Dinner was fantastic! Sat at the chef's counter this time. The sweet potato bread and the eggplant were the stand out dishes for me! And the baked Haiti dessert is a must, every time. Bravo! read more

kann - Mango rice drink - Caribbean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Came for a return visit, this time dining by myself at the chef's counter. The service and vibe are pretty much the same, very welcoming and attentive for those Michelin-star standards. Overall, I felt the food is still high quality stuff, but there were a few misses, which still doesn't necessarily lower it from the 5 stars I gave, but I would say the 5 stars is a bit shaky given the slight sloppiness notes for the kitchen. Here's what I ate: 1) Fle Rubarb cocktail, like a pisco sour but made with vodka, aperitif, and carribbean pickled rhubar shrub, which gave it a pretty pink color. It was really tart and really sweet at the same time. I liked it although they could tone down both the sour and the sweet. 2) Spring greens salad, a crunchy seasonal salad built with little gems, al dente cooked asparagus, sugar snap peas, pickled rhubarb slices and cashew green goddess dressing. This was really filling but I love a good salad. The rhubarb did give it a brightness but I was already feeling the tart of my cocktail so it felt like it was continuing on with the salad. 3) Lightly seared hiramasa, which is a fish from Japan that I've never had before and then all of a sudden I had it twice at two restaurants in the same week. (Some fish wholesaler must be pushing it.) The hiramasa is a firm white fish that's lightly seared on the edges that's barely noticeable. It was garnished with thin fried plantains and soaked in a coconut milk-herb vinaigrette poured at table side. It looked beautiful but I felt the vinaigrette was a bit too much and overpowered the fish. I would have enjoyed the fish without the sauce. 4) Local pasture raised pork chop. This is a 16 oz. pork chop from Olympic Provisions, and it was meaty. They cook it medium rear, but it didn't seem that way because it was rested so well. It was slathered with a cherry ginger sauce, which again was a bit too much. The pork was amazing without all that sauce. There was a garnish of frisee salad, and unfortunately there was a big clump of salt on the top, so when I took a bite it was super salty and I couldn't eat much of the salad after that. 5) I ended with the Baked Haiti because I loved it when I had it last time. (In fact, my photo was used as a featured photo at the top of this Yelp page!) While the coconut/pineapple cake inside was still delicious and light, the pastry chef was a bit heavy handed in both torching the meringue and pouring on the sweet sauce on top. So my Baked Haiti came out looking burnt and super black, and a tad too sweet. Funny because I was seated at the end of the chef's counter right in front of the dessert section, so I actually saw the pastry chef torch the Baked Haiti. He put the flame so close to the cake it's no wonder that it was so black. The last time I came it was beautifully golden brown. Kann still remains a special occasion type of restaurant because of the pricing (the pork chop entree for example was $60). But I think if you want to treat yourself, then it's worth visiting. I would just hope the kitchen can tighten up a few things so it continues to go upward instead of decline. read more

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Kann has been on my list for months, but I always forget reservations open at the beginning of each month. Thankfully my boyfriend happened to check and snagged us a great dinner time. We ordered several dishes, but the ones that really stood out were the twice cooked pork with bannann peze (the fried plantains alone could keep me coming back), the beautiful rose-shaped apple tartlette that was both delicate and satisfying, and their incredibly smooth, rich coffee. Service was flawless: attentive without being overbearing, which is exactly what you want in a fine-dining experience. I really enjoyed the experience and I'm happy to finally cross it off my list. Though I'm not certain it will become part of my usual rotation, it's absolutely worth experiencing at least once. read more

kann - Apple tartlette - Caribbean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The food was great: flavorful and thoughtfully prepared. The service, though, was offbeat. The pacing felt inconsistent: staff tried to clear plates before we'd finished, yet other times things moved slowly. It somehow felt both rushed and delayed. Nothing disastrous, just uneven. The meal itself made up for the quirks, but the rhythm of the service took away from what could've been an excellent experience. read more

It's been a while since I've had this kind of fun dining experience! My review is more of a 4.5 since dessert may have been the only thing that fell slightly short. First, just know that this is one of those places where the whole party needs to be present in order to sit down. I get why they do that, so don't be surprised. From the dark blue waiting room, you're greeted by a beautiful open space with lovely touches of gold. The interior feels very premium. Once we were seated, our very charismatic waiter (I believe Zack? Zach? was his name) welcomed us and suggested how we should order our food. Based on his suggestions, we decided to order the following.... -Sweet potato bread -Akra (taro root fritters) -Lightly seared hirmasa -Twice-cooked pork -Smoked beets -Crispy eggplant -Peanut creamed greens -Smoked shrimp curry -Kann coffee-rubbed New York strip While I don't think there was consensus on everyone's favorites, I particularly liked the akra and the smoked shrimp curry mainly because I loved the texture of the akra - crispy outside with perfectly seasoned and soft taro root on the inside - and I generally love a good curry. This particular curry was so rich in flavor too and had a great smoky flavor. The sweet potato bread, pork, and New York strip were probably my next set of favorites. The pork and strip were cooked perfectly and the butter that came with the sweet potato bread... yum. The hirmasa was tasty too, just a little small! The crispy eggplant's texture was OUT OF THIS WORLD but a tad sweet for our taste. The peanut creamed greens were also tasty but surprisingly pretty hot! We wanted to round out our meal with dessert so we ordered the apple tartlette and the baked Haiti. I appreciated the take on the baked Alaska but it was quite sweet! The apple tartlette had a slightly more elevated flavor - and the thinly-sliced apples were executed perfectly - but I don't think dessert wowed us like the rest of the meal did. I should say - all of the drinks are delicious, with alcohol and without. I'd say the drinks are definitely worth getting - they all had perfect balance. All and all - a wonderful dining experience. Our waiter made our experience so fun, the ambiance was wonderful, and the food was great. Definitely worth a try! read more

My bestie and I literally did a day trip from Atlanta to Portland to dine here. We did a few other things, but this was definitely the highlight. Reservations for the most part, you may be able to get a walk in for the bar as soon as they open. Service is excellent, food was top tier and so good. They have yummy mocktails also read more

kann - Mocktail - Caribbean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Had the pleasure of a late birthday / early Valentine's dinner at Kann recently! It was just as great as I recalled. The entrance has moved so you now enter via the hallway next door and walk in through the back of the restaurant. This time we got to sit at the chef's counter which was a great experience. The stools are tall and slightly awkward to get in/out but they have a backrest. Watching all the food be made and interacting with the staff is a joy. Service was excellent. We ordered the akra, winter greens, crispy okra, diri ak sos pwa (rice and beans), cauliflower, and a scallop spaghetti. All delicious. Perfectly spicy. Plus two desserts, which were citrus forward. No cocktails but a coffee and a tea. Total came out to ~$191 + tip. A great value, in my opinion. read more

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Standout dishes were the Creole Smoked Duck and Guava Sticky Toffee Pudding. Creole smoked duck is served with the meat sliced and with the leg bone for presentation. The sliced glaze is sweet with nice hints of pepper and the passion fruit pickled onions were a great accompaniment for the rich duck. Served with 4 sweet potato wraps, it was similar to a Peking duck experience. The guava sticky toffee pudding was moist without being soggy, had a nicely balanced toffee sauce, served with a tasty rum raisin ice cream and spiced/candied pecans. Worth the trip for just those dishes. We also ordered: warm sweet potato bread with berbere spice butter; grito twice cooked pork; Akra; and peanut creamed greens. The brioche bread had a flaky crust and moist center. Definitely have it with the spiced butter otherwise you'll only get the butteriness of the bread. The flavor was just okay and will skip next time. Akra-The crispy taro root fritters served with remoulade were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Grito twice cooked pork with banana peze , avocado, and pikliz. Its a DIY plantain tostada. I appreciated the habanero in the background the warmed the inside of my mouth. The pork was twice cooked (braised then fried) and tender. The pickled cabbage helped bring the texture and the much needed flavor to the party. Overall while each component was well cooked, I thought the pork and plantains needed salt. The peanut creamed greens reminded me of a Filipino peanut butter oxtail dish called care care. I liked that the collards had both peanut butter and whole peanuts. It's cooked in coconut cream and spiced tomatoes, although all I tasted was the peanuts and bitterness of the greens. The duck and toffee pudding will have me going back. Will skip the appetizers and go for a smaller and larger "hearth" dishes with two sides. Family style and think medium sized tapas for the courses. The Hearth menu offers smaller and larger based on your appetite. The service is friendly and attentive without being obtrusive. Street parking only, attire ranged from casual to business casual for the patrons. The tables are a big snugged up together and the ambient noise is a bit in the high side. read more

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The service and ambiance were excellent. The food just didn't live up to the hype for me. Don't get me wrong, it was delicious but I don't think it's worth the price and difficulty in obtaining a reservation. I did enjoy trying a flight of clairin. read more

We finally got to try Kann and it did not disappoint. This was the best overall meal that I have had in Portland in regard to food, service and ambience and we've been to many good restaurants (e.g. Le Pigeon, Mucca Osteria, Ox, Nostrana). We were welcomed in and thanked when we left. Our server, Chris, was professional, knowledgeable and friendly. The food was tasty and delicious. Water was refilled without us having to ask. We ordered drinks, 8 dishes and 2 desserts. We were full and couldn't finish everything. My favorite dishes were the Twice Cooked Pork, Chicken and Beans and Rice. Everything was very good and flavorful. The desserts were amazing especially the Baked Haiti. Great meal!!! read more

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Was visiting from out of state and unable to get a reservation. My wife and I arrived almost 40 minutes early to their 4pm opening. We waited in the sweltering heat hoping for a walk in availability.... Well we won the "Golden Ticket" and obtained a 445 seating at the bar. Staff was attentive and very friendly. We chatted quite a bit with Candice (the bartender) she is awesome and recommended several dishes that we ordered and they were amazing. We ordered the following: Lightly seared Harimasa (a flavor bomb!) Diri Ak Sos Pwa (rice and beans) -savory and yummy- Pikliz -spicy but delicious mixed with rice and beans- Smoked shrimp curry- very flavorful with delicious shrimp, pickled tomatoes and plantains- Cauliflower - the most spicy dish but smoky/spicy and delicious! (Mixed with rice from the previous dishes to help tame the heat) The restaurant had a great vibe and a cool chefs table overlooking the chefs and open fire grill. I highly recommend trying Kann... you won't be disappointed!!! I will definitely be back ... hopefully with a reservation!!! read more

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Exceptional, elevated Haitian fare, true 5-star dining and waitstaff experience and simply well-executed decor and design at both Kann and its after hours downstairs den speakeasy Sousol Bar. Hail up to my Caribbean countryman Greg Gourdet, tre magnifique! A must experience for a bon vivant. read more

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I've been waiting a while to go here. We finally managed to get a reservation for a table for 2 on a Sunday for a birthday occasion. I am surprised it's so hard to get a reservation when the restaurant was 1/2 empty for the majority of our dining experience. The food was very nice and full of flavor and should be given the steeper prices. We ordered the winter greens salad ($18), jollof rice ($16), soup joumou ($25), cauliflower ($24), Tai snapper ($52) and a couple rounds of cocktails. With cocktails at about $20/ea. the bill was close to $300 after tip. Our favorites were the snapper, rice and soup. The only thing I didn't care for too much was the salad as it was extremely tart. I think the tartness could be attributed to the dressing but whatever it was wasn't clear to me and not listed on the menu from what I could tell. Cocktails were fabulous. Given the prices our next visit will likely have to wait for another special occasion but I would love to come back again sometime if we're ever able to get another reservation. read more

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Came here for a fancy dinner date and had such a wonderful experience. We were seated at the chef's counter by the open kitchen so we got to see and revel in all the action. Our server was attentive and often checked in on us throughout our stay. We started with some no proof beverages, which were the An Lò and Kowosòl. Both were delicious but the latter was more to my taste because it was creamy and sweet. For food, we ordered the Winter Greens Salad, Whole Tai Snapper, Peanut Creamed Greens, and Diri Ak Sos Pwa. (jasmine rice with kidney bean sauce) Everything we ordered was very flavorful and complimented each other well. Haitian food is new to us so it was lovely tasting all the spices that were incorporated into the dishes. Even the salad had a slight kick to it, which was a pleasant surprise. Not to mention that everything on the menu is gluten and dairy free, so my lactose intolerant heart was singing! To finish off, we couldn't help but order a Baked Haiti. (a twist on the baked alaska) It's the perfect dessert to round out the meal with its light sponge cake and creamy meringue. read more

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Exceptional. If you want a unique, flavor-forward experience, find a way to visit Kann. The ambiance is modern, light and artistic. Interesting enough to study throughout your visit. The location is not anywhere I would have thought to go for fine dining, but that made parking easier and the restaurant is an oasis. The staff is phenomenal. Every element is attended to. It reminded me of when I watched The Bear and how they thought of each element and the production of the entire evening. They explain the source of the food, history and ingredients. Cocktails: they have a wine and beer list (bring your savings). The cocktails are unique and worth trying. I had the Tamaren Tounen, which was a tamarind forward mezcal cocktail--perfectly balanced! The hubs got the Marie-Jeanne, which was like an old fashioned. We ordered the Akra, which I could eat daily along with the plantain brioche rolls for the rest of my life. I would die happy. We had the Griyo Twice Cooked Pork, which was lovely and a traditional Haitian dish. Finally, we had the whole tai snapper and the peanut greens. Everything was uniquely flavorful and prepared to perfection! Prices were high, but our whole bill was $166 plus tip. Well worth the experience! If you have a special occasion coming up, I recommend you spend it at Kann. read more

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We love Gregory on Top Chef and made it a point to come try Kann! I booked our reservation about a month before we dined here, and it was tough! At the time of booking I was only left with the choice of a Saturday 9pm seating time, which I took to get a table. A few days before our reservation date, I was able to rebook the next day (Sunday) at 4:15pm thanks to a friend keeping an eye out for the times for me. I signed up to get email notifications for cancelled reservations - but FYI, the emails never came even though my friend did see cancellations! We easily found street parking (2 hour free zone) at 4:10pm just before our reservation. The restaurant is easy to spot and beautifully decorated. My favorite dishes were the Kampachi, pork chop and the cauliflower. The Kampachi looks deceitfully simple - but with the apple shaved ice and the sauce - it was amazing! My son scooped up the extra sauce with the spoon to drink. My son and I also loved the thick pork chop - it was well seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The cauliflower I was a bit scared of - they warned me it's their spiciest item with habanero peppers in the sauce that it's slathered in. I can handle a little bit of spice, but not a lot - but I love cauliflower so gave it a try. And it is indeed spicy but the flavors are so good it was worth pushing my heat tolerance. Both my husband and I loved this dish. The only item I wouldn't order again is the whole fish - the Whole Tai Snapper. It's beautiful, but to get the crispy skin they said they dry age it for three days. I think the dry aging made it taste fishy (the not-so-fresh-fishy ), so I'd pass on it if we get to come back and try something else. Overall this was a beautiful meal and a great memory of Portland read more

