Wilfs Restaurant and Bar Reviews

There is complimentary parking across the street that is reserved, so remember to look for it under the overpass. There are "Wilf's: signs that are easy to miss. Historical building in the train depot...fascinating; be sure to look around! We were greeted and seated promptly and directed what was necessary to fulfill the Groupon requirements (and advised that there was a funeral memorial service going on at the rear of the restaurant) Cocktails were ok; food was ok. Waiter was casual with us (we were dressed casually in a "higher-end" restaurant--but I had checked at the door if I was ok, being in a T-shirt and the answer was, "Of course!") Waiter was amusing in that he had a certain snootiness, but his grammar was not perfect. We had to spend a significant amount on food to fulfill the Groupon requirement. I would return, but most likely only to order at the bar, which has specials for walk-ins.

We were asked if we were going to have a full meal when they were walking us to the table. We said probably a small meal but not sure. He was seating us in a corner (restaurant only had 2 tables taken). We asked if we could sit at a table with a table cloth, and we were told NO since they are only for full meal customers. Are you kidding? We are spending money at your restaurant and all tables were empty. Then I proceeded to ask the server if I could get Splenda with my tea. She brought my tea and put down the container with sugar and said this is all we have. She should have said I am sorry we do not carry Splenda. So rude.

The main reason we went was to see a jazz group that we had heard about. We had heard that they were supposed to play on the first Saturday of every month. I kept looking for the April calendar to make sure they were playing April 1, but it didn't show until this morning. We had reservations with several other people, so couldn't cancel and go another time even though it showed that our group is not playing until next week. There were four of us and we all had different entrées. My husband had salmon which he said was tough and overcooked. Another person had the halibut and said it was very good. I had the surf and turf; the steak was really good, the crab was almost non-existent. We arrived for a 6 o'clock reservation and the waitress told us that several items were already not available. What! We were some of the first people there on the weekend and they don't have some of the advertised entrées? Not good. The service was good.

I do not often get moved to writing a bad review. I went here for the music and thought well lets have dinner too. The music was outstanding. The service not so. My water glass was used, menu's took a while to arrive, server even longer. Could not make the cocktail I wanted. Ordered my food, first course arrived, was OK, plate cleared, then the bread arrived, then my wine, then my dinner, had to ask someone else for another glass of wine. I asked about dessert was at first given two choices, no menu, really. I am sorry if it is so hard to be a sincere server, do not be one. There are many other fine restaurants in Portland. Avoid this one.

Wilf's features decor, menu, and ambiance straight out of the 1960's. And that's not a bad thing. I was able to make last minute reservations for a 7:30pm dinner just at the start of a saturday night jazz performance. My girlfriend was hesitant about 'eating at the train station", but once we walked in the door of Wilf's and sat down in an comfortable high-back chair, she was entranced. We splurged and ordered Caesar Salad, Steak Diane, and Bananas Foster all made table side for us. In addition, I had a tenderloin of beef which was better and less expensive than what I found at the popular Ringside. The wine list is extensive and there are a number of local wines at modest prices. Frankly, the last time I had a meal like this was....never. Plus you get to listen to live jazz ( usually mellow with some jamming) while you are eating dinner. You'll feel like a 'grown-up" at Wilf's : enjoy it.

"Lux" decor, high prices and live jazz dont make for an excellent restaurant. Duh. The much heralded savory bread pudding appetizer was pretty good to start, although the portion was tiny. The service was mediocre, and the entrees were middling. My partner had a winter pasta, with squash, bacon and shrimp which was good, but nothing special; I had the boar sausage, which was dry and lacked flavor with a weird cheese sauce, although the mashed potatoes were okay and the green beans cooked to perfection. We had to ask for bread for the table, which shouldn't be necessary. The jazz was adequate, but too loud and occasionally squeaky. Paid $100 for the two of us. Not impressed. So many really good places in Portland.

When I read other recent review I think "This can't be the place we went to". We had a terrible experience. I didn't know there wasn't any separation between the bar and the restaurant and was concerned about the loudness of the music. The hostess assured me it wouldn't be a problem and she would check on us throughout the evening. We never saw her again. A cocktail glass was chipped, we never hear the specials we over heard another table was told about, (which would have been nice since the menu is so limited) and it was very weird to have a host and hostess prepare our salad, and cook our steaks after seeing them clear tables. My steak was over cooked and both our sauces were over salted. The wait time between being seated, ordering, receiving food, and bill were not timed very well and seemed way to long. The cream in my desert was separated, so the texture was off. The waiter gave me two pieces of chocolate because he knew I was not happy with our meal. Really? For the price of this meal I want a real chef cooking my food. We eat out a lot and there are to many really Great restaurants in Portland, to ever go back to Wilf's.

I wrote my first review a few weeks ago for the Smoke & Cedar in Tacoma, WA. My work travels have taken me to Portland OR this week and I am melted into one of my favorite over-stuffed, red high back chairs feeling relaxed and regal. Wilf's Restaurant, right next to the train depot dishes up fab food and an atmosphere that lowers the blood pressure and transports you back to a possible "Speak Easy" experience. Live Jazz Wednesday thru Saturday creates the sweet & soulful vibe to please the Portland crowd and visitors riding the rails. Wilf's is always my first choice for fresh, flavorful fare and open arms from he staff that says "Welcome Home" CH

I know and love Wilfs and we have happily returned many times over the years. I hate writing a bad review but after months of stewing over it, I have to say something. We went with another couple to celebrate something special and looked forward it it for weeks. Our tab was $500. The list of complaints is long, but here is a couple: —our salads were over dressed, hard to eat, we could not finish. Unfortunately the potatoes that came with all of our entrees were completely inedible, hard and cold. One of the owners served our table, who we have met in the past, sadly she was rude, arrogant, overly pushy for us to buy wine, condescending, and our service was terrible. We said nothing about the salads and let it go. Since she didn’t come back to the table after we were served our dinners we had little choice about the potatoes, by the time we saw her again, we were long finished with our meal. They were not busy that night and there’s simply no excuse that she was not available. Needless to say, it’s been almost a year and I’m still fuming over our experience and we have not been back. Who knows what could’ve been brewing in the background that we as customers were unaware of but we are very disappointed.

I was visiting friends in Portland and our hostess surprised us by taking us to Wilfs. This is a place to go to take your time and enjoy the type of attention to detail that is a lost art these days. Our maitre' d and his knowledge and smooth "at table" stylings and flambe cooking! To die for! Yes all of this comes at a price but we all had wonderful food, wine and the Bananas Foster was entertaining and delicious. The jazz singer and piano music made me feel like I was in a 1950's Frank Sinatra movie - I kept expecting to look up and see his ghost smiling in a corner. I loved Wilf's - what an enjoyable experience.

Went with friends who claim this is their "go to" for a special occasion restaurant ... birthday, anniversary, etc. Personally, I don't get it. Kinda funky, old school atmosphere and sort of off the beaten path. Since it's in the train station building, you get regular diners as well as casual, drop-in people on their way to somewhere else. The restaurant has one big room and the front of the restaurant is a bar and casual area, while the back of the room is a more formal dining area. The line is blurred in the middle somewhere. You get the impression that this was an A-list restaurant at one time and a lot of Portland's movers and shakers could be seen here making business and political deals over brandy and cigars after dinner. Not so much anymore...those days are long gone. Three people at the table had beef...two filets one with a Buerre Rouge sauce (a little too sweet) and the other with a Demi-Glace (lumpy gravy) and a special of the night New York steak. All were prepared very nicely and exactly to order. No complaints on the meat. The other person had the special of the night seafood, which was King Salmon...didn't taste it, but she reported that it was very good. Accompaniments on all plates was garlic mashed and crisply underdone steamed vegetables...nothing special. When I say nothing special, what I mean is that there is really nothing that we got that would justify the menu prices. Just about $10 -15 too high for what they're putting out, but that could be due to the high-rent location. The service was excellent, I'm sure due to the people we were with who have been coming here for years. The bright spot of the evening was the wine list...not extensive, but a very nice selection. If it were not for the prices, I might have given Wilf's a slightly higher rating.

I'm so happy we started the evening at Wilf's I loved the atmosphere casual and mellow. I really enjoyed the band they were top notch musicians. There was no cover charge and this was a surprise because the band was awesome. I only had a few drinks and a light seafood salad because I had several stops to check out in Portland. I highly recommend this place for a romantic casual dinner for two or a group. The prices are reasonable. The only shock is the area has many homeless people and several encampments near the restaurant so we didn't stay late.

Really really disappointed. It should’ve been a sign when we got there at 6:15 PM and we were the only people in the whole restaurant. The reviews were decent so we were very much looking forward to it, but I was really disappointed. I ordered a steak cooked medium and it came to me fully, fully well done. Severely overcooked. My coworkers ordered theirs medium rare and they got their steaks closer to medium well. The dessert sounded good, but it was really disappointing. The only thing I had that was good there was the wine. In a city with a lot of great restaurants, I’m really mad that I ended up at this one. The service was good at least.

We chose Wilf's for dinner on our last night of vacation; it was near to where we were going to be sight-seeing that day and I snagged a Groupon offer. I had read other reviews, which were mixed. Neither my husband nor I are able to comprehend any of the mediocre reviews, as we were treated to one of the most memorable dinners of our ten days in Portland. We arrived for our 5 pm reservation on time, and were seated immediately by Candice. Our waiter was Douglas (an obvious professional; we both felt very well taken-care-of and he was attentive without being overbearing). We ordered the prawns flambe which were prepared table-side by Candice. As she came to our table she asked if we had ever been to Wilf's before. When she learned it was our first visit, she gave us a quick history, explaining it has always been a white linen, personal attention to detail, table-side preparation establishment, and that they are privileged to have been open for 43 years. The prawns were magnificent, as were the accompanying sauteed mushroom wild rice and grilled broccolini. Later, upon our asking, Douglas explained that Candice is one of the three daughters of the couple who originally opened Wilf's, and that with her two sisters, they still keep an active hand in managing the restaurant. Everyone was so personable, that we felt as if a close friend of the family had us to dinner. It was warm, comfortable, sincere, and the food was stellar. Candice and Douglas helped to make a lovely memory for us. If I could give them more than five stars, I would!

