The Heathman Restaurant

06/05/08

great brunch

by kigetsu at Citysearch

I have visited this restaurant several times. The food is always good. service is sometimes too busy and get things mixed up but I would return just for the menu choice and quality of food.

• Pros: great food, valet parking

01/02/08

great bouillabaisse matched by great service

by ual320 at Citysearch

I travel to Portland occassionally for business and usually eat at Higgins. They were closed (New Year's Day) so I tried Heathmans - walking by it looked good. I only had an entree and coffee. The bouillabaisse was excellent - plenty of fish (good variety) and the broth was very good. Service was excellent - replenished bread plate without asking many times and the water glass was never below half full. Friendly yet professional waiter. I'd go back for sure. I'm from LA and usually pay a lot more for this quality so I thought it was a very good value - excellent food at a relatively low price. Always great being able to provide a 5 star rating.

• Pros: Bouillabaisse
• Cons: None

12/21/07

Worst Christmas Dinner Ever

by smyach at Citysearch

My husband and I made a reservation for Christmas Eve last year and were incredibly disappointed with the entire experience. Our table wasn't ready when we arrived, so we waited in the bar for about 20 minutes, understanding of course that Christmas Eve is a busy night. When we were finally shown to our table, I had to practically beg the hostess to take my coat, which she did reluctantly, with a disgusted look on her face. Our waiter was cordial enough but hardly attentive, and he told us to "simply ignore" the fire alarm that kept going off every 5 minutes. They finally evacuated the building, and we were forced to stand in the freezing rain without coats for nearly half an hour. Upon returning to our table, my meal was served immediately - burnt to a crisp. It had been sitting in the broiler the entire time, yet they still had the nerve to serve it! They replaced it with a less crisp, but hastily cooked replacement, then assured us to eat up because they'd take care of us. Dessert was on them, but there was no other credit on the bill for the horrendous experience. (That $6 creme brulee didn't really make us feel any better.) I even wrote a letter to the management, but received no response whatsoever. Save your money and go to any of the amazing little gems Portland has to offer - Le Pigeon, Clarklewis, Wildwood, etc. This place is a joke.

• Pros: Menu appeared to be excellent...
• Cons: Food wasn't.

11/26/07

Very disappointed

by atsjlc99 at Citysearch

I have no idea what people see in this restaurant. We made reservations for Thanksgiving dinner and were asked to confirm twice. We were told we got one of the last reservations. What a joke. There were tables everywhere, people walking in off the street. Very loud, very expensive, poor food.

We dine out four or five nights a week. I would never go back to the Heathman and would never recommend to anyone.

Following our dinner, I called and asked to speak to the restaurant manager. I left a voice mail where I was assured I would be contacted as soon as possible. Still waiting.

Really makes you wonder if the reviews for this restaurant are from actual customers or conjured up by the restaurant staff. By the way, this is a McCormick and Schmick.

• Pros: Can not find one
• Cons: Too many to list

10/16/07

Best Service in Portland

by aswatzell at Citysearch

The Heathman has the best breakfast and service in Portland. The staff is amazingly attentive, always keeps your coffee full (and it's fantastic coffee), and is willing to accommodate all requests. This is one of the few restaurants that will let me order 1/2 an order of a menu item since I can never finish an entire one by myself. If you want to sit back, relax, and be pampered, this is the place to eat.

• Pros: Excellent Service, Delicious Food
• Cons: None

10/15/07

Okay, but there are MANY other places I'd rather go

by deliciojones at Citysearch

Going into the Heathman I had heard zero reviews from friends or acquaintances, though I'd heard about their well-above-average reputation here and there over the years. Upon being seated, we oohed and aaahed over the menu. EVERYTHING sounded amazing. Round One: the beet salad with green beans and blue cheese was the best of our first courses - I will mimic this one at home. My seafood chowder was heavy on the salt and cream, light on the seafood. My boyfriend's fig, cheese, and proscuitto appetizer, while sounding simple and spectacular, was so dull... and very light on the cheese (teeny tiny shreds). Round Two: My sturgeon (recommended by our server) was great, though somewhat overly fishy tasting. Our guest's spinish and chanterelle pasta was fantastic. The boyfriend's elk steak, requested medium to medium rare, was practically still alive when it was served. We would have let our server know had she checked on us... but she didn't.... after 10 minutes, we flagged down a busser to come to our rescue. Round Three: the flourless chocolate cake was typical, the caramel bread pudding was basically an ordinary flan. In summary - everything was okay...... but collectively, I wouldn't call it a memorable evening, aside from my company, of course. I won't be suggesting a follow-up visit anytime soon.

• Pros: Prompt seating, delicious beet salad
• Cons: The experience as a whole as incredibly average

10/04/07

Paid for business lunch

by krutec at Citysearch

The Heathman is a little above my palate and pocketbook Take that into consideration with my comments.

I had the entree crab cakes. One of the better crab cakes I've had. $14 for two. I was expecting at least 3, but I found myself more than satisfied. I guess I'm too accustomed to traditional American portions. Sauce was tangy and flavorful.

My wife had the clam chowder, which she said was one of the worst she's ever had. She places more emphasis on the tenderness and multitude of the clams, rather than the actual soup portion. She said there were no clams. This is in comparison to some clam chowder she had at Pike Place Chowder, which she raves about. She also had a salmon entree, which she enjoyed thoroughly.

Others at the table had the ceviche. There was one comment about it being smothered in mayo, but I heard nothing more derogatory. They ate the whole portion, so it must have been pretty decent.

The service was attentive, but unobtrusive. Very elegant, professional decor, but the white paper on the tables seemed a bit low rent for this establishment. I think just the white table cloths would have sufficed. And as with most any popular restaurant, it was quite loud.

I would go again to try some other menu items.

• Pros: Decor, service
• Cons: Minor items that didn't infringe upon the meal or the occasion

03/14/07

Overpriced, not veggie-friendly, good desserts

by wineaux at Citysearch

I'd really been looking forward to eating at the Heathman, but was a little let down. There were basically no vegetarian options and not even that many fish options. Not impressed with the salad I got - the blue cheese was salty (probably Stilton) and just ok. I've had far better for half the price. The fish I got was very salty and the veggies were not identifiable and too buttery. However, their desserts were good (our table ordered a few and shared). I'd go back for maybe a glass of wine and dessert if we could find room in the back with the fireplace, but would probably not return for dinner. Overall not worth the money.

• Pros: Good desserts
• Cons: Not vegetarian friendly

03/05/07

Remember: They aren't fast food, you know?

by downtownkid503 at Citysearch

People want to complain that they don't get their food promptly, that is because The Heathman is one of the last restaurants standing that actually takes their time to cook for you. The Heathman is also is focusing on giving the best service that you can have. Notice that everytime they clear your appetizer plates they clear your silverware as well. Notice that they wait to bus the whole table at once so that no one is eating alone. I get sick of all of these old folks who are used to eating in the 50's when service was different. Granted, the prices are somewhat high, but they buy the most expensive ingredients that they can find. Maybe there are certain nights that a certain cook or server are not at their best, and it is a shame that can ruin an overall perspective. The Heathman is different than any other restaurant in Portland, and is worth a try, and perhaps a second chance.

• Pros: New Generation of Great service
• Cons: not a "turn and burn" restaurant

02/22/07

THE place to take that new lover the morning after ...

by quincydubois at Citysearch

Portland's best (and *exy and almost formal) breakfast. Try the eggs benedict with salmon or the hangtown fry. And don't forget the fresh orange juice. Super service and romantic atmosphere. Your new lover will want to check in ...