Date: Sunday, March 2nd, 2025 Time: around 4:45pm…read moreParty of: 2 which turned into 4 later *Ru Paul Sparkle Pony ($12) *Glenfiddich 12 yr ($18) *Soda Water ($2) We were meeting up one of my old friends for dinner. Since we had some time to kill, the hubby and I stopped by The Box Social to wait out the 30ish mins. I wanted something light and refreshing so got the sparkle pony. It was indeed bubbly and refreshing. Tho very light given there was vodka in it. The aesthetic of the place is very minimalistic. It was super quiet and bright when we were there. So the vibe can be a little sterile. Bartender was great. We just wanted a quick drink and he delivered. Once my friends joined us, one ordered a quick soda and we were on our way to dinner. Great if you want a very chill bar. Worth checking out for a round. REVIEW #3731

Fun cocktails. Good ambiance. My "no rain" drink was…read moreoverpowered by the watermelon flavor though Didn't try any snacks as I was waiting for a restaurant nearby. This place didn't have a wait but seemed to have filled up really fast around dinner hours

Delicious food! Lots of vegetarian options. Excellent service. Highly recommend! Great ambiance.read more

Atmosphere: Beautiful, upscale feeling dining room with bar seats as well…read more Food: Food was great. Definitely really loved the Udon. The Whole Fish was good as well, although it was not the easiest to eat. Price: Definitely more upscale and pricey and probably more for special occasions/business dinners. However, the bill wasn't quite as high as we thought it may get. Service: We sat at the bar. I would say the service was decent. Parking: Street parking. I think they also have a parking lot but it was not well marked so it was not easy to find.

To speak about Teardrop Lounge, I should probably start with this:…read more Ladies and gentlemen, I present my favorite cocktail bar. Not the best -- I'm not arrogant enough to claim that. I haven't been to every cocktail bar in Portland, and saying something is the best usually says more about your lack of experience than your conviction. But favorite? That I can stand behind. And I want to get that out of the way early, because of the amount of praise I'm about to pour on this place -- fully earned, completely intentional. The biggest crime here is that I only discovered it two weeks ago, after living in Portland for a year. It had been recommended to me countless times, and I ignored it. A mistake. A painful one. But now that I've found it, I don't plan on making that mistake again. I'm not typically an Old Fashioned drinker. In fact, I usually hate them. But somewhere between curiosity and too many episodes of Mad Men, I decided to try one anyway -- fully expecting to confirm my bias. Instead, it completely flipped me. Bright, almost citrus-forward in a way that felt unusual but entirely intentional. Balanced, smooth, just enough burn to remind you what you're drinking without overwhelming it. It was the first time I actually understood the appeal. I'm pretty sure I grew a few chest hairs that night. That alone would've been impressive. But it didn't stop there. The space is beautiful -- clean, intentional, but not cold. The staff are excellent: personable, engaged, and most importantly, authentic. Not scripted, not performative. The kind of people you actually want to talk to, and hopefully, eventually be on a first-name basis with. Now, all of that gets it close to a perfect score. But what pushes it over the edge -- what makes this place stick -- is the White Russian. One of the first drinks I ever had. My dad's drink. Not because of The Big Lebowski -- that came later -- but because it's just always been his thing. And at some point, it became mine too. Typically, when bars try to "elevate" a White Russian, they ruin it. They overthink it. Swap ingredients, tweak ratios, add unnecessary flair. And more often than not, it ends in disappointment. Teardrop does the opposite. They respect it -- but refine it. The coffee liqueur actually tastes like coffee. The heavy cream is properly integrated, not just dumped on top. The vodka -- whatever they're using -- is clean, present, and perfectly measured. There's a subtle complexity to it without losing what makes the drink what it is. It's the best White Russian I've ever had. No hesitation. I've gone back twice just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. If someone asked me what my death row drink would be -- this specific cocktail, from this specific bar, is in the conversation. Easily. Teardrop Lounge doesn't just make great cocktails. It reminds you why cocktails matter in the first place. And that's why it's my favorite.