We managed to get reservations on short notice for a Saturday night of entertainment and were surprised at the very traditional look and feel - like a swank dining room at a 1920s train station. Unfortunately we were seated well back with some pillars obstructing our view of the stage, no doubt because of our last minute arrangements. Nevertheless the acoustics are good and the stage could actually be seen via a side mirror. We were very pleased with our meals. Tasty, well-presented, adequate portions ............ attentive service. My thick steak ordered rare was done to perfection and the cut of meat was literally "melt-in-the-mouth". The wines also were appropriate for the meal. We would definitely go back for both the food and the music.

Background: Used a $40 Groupon (purchased for $20.00) Called ahead to see what seating was available. Time was 4:00 PM so they had seating available immediately. Telephone voice was friendly and accomodating. Pros: Service was first class. Reminiscent of a five-star hotel. Water glasses never empty, Friendly server and hostess. What was ordered: Long Island Iced Tea $8.50 Entree' 1- FILET MIGNON – Carlton Farms 7 oz. beef tenderloin filet, orange tamari BBQ sauce, Israeli couscous, braised arugula 34.5' Entree' 2- Wilf's Salad ordered as an entree' rather than a side. Had crab & shrimp topping Price: 26.75. No coffee or deserts. No sides. Cons: Every item is a la carte with entree'. Took a long, long time to receive order Portion sizes didn't seem appropriate to price. Steak, while tender and tasty, WAS SERVED LUKE-WARM on a cool plate. Gratutity figured automatically on a Groupon and came to over 19% of tab. Likely would have figured at 20%, but was surprised to learn when check was presented that gratuity had already been figured. Bottom Line: Not a real value for the money. Try Ringside.

We came here for our Anniversary and had a wonderful dinner and great service. We had the caesar salad for 2 and it was perfect. I had the steak Dian and it was very tender and tasty. My wife had the rack of lamb and cleaned her plate.We very much enjoyed our evening.

The dining room has more than eight tables are available. But the waiter told us, those tables are reserved. So we have to sit in the lough. Sit in the lough, each person needs to pay $10 because there is a band. This restaurant has a big opening, from the lough to the dinning area, just one step away. There is no separate wall, so everyone can hear the music. We are there more than an hour, almost to 9:10, and only two young people sit down at the dining table. Meaning, there are other seven tables are still available. We are not the only ones notice this. Other couples asked the waiter why they couldn't sit in the dining area, when they are there to order food, not for the music. The waiter insisted that all booked reservation. But note that, this restaurant is closed at 10. The food was bad. I ordered a WILF PASTA. The pasta smelled like OLD uncooked rice, SO YUCKY! I stopped eating after the third bite. The smell was horrible in my throat. They charged me the whole $32. The manager gives us a small cheap box of chocolate, said the chocolate box is from Spain. The waiter knew I didn't like my food, so when he came to clean the table, he wasn't nice to me. He loudly picked up the plates on the table. DONT EAT AT THIS RESTAURANT. YOU CAN FIND BETTER FOOD AND MUSIC AT PORTLAND PRIME LLC RESTAURANT OR RUTH STEAK.

Adjacent to Union Station Amtrak Station it was very convenient for us. we sat outside and it was very enjoyable. the waitress 1as either very busy or not on the ball. It took forever to get our order and then she brought everyone's meals and forgot part of my meal. It was the French Onion Soup...I received it 15 minutes AFTER I reminded her The food was very good and prices reasonable.

Nice throwback place at the train station. Often has good music on the weekends.

What a lovely place to have lunch after traveling by Amtrak to Portland from Tacoma. The atmosphere was nice and the staff were very friendly and helpful in pointing out places to visit. My husband and I both had the special of the day which was quite good, but not as warm as I would have liked.

I had plenty of time to kill before boarding my train in Portland, so I went to Wilf's for lunch. Very convenient if you at the train station and you want a sit down restaurant. The service was good. The server came over right away and took my order. She was very pleasant. I got my food very quickly and it was delicious. I enjoyed the atmosphere, which was very elegant. I would eat there again.

Though the menu is definitely someone with a higher budget, it is an interesting experience in and of itself. It has decent service and, though the menu is small, it has lots of tasty and interesting things on it (shark being one of them). The location was my favorite thing about the restaurant. It's really very classy with great seating and a nice view.

My wife and I decided to try Wilf’s For the first time for a Valentine dinner, a couple of days early. From the time she called to make reservations to the end of our meal, we were treated like family. They are open Tuesday through Saturday. We went on a Tuesday, which is the only day they don’t feature live jazz music. That, combined with a 6:30 reservation, made for a quiet, intimate experience. We split the Wilf’s salad, with crab and shrimp. I had the Filet Mignon with crab sautéed in butter and my wife had the Steak Diane, which was flamed at our table and included an enjoyable history of the dish. We thoroughly enjoyed every bite. One takeaway was how comfortable we were throughout the whole evening. They are only interested in making your experience perfect. They take you coats for you, and never oversell. We didn’t order any drinks or dessert and they were fine with that. Not the feeling we have had in the past with some other restaurants. We felt as we had made two new friends by the evening’s end. Thank you John and James. The restaurant is located at Portland’s Union Station, so would be a wonderful place to eat if you had to wait for a train. They have some reserved parking spots in the pay lot across the street that are free, but otherwise it’s the pay lot or street parking.

Made a reservation for 6 as we were picking someone up at the train station and thought it would be very convenient. Was told it was difficult as they expected to be very busy at the time we wanted to come (TONS of open tables when we arrived and no one filled them as the evening went on) but they accepted the reservation. Service was incredibly slow and I repeatedly asked for bread for the table which didn't arrive (and was tasteless) until we had our entrees. A pretentious manager kept singing the restaurant's praises (locally sourced, etc etc) but only one of us had an entree that we truly enjoyed. My short rib dinner which should have been so moist it should fall apart with a fork was tough and chewy. We were NEVER WARNED OF A SERVICE CHARGE when making the reservation. The $10 per person that showed up on our bill was ridiculous!!!! I wanted out of there so badly, as did my family, that we just paid it (obviously no extra tip for bad food, bad service and a band so loud and terrible that we couldn't speak to each other) and we RAN. Terribly disappointing for a holiday evening for a reunited family. Our bill for 6 came to over $370!!! COMPLETE RIPOFF!!! AVOID!!!!

Hubby and I had a recommendation from some friends in Salem who are jazz aficionados -for the food as well as the jazz. And, we were spending two nights in Portland to celebrate my 70th birthday -so we made reservations. First, we loved that they required vax-proof (and they checked). A fabulous speak-easy ambiance. Your coat is checked with Diane or Joann, at the hostess reception, the lights are low and romantic, you sink into the padded high-backed red chairs with a sigh. Then John, one of the hosts, shows up with an upbeat patter that's just a little naughty and that keeps a great pace the entire evening.„. Quickly thereafter, Candace (one of the owners -the other owner is Adele') appears out of the glowing dark to offer you adult beverages,. which includes something for everyone's palate. Very nice wine selection, creative cocktails (Cucumber Rickey), whiskey (Knob Sour) and brandy/cognacs (Benedictine) (Gonzalez Nectar) -and more -we sampled with gusto a little of everything - (Uber is our friend). Mokie and The Jazz Cats began their sweet and melodic part of the evening -the musicians and the female vocalists -hit all the right notes. Hubby is not the true jazz fan that I am -but he truly enjoyed the experience. Now -the food! To use a rather inelegant phrase - we made absolute pigs of ourselves! From the appetizers: the fried oysters perfection, crab cakes orgasmic, the Cioppino sent my hubby over the moon - to the tableside Caesar salad - and the grand finale....the tableside Cherries Jubilee...I salivate as I relive it. Kudos to Chef A.G. and (I apologize if this is misspelled) Corby...(Candace wrote this out in the dark for me). To summarize this review -if you need some excellent live jazz, like I do, grown-up romantic settings, adult bevs, great attentive service with delightful personality galore, and delectable CUISINE (and note the use of "Cuisine" 'cause that's what it is). This is an EXPERIENCE! Don't wait -get thee to Wilfs! We will back as soon as we work off some fat grams and calories..

After we got beyond the requirement of storing backpacks and computer bags at the front desk, which I refused to do, we enjoyed a good lunch. Caesar salad, French onion soup, Reuben and a Caprese sandwich rated a 4 from my group. Charming room with nice artwork and smooth jazz playing made for a pleasant lunch. If you go, just promise to tuck your bags under the table so wait staff can't trip on them.

Four of us at dinner at this restaurant in June, 2010. We had fabulous food, fabulous wine, fabulous service, and a jazz trio was performing that was very, very good. We wish their had been an opportunity/designated area for some after-dinner-dancing, but other than that we loved every minute of it!

We thoroughly enjoyed a family dinner at Wilfs. Dinner was an experience, not a meal. We had great service from our server Douglas and our Matre'd John. They provided an interesting historic education of the meals, it was fascinating! The meals were also delicious. The restaurant was just as you would expect from a historic steak house. We will return!

My advice is to arrive at Union Station in plenty of time to enjoy lunch or dinner before your train departs. The food beats anything that Amtrak can provide. If you are not traveling, the restaurant still rates a visit.

I would give this place 3.5 stars overall. The drinks and the appetizers were both very good, but the entrees seriously fell flat. The options are limited to begin with, so the end result should be truly great. Unfortunately this was not the case. In my example, the piece of halibut served was a good size, but the flavors chosen for the sauce were simply too harsh for the fish.

The staff were great. Our waiter was exceptional and when he cooked table-side it was like having our own entertainment. Loved it! The food was excellent, they had prime rib as a special and it was the best I've had in a very long time. But, the best part was the dessert...I suggest you save room. We had the cherries jubilee for two and I can't get over how good it was. Whenever I am able and in the area, I am definitely going to go here again.