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Kann was simply amazing. The ambiance was great. The restaurant is nicely decorated with lots of blue and gold. Service was top notch and all the servers worked as a team to keep our glasses full and food coming. Pros: Food is delicious Staff are friendly Food comes out at a good pace There is a good variety of food and drinks All food is gluten and dairy free Family style dining allowed us to try plenty of foods Cons: Portion sizes are small considering the cost of the food It felt weird taking pictures as they ask you not to take pictures of team members without their permission Reservations are hard to come by, but I see why They ask you to order everything at once. I forgot to order the Cauliflower, and I didn't ask so I wouldn't mess up their flow I would go back again and again. We had the Akra, Soup Joumou, Jollof Rice, Peanut Creamed Greens, Scallops w/Espageti, Briased Short Rib, and we both got the Baked Hati for desert. To drink, we had the Ji Hibiscus and the Minwi Mure. The sauce that came with the Akra was to die for. The Jollof rice was flavorful with a kick. The Peanut Creamed Greens tasted like a bowl of comfort on a cold winter day. The Soup Joumou was delicious. Everything was good! Only 4 stars because of the portion sizes, but I love this place and think you will too! read more

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We were visiting Portland and made reservations months ago. The design of the restaurant was clean and inviting. Our server, Calvin, was fantastic - he assisted with how much food to order, provided recommendations, and even suggested some other great places to check out while in Portland. We have never had Haitian food before and after this meal, we would get it again. Each dish was well balanced with a nice spice layer. Our favorite dish was the dessert, it was the lightest butter cake we've had. Add the ice-cream and coconut crème on the bottom, it was the perfect way to close the meal. Thank you for such an amazing experience! read more

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I gave this review a lot of thought. I should preface this review by saying that I love Haitian food. I'm caribbean and grew up with similar foods but haitian flavors are special so seeing them celebrated at this level warms my heart. My partner and I celebrated our 12th anniversary at Kann. After embarking on a cross-country roadtrip that would end in Oregon, we knew we had to check out this "Haiti meets the West coast" concept by Chef Gregory. We luckily got reservations for 2, on a weekday, at 9PM. When we were seated, we were greeted with a sealed envelope: a signed note by Chef Gregory thanking us for choosing Kann to celebrate our special day. It was a classy touch and something we really appreciated. Haitian food is severely underrated in the culinary scene so it was an honor to experience Chef Gregory's take on haitian food. Although I felt that some of the food left something to be desired which I will explain why below, I think this is a beautiful rendition of Haitian food and will certainly return. His staff is clearly well versed on his vision and I appreciated how knowledgeable they were on haitian food and it's historical context. Our main server (you quickly learn there will be several coming to your table) whose name escapes me at the moment, was wonderful; she was personable and engaged with us in a way that heightened our overall experience. I do remember her mentioning that she was part Filipina and from California. Here is what we ordered: 1. Plantain brioche with pikliz infused butter 2. Griyo (fried pork with pikliz and banan pez) 3. the Chicken 4. the Cauliflower 5. Diri blanc and sos pwa 6. Potato Salad (salade russe) 7. Side of pikliz 8. Dessert: Baked Haiti (a take on baked Alaska) My thoughts on the food: Overall the highlights were the griyo, cauliflower, and baked Haiti. The griyo was well seasoned, perfectly fatty without being overly greasy. The baked Haiti was interesting, a unique dessert, the passion fruit flavor was delicious, tangy and balanced. The cauliflower was perfectly smoked and interesting although quite small for what we were expecting. Everything else was simply good but not something I felt like I would order again. The chicken had a nice smoke to it but the sauce was too sweet for my liking, felt like it needed some salt to really bring out of the smokiness. My least favorite was the salade russe-- haitian potato salad is typically made with beets and this one was made with smoked beets which gave it a nice smoky flavor (sensing a theme here?) but I felt like it was watery. The consistency was loose and not my favorite. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our anniversary dinner, it was certainly an unforgettable experience. From the waitstaff to the open kitchen concept and minimalist design that somehow still celebrates Haiti, everything was exceptional. I would be curious to see how the menu changes with the seasons and will certainly be back! read more

kann - Caribbean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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What a delicious dining experience! All staff interactions were pleasant and the food was so flavorful. The restaurant lets in so much beautiful sunlight and is modern and upscale without being pretentious. We ate from the summer menu; this James Beard award restaurant offers seasonal menus and the menu will change at the end of the month for the autumn season and we plan to come back each season. read more

