Absolutely AMAZING is how we both described our dining experience last weekend at Evo Kitchen & Bar! From the fabulous Greek white wine that paired perfectly with the whipped feta spread to the carrots prepared so perfectly with date, cumin and wild rice my husband and I knew we were in for a special evening of fabulous cuisine & exceptional service. The ambassador for Evo at the front door was Hannah who continued to check in on us in an unobtrusive manner. Oriana was our server & super knowledgeable about Chef Matt and his team's menu and expertly crafted plates of locally sourced food. A special nod to the bluefin tuna dish with avocado toum, fresno and turmeric! We had seen on Instagram that a HUMONGOUS tuna had arrived fresh at Evo in the wee hours of the morning prior & you could detect the freshness right away. Manager Nick seemed to be everywhere, making guests feel welcome and appreciated. A smooth operation from front of the house to back of the house that creates a feeling of total "heart of the house" when it comes to dining at Evo Kitchen and Bar! read more

After being turned away from 7 at-capacity/understocked restaurants on a Tuesday night in July, a hostess recommended that we try Evo, and we're so glad that she did! This was a lovely find. We got the last 2 spots of counter space facing the street, and the restaurant was lively but not uncomfortably crowded like some others in the area. Our server, Liv, was so warm and friendly that she could teach a masterclass for young servers! Her recommendations were spot-on and her enthusiasm for the plates at Evo was absolutely infectious. Out standout plates were the chickpea fries (a revelation in the world of fries! Even if you're tired of New England's fry-heavy plates, eat these!), and the carrot cake (which you should eat even if you're not a fan of carrot cake, like my husband, who is now a sworn convert). Recommended for sure! read more

Reservations require credit card and late cancels are $25/person. With this in mind, you would think this expensive restaurant would be amazing. The menu changed from when I booked the reservation to when we ate. We weren't pleased by this. It was not worth the price by any means. The food was way over seasoned, portions small for the price and the wine menu didn't match the food. We all left a little hungry with a stomach ache due to the over seasoning and a large bill. It was also very loud! read more

If you haven't been to EVO, stop what you're doing and make a reservation now. Went here for the 1st time prior to a show at the Cross arena. We had the chef's tasting menu with wine pairings. Every single dish was exceptional (approx. 8 courses - small plates). The location: If you're seeing a show, its a short walk from Evo to the Cross Arena The interior: 4 seating options: 1. Window Seating downstairs (great people watching) 2. Chef's counter Seating downstairs (looked awesome) 3. Upper level (intimate, great views of the street below) 4. Outdoor handful of tables street side The lower level is action packed, so if you're looking for a relaxing vibe, reserve the upper level. The food: ... I want to go back and try every single thing on the menu. Highlights included the seared Tuna and Blueberry Semifreddo (see pics) The service: Super friendly, knowledgeable and attentive The value: The food is worth every penny, but the wine pairing is expensive and a little awkward. I would opt for a bottle over the pairing next time. This is fine dining, but in a very comfortable non-pretentious setting. Overall, Evo is a 10/10! read more

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Oh my gosh this place was absolutely incredible! We had the chef's table view and got to watch the chefs cook and it was an incredible experience. The staff was friendly, the food was delicious, and the environment was super inviting. I will tell you the mussels are the best I've ever had. They were plump and cooked perfectly with a delicious sauce to dip the bread into. I wish I didn't live on the other side of the country! I'd be eating here all the time! read more

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If you're looking for a great night out that's worth every penny, look no further than Evo! My wife and I came here for her birthday and left the kiddo at home. Each dish was brilliant on its own and you really taste the flavors, freshness and quality. We had a few cocktails (all great, but the pineapple one was our favorite!), baba ganoush, heirloom tomato salad, seared tuna, grilled octopus. For dessert we had the carrot cake, semifreddo , and Turkish coffee. With the proteins- seared tuna and octopus, the sauce/toppings complimented the protein so well and made the tuna and octopus shine. For comparison, we went to Nobu a while back and honestly felt the sauces were overpowering the sushi and you didn't really get a taste for the quality of the fish. Not the case here. Each dish stands on its own really well, was perfectly cooked too. So if you want a night out that's on the pricier side, this was totally worth it. Also, the staff was amazing and friendly! Sitting by the bar and kitchen was awesome because you see the work and care that goes into every dish. Definitely making this a yearly date spot! Next time, we'll do the chef tasting menu! Thanks again guys! Loved it. Highlight of our trip back to Maine. read more