I wanted to celebrate something special, so I was looking for a nice bar when someone recommended…read morethis place. From the outside, it looks pretty unassuming, so I wasn't expecting much. But as soon as I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised. The interior is beautiful, with a stylish central bar that immediately catches your eye. Although they do serve food, I wasn't very hungry, so I decided to just enjoy a couple of drinks. There are a few dining tables inside if you're planning to have a meal as well.The bartender was incredibly friendly and took the time to chat with me after I asked for a few recommendations. The drinks were excellent, well-balanced, flavorful, and actually tasted like proper cocktails instead of just juice. They definitely didn't skimp on the alcohol either! I'm really glad I chose this place to celebrate. It ended up being the perfect spot for the occasion.

Eem did NOT disappoint!! Such a fun, vibrant spot with a super chill vibe. Service was prompt,…read morefriendly, and welcoming throughout. We tried the Chopped BBQ Fried Rice, and the smokiness from the BBQ seriously AMPED up all the flavors. Such a great twist on fried rice and so satisfying. The White Curry w/ Brisket Burnt-ends: WOWIE. So much flavor! The sweetness and smokiness from the brisket worked beautifully with the curry, and the meat was wonderfully tender. I also loved the cauliflower in the curry, it added a nice bite and texture that balanced everything out. The Massaman Curry w/ Smoked Lamb Shoulder was delicious, hearty, and PACKED with flavor!!! The lamb was incredibly tender, and the potato soaked up the curry so well. Such a comforting and flavorful dish. Overall, the food did not disappoint at all. Eem has such a unique concept, bringing together bold Thai flavors with Texas-style BBQ, and somehow it works SO well. Definitely a memorable meal and a spot I'd happily come back to!

After days of working my way through Portland's wildly overhyped Thai food, I had begun to wonder…read moreif the problem was me. Maybe Thai food was simply better in Los Angeles. Then I walked into Eem, sat down, took a few bites, and realized the problem was, in fact, everyone else. Eem is a Thai and Texas-style barbecue mash-up that sounds slightly unhinged on paper and makes absolute, beautiful sense once it hits your mouth. This is the kind of fusion that doesn't feel like a gimmick. It feels inevitable. I started with the Sweet & Sour Fried Chicken, one of their most popular dishes, and for good reason. Savory, beautifully fried, shatteringly crisp on the outside, juicy and tender within. Exactly what fried chicken should aspire to be. Then came the Wok-Fried Yu Choy. And dare I say it? The best vegetable dish I've ever had? Yes. I think I dare. Spectacular. Deep, smoky, savory, with enough personality to make you briefly question why you ever needed meat in the first place. But the Smoked Pork Krapow is where they really got me. Krapow is traditionally a dish built around seasoned ground beef, but Eem takes the idea somewhere else entirely, folding in pork belly burnt ends. It sounds like excess. It tastes like genius. Smoky, fatty, spicy, deeply aromatic. Completely blew me away. And then there's the room itself. Warm, colorful, playful, beautifully decorated without trying too hard. The service was just as good. Welcoming, attentive, confident, and Portland hospitable. They know exactly what they're doing. Eem didn't just redeem Portland Thai food for me. It reminded me why you venture out to eat in the first place: to discover something you didn't know you needed. So do yourself a favor. Go to Eem first. Before you start categorizing Portland restaurants as Thai or barbecue, before you begin comparing them to other Thai restaurants, before you get trapped in your own expectations. Just go. Because if "Keep Portland Weird" means anything anymore, surely it means putting Thai food and Texas barbecue together, making it work brilliantly, and serving it with a smirk. Thank you, Eem. You just gave me another very good reason to come back to this weird, wonderful town.

A super unique and great way to explore Balkan dishes. All you can eat for $55 and 2 hours. Food…read morecame in small portions but you can try so much! Ambience was a perfect balance of cozy, romantic, and fun. Our staff was very friendly and helpful. We particularly loved the Cevapi! Other kebabs were decent too. All the dips and roasted vegetables were awesome. Definitely would love to be back!

