03/19/09

best place in pdx

by kumm

The ambiance/lighting = fantastic and cozy. No kids - great to have an adult dining experience. The waitress masterfully and unstressfully handled the entire place. She was attentive, not overly intrusive or chatty. She let us enjoy our dinner, have a long time between courses, but kept an eye on us to make sure the pauses weren't too long - perfect. Also, we asked for several recommendations throughout the meal and she gave us excellent options. The food was divine. The jambalaya was fantastic and my friend's pork was thoroughly enjoyed. Bread was warm and fresh. Food was served hot and plentiful. The bread pudding is to die for - except this trip it seemed microwaved hot. Homemade ice creams were a nice touch. Delicious flavors.

• Pros: tons
• Cons: only one: could use more of a wine-by-glass selection

03/12/09

Five stars with no hesitation

by dangrmous

You can tell when a restaurant can take a simple salad of fresh greens, crumbled egg and a bright mustard vinaigrette and elevate it to something you simply can't stop eating that they know what they're doing. Every dish we ordered was just dynamite. We got the bronzed black drum fish with crab, artichoke and potatoes, as well as the pork chop. Both dishes were unquestionable winners. I've found that restaurant pork chops can veer all over the place - this one was a bullseye, with smokey-sour onions, maple notes, and small jalapeno cornbreads. Awesome. Can't wait to go back!

• Pros: Cocktails, Food, Ambience, Service, Desserts
• Cons: None

02/07/09

Great place for a nice dinner

by zozer

I live near this restaurant but waited months to try it because the menu didn't appeal to me. I was clearly missing out, because the food was amazing! Everything about the catfish plate was great. The atmosphere was also warm and romantic. I'm already thinking about going back...

• Pros: Fabulous food, warm atmosphere
• Cons: Pricey but worth it

01/20/09

amazing!

by tag47

so i am in portland on business and a friend of mine suggests this little bistro that only serves lunch on wednesday so we went. it is kinda small and really quaint, there is a cool little bar and a bunch of tables. the place was packed, so i was pretty sure it was a good idea. and was it! the food was amazing and the service spectacular. we ordered lunch and a woman (whom i believe was an owner) asked us if we wanted wine with our lunch and we said sure did she have any reccommendations, to which she did and it was perfect! a nice gigondas, which went really well with the ground tenderloin poorboy. the desert was also fantastic, a red velvet cake. there were only two waitpeople and i am not sure which one was supposed to be ours, so we had two, as did everyone else. the service was amazing! i would eat here every wednesday or any day for that matter, if i just didn't live 275 miles away. great job guys!

01/15/09

Below Average At Best!

by yougotserved

The location was ok in a nice Northeast neighborhood, but I can't say too much good stuff about the food or service. I has sent back a seafood dish because I felt it was overcooked, then was told by one of the owners (Adam) that the dish was suppose to be served like that and that there was nothing wrong with it. After some unfriendly resistance from the owner, they did get me a new plate which I felt was much better than the first one, but I guess customer service is not a strong point with these people. I will not be revisting this place anytime soon and definately will not recommend it to any of my personal friends or strangers for that matter.

• Pros: Nice decor, fair prices
• Cons: Located on very busy street with alot of traffic noise, unfriendly staff

11/03/08

Tasty Cajun in classy atmosphere!

by CaptainPotato

I lived in Dallas in the early '90's. Cajun was the rage. I have also had good Cajun in New Orleans. After leaving Texas, it has always been hard to find really good authentic Cajun food. I tried Arcadia after reading positive reviews. Arcadia sits in an older Portland neighborhood. The old building has simple but very tasteful decor. I think the dim lighting and cozy feel would be nice for a romantic dinner. We were seated and served right away. We had a Cajun seafood dip with bread for the appetizer, which had a very nice distinctive creole flavor. we both had the soft shell crab and crawfish etouffee. Very nice flavor. Not as spicy as my favorite, but that's ok, as you can always add some hot sauce. Went very well with a Montana micro brewed lager. We did not have reservations, but did not need them as it was Monday evening, but still pretty busy! You may need them on other nights. Very nice place, and good food.

• Pros: Very good food, good atmosphere
• Cons: parking can be tight

02/25/08

Authentic New Orleans dining! Great food, wine, atmosphere & service

by 921grayblue

First time there. Had the Soft shell crab and crawfish etouffee. This dish was fabulous! Not too rich and just the right amount of flavor. We topped our dinners off with some bread pudding which was out of this world! When we received our bill, the server also brought out 4 pieces of pecan Pralines that melt in your mouth. They were ontime with our reservations, staff was friendly, food was outstanding (great portions too)and atmosphere was just right. It was a smaller and quaint restaurant but I did not feel too crowded. I'm already thinking of when I can go there again. Hopefully very soon!

• Pros: Authentic variety. Fresh seafood. Great food and service.
• Cons: None. Everything was fabulous!

02/24/08

I loved this place

by preea11

My husband and I went to this last night for a post valentines dinner. What makes this place one of my favorites is that they spread out the meal like it should be , dinner is an event (2hr event) which ables you to eat / drink from appeitizer, salad, dinner and dessert without feeling overstuffed. Staff are very attentive. It is difficult to pick what to drink and eat on the menu because everything sounds good. This is a great place for couples or small groups, it is noisy but Im sure everyone is talking about how good the food is and what does that dish look like. My only complaint and only is that the candelight was however romantic but i would have loved to see in full light what my dinner looked liked because it was probably the best meal I have had in Portland so far. Acadia is one of my favorites and I recommend it. The chefs need to be recognized! I 'll be back thank you and i will be telling my friends/family

• Pros: the whole menu/ service/make reservations this place is packed
• Cons: not being able to see the dishes in full light to see the fantastic presentation/ noise level (not for large groups) this is however my view

01/23/08

What a Wonderful World

by godzillabird

I returned to Acadia for dinner after a long absence. My prior visit had been good, though perhaps not overwhelming. Some magic seems to have infused the place since. From the moment my partner and I walked in, we felt as if in a wonderful world apart. We were seated promptly, and the staff equally promptly attended to us without cloying solicitude. And the food: Oh, my, the food. I had the jambalaya. This was no shy, uncertain version of the dish, but a rich, spicy galluping delight. We ended with bread pudding. I love bread pudding. I really love bread pudding. I really, really, really love Acadia's bread pudding.

• Pros: Food, service, attention to detail
• Cons: Maybe the bread pudding is too good (for my arteries)

12/09/07

was hoping for more

by yummy4tummy

I have been wanting to try Acadia for some time now. I finally did it. My wife and I ordered a variety of items off the brunch menu. The pheasant/veal pate was awesome. Full of flavor, it did a little dance in my mouth. Then came the other food, 25 minutes later and not worth the wait. We had some seafood gumbo that was well....not like any gumbo that I have ever had. First of all it was luke warm, unseasoned, and seemed like it was just thrown together and not cooked all day with some love. The okra still had the seeds in it. I have cooked my fair share of gumbo and the seeds are the first thing to dissipate out of the okra.

We also ordered the Boudin cakes. Now this makes me a little sad. I love boudin and to deep fry it like that. WHY? Why would you do that to such a great food? First of all to find boudin in Portland is a rare thing but then to do that to it...well I just don't see the point.

We also had the andouille benedict and it was al right. I liked the flavors and the sausage was great. We ended the meal with a beignet....WOW...GREAT.....it almost saved the meal....best beignet I have ever had...I think even better than Cafe' Du Monde'. I will return for another but I think I will stay away from the other things. Service was great, music was great, and loved the atmosphere.