We had a 4 hour train layover and needed to do something so we went next door to this restaurant. Best place to kill time and enjoy beverages and/or food. We had steak Diane and what a performance. We enjoyed a delightful meal, a few glasses of wine before heading out. Staff is friendly helpful, professional and efficient.

The wait staff tried hard but Amtrak had a derailment so dozens more people trying to get a late lunch. Took me 90 minutes to get done. Or is this the norm for this place? Don't know. Delish seafood salad, the usual miniscule portion for $18. But if you aren't really hungry (sadly I was) and you just want to wrap your tongue around some beautifully prepared masterpiece, come on down.

The food and drinks are good here and the setting is comfortable and upscale. What makes Wilf's stand out is the live jazz. You can reserve a table in the lounge/bar, which is a plus for seeing as well as hearing the band. Barbara Lusch Trio was great last night, as are virtually all the acts that play here.

Folks working there nice enough. Only had drinks and a snack. Perhaps it was the location (next to Union Station). Could not put my finger on the weirdness. Perhaps because the entry and most of the interior seemed to be painted black. At least it was cool inside on a very warm day.

I feel like if you are over the age of 50, this is your ideal dinner. The menu is a bit old school, and it tasted okay. It was on the spendy side considering the taste and competition.

We chose this spot for lunch while waiting for a train due to its convenient location attached to the station. It seems there was only one person working as hostess, waitress, and bartender; this did not make for the best service, but it worked out okay given the amount of customers at the time. The setting is a lot more upscale than the general feel and food. This worked out just fine for a quick lunch. The food was good and fair for the prices. All in all, this is a safe stop near the station.

Wilf's is not a new guy on the block; it is old and established. The environment is elegant, but not stand-offish, the service is meticulous. The food is delicious. It is prepared to order, so one needs to be satisfied to wait for your order, whether it is a veggie pot pie (sumptuous), or grilled fish. During specified times there is real (not piped in) music... check the schedule. And there is a room in which a private party could be held. This is not a bargain venue. Although we had a Groupon, it was still not an inexpensive evening, but occasionally this step outside the ordinary is a good one.

I contacted Adele prior to our arrival on the Empire Builder and arranged a little birthday surprise for my wife. We both found the experience at the restaurant one of the best dining experiences we have ever had. The staff was very professional, yet down to earth at the same time. They clearly knew we were coming, and everything went as I hoped it would. The food was really good, and the setting and ambiance were spot on. Maybe when we go back we can sit in on jazz night. My heartfelt thanks to everybody involved in this wonderful experience.

We ordered Cesar salad and prime rib. The salad was made at the table and was decent. We then waited, waited and waited for our prime rib entrée. I finally cornered our waiter who was with the salad preparer making Steak Diane (ordered by the other couple with us) He said they were making it now. But then I watched the steak Diane be delivered to another table. They were not working on our order, and it was clear our waiter had completely forgotten our entrée. A little while later the two appeared, made the Steak Diane for our fellow guests and then presented the prime rib. It had been re-heated in au jus! (Well done outside and medium interior). Then salad/steak Diane guy appeared and asked how our meals were. My wife said her meat was tough and I said they were cold as well. We said we didn't want to wait for replacements so he tried to take our plates, repeatedly. I had to practically restrain him. We were very hungry at that point so would eat what we had. The guy was just rude. On a brighter note, the music was fabulous- Gram Covington and After 6 trio.

The jazz band and service were both amazing! I have to agree with some of the other reviews about the food, though. It was okay but not what you would expect. The service couldn't have been any better. They were extremely attentive and friendly. We would like to return to sit in the bar area to listen to the band and enjoy a cocktail.

We tried Wilfs while visiting Portland as we found a groupon. Even with a coupon, two entrees cost us a total of $59 after accounting for the groupon cost and tip. Ultimately, we probably wouldn't return, but the visit did have some highlights that I wanted to share. SERVICE The service was very good. The maitre'd was particularly friendly and cordial with all customers. He was very polished. The other wait staff were not as polished and even through they provided very good service in that they were attentive and friendly, did not appear as good relative to the maitre'd. It was interesting to have received a phone call from the restaurant a few hours before our reservation to notify us that there would be no live music during our meal and to confirm that was ok. FOOD Food was advertised as local and organic, which we appreciate. Unfortunately, there were not too many vegetarian options as can usually be found throughout many restaurants in Portland. We fortunately will do fish on occasion and ordered the catch of the day (Columbian King Salmon) and scallops and pasta. The salmon was perfectly prepared -- there was a nice crust on the fish, but inside it was still soft and juicy. It lay on a bed of beets, potatoes, and a parmesan crisp. The scallops and pasta was originally supposed to be served with a duck fat glaze, but we asked if they could substitute another sauce. The chef put in a pesto sauce. The scallops were large and similar to the fish was very well prepared. The pesto was perfectly balanced. It was very good that the chef could make changes to accommodate diner preferences. AMBIANCE The restaurant had a good ambiance for a romantic meal. Red velvet seats and wood paneling made for a very old-world feel. The music was appropriate for the setting and I bet that it would be quite nice with live music.

We purchased a groupon for Wilf's,and finally decided to use it.We read the reviews ,and chickened out and did not order the required diner entries,but ordered Bar food. My bloody Mary came without character and any olives,celery or anything. On the advise of our bar server we ordered the Caesar salad. It was about as Caesar as an oil and vinegar plain salad, no garlic ,and no anchovies, not even anchovies paste.the only dish worth mentioning was the savory bread pudding, it was quite good.We ,again played it safe and ordered burger,first time out it was ice cold. amazing since we were the only customers in the entire restaurant. Second time served it was good ,and fries were outstanding. If you are catching a train, and want bar food, not bad.I dare to say, I would be hesitant to order their expensive entries.

I love their hamburger and fries, I really think they are the BEST in town! Friendly staff and great atmosphere. Great location in Union Station.

We went with friends tonight to Wilf's at Union Station. Although we were right next to the railroad tracks, there were no loud noises or interruptions. The atmosphere is calm, friendly and cozy. The room is beautiful decorated in deep greens and soft browns with soft lighting. High back chairs await diners . We were greeted warmly by the owner/manager who continually checked on our dinning experience all evening. Although there was not a huge menu, the food was absolutely excellent with prices which reflect an upscale restaurant. We had steak diane and rib-eye steak at our table. Excellent ! Service was both prompt and friendly. We will definitely save our pennies, (better make that dollars), and go again for any special occasion. Because of the prices and menu, I feel that Wilf''s is best suited for couples/ adults rather than families with small children.

We were looking for a restaurant with Jazz and found this gem. The resaturant is located at the Union Train station. There was a great trio playing that night and the singer had a voice like honey. We started the evening with their Savory Truffle Bread Pudding, dined on a couple of their speicals that night and finished with their dessert bread pudding. We tried a couple of great wines from their vast wine list. Even the threat of rain could not dampen our spirit. It was a great night in Portland.

I have now known both Adele and Candice for years now and they have helped me with personal and company dinners over the years, and our experience has always been fantastic. There is not a place in town I would rather visit for great jazz and wonderful food, and I am looking forward to my next experience with them soon.

Our group of 12 people was doing a pub crawl - it was the 2nd stop and we planned to leave before their evening show began. After we talked to the maitre d' and were seated at tables, we were asked to move because they were reserved, then the manager dressed down the bartender in front of everyone, asking if we had reservations (after we had talked to the maitre d' when coming in) and implying he shouldn't have served us since we didn't. The waitstaff was flat out rude when asking people in our group to move out of the way and shoved a chair into my hip more than once since it was apparently in her way. I finally said something to the manager, who acted surprised that all this was offensive. I will never go back and urge people considering it to go to Veritable Quandry or Andina instead where the staff isn't rude to customers. The bartender was great though - even though he was dressed down because of us - very professional of him. If they said it wasnt a good night, I would respect that more than waiting until we had all ordered then being rude to us. Don't waste your money - go elsewhere!!!!

I say iconic landmark because they started in 1974 so have been around in Portland for quite a few years. So they have a certain pseudo-historical vib without them. Being next to the Union Railroad station I was a little worried about parking but they actually have reserve stalls for their customers there. The four of us had a really wonderful and enjoyable evening the other night. The restaurant decor and atmosphere is nice and reasonably quiet so you can hear your fellow diners. The maître d' and waiter were very professional and friendly in their courtesy and made us feel very special, like we were their only guests that night. And our dinner was very nice in its quality presentation and taste. Three of us had their seasonal dish of Oregon steelhead and were very happy with the way it was prepared. The maître d' came to talk to us both at the table and on the way out and made us feel really special and welcome. Additionally they were having some nicely done soft live music and a singer that was doing some really interesting old time songs. The music was being done in another part of the restaurant that we could still see and hear in the lounge right next to the dining room. Judging by the number of people that were there listening to the singer sitting next to her - they must have been very popular on the local music scene with the muscians they have come in. And for all of that I thought the price was very reasonable and didn't feel like we were breaking the bank to dine there. I definitely hope to go back again.

Stopped in while waiting to catch our train. Got some drinks, dinner, and listened to some music. Had a great time.

Go to Wilf's when you are celebrating a special occasion. It's pricey, but worth it! The red velvet wing chairs are so comfy. John greets you at he door and seats you. He comes back if you order one of the dishes that are cooked at your table. The fondue is an appetizer with Irish cheese and Irish stout mixed together in a dish full of heaven. You dip the best grilled cauliflower I have ever tasted, or bread cubes, or figs. All of which were delicious. Steak Diane is so good, you won't believe your taste buds could be so happy. Diner was a leisurely two+ hours filled with jazz and fine service and wonderful food.

Recently enjoyed the entertainment here. Great Music Spot. The Evening was very expensive with cover charge, beverage (even discounted bottles of wine) and food. Bar Menu Food was just so so and barely warm.