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Words cannot describe how incredible this experience was. We sat at the chef's counter and loved watching the chefs at work. The whole meal was an experience in itself, with such a sheik ambiance to the place. We started with the brioche buns which had a unique butter, then had the soup which had a depth of flavors I've never experienced. We ended with the half chicken and it was so juicy and flavorful, while also being crispy on the outside! 20/10 will definitely come back. read more

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I enjoyed every single bite. My meal was exquisite and thoughtfully prepared. The menu brings a nice mix of joy and adventure. You will not regret dining here-- if you can get lucky enough to score a reservation. read more

kann - Main dish - Caribbean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Holy flavor! If you want amazing, thoughtfully crafted, delicious food look no further. Kann truly creates an exceptional experience. From the beautiful intimate space, the kind attentive staff, and amazing food. As each of our dishes came out, our waitress described the uniqueness of each dish and how many of the ingredients were sourced. There are so many great options to choose from for both meat eaters and vegans like myself. The dish that stood out to me the most was the "Cauliflower". From the first bite, I was blown away by how much flavor was packed into this dish along with the perfect amount of spice! Overall I had a wonderful time dining here, and look forward to dining here again in the near future. read more

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I've discovered a new favorite cuisine to fall in love with, and it's Haitian cuisine. When it's prepared with the fresh, vibrant ingredients the Pacific Northwest is known for, and infused with flavors inspired by the African and Caribbean diaspora, as crafted by chef, owner, and award-winning talent Gregory Gourdet, it's hard not to fall in love. Gourdet is best known from his days competing on the hit competition series "Top Chef" and the concept of kann would come from the show's famous "Restaurant Wars" episode in which Chef Gregory would go on to claim victory. Fast-forward four years later and kann has become its own reality, with Gourdet honoring his Haitian roots by using the local and seasonal ingredients that Oregon is so well-known for. The word "kaan" translates into the word "cane" in Haitian Creole, and invokes one of Chef Gregory's favorite memories growing up in Haiti, where he'd listen for sugar cane vendors to come by with wheelbarrows overflowing with the freshly-harvested snack. Barbeque also originated in the island nation of Haiti and with a spirit of open-fire cooking helps anchor the entire menu at kann. When traveling through the Rose City, I knew I had to make it my mission to dine here if it was the only thing I would do. Reservations via the Resy website were actually quite easy to make despite being only a week in advance of my trip to Portland, a deposit of a hundred dollars if required in advance, of which you are not charged as long as you make it to your reservation. It certainly helped that I was a solo diner and wanted to dine at the Chef's Counter which gave me a view of the open fire and the team, including their pastry chef, created all of the orders coming their way. With Chris serving as Kann's representative, he offered a thoughtful introduction to Chef Gregory's personal connection to Haiti. He also guided me through what dining in Haiti might truly feel like, by describing the menu in vivid detail, from the flavorful dishes to both the full-proof and zero-proof cocktails. The former features some of the finest liqueurs to come out of the Caribbean, adding another layer of authenticity and celebration to the experience. The menu at kann is separated in three simple categories, Starters, Additions, and From the Hearth. Chris recommended selecting two or three dishes across the menu categories, which he assured would be more than sufficient. I appreciated that there was no pressure to order more, especially since I already anticipated taking leftovers home, which I was more than happy to do. For my first course, I ordered their Griyo Twice Cooked Pork, which was served with bannann peze, which are fried green plantains, sliced avocado, and pikliz, which is spicy pickled cabbage. To pair with this first course, I ordered their Full Proof cocktail, the Jaden Vet, which was made with gin, elderflower liqueur, celery, apple and lemon. Chris gave me fair warning that at Kann, every dish is prepared with chili. He wasn't kidding. The lovingly prepared pork dish delivered a satisfying kick with every bite. Thankfully, I had the perfect companion in my Jaden Vet cocktail, which offered a refreshing counterbalance with its bold cucumber flavor. The cucumber garnish was a nice touch too as it was crisp, clean, and just as enjoyable. For my entrée course, Chris recommended that since I was solo dining that I opt for the Bass, Chicken, or Pork Chop. Since I just had pork for my starter, I opted for their grilled half chicken, which was served with jerk braised leeks, grilled mushrooms, topped with a roasted Fresno vinaigrette and crispy leeks. Perfectly roasted and juicy with every slice, I couldn't get enough of this entrée. Fortunately, I had plenty left to enjoy later, and the team at Kann was more than happy to package the remainder of my meal for takeout. When paired with a glass of 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon from Kumusha Wines from Cinsault Slanghoek in South Africa, which represented the first African wine I have enjoyed, it added a subtle texture to my meal. I couldn't come all this way to kann and not get dessert and their Baked Haiti, which was a coconut sponge cake, topped with Bavarian cream, made with Haitian spiced pineapple, charred meringue and basil is considered their signature dessert and for good reason. When I saw their pastry chef icing, spinning, and blowtorching it, I was sold and this was one dish that I made sure to finish! My total bill was 125 dollars before gratuity was added in, which for this much food is rather reasonable, and with state laws being what they were, no sales tax is included in your bill. Dining at Kann was way more than just a great meal, it was an experience. Even though I went solo, I never felt alone. Watching the open-grill kitchen in action and seeing how much care the team puts into every dish made it feel personal and special. They're not just serving food, they're telling a story with every plate. read more

