Quaintrelle Reviews

First, the food is excellent and freshly prepared and I'm a big fan of the small plates concepts. The gin cocktail on special was exceptional and the wine list is excellent and quite fairly priced. A little scarce on pinot noir though. But I did snag a bottle of Winderlea Dundee hils for $54 that retails for $38. Great warm service and just a fun place to be. Also half priced bottles of wine on Wednesdays.

Relocating to SE Clinton and 20th has given Quaintrelle more outdoor space which is especially welcoming during covid. The menu is flexible with a 5, 7, or 9 course prix fix chef’s choice menu or ala carte. We chose the 7 course option without the wine pairing. Portions are compact and full of flavor with attention to presentation. We started with petite oysters from Washington followed by scallops in an Asian style green curry (my fave). Next up was roasted quail, tartare ahi, duck, and a plum tart with corn ice cream. Service was superb.

We ordered several small plates and shared them among the four of us. The server suggested this and it was a great idea.

5 tiny less-than-appetizer-sized "courses" for $200 not including drinks. Wife and I both needed snacks when we got home so as not to go to bed hungry. Maybe we just went on the wrong night, but really not sure why half a meal would be the thing to serve on Valentine's. I was super disappointed, especially after hearing great things about their usual fare. Yeah, it was mostly really tasty (couple off notes), the service was great, good cocktails, nice atmosphere and all... but where's my f-ing dinner? At the end of the day it's a restaurant, and I came for dinner, and I paid a hefty price for it, and we cleaned our plates and walked away pretty damn hungry. I don't get it. And I probably never will...

We LOVED this restaurant! Everything we had was especially delicious. The service was also excellent. Each corse better than the last. We can't wait to go back

Went for dinner. This place es exceptionally creative. Combinations I would not dream of that were the absolute best. Started working our way through the menu, but did not make it to entrees because everything else was so good. Great staff.

Manhattan was mediocre at best. However, the meal and the company more than made up for the cocktail! While visiting a client, now good friend, who owns a nearby brewpub himself, he recommended Quaintrelle. Food was phenomenal! We had a fantastic time in a relaxed atmosphere.

Although a bit of a journey from the South Waterfront, it was certainly worth the trip. Situated in vibey Mississippi Ave, this relaxed restaurant serves food full of freshness and flavours. My starter - asparagus, cauliflower, golden raisins, almonds, capers, quinola. Although looking rather cramped on to the plate, it was absolutely packed full of delicious flavours, a fantastic dish! Followed by Halibut, leek, sea beans, pea tendrils almonds, turmeric, also delicious, glistening fresh fish. Cheerful friendly and helpful service. Mall but adequate wine list plus range of cocktails. Recommended.

Yum yum yum. What can I say other than AMAZING. Loved everything. Our waiter John was wonderful. His recommendations we spot on. We had the Little Gem salad. Perfectly creamy and tart. The beet salad truly special with sweet beets and strawberries and a crunch. We also had the baby carrots with a delectable hummus spread. The goat cheese dumplings which were so unique- a must. My absolute favorite was the mussels and clams. I cannot describe how delicious this dish was. Giant muscles and clams with a type of spicy sausage and a silky sauce. This dish is not to be missed. As a foodie I would come back here in a heartbeat.