We jumped at the idea of eating in the train station, which we'd never visited before. And Wilf's gets good reviews so we thought we'd check it out for our anniversary. Don't get me wrong by my rating, the place is actually pretty good, but my rating is based on the caliber of dining experience we've come to expect from Portland, and Wilf's isn't among the best places we've tried. First off, the atmosphere is decidedly old school, with tired, worn furniture and lots of dark paneling. The 'bar' is more of a table set up in the corner. The menu isn't overly inventive. With such a unique setting, it would seem there is so much more that could be done to fully take advantage of the space. And when the maître d' asks you if you have a Groupon, you have to wonder if you've stumbled upon a tourist trap. That being said, the service was good. The meal, while pricey, was not bad and we enjoyed the tableside preparation of Steak Diane. However, for $33 I've had significantly better meals in town than the pork chop I ordered. However, the truffle bread pudding was spectacular. We enjoyed the retro feel of watching the trains come in, and the jazz music made for a nice background. In summary, we're glad we tried it but let's face it, there's so many other places in town, I'm not sure we will feel the need to go back.

A very enjoyable experience! Live music, great food, attentive service. The atmosphere is unique - you feel the history all around. Hope to return some day.

We had a fantastic dinner here. The service was spectacular. We had a crab leg appetizer that was incredible. I had the Steak Diane which was fantastic. It's also flambeed table side, so that was a fun presentation. My husband had the pork tenderloin which was awesome. It just melted in your mouth. We had a great bottle of wine. The table next to us had the Caesar salad which they also prepare table side, so that was kind of fun to watch. Old school atmosphere & great food & service. Will definitely be back.

We visited using a groupon and had been looking forward to trying this unique place. The atmosphere is lovely, throw back to another era and done very well. The food was good, but not exceptional considering the price. I ordered the entree salad with crab and shrimp that arrived with a creamy dressing, it was good but a bit heavy so I asked for a vinagrette and was disappointed to see that I was charged .25 for dressing, really on a salad that was 26.50. It's a small charge but should not have been included. We probably won't go back.

Mediocre service, so-so music, and the value/pricing was a complete rip off. Buyer beware. Won't be going back.

Superb food, service, wine menu, and Jazz music. Excellent and very comfortable setting. This is a great place for a special occasion dinner if you like to hear great Jazz.. Love the big red high back chairs. The staff is outstanding and always there to assist.

Adjacent to the Portland Amtrak Union Station, this nicely appointed restaurant with bar is a good place to have either a quick or a full meal before or after a train trip. After a day in Portland I arrived at the station with 45 minutes to spare - at dinnertime. I ventured into the restaurant (the only one apparently in that neighborhood) and immediately relaxed into the pleasant ambience and service. As I only had time for a small plate, I sat (uncharacteristically) at the bar. A solo woman about my age was two seats down also waiting for a train, and as strangers do when traveling we began an easy conversation. My savory bread pudding with a cheesy mushroom sauce was light and flavorful; the generous pour of pinot noir went well, and in 35 minutes I was headed toward my train. The full menu includes assorted small plates to suit a range of tastes; the full menu is similar. The extensive wine list and other beverages was appealing. The price was mid range tending toward pricier.

What a fine! This place has everything; great food, wonderful music, fancy drinks, friendly, friendly staff. Spent two evenings there listening to jazz and enjoying wonderful food. Had a delicious lamb meal the first night and a bottle of wine. My friend had steelhead trout for dinner and declared it wonderful as well. They have live music quite often and each night was a different jazz ensemble. Because this is a small venue the bands were not large and did not over power the room with the volume. Desserts and after dinner drinks are wonderful. Try the 'spanish coffee' or the 'Christmas in a cup;'. Prepared at your table for a nice show. The bananas foster is also prepared at your table. Reservations are really needed. If you're visiting the Pearl District take a night and have dinner here. You won't be disappointed. I really hope to return again the next time I visit Portland.

The atmosphere was romantic in a nostalgic in an old exposed brick, red velvet setee kind of way. We loved the service and the food. The attention we received was top knotch and the trio of Jazz music was just the right touch. I hope to get back there soon and would highly recommend it to discerning tastes with an appreciation for nostalgia with a sometimes quirky and diverse crowd. A pleasure! Oh, don't forget a Wilf's salad!!! YUM!

PRO: good food, live music, no waiting time on Friday night CON: policies and attitute to customers. Menu says that 19% tip is applied toward groups of 6+ people. On Friday night Jun 22 2012, we got 19% automatically applied to us even though there were only 4 people. We asked waiter about it, and he responded that this is a restaurant policy. Either he is right and the policy is wrong, or the policy does not exist and then it is his wrong attitude.

My husband and I snuck away for a moment around 1:00 pm to enjoy a quick bite before we boarded our train to Vancouver. The waiter treated us like a favorite guest even though we had never been there. The ambiance seemed as though locals frequented there and particular activities were expected from week to week. The Hostess greeted me warmly and made a polite comment about my Irish Sweater, recognizing it as one originating from Ireland. Quickly we were seating in a quaint and cozy place near a window. We decided on the cheese and olive appetizer. Teasingly, my husband about the possibility of getting a "green beverage", and the waiter hesitated unaware of its availability. Within moments he returned with a pint filled with green liquid. The light from the window made it glow neon green. Against the velvet red armchair, it made a profoundly memorable snap shot of the moment. One of my favorite St. Patrick's day memories!

Valentine's Day. Seated us on time, nice live music, meal was wonderful. Bottle of good wine that was not overpriced. Steak cooked just the way we like it, onion mashed potatoes were yummy! They even made a special desert for my wife who has nut allergies. Now that is a great restaurant!

Wilfs is a classy, well appointed restaurant in, of all places, Union Train Station in Portland. Nice jazz group played, not sure if it was worth the $8 per person cover charge IN ADDITION to dinner but made for nice atmosphere. Food was excellent ! Steak Diane was superb and the seafood pasta was excellent. Well worth a visit to a part of town you probably wouldn't think of.

Wilfs is located in union station -- a very sketchy neighborhood with lots of homeless people sleeping on the sidewalk There is limited free parking across the street or you have to feed a parking meter Wilfs is part of the portland march dining out and they have a prix fix menu for 33.00 consisting of oniion soup -an all too spicy stuffed pepper and a small steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes -- 2 couples ordered this menu and the other couple ordered off the regular menu This is the only place i know that still prepares caesar salad -- steak diane or bananas flambe tableside There is also a singer and piano player --- service is the most professional with no hurrying you along -- we were there from 6 to 9 pm our 66.00 dinner costs 128.25 when you add 3 drinks --1 dessert and coffee-- also included in that price was an added on tip of over 20% For a special occasion this would be a great place to celebrate - otherwise imo a bit spendy for a sat nite out

Sat at bar area with friend listening to jazz. Cover charge of $10 was required as well as a required $18 service of food or drink.. Was not happy that a male server choose to prepare table side dishes for clients way too close to our table[not our food]. Bar area? Menu did not point out gluten free items. Our female server was not a person who smiles. I did notice a hand on her hip did not know what that meant. I would not go back. I cannot recommend. Parking might be a problem. We took Uber.

This is located at the Union Station in Portland. When you go in to this place, it made me think about the 1940's, when train travel was glamorous and people dressed up to travel. I could imagine beautiful travelers enjoying cocktails and bite before their trip.

What a disappointment. We had dinner there recently and, while the atmosphere and service are still great, the quality of the food was abyssal. Especially considering how expensive it is. The greens that were served with the salad and one of the entrees were wilted, macerated and yellowed. I would have thrown them away if they were in my refrigerator; the paella sounded wonderful on the menu, but consisted of a bowl of seasoned rice without a single vegetable visible; the dessert I ordered was described as having fresh fruit, but was actually a purple fruit paste in a poorly made pie crust. So sad. Perhaps this was just an off night for Wilf's, but it was a spectacularly bad off night.

I took my girlfriend to WILFs this past Friday for dinner and drinks. Upon entering, we were immediately greeted with a $10 cover per person because a live jazz band was playing in the lounge. I am always fine with paying a cover for a band, but usually, if you are dining in with a reservation, I would have thought that the cover would be included as part of the experience. We were guided to the lounge an I was seated, behind a large pillar that obstructed my view of the band. WILF's seemed to be out of many of their good wines, so my girlfriend had to settle for a very mediocre Pinot grigio. It was Portland dinning month, and usually, restaurants try to put their best foot forward for dinning month to stand out. In this case, the food was average at best and the service was just OK. At the end of our meal, they refused to accept a pre-paid groupon as Portland dinning month is counted as a special an event, thus not meeting the groupon criteria. They refused to make any exceptions and offered a chocolate and a business card. We paid five star prices for a one star experience and left. In short, I would strongly recommend not dinning at WILFs unless you are waiting for a train next door. There are so many other great restaurants in downtown Portland with much better food and with staffs who really want to earn and keep new business.

We came to Portland by private railcar. I can't walk far (with cane). This restaurant right next to Depot was highly recommended. Food excellent -service good.

Restaurant has an old supper club feel. They were busy. The maitre de was very nice. The food was OK. The restaurant is pricey.

The staff, atmosphere and incredible food make this place a must. The food and staff was out of this world. I just wish I could eat more.

I used a groupon for this place and had no issues. The moment we walked in we were warmly welcomed. They had a live jazz band that night and it was great to hear them while eating. My husband had the steak Dianne and was cooked to perfection. I had the winter shrimp pasta the sauce was amazing. Potions are slightly smaller so order and appy and you will leave fealing full. We will be back when were in portland again!

My husband and I were in Portland for the weekend and stumbled across this gem while in search of live jazz music (we were so disappointed to find out about the demise of Jimmy Mak's). But I am so, so happy that we walked through the door at Wilf's! Everything about the restaurant, from the velvet chairs to the soft lighting and the professional maitre d', felt like it had remained unchanged in the forty years since Wilf's was founded. The wine list was extensive, and it included a lot of new Oregon vineyards that we were excited to try. The staff were extremely well-versed in the wines and the menu, and they were able to make good recommendations. My husband had pork loin and I had vegetarian lasagna on a whim - both were delicious, but their classic French onion soup was the real star...it's the best I've ever had, hands down! I'll say that you shouldn't come here in a rush, because the speed of service is leisurely, but that added to the charm for us. Because it was one of the four days a week that they have live jazz music, we were able to sit back and listen to a wonderful trio play. All in all, it was an amazing experience, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a date night in the downtown area!