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Incredible fare as anyone would expect from Chef Gregory! We are fans of Top Chef so we're happy to get to see (and eat) his delicious and beautiful work firsthand. It was my son's birthday, and he was kind enough to sign a happy birthday card. I enjoyed the entrance which separated from the restaurant with a dramatic curtain. The inside was bustling and modern. Our service was excellent, both in politeness and speed, as well as attention and recommendation providing. All in all, it was a pricy meal, but somewhat expected. We really liked the pork chop, cauliflower and cured hamachi dishes, amongst the others which were also very good. Some of the food is (probably intentionally) interactive, in the sense that you can eat together or ladle more wonderful sauce on. Not just a stab and eat place certainly. Felt nice to culturally connect with the Haitian food fare that is so amazingly highlighted. Kudos to the chef and Kann team. read more

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Came here as they were the only restaurant carrying Wildtype salmon on their regular menu. 5/5 food: everything tasted carefully prepared and was well balanced with spice, acid and richness. And the drinks were refreshing. Great place for light crisp summer dishes. 3/5 ambience: as other reviewers noted, it's incredibly loud. This distracts from the food and made it difficult to enjoy intimate conversation. 5/5 service: server was friendly and helpful in explaining dishes. Checked in on is regularly and was not overbearing. read more

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Le Pigeon is Portland's best fine dining restaurant (RIP Castagna). Kann is Portland's best party. It's a beautiful spot that looks like a high-end living room with a Caribbean sunset behind it, and the energy in the place is a vibe. Staff is quick, and they know the menu (and how to craft a great meal) well. I still prefer tasting menus - takes the guess-work out - but it's impressive to see a restaurant have that many dishes and keep everything flowing. And now the food, which is fantastic. Not every dish was great - I thought the rice and beans (diri ak sos pwa) were a bit dull. But when the dish is good, it's amazing. The griyo twice-cooked pork, the gumbo, and the cauliflower were standouts. For dessert, order the restaurant's Baked Haitian, a Baked Alaska with a twist. The crispy okra could be a second dessert. I love seeing this kind of food celebrated through a fine dining lens. It works, and it suggests that the Eurocentric model of French (and Japanese) cuisine as the ones to elevate could be reevaluated. A joy to eat here. read more

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My wife and I didn't have reservations for Sunday dinner so we showed up at 3:30 before anyone else to get a walk-in. Let me say that Kann was worth standing for 30 minutes in 90 degree heat (shaded). They had literally two seats but we had to wait another 45 minutes to be seated. Still worth it! All dishes are family style. Between the two of us we ordered: Hiramasa, Beans and rice, pickliz, cauliflower and curry shrimp. My favorite of all was the Hiramasa. Holy cow, the smoked coconut vinegarette was so memorable - I could have easily licked the plate clean! The cauliflower was also memorable- so freaking flavorful and smoky but also HOT. Definitely an 8 out of 10 on the spicy scale. For a moment I was burning from the inside out! Shrimp was very good with a nice compliment of plantains and pickled tomato. Beans were homey and satisfying. Very good vibe here with cool ambiance and great wait staff (most excellent bar staff!). Kann delivered a meal and experience not soon to be forgotten! read more

kann - Hiramasa - Caribbean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Simply one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. When the Wagyu flat iron is incredible yet the least favorite at the table for 7 dishes, that is saying something! Naomi and the rest of the staff who assisted in our experience were nothing but class. read more

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Oh my goodness. Kann is worth every penny. You will pay a lot of pennies -- but this is a restaurant and experience you will want to save up for! A dear friend living in Portland got us a reservation for late afternoon, which is a great idea. You don't want to go without a reservation no matter what time you go. You get a time slot but we did not feel rushed, even though we stayed up to the very last second of our time. :) Some menu items for us: Warm Plantain Brioche buns. They are a must. The fall crudite was a delicious, lighter option but very flavorful. From the Hearth and Mains: I don't care for cauliflower. We ordered the cauliflower. I guess I now like cauliflower. :) (Or maybe it was the coconut cream!) The Poul ak nwa (chicken with cashews and spiced tomatoes) was lovely -- and the Coffee rubbed flat iron steak was one of the most tender, delicious steaks I've ever had in my life. We shared ALL of the sides -- the peanut creamed greens were particularly amazing. I also don't like okra (see above re: cauliflower) -- for me, it's about texture. But they were able to fry this okra in a way that made it crispy but not oily. SO GOOD. We also got one of each of the desserts although we could barely each have a small spoonful of each. But oh my gosh -- there wasn't anything, appetizer, main course, or dessert that wasn't outstanding. Highly, highly recommend!! read more