We dined here on a Saturday night in October 2020. It was a busy evening at the restaurant, but they did a nice job with COVID-related protocols, including distancing the tables and ensuring that staff were in masks. Overall, we had a very nice experience. On the plus side, the menu was very appealing—lots of truly original dishes showcasing the flavors of the season. The menu offers three tasting options, or you can order a la carte; we opted for an a la carte experience. The menu was clearly organized into a section of seafood, a section of vegetables, a section of proteins, and a section of snacks and desserts. The wine list was also very thoughtfully constructed, with an emphasis on Oregon wines across all categories—sparkling, white, orange, rose, and red. I appreciated that the by-the-glass list was as thoughtful as the bottle list. Additionally, our service was warm and thoughtful; our server did a particularly excellent job picking-up on our interest in the wines and spending a bit of time talking about the producers, etc. Definitely a fine-dining experience when it comes to the food. Plating was generally elegant. The food itself was quite good overall, though we definitely liked some things better than others. A cauliflower salad was excellent: thinly shaved cauliflower paired with some other chicories in a fantastic dressing. The chopped salad was only okay; while the selection of vegetables within was fun to explore, we thought the dressing needed a bit more complexity. Grilled peppers with miso butter were fine...tasty, but unremarkable. On the seafood dishes, we really enjoyed the mussels in a green curry sauce; the sauce had wonderful complexity and the right texture—great for bread dipping! A pasta dish with crab was decent—it was heavier than we thought (I tend to think of crab as something paired with generally light flavors, and the pasta was a heavier-flavored dish), but as the flavors blended we both enjoyed it; our only comment was that it could have used a bit more acid to brighten the flavor. We were stuffed by the end of the meal; overall, it was a delicious dining experience and we applaud the chef for doing some really interesting things. The only part of the experience for which we did not care was the atmosphere. The music was simply too loud and a bit new-agey. I tend to think that in a fine dining restaurant one should not overly notice the music—i.e., you want it for the background ambiance, and occasionally you might like a song, but it should not prove a distraction. This was loud (and weird) enough to be distracting. The dining room was casual overall—no tablecloths here, despite the fine-dining vibe. No problem with casual, but it felt 1990s in the lighting, wall decor, etc. A minor nit-pick, but the vibe of the space felt a little out-of-sync with the vibe and modernity of the food and wine on offer. Better than this than the reverse (great vibe and poor food), however. Overall, a lovely night out in Portland. Recommended!

I chose this place almost out of desperation when I had trouble getting a reservation at other restaurants for a Friday night. I found a glowing newspaper review online for this restaurant when it opened just a few months ago. They only had a very early opening for dinner at 5:30 but I snapped it up. The restaurant is well decorated and looked very cosy as we were led through the bar area to be seated in the upstairs section. The service was prompt and very knowledgeable for the items on the quite short menu. I started with my usual vodka and soda with a twist, and it actually came that way, rather than the usual slice of lemon or lime which completely ruins the drink. My wife had a well made White Russian. I had the Pork Comfit, of which had never heard. The waiter explained it is prepared similar to the way Duck Comfit is prepared, i.e., preserved in its own fat and then cooked for at least four hours to tenderize it before crisping it before serving. It was covered with a complex pear sauce. It was simply delicious, accompanied with a glass of nice Cabernet. My wife had the Halibut Filet, which she pronounced, "Perfection!". We finished by sharing a slice of Olive Oil Cake. Sounds a bit strange, but believe me it was outstanding. I suggest you trry this place before it becomes impossible to get in.

I went for dinner with a friend. We called for a last minute reservation and they were so nice to find a spot for us. Our server G was really great we basically did an Omakase and let her chose a few courses and drinks for us. The food was really creative and a great combination of flavors. The farm to table approach will make coming here a unique experience every time. Next time I’m in town I will definitely be back.

Our tasting menu dinner was very good, everything that was erved was sublime except the beef course and the dessert. The beef wasn't an especially tender cut, and the dessert tangerine sorbet had a rather bland flavor. But I would defineatly go again, for a special occasion. The cocktails were really really good.

I have reviewed this restaurant before and was mightily impressed with the flavorful, fresh vegetable dishes. It is still good. But there's a new chef who, understandably, wants to stamp his identity on the food. Unfortunately he's messing with some classics. The Sheep Cheese Dumplings used to be sublime...now they are just good. The sauces on the vegetable dishes are a little too obvious now and rely too much on mayo. It is edging in the direction of Le Pigeon overkill (a restaurant that has always been overrated). There's time to revert to what made Quaintrelle great...maybe more regulars need to speak up?

