The Heathman Restaurant

12/18/09

Mediocre and overpriced holiday tea

by Hermione Slack at Citysearch

Our waitress, when we finally got one, was terrific, but the little cakes and the marshmellow thingy were pretty but awful. You get one of everything and everything is tiny so you'll need to go out for a hamburger afterwards. The tiny sandwiches were delicious, but as I already said, you only got one apiece. The bottom line was the Heathman Holiday Tea is pretentious and grossly overpriced. $32 bucks for pretty little airy nothings! Bah, humbug! I definitely won't be going again.

• Pros: setting is Christmassy and cozy
• Cons: long wait to get in, mediocre food, and overpriced!

10/25/08

Great service, sub par fare.

by ldgage at Citysearch

We were all set for the crab bisque but were told it "wasn't up to the chef's expectations". It must have been bad, because our meals were far below our expectations. My duck a l'orange was the worst, the breast so tough I couldn't finish it. My wife enjoyed the halibut, but it was nothing unique. Our desserts was uninspired. I chose a familiar wine and even that was weak.

No we will not be back. I resolve never again to pay for over-priced, overblown "fine" dining.

• Pros: service
• Cons: food, price, parking

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.

10/17/05

Rude Staff and Not Worth the Money

by macinnis at Citysearch

I have been here several times over several years, and each time I try to remind myself NOT to come back (writing this review should seal the deal!)--the food is OK, but not worth the prices, the staff has repeatedly been inattentive and on more than one occasion I've had a surly wait-person. More than once I have left disappointed. Recently, I brought my 3 year old daughter (who is extremely quiet and well-behaved in restaurants) and before we were even seated the hostess ushered us into the "cafe" section and made us feel like second-class citizens. For a restaurant that charges so much, the experience should be pleasant. I would go to any equivalent restaurant downtown rather than visit the Heathman again.

• Pros: good crabcakes
• Cons: waitstaff/hostess, noisy