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What an amazing anniversary dinner! We had the most fantastic meal. The lamb was perfect, plus we had three other menu items. All presented with a New York flair, but the best part was the staff. I don't think there was an item on the menu that I wouldn't like. You could not ask for a more professional and friendly team from the moment we walked in. The hostess was genuine and caring. We sat at the chef's bar, and Henry was great. Our son and daughter-in-law suggested Evo as it is one of their favorite places, and they were right! Go there and enjoy, we sure did. read more

This restaurant was good but not great. One thing is like others that have posted we felt rushed. We had a reservation so they weren't squeezing us in. We were done in 45 minutes. Food was also good, best tapas we have found so far in Portland, but doesn't compare to some of the tapas restaurants in Boston. read more

The food here is excellent, but the vibe could use a little help. The waiter kept trying to upsell us on the 88 dollar per person meal, where they would bring out "waves of food" , I ended up getting three small plates that were about 60 bucks in total and it was still way too much. Still, worth checking out for the flavorful and well prepared food. I had a cuppa good cocktails as well. read more

What can I say. Been here a couple of times now and love it. First off, the staff are great. Very friendly and attentive to you're experience. Though a small venue, just perfect for an intimate setting or for a small group. They do have space upstairs for a bigger group, but it's so perfect for a nice evening with good friends. The cocktail menu is different and the Grin and Carrot is my fav. So yummy. The menu is perfect for all types and offers something for all tastes and restrictions. They even ask you specifically for any allergies or other restrictions before you order a drink. Awesome. The menu is perfect to share with your party and allows you a chance to try so many options. The tuna is top of my list. But you can't go wrong with anything in the menu. Start with a spread and an app to get you warmed up for one of the main dishes. Take your time and enjoy the flavors. The blends of spices and seasonings. You just can't go wrong. read more

Evo - Grin and Carrot - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Was recommended Evo by a local foodie and as a foodie myself, I knew I had to go during my short visit in Portland. We luckily snagged a late dinner reservation the morning of. We were so excited to do a chef's tasting, but to our disappointment, we were told by the server that everyone in the party must choose the same tasting (meat or vegetarian). When I asked why, they said it was to provide the same tasting experience as they believe in a shared experience for the whole party and to ensure all dishes of the tasting were served at the same time. Though this can be true, it is also a cop out answer. Simply put, they just wanted to make it easier on their kitchen logistics/operations. This was very disappointing because half our party was vegetarian and the other half was not. For those that did eat meat, we did not think it worthy to spend $75 on a vegetarian tasting. Thus, we were forced to surrender our tasting dreams. We ordered a bunch of dishes to split and taste. Everything was truly delicious and plating was aesthetically pleasing! The delicate squash was like nothing I've had before and inspired me to go home and cook a replica of that dish. Ahi tuna was seared to perfection with a kick of heat from the peppers. Mussels were divinely soaked in flavor. Overall, Evo was delicious! However, our total bill came out to be more expensive due to ordering a la carte versus a tasting and we missed out on the chefs tasting. I suggest changing your tasting policy to allow for people to do different tastings as it is pretty restricting to parties with vegetarian friends. read more

