We celebrated a birthday at Mediterranean Exploration Company with their set menu, and it was one of the best dining experiences we've had in Portland. We were able to try a wide variety of dishes, and every single one was exceptional. I have dietary restrictions (no onions or garlic), and the kitchen and staff were incredibly accommodating. They prepared separate versions of several dishes for me without hesitation, and I never felt like I was getting a lesser experience. It's rare to find a restaurant that can accommodate food sensitivities so thoughtfully while still delivering incredible flavor. The food was absolutely delicious from start to finish, and the service was impeccable. The staff was warm, attentive, and made our birthday celebration feel special without ever being overbearing. Everyone in our group left talking about how amazing the food was. We couldn't have asked for a better meal or a better overall experience. Mediterranean Exploration Company has definitely earned a spot on our list of favorite Portland restaurants, and we can't wait to come back. read more

This place is only a few blocks from my home. I randomly came here on a date and didn't have a reservation, so we were told we could sit at the bar, so we grabbed the back corner. It ended up being a great spot. The ambiance is great and the bartender was pleasant. They have a seasonal menu, which assures me that we're going to get the freshest produce possible. We started with the Labneh & Confit Butternut Squash. It was fine, but not my favorite dish of the night. The labneh was more like Greek yogurt than cheese, which isn't a bad thing, but I would have liked a little more saltiness. The Harissa Spice Shrimp, on the other hand, was fantastic. Definitely the standout item we actually ordered. The Baked Eggplant was good too, although it didn't quite wow me. I think there was some mix up, as we were first served the Roasted Eggplant Dip. We flagged the server down to say it wasn't what we ordered, but they let us keep it. Boy were we happy about this! It was the best dish of the night (and a must reorder). The pita to go with the Labneh and the Dip was excellent too. Piping hot and just right. read more

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The tasting menu at Mediterranean Exploration company was one of my favorite dining experiences in Portland I've ever had. The atmosphere was lively and I loved the industrial, modern decor. I went on a busy Friday night and was sat right at my reservation time. Our server was personable and friendly. They had a small mocktail selection with creative options. I went with the "worth a chai", which was spicy, sweet, and tangy. The tasting menu was $75 each for two people and we got a total of 9 dishes and left full and with leftovers. Not one dish wasn't delicious and I enjoyed how each dish had an unexpected flavor or textural element to keep things interesting. All the ingredients felt fresh and the dishes were bright in color and taste. Despite the larger quantity of food, the meal overall felt well- balanced, healthy, and not too heavy or decadent. I keep thinking about the hamachi crudo that came with this amazing smoky eggplant that complemented the vinaigrette on the fish perfectly. The radicchio salad was addictingly good with the fruity burst of sweetness from the cherries. The hummus is insanely rich and pairs well with the thick, fluffy pita. I could keep going on about each dish, but these were my absolute standouts. I especially appreciated the timing of the dishes. New dishes came out right as we were finishing the last. I will be coming back here to try more of the menu. read more

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The food was amazing one of the better meals I've had in a long time! Particularly the lamb and the fennel salad! Two dishes that would definitely bring me back there when I'm back in town! The waiter was awesome. We sat at the counter, looking in the kitchen, which was pretty cool. Interacted with the sous chefs and could see all the dishes so it made it fun to order and watch. read more

Finally got a chance to come back again after so many years and happy to report that they may have gotten even better! Everything we got was sooo good. Great balance of flavors. Texture contrast was so nice too. We particularly love the Sesame Crusted Albacore Tuna and the Persian Chicken Meatballs. But you really can't go wrong. For two people, four dishes were perfect. The sharing model makes it so fun to try different things. Will definitely be back! read more

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Amazing experience! Came with vegetarian friends. They both enjoyed vegetables dishes and we also enjoyed them very much!! Mushrooms dish and lamb chop are the best dishes of the night! Enjoyed finishing with Espresso martini! read more

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I've heard a lot of good things about this restaurant and it did not disappoint. Definitely go online and make a reservation though because it does get crowded. The sweet potato's are a must order and I also loved the chicken meatballs and bacon wrapped dates. Cute ambiance in here too. Dimmed lights, might be good for a date but really any occasion. read more