Had lunch while waiting to board a train. $14 for a veggie burger and fries seemed a bit steep, but was convenient location. And it avocado on it too! Service was good and decor was nice.

Great food, great jazz. I love a good lounge and Wilf's has that feel. Happy hour lasts from 5:30 to 7:00 (one of the longer happy hours) The music is Wed thru Sat night. I'll be back!

I was here for a working lunch. Staff accommodated us well. I ordered the pot pie. This was a very good rendition of this classic dish, with plenty of chicken. But, this was $14, one of the cheapest lunch offerings, and was a smallish portion. A cup of coffee was $3.75, and this was just the house coffee, not a fancy espresso drink. So, the food is good, just be prepared for the price.

Salad was delicious full of crabmeat and shrimp. Pretty pricey for a salad $36.00. The love jazz was $10 per person and the music was great. One thing I don't like, they only will except 3 credit/debit cards per table so if you have a table of 5 friends make sure 2 people bring cash. This policy makes no sense in 2017bb

Aged decor, but clean and comfortable. Attentive servers. Menu simple but good adjunct to the bar. French fries quite good. Grilled cheese and burger were served promptly and hot. Complimentary soda refills.

Upon entering the restaurant it shows how tired and dated it is. Dark, old, chairs that don't move easily on their casters, - just extremely, well, old. The food is a bit confusing. Nothing that can be complained about but combos that don't seem to work - a grilled cheese completely composed of smoked cheese - overpowering. The burger was really good when you added the $6.00 of extras like bacon or avocado. Decent fries. The Tater BLTT was good. The potato salad was very heavy on the mayo and highly peppered and covered in paprika - I mean covered. The website makes the restaurant appear modern and current. The menu is good but if you want to impress with atmosphere - this is not the place to go. The restaurant may be ADA but can't get into the bathrooms with a wheelchair.

Food was better than I expected. We were waiting on the train to Seattle at lunch time. The grilled cheese thing was pretty good. I just thought it was a little expensive.

Old style supper club with jazz music very easy to get to via public transport. Steak Diane done at table side was enjoyed by my husband. I had the quinoa kale salad and it was very good. Highlight of the evening was the almond and peach flambé for dessert. Divine! The music wa solid at times but the girl singing was terrific. A very nice evening.

Very good food. The waiter staff is very professional. Very private dining. Good quality meat from Oregon. Love the place

We looked at OPEN TABLE and discovered a reservation at WILFS and decided to give it a try. Walking in the door we heard melodious jazz and beautiful singing. The manager and maître de, John, greeted us and selected a table. The atmosphere is so cozy and vintage. The presentation of various flambés prepared table side is pure dinner theatre. Try the Steak Diane! Best Pecan I've had in years. The coffee flambé drink is one of a kind. Not to be missed. We felt very well taken care of. I'd be thrilled to return any time!

Service matters and I don't enjoy being mislead. First, the positive: our server and the food were excellent; the atmosphere is lovely; the jazz trio was a nice touch. HOWEVER, we came here because we bought a Groupon. I know from experience that usually businesses that are doing Groupons are attempting to bring customers in. I read the fine print on the Groupon: I booked a reservation, telling them I had a Groupon and did not book on a night specified as being exempt from the deal. We arrived, were seated and were presented with the menus, including the Thursday night prix-fix menu. After reviewing, we both opted for th prix-fix. Plus drinks. Time to the pay the bill, we are informed the Groupon doesn't apply to the prix-fix menu. This was never mentioned and not in the Groupon "fine print." We asked to talk to a manager who told us we could request a refund from Groupon. In other words, this is not the first time this has happened. To top it off, we were charged a $7 per person cover charge because there was music in the bar adjacent to where we were seated for dinner! We spent over $100 on the meal, were denied use of our Groupon AND charged a cover charge?! Unbelievable. We will not be back any time soon.

I came to Wilf's with a bias for both train travel and train stations. I was passing through Portland in August 2008 and had a four hour layover between the time I arrived on the Empire Builder and the time I was scheduled to head south to California on the Coast Starlight. Two of those hours were spent at Wilf's enjoying a good seafood lunch and a nice bottle of wine. The restuaurant itself is an integral part of Portland's historic train station. My sense is that most of their business is at night (they appear to have a fairly consistent live entertainment program in the evening) and I can't comment on their evening fare or entertainment. But for my purposes-- having just arrived after three days of travel from Chicago and Boston-- it was a welcome and inviting place to enjoy a leisurely and enjoyable meal.

I was on a tour of the station with my husband and his friend, when I saw the canopy for Wilf's. I told my hubby I will wait for you guys in there. I made the right choice. I was only able to order one cocktail, White Russian, and it was delicious! Very smooth and mixed well .Low key crowd at lunch but I'm sure its busy on Sundays and jazz nights. I loved the ambiance and setting. My service, bartender, was excellent.

Went to Wilf's last night. We'll probably never go back. Here's why; When we arrived we didn't have a reservation and the hostess/mgr said in a rough tone (no smile) "it would have been better if we had one." Even though there was hardly anyone in there. I ordered the "table side" steak diane and my husband ordered the pork loin. What a joke! The steak was already cooked before it came out. Smiley was now our steak cook. A token flame and some melted butter was added to complete the "table side facade." The gravy tasted like it came out of a can. The mashed potatoes were inundated with horseradish. Great if you like horseradish. I like to taste the potatoes. Buttery would be nice. I asked if the pork loin was tender and juicy. It was neither. Accompanying the pork "untenderloin" was a hockey-puck looking, dark, overcooked, something that we couldn't tell what it was. The veggies looked curly and fancy but were cold, thinly sliced, and tasteless. The fact is, this place has seen better days and it's sad. The whole place needs to be modernized, brightened up, and menu revamped to appeal to the majority of savvy diners. It is way too over priced for the quality of food you get. Robert Irvine of the Food Channel... Wilf's needs you!

We had just gotten to Portland to take the next leg of our train trip. Got out luggage squared away and went searching for a place to eat. Wilf's is immediately adjacent to Union Station and an oasis. We were met by a wonderful man who sat us down and we immediately began to relax. The food was great, coffee spectacular, and so what if it was a little pricey. The place is just beautiful in that old world way. We loved it. Sure wish we could go back there again, but doubt we would ever have the opportunity to travel to Oregon in the future. Go for me, will you?

Love the red velvet wallpaper! "Sing us a song, you're the Piano Man..."

Let's start with the area. Not so nice. Lock your car and keep any valuables out of site. The building is older English style with inside area having high back seats and formal dining tables. The service was 5 star with explanations of specials and attentive service. We did go on the groupon. That being said the meal was still over a c-note with one split salad, two meals and three drinks. I had the Steak Diane and the table side prep was cool. The steak was cooked to the right temp and the flavor profile was right on. The cut didn't seam to be medallion in shape and the meat was tender but a little to much seneau(spell check). My wife had the prawn pasta which has a nice sauce and wide noodles. We split a crab salad and it was a bit light on the crab but overall tasty. The signature cocktails were good. There's not a entree under $27 so expect to spend some cash. Also when using groupon tip is included at 18%. We prefer our bread prior to meal and they like to serve with meal so ask for it early if your hungry. We'll be back but will wait for a coupon so we don't have to work OT to be able to afford a nice meal.

On the positive side: delicious meal, fantastic dessert, excellent wine list. However the "open bottle" list (i.e. by the glass) wine options are limited and two were unavailable with no replacement wine offered. Why?? Negatives: when the music began, our conversation mostly ceased because it was too noisy (and we were seated by the window, as far as possible from the music). Service was over the top past the point of being "continental" so that it was patronizing. I'm far too old to be called "Sweetie" by a waiter.

We have been to Wilf's many times, but we usually sit in the lounge for the live music, which is always good. This week we actually ate in the dining room. What a treat! The food was delicious and all made in house, including a wonderful bread. I had the stuffed acorn squash which was quite tasty, and my husband had the pasta with tiger prawns, which he said was very good. The music was delightful, too! It was nice to have a couple of vegetarian choices on the menu, as that is what I prefer. One of our friends had Steak Diane, prepared tableside, which was a large portion and very tasty.

Saturday night in Portland without a reservation , what to do. Read there was a upscale restaurant at the train station. We called and a reservation was confirmed. A bit concerned since we had kids with us we were escorted to a beautifully set table with large wingback chairs. We had Caesar salad prepared table side...It was outstanding as was the "Steak Dianne" . The wine list is very well priced and the wait staff very professional. We were able to hear the really good jazz music that was played in the club area. It was a very special dining experience.

We were there for lunch...meals were pricey and just OK...I had the special...gumbo...did not look like any gumbo I've ever had...bland, no vegetables obvious and a lot of small bay shrimp...the fried oysters on top were the saving grace...Yes, we were going on the train and it was convenient...but would plan otherwise next time.

This place ROCKS!!! The best steak, the best staff and great live music to top it all off!! The tableside trio never fails to impress and John always manages to add a bit of spice to his stories. I shouldn't be doing this review because it just might make it harder for me to get a reservation but you won't be disappointed.

So I was arriving by train into Union Station in Portland. Four of my friends decided to wait for me at Wilfs. They had drinks and ordered a cheese appetizer plate. They said the drinks were quite good but the service was poor. They said when they arrived there were as many waiters as guests and yet service was still slow after 45 min. They asked about there cheese plate. When it came they said they were underwhelmed. Literally there was one bite each. Then at 7pm they were Informed that they needed to pay a $10 cover each for the music or leave. So they askef for their bill which also took forever to arrive. I arrived at the restaurant and decided to stay near the reception desk. A man who had been on the train and had his bags with him came in to enquire about getting a beer. The manager was quick to point out that their dinners started at $35. The nan said ok. Then the waiter said well we have music tonight and are pretty full (funny I saw lots if empty tables). Anyway they did take him in. My friends complained to the manager but he did not seem to care only saying that they were not a station bar. Well we left, went elsewher and had an amazing meal in mych pleasanter surroundings. This place used to be good. Not sure what happened.

