Ovation Caribbean Bistro

Awesome food and service. Fun atmosphere! Definitely come here if you’re looking for something new to eat or if you haven’t had Venezuelan food. Romano the owner and staff are really awesome and makes it like a fun family place to relax and eat. There was cool artwork on the wall as well.

Great overall experience easy to order menu and food that tastes like homemade food growing up! I had the soup which was great on a cold day. I can’t think of one bad thing on the menu. There was only one person working that day but the food actually came out pretty fast so no complaints.

This was my first time coming, and it was amazing! I ordered the Port Wine Burger with a side of fries and the Blackberry Lemonade. The burger was delicious with great deep tones, and the fries were nice and flavourful. The lemonade had both sweet and savory. We also ordered the Brussell sprouts and French bread, which were great as well. Overall, the atmosphere was sweet and cozy. Our service from Ramon was great and speedy. 4.5 stars, for sure would recommend, just make sure to reserve ahead!

This was one of the best restaurants my wife and I have been to in a while! We highly recommend the Brussels Sprouts but the burgers and truffle fries were incredible as well! But the best part of our experience was our server Romano who was super personable and welcoming! This was the perfect date spot and we can’t wait to try their brunch menu next time!

What amazing food! It brought me back to my years living in NY. I ordered the Pork Belly Cachapa and my daughter got the Beef Patacon. The fried pork was super crispy, the cheese was delicious and the combination of corn pancake with creama was mouth-watering! The shredded beef was extremely flavorful mixed with ham and encased in fried plantains. Absolutely drool worthy. The atmosphere was upbeat and colorful. In addition to the super creative wood art hanging in the art gallery area of the restaurant.

UPDATED REVIEW :::: We just finished lunch at the new reboot of Ovation . I have never had Caribbean cuisine in my life . I will be having more Caribbean cuisine for Ovation in the future . The flavors were immaculate. . The service was still the same & the vibe was fun and fresh ! Go and have a Caribbean experience. Also the price for the quality of food is wonderful. Come support a local restaurant that works hard to bring an amazing cuisine experience. Can’t want to try everything on the menu!!!! What a gem!!! I have so many wonderful things to say about this place. This was our first time visiting this establishment. Let’s start with the service . The host was so kind and friendly. They allowed us to sit outside, even with the rain. We didn’t make an reservation. They were happy to accommodate. They have a cute outside seating area. Our server Kimberly was outstanding! We took her recommendation. She hit it on the head !! Beside amazing conversation & just having the best energy she checked on us many times even if we were her only table outside. The food hands down maybe the best brunch I have had . The Brussels were to die for, my huge pancake was perfect ! The potatoes were stunning ! The croissant sandwich with eggs, bacon, and caramelized onion was ridiculous. Also we struck up a conversation with the best humans !!! Thank you for being a gem in downtown Milwaukie !!! Make a reservation & tip your server well they deserve it and work hard for it !!! Can’t wait to come back !!

Found this place for brunch on a whim while in the area and OMG what a gem! Service? Super friendly. Food? Scrumptious. Ambiance? Upscale, yet relaxed and unassuming. Drinks? Exquisite. 5/5 will recommend and will be back! (Edit to add more pics on subsequent visits!)

Today was my second time stepping out of the usual and into the fabulous. The food and service are amazing and it’s more than worth your time to drive into Milwaukie if you live in Portland. Everything is crafted with care and attention to detail and the menu is broad enough to serve different tastes and yet stays focused on excellence. I can’t wait to devour everything here again soon!

I came here for brunch a while ago and it was so lively and lovely! The decor inside of the cafe is cute and there's a bunch of tables for small groups. I got the croissant triple 'B' and my partner got the oeufs au benedicte. Although both dishes were good portions, I do believe that the prices were a bit pricey for what they are. Moreover, I thought that the service was okay. When we first came in, they said they were cleaning a table for us but it took about 15 minutes for us to get seated. In addition, the dishes took about 30 minutes to come out, so it was a bit longer than I expected for brunch. However! We did get a change to meet the owner, who came in as we dined. You could tell how involved he is in the business and he is so lively. It made the whole experience very fun, and we even sang 'Happy Birthday' for a couple people who were celebrating their birthdays that week! Because of that, I think the experience of the bistro itself was one of my favorites. Aside from that, I thought that the food and service were alright.

What a lovely spot! Met a friend here because it was halfway between her new house and mine. We had delicious apps, soup, drinks and dessert. The savory beignets were amazingly delicious as was the cheesecake with berry compote. Mmm, thank you!! The restaurant is filled with beautiful orchids and plants, cared for by the owner, who was a pleasure to meet. I'll be back and can't wait to try brunch too!

Oof, I hope they figure things out after shifting to a Carribean/Venezuelan menu. The menu is confusing; the pricing doesn't match the register; and they served my vegetarian friend chicken even though she ordered a black bean and cheese dish AND she told them she was vegetarian. So she watched me eat my arepa while they remade her food, and I watched her eat when it finally arrived. The potato salad or coleslaw sides are a hard pass

Super authentic and delicious Venezuelan food! Enjoyed the artsy and gardeny ambiance, they were playing good music and the staff was super friendly.

Ovation is an absolute gem of a restaurant. The moment we walked in we were welcomed by friendly staff and lively music. The decor is cute and colorful. The food was delicious. We had Venezuelan Hot Dogs, Empanadas, Catiras, and Caribbean Coleslaw. Everything was so delicious and the cocktails were pretty great too. 10/10 highly recommend for a very tasty, fun, and positive experience!

First off, the food was tasty. However, the portions were very small for a plate that costs $18. On top of that, the whole dining experience was not good. There is almost no connection between the customer and the restaurant, seeing as how you order at your table through an app, ring yourself up, an then get your own silverware, napkins, drinks, and then bus your own table. Also, some of the menu items don't match the pictures of the food. My girlfriend picked her plate based off of the picture, and got something completely different. On top of that, the app wasnt working for my girlfriend, so her order went in several minutes after mine, as i had to order for her, which resulted in her food coming out almost 10 minutes after mine. Will not be returning.

This place is like a best kept secret. Wonderful fresh food with a unique twist. They even have brunch. They take Reservations for brunch. Indoor and outdoor seating, and the owner comes around and makes you feel at home. Oh, brunch on a lazy Sunday was what we decided. I had the spinach and mushroom Florentine with a salad. It was scrumptious, and the salad had strawberries in it with strawberry vinaigrette. Yum! The Pastries are wonderful here. Get you sone. The bonus is this place is very close to where the Milwaukee farmers market is on the weekends... So you could walk down and check that out before or after the delicious food at Ovation.

The owner is such a gem! The food is delicious! I had the French onion soup and the truffle parm fries with a maple bourbon smash and a chai heaven cocktail. The soup and fries were so flavorful and good. The cocktails were well crafted and generously boozed. The ambience was laid back and nice. We ate outside on an overcast cool day. We will be back again!

I've wanted to come here for a long time, all the stars aligned and I made it to experience the great food!! The owner was so sweet and our food was delicious! We sat outside and the music was so fun, the vibes were perfect!!

The Best Bistro so far overall in PDX.. the staff is fun.. the food we had that day was fantastic I had their Triple B Croissant.. it was so flaking delicious! The bacon was superb of premium quality.. good pesto sauce.. tasted like a caprese meets bacon, brie and croissant... and it was a big sandwich! Good thin crisp fresh fries Good tasty French Onion Soup.. finely layed cheese on top where you break it apart and get to the bread and onion savoriness on the bottom Nice mimosas Great fun place to visit for the atmosphere and to treat your stomach and taste buds to something good

This is probably a decent restaurant. But something was off today. Food took 1 hour and 20 min to come out and the eggs Benedict came out super cold. Not even like warm. Service was okay. But taking that much time to make food that comes out cold doesn't seem worth it.

Sunday brunch has become a mandate! The lemon nutmeg pancakes are ridiculously delicious. The eggs Benedict is phenomenal. The croissants, Brussels sprouts, even the coffee are all a revelation. The atmosphere in the restaurant is fantastic. But all of this pales in comparison to the personality and hospitality of Romano, the owner and host with the absolute most. Ovation is legit

hands-down, best service in the Milwaukee area. Vibes on point, open flow very warm and welcoming. Food is not good it's the BOMB Owner is spicy Whenever you need a taste of France, come here

I came here for Mother's Day to have dinner and was not disappointed. This place is so cute and they have indoor and indoor seating. The order, Romano, is the sweetest and best person ever! He's so happy singing and serving, he MAKES the restaurant and it's vibe. The drink was so so good and the food was great! I highly recommend stopping by this place at least once and I need to try their brunch too.

The spots we usually frequent were sold out on a Saturday night, so decided to try Ovation. This restaurant is a hidden gem. The food was delicious, the service personable and attentive, and the ambiance delightful. The owner, Romano, was welcoming and clearly present in all aspects of this special place. We went with another couple, friends from Seattle, and they were delighted with this choice. Pesto pasta, brussel sprouts and burgers were so tasty, and cocktails yummy. Can't wait to go back.

The brunches are awesome. Wait staff and service is excellent and they truly care about your experience: they up level everything. Recommend the burger and the croissant with eggs, Brie, pesto and tomato. Passion fruit mimosa is a great way to start the weekend relaxation. Definitely will be back for brunch and can't wait to try dinner.

Amazing ambience. Incredible service. A perfect place to go to enjoy the sunset and have happy hour in Milwaukee. Much to choose from in so relaxing. Say hello to Romano. Yeah

The food was delicious. Ordered pancakes and bacon. One of my friends had Eggs Benedict and the other one had a croissant breakfast sandwich. The service was excellent. The place is cozy with lots of beautiful plants to enjoy. I can't wait to return!

I was in between a four and five. But I think I'm comfortable with a five. If this was in burnside or the pearl it's an easy five but the value for being in Milwaukie is questionable. I got the burger. I loved the bun. Nice and soft but didn't get soggy. I can tell it wasn't an afterthought. The patty was juicy but lacked a little seasoning. Great caramelized onions. I like the use of Brie but it gets lots easy if there isn't enough and there wasn't. What saved the five star was the fries. Remember how a certain northwest brewpub chain used to make their fries? Now imagine if they were actually cooked consistently too. Quite possibly one of the best fries I've ever had. The value is not awesome but I get we're in tough times. One strange thing I noticed was that the burger was not on the Qr menu. I'd be happy to return and stuff my face with fries.

04/18/21: 3.0 out of 5 - Stopped by Ovation today to try out the Brunch menu. Not sure what to really say about Ovation... This would be the first time for myself and my wife to try Ovation. Allow me to say that Ovation is definitely a local eatery. It looks great inside with a particularly cool but subtle touch that looks pretty inviting. We both sat outside though, and the other patrons outside sort of behaved oddly around (towards) us...as if we didn't belong. However, that is beyond the restaurant's control. We made our order and the food came out relatively quick. But, our server changed, which was probably a good thing because this server was more attentive and helpful. So, the food was good. There's room for improvement if the chef chooses to do so. However, be aware that there is a French and Japanese/Taiwanese fusion going on with Ovation's menu items. Not sure how well it translate to the palate for others, but I will say that the food we had was good. At the end of the meal, the real question isn't "was it good?", but moreso, "would you go back?". My answer: To be honest, I'm not sure. I am hopeful for the success of local eateries, and I do hope you give this place a try when in the area or if you are in the mood to try something different but familiar at the same time. As I always say, try it once and decide for yourself. Enjoy!

This place is a sleeper! We came across this place cause it was the only open restaurant close to us, and wow. Just wow! Initially I didn't know what to think of the menu but let me tell you, both plates were incredible, tons of flavor, perfectly cooked. I cannot wait to go back. I haven't had anything like it- This is a must try!

Wow. What a great brunch. We just moved to Milwaukie and I'm so glad that there's a rival to Portland quality brunch here. The Benedict and the Brussels sprouts were phenomenal. The beignets were also the perfect pairing with their coffee. No espresso bar, but honestly...this felt kind of nice. No grinder noise in the restaurant. The staff was also top notch. Really welcoming and all seemed excited to be there. Decor was absolutely pleasant. Can't wait to come back, especially on a nicer day where we can enjoy the outdoor seating.

Feels like I'm missing something. We visited for dinner, and were both singularly unimpressed. My partner had the Cachapa Con Jamón Y Queso; the bread was fresh and tasty, but the meat and cheese was ice-cold and very pedestrian. The shredded beef in my Arepa was tasty and well cooked, but nothing notable. I'm absolutely not an expert on Venezuelan cuisine, so I don't know if it's customary to serve this dish swimming in greasy water, making everything soggy. As a side note, customers are required to choose a salad when ordering an Arepa, but all the options were sold out. Therefore I was required to "upgrade" by paying $2.00 for a small baggie of chips, like in the grade school cafeteria. The empanada was crispy, filled with unexceptional shredded chicken. Nothing wrong here, but not unlike something from the hot case at a 7-11. Some interesting art on the wall. No soap or towels in the bathroom, so crossing my fingers that the cook washes up in the kitchen. Unwelcoming, mediocre, and not worth a return visit.

This place was amazing!!! Romano, the owner, took care of us, gave immpecable service while serving, bartending, cooking and bussing! The food did not disappoint. The burger was one of the best we've had and the benedict was super yummy! Decor, drinks, food, service 10/10 we will be back! If you havent tried it yet, make sure you do.

The food is incredible!!! The staff and service are absolutely perfect and have such beautiful personalities. The ambiance is a true feeling of home. The plants, food, service, and music makes this the absolute perfect spot!!

We had a wonderful time as a family for a last minute dinner out this Sunday. Romano is wonderful and the food was fantastic. I was shocked that Romano was both cooking and serving and chatting with us--he did an amazing job and made us feel so welcome and cared for. That's how food should be. I look forward to coming back!

Enchanting little spot! Food is delicious and made from scratch with local ingredients. Service is exceptionally thoughtful. Ambiance is welcoming with outdoor seating available, a must visit!

What an amazing restaurant! Brussels & steak to die for. Customer service is exceptional. Please eat here!

Outstanding food, service and ambiance. I was relieved I made a reservation. Can't wait to return. Romano is amazing.

Romano was SO friendly! His customer service scores 10 stars! We ordered the Bacon My Heart- a wonderful grilled sandwich with thickly sliced bacon, creamy Gruyère cheese, cheddar cheese, & caramelized onions with a side of house-made Kettle Chips. The chips were perfectly crunchy, lightly salted, and were not in the least bit oily. The restaurant had fresh flowers in sweet little vases on each table. Very happy potted plants gave the restaurant a homey feeling while French-inspired chandeliers & lights graced the ceilings. Romano passionately encouraged us to come back soon to see the transformation of the exterior with trellises, plants, & outdoor seating.

Check out "Ovation Bistro & Bar" in Milwaukie Oregon! A little place with tons of charm. Amazing, Awesome, Fabulous & that is just the ambience. The food is Incredible, not to mention the desserts. Then to top it off the owner is so friendly, helpful & personable. The brunch is one of the Best, I had eggs benedict Wow it was delicious.

My, my, my... This place was quite the treat! Stumbled upon it under an internet search that lead to grass fed & organic beef. We knew we had to try it! And it did not disappoint! Wifey had a bunless Ovation Burger with fries and I had a delicious rib-eye steak with garlic mashed potatoes and broccolini with a delicious cream sauce. Might have even finished off with a piece of flourless chocolate cake. My only regret is that we were so hungry, we forgot to take pictures! Got a peek of the brunch menu and definitely have to check that out too. It's a cute little bistro and the owner is super friendly. Is worth your time, even if it's out of your way, if you love delicious food!

We had a wonderful visit here celebrating my parent's anniversary! The service, food, seating, and ambiance was all top notch and we highly recommend. This restaurant is clearly a work of love and the owner is a gem.

Off the charts friendly service. Yummy bread and butter, good salad. Steak bites delicious though a bit of gristle in one or two; also liked the fries, though significant up charge to make them garlic-parmesan. Nice chocolate cake for dessert. On the flip side, French onion soup definitely not that flavorful and lacking enough cheese and a proper piece of bread. Also, for what it was (a lot of cobbled together appetizers), the price wound up being a tad high--close to $100. But would definitely try it again.

Fabulous food at this quaint, hip, local bistro. Friendly staff and great musical playlist accompanying our tasty brunch. Two thumbs up!

Food was delicious. We were warmly welcomed into this cozy corner paradise. Looking forward to trying out their brunch.