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What a DELICIOUS dinner experience. Fine dining at its finest that isn't super fussy and just has bold and amazing flavours. Enjoyed experiencing Haitian inspired foods with my friend visiting from out of town. Also we're huge Top Chef fans and this has been on my list of must try places since I moved out to the PNW. PARKING: It's street parking. Really not much to be said here. We were there for a later reservation so no fees for us and there plenty of spots. AMBIANCE: Such a bright and open space. The atmosphere was inviting and intimate. I didn't feel squeezed in by any means. The colour palate of the dinnerware with all the gold and brass was beautiful. SERVICE: Very friendly. Our servers were very knowledgeable of the menu as well as attentive and patient with us as we had questions on the food. They even came and cleaned the table off before deserts. They switch out the silverware and plates in between main entrees and appetizers which is a nice touch. Very pleased with the service. FOOD: This is served family style so everyone can share. The portions were decent and we were quite stuffed by the end of the meal. - Griyo Twice Cooked Pork: Recommended by our server, this dish was fantastic. The pork was well seasoned and well cooked with the pikliz adding that extra bit of zest and freshness, mixed with the creaminess of the avocado. Delectable. - Cauliflower: Another hard hitter in flavours. Well cooked and still slightly crunchy with those amazing jerk flavours. It was slightly spicy but tampered down by the sour cream. Definitely a must try. - Espageti: This was good. I really enjoyed the sausages as they were locally made. It's on the sweeter side, almost reminding me of Filipino style spaghetti. It's a simple dish that was reflective of an elevated version of spaghetti and hot dogs to be honest. - Creole Smoked Duck: The star of the night. The char and flavour on this was amazing. They rendered the fat perfectly and it was such a hearty meal with very comforting flavours. It's definitely worth the price as this truly was a labour of love and you could TASTE it. - Baked Haiti: A perfect dessert to end the night. The sponge was light, and the meringue had the perfect char and mixed with the pineapple gave both sweetness and tartness that balanced everything really well. OVERALL: Such a great experience. I love trying these James Beard winning restaurants because the food really tells a story of the chefs and creators. This was a delicious meal and I can't wait to come back to try more. I only got one photo because we dove right into the meal. Oops! read more

kann - Griyo Twice Cooked Pork. - Caribbean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

OMG 10 10 10 best place ever everything was delicious and the staff is amazing. The coffee bbq sauce is the best sauce to date read more

kann - Caribbean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Came here with some friends on a Sunday afternoon - great location with plenty of parking. The ambiance of the restaurant was cute, and elegant, with no frills. The servers were welcoming and friendly. They explained all the items on the menu and guided us very well! I would say the appetizers are the way to go - if I were to go back I would just order a bunch of those to share! The twice cooked pork, collard greens, cauliflower, and akra were our favorites. Little kick to some of the dishes, which was fun! The pork was really standout. Tender meat and combined with avocado and pikliz - amazingggg. Still thinking about that dish... We heard good things about the duck entree (the priciest thing at $120) but none of us were that impressed... it was OK. I'd suggest skipping that one. We got the butter cake for dessert which was OK as well, I'd try the coconut sponge cake next time. Worth trying Kann, and coming with a group so you can sample a bunch of stuff on the menu read more

kann - Crispy eggplant appetizer - Caribbean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We were able to snag kann reservations at the last minute during our trip out to Portland, and I'm so so glad we did. kann has popped up on so many restaurant lists and recently received a James Beard nomination, so it's quite popular at the moment. Not surprising given it's accolades, our dinner was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Our part of 6 was seated at a nice round table in the center of the dining room, which was great to be amidst all the action. Service was great, giving us helpful recommendations and checking in at appropriate frequencies. We were belatedly celebrating my husband's birthday, and it was a lovely touch that they presented him with a card during the meal. We ordered a variety of dishes from the menu that we all shared, and man, every dish was a hit. Our standouts were the sweet potato bread (it's been 6 months since our visit, and my husband and brother-in-law are still talking about it!), the crispy eggplant (how do they get it SO crispy on the outside but so creamy on the inside??), and the striped bass (so seasonal! so fresh!). Every dish was beautifully curated with fresh ingredients and a unique touch. None of us had ever had Haitian food, so we appreciated the menu walking us through different features and our server filling us in on the menu and flavor profiles. We all tried a variety of cocktails, which were also unique and with a Haitian flare; quite refreshing and delicious! With the guidance of our server, we ordered just the right amount for the 6 of us to feel satisfied but not overly full. We kept talking about the various dishes for the reminder of our trip (and beyond!), which is always the sign of a great meal. I'm so grateful that we could sneak into kann during our trip - I can't wait to visit again! read more

