Jo-Bar and Restaurant
Portland, OR 97210-3210
Phone: (503) 222-0048
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 11:30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-12am, Sun 11:30am-10pm
Editorial Review for Jo-Bar and Restaurant – by Citysearch Editors
In Short
Brightly colored walls and huge windows create an airy sense of sophistication. A small, polished marble bar is a perfect perch for discussing the extensive Northwest wine selection with the bartender, while window tables--or sidewalk tables on balmy nights--are great places for people-watching. Robust flavors are served like the baby green salad with crab and shrimp cakes and the beef tenderloin with spicy ranchero sauce. The wood-burning oven churns out roasted chicken and individual pizzas.
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Insider Tips
ParkingA small customer parking lot is tucked away off Irving Street between 23rd and 24th.
The ExtrasDuring the day, desserts are courtesy of Papa Haydn. At night, a more dainty but equally enticing dessert menu helpfully suggests a libation to accompany each dessert.
User Reviews for Jo-Bar and Restaurant
01/16/2008 Posted by lili39
I am so sad! Like the reviewer right before me, I have been to Jo Bar many times over the years. We always loved the atmosphere and the food, particularly the beef tenderloin. The last two times we have been there it has been less than average, and at $32 ($34?) a pop, that is unacceptable. The first time it was bad, last July or so, we thought it was a one time thing. Apparently not so. We were there last Thursday 1/10 and the tenderloins arrived looking "baked". There was no grilling or seasoning or sauce or anything appetizing about them. They used to have the most wonderful smoky grilled taste. The vegetables were brussel sprouts, which normally I love, but they were bland and undercooked. Also like the reviewer before me, our appetizer of clams in white wine sauce was tiny and the clams were tiny and of poor quality. We sent our food back to have something done with it to make it acceptable - something I have done maybe one other time in my life. It took a very long time to come back and was only marginally better. No one offered us a thing or an apology in exchange. Good thing there are plenty of great restaurants in Portland because we will not be going back.
Pros: Great atmosphere
Cons: Price for quality, service
11/08/2007 Posted by johnnynwport
I have been to JO Bar on serveral occassions and noticed that the quality of the food and service is on a steady decline. Last night will be the last time I dine there. My friend and I ordered the Mussle appertizer ($13). The dish contained only 12 mussles and they were tiny. They were also ice cold (this was suppossed to be a warm dish). We requested the server warm them up. When she brought them back they were at best luke warm. To top it all off, they were of poor quality and had little taste. For the main course I ordered the lamb ($26). Once again ta tiny portion (2 small pieces )The lamb was not cooked to specification, was luke warm, and was so chewy I thought I was eating play-doh. My friend order the pork shoulder and it was also barely warm and was chewy with a bad aftertaste. The only good part of the meal was the beats that came with the lamb. All our mixed drinks were overly sweat, tasted like syrup. My friend then switched to wine. She ordered a second glass before finishing the first (trying to get rid of the taste of her dinner). When the watress brought the second glass of wine, she picked up the first glass and proceeded to poor the remaining wine into the second glass. I have never seen this done in a resturant, very poor manners to say the least. With so many good resturants in Portland, I recommend you give your business to somone else.
Pros: location
Cons: food, drinks, service
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