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I love culinary experiences and went to EVO last night to experience what they had to offer. The owner has won Chopped and I can see why. This establishment serves tapas from small to medium plates. We selected the option for Chefs Selection where the chef chooses all of your plates and you also get dessert. The whole table needs to participate so you can not order this alone. Cost is $90 PP and worth it. Truth be told I was afraid we would not be full and boy was I wrong. We were served 10 plates and 2 desserts. I could not believe it. Food comes out as soon as it's ready so it's a constant feast. They do try to give you some space in-between. We spent a little over 2 hours there. Service was unbelievable. Every employee was so sweet and very knowledgeable. There is a small fee you will see on the bill. This fee helps to pay benefits including insurance and 410k to their employees. We started with a beet spread that came with mini pita breads. It was so flavorful with a hint of vinergarette (5/5) and had salted pistachios. We then had a squash dish that was flavorful but I don't think I would individually get that (3/5). The ahi tuna dish was out of this world (5/5). Nice thick slices with a pepper rub on the side. The mussels were amazing as well (5/5). They came with bread to dip in their delectable sauce . The chicken pea fries were excellent. Set up like a mozzarella stick. Crispy on outside and soft inside (5/5). The cod dish was one of my favorites (5/5). Nice thick filet that melted in your mouth. The fingerling potatoes with kale chips were good but a little underwhelming compared to the other dishes (3/5). They served us a brand new dish of duck froie gras with apple. I believe this is an acquired taste and not something I am a fan of so I won't rate this dish. Presentation was lovely. The pork shoulder dish with slaw was too salty for me and not as tender as I would of liked (2/5). Another new dish with venison was amazing! At this point we were so full we took it home to enjoy the next day (5/5). Finally, dessert arrived shortly after we cleansed our palate with a pomegranate sorbet. We had a carrot cake with icing (3/5). Not the best I had but still good. The waitress is friends with the dessert chef. Somehow she created this sugarlike treat that looks like crumbles and instantly melts in your mouth. We also had this frozen like roll of apple with creaminess inside, sliced apple on the side and cinnamon crumbles (5/5). That was my favorite. This was a wonderful experience and worth every penny. read more

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A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALICE! I was extremely excited to dine here on Mother's Day, however due to unforeseen illness, we sadly had to cancel our reservation. Alice was extremely accommodating given the last minute change of plans. If the food is anywhere as good as the hospitality, it's a must-visit establishment. I look forward to coming here on my next trip to Portland! read more

Okay. Wow. Let me try now to describe in words the experience we had at Evo. Will it do it justice? Honestly, no. But that's only because it was THAT good. We booked a reservation at Evo probably 5-7 days in advance. There are three reservation options, and the only one with availability was at the window. I'm sure the other options were great, but we loved sitting together at the window. We had our own space and it was lovely. Started with the Green Belt cocktail, and it was excellent. Made with a house-made green juice. We had glasses of wine later, and our server was a wonderful help when making selections. We went with the Chef's Tasting Menu and I could not recommend it more. You guys, this may have been the best dining experience we have ever had. Every course was a 10/10. We started with the baba ganoush, which was unlike any I've ever had before. Best ever. Then, we enjoyed the squash and tomato salad, which was light but flavorful. We had the tuna, salmon, and mussels as seafood courses. All were incredible, especially the mussels. The white wine sauce is stupid good. We were spooning it. Not even guilty. Then, the chicken shawarma. Damn. Each of the sauces is insane. And finally the beef striploin. You wouldn't believe those fried onions. WOW. We closed with sorbet and a blueberry cobbler dessert. Icing on the cake for sure. It was seriously the most fantastic dinner and we felt lucky to have experienced it. If you're a local or just passing through, you need to go to Evo. read more

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I don't like vegetables but I would eat them every meal id they were served as they were at Evo. So much flavor, creativity and perfectly balanced dishes. Absolutely an amazing place and I wish I lived here to enjoy this place more often. Get the spear that's salty and the carrots. The scallops were perfectly cooked and don't miss the baklava sundae. It's sweet, nutty, crispy and a hint of salt. Yum! read more

Evo - Scallops - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

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The new tasting menu concept was like a fireworks display. It kept going and going and getting better and better. So many oohs and ahhs. I can't remember such a good meal from start to finish. But be hungry when you get there. Very hungry. The staff were amazing too. We had one person who was off bread and they provided alternative vehicles for dipping. I'd make that a thing on the menu if I were making the rules. Go and order the new left side of the menu option. read more

We ate at the chef's counter and so glad we did. All of the kitchen staff were very friendly, service was great and chef was nice to answer our questions about the food. Made for a fun date night. Thanks, Evo. read more

One of the best dining experiences ever. The presentation is stunning but your taste buds will be dancing with joy after every bite. We were lucky to run into this place on our recent trip to Portland. I wish they open a branch in our hometown sometime soon! Coming to the dishes, they have the best hummus and falafel is so crisp! And the chocolate dessert was out of this world! read more

