Silk

09/26/09

Not as good as it was!

by joanntim

Am not quite sure it happens, but why when a restaurant is good, can they not keep up the quality and be consistent? The broth in the Pho was NOT good and the noodles used to be wonderful and they were tough...We haven't gone back, but may try it one last time...

• Pros: Wonderful ambiance
• Cons: The food just isn't what it was

08/11/09

Horrible Service

by Beaver84

My boyfriend and I stopped in to have lunch because we love Pho. It was a late lunch and they were busy but not slammed. We waited for a few minutes to be seated - no one spoke to us. So we thought it wouldn’t be a big deal if we just sat down. We were finally spoken to about 10 minutes later and the lady asked if we seated ourselves - yes. She then walked away and no one spoke to us for 10 more minutes. Then another lady brought us 2 waters. We said thank you and received an eye roll! Finally my boyfriend and I had enough and left. I have never been treated so badly at a restaurant!!!

Never going Back! Great Service guys!

• Pros: Food is ok
• Cons: Worst service ever

12/07/08

Consistent and elegant

by exTexasruby

This is the most consistent restaurant I've been to In Portland. They serve their version of the most asked for Vietnamese dishes. Although it may not be "authentic", they have added a "twist" to several dishes that are very clever. It is a beautiful place with pleasant, helpful staff. They also use the best quality ingredients. My only complaint is not being served enough mint and cilantro.

• Pros: Consistent food, lovely surroundings, pleasant staff
• Cons: parking in the Pearl

09/19/08

Fantastic lunches...

by aidensnd

Perhaps my favorite restaurant in Portland. Everything I have tried so far has been terrific. I've eaten there more than any other restuarant in Portland and have yet to be disappointed. This last week I went twice for lunch and was pleased both times. The only small complaint is that sometimes the entrees come out before the apps, but as I was dining with small children in tow they did say that they tell the kitchen to bring it up as soon as possible when kids are involved so not a big deal and it did keep the kids happy. Highly recommended. If I could I'd eat there all the time....

• Pros: Great food, good prices at lunch
• Cons: Sometime entrees come before apps... See review..

06/25/08

something in my food

by larch1963

We found a little insect which I can't name but starts with a "c" in our salad and they only offered to buy the one meal not mine as well. I'm not sure what else is scurrying around in the kitchen.

04/24/08

Great for socializing and romanticism, but didn't get full off food. Had to run to Taco Bell after.

by computerweasel

Exceptional bartender. Food was upper class, but not too filling. Great atmosphere and very friendly staff.

• Pros: Great for drinks and ambience, interesting food dishes.
• Cons: If you want to get full off food, there are better places to get your fill.

02/12/08

Terrific high-end Vietnamese cuisine at moderate prices

by eileen8

I don't get it - the negative reviews of this wonderful restaurant. I've had lunch here once (or more often) a week for the past few years, and dinner several times a month. Have brought tourists here as well as friends. (Happy Hour is nearly unbelievably inexpensive for what you get.) Silk is high-end cuisine without high-end prices. Some of the things we've liked most at lunch or dinner: the appetizers: "toastettes," beef salad, the freshest salad rolls (aka spring rolls) with peanut dipping sauce, lotus salad, seared ahi tuna, crispy fried spring rolls. The seafood soups are excellent. Presentation is beautiful. Occasionally the service has been slow, especially compared to places where they RUSH you. However - "slow" service is the genuine article in a lot of the world (people like to take their time in a restaurant - and I didn't find it offensive here. If at the outset you tell them you're in a hurry you will likely be accomodated. Note regarding authenticity: I've eaten street food and high-end food in Hanoi and Silk measures up just fine. Some of the organ meats that find their way into soups in Vietnam would NOT be welcomed by the great majority of Portland diners and I don't think Silk is unreasonable to skip them. All is all, a wonderful restaurant.

• Pros: Food, variety, decor, not noisy (bar separate from dining room - yay!)
• Cons: none

01/12/08

Silk rocks!

by albertarez

Some of the best food I've had in Portland. Delicious! My friends and I go whenever we can. Mmmm. See you there!

• Pros: All
• Cons: That they aren't in NE

01/10/08

Exhoribant prices, decent food, definitely not authentic.

by pfisher

Went for a Wednesday night dinner and place was still quite busy for a weekday evening. Neat environment, and seemed like a trendy restaurant that fits into the Pearl environs they are trying to create. As we were with a large group, we just ordered family style and shared.

Pho-was actually decent and as i have spent time in Vietnam, the quality of the broth is everything. This one was good (best in town is Pho Oregon), but I couldn't believe that they only offered 2 types of meat, chicken and beef. They have obviously catered to the euro/american diner and have forgone the typical meats you would fine in Pho (tripe, tendon, etc...)

The rest of the meal was quite good, however it was unexpected. Definitely was not authentic nor traditional Vietnamese fare, so I would advertise the place as a Vietnamese fusion restaurant. The bar was hopping and we heard that they have the same owners as the previous restaurant, Pho Oregon, but just changed names so they could open a bar and get the license. Makes sense, but didn't have a chance to try some of the drinks that other reviewers glowed about.

Prices were quite high, but on par for other Pearl restaurants, so this will be a sporadic choice for me.

• Pros: Good environment
• Cons: High prices

09/25/07

Silk experience

by atticusfinch

I took a date to silk two weeks ago, we were seated very quickly and the hostess was extremely nice. We happened to have a great pation seat, which was nice to people watch and talk to my date at the same time. We order the spring rolls for an apetizer and took our time choosing the antres. When the waitor came back to take the rest of our orders we still had not gotten our spring rolls. I had noticed the two tables next to us had already gotten theirs. I had to go to the host station and ask the hostest if we could get our spring rolls after about 20 minutes b/c I could not find our waitor. She was very nice and went back to the kitchen and we finally got them after a total of 30 min. We ordered the braised duck and carmalized shrimp. Both antres were great and enjoyable. The waitor was not very knowledgable about the menu so he could not help us choosing anything. I liked how he was honest but still frustrating that their staff did not know the food they were selling. A positive to the night was the decor, I loved the location and the interior of everything. The hostes was the one person from the staff that actually smiled and thanked be for coming in. Thank you! She also made sure that our drinks were always full or taken care of.

• Pros: Decor/Location
• Cons: Servers & Price