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Love this place, the food, the service and the ambiance is everything. I will forever come here and eat the whole menu. Chef GG really did it. Every dish is fantastic. The staff is super incredible and full of knowledge. We love coming here. Thanks again for having us! read more

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There is a reason this place is a James Beard Award recipient! While I would venture to label this spot as more heavily PNW inspired than Haitian, it was delightful. The menu rotates with each season and so do your servers. We had many different folks delivering our food, but all were knowledgable. Here is why I would give this place 4.5 stars if Yelp would let me: Ambiance - the restaurant is loud. It's completely open with no sound dampening. Not a great place for intimate conversation. I ordered a $25 cocktail (I know, why did I do that?) and it was definitely not worth that in taste or portion. But, I HAD TO KNOW. Overall, we were very glad we got to experience this trendy spot and enjoyed the farm-to-table bounty. Just be prepared for high prices and small portions. read more

I'm a big Top Chef fan, and have been waiting to eat here for years!! The interior is very modern, and the servers were all very nice and explained the dishes well. Our highlights were the twice cooked pork, the cauliflower, pork chop, and baked haiti. The pork chop was my absolute favorite, it was cooked perfectly and coated in some sort of banana sauce that was spectacular. The baked haiti was also phenomenal - perfectly charred and not too sweet. Their menu keeps changing, so I can't wait to come back and try more foods! read more

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...... cont 2nd review for Kann for me. I am happy and pleased to say the experience was as incredible as the first!! Service was on point. Food - incredible Ambiance - was fun and not too loud surprisingly. Pics for our meals this time around. Unfortunately we got too excited to get a pic of our mains before we started. They recommend a starter a side and a main for each person. That ends up being a lot of food -- so choose accordingly. read more

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This experience was absolutely elite! And this is saying a lot considering that my favorite food is my mom's Haitian food. RESERVATION: let's start with making the reservation. Reservations on made on Resy and they open up on the first of the month at 12pm in the month prior. On 9/1/24, I ran into my car from work at 1157 and waited 3 painful minutes to get on Resy and book a reservation for our trip to Portland. It was more stressful than snagging tickets to the T. Swift concert, I swear! But I did it! I booked a chef's table reservation at our desired time. ARRIVAL: The entrance is a long hallway on the side of the restaurant and not at all what i would expect for such an establishment. We arrived right on time but waited a few minutes to be seated. While we waited, they handed us the menu which had background information about Kann and Haiti As Haitians, we were unbelievably exhilarated to dine here and support our people. We were seated at the Chef's table. I could feel the heat from the fire from the oven. The kitchen was hustling and bustling. They were playing Haitian music too which was more pronounced in the bathroom. The place was packed with dinners! Once we were seated, we ordered our drinks DRINKS: Bel Plaj and Ti Bonnaj - both were amazing! FOOD: Each dish was brought out by a "food runner" who explained the background behind each dish. As Haitians, though we knew all of this (we did not say as such), I will say that she did an absolute great job 1. GRIYO TWICE COOKED PORK - this is a staple of Haitian dishes and my ultimate favorite combo. The griot was cooked a bit differently than my mom makes. It was tasty but a bit too salty. That was the slight downside to that meal. Otherwise the Pikliz was absolutely amazing! 2. LOCAL PASTURE RAISED PORK CHOP - The pork chop was absolutely amazing! the sauce that came with it was a bit on the sweeter side and added a different touch. I can't say that this is uniquely Haitian, but it was good 3. Side of DIRI AK SOS PWA - staple of Haitian side dish - the beans were a bit oversalted as well which was a bummer, but otherwise tasty. SERVICE: exceptional! Our main server was Caroll and she was amazing! We also met another server whose name I forgot but he was super friendly as well. He told us that all the employees are taught about Haiti and its culture when employed and I absolutely love that! And as mentioned earlier, I absolutely love that when they bring out the dishes, the individual gives background about the dish. This is an important and amazing way to learn about a culture. I can't say that I have ever dined anywhere that has done that. I absolutely love the emphasis about learning about Haiti because it is truly a beautiful country. You may think I may be biased, but as a Haitian who has eaten Haitian food my entire life, I would say I am the perfect critic and I am beyond proud of Kann. To find my people's food excelling in the Pacific Northwest where there are virtually no Haitians is true success. I am incredibly proud of the Chef and I cannot wait to come back! This is officially the longest review I think I have ever written. Love that for me read more

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One tip: opt for the restaurant rather than the upstairs private dining room (12 or more I think.) Just a different experience. Service wasn't bad, just unmemorable. The prix fixe stand outs were the Griyo Twice Cooked Pork, Cauliflower, and the Diri Ak Sos Pwa. The only meh serving were the rolls and Cane Syrup BBQ Chicken. Everything else was very good. And they knocked it out of park with cocktails (loved the one with coconut milk) and mocktails. read more

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