Chez Machin

08/26/09

You couldnt ask for more from this cozy little cafe

by raeriva

I went here for lunch with a girlfriend and I have to say, don't let the outside of this place fool you. Had I not read the reviews I would have kept on walking..

But once you go in the door everything changes. Its cute! And clean, and you feel comfortable. And then there is the food (very good)

Really, you couldnt ask for more out of this place.

• Pros: Delicious food, good service
• Cons: Can get crowded

02/01/09

Quite nice

by monicam2003

My friend and I ate lunch here recently and I was pleased with the food, service, and atmosphere that Chez Machin offered. It was hard to decide what to get-the menu offers several options that all sound good! They offer many egg/scramble dishes, salads, soups, and sweet/savory crepes. I ordered the chicken, brie, and avocado crepe and it turned out really well-the flavors went great together. My friend ended up getting the special crepe which included chicken, spinach, and pesto. Both crepes had a delicious sauce drizzled on top that complimented both dishes really well. We also couldn't resist getting a sweet crepe to share-berries and custard and it was definitely worth it! I'd like to go back for the happy hour: wine, crepes, and live music sounds nice. Hope to return soon!

• Pros: good wine list, breakfast and dinner, local/organic ingredients, specials
• Cons: parking's a pain, small inside

11/23/08

A great destination on busy Hawthorne

by curiousmom

This place is a little French treasure, tucked in along Hawthorne - very warm atmosphere, great service, attentive staff, and while sitting at my table was able to view the kitchen and the chef at work - great meal, the French onion soup good and the vegetable crepe, yummy! It was easy on the wallet and wish I had room for dessert - next time! Have been to Paris and this place gives you a moment there.....

11/01/08

Best Crepes in Portland

by pdxava

I love Chez Machin. I think they have the best crepes in Portland, coupled with a lovely wine list. Best of all they are very affordable and provide a lovely French cafe atmosphere perfect for intimate conversations with friends.

The service has always been very good: timely, informed, helpful, and good-natured. I highly recommend Chez Machin if you like anything French!

• Pros: Food/Ambiance/Service/Prices
• Cons: Parking on Hawthorne is always a chore

07/21/08

Make believe French bistro - mediocre food

by Joshbignose

This tiny place has a one-burner kitchen, French bistro style tablecloth and an Edith Piaf CD from the 60's. What could be a charming, centrally located little neighborhood place misses the mark completely for the food was not tasty, certainly not French, and reminds one of a roadside Diner fare - minus the fast service. I am from France, and, in past centuries, you could be behaded for serving such mediocre and greasy food. Try other alternatives on that strip, such as the "Bread and Ink" Cafe across the street.

• Pros: Edith Piaf songs, reasonable service.
• Cons: Bad food.

06/22/08

Great french food great atmosphere!

by saracara22

I loved this place! I came here with my boyfriend for dinner last weekend and not only was the food exceptional and perfect for a summer meal, but the tiny restaurant had great ambience with a live musician and cheeful service. I had one of their dinner salades with fried chevre and apples, and my boyfriend tried the chicken cordon bleu. They were both amazing! I plan to return often. Thank you chez Machin!

• Pros: great food, great service, great ambience, great patio
• Cons: not a good choice if you want a fast meal

05/14/08

Wonderful Place

by summersnama

I recently stayed one night in Porland on my way back from the coast to head back to my home in Spokane. We were sitting in a little bar downtown talking to some people that we met and after some conversation and talk about where would should go for dinner they suggested a place called Chez Machin. After having had a long day of shopping we almost talked are selfs out of going opting for a place that was closer. The people we had been talking too had so raved about the place that we rallied and went that direction. Am I ever so glad we did. What a wonderful little resturant. The place it's self is just charming, the food is too die for and the staff was amazingly attentive and warm. After having been to the coast and all the fabulous places we tried I didn't think we could add to the list of wonderful places we dined. I was wrong... Chez Machin is well worth the visit and place I highly recommend people try. We will ourselves will go again the next time we are in Portland.

04/05/08

Brown paper towel in your salad? Anyone? More fiber?

by karakerpan

I had some good and some bad experiences at Chez Machin over the years but the one I had recently sealed the deal and I will never again go into that establishment. I was eating a light lunch with a friend and ordered a salad. Much to my dismay, after eating a few bites- I saw a brown thing in the bottom of my bowl. I picked it up and I was like one of those clowns pulling an endless supply of scarves out of their sleeve. The brown towel was dripping and when I unfolded it- I finally realized what it was. My friend and I were disgusted and wondered how it could end up in a salad! I gave it to the waitress and they promptly made me a new one however, my friend was done eating by that point and needed to go. I had to hurry through and finish my salad so we could leave. They did us the favor of not charging for the salad but felt compelled to charge us for the rest of the awkward meal. I wrote a letter to the owner to let them know that I was concerned about the food safety in a place that serves towels with their salads. The cook's response when I had showed him the salad was "again!?" so it became obvious that this was not a unique incident. The restaurant owner sent me a return letter letting me know that the towel in my salad was clean and that I could call him with further questions. Wow, thanks for the free (clean?) towel. Don't waste your money here.

02/25/08

Wonderful dining experience

by doglady8

I have been to this restaurant many times and I have never been disappointed. The wait staff is very friendly and the food is always delicious. The crepes are fabulous and the bistro menu is exceptional. If things are sometimes slow, who cares. I enjoy having a relaxed dining experience and I always have that at Chez Machin. The back patio is great.

• Pros: Great atmosphere
• Cons: Small main dining area but cozy

10/08/07

Wonderful food and worth the very very long wait!!!

by tabitha6

The food is fantastic and it is romantic but the service is slow slow slow. They have a very small 2 person open kitchen with only 2 crepe stones and when they get busy you can see the poor Chef working his butt off as the orders pile up. As long as you either go very early as not to be part of the rush or go with the knowledge that you are going to enjoy a bottle of wine or two while you wait for your food then you will have a wonderful meal. If you bring your children make sure to have lots of coloring projects and to give them a snack firstin case you hae to wait. BUT the food is worth it. Very wonderful french inspired soups and specials and the most wonderful and imaginitive crepe creations. ENJOY!!

• Pros: Wonderful food
• Cons: Slow slow slow service