Last night was at Evo and what an amazing dining experience. You sit at the counter next to the kitchen where the chefs, waiters, and mixed staff all work and watch the magic happen. I had their tuna dish and it was amazing. Also, have you guys ever had a white Pinot Noir (middle wine on the list). Was quite good and went with that tuna great. The skordalia was ethereal, the chickpea fries superb. The pork shoulder was excellent and I couldn't get enough of the cabbage. I give this place 5 out of 5 stars, more if I could! read more

Evo - Tuna - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

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This review is a long one but we did the tasting menus at Evo - one vegetarian and one regular - so there's lots to share! We've done it before and always had a nice experience and this time was no different - they accommodated our request for no shellfish and it was fun to try a bunch of different things, most of which were thoughtfully/beautifully flavored (and you definitely don't leave hungry!). I was surprised at how delicious the eggplant was - it's hard to make eggplant a winner, but this one was just that - and the whipped feta and falafels were also very well done. The "meat" eaters enjoyed the salmon in particular. And you would never know the chocolate cake was vegan if they didn't tell you! The only constructive criticism I have is that some of the vegetarian dishes were just the accompaniments to the meat dishes (but without the meat). So for example the pork is served with beets (and maybe a bite of pork with the beets tastes good), but all they serve the vegetarians is a plate of beets (which don't really make sense or taste great on their own). Same thing with the monkfish dish. It makes the vegetarians seem like something of an afterthought during those courses and would be nice if there was a protein on the plate for us too- maybe some delicious grilled halloumi or expertly flavored/cooked tofu! Also, one other thing I have to mention/request if the owner ever reads this is that the baklava ice cream make a comeback - we had it here a few years ago and it was amazing! read more

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One of our Portland favorites! Don't sleep on the falafel- it's amazing. Drinks are creative and not too sweet. Chill vibe. Highly recommend! read more

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My review of Evo still stands, but ye gods the prices!!!! I took my new GF (now fiance) to Evo for her birthday late last year and it came to over $400 for the two of us. When I wrote my first review we got pretty much the same thing and it came to almost half that. While the food is still amazing, and the cocktails SPOT on, the price is now astronomical. read more

We only stopped here briefly, for a quick drink and a small snack, but OMG, it was good. The Borani spread was seriously one of the best bites we had on our entire Portland trip. Their pita was perfectly prepared, as well. We sat at the bar so got chatting with all of the bartenders and also the chefs since the kitchen is visible and everyone was so nice and welcoming. When we come back to Portland, we will make sure to set aside more time to come visit for a full meal. read more

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I will most definitely be back for their tasting menu! Everything was so delicious! I also love that their dinner menu has desserts listed on it so you know to leave room for dessert (a must!). What we ordered (loved everything) - Chick Pea Fries - I could have a hundred of these! - Beet Dip with Matzo Crackers - Kale Salad - Best salad I ever had - Lamb Kofta with Pita - Duck Breast - Olive Oil Cake..... idk where to begin! - Passion Fruit Sorbet.. if you love sour sorbets, this is it! Our server, Marla/Marlo/Harlow (please contract me if you know her name) was so sweet! We haven't been out in so long and this was the perfect date night with amazing food. Thank You! read more

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What an amazing date night at Evo in Portland! My hubby and I made reservations easily online & got sat right away. This Mediterranean tapas restaurant left both our palates and bellies satisfied. The atmosphere was wonderful, very relaxed but definitely on the trendier side. We sat at the downstairs bar (but there appeared to be upstairs seating that we didn't see). We shared a plethora of plates, including the broccolini (which was over the BEST miso soy sauce/purée), sweet potatoes mixed in a complimentary spicy chili sauce, the chickpea fries, followed by the scallops (which were seasoned & seared to perfection) along with the most tender pork shoulder. Why stop there though? We couldn't help but get TWO desserts! The carrot cake was to DIE FOR and the chocolate pudding was superb. Not only was the wait staff so incredibly kind and helpful, but the service was so quick! We cannot wait to come back soon! read more

