Le Pigeon

The food was amazing! I did consume 2 days of calories in one meal however. The wine pared perfectly. Great environment but very loud. Felt like we had left Portland and were in New Orleans or Europe. more

Let me make it simple, in terms of the food, you'd be hard pressed to find a better restaurant - innovative, caring, with great attention to detail. In my opinion, the top.... Now, innovation does not mean that you are guaranteed a world class meal every single visit -yes there will be variation, but overall, the food is amazing.\r Service has been consistently excellent.\r Atmosphere and location leave a bit to be desired. more

Be still my beating heart. Always my favorite meal since the last time I have eaten there. There is always a vegetarian option, and sometimes it's my favorite (leek bread pudding) of all the plates (no one gets to finish their plate without letting me try!). Pros: Everything Cons: Can't bring my vegan brother. Sucks for him. more

We were a party of four and all of us ordered something different. The only dish that made a hit was the hamburger. Seems they only have a few on hand most evenings. Hmmm. Doesn't come close to real French food, presentation messy and combination of ingredients way off. Chef needs to hold off on the salt Brewpub food I've sampled in this town so much better, so are the prices. Pros: nice ambiance Cons: food uninspiring more

Cozy bistro with open kitchen, watch the chef get inspired to design his next dish infront of your eyes.\r \r The food is spectacular. The soup is my favorite every time.\r \r Love the artwork of the chef and staff on the walls as well. \r \r Great touches all around the bistro that make you feel comfortable at Le Pigeon. Pros: amazing creative dishes Cons: risky for ones with a simple palette more

Don't come on a Saturday night at 7pm and expect peace & quiet. It's small, it's cramped, but go in on a weeknight and even us big people get plenty to eat and enough room to sit and enjoy it. We went there on our first childless date in 2 years and couldn't have asked for a better meal or better service. Don't fast all day before you get there, and your portions will be ample. It's not cheap, but as an overweight American, I have no complaints about the portions we were served. The food was wonderfully executed and thoughtful - the only minor negative point, if I were to really try hard to find one, is that the grapes with my fois gras appetizer were old and soft and just regular seedless red flame grapes. This time of year you can find excellent eating and wine grapes at any Farmer's Market. But, hey - you get yummy Plugra butter with your impeccable baguette (even with Portland humidity!). I would recommend this to anyone in the mood for perfect, rich food - prepare to eat fruit and salad the next day to balance it out, though! And really, just try the fois gras profiteroles - share them with 3 friends, though - they are so evilly rich! Pros: Perfectly executed, delicious, rich food Cons: no parking, no elbow room. rich food. more

I honestly cannot say enough fabulous things about the food at this restaurant. If you sit at the bar you can watch the chefs construct your meal, and every last bite is absolute perfection from start to finish... every time. The well paired flavors are never overpowering or unbalanced and the changing (and seasonal) menu ensures that you're getting fresh meat and produce. I make myself try other dishes each time, but the beef cheeks are absolutely to die (I think the guy complaining about salt content is mistaking flavor for sodium, honestly). About the only complaint I have in the food department is the too-dry-and-crusty (in my opinion) bread - though it *is* served fresh-ground salted butter.\r \r I'm not sure where the bad commentary about the wait staff comes from, as I've had them be nothing but helpful - recommending good appetizers, suggesting well-matched wines, and refilling drinks without being asked. \r \r If I could change one thing about the place it would be the prices (but even those are absolutely appropriate for the wonderful meal you'll have). I just wish I could afford to eat there more often! Pros: Great food, great setting, great chefs Cons: Small restaurant, long wait more

While you can't expect top notch service at this tiny E. Burnside joint, you CAN anticipate the best French food in Portland. Forget some of the overly-hyped Pearl district joints and head over the bridge for a spot where food is the focus and is lovingly prepared in an open kitchen. Prepare to wait for a table, but know that it is absolutely worth it. Did I mention the very reasonable prices? Pros: FOOD (can't stop thinking about the beef cheeks!), prices Cons: Teensy tiny location, loud when packed - i.e. always more

This is a great place to enjoy an evening. Great food. Good service. Great company. My wife and I who are both foodies in the restaurant industry were visiting from NY. A dear friend reccommended Le Pigeon. I am glad they did! All around great experience. Fresh ingredients, great wine list, creative food items, great company. We will be sure to book a reservation next time we are in Portland. Pros: fresh food, inventive menu Cons: none more

The most overrated restaurant in town! They try hard to surprise you, at the expenses of taste with odd food pairings (bacon in dessert, just to name one, and the result is not interesting but just like it sound, the wrong ingredient in the wrong place), or by decorating your appetizer or entree with fried claws, but the substance is not there. Not an authentic French either. The food is not worth the trip, moreover you will end up by eating uncomfortably in the same narrow table with other customers and not being able to have an intimate conversation. The price is outrageous for the experience. Do not waste your time and money, choose a different restaurant. more

I was visiting Portland and heard that Le Pigeon was a highly rated French restaurant. That was not to be so. The food is so over salted and FRIED it was difficult to eat. It was probably one of the worst unhealthy meals I have ever eaten. The veal dish came out over fried (more like deep fried veal if you can imagine that) