The Heathman Restaurant

02/16/09

Don't go on a holiday..

by sher32 at Citysearch

On any other night I believe I would be able to give a better score, but being that we went on Valentine's, they had chosen to seat to overflowing capacity. We were seated in the center of the room in a row of seven two person tables stuck right together, pretty much bumping elbows, so there was absolutely no privacy...we could hear everything the couples on either side of us were saying and vice versa. I don't think these tables are usually there, they just brought extras in to accomodate the masses. It was terribly uncomfortable and awkward, like being in a fishbowl. Plates of Foie Gras, compliments of the chef, were sent out to all the couples subjected to this close proximity which was a nice gesture, but really didn't make us feel any better especially since we both hate liver. The food and drinks were pleasing and the service outstanding inspite of the overcrowding. I made the reservation only a week out so I understand I was late and should take what I get, but I would rather they have chosen to limit the number of reservations and told us there was nothing available so we could enjoy a more intimate dining experience elsewhere instead of turning us into sardines on one of the most romantic nights of the year. From what I've read it seems on most holidays you receive similar treatment. We'll try again on a non-holiday evening and hopefully we'll have better luck.

• Pros: Excellent service, good food
• Cons: overcrowding

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

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

09/27/06

Let down for the ages

by mashland at Citysearch

Dinner before symphony, a beautiful evening, "check out the Heathman--it won't let you down."

We sat outside, met our most attentive waiter, and the night went down from there. Steak untrimmed with gristle and fat resting on a bed of runny, lukewarm mashed potatoes, a salad with a non-existent vinagarette dressing--but the wine was fabulous.

Service good, food average to below average...and quite expensive for that.

• Pros: great wine
• Cons: poor food

07/28/06

Food great, service wonderful, but far too noisy.

by solarisguru at Citysearch

We had a nice Halibut dish, with an olive tampenade, with some veggies in sauce. Was supposed to have baby artichokes, but we got one tough "adult" choke 1/4 between us. Otherwise the food at the Heathman was great. A very interesting tasty cold boysenberry soup.

The salad with sheeps cheese was interesting, the lettuce was a bit wilty.

The onion soup I had was good, but they used a lot of small "salad" croutons, instead of one wafer of toasted bread.

The waitress and the rest of the staff were very attentive, without smothering. We ran our waitress around with questions on dishes, and when she didn't know, she went and found out.

My biggest complaint was the open ceilings and hard surfaces. No sound baffles, or any way to cut the noise from the bar, which was also part of the large, rectangular space. This might be OK for some, but the very loud, very drunk woman in the bar area made it so my wife and I could not hear each other well. We we at a table for 2, and we were at least 30ft from the lady.

As an aside about the Heathman Hotel, the valet parking is suggested, at about $12. But the valet didn't help my semi-disabled wife with her car door, and didn't suggest the easiest route for her to walk into the restaurant.

• Pros: Good food, great service
• Cons: Very noisy.

01/19/03

why heathman?

by AimeePang at Citysearch

The experience that I had with the Heathman Restaurant was nothing like I imagined. From the outside looking in, the restaurant's atmosphere and the reputation of the hotel, did not reflect my experience. I indeed thought that the service was rather slow, getting our food took some time, the place was noisy and the overall feel was dreadful. The only thing that was great was the food-Excelent culinary creativity.