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We decided to celebrate our anniversary here and have no regrets! The restaurant is somehow both big but intimate. The lighting is fairly dim so if dark ambiance is not your thing you may want to skip. They do have individual tables but also a few tables of community seating. If that's not your thing you may want to request a solo table in your reservation or upon arrival. We made a reservation and happy we did because it was fairly busy when we were there on a Sunday night. We were promptly greeted by a very friendly hostess when we arrived. She quickly sat us. Our initial server was great. Offered to answer any questions on both the drink and food menu. We asked if we could know what's on the tasting menu and he gave a good outline but said he could say specifically because it changes. We did order the tasting menu and the food came out in perfect increments and there is A LOT of it (not complaining). Everything that was brought out, by various people, was explained. They also all offered to get us something if we needed so it felt like we were being really well taken care of. The lamb kebab was the standout of the night! I noticed after we got our last dish though that we were forgotten about, really our entire corner was. I saw our server clock out and it felt like no one was tasked with taking care of his tables after he left. A little disappointing considering up until that point the service and food was great! Still giving five stars because I'll chalk it up as a fluke all things considered. We definitely will be back to get some things we got on the tasting menu and to try some we didn't get! read more

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I'm really sad that I can't recall what I ate here as it was quite some time ago. I remember randomly stumbling upon it when we were looking to kill some time until a reservation we had later that day. The food, service, and ambiance here were all exceptional. Their drinks were great, too! I came here to leave 5 stars and so that I'll remember to swing by once more next time I'm in Portland! read more

First visit with a small group recently. The food was absolutely excellent. Beautiful menu. No complaints about anything that we ordered. Appreciative of the gluten free menu options. Solid alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage list. This is a very popular place. Reservations a must. An open space and very loud. Those with any type of hearing impairment will struggle in this environment. Our server was just great, but dishes come out as they are prepared, thus staggered, and they did make a mistake and forget one dish, which resulted in a long wait. They were apologetic but no cost adjustment offered. Convenient location in the Pearl District. Pay-to-park street parking. Costs are on the higher side. Overall a good experience, but can't give it 5 stars. read more

Dishes: - Lamb Chops (Tender and an excellent drizzle) - Beef Bacon Wrapped Dates (Perfect sauce) - Roasted Broccolini (bread crumbs and mint yogurt are an excellent touch) EXCELLENT Service - very friendly waitstaff, they helped us plan our plates Beautiful restaurant - cozy, excellent spot in the pearl. Go later in the evening to enjoy the warm lighting read more

A haiku review: Coming here for years Always a special dinner Love to birthday here Lamb chops so crispy Octopus is flavorful Kebab is alright My favorite dish Is the crispy lamb hummus Extra pita please! Keep in mind my friends The portions are quite tiny And the prices high Labneh is for me Satisfying falafel One of my fave spots read more

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Exquisite food, ambiance would be perfect if some of the guests could keep their voices at a polite level However, they stand out because of their lovely team who were professional, attentive and genuinely kind. Mahalo read more

Was recommended this restaurant by a colleague, while I was in town for work, and I will forever trust his food recs. Was able to get two spots at the bar, where the bartender immediately walked us through the menu and gave us the recommendation to order 4-5 things for us two girls. We started with cocktails, where I ordered both the Beast of Burden and When Doves Cry, both exceptional. For the 4-5 items, we got the beef-bacon wrapped dates, roasted eggplant dip, harissa spiced shrimp, and the full order of lamb chips. Everything was super flavorful, spiced to perfection, and cooked perfectly. It will be a struggle the next time I go to either order the exact same meal, or mix it up and try new things. Add in great ambiance, and this was a near perfect dinner. read more

Absolutely spectacular! Arguably one of the best restaurants in Portland if you consider menu, presentation of food, ambiance and service. Especially if you also consider establishments that have sustained their presence for an extended period in the city and don't come with the sheer added novelty of a newer place. Plan to try a lot of things and share dishes family style. Plates come out as food is ready, so there is a wave-like type of rhythm to the dining experience here. Definitely try the Mejadara, and do NOT miss the freshly made pita bread. This is a go to spot for a fancy meal or a special occasion. Spots fill up quickly in their intimate dining area so definitely use the website to make a reservation ahead of time, especially if you plan to come with a party larger than two. It can get a bit loud on weekends, and street parking has intermittent challenges, but all of the effort is more than worthwhile. read more

Best new restaurant we've eaten at in a long time. The food was amazing, the cocktails innovative, and the service thoughtful. It was crazy busy but we never felt rushed and the courses were brought out in a well timed rhythm. read more

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There are a few restaurants I have long heard of but not been to, that eventually I will get to try, that absolutely BLOW away my expectations. This was one of those experiences. We tried this spot with some friends last week, fully expecting an elevated dining experience. What we experienced was certainly that, but one that was both elevated and approachable. First off, the vibe of the place is awesome. Industrial chic that they have warmed up to make comfortable, with roll up garage doors for the nice weather... stunning. We tried some fantastic food, had a lovely time doing it, and were so pleasantly surprised with the price that we'll certainly be back sooner than we thought! read more

