Doesn't Recommend

ladyjanerose

Joined 2 years ago

awful. If I could give less than one star I would. The worst gnocchi (hello - Italian?) I've ever eaten - an over salted frozen dinner from Safeway would have had more flavor. These little nuggets were so hard I could barely get them on my fork. The meal wasn't even worth the calories much less the crazy expensive bill that followed.

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truffleoil

Joined 6 years ago

Mixed Bag. My husband and I went to Portage for his birthday. For my appetizer I had the Diver scallop, morel, sweet corn-truffle salad which just didn't end up coming together very well. The chef had sprinkled herbs all over the salad which did not have the stems removed. It looked very earthy but the problem was that it also tasted very earthy. It seemed to be a bit of a theme at the restaurant as the same thing was present on my husband's appetizer. I am all for fresh farmers market produce and fresh herbs but not at the expensive of taste and texture. The stems should have been removed, the corn and the scallops were slightly over cooked.

For my main course I had a salmon special which was very good. The salmon was cooked perfectly and it was served with a Risotto that had summer vegetables in it. It was flavorful, pretty and good. My husband had the halibut and I believe he also enjoyed his main course.

For dessert we had a chocolate cake and a Vanilla-caramel pots de creme. The desserts were amazing but I was sad because I had called in the afternoon and asked if they could put a candle in my husbands dessert. They said they would and promised to write a note next to my reservation but then forgot to follow through.

We will go back and try it again.

Recommends

kt1121

Joined 5 years ago

Fine food not so good atmosphere. The table was wobbling and right next to the kitchen. The kitchen door was a curtain and the staff was easily heard discussing their personal life. The squash salad was great except the goat cheese was forgotten and the lentil dish was fine but a little dry. Overall i wouldn't go back.

Recommends

poway

Joined 5 years ago

excellent food. i don't know why this place isn't packed every night, the food is spectacular. i've seen this chef do things with beets i didn't know was possible. awesome.

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armben

Joined 6 years ago

Love this place!. There aren't enough small bistro's like this in Seattle. We recently moved back from New York where the small French bistro was practically a dime a dozen, but here Portage really stands out as a must-eat. We loved the service, the ambience was so warm and intimate, and the food was perfect. I had the chicken (yeah, just chicken!) and my wife had the scallops. Everything we ate beforehand (foie gras, duck) was amazing and the wine recommendation was spot on. We went on a Friday night and got a reservation for 9pm and it was definitely worth it. We watched 2 or 3 couples come by afterwards and wait for a few minutes even then. I'm sure you could walk in most nights, though. WE WILL BE BACK!

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chowhound99

Joined 6 years ago

I'll be back. I had dinner at Portage this week and truly loved it. The food was great and the atmosphere and staff were also great. I ordered the chicken which was probably not the most adventurours thing on the menu, but wow, it really made me appreciate the entire experience.

Recommends

Anna Roth

Joined 8 years ago

Though tiny, this intimate French bistro still packs in droves of well-heeled Queen Anne residents for dinner every night.. The Scene
Though a large mirror and warmly painted walls do their part to make the room appear larger, the dining experience can feel a bit close at the dozen or so odd tables in the small space. A large bar accommodates single patrons, while gold-and-black banquettes and tables seat couples and groups of friends out for a quiet dinner. Pitch-perfect service and the urban, sophisticated European ambience make the evening complete.

The Food
While starters err on the small side--the seafood sampler platter offers only a few bites of poached prans and pastrami-cured tuna tartare--they whet diners' palates for the rest of the meal. Cassoulet, decadently packed with braised rabbit, pork belly and andouille sausage, makes an extremely hearty meal, while those with lighter appetites will appreciate perfectly cooked diver scallops enhanced with black truffle risotto. For dessert, the flourless chocolate cake is almost over-the-top in its truffle-like decadence.

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ggmich

Joined 6 years ago

Good appetizers, mediocre entrees. The decor and atmosphere at Portage are simple and pleasant. The interior is a good mix of neighborhood comfort and sophisticated French. The waiters are attentive and service is timely.

We ordered two glasses of wine instead of getting a bottle. Unfortunately, for $7-$8 a glass, the servings were tiny compared to any other 'by the glass' serving we had seen. Maybe the regulars already knew this as we saw two other couples bringing in their own bottles of wine.

The appetizers were very well presented and also very delicious. Appetizers we saw on neighboring tables were also just as attractive looking. The tuna tartare looked excellent.

For the main dishes, we had the two fish entres that were available. Both were very heavy with butter. Overall they were ok, but not nearly as intersting as the appetizers.

We might go back for the appetizers, but will probably skip the entres.

Doesn't Recommend

troutonfly

Joined 11 years ago

Glad It's Gone. Worst service, awful Q, great food for old people, but not for people who appreciate BBQ.