I have been meaning to make it into this restaurant ever since it began shortly before Covid. We called ahead the day before to ensure the best time for our Sunday visit. They told me to try to make it in any time before one and you shouldn't need a reservation. On a sunny but brisk spring late morning, we made it in. The outdoor seating area was brightened up with new picnic tables and colorful plants and flowers. We took the last table; every other seat was full. We inspected the menu. Whoever wrote the menu could use a lesson in French. I found at least four French spelling errors. It's a trivial thing to notice, but I noticed it nonetheless. I had heard from around town and also from advertisements on Facebook that beignets are the thing to order here. An order of two (5) was to precede our brunch. Vanilla glaze and powdered sugar and all. We ordered coffee, and my partner ordered decaf. I was served but we had to ask about the decaf ten minutes later. They brought a small French press only half full. I wish I could report more on the food but I have included a menu photograph for you to look at if you want to. The food is French influenced for breakfast. But if you order an entree everything is big on Japanese influenced (Udon, Katsu, etc) we were both easy as you can get and we ordered Eggs "Maltese", (not Maltais as is proper) which is ham and poached egg served over English muffin and covered in hollandaise sauce with a side of field greens and tossed in a dressing. It seems standard enough. If this is something you would order make sure you tell them extra hollandaise. There was less than a smattering and definitely not enough to notice. It appeared as though everyone who worked there was in charge of looking over you. We did have a waiter but multiple people checked on us, handled our bill, etc. We would have preferred a single waitstaff handled everything because who ordered what, which coffee was decaf, who brought out our food was all done by someone indistinct and we weren't sure who we were tipping at the end. Our beignets arrived last instead of first as we asked. It may seem like I am looking for things to dock them on but the service was not streamlined and in the end the food was just so-so. Maybe if you try it on another day you will find it different than I did, but I won't return. I think if you are going for dinner, you're safest bet would be to order something Japanese.

Stopped in for dinner as they opened the doors right at 5pm. Had a nice vibe, funky decorations and a friendly welcome. Had an appetizer, soup and dinner. This is a French Restaurant so I was unfamiliar with the terms but Romano guided us through a wonderful dining experience. Will definitely be going back as there is an entire menu to explore and the meal was delicious. And gonna make reservations for weekend brunch.

AMAZING SERVICE! The food was wonderful from appetizer to main course, can't wait to return and try the brunch and more.

Delicious Croissant-Aunt never disappoints but their other items I've had are all delicious.. I just can't not order the sandwich :)-

This is my absolute favorite place in milwaukie! Right by the river with a beautiful view on the patio, for a sunset dinner date or Sunday brunch with your friends. The owner Romano is such a hard worker and his energy and service is always so personable and amazing. Each experience I have had here has been so special. The food is delicious and the presentation is so well done. I love the Bacon Fumé Croissant sandwich or the Crepe's. The drinks are always great, the music is a vibe, the dessert is sweet and beautifully plated, perfect for a treat. I want to bring all my friends and family here! I am so glad I came here and found this place.

This place is AMAZING!!! Food is to die for! They're always finding new ways to make their customers happy!!! Definitely check it out!!

the food is always fresh, delicious and amazingly seasonal. the service is on point, the eye for detail and edible flowers is incredible. beautiful bright sunny location, hearing the owner laugh and sing and chat with his customers is beautiful. the owner, Romano is a ray of light and if you've not been to Ovation, you have to go. located right in the heart of downtown Milwaukie. you will NOT be disappointed, ever!

Really lovely and delicious . We sat outside in their shaded picnic table area. I won't lie, they got my order wrong but what they brought me was delicious anyway Soni didn't even complain to the server. They don't cut corners - the caramel tastes homemade aka real, the whipped cream also obviously made in house and very creamy, the butter softened.... Everything tasty and filling.

Loved this place! Beautiful ambiance, amazing dishes, service to blow you away, and one of the best drinks I've ever had!

Love this place! The staff is great and super friendly, I live a block away and it's a nice treat to have. Fabulous cocktails with vibrant colors, great food. I've had savory crepes, a breakfast sandwich croissant, beignets, eggs Benedict, a burger with caramelized onions, Brie and Gruyère cheese with truffle fries - all really good - no complaints here!

Fantastic food and equally superb service. I ordered the pork belly sandwich on a pub roll with fries and I would give it an A+. Great balance of flavors, good choice of bun, glad I ordered the special of the day. The interior of the restaurant is full of funky modern art and lots of sunshine. The outdoor eating area looked equally inviting. Our waiter Kyle was warm, welcoming and anticipated our every need. Happy we stopped here for lunch.

This was our first visit, and we were not disappointed. We came at brunch time, and the food was excellent, and the staff and ambiance was wonderful. We love the plants; they add so much to the personality of the restaurant. The staff was very friendly and attentive. Thank you for coming to Milwaukie! We will be back

We made reservations for mother's day for 2:15 no call telling us that they completely ran out of food.How can you not know how much food to stock it seems your in the wrong business. So rude and disrespectful to me and most importantly my mom... What kind of restaurant doesn't call it's reservations! Shame on you!