Brett F.
Yelp
Considering the proximity to my office, this was the most anticipated opening for me, and I'm very pleased with the early results. Douro is a far larger and more accessible space than sister restaurant Twelve. If that is a once-a-year special occasion dinner, Douro could easily be a spot for a casual drink and app. While the whole menu is not Portuguese, probably half is, which is new to the city.
The Good:
-The drink menu is well conceived. Wines are available in 5 sizes(!) and thoughtfully sorted by flavor profile. You can certainly ball out, but there's also some great values. Is it appropriate to order a carafe for yourself? I'll find out.
-There are some unusual drinks. We tried the Vermouth Service ($14 per person) which consisted of a small carafe of vermouth, a huge bottle of sparkling water, the best marinated olives I've ever had, potato chips, candy gummies, and glasses with frozen grapes. This was basically an appetizer and drink package in one and we found it extremely unique and fun. It's also the single best order in the "Golden Hour" of 3:30-4:30, when most of the kitchen is closed.
-There's a Poncha Pitcher ($50), which serves four (or two of me). This traditional Madeira drink has rum, honey and orange. The menu also emphasizes sherries, ports and madeiras. Elsewhere, if these are offered at all, it's only during dessert, so I love seeing them featured.
-The food menu is a mix of safe and comfortable (halibut, ribeye, fried calamari, oysters, gem lettuce) and more adventurous (tinned fish, piri-piri chicken, mushroom porridge, cataplana and several other Portuguese dishes). The pork collar ($32) was very good, and deceptively spicy with the hot pepper.
-Service is already perfected and the atmosphere almost feels Lisbon-ish. It's a bright, slick space with many varieties of seating. It's also the rare downtown restaurant that can comfortably seat large parties.
The Less Good:
-It's a new opening, so there's some quirks. The attractive entry doors open directly into bar seats, and the gust of air on fall days already makes the bar chilly. It would be unbearable in winter, so they'll need to curtain shop or find some solution.
-The cocktail menu has no descriptions, which is unusual in general, but doesn't work when half of the choices are Portuguese. The N/A menu re-lists all of the same cocktails, taking valuable menu space that could be used for descriptions.
-It would be nice if the main courses came with a side. They're not quite filling enough on their own, and once you add a $5 side, it approaches more expensive, Scales-type territory.
Douro has been open for just two days (as of this review) but is already so polished. It's refreshing that it's not another overpriced small plate restaurant, and the many Portuguese dishes mean I'll need several return visits to try them all. Plus, they already serve brunch!