Great tasting food but way way over priced... $10 for a CUP of soup. $33 for a small portion of prime rib, $15 for fried spring rolls, etc, etc..

Wife and I found the seemingly only restaurant in the immediate vicinity of the Portland, Oregon Amtrak station and spent $35.25 on two veggie burgers and one glass of Pinot Noir (I drank water). This faux "high-toned" facility was unable to honor Discover cards and gave the distinct impression they really did not want the "train station traffic" despite its immediate location. In all fairness, our server (SaTina) was absolutely fine, but disappeared halfway through our lunch without formally handing us off to the next shift. While we intend to do alot more train travel from that location I do not look forward to conducting additional trade with these people.

Wilf's may exude a certain atmosphere, but it all falls short when the server is dysfunctional, slow to a fault, and deprecating to the point of completely rude. Thursday, April 16th begining at 1:40 pm: after a 20 minute wait, when there were less than 10 people in the dining room for lunch, our group of 4 finally were asked to place our orders. In addition to our food orders, 3 of us ordered a glass of wine. 35 minutes later, I had to raise my hand to get our server's attention to ask about our wine! She threw up her arms and said "Oh, I forgot!" Another 15 minutes go by, and finally she brings our wine. The food was acceptable, but certainly not remotely exceptional, considering the high-end expense. The server's attitude completely ruined the dining experience for me and my friends. Finally, I requested our check and stated that we were on a time schedule. The server then kept us waiting another 15 minutes while she laughed and talked with, by then, the only other 2 people in the entire dining room! None of us will ever return to Wilf's based on our horrendous experience today. I have lived in the Portland area for over 40 years. I dine out very extensively. But this server [whose name I have on my debit card slip] at Wilf's today wins my award for the most dysfunctional, deprecating, rude and ruinous of what I had hoped would be a pleasant dining experience.

You have changed your services and food preparation. The food was almost warm i will never come again. El senor Moises

I had called and made reservation for dinner at 6p and was asked if we want to be seated in the lounge or dining room. Seating in the lounge is an additional $10 and allow you to see the live music performance. We were told that the music can be heard anywhere in the dining room as well. Luckily, we chose the dining room. As is, the music didn't start until 7pm at which time we couldn't leave fast enough. We were instantly annoyed with our waiter upon his introduction with the line" it's a beautiful day today and everyone is having sparkling water, should I bring you some as well?" What a corny pitch! His whole demeanor was pretentious and pompous. We had order a crab salad and a rack of lamb for our entree. The crab salad was overly expensive but was ok. The rack of lamb was hands down the worst rack of lamb I have ever ever had. It was lacking any savory taste and was chewy and tough to cut, even with a steak knife. It was a five rib rack of lamb, the smallest rack I have ever seen. Honest to God, I was barely able to get one good bite of meat per rib. The bite size was just slightly larger than my thumb nail! Needless to say, we skip dessert and coffee and left by 7p and the music still haven't started yet. I highly do not recommend this place! Portland have so many other fine dining and place with great food to choose from so please save yourself a negative experience and go elsewhere.

Nice menu, small. Salad selections very good. This is located in union. Station. Very English style all food locally grown. I had prawNs. Absolutely perfect. Staff well informed. Table side prep on some items. Great desserts. A bit expensive, but worth it.

Our maitre 'de iss friendly and oh so welcoming! The food and drinks are good here and the setting is comfortable and upscale. The service is even more upscale. What makes Wilf's stand out is the location and the fine music. You can reserve a table in the lounge/bar, which is a plus for seeing as well as hearing the band. The jazz guitar trio was great last night, as are virtually all the acts that play here. We live nearby and enjoy the location right by Union Station. I highly recommend Wilf's, the food is excellent, locally sourced and the ambience is sublime.

John the Maître d' is always a welcoming face. His personality is most enjoyable and his flair for the preparation of table side food is a treat. The quality of the food is superb. If you have the occasion to catch one of the evening musical events you will not be disappointed.

I love Wilf's. This is an old school style of restaurant, with tables spaced far apart, attentive servers without an attitude, in an elegant setting. Younger folks would probably think this is just for old folks, and as an old folk I might agree, though my about 30 year old niece and her beau have really enjoyed this place as well. The food is great, when you have a server who states his job is to make you happy, and puts on a nice show without being obtrusive or snotty, when you can hear everyone at the table talk, when you're not in the lap of the diners at the next table, I'm a happy customer. Get the cherries jubilee, which is excellent, as is the presentation.

My husband and I went to Wilf’s for a date night and really enjoyed it. As soon as we walked in, we were pleased with the retro swanky décor and soft jazz music. Our meal experience in this cozy place with comfy high-back chairs was terrific. We started with the truffle bread pudding and pan seared scallops as appetizers. While both were delicious, I HIGHLY recommend the flavorful savory truffle bread pudding. I had coho salmon and my husband had steak. Both were perfectly prepared. For dessert we shared a scrumptious mixed berry crumble. Service was great. The pricing is spendy but worth it for our romantic evening.

Located at the train station begins the unique experience. When you walk in you will feel like you have stepped into a upscale restaurant/club of yesteryear. High wing-back chairs, old red brick, chandler lighting, real live music that isn't a bunch of screeching noise, and even a coat check if you want. The food is excellent and they will make you the best Caesar Salad in town at your table side. A nice wine selection, good bar and friendly service. Don't complain about the prices. You are getting far more than just a meal. Just enjoy the music. If you have no class and cant appreciate the finer things you probably wont get it. For the rest of us...ENJOY!!!

my wife has food allergies, Wilf's has successfully prepared my wife's meals in the past, but not this time. the service staff were wonderful, the music pleasant. But,since her meal was sent back, I had to finish my meal while she waited for hers. then she was so out of the mood for dinner, she took her $47 steak to go. really puts a damper on our date night

My sister and I went there for dinner last night and we both were very unsatisfied. We knew it was upscale so the higher prices didnt bother us but the menu was a let down and the food we were served were dissatisfying. For a place with such small menu you would think the entree options were more versatile but instead there were 3 seafood options and 2 beef options. The menu mentioned vegetarian options upon request but still had no chicken, turkey, or duck. My sister ordered the catch of the day which was salmon and served to her raw but i enjoyed my prawn pasta. We both ordered a cocktail and unfortunately I dont remember the name but they were awful. We only had sips of our drinks and when the waitress came to pick up our plates she asked my sister if she wanted a box to go and my sister said no (she didnt mention why). The waitress did kindly come back and said she showed the chef the salmon and because it was raw they would remove it from the bill which was very nice and surprising. However when we were walking out one of the waitresses stopped us and said "ladies what do you think you are doing" As if she thought we were dining and dashing. Im not sure if it was because we barely touched our food and drinks or because of our age either way her tone was a bit insulting. Truthfully we were leaving so quickly because we were so unhappy we wanted to just be gone to go out somewhere else which we did. The only good thing was the atmosphere but there was a 10$ cover charge each person for live jazz which is a minimal price. Regardless I just would not recommend this place because it is not worth its pricing.

The owners, Candace and Adele make sure this place continues their long-time family tradition of providing creative, excellent food at reasonable fine-dining prices and over-the-top customer service in a warm, cozy, comfortable atmosphere. Hard to believe this is actually inside Union Station as one would think of a more "pedestrian" experience in a place like that, but they make sure to keep this restaurant vibrant....and even romantic, with their emphasis on live jazz. be sure to check with them for special wine tasting events, too.

Family owned restaurant in the train station building. 49 years in business. The food was delicious. Steak Diane prepared at your table. A little more rare than my wife likes, but she ate it all! Caesar salad also prepared at your table. Lamb shank was tender and tasty. Bread not served but they will give it to you if you ask. Service was friendly and on point. $25 corkage fee. Free parking if you get there early enough to get one of the free spaces. What kind of leaves a bad feeling is the fact that you spend $400 on dinner for 3 people, and they still charge you $6 per person for the entertainment. Yes it’s on the web site, yes it’s on the front desk when you walk in, but still, we got there before the entertainment started and we did spend $400 on dinner. You’d think they would waive the fee.

Went to WIlf's because it was close to the station. And now I honk I would eat here every time I'm in Portland. Grilled cheese sandwich and portobello burger was delicious at lunch. (Mom said it was a close 2nd to King's Estate's hamburger) and surprisingly very reasonably prices (total was 25 for the whole meal!)

If longevity is a plus, then Wilf's deserves a good review. They still have their Steak Diane, but to me and my wallet, it's overpriced. The staff seemed somewhat haughty as if we should be grateful they let us in--I didn't leave with a feeling that it was we who were valued. The food we had was good and some people may like the haughty treatment.

I've been here twice, once for light snacks and jazz and the other on a groupon for dinner and jazz. Love the place. I'm a NOLA annual visitor and this place makes me feel right at home. Cover charge of 5 pp is added to the bill. Food is tasty and not the usual american dinner fare. 25 pp before cocktails. Sit in a red highback velvet chair and enjoy!

Had to catch a train and wanted a nice lunch before we had to settle of train food. DW had fish and chips and i had the Ruben. The sandwich, packed with lean corned beef was excellent. The mustard and housemade sauerkraut complimented the meat. And, it was huge. Took half the sandwich on the train for a better snack than anything else available.

I always feel like a grownup . Great music and food in cool surroundings . Intimate and and authentic Portland that loved jazz.

2 orders of Steak Diane at $66 each, plus $10 each cover charge. 2 martinis and total of 3 glasses of wine came to nearly $350. They asked where we wanted to sit in the near-empty open floor establishment and they didn’t note the cover charge until we received the unitemized bill. When we asked for the itemized bill that’s when we learned about the cover. For the complimentary birthday dessert the server literally tossed the birthday girl a cellophane-wrapped cookie. The whole experience was a disappointment but the steak was good.

I wish I were bold enough to give this place a one star rating so that no one would go there and I could get a reservation whenever I wanted, but that wouldn't be fair. And this place deserves every one of its five stars. The service is impeccible, the food divine and the atmosphere courtly.

