Veritable Quandary

I absolutely LOVED this restaurant! My boyfriend and I came here for a romantic dinner while we were in Portland, and we got exactly that. All the staff were very polite and when we got cold while sitting outside, they all worked together to get the heaters going. We got the Bacon Wrapped Dates and the Seafood Fettuccine. Both wonderfully crafted dishes. For desert, we got their Soufflé and I would recommend getting one of their ice wines with this dish, however, I did not try their recommended wine. While it is a bit expensive, you get what you pay for and we had a wonderful experience.

What this restaurant lacks in front of the house tact, they more than make up for with their back of the house quality. We came here for Sunday brunch and really enjoyed our meal. They have dark-roast coffee that is very attentively kept full. The atmosphere is very rich with dark wood and brick, but one still feels comfortable in regular clothes. My only complaint was that I could hear the wait staff having catty conversations around the bar. Service at the table was gracious and quick, but the hostess was not terribly welcoming when she learned we did not have a reservation.

The food was amazing! The prices were quite reasonable considering the quality of the cuisine. Beautiful presentation, wonderful flavors, there doesn't seem to be anything that is not perfect on this menu. We had reservations as we were a larger group. Many of us ordered different items on the menu so we could taste it all. This restaurant will not be a disappointment. It is smaller, so if you are going with a large group, I would recommend making reservations as we did. From appetizers to desserts this is the place to be. I would have loved to tell the chef that was cooking that night how amazingly talented we found them to be.

Came here on a Sunday morning for brunch, was pretty crowded, but we got immediate seats in the bar. Tried the King's choice with a side of French Toast. The eggs were good, nothing extra ordinary, but French Toast was epic. Very soft and not too sweet and as fresh as it can get. Definitely worth coming just for the french toast. Overall the ambiance was good and would definitely come back again.

Despite the reputation, not too fancy. Outdoor area is nice. Bacon dates are superb, as is the salmon. Cod also very good. They carry 8 interesting local beers on tap. Service was fast if a little disinterested.

Great food and service- the atmosphere was also lovely. The bacon wrapped dates & the chocolate souffle are delicious! My sister had an amazing steak dinner that rivaled all other steaks I've ever tried. Some of the best memories were made here with family and friends

Great! Fantastic food, top-notch service, nice ambiance. And very friendly to kids. It's not on their online menu, but they have a kids menu, crayons, pages to color. They have a cool room for larger parties (up to ~8) in their wine cellar. Quieter, private, charming. The food is wonderful - everyone loved what they got. The braised short ribs were fall-apart tender. The salad special was fantastic. And the chocolate souffle - don't miss it, and tell them you want it when you order as it takes ~40 minutes to make.

This is my favorite restaurant in Portland! I had my first date with my wife here and ended up proposing to her here as well. The staff are fantastic and the food and drinks are delicious every time. If you are looking for legendary customer service, tasty food with a great atmosphere, this is the place. I am truly a raving fan of the VQ!