We had such a wonderful experience that I was too busy enjoying every moment to take many pictures…read moreof the food! Normally, we don't go out to eat often because we find ourselves spending money and leaving feeling like the experience didn't quite match the cost... but today was completely different. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with genuine smiles and such a welcoming atmosphere. It honestly felt like we already knew the staff. We had a group of 8 adults and 3 babies. At $55 per person for all-you-can-eat (with kids eating free), it was such a fun experience. We ordered a little bit of everything, and enjoyed seconds, thirds, fourths, and fifths! Every dish came out hot, fresh, and full of flavor. This is definitely the kind of place you want to visit with a group so you can try a little bit of everything. The service was incredible; we were cared for with so much attentiveness and joy. The owner was amazing, right there alongside his team, serving guests and making sure everyone felt welcomed. The whole experience felt less like eating at a restaurant and more like sitting around a family table: sharing food, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. What a beautiful restaurant and such a memorable experience. We will absolutely be back!

Love this place. It's definitely a neighborhood spot. Good Food, Great Atmosphere, Amazing Bar…read moreTenders, couldn't ask for more. Definitely stop in if you are in the Alberta Neighborhood.

At first glance the queso fries looked only moderately appealing: "nacho style" processed cheese…read moreand CUBED pulled pork. But the taste was loaded goodness. Yum. Their take on a Negroni cocktail was excellent. Great vibe and awesome bar. Decent prices, friendly service, doable parking.

Tried the Sunday brunch this morning and it was stunningly delicious. The flavors are classic chef…read moreDani and they made my taste buds sing. Server was very kind and sat us early. Loved the 90s music.

Kaya has immaculate vibes and they've got a DJ turning it up after 8pm(?). I know I'm at a cool…read morespot because all the melanin in the Portland metro area is here. Love the decor and the drinks are fun and super tasty. Happy Hour is lit! We ordered a bunch of truffle/parmesan fries and the food was very hot/fresh. Will definitely be coming back here!

Best bar in town! Great staff. Excellent food. Good vibes all around. They have rotating specials…read morefor cocktails and food that always slaps.

Dream House is great. The cocktails are good. The food is the kind of cozy, comforting stuff that…read morehits even harder after a couple drinks. Nothing pretentious, just the sort of menu that works. The vibe is dialed in too. It's chill without being sleepy, lively without being chaotic. They've got local XRAY DJs spinning, trivia nights, and hot jazz that's so good. It's the kind of place you stop by for "just one drink" and end up shutting down hours later.

Great local bar with kitschy funeral theme. Strong commitment and support for Dining out for Life !read more

Came here the other day for lunch and I'm already planning my return!…read more What acute unique " lively " place!! (Saying this for the coffin) Came in on a rainy day, the person behind the bar gave us menus and let us sit where we wanted to. The booths are so retro and cute also extremely clean! I definitely want to come back and make some photo content the place is so unique and fun to look at. When we were ready to order, we walked up to the bar. I forgot what burger it was, but had faithful in the name ordered our drinks. They made our drinks right then in there and we sat down with a number on our table. Although it was a slower day that food came out so quick and it was hot, you can tell it was made of fresh to order. The burger tasted very charbroiled. Also enjoyed that the fries had a lot of seasonings. I'm a girl who loves ketchup and I was able to eat these fries dry. Very tasty meal! Thank you who ever made that I enjoy the unique menu and fun names for everything that gets me. Excited about coming back again! Definitely want to try those slushees! Just wait for my wallet to get some meat on her and I'll be in!!! Take a trip to sad valley

It's been 9 years since I've written a review for Sam's establishment... when you've got something…read morethat works... you don't need to necessarily change it and Sam has not... not even the prices for as long as I can remember. Tell me where you can get a top tier Vesper, cosmopolitan, kamikaze, or hazelnut chocolate martini lower than anywhere else in downtown PDX? It's just a nice comfortable place to hang out and chat, whether heavy or light topics... Come for the booze, come for the Jazz, come for the atmosphere... you won't be disappointed.

Consistently an amazing place. The service is top notch, the cocktails are delicious and you know…read morethey've been given the attention they deserve. I like my martini to show me the shake has been on point via ice shards...the bartenders never disappoint. And Sam, the owner is essentially ALWAYS there to greet folks with a smile and let you know how much it means to him that you chose to come to his establishment. Top of mind...always.