Doesn't Recommend

tedrichardson

Joined 10 years ago

Way over rated. I've eaten at Cafe Azul 3 times now and was not impressed.

It's a nice looking place but the food is not worth the price. The service was snooty to boot. I rather eat at my neighborhood Chez Jose.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Sophisticated, gourmet Mexican cuisine in the gastronomic Pearl.. The Scene
Cafe Azul has an understated elegance with warm, earth-toned walls, blond wood bar and dim lighting that give off an intimate glow. The open kitchen provides a nice view into the cuisine preparation, and adds verve to the refined dining room. Affable, unobtrusive servers enhance the dining experience.

The Food
With innovative ingredients and high-end prices, it raises the bar for local Mexican cuisine. The Tlacoyos are a surefire start: The duo of toasted masa rolls are filled with pork and epazote (a coriander-like herb), and topped with zesty salsa verde. Ensalada Caesar takes a twist, combining young romaine with garlicky anchovy dressing and a surprising twist of lime. Try the tamales de puerco verde, cornhusk-wrapped and filled with corn masa and braised pork, laced with spicy tomatillo sauce. Save room for the fallen chocolate souffle, a warm, rich dessert served with piloncillo--raw sugar ice cream.

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jbranchpdx

Joined 10 years ago

It is a matter of taste. First and foremost, the undistinguished reviewers who ASSume that they are doing the city a favor with their tasteless (in writing and obviously palate) can trot off to the nearest cafe typical and save the room for a more discerning consumer. Better yet, head off to Taco Bell, which is about the speed of those who want a value meal. Cafe Azul is comparable to fine art; you either get it or you dont. The meals are exquisite and well prepared. The wait staff (as with any quality establishment) were courteous and helpful, often going out of their way to ensure a pleasant dining experience. Is Cafe Azul expensive? Yes, and in my mind, worth every penny. -James

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Jeanne_Kennedy

Joined 10 years ago

Cafe Azul Comments. The food here is not typical Mexican. Everything I have tasted has been delicious and unique. A noisy place, not conducive to quiet conversation and parking can be a real pain, especially on First Thursday. I will go again, however.

Doesn't Recommend

Mimi

Joined 10 years ago

mediocre. It wasn't as good as I expected. The margarita was sour with no depth and the food was only okay.

Recommends

Yassie

Joined 10 years ago

Still a favorite!. We've dined here many times over the years and though I've preferred certain dishes over others, everything is always top quality. The ingredients are well thought out and the flavors are always complex and nicely balanced. I'm amazed that anyone would find the food here flavorless! The wine list is nice and Azul Margarita is perfect. We always look forward to our dinners at Cafe Azul and so far we've never been disappointed!

Doesn't Recommend

padruig

Joined 10 years ago

No substance. Highly overrated.. The food was imaginative, but almost totaly flavorless and disappointing (I had their specialty, the mole). The prices were rediculious. I could have spent half as much and got a hundred times the meal elsewhere. The wine list was okay, but there was little in the way of after dinner drinks. The flan was eggy, but had no richness at all. The service was good, but a bit overeager. I had to beat the waiter off my plate three or four times. I was on a date and busy enjoying my company, I didn't need the waiter bugging me. All and all I can't recomend it.

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hammer_welch

Joined 11 years ago

Fabulous!. the best in the Pearl. GREAT food, atmosphere, service. The owners are a delight.

Doesn't Recommend

barajas

Joined 11 years ago

Overrated!. I was totally disappointed with my dinner at Cafe Azul. It's totally overrated and over priced! You can buy the the same menu with more authentic taste over at N.E. Alberta mexican restaurants! My son ordered a steak at Cafe Azul & requested medium well & he received a very rare steak. He ended up waiting 1/2 hr. to get another one.

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chilis_papa

Joined 11 years ago

Portland's authentic real mexican food. Great food, very charming atmosphere. It's about time Portland had a place to go for high-end authentic mexican food, and a charming romantic setting. We just returned from Texas and are on a search for quality Mexican and tex-mex food, from dives to fancy-pants venues. Cafe Azul is a winner in the quality food and atmosphere category. I'm still in search of a marguarita that rivals those in Austin, but I'm happy to keep searching.