I took my wife here for our 8th Anniversary. It totally transformed her. Normally she is the most loving, caring, giving person you could ever meet. At this restaurant she turned into the exact opposite. She loved the food so much that she refused to share! The wonderful desert (provided free of charge to celebrate our special occasion) nearly disappeared without me getting a bite. This place has some seriously unique and wonderful flavors. Nothing is left on your plate. With each course you enjoy it so much and can't wait for the next one. This is an incredible place. Service is excellent. We sat outside. A couple of suggestions for the management:1) invest in better, more comfortable outdoor furniture. The fold up chairs are hard and uncomfortable. The tables feel a bit cramped. 2) find a way to provide more privacy. At times we felt like we were sharing a table with the patrons at the sushi place next door. This is an expensive, upscale restaurant that has huge potential. We loved it and will definitely go back again. Highly recommended!

In an area with too many bars and eateries to count, Quaintrelle is special. It is inviting and simple. Someone took care in decorating the space. More importantly, the service and food were exemplary. The ever so slightly fried blossoms, beautiful baby gems, perfectly cooked half chicken and luscious pork were served at just the right pace by serious servers. Most people were sitting outside on a beautiful moon evening. We enjoyed being inside and being treated like royalty. Good luck Quaintrelle!!

One of our couple friends and us decided to go to Quaintrelle prior to attending a NYE house party nearby. We picked this place solely based on location and the ability to make a reservation. I had perished the menu prior and admit I was not overly excited about it. Chef Bill did not disappoint and the taste of the food exceeded my expectations. My partner and I ordered the Dungeness crab toast, goat cheese dumplings with hedgehog mushrooms, truffle ribeye, and potato gratin dish. The toast and steak were fantastic, while the dumplings were very good. I found the potato dish unimpressive in terms of texture and flavor. Unfortunate all of the food was served lukewarm and that is the reason behind my 4 star review instead of 5. I like my food hot and every single dish was tepid. This would be more forgivable if we were a large party, but I feel a party of 4 should all be able to enjoy their food together at the proper temperature. Service was impeccable. I only had one drink, but it was very well done. We would definitely return to Quaintrelle should we find ourselves in the Mississippi neighborhood again.

We 3 had the 7 course chef’s tasting menu and we shared a bottle of wine. The sommelier did a great job recommending a wine that would work well with the range of flavors. It did go very well with the meal which was outstanding. The food was wonderful and beautifully presented. The service was outstanding. We had a terrific evening.

Joined a group of friends and out-of-towner guests for a an amazing meal featuring virtually all of the chef's specialties. What an adventure for our taste buds! The food is wonderfully creative, both in appearance and in flavor, and all at exceptional value! Service was wonderfully paced and our waiter was knowledgeable and very accommodating. We had one gluten-free person, 2 vegetarians and 2 pescatarians, and everyone was happy with the food. There was plenty to go around. The pinots we drank were local and delicious, though the vintners were not known to me. We also enjoyed the excellent and eclectic music. This is a very special restaurant and should not be such a well-kept secret. We will take advantage, though, and go back soon!

The service is friendly and responsive, and the menu is compelling, but the four-month-old Quaintrelle has some growing to do before it can claim a distinct dining experience. For vegetable lovers, however, it's worth experiencing this restaurant as it ages. While some of the salads and sides were a bit clumsy, other parts of the meal were lovely. The fingerling potatoes, for example, while deliciously seasoned with sage, were dry and cut into small wedges, which hid their interesting shapes and one of the primary reasons for featuring fingerlings. The romano beans were overcooked. The distinct tastes of the sweet corn, cabbage, chanterelles, walnuts and sorrel cabbage salad were masked by a bit too much mayonnaise. Undeniably delicious were the sheep cheese dumplings with cherry tomatoes and basil, which tasted like gnocchi,and the half chicken encircled by what seemed a tarragon pesto and beans. The chicken could have been juicier, but the tarragon pesto and beans were the belle of the ball. The restaurant features mixed drinks and lovely wines. The main dining room is upstairs, and while it's cozy, it can feel claustrophobic when populated by a large or loud group of diners. Nonetheless, Quaintrelle could well provide a dazzling dining experience when it grows up.