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What a cool restaurant. We love fantastic food and we had 3 friends from around the country with us, we tried pretty much every item there was on the menu and the tequila we had was one of the best I ever tasted. We don't mind the prices at all as I rather have a fantastic food experience. All of us could not praise the food and the great servers enough. Thank you and we will be back for sure. read more

Excellent vegan tasting menu (which btw costs less than the non-vegan option, just thought I'd mention it). A standout was the carrots (tasted soft and marinated) with date purée, crunchy wild rice, and jalapeños. Who would think this combo would work, but it does. We also loved the green salad with dill, snap peas, barley, and fennel (?) and delicious light dressing. The hummus was some of the best we've had in our life. Dessert was amazing coconut cream-based mango concoction with sprinkles of pistachio on top. Much richer than any grocery store coconut based dessert and they also had diced fresh mango pieces on top. Very glad they didn't just phone it on and actually put thought and effort into making a delicious vegan dessert. Portions were generous so we had to take a little bit home of the last few dishes (and 100% of the last dish lol). Service was very professional, courteous, and competent. read more

This is why I save my 5 stars. The service was amazing and the wait staff is very attentive and definitely enhances, in making this a complete dining experience. I placed my reservation a month ago and I am so glad I did and it lived up to the hype. We sat at the chefs counter and had the chefs tasting which is a beautiful way to get the full experience at this amazing place. With dishes from each their starters, vegetables, seafood and savory meats each dishes was somehow better than the last. The timing for each next dish was perfect and the order is also very methodical as each dish's flavors compliments the next dish and the last. This was a beautiful experience and truly recommend the chefs tasting for a delicious journey through the Evo+Kitchen! Thanks for a lovely dinner I can only hope to come back. read more

Evo - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

Believe the hype y'all! During our trip in Portland we met a few locals and they all raved about this spot. We decided to check it out and it exceeded expectations. They have small / medium style plates which made it perfect for sharing. They had a creative yet delicious cocktail menu. The service was OUTSTANDING. I highly recommend getting reservations and booking the chefs table. It was really fun watching the chefs plate the dishes and it was really helpful in deciding what to order next. I can't say enough about this place! read more

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One of the best dining experiences of the summer! This review is long overdue. Do not fret! The menu looks soooo boring but I assure you everything is delicious. This restaurant was the surprise of the century for us. It was well written prior to our visit but damn! Props to the chef. Not cheap but worth every penny. Great time. Can't wait to go back! Can be difficult to get a res on a weekend night. read more

Seriously creative, balanced, exotic and delicious food. Tuom was a new thing for me, and it is now a favorite thanks to Evo! I understand they spent literally YEARS perfecting their Chicken Schwarma and it shows. I have NEVER had chicken as delicious. The combination of the Mango pickle, the toum, the perfectly spiced and grilled chicken, and the cilantro was transformative. I cannot wait to go back. But lest I forget, the staff was awesome. We sat at the kitchen counter and it was awesome. We had time to really talk with our waiter/bartender(s), and we got to watch and listen in to the kitchen "Order up, chickpea fries, non-dairy". Yummy fun. read more

This was the best spot we visited in Portland. Chefs tasting was worth every $ would advise it to everyone that goes to town. Not pictured is 8-10 dishes including chicken Schwarma and Mackerel that were my favorite. We liked every dish, and they have Cava which is my favorite light wine to drink with tapas style plates read more

Evo - Steak - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Beware Gluten Free patrons: last week I got glutened and left there feeling like I was the problem. No one (manager chef) came over and apologized beside our waiter 20 mins later. We sat at the freezing chefs table which is located right in front of the door, we had our jackets on the whole time. There is a whole bar that sits around the kitchen why even seat people there it's freezing and not a pleasant experience ! My dining profile on my resy (application you set your reservations) states I'm GF , I also put it in the notes and I told them when we arrived. So three times Evo was told and I still got glutened (appetizer) unacceptable! The head chef was told he never looked our way and left for the eve (bigger fella and the Sous (shorter fella) same thing .I didn't even want to eat my meal after the appetizer and should have left but my friend was eating. Evo only offered to take off the appetizer that glutened me. I didn't touch my meal. As I was leaving I asked the hostess for the GM'a card, she looks at me (older lady with dark hair glasses) and rudely says I am the new GM I took off your appetizer do you need anything else? . Then said more snarky rude comments to me and I just shook my head in disgust and left before I said something nasty. Disgusting way to treat a patron with a medical condition! ! I have been to corporate chains-very exquisite super fine dining establishments (99 Applebees, Fore street, James beard restaurants ) and never ever experienced such rude behavior when it was their fault and in the wrong. The night prior I went to Fore Street. The chef brought out my food was kitchen staff was awesome , the manager checked in on us. Fire streets menu said what contained gluten and what didn't. Evo's menu didn't which I was surprised I thought that was the gluten menu cause I didn't even see anything on the menu that contained gluten. I ended up going after to eat at Via Vecchia and they had a great menu and great food! Go to Fore street, Via Vecchia both have a great GF menu! And we're so nice and accommodated my gluten allergy with kindness. I left Evo feeling hurt, sad and felt it was my fault which no one should ever feel! Beware! read more

