Noble Rot
(503) 233-1999
2724 SE Ankeny St
Portland,
OR
97214
45.522
-122.638
Neighborhoods: Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program, Buckman
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In Short
The space seems like a cocoon of sienna-stained and cinderblock walls evocative of a wine cellar. Hanging lanterns warmly light the task at hand--savoring wine, food and conversation. The chef prepares culinary delights before diners behind a long wooden bar, while groups huddle into deep-red booths. Rotating seasonal dishes refresh the tapas-like menu. Thinly sliced eggplant replaces the noodle in the eggplant cannelloni, encasing ground lamb in a spiced yogurt sauce.
User Reviews
monkeyinthemiddle
July 06, 2009
IF only this place lived up to it's view!! To start, we asked to wait for an outdoor table and then proceeded to the bar. After a bit of a wait to just be greeted (two slow bartenders, wasn't that busy) we ordered our drinks, and then it took a bit of time again to get them, I'd say the whole process took about 15 minutes, which seemed kinda silly. After about 25 minutes we were feeling a bit hungry and wanted to order some appetizers, so I ask the host when he thought a table might open outside. He told me he "had no clue" or to that effect. I asked if there were any checks down, he said he didn't know, and he certainly didn't seem interested in helping us figure out any sort of potential timeline. We then told him that we were considering getting started with some food, and he didn't look very pleased. He then told us, disgruntled, that if we ordered our entrees that we would HAVE to stay at the bar! So, we ordered our apps, host finally came to seat us, we were not allowed to transfer our ticket, so our food got COLD while we waited for the very slow bartender settle our check. OH, and we were not allowed to go to our table until the check was settled, maybe that host could have followed us with it? OH, and the bartender gave us some grief as well about moving after we had ordered--WHAT? Host also told us that "you go ahead and grab everything and I will follow you with what's left" This meant our water, menus, drinks, napkins and food. Nice. I didn't realize I was eating in a cafeteria, I certainly wasn't paying cafeteria prices! Once outside, we waited at least 10 minutes before anyone came to talk to us. I got the feeling we were being punished for ordering our apps inside? We had a cheeseplate with NO bread or any other way to eat it, and our onion rings were now cold. And NO ONE was coming to check on us, we still wanted to order our entrees. THe entire process was terribly slow, for no great reason. I do think the kitchen was backed up, which I can forgive, but the rest was just poor and incompetent service. The host person absolutely needs to get schooled in customer service. This crew needs to remember, they are in the hospitality business, not the "we are too cool for school and can do whatever we want" and expect people to come back. Let's remember it's about the guests overall experience. I really hope that they get it together so that the service and the food live up to the view!
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ninabuckley
April 17, 2009
I have been a business traveler for 23 years and have never come close to wanting to write truly bad review...but my time has come, and I wish I could figure out how to get away with giving no star at all. I came into NobleRot on a Friday night at 4:30pm at sat at the bar with a friend from town. After sitting for 20 minutes, I looked at my watch and commented to my friend that I was astonished that there were three bartenders and not one of them had yet offered to serve us. Believe it or not, I was a bit embarrassed that one of the Bartenders overheard me and said "oh this third guy doesn't count, he's just a bus boy, just two of us"...at this stage we each got a glass of wine, a menu and ordered the cheese plate...45 minutes later, we had yet to be offered another glass of wine and were still waiting for our cheese plate, and NO ONE, NOT ONCE asked us how we were doing (mind you, we can't be missed, we're sitting at the damn BAR!!!). I finally wave the Bartender down that gave us the wine and said "look, can we just have our check, and cancel the cheese plate?" he proceeds to give me a small lecture "well he says, we are a bit busy, and even though you are at the bar and only ordered an apetizer, the orders go to the kitchen in order, and yours is ready"...I ask him to check anyway...he comes back a few minutes later and tells bashfully that the order hasn't even gone in yet...so I ask again, "may I have my check?"...the check comes...I put in my credit card and sit for another 15 minutes before I have to wave down a passing waitress to get her to take it away... Sorry, never, never again...you folks are not a start-up from what I understand, so it's not like you have no experience at this...and it only takes 3 seconds to say "how are you doing, just hang in, we'll be right with you"....I've been to cowboy bars with one bartender and one server that would outdo you guys...sorry, can't comment on the food...I ended up at Wine Down on NW 28th...WOW!!!
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courtney7133
February 20, 2009
It's a new location at the "old Rocket", on top of a great building on E. Burnside. It's definitely lost some of the "neighborhood" vibe from the old location and is now a more trendy yet still comfortable wine bar. It is VERY different from the old location. If you liked the cozy, low key environment from the old place, the new busy trendy vibe from the new NR may not be your thing. It seems that it's no longer a "neighborhood wine bar" but a "downtown wine bar". There's still the same staff and same menu, which kept a continuity, but there is definitely some growing pains with the added staff getting used to the new kitchen. I'm excited to experience it in the summer with the view. The wine list is great, the prices are fantastic, the food....could have been better, could have been worse. Our party (5) enjoyed a lot of the menu. Our favorites: The cheese plate (great variety and the most fantastic triple creme that I've ever had) and the onion tart (classic and the perfect size). The butternut squash panino was savory and sweet, the clam (tomato based) linguini was simple, very well executed but could have had a bit more "clammy" taste (how often does one say that??). The major disappointment was the "roasted pork salad". I think it was more of a matter of execution (chopped pork vs. sliced, mixed with chopped salad and too many crutons) rather than taste. The pork tasted good (when I could find it) and the fried capers were wonderful (when I could find them and taste them seperately). But the whole thing mixed together.....disappointing. Our server was busy, but friendly and capable. We did have to wait quite a while for food service, but we knew it was the first night of the new space, so we didn't mind. Overall, it's a larger space, more noise, more time to wait, but still a good value for the venue and definitely good wine!!
read full reviewThe Details on Noble Rot
The Extras:
Love what you're sampling? Noble Rot doubles as a wine shop and carries a compelling collection.
What to Drink:
Sample similar wines on flights--three two-ounce glasses organized by region or varietal.
Save Money:
House wines are outstanding and at these prices ($4), they're the best bargain in the place.
When to Go:
Join the experts for in-depth wine classes every Thursday at 6:30pm, when you'll delve into a specific region or varietal. Cost is $30.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Romantic Dining, Celeb Hangout, Outdoor Dining, Notable Wine List
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
