Proof Reader is a cute taste of Portland from the comfort of your hotel. Dining area was a mix of mood lighting, books, and sports on every TV available. Food here was amazing. Anything marked as a signature dish is a must try. The elk sausage bolognese was amazing. Be aware that portion sizes are HUGE and sharing might be the only option LOL. Service was amazing. Everyone was very attentive and offered great suggestions. I would stay at this Marriott just to have another convenient dinner here. read more

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What a lovely cozy spot! Came by after the ballet and sat in a dark booth surrounded by decorated bookshelves. I am in love with all the playful whiskey cocktails. I had a Paper Plane Out of PDX, which was herby and tangy and lovely, and a blackberry sidecar which was lighter and sweeter but not too much. I made a meal out of a happy hour cheese plate and an order of smoked salmon dip. The servers were attentive but not pushing or rushing. I would definitely stop in again after events nearby at Keller. read more

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Not bad for a hotel bar (in the Marriott downtown, across from Tom McCall park). Good selection of whisky, decent wine and beer list, and a better than expected warm vibe, almost clubby. Service was rushed and abrupt, but it was a busy Friday night, so I get it. Parking can be tricky. read more

While staying on business I dipped into the restaurant & bar for a hurried dinner after arriving & sat at the bar. The bartender was an excellent host with great recommendations. It was busy, & servers weren't quick to take orders & forget water when requested, but friendly and the food came out quickly. The salmon was perfectly cooked a beautiful salad. Knowing little of the areas' whiskeys the bartender gave great recommendations for a flight. read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - Salmon Salad and duck fat fries - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Breakfast buffet was great and cocktails topped it off. Top notch service everyone was so nice and attentive. We got a booth seat and it was perfect, not too quiet and not too loud. My daughter and wife loved it. read more

Surprisingly good for a hotel restaurant. Loved the burger with onion jam!! And... the cocktails were first rate!

Order: Bacon Bourbon Old Fashion; Paper Plane Out of Box; NW Elk Bolognese; Cesar Salad Pros: The NW Elk Bolognese is SHO'Nuff Good ya hear me!!!! No seasoning needed. Damn this dish is good. It's hardy, flavorful, and delicious. Paper plane was decent. Service was great and I love this nook area we sat in. It made the ambiance quite enjoyable. Cons: the bacon old fashion tasted like straight liquor. I didn't get the bacon wash bourbon at all. read more

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We were underwhelmed by the food, but if you are looking for signature whisky drinks, we really enjoyed the cocktails. New twists on classics like the old fashioned. Not bad for a hotel bar. read more

Proof Reader is a bar located in the Marriott Waterside hotel. It is a small bar with a few booths that have books on the shelves making it feel like a library which is cute. They have a HH 4-5pm which is interesting as a happy hour for 2 hour?! They do a whiskey tasting for $15.00 which sounds great but really is just ok, as you get 1/2 oz of 3 different types of Basil Hayden. I had a glass of the HH red while husband had a beer. What makes this place nice is the people working there. And the 20% of for using YELP. read more

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Northwest salad, elk bolognese, and service from Erin all remain top notch! Always glad to make a stop here in Portland. read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - Nw Elk Bolognese - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Amazing dinners!! Paula was so Sweet and helpful. We stayed 5 days at the hotel and she was so great to us. Amazing memory with our orders. read more

Paula was the most amazing attentive waiter we have ever had! She was amazing and on top of everything!! Made great recommendations and know the menu! Me and my best friend were looking for late night dining. (Past 9pm) and settled on this place. Even this it's in a hotel which usually means sub par. But oh no!!! So worth it!!! Best ever! Great drinks. Great food. The Brussels sprouts rocked our world btw! 10.10 will be back so many times!!!! read more

Drinks were expensive and we gave up on eating here. There was a long wait so we found another place. Prices seemed really high.

Nice people, quick service, nice environment and convenient if you are staying at the hotel. The pictures in the elevator of the grilled salmon steak look nothing like the grilled salmon dish. You instead get a fillet with a huge piece of butter (like 1/4 cup) on top of it - presumably to improve the taste. Didn't taste very fresh or remarkable, but the vegetables were great. I also tried the smoked salmon patties hoping for something better. They were OK too. The texture was like ground salmon with no onion, celery, or anything like that. I was surprised as I've had way better salmon and in Atlanta. The picture of the salmon steak in the elevator should be removed because you won't find it at this restaurant. read more

Proof Ready Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen SHOULD be more aptly named Loud + Lobby + Hotel Bar. If you are staying at the Marriott, are hungry and unable to walk anywhere else, by all means sit down, put in ear plugs and enjoy your hotel lobby food. Otherwise, GO ANYWHERE ELSE. read more

The place has a good vibe. It is located just off the lobby at the Marriott. The staff was super nice and very helpful. The musical guest on this night was fantastic, Laura Ivancie. Very talented. If I had just enjoyed all of the above it would've been a great experience. However I ordered some food. I had a bbq chicken flatbread. Not good. I ended up scraping off the toppings. I couldn't eat it. Terrible flavor. I ate the bread but it took me a while. read more

Went here for drinks and appetizers every night at the hotel lobby. First of all, the staff is amazing! From host to servers and the skilled bartenders, these are the true assets of the joint. Cocktail variety and extensive list of spirits was unbelievable! Old fashions were our drinks of choice! The bacon smoke version was a favorite. Although in hotel, please give this venue a chance! It will be worth it! read more

Attentive staff, good selection at the bar, and a tasty menu. Perhaps a touch overpriced, but not out of bounds for Portland.