We chose this restaurant, not because of its ranking on Trip Advisor, because at around 1100 out of 3400 odd, we were never going to find it, but rather it was listed in open table as a trending restaurant. It was truly wonderful, service was great. Accommodated our GF needs very well. Strayer of raw beef was spectacular, beet and radish salad was a delight. The Black Cod was cooked absolutely perfectly.

We chose this place because it was named one of the hottest new restaurants in Portland. They did not disappoint. Excellent cocktails to get our taste buds primed for the delicious duck ham with pickled vegies combination. The fried broccoli with chili honey and pecorino had a sweet and saltiness that delights. Our main entree of black cod and roasted half chicken were tasty - I would order them again. Our servers were friendly, responsive, and knowledgeable. We will definitely return.

Great food. Try the fried squash blossom with honey and chili oil or the little gem salad with creme of carrot dressing. Both were delicious as as the salmon. Nice winelist with a great sauvignon blanc (Matziner-Davies) for about $35. Other good wines as well. Interesting cocktails, but a little pricey. Desserts are a bargain at $7. Place is brand new so you can get a seat but it will fill up soon. The only challenge is finding parking in his hip neighborhood

We were here for the March pris fixe menu. The choice of salads was superb and each was tasty and creative. The entre flavor combinations were well thought out and beautifully presented.

Our dinner was one of the best we have ever had. We had the Halibut, celery root, miner’s lettuce, wild onions, pistachios and the Pork coppa, rapini, tokyo turnips, hazelnuts, watercress salsa . The pork dish was the most colorful and beautiful dishes to look at and my husband said it was an explosion of flavors and one of the best meals he had ever had. We were there on a quiet Sunday evening. The wait staff were very kind and helpful.

Had a great meal. Rabbit and grits was ok. Octopus was tender with nice crunch from the vegetables. Didn't really taste the crab as there was something overpowering the flavor. Desserts were yummy. Cheesecake was light. Earl Grey ice cream devine.

I was in town to visit friends and they brought me here as one of their favorite places. One person was vegan and they were able to make very tasty modifications that worked for everyone

Food was mostly excellent, the only dish that was memorable for not being spot on was the swordfish which was too salty and overcooked. Two of us had the wine pairing and both were very pleased with both the wines and the descriptions provided. Sat outside in the covered outdoor patio, for folks seeking a romantic atmosphere it might have been better inside. Overall a terrific experience, very friendly and knowledgeable servers.

Just one of THOSE dining experiences... you know... amazing! The food was sensational... every single bite. We had seven different plates of simply delicious flavors. Each one was a stand out... even the kale salad! The prices are extremely reasonable for this level of cuisine.

From the duck ham (not sure where the "ham" part comes in - but it is magnificent) to the black cod to the fantastic salads and vegetarian options, nothing about the menu disappoints. Heck, you need not look any further than the fact that the former Ava Gene's sous chef Bill Wallender is the Chef de cuisine in the Quaintrelle kitchen to know this place is legit. We had a spectacular dinner. Four adults and our six year old daughter shared a table on the top floor all by ourselves on a Sunday night. It was like a private dinner. We had amazing (I mean it, really great) service from Kalani. At one point in the evening we were his only table and he offered to run down the street to get some ice cream for our daughter. Talk about great service and a super kind man! Our table had a grand tour of the menu with a wide assortment of food stuffs. The salads were just bursting with flavors and a nice mix of the standard accompaniments and a little adventurous pairings of garden offerings. In addition to the food and service, the wine selections are balanced and thoughtful and fully compliment the food offerings. The big hit for our group was the cocktail selection. Everyone (I did not imbibe) kept talking about the drink special. Our server referenced it as "holiday in a glass." And, true to his recommendation, I wife felt an extra special Holiday cheer (oh, but that could have been the generous alcohol pour). In any event, the evening was very memorable. We will be back and the first thing we'll order is the "butter like" duck ham and the cocktail special.