It was pretty expensive for the food and the music was not very good. The bar tender was really nice and made good drinks. The food was good but expensive

I visited Wilf's to imbibe some excellent music. Although the performance did not disappoint, the atmosphere surely succeeded in annoying me and everyone else at my table. The waitress and manger alike were rude and inattentive. The food was pricey and below average for Portland. Sadly for the excellent musicians, the place was empty, probably because the locals know that it's a poop show. I have no idea how Wilf's is in business. If there is an artist performing there that you have to see, eat before you go. Spend the minimum amount (which Wilf's will surely enforce). You have been warned. This place truly sucks.

We went there because I found a Groupon for it, and had always been curious about it being in our historical and vintage old train station. It was like being in a movie from the 40's with the big red velvet chairs, dark woods. and amazing Christmas decor which made the setting a real festive tradition. So glad we went at this time of year. We had their "Savory Truffle Bread Pudding" and it was so worth it! Amazing. Their table side Ceasar was fun and added to our evening out. The food was better than good, but overpriced. My husband ordered a pasta that was 1/2 the size I'd expected. For $30 the bowl was barely 1/2 full and it was a simple run of the mill pasta. We were disappointed. As for the service, the manager did the intro's and table side service. He was amazing. Loved him. Our server though, started out attentive then we felt we were abandoned by dessert. We had to ask twice for the desert menu and he must have walked by us 4 or 5 times...20 min's later showed up with the menu. He blew it. Wouldn't go there again without a groupon...and yes I do feel that's likely why the server dropped the ball on us. Live music did start late, after 7:30...it was nice but wasn't great talent. Their happy hour could be okay, looked good and nice with the music. I'd probably go back to try it.

TripAdvisor never lies. Well, it was as the reviews mentioned, so I knew it coming in, but was very disappointed for my mom and dad's bday dinner. The server was just downright rude and inaccurate-- I don't understand what it is, I read through the reviews and it sounds like a chronic dismissiveness, as though the ownership trains its staff to be aloof? Very weird. In any case, in an empty restaurant with expensive dishes, it's just unacceptable to wait 15 minutes for drinks, to ask for water multiple times, and for 2-- count that 2-- dinner orders to be forgotten only to be served mediocrely as the rest of the table finishes up. A dry cake came out after we asked, and then John the manager came by and apologized for delay but graciously said the birthday cake was complimentary for our troubles. Most nice places will do you this once-a-year solid anyway, so to not be comp'd those late meals is indicative of the level of service of this place. I would probably come back for a drink because of the jazz, but will likely just wait until the new one under the Rialto owns up. Life's too short to be this rude to people!

Well placed in iconic Union Station, Portland. Live music on somedays and be prepared to pay $10 per person cover charge for entrance. Good choices of craft beer. Service is good. If you in downtown better you ride Tri-Met to get there rather walk across the town.

I am sure that once upon a time when the chairs and carpet were new and Portland was a total backwater this was a decent place, but now that PDX has established itself as a food mecca this 40 year plus old restaurant should be shuttered. Worst food that I have ever eaten in Portland especially at a place pretending to be a classy joint with high prices and no so healthy food. Great location and fantastic to have live music, but WOOFS needs a total overhaul. I wish I had a time machine to go back 45 years and see it in it's prime. The staff was lovely the place is just worn out and the food is WOOF!

Wilf's hasn't changed since I was there over 30 years ago. The red, winged-back chairs help isolate the conversation of your table. Subtle background music (when live music isn't playing) is the perfect background noise. And seeing the trains come and go isn't frequent yet provides a fun diversion. Service and food was very good. We shared a Caesar Salad, prepared table side for two (but we had three people and it was plenty). Served with fresh romaine, pecorino romano cheese, egg, mustard, anchovies, extra virgin olive oil, plus a dash of worcestershire. All prepared while hearing about the history of Ceaser Salad. The catch of the day was either halibut or salmon. The salmon was prepared med-rare and placed on a bed of broccolini on top of red quinoa. The beef tenderloin filet was prepared perfectly and topped with (I think) a rich, reduced mushroom/wine sauce. The sauce was overbearing for me, but my father ate all his up. The rest of the entree included chef's mashed potatoes and wonderful oven-roasted brussels sprouts. For dessert we shared a cherries jubilee -- again, prepared table side along with the history of this dessert. The flaming cherries were served over vanilla ice cream and was very sweet. A great, leisurely dinner!

My husband and I were searching for a restaurant to celebrate our 25th anniversary. The same week I found Wilf's Restaurant on Groupon...so we decided that would be the place. Came in the front door and no one was there to greet us...so we walked into the restaurant area and were confronted by a waiter who was rude and said we needed to wait to be seated. We were finally seated and then waited quite a while for anyone to come back to our table. Waiter finally came over and took our drink and dinner order. Took forever to get our drinks! I ordered the Cabernet which came in a large wine glass...with about 6 oz of wine in the botton....for $10.00. My husbands Long Island Iced Tea had too much citrus flavor....and in a very small glass. While waiting we realized that the few people in the restaurant were seniors in the over 80 years of age group...which might explain the restaurants choice of elevator "jazz" music...and then an elderly woman took her turn at trying to sing. Not a pleasant experience. After a considerable wait my husbands French onion soup came...which he enjoyed. We watched as the large group of seniors near us were being catered to by both the manager and the waitstaff. We finally got our meals after another long wait. Portions were very small. I had the Seafood Trio which consisted of a small portion of black rice with two small prawns, a scallop and a tiny bit of crab on top. Not what you would expect for $36.00. My husband ordered a rib eye steak - medium rare - it arrived VERY rare! Had to send it back. When it finally came back - and he started eating it - he found it to be very poor quality...stringy - not a good cut at all....this after the manager boasted that they cut all their own meats. Service was poor and if it wasn't for their required 19% gratuity when using a Groupon - we would have not tipped at all! Needless to say - not what we expected for a nearly $200.00 dinner.

A must place to eat and have a great time. Service is outstanding , nice romantic spot and above all else great service.

My incentive to go to this restaurant was to hear Michael Allen Harrison perform. Actually, the original reason was to see my drum teacher, Israel Annoh, Allen's drummer. Let me say right off that the entertainment was the best part of our experience. When we entered Wilf's there was a small room where you'd normally see a host or hostess, but was empty. We waited a minute or two expecting to be greeted. No one came. It was a little after 7:00pm and mostly empty, so it wasn't a matter of being busy. We walked through the restaurant and almost into the kitchen and no one acknowledged us. I finally asked an employee where we could sit and was told anywhere. Throughout dinner I noticed other groups of people enter and stand, looking somewhat bewildered, waiting to be greeted. Not a good start. The restaurant was dark, cave-like and somewhat forbidding. With over-sized chandeliers sporting cheesy red lamps, dark walls and retro high-backed chairs I half-expected to see a table of black-suited mafia dudes discussing their latest hits. After sitting we were pleasantly greeted by our server and told her we wanted to take advantage of the half-priced Happy Hour items. We were told they ended at 7:00pm even though their website (http://www.wilfsrestau...) said 5:30 - 7:30pm. After telling our server this discrepancy she said she would give us 50% off EXCEPT for the shrimp on my Caesar salad, which seemed weird. My partner ordered the Savory Bread Pudding. The Caesar Salad was pathetic. Half the romaine lettuce was the somewhat bitter white parts, the dressing was nearly tasteless and the shrimp, though plentiful, looked and tasted like it had come from a can (I used to work in a fine-dining restaurant where I made Caesar salad table-side, so I know what it's supposed to taste like). The bread pudding was good, well presented with a light, savory gravy. The drinks were tasty and strong. I watched some of the other dishes being brought out and the portions looked small, especially considering the prices. For dessert we shared a fruit crisp ala mode. It was also well presented, topped with fresh berries although I thought it lacked sweetness. Considering the dark atmosphere, menu prices, portions and $10 cover I would not go there again for dinner. However, I would for the entertainment.

I've written about Wilf's before several years ago. I'm writing again to confirm it is one of the best kept secrets in town. If you are looking for a place to go because it's "chic" then go somewhere else. If you are looking for great ambience, great service, great food, and unimaginable entertainment, then this is the place to go. An evening at Wilf's is an event, not just a place to get a meal. So many places are going back to the old ways like dinner clubs. Wilf's never left and they never compromised their standards. Of all things, don't miss having their ceazor salad made table side. Best in town bar none b

Celebrated a anniversary dinner with friends on a Thursday night. When making reservations we were advised of a large party coming in at 7 pm, so "to give you our best service we would like to recommend a earlier time." So we chose 5:30 pm. At Union Station (train station) the parking is VERY limited, but Wilf's has 10 places reserved for patrons approximately one block west in a pay for parking lot. As Guests of Wilf's parking in those designated spots is free. Maitre'D John is totally a class act and will tell you stories of the history of the restaurant and much more. He was ably assisted at the table by Daniel, who reminds you a bit of Alfred Hitchcock in his build and manner of speaking. Between them our service was spot on and John made frequent check back visits to be sure we were happy with everything. We stayed a bit longer than planned to hear the French singer, as John said "the table is yours for the evening - there is no rush for you to leave us." Everything the two of them did was done to make you feel special, welcomed, and part of a family. It has been a long time since I have experienced this in a restaurant and is part of the reason for the five star rating. We all had Steak Diane for entree's which is cooked at the table, and Caesar Salads which are also prepared at your table. Who else does this anymore? The dessert menu could use a bit of help in my opinion - it is missing a decent pie listing - a deep dish French Apple pie ala mode would have been a perfect ending to the meal. Everything they serve is prepared in their kitchen including the complimentary bread (it was delicious!) John said they source locally for all the menu and it really shows.

Wilf's has intimate atmosphere, excellent wait staff, consistent food, coupled with live jazz music. We have enjoyed Wilf's since it first opened and hope it will be here forever.

A classic steakhouse style restaurant with beautiful red velvet high back chairs white table cloths etc. We shared a fondue appetizer and then The entire group of 5 ordered the Steak Diane (filets) which is prepared table side. A good wine list with some reasonably priced options. Live Jazz on Saturday night added to the ambiance. Only downside is that it is located at the train station and there are lots of homeless sleeping on the street around the train station area at night. We ubered to/from.