Wonderful little spot in the Old Port. We sat at the Chef's table and were immediately told to order the chickpea fries by another guest. They were spot on! We also enjoyed the carrots and the cauliflower. The salmon skewers and broccoli dip were also good. Our absolute favorite item was the rice pudding for dessert. Very unique dessert and wonderful presentation. Great service. read more

WOW! This tasting menu was literally one of the top 5 meals of my life (and I have traveled throughout Italy & France before). Our server, Andrew, was phenomenal. He was personable and made great recommendations on the cocktails. The decor and setup is beautifully designed despite a relatively small space. Every bite just kept getting better and better. I couldn't possibly pick a favorite dish. We must have had 10 things and each one was more delicious than the last. I can't wait to go back! read more

Evo - Skordalia - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

We were visiting Portland for a day made a reservation for the tasting menu. The dishes were surprisingly top notch and the staff was also on point. We did the wine pairing in addition to the tasting menu. The waitress and bartender were very generous with the drinks and had a lot of knowledge of how and why the wines went with each dish. Out of all the dishes we tasted, the highlights for me were the quail, haddock, steak, carrots, and sorbet. The quail was perfectly cooked. Skin was nice and crisp and the meat inside remained moist and packed with flavor. The haddock had a light crumble or breading on top and somehow the interior was light and super flaky. Just a really well cooked piece of fish. The wild berry sorbet tasted quite refreshing at the end of the meal. Overall an excellent experience well worth the price. Would highly recommend a visit. read more

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I'll be real: I'll miss Evo Visiting for my birthday, needed a trendy, delicious and quality restaurant. Check, check check. Seated immediately at the bar area. Loved the gnocchi & Chickpea fries. Ordered Pumpkin cake for my bday dessert, and also received another dessert on the house. So sweet (literally and figuratively)!!! *Indoor and outdoor seating available +Customer service +Clean +Trendy ambience read more

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I like this concept. The unusual bar stool seating at the window or watching the kitchen at work. But the chairs aren't comfortable and the counter doesn't stick out far enough so it's a little awkward. I liked the menu. The food was good - good flavor and good presentation. But it was just a bit pretentious. A cup saucer of a few yummy carrots for $18? Hmmm. The chickpeas were good as were the beets but again can I justify the very steep cost of eating here? Nope. The two items that are fair in price are the challah bread and the lamb shank. Very shareable. I didn't pay for the "special" table menu that was $88/person and for that I am grateful. Do not order the nonalcoholic drinks. Unless you like the taste of canned soda for $11. I am all for throwing silly money at an extraordinary dining experience. This one just fell a little short. Very nice and friendly staff. read more

Evo is in a league of its own. Chef Ginn is a genius in the kitchen. He also knows to exploit the talents of his crew and allow them to be creative and risky at the same time. The chef tasting is very reasonably priced. Courses are substantial and are spaced out perfectly. You will not leave hungry. I recommend that you sit at the bar and enjoy watching a lean and efficient kitchen run by some of the friendliest staff you can ever meet. The Hummus and pita is a standout. Zahav in Philadelphia is the #1 restaurant in Philadelphia and it's famous for its Israeli dishes. In my opinion, Evo does hummus better. read more

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The best restaurant in Portland. The food is high art, and the quality of the service is just as good. You feel welcome, attended, and dare I say...loved? read more