This is a pretty place. Low light, nice colors, minimalistic interior. The place is divided into upstairs/downstairs seating. Bar is downstairs. Open kitchen is fun. We ate upstairs, on Dining month. They had a selection of salads, 5 of them. We chose the apple salad, a riff on a Waldorf salad. They used pine nuts, a bit of mint, celery and a tangy dressing and something like pink lady apples. Really good. The flat iron steak was really well seasoned--this is a "chewy" steak, by the cut--this was well cooked. Maybe a little pink on the med rare we ordered. We also tried the roasted brussel sprouts with celeriac and the literally "smashed" potatoes. They were flattened and then cooked. Fun. Nice dessert too, it was a coffee pudding. Rich and very creamy. Excellent wine list! One ding--dirty plate at my place setting--not so cool. Staff was great--fun atmosphere. Decent prices. Good food.

Went for a romantic dinner as they were fully booked for NYE dinner...my boyfriend is not a foodie and he cannot wait to go back. Open kitchen,very intimate and awesome food/presentation.

Having just arrived from the UK, this was my first experience of Portland dining. Without doubt, it set a standard which could not be beat during the holiday break. Each course was cooked to perfection and tasted superb. Friendly staff without being too pushy. It was also the first time in a number of US visits I did not feel harassed so the restaurant can turn the table over. Waiter was friendly and from Dublin (my wife and kids are all Irish). Like most brits, getting used to the cost of dining out in the US and can’t understand why wine is so expensive in the US. My guidance - enjoy the experience, love the food and take the hit on the cost :-)

I have never had such a regrettable dining experience anywhere. They did nothing to accommodate my nephews food dislikes and my wife’s dairy allergy. There was no salad option offered other than one with cheese and sardine dressing. But the real clincher was the beef dish we ordered for $65….. At that price we figured it was a good quality NY strip. WRONG….no exaggeration, they brought a plate with THREE slices of beef- THREE!! And the measurements were probably- and again no exaggeration- 3 Inches long by 1 inch wide and a quarter of an inch thick—I couldn’t believe it- $200 later, we left hungry and with the feeling we were ripped off

This is a cute and warm and welcoming restaurant. The waiting staffs are all so friendly. We tried the tasting menu. While everything was beautiful, the taste was underwhelmed. A little too rich to my taste. I prefer clear and clean tasting so I can actually taste the fish or the carrot. In the end, the best dish to me was the oyster and the homemade focaccia. Hopefully the spring and summer season menu will be lighter taste. Will be back to give it another try.

We had a wonderful birthday dinner in early September just a few days after their new location opened. I won’t go into details on the dishes as I know they will change often, but I will say we opted for a la carte dining instead of the tasting menu and it worked out great. We were seated outside, and the weather was wonderful. Service was fantastic. The dishes are crafted well, and portions were appropriate too. The cocktails….. SO GOOD. I would not hesitate to come here for another special occasion when we are in town.

We had a delicious meal at Quaintrelle, one of the best meals I've had in Portland lately (which is saying a lot). We especially liked the summer squash and blossom tempura, the little gem salad, the sheep's milk dumplings, and the pork confit. The halibut was also good. All the flavors were fresh and lively, cooked to perfection. The dishes employed creative pairings of flavors. This place is spendy! (although reasonable when you consider the quality of ingredients and amount of prep that goes into each dish). You really could skip the entree and stick to salads and sides (whose portions are quite generous) and get a less expensive, extremely delicious meal. Service was attentive and helpful. It was our anniversary, and we were given glasses of cava when we arrived, a very nice touch. We were seated upstairs, which was fairly empty and quiet. Request the patio or first floor if you'd prefer a more lively scene.