Fenouil

11/02/07

Epicurian Delight!

by gourmetgrrl

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.

09/21/09

Okay, but kinda disappointed

by LogicalChefTechnique

I love French cuisine and am always excited to try the best portland has to offer in this vien of culinary tradition. When I went to Fenouil I was expecting great food. I got slightly less then that. Three of us ordered the French onion soup, but to my dismay it was rather plain, and overloaded with gruyere cheese and not even fully melted. Each of us actually had to take cheese out of the bowl and put it to the side. I ordered the paella. IT WAS DRY! The saffron rice was undercooked (I felt like I needed a drink of water after each bite) and there was no seafood chorizo broth! Just dry seafood. The seafood was good and I loved the chorizo. Last but not least, the pomme frits with truffle oil. The frits themselves were very thin to the point that the fry was pure crunch with no moist potato obn the inside. Moreover the truffle flavor was barely noticeable. It was like oily chips. No good. However to be fair both of my friends enjoyed their meals, grilled shrimp with harrisa aioloi, beef stew, and a smoked salmon app. Although I might try it again, I would be hesitant.

• Pros: Nice wine selection, creative menu items
• Cons: ....

08/25/09

WOW!

by kazeflame

The waitress was most helpful. Great salads! Beautiful sunny day on the patio.

• Pros: Great cocktails and house sparkler, great happy hour
• Cons: Great for copuples, friends, family.

08/19/09

Fenouil Ruined my friends birthday

by zodpod

we went to Fenuoil for my friends birthday and had a large party. we ended up being being short a few guest and the waistress made it clear she wasn't happy about it. My friend tried lightening the mood and said " I'm so sorry we are short some guests but I promise we will leave a huge tip " the waitress replies " ya." and stomps off. Then when she came back she over heard me say " wow we should complain to her manager." and she walked up and said " ya I was mad before and now not so ... what fdo you guys want to eat?" to make a really long and blah blah blah BS that came from the restraunt shorter, I'll say this , if your thinking about a cute chic formal dinner with friends don't go here. You will feel to scared to speak above library level and if you tell them you don't eat meat it doesn't matter your food is cooked in viel fat.

• Pros: delicous food
• Cons: Evil server

08/18/09

superb

by MimiK

I come down from Seattle regularly and would never miss lunch at Fenouil, It is always perfect. I enjoy going by myself and sit inside, by the window, and really treat myself. The service is perfect and so is the ambiance and I never feel odd being alone. And the food is incredible. Wish I lived in Portland !

08/06/09

Worth a visit!

by Wayneh

Great happy hour....terrific food and drink at reasonable price!

• Pros: Excellent food and service.
• Cons: None

06/06/09

Simply Amazing

by peaches620

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

06/06/09

WOW!

by 574

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

06/05/09

The best experience in Portland! HANDS DOWN!

by awsugirl

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!!!

06/04/09

not the best choice

by kspdx34

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

03/31/09

Sunday Regional Dinner

by winniesr

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