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I have only sat at the bar here, I had great service. Tried quite a few of their small plates. The fennel salad was my favorite. Everything was delicious. Highly recommend! read more

I was craving for Mediterranean cuisine thought I would give this Mediterranean exploration a try, this is a formal dining experience. You need a reservation on most nights you might be able to do a walk-in, depending on which day of the week you swing by the setting inside is very nice. It's clean and the staff are friendly and go over the menu with you and explain how the food is prepared and what the specials are for the night, the portions of food aren't very large, but you're not going for a buffet you're going for high-quality food with high-quality ingredients, overall had a great experience while dining in and I would recommend this for a date night. read more

After a couple more visits, an update: Dining is better at the bar top. The bartenders are friendly and very attentive. Much more comfortable for 1 or 2 vs. a table. It is too crowded on the floor and chairs have a tendency to back into each other. Noise level more tolerable at the bar. HH is not great so you will end up ordering from the main menu. Mention you wish the falafels not to be overcooked as they have been rock hard from previous experiences. Service much improved. read more

Mediterranean Exploration - Mediterranean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Warm greetings when you first arrive and promptly seated. The staff pours you water and explains how the food is meant for sharing. So we did. 5 items of bacon wrapped dates, salmon belly, hamachi crudo, grilled octopus, and the tastiest of them all, the lamb chops. While waiting for our food we looked around and it is both rustic and elegant. Curtains flowing reminded me of Greece. Then food arrives and the staff explains what each item is, the hidden layers of flavor, and we go to town on the food. It was a great experience and we thoroughly enjoyed it. read more

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Great food and service. We had several dishes and they were all great! Would highly recommend it and would return again. read more

Mediterranean Exploration - Chocolate dessert - Mediterranean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Absolutely loved my experience at Mediterranean Exploration Company! The food was incredible, everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully put together. You can really tell there's attention to detail in every dish. The atmosphere was warm and stylish, making it such a nice place to sit down and enjoy a meal. On top of that, the service was amazing, friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. read more

Tucked inside a reclaimed warehouse MEC serves highly flavorful small plate dishes. John Gorman is known to every connoisseur in this town for bringing outstanding cuisine in a minimalist environment. I ordered the chef's tasting menu. The watermelon and gigante bean salad was adorned with fresh dill, mint and shallots. It was a refreshing treat filled with creativity using contrasting flavors. The king salmon tartare was quick to disappear. The lightly flavored fish let the fresh fish shine through. It was delicate and tender . Beef bacon wrapped dates with an almond center provided a lovely contrast of sweet, salty and savory. The bacon would have better served the dish if it was thinly sliced. Because it was thick, it had a chewy texture that did not serve to compliment the date. The hummus was spectacular. They paired it beautifully with freshly baked pita bread. Because we had someone at the table who suffered from celiac disease, we also had cucumbers for dipping. The grilled shrimp were slightly overcooked. We were provided with three meat entrées. We were served the grilled octopus,chicken and Greek lamb chops. The lamb and octopus stood out as a "must try " dishes. They nailed the flavor temperature and texture on those. The potatoes and the greens were nice additions. Both were prepared to enhance their core ingredient . We finished with almonds encased in the finest powdered sugar. It felt like a cloud of sweetness was dissolving on my tongue. I didn't give this restaurant five stars because of the noise level and the service. It felt like our waiter was rushed. He didn't provide detailed explanations of the food preparation. When our plates were dirty, he didn't exchange them readily. He didn't interact with us in a friendly manner. Two children were seated next to me. They were well behaved, but sound carries in the restaurant. Finding a parking space close to the restaurant was challenging. I don't mind walking, but there's a certain level of vagrancy around the area. I recommend this restaurant as a one time experience. I return repeatedly like I did to Tasty and Alder. read more

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Honestly I wasn't all that impressed on my visit. The customer service was great, the ambiance was cool, and the food was decent. I really like Mediterranean food, and they had some solid options, but wasn't overly impressive. Maybe I need to give them another chance, but this just didn't match the hype. I can see the allure and such. read more

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We had 5:00 reservations and arrived to only a few tables occupied. The host offered us as a twosome either at crowded tables, bar seating or bar like seating at the window. Several 4 tops were available but we were denied seating. My wife is receiving chemo treatments and it would have been nice to have a relaxing early dinner not seated on top of someone. Good luck with the up coming drop in restaurant business due to all of this inflation. No effort to satisfy, no business. read more

I have been wanting to try this place for so long, and it was even better than I expected. This is officially one of my most favorite restaurants in Portland. The menu is always changing so you may not see a lot of the items that are posted in the reviews. However, everything I tried was amazing. read more

