In Good Taste

02/09/08

This is the BEST place on the planet

by 2coolforu at Citysearch

Wow! I was surfing on citysearch and was appalled at the previous review (see below). EVERY time I have gone to In Good Taste I have been treated with the utmost respect. The staff is so helpful and professional; all of my questions are always answered honestly. They greeted me with a smile as soon as I walked in the door, asked me if I needed any help, and then left me alone to peruse the nooks and crannies of culinary gadgets and cookware. When I did have a question, they were there with the answer. When I was ready to check out, they were there ready to serve me.

I have taken numerous cooking classes at In Good Taste and I have been so happy I did every time. I've had a class cancel on me a time or two, but the staff was so apologetic and sincere that it would have taken a lot of effort to be upset. Well you what? Life happens! Sometimes classes get cancelled; for whatever reason. I have found that they were willing to go above and beyond to remedy the situation and to apologize for the cancellation.

As for the guy who's class got cancelled and it was his anniversary---I bet they gave you notice... I bet they were really sorry... I bet they offered you a different class for the same price as the one you bought... I bet they did everything in their power to make you happy... I bet no matter what they did, it wasn't good enough for you. That's your problem. Deal with it. But don't tell people to go to Sur La Table ( an evil national corporation) because you didn't get what you wanted.

I would give In Good Taste one hundred million stars if I could. Don't take the word of some guy who's class got cancelled and he couldn't deal with it; take the word of a life long customer.

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: Parking can be difficult, but save the earth; take the bus or streetcar.

01/18/09

1st In Good Taste

by goldenrod21 at Citysearch

I love this cute little store. The staff greets me, then leaves me alone until I need something. In Good Taste may not have quite as vast a selection as Sur La Table (I shop at Sur La Table also), but their prices are much more reasonable. The same tiny Epicurean cutting board that I saw at Sur La Table for $13.95 was $9.95 at In Good Taste. Seriously, a $4 mark up at Sur La Table. They also have biodegradable bags. So, go to In Good Taste first. If you don't find what you need, go down a few blocks to Sur La Table.

• Pros: Not corporate, better prices, environmentally friendly, good selection, helpful (but not annoying) staff
• Cons: If you're looking for something VERY specific, you might not find EXACTLY what you need?

08/20/08

In BAD taste

by biznana at Citysearch

If I could rate this place zero stars, I would. Long story short, they have given me the run around on using a large gift certificate not once, not twice, but THREE times. They have essentially succeeded in stealing my money, citing the woes of being a "small business" with "no legal obligation" for why they will not honor my gc. POOR business practices, if you ask me, and I will let everyone know how incompetent their staff and especially undiplomatic their owner is. And I will certainly not be a future patron - oh, wait, they haven't even given me the opportunity to BE a patron of their store.

SHAME ON YOU! You should rename your store "In BAD Taste", as that is how you treat your customers.

• Pros: I know where NOT to go.
• Cons: Worst customer service ever, shady business practices.

01/10/08

Good thing Sur La Table is right up the street

by dj_carlson at Citysearch

For our Anniversary this year I thought I would surprise my wife with a cooking class from In Good Taste. We've been talking about doing one for many years but for some reason never got around to it. Low and behold one was available on the night of our Anniversary. I made the reservations, arranged for a sitter, hyped up a "never before" Anniversary surprise. A few days before I received a call from In Good Taste informing me that the class had been canceled because of a conflict of interest on the schedule. Ok... scheduling issues and cancellations are part of life, I understand. But I find their offer of letting me select another night at the same price insulting. Good customer service means taking care of your customer not saying oh too bad you can come some other time. I'll be sure to share this one with my coworkers and friends.

• Pros: No Clue
• Cons: Customer Service

11/30/07

Ignorance is not bliss in business

by chauser at Citysearch

Staff has little clue about products outside of what they have in store (how do they stay competitive?) Not knowledgeable about what to look for in an olive oil. I went to Elephants Delicatessen instead and got my fresh Olive Oil and had my questions answered . Customer service needs to shape up or loose business.

• Pros: Catering
• Cons: Customer service

03/19/07

a wasted trip

by amadio at Citysearch

City search steared me wrong this time. I made a special trip to "In good taste" to see what treasures they might have. The gormet foods were nothing out of the ordinary, pretty basic fare you would find in a fine grocery store. The selection of books were blah, and the kitchen supplies were standard mall store products with the one exception being a selection of CIA products that were in the back of the store.

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The staff was pretty sad too, I spoke to two of them, and they didn't seem to have a clue of what the cooking world was like outside of thier little shop. I offered one contridition to a statement a salesperson made and she became arguementative and just rolled her eyes. I let the old lady have her opinion, but honey , 61HRc is not the hardest core steel in the market, do your homework. Hiromoto makes a production knife with an HRc of 63; Hattori HD is 61HRc, Tojiro PS 63HRc, I could go on. My point is, what kind of an expert can you be if you can't look beyond your own selection of goods? Your store is just silly, and I made my purchases down the block at Sur la Table.

• Pros: Located near a better store
• Cons: Staff knowledge was lacking.

12/10/06

ANY COOKWARE IMAGINABLE IS AT IN GOOD TASTE STORE AND GOOD EATING

by g_styre at Citysearch

I have "to learn how to do" something or I Iust stay home...In Good Taste Store lets me do it all - eat great food and learn how to buy the correct utensil to cook my food in. The staff are very knowledgeable and I continue to learn how to cook as well.

• Pros: whatever you need in cookware or delicacies IN GOOD TASTE has it all
• Cons: on-street parking but most places are this way now

12/09/06

JUST GOOD HOLISTIC COOKING

by betty_sc at Citysearch

IN GOOD TASTE fills the gap for me...I had never learned how to cook but I know what good food is....when I come to Portland, to eat at In Good Taste at their cooking school and Friday night dinners is a must. The food is holistic!.

The portions are just right and the wine selection so good! IN GOOD TASTE and Portland's Pearl District are my favorite cities and I am so glad my friends live here.

• Pros: food is always delicious and the portions just right
• Cons: have not any

12/08/06

BEST HOLISTIC FOOD - A MUST WHEN I VISIT PORTLAND EVERY YEAR

by fran_mi at Citysearch

IN GOOD TASTE is a sojourn for me when I visit my family in Portland. I am always more than pleased with the food preparations and servings along with the choices of wine served...it is just awesome! I also learn a great deal about food and the cooking processes.

I take my younger children with me...they look forward to the tasty portions of food and being served.

I can't recommend it more highly - try it once and you are hooked on IN GOOD TASTE for a wonderful dining experience.

• Pros: on street parking but garage is also available - never had a problem
• Cons: none really

12/08/06

ALWAYS- MY HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY at IN GOOD TASTE - SUPER GOOD FOOD AND CLEAN!

by dave_pa at Citysearch

MY HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY is always at IN GOOD TASTE at a COOKING CLASS or at FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS!

My wife asks, "What do you want for your birthday"? My answer is always the same - gourtmet food with good cooks and "EATING MY BIRTHDAY DINNER AT IN GOOD TASTE !

The food is super clean, holistic and supports Portland's farmers and the community. I also enjoy the FREE birthday cake and an extra toast of wine!

The best food is at IN GOOD TASTE ! I also eat there most Fridays and attend most cooking classes because the food is so great and clean. Join me for just good eating and good company.

• Pros: always spotless clean facility and served to make me feel i have arrived
• Cons: parking sometimes is not so great - for dinners and classes is always okay.