Grolla Restaurant & Wine Bar
Portland, OR 97211
Phone: (503) 493-9521
- Price:
- $$
- Best of Citysearch:
- Special Occasion Dining 2005, Wine List 2005
- Hours:
- Tue-Sat 5pm-10pm, Sun 4:30pm-9:30pm
Editorial Review for Grolla Restaurant & Wine Bar – by Otis Rubottom
In Short
Deep-hued walls and furnishings that are a cross between rustic farmhouse and medieval church combine to form a warm, comfortable room. In the winter, candles and curtains envelop diners, but when the sun arrives, the large doors are thrown open and it's downright airy. The weekly menu features contemporary Northwest, with a hearty dose of the Mediterranean. Entrees include halibut with orzo and okra bathed in an aromatic buerre blanc.
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Insider Tips
When to GoIf you're looking for a quiet night, try the early week, when you can chat with the owner and chef. Reservations are recommended on weekends.
Where to SitReserve the Chef's Table and treat yourself to a five-course tasting menu created according to your preferences. ($50; $70 with wine).
The ExtrasFriday and Saturday evenings feature live jazz guitarists.
User Reviews for Grolla Restaurant & Wine Bar
09/18/2007 Posted by rangiebob
Hubby and I travel a lot and when we know we’re going to a specific place, I search out wonderful reviews from like-minded people who love to eat. Grolla's sounded perfect. On 9/12 we met friends to share what we thought was going to be a great dining expeience. The service was unbearably slow. When we first sat down, Josh came over to us and took our orders for appetizers. 30 minutes later, appetizers were served. There was only one other table dining at that time. Then Josh forgot about us. We kept trying to catch his eye, but he was engrossed in a conversation with a couple sitting at the bar. He finally remembered us and asked for our dinner orders. Every question we asked about what was on the menu was given the answer that he didn’t know. He didn’t even offer to find out. I truly wanted to order the Tasting Menu, but he said that I couldn’t unless everybody else did also. Nowhere on Grolla’s website or on the menu does it say this. I was so disappointed. When we finally got our entrees, we thought we were going to faint from hunger. Our server didn’t even offer any extra bread, or anything to keep us going. The entrees did not have the ingredients described on the menu. We finished our entrees and wanted to try the goat cheese cheesecake for dessert. Josh was still caught up in his bar conversation and one of us finally interrupted him to ask dessert. We placed two orders of the cheesecake thinking we would share them between the four of us. Imagine our surprise when each $8.00 slice of cake was big enough for two bites. And imagine our friend’s dismay when we were charged $7.00 for each bottle of water. On their website it says: “When you walk through our door, you will be treated as an honored guest of our family. We offer the hospitality of the old world where dinner is a joyous, social occasion which brings friends and family together.” We certainly did not have this experience.
Pros: Website looks good.
Cons: We didn't get what was on the menu. The service was abominable.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
09/11/2007 Posted by dnlesh
I've eaten here several times and it never disappoints. Great wine selection too. The owner is a very genuine, engaging person who strives to make your dinner great.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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