Fenouil
Opulent French cuisine in an elegant contemporary space draws Francophiles to the Pearl District.
(971) 285-3982
900 NW 11th Ave
(at Northwest Kearney Street)
Portland,
OR
97209
45.5294
-122.6824
Neighborhoods: Pearl, Neighbors West - Northwest
Reviews & Ratings for Fenouil
71 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 71 reviews
Epicurian Delight!
by gourmetgrrl
November 02, 2007
I have a very fussy palate and not a lot of money, but if you enjoy a really fine gustatory experince, Fenouil is well worth the price. I used to be in the wine business and have had the opportunity to taste the finest wines and some really spectacular meals. Although it has been many years since I have dined at the famed Four Seasons in NYC, I can honestly say that the food quality at Fenouil is in the same catagory.
My daughter treated me to a special birthday dinner in August. I had been craving sweetbreads, but had not seen them on a menu in quite some time. After perusing the Fenouil website, I noticed that Chef Pascal invited diners to email him with any questions or requests. I did. He was incredibly gracious and promised me sweetbreads with a week's notice. He delivered admirably. They were lightly sauteed and accompanied by lucious ripe figs and a wine reduction sauce (if I remember correctly). We started our meal with escargots which were, without doubt, the best I have ever tasted. There was also a lovely small complimentary appitizer which included a fig and cheese. Delicious! When we were having trouble deciding on a wine, our delightful and knowledgeable server, Lucinda, arranged for us to taste three. We decided the $16 glass was worth the splurge. For desert we shared the twin souffles. To die for! Because it was my birthday, Pascal also sent over a tray of small tasty truffles. Bravo to the side of asparagus as well. We had regular coffee, which in Portland I have found to be generally awful. Not so at Fenouil. I have read some reviews that indicated the service was not good, not so in our case. Lucinda was charming, knowledgeable and attentive, even posing with us for a picture. We're trying the bistro today and I will again use the very reasonable ($5) valet parking. I can't wait. I might add, we ate outside with a lovely view of children playing in the fountain at Jamison Park. Pascal and Lucinda, we love you.
- Pros: Food, food, food. Also service and ambience. Valet parking a plus for handicapped.
- Cons: It is expensive, but you get what you pay for.
Simply Amazing
by peaches620
June 06, 2009
Wow. What a great place!
My girlfriends and I were a little worried that this place would be stuffy, as some reviewers have noted. Boy, were they wrong. Sarah, our bartender, was prompt and friendly. Our server, Elizabeth, was knowledgeable and offered great suggestions. The food was amazing - the Chef even accommodated my food allergies (wheat and dairy). When the bill came, we were impressed that it didn't cost nearly as much as we had expected.
I'm going to bring my husband for their Sunday brunch. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
This is my new favorite place.
- Pros: staff, food, drinks
- Cons: none
WOW!
by 574
June 06, 2009
This is one place that just "gets it". If your looking for refined service and great food, go to Fenouil. I have been to most of the other fine dinning places in town and this one takes the cake. The prices were even lower then most.
- Pros: Great food and Great Service
- Cons: none
The best experience in Portland! HANDS DOWN!
by awsugirl
June 05, 2009
I have been a part of the service industry for many years, and my fiance are new to the Pearl District. We live about a block away from Fenouil and I have to say, the experience that we had was nothing but top notch. As a younger couple sometimes we are treated differently at fine dining establishments, but we were treated with the upmost respect. We sat outside at dusk and enjoyed the Chefs Tasting Menu. It was wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting or local to the area! Come and enjoy a wonderful experience!!
- Pros: Brunch and Dinner! The best service!
- Cons: NONE!!!
not the best choice
by kspdx34
June 04, 2009
My girlfriends and I had never been to Fenouil but since it was a nice night out, we thought we would try it for our first time. As soon as we walked in we had to wait about 10 minutes before we were even greeted. Being one who use to work in the dinning business I took a look around to see if they were slammed but they didn't seem to busy being that it was only 6 o'clock and their service starts at 5.. we should have left right then
yet, once we were seated we were saved by the warm and welcoming attitude of our server Westman if I remember his name correctly. Many times through out the meal we wanted to leave because of the up tight feeling coming from others dinning and working around us ..the only thing that kept us from getting up from our diner was our server!
so words to the wise, if you are going to be making a night out of Fenouil even after reading these reviews your best bet is to go with Westman as your server !
- Pros: service
- Cons: everything else
Sunday Regional Dinner
by winniesr
March 31, 2009
My friends and I attended Fenouil's regional dinner last Sunday and it was incredible! For $41 (includes wine) you are served between 6-7 pre set courses brought to the table family style. Everyone is seated at large tables together so it is a great opportunity to chat up the person next to you. It was a very leisurely dinner - we were there about 3 hours - but well worth it! The dinners are once a month and I believe are the last Sunday of the month. check their website for dates and menus.
- Pros: great food, atmosphere
- Cons: mad dash into the dining room to find a seat
Terrific Brunch
by 4course
March 24, 2009
My wife and I had been wanting to try brunch at Fenouil. Our service was fantastic. The food was perfect. We wanted for nothing. I thought the menu was reasonably priced and we did not have to wait 20 minutes for a table like every other breakfast spot in town on Sundays. What a great find!
- Pros: Affordable Brunch
- Cons: None
Good food, tense environment.
by jjdunwilth
February 21, 2009
After recommendations from friends, I decided to try Fenouil for dinner. Beautiful ambience. Very cozy and comfortable. A lot of money was put into this place. Food was very good as well. I loved the scallops. Service was acceptable, but this is the problem I had with this restaurant in general; There was a noticeable tension in the room coming from a lot of the staff. Everyone seemed stiff, uptight. Smiles far and few between, seemed forced and insincere. Our server, in particular, smiled like it was painful. Seemed stressed out. And then another individual, who I assume is a manager, I felt had a total lack of professionalizm. On multiple occasions, I witnessed her talking down and just being flat out rude to her staff. Her stress management seemed minimal, and her negative attitude clearly affects her staff. I couldn't help but wonder, if my friend and I had noticed this, how many other customers noticed the same things?
Ultimately, the above just made the experience uncomfortable. Perhaps it was just an off night? I'll never know. But I will say Fenouil's staff needs relax a bit, especially aforementioned members of management that are oblivious to people around them, customers AND staff.
Good food, GREAT service
by MES87
February 17, 2009
I had high expectations coming into Fenouil and they met everyone. It was Valentines so it was an important dinner that they made special. The food was great but what made the dinner so great was the service. I have never had such good service. If the price is something that might turn you off I would reconsider, it is worth every penny. I would recommend the grilled ribeye, I've paid more for less.
- Pros: Service Food
Awesome! by Desirae Y. at InsiderPages
Contributor
January 06, 2009
We had lunch at Fenouil in their gorgeous dining room. There are two fireplaces and the decor is just lovely. There is also a spacious outdoor patio area to dine when the weather is nice. I had the Butter Lettuces Salad and the Salmon for my entree, everything was wonderful.
Best Sunday Brunch in Portland by Jeremy B. at InsiderPages
Contributor
December 22, 2008
Amazing Sunday brunch. Hand made, French pastries come with every breakfast. From duck hash to traditional eggs, etc., this is our absolute Sunday bunch favorite. Very elegant interior with multiple fireplaces.
