Graze

02/26/2007 Posted by jorn23

Some friends and I tried to have dinner here the other day. At six on a thursday, not only was it completely emply, but also 60 degrees. The candles on the table were more for heat than atmosphere. After the only waiter(who was also the bar tender) told us that they were out of half of the items on a already slim menu, we took our business elsewhere. They clearly didn't want my patronage that bad. besides, with no customers, how fresh can the food be?

Pros: timely seating

Cons: not much food, not much service

02/20/2007 Posted by ktfreefly

My group of girlfriends and I like to try different Portland spots on Monday nights to have our "girl's night". Some of us have to work a bit later, so after seeing that Graze had a later happy hour, we decided that it was the place to go. My first warning should have been when I kept trying to check their website and it kept saying unable to find server. I was the first of the group to get to Graze at 5:05. The place was EMPTY. At 5pm, you would have expected at least a handful of people there. Nope, no one. Then I noticed the sign on the door stating that happy hour was from 3-5. So much for Good deals. There were just too many things things leaving a bad taste in our mouths, so our group decided to go to another bar that wasn't surrounded with false advertising about their specials. The food might be great here, but I doubt I will ever know. My friends and I are all pretty disappointed.

Cons: None of their advertised specials are correct

12/18/2006 Posted by vortlimpa

Our friend, who made the reservation and planned the shindig, had confirmed over the phone that happy hour applied to table service, but in the first moments of sitting down, the server contradicted this and our friend had to go argue it out with a manager. Once they deemed us happy hour-worthy, the server took our drink orders. We were informed that they were out of one of the cocktails, but that's not unusual. What was unusual was the 20-plus minutes it took to get our drinks. The Dill cocktail was delicious once it arrived, though. We then ordered food: The Calamari was a mixed plate of mostly tender rings and very chewy tentacles (I actually stretched one more than 3 inches trying to pull it out of a fried mass). Reuben Sliders: Though the pastrami was top shelf, the rolls were dry and the concept unimaginative. Nothing about them was different than any reuben I've had in the past. Wedge Salad: there's not much to taking a wedge of iceberg lettuce, piling on bleu cheese dressing and a couple slices of bacon. It was tasty, but (again) not so imaginative. French Fries: simple and tasty. The truffled aioli was nice. The lack of desserts was conspicuous with so few menu items to choose from (even including the full menu). All in all, it was a pretty mediocre meal. With a little more imagination, the meal could have been better. Seems like some kinks still need to be worked out. Like adding an emergency generator, perhaps, since the meal ended abruptly as the power went out. Unfortunately, the black out was more exciting than the food.

11/26/2006 Posted by loannesmith

I was so hungry! My girlfriends and I stumbled across Graze.....just out shopping. Food is great. Drinks and food were more than wonderful. I recommend it highly.

11/25/2006 Posted by cbroadbent

I dropped in yesterday after shopping...have been meaning to do so for quite some time. What a great place! Just the thing after trudging through the stores all afternoon. The food is terrific...our party of four passed around a dozen items (we were hungry!)...the wine list is very nicely priced and the choices were really well thought out. A few of us had one of the signature cocktails. Superb! There is really nothing to criticize here, from the food, drink to the friendly service. Can't imagine why the place wasn't jammed! I'm glad I discovered it early. Keep up the great work.

11/11/2006 Posted by nametag78

I heard great things about this place - and the food did not disappoint. Since - contrary to some other comments - my service was top notch (except for one thing), I'm assuming the management reads and reacts to comments in this space. So: did something happen to dessert? My server tonight was terrific - good timing and reaction on everything - but after hearing marvelous things about desserts, we weren't even asked if we'd like to see a dessert menu - and it was hours before the posted closing time. I'm sure there was a good reason, since everything else flowed so smoothly, but...it was just odd.

Pros: Great food, well-chosen wines by the glass, lack of attitude

Cons: Parking in the Pearl!

10/26/2006 Posted by cesarcesar

I recently took my wife to dinner at Graze before going to the Circus De Sole. I happen to find the restaurant her on City Search. After reading the reviews, some good, some bad, some expensive, i went with my gut and took her her. First impression, I love the location! Sitting in the doorway to the Pearl District, this elegant and romantic restaurant boasts panoramic windows, open white linen table and the most unique salt and pepper containers I've seen. Second impression, the staff was great. We felt they were very courteous, non-pretentious and attentive. During our main course(s).. The chef came out to our table, greeted us and asked how our meal was. Crazy huh! Who would have thought it in Portland? I was really impressed with Chef Chuck Green's table side manor. Third impression, the food is the food of gods. Going with the theme of Graze, my wife and I shared 5 dishes of the most delectable delicacies. I highly recommend the steak bites, their rare-medium preparation with peppercorn sauce is sooo yummy. Most of all i suggest to get the Mac & Cheese. It is by far the best thing on the menu. It completely trumps anything at the crappy pretentious dirty restaurant under the Morrison Bridge. We really had a great experience at Graze. It started off a great much need date for two new parents. Thank you Graze. Cesar

10/26/2006 Posted by frogger777

Every single month my fiance and I go to a new restaurant to try it out and tell our friends about it. This month we chose Graze. First, I would like to say that it is in a great location! Easy to find and fits into its 'Pearl' surroundings nicely. Once we got seated, we ordered food and drinks that by the way were all very amazing! The colors and food combinations were FANTASTIC. It was a little chilly inside because of all the windows but I do have to say that it was just two of us and we ordered a salad, an entree and a dessert and we were there for THREE HOURS! We were definitely getting frustrated because we were there to eat and we were hungry...so if you are starved -- Don't go. If you have time to hang out, this is definitely the place for you!!!

Pros: Hot spot, good food, good drinks

Cons: parking, slow service

10/05/2006 Posted by trendy2006

Great for Brunch, not too crowded excellent coffee and drinks!!! Food was amazing in flavor, only complaint was that we were a party of four and two of our dishes came out cold.

09/25/2006 Posted by toughtoplease

I love it here. The waitstaff is attentive and knowledgeable. The food is imaginative and delicious. I really appreciate that the menu changes as determined by what is fresh and available on any given day. Small plates are the best! I get to taste many small portions, and put together a "custom" meal of my favorites. The asparagus is terrific as are the ribs. And the drinks...don't get me started. A very special place indeed.