I have been talking about this meal nonstop since I left. As another reviewer said, just order the Elk Pasta. You won't regret it. I also asked for a side of veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus) and the restaurant easily made it happen. The pomegranate cocktail was also a hit. I'll be back and bring friends! read more

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The decor was just perfect for a book nerd like me with books shelves lining the wall by the booths. The server was very friendly and welcomed us. Kids have to be out by 10:00 pm, so plan accordingly. The salmon chowder was the best thing on their menu. Impossible meat can be substituted in the burger which comes with flavorful, crispy fries. The dinner is not extensive, but everything we had was delicious. Whiskey lovers will love the drink menu. read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great food, fast service, great price Lodi Cab. For a hotel restaurant, the food was great and allowed for modifications. read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - Menu 2/13/2024 - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Do you enjoy being ignored for 20 minutes before someone takes your order? How about overpriced, mediocre food? Then this is the place for you. We were sat, then had to go to the bar to order drinks after a long wait, which finally prompted them to take our food order. The food was fine, but somehow took another 20 minutes for a charcuterie board and some brussel sprouts. Even with all this, our instincts told us that we should tip the clearly understaffed waitresses. That was until the check dropped and we were double charged for the food. Do yourself a favor and head to the nearest 7 Eleven for a far better experience. read more

Went last Saturday morning for breakfast and had the most amazing breakfast skillet. The vegetables were fresh and everything was delicious. read more

We stayed at this hotel for 2 nights. Very limited dining options. This was the main squeeze. And an unattractive menu. So we always dined outside. But on the last night, after a great night on the town, we came back to the hotel for dessert. Impressive. read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - Cast iron cookie. Chocolate chip cookie, Tillamook vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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He came in here for a couple drinks and some appetizers before a show at the Keller auditorium. It's a very cozy place and very open. We sat at the bar and they had the football game on and a full display of whiskey bottles. We started off with a couple bloody Mary's. They were OK, but did not make the Wow this is a great bloody Mary scale. The bartender recommended the prime rib bites. So we ordered those along with some soft pretzels. The prime rib bites we're on the dry side. They also came with onions and mushrooms which were disappointing. Luckily there was some cool people sitting at the bar next to us and we had some good conversation. I ordered a tasty IPA and really enjoyed that. The bartender was nice but a little bit slow. But I come back again? Maybe.It's a great location to come for a drink before a show at the Keller auditorium. read more

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Stopping by Portland for a night and decided to get a cocktail after a busy day. It was good, but very overpriced for what I received. I wouldn't mind coming here again, but I won't be recommending it. read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - Pomegranate Ginger Martini - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

It has a been a few years since I've been here but the elk bolognese on paparadelle is so flavorful and consistent. The Brussels sprouts were not as good as I had remembered and I had would not choose them again. The Bacon wrapped dates are delicious. I recommend Warm apple cake with vanilla Tillamook ice cream. Get the spiced old fashioned with the apple cake. read more

Service was surprisingly bad. Server tried to discourage us from entering in the first place. Subsequent service was slow. Scotch pour was a farce. Zero checking in on us. Super slow check. Place was practically empty, too. I shan't be returning. read more

Didn't stay to eat. Attempted to order to go, but didn't bother as wait staff was incredibly rude.

This place is good! I ordered a salad with salmon on top and the amount of dressing was good and the salmon wasn't overcooked. I wish they carried coke products instead of Pepsi though (yuck!). Service was nice and the ambiance was that of a hotel bar. Something in the decor or table set up felt lacking but we enjoyed the food. read more

Our dinner was delicious but I was disappointed to receive this poached egg with my avocado toast. When we brought it to the serve he just apologized and didn't offer any remedy read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - Avocado toast with a Poached Egg - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Fantastic food and a great team! Cool vibe coming in from the riverside, to have a bite and a drink at the bar. The restaurant team are always attentive and provide top service! read more

We wanted to eat somewhere within walking distance to the Keller and we are so glad we found this place. Erin, our waiter, took great care of us. We ordered the potato leek soup that came with two slices of rosemary bread and butter, the Proof Reader signature salad with grilled chicken added (don't sleep on this salad), and the high proof burger. Everything was delicious and served at a nice pace. One small suggestion would be to serve the bread warm with the soup to help the butter spread better. Otherwise, everything else was perfect and this will be our go-to spot before shows at the Keller. read more