Beautifully appointed eatery! We sampled the hummus, little gem salad, and Moroccan brick chicken and a glass of pinot from Oregon. The hummus was flavorful, creamy and served with a thick pita and sliced cucumbers. The salad was topped with crushed cashews and sunflower seeds in an aromatic green goddess dressing and chicken was juicy, full of herbs, flavor and served with arugula and pecorino salad. The service was top-notch and the decor is aesthetically pleasing, clean and modern. It was a lovely find...a must stop of you're craving delicious food. read more

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Incredible on every level. Food is highest quality, service was professional and nice and very on top of things. Ambiance is so beautiful. Would love to sit outside next time. Highlights were lamb hummus, eggplant dip, fennel asparagus salad, bacon wrapped date, carrots, cabbage, lamb kebab, falafel. And dessert cakes were also incredible. Prob top 3 meals in Portland. read more

Someone recommended me this place when I was checking into my hotel and funny enough my team dinner was there that very same day lol! The team decided on the tasting menu which was 75 each and WORTH IT! Everything was literally to die for! My old con was with the salad, that I don't think was mixed well and tasted a bit bitter, but besides that everything else was amazing! Oooh and the Lamb kabab/skewers were Bomb...BOmb...BOMB!! A must eat in portland! (The waiters could be better at clearing the plates, minor issue) read more

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This place came highly recommended from a lifetime local who said it was their "favorite food in Portland hands down". My expectations were high and the experience did not disappoint. Everything we had from our cocktails to lamb hummus to salad, to lamb chops was delicious! The staff was very attentive and the wait staff gave phenomenal recommendations for us first timers. I will absolutely be back it was a Portland highlight! read more

Mediterranean Exploration - Lamb chops - Mediterranean Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Excellent food and menu. Fabulous service. Such warm and friendly people! Minor issue with noise level, especially the bar area. I will be going back! read more

Great atmosphere and even better food! Every dish was incredible! Definitely worth coming back for. The drinks were a little outside my usual taste, but it was nice to try something new. I'll absolutely be returning for the food! read more

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Loved everything we ordered. We ordered several small plates, Eggplant dip, beans, cauliflower were my favorite. The loved the way they incorporated several fruits into the traditional recipes. Loved to taste sauce made with berries on the green beans, also the plums in the feta cheese dish. It was such a sweet exploration each bite to feel the flavor. read more

This was our last stop in our Portland food tour, and it was delish. Peter was our server and very helpful and knowledgable. We had several dishes on the menu and enjoyed them all. The ambiance is low lit and romantic but vibey. Quality of ingredients is evident and presentation and taste were on point. Our favorite was the home made pita bread, and lambchops. The cauliflower main was also flavorful! We loved how personal Peter's approach was, he also left us a list of local recommendations, which was stellar. Thanks for the exceptional experience! Must try if you want upscale mediterranean food in a casual but elegant space. read more

Very good food paired with courteous staff and pleasant ambiance. A few small delays, but quality ingredients and consistent flavors made the overall dining experience enjoyable and easy to recommend. read more

Perfect for appetites of all sizes. The dishes are great for splitting between two people. I was a little skeptical of the non-alcoholic drinks but the price was justified. So dang good. Good outdoor seating and fast service. No matter what you get on the menu, it'll probably be some of the best Mediterranean food you've had read more

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Love the food! Great service Great environment and love love the food there!!!! Everyone needs to eat here or at least try it!! read more

Happy hour is the star here but it's only an hour so time your visit. 3 stars only because they charge $22 for a single chicken drumstick which is insane. Not a leg quarter or a breast. We questioned the dish since we've ordered this before and it has 3 minimum pieces (look at previous yelp pictures of Fried Chicken). Staff mentioned it's a new version of the dish aka shrinkflation at its finest to see what can slide. Definitely wouldn't order it again. Flavor was good but a measly piece for that price is unacceptable. Hopefully management gets realistic when pricing items. That diminished the experience drastically. So my advice, stick to happy hour items for great food and value. Everything else, don't be surprised if you feel scammed. read more

The lamb chops were excellent and probably the highlight of the meal. The hummus was also very good, creamy and flavorful. The radicchio salad fell short and didn't stand out. The corn was underwhelming and not something I'd order again. Staff service was mediocre and could have been friendlier or more attentive. Overall, I'd rate it 4 stars because a few dishes were truly worth coming back for, but the experience as a whole left room for improvement. read more

Mediterranean Exploration - Greek Lamb Chops - Mediterranean Near Me - Portland, Oregon