is enough variety to satisfy meat eaters and vegetarians. The gravlax was a major disappointment - the microscopic pieces were buried in a pile of greens. If you're not careful, you can run up a bill very quickly. The wine list was excellent, many good choices at fairly reasonable prices.

We left the theatre and walked across the street and this restaurant was interesting to my son. He had never experienced a la carte before so that was fun. He ordered leg of lamb, carrots, bread and huckleberry pie. He loved them all! All the dishes were excellent, but I will return for the carrots. Never have I tasted such great carrots. The waitress recommended the wine for him and it was also excellent. It is pricey, and if you share a small plate or two, you might not be full. I ate at the theatre so I was not hungry. It is difficult for me as I am vegan, but you will find vegan here. The menu is very large as is the wine list. The waitress was helpful and efficient. This seems like a hole-in-the-wall, but it is anything but. The food is Croatian so you can expect some flavoring you may not be aware of but ask for hints. We will return. Parking might be difficult as you will need to park in the street. You can take the bus and save that problem. Check into the Laurelhurst theatre next door ($3 senior, microbrews, wine). I would have given it a 5 if parking was not so difficult. I parked in the theatre parking, so I was ok.

We don't eat meat, so going to a "regular" place usually limits us to 2 or 3 choices. Not here. The vegetable side dishes are numerous and always interesting. Add parchment wrapped trout or crab cakes and we have a wonderful meal. Long list of wines I have never heard of, but I have always liked what they suggest. Portland has so many fine restaurants, but we keep coming back Navarre for a sure thing.

We ordered the Chef's menu for $32/person and were NOT disappointed. There were 12 menu items (all small plate) - some of which I would never have thought to order - and all were pretty good. My favorite? The "gratin". You think you're getting creamy, cheesy thin sliced potatoes but it's actually cabbage cooked in heavy cream. Again, would never have ordered that but wow! Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. The service was fine - not over the top but friendly enough. And yes, I was completely full when I left.

4 solid stars for solid good Spanish tapas with a hint of Basque. Interesting wine card with a few Basque wines too. I can especially recommend the clams! UHM!! Crowded, so book in advance to be sfe or eat at the bar.

Our actual restaurant of choice for dinner hadn't opened yet, and so we swung into Navarre for a glass of wine and an appetizer. We ordered a couple of their small plates - bread, olives, two assorted cheese plates, and some olive oil. Two glasses of their "cheapest" International wines were requested as well (nothing local on menu). While the snacks were acceptable, the bill did total $40 in the end. WOW, that turned out to be an expensive pre-course! I wonder what it would take for our family to eat a full course meal here... Sorry, Navarre, the small plates and wine were just too costly!

Great find! Although the quality of the food and the romantic atmosphere (soft lighting but not too dim) would make this restaurant worthy of a visit anyway, the true value is the ability to customize your own dining experience. After being seated, you peruse a paper menu and check the boxes next to the dishes you wish to include for that course, as well as the desired size (small or large). Each dish is meant to be served family style and shared and "small" is usually the perfect size for two people. After you enjoy your first course, you can then take another paper menu and select the dishes for the next one...and the next one...and the next one, and so on. I highly recommend this restaurant, especially for couples. My boyfriend and I enjoyed our customized three course dinner and will be back again.

Navarre is consistently the best restaurant we eat at in Portland. The food is always exceptional and the service is good. They do the best job with vegetable dishes of any restaurant I have ever been to in my life. Don't miss the red velvet cake--it has lemon in it and will blow away any other velvet cake you have even eaten.