This place is located inside the Marriot Downtown Waterfront Portland. It is a very small restaurant with a huge whiskey list. I love a good 20 plus year old single malt (thanks to a buddy for turning me on to that) but for $94 for a 2 oz pour I think I will pass and stick to the one at Costco. The food itself was quite good. I tried the Salmon entree with brussel sprouts which I was pleasantly surprised by the taste and quality for the price. The beef ribeye bites appetizer was outstanding for the price. Even though the space was small I am impressed by the food even though service was so-so. If I am in the neighborhood I will try some of the other dishes on the menu. read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - Seated at the outer limits - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We are so happy they are back! While seating is still limited and they get very backed up it was worth the wait! We had a handful of items Brussels, Roasted Hazelnuts, Portland Shrooms on the Ribeye, Beet Salad, bacon wrapped dates. All were amazing read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Proof Reader is located inside the Marriott. It's not bad for a hotel bar/restaurant if you are staying there, but ambiance-wise it isn't remarkable enough to go out of your way to come here. We made a pit stop for a snack before returning to our room. My mom and sister were a fan of the Brussels Sprouts, which were a hefty portion. They are fried with chickpeas but I thought that they turned out too soft and gritty. We all mostly enjoyed the Seared Scallops, served atop a whiskey onion jam and a beet reduction. I felt that the texture was a little off. My favorite item was the Cast Iron Baked Cheese Rolls. Don't miss out on these. They were fluffy and full of cheese. I think we even got a cheese pull. Service was a bit spotty. There was some confusion with our server in the beginning and then it took a while to get our check. They are a whiskey bar so if you're a connoisseur, you should enjoy yourself here. They have entrees and desserts along with the shareables, and are open late which is a plus since many places in the city close at 9 or 10pm. read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - Brussels Sprouts, Seared Scallops, and Cast Iron Baked Cheese Rolls. - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Step 1) Order yourself a cocktail of your liking (Old Fashioned) Step 2) Act like you are looking at the menu, knowing you will order the Elk Bolognese Step 3) Have great conversation with your guest Step 4) Say "What the hell, this could feed 4. BTW. If you have not had Elk...it has zero gamey taste, trust me on this one read more

Drink responsibly ... at Proof Reader (in the Portland Downtown Waterfront Marriott) ... because you've got responsibilities ... like the responsibility to hang out and drink with some co-workers for office gossip and team-building. I also found Proof Reader to be a responsible place to practice my response ability when the bartender asks if I want another round. It turns out, there are lots of ways I'm able to respond ... and all of them are in the affirmative because my liver is like Tyrion Lannister: it drinks and knows things ... like I should get another "Signature Old-Fashioned" cocktail with Burnside Bourbon or an even better Proof Reader specialty called "When Harry Met Jerry" made with Random Dry Gin. Of cource, I don't need cocktails to have a sustainable conversation with a co-worker, but, they're like shoes for running ... I don't need them, but they sure as hell help. So, get me another drink barkeep. Ya, there's some tempting food items on the menu at Proof Reader, too. Things like Seared Scallops, Duck Leg Confit, Brussels Sprouts, Cilantro-Garlic Wings, and a Sausage Flatbread all helped soak up the alcohol and allow us to get another round. My new work friends were like you should drink less ... to which I replied, "Ok, I'll try. Bartender, your finest bottle of Less ..." After awhile, I told myself I should call it a night at Proof Reader, but why would I listen to a drunk who talks to himself? Besides, I'm drinking responsibly and don't have a drinking problem. It turns out, I'm pretty good at it ... thanks to the friendly Proof Reader bartenders and cocktails. read more

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My friend and I met up here before the ballet over the weekend for a couple drinks. There were about 15 customers total, so not super busy, but for some reason it was incredibly difficult for me to get a drink. My friend arrived a few minutes before me, so when I got there they served him his 1st drink. They said they'd be right back to take my order, but after 30 minutes they hadn't returned. I flagged down someone who was still walking as they took our order (my 1st, friend's 2nd drink). 15 minutes later, they brought just my friend's drink. After another 10 minutes of waiting, I walked to the bar to ask if I could get my drink and they told me I need to wait for my server. Another 10-15 minutes later (and 5 minutes before we needed to leave) my drink was finally brought to me, along with my friend's 3rd. The drink was actually fantastic, a pomegranate ginger martini, which cost $20 after tip. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to sip on it and ended up downing it like a shot. I'm guessing this is just a staff shortage issue, but it was a little bizarre. read more

Proof Reader Whiskey + Craft + Kitchen - A very sober perspective: me watching my friend enjoy his drinks. - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

It was quiet on a Monday night. Good happy hour specials. The bbq was tender and had great flavor. Good drink specials Service was friendly and quick. Overall a great experience that didn't take that long. I love this area of Portland. read more