Veritable Quandary
(503) 946-6361
1220 SW First Ave
(at Madison Street)
Portland,
OR
97201
45.5143
-122.6753
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Neighbors West - Northwest
What People Are Saying About Veritable Quandary
The Owner
Veritable Quandary
Owner
Beneath its high plank ceilings, flanked on each side by rustic natural brick walls, Veritable Quandary offers a truly authentic Portland experience.
Founded in 1970 by Dennis King, Veritable Quandary has maintained a mystique of Old Portland charm amidst its bustling downtown setting. From the flower lined patio overlooking the historic Hawthorne Bridge, to the bright glass walled dining room, VQ is more than just a conversation piece. It is a place for good conversation as well.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
The long narrow dining room with neutral tones and a wall of glass windows plays second fiddle to the patio. A suit-and-tie crowd takes advantage of the extensive wine list weekdays; a casual middle-aged clientele packs the weekends. Pacific Northwest cuisine melds seamlessly with creative international touches: crepes stuffed with smoked salmon or grilled chorizo pizza. Hearty entrees, including the osso bucco and strip steak with roasted potatoes, are staples. The chocolate souffle is a must.
User Reviews
commeca
June 27, 2009
I'm not going to generalize too much because this was the first meal I've had at VQ for three years (because the last one pretty much sucked). Let me just say that the poached eggs on our Benedicts (three of us) and those of the tables near us were close to hard boiled. We might have ignored that if there had been enough Hollandaise to make the muffins moist. 'There wasn't. When the waiter came by to ask "how everything was" we told him politely that all the poached eggs were over-cooked. His response was to smile like a doofus and say "I'll pass that along." Fifteen minutes later the table next to us got their Benedficts and echoed our complaint. They got the same goofy smile and the promise that he'd pass along the complaint. This is Portland, Oregon. Paying $14-16 for brunch should get you something interesting. At Veritable Quandry it gets you the kind of food you'd expect at a casino brunch on the Vegas strip... at a higher price.
read full reviewAnonymous
December 27, 2008
I remember going to the VQ way back in the 80's when i worked downtown. It was great then and it's still a great place to go for good food and a good time.
read full reviewAnonymous
December 11, 2008
There is no shortage of good and bad restaurants in Portland. This is among the good ones. The cost is reasonable and there are unusual dishes on the menu, including vegetarian. Nice place to relax with friends after work.
read full reviewThe Details on Veritable Quandary
What to Drink:
A commitment to unusual and hard-to-find wines distinguishes the list here. Plus, the restaurant features numerous by-the-glass options at low prices.
Know Before You Go:
If chocolate is on your mind, be sure to order the famous chocolate souffle when ordering your entree--as they're made to order.
Category:
Restaurants, Lounges, Bars & Pubs, Wine Bars
Payment Methods:
American Express, Carte Blanche, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Celeb Hangout, Lunch Spot, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
At the bar
As Seen In…
Message from Veritable Quandary
- Drinks
- Patio Seating
- Social Atmosphere
Beneath its high plank ceilings, flanked on each side by rustic natural brick walls, Veritable Quandary offers a truly authentic Portland experience.
Founded in 1970 by Dennis King, Veritable Quandary has maintained a mystique of Old Portland charm amidst its bustling downtown setting. From the flower lined patio overlooking the historic Hawthorne Bridge, to the bright glass walled dining room, VQ is more than just a conversation piece. It is a place for good conversation as well.