The other night, my wife and I hosted a business associate and his wife for dinner to thank him for all of his hard work. I chose this restaurant because I was looking for something a little special and maybe a little "off the radar". Although the ingredients were local and organic and the preparation was expert, the dishes that were served to our table were lackluster at best. My filet was good but not great and the whipped potato accompaniment was uninspired. My wife's seafood with pasta was similarly mediocre; not bad, just nothing special. The wine list was more than adequate and the Autumn selection pumpkin beer on tap was quite nice and, probably, the only pleasant surprise of the evening. Our server started out well with a good sense of pacing and a pleasant sense of humor but then made amateurish mistakes throughout the rest of the meal. For instance, after ordering, he announced that he'd bring some house-made artisan bread to enjoy while we waited for our appetizers and even specified the special local ingredients...then didn't bring it! When our entrees were served I asked for bread to go with and he acted like it was a special request. In the end, had the total bill been in keeping with the level of quality of the food and service, I would have concluded that it was a pleasant, if not terribly impressive, meal but, Wow! the total bill was astronomically high. Again, had the food been a series of pleasant surprises and had the service been impeccable, it may have been worth it. But for the prices this restaurant charged, we could have done much better elsewhere (especially in Portland).

Wilf's is the old school type of restaurant with comfortable chairs, lush interior in a very cool railroad station. Better than average service by both the manager and the service personnel.. Food was very good and the jazz background music outstanding. All in all a very enjoyable dinner with my daughter and her boyfriend. All the dishes were well presented and very tasty, my fish not overcooked and accompanying sides were fresh and comforting.

We came to Wilf’s for a birthday celebration and as always we were not a bit disappointed. The setting is luxurious but comfortable the service is impeccable and the food was great. I had the excellent clam chowder and the catch of the day which was cod. The portion was large and made for a very nice second meal at home because took my leftovers. On top of that the music is very nice. One could be hard-pressed to find a better place in Portland to spend an evening dining and listening to good music

We were so disappointed after looking forward so much to our evening there for my husbands birthday. The food was really nothing special considering the price. The only thing that was above average was the Ceasar salad. We were expecting a really wonderful experience and left feeling a little insulted. We had a Groupon and spent way above that but when they brought the bill and we were told that the 20% gratuity was added because we had a certificate it made us feel like we wouldn't have left an appropriate tip otherwise, which was completely inaccurate. They didn't even acknowledge my husband's birthday even though they asked if it was a special occasion when I made the reservation. We will never go back. What a shame!

Returning to Seattle by train, we enjoyed a lunch in this lovely location right next to the train station. High back red chairs, a menu filled with delicious choices, attentive waitress, Joann whose father was responsible for it's beginnings. I found myself picturing elegance beyond those of us wearing Seahawk shirts and pulling luggage. Do enjoy a meal, enjoy a little history.

Avoid at all cost. They are authoritarians and demand you have boosters within 6 months and even if you are double vaccinated and just had Covid they don’t care. Absolutely insane and very heavy handed authoritarians. No thanks.

ordering an entree or dessert that is flambéd at the table is a highlight at Wilf's. We visited on a Saturday night with a Groupon. We arrived at 6:15pm and there was a small group in the bar area, and only a few people in the dining area. By the time we left 2 hours later, the place was pretty full and the live piano music was in full swing. We had a very good server. We were not going to order an appetizer, but he recommended that we split a small house salad, and we did. That was a great salad! Greens, pecans, dried currants, some hard cheese and a great house dressing. The house bread was very good with great seasonings and sun-dried tomatoes. They also offer you a choice of sparkling bottled water or tap water. The sparkling water was cold and not too fizzy - just right. I ordered the Steak Diane and the table side finishing of the dish was great. The seasonal vegetable was broccoli rabe, which was cooked in a flavorful oil. I did not care much for the chef's potato preparation - it really did not add to the dish. The meat was very tender and it was a generous portion. My husband ordered the ribeye steak special - the steak was somewhat undercooked and tough. It was slathered with a good chimichurri sauce. For dessert, my husband had the lemon pie and I had the berry cheesecake. Both were very good. The service was good, but sometimes a little too much time passed between courses/server visits. The manager made us feel very welcome and encouraged us to stay and enjoy the music as long as we liked.

We went here for our last night on the town. Enjoyed the food so much. They have several dishes prepared table-side, with a great deal of flair. So much fun. The music was good also, and the noise level was perfect. We never felt like we had to raise our voices to converse. I think this was one of the best meals of my life. It's a little pricey, but if you have a special occasion, this is the place to come.

Great Music. (Richard Arnold & the Groove Swingers) The physical atmosphere was pretty cool. Free parking at lot across the street and one person did ask to take our coats and hats. But that's where any positive qualities end. (And the only reason they didn't get a "terrible" rating from me. Extremely poor service and plain ridiculously stupid rules. For instance, if you have a group with more than 6 bring cash and keep in mind that a 19% gratuity is automatically included. Why? Because for groups of more than six, no more than 3 credit cards are allowed. They also won't split the check for groups of 6 or more. Can't even walk up to the bar to purchase drinks and pay with CC. Our server didn't even bother to come back and check to see if we needed water. When we finally did get her attention she only filled the glass of the person that requested water. Didn't ask anyone else! I guess since the 19% was already baked in, there was no need to give good service! We were a group of 11 coming to hear some jazz around 10:00pm after a wonderful experience on the Portland Spirit. We were celebrating the 32nd anniversary of some friends and dressed to the "nines." Not one single person asked if there was a special occasion or anything. Drinks were nothing special (and on the higher price side) and neither was the food. Only ordered calamari after the prices, attitude and limit on credit card use! There's a first and last time for everything. For Wilf's they both happened on the same night!

My wife & I went to Wilf's. After being seated we were then greeted by the Host. He explained the changes to the restaurant over the last 12 months. Primarily organic/local grown/ &made to order. We unfortunately had some problems with my wifes order. Once contacted the Host really went to work on getting her the right preparation on her meal. Yes it took longer but he really made us feel valued & apologized & got our corrected order to us. The Jazz trio was great!

It's been too many years since my husband and I have eaten here, but we wont make that mistake again. From the start John the Maître made us and our friends feel welcome and sat us right away, (we had reservations). He also was the one who made our Caesar Salad , the real kind with raw egg, mustard, red wine, oil and anchovies, as he was adding the ingredients he told us the history of the salad, (you must ask for the Caesar Salad for two and you too will find out were the name came from). Between him and our waiter, we were not neglected, but were server and waited on above and beyond. Our meals were so delicious for all 4 of us, we took our time and enjoyed our dining experience, (wish I could have had room for desert, everything is in house made fresh and with the best ingredients). They had a musician, playing a sousaphone in the background which added a romantic feel to it. Later a female singer sang along with him, some of the oldies but goodies. We defiantly will not take so long to be back again.

My partner and I usually try the high end restaurants for the first time through groupon. If they are good, we usually keep going back. This restaurant was definitely the first and last time we tried it. The food quality was average. The fish tasted good but the size of paellas at the price of a full plate. The atmosphere is meant for older people and definitely doesn't have a young vibe. Even the band members were old. Worse than everything else was the hidden fees they never disclosed in groupon sales: 19% mandatory gratuity ( what happens if the service is bad... You are still obligated to pay 19%?), and then mandatory purchase of two enters! What if one party does like your very limited list of entres? Yes, the list of entres is limited to 5 or 6. it seems like the management is pretty frugal when it comes to their costs, but they charge a premium for everything. And then the location is really hard to find. We had to go back and forth to finally find it since it didn't have any big sign. I have had food at much more sceninc, romantic, and nicer places with better quality. Oh well, first and last time.

Located next to Union Station in Portland, OR, we found this a nice oasis to be at while waiting for a train. The food, at lunch, was very nice. I had a salami melt, something different, and very good. The bartender is pretty decent also. I would like to go back again, sometime, and try their dinner menu.

Wilf's is what dining out should be about. You are greeted at your table by John, the mattordea who makes you feel at home and welcome, and attends to your every need. The entire staff is thoughtful and so attentive. The food is excellent!!! This is a restaurant where you don't see people on their cell phones, but rather conversing with each other. So refreshing to see.

Having time to kill between trains, we came to lunch here. Here are pros & cons: Pros: Proximity to train station & comfy booth. Cons: Food was average. Not bad, just NO sauerkraut on our Reubens. Cook refused to make the dessert on menu that we wanted. Waitress was very crabby & scary so we didn't complain. Very noisy with people disobeying rules of conduct, i.e. no cell phone usage & keeping conversations on low decibel level. We were warned it was very expensive & that is quite correct. We will have to return here, unfortunately, as this area of Portland is too dangerous to traverse looking for alternative restaurants.

We went primarily to see a jazz group and unfortunately they were not appearing the night we went. However, there was another group and they were fine. The food for each of the five of us was all very disappointing. The ambience was rundown and "tired ". We doubt we will go there again.

the menu actually looks pretty creative, but the outcome was lacking. the french onion soup is NOT the best on the west coast, and the chicken sandwich is dry. The Ruben was pretty good many in my groups said, and the messaged salad was overpriced and not so good. the mushroom sandwich was also just ok. Prices are high given the quality of the food. Won't go back

Stopped in for a beer before leaving Portland for a brew. Not a lot of small plates (except fries). But online I found a more substantial bar menu here: http://www.wilfsrestaurant.com/sample-menus/casual-bar-menu/ We enjoyed Pints Brewery drafts: Konvention Kolsch (A Kolsch brewed after the rules of the Kolsch Convention of 1948) and Seismic IPA (clean, bright bitterness and crisp finis h of our dry-hopped and unfiltered NW IPA) They have live Jazz Weds - Saturday, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Cover charge is about $7-8, paid 100% to the musicians. Great to know of another live Jazz spot in Portland. http://www.wilfsrestaurant.com/entertainment/entertainment-calendar/ I'd probably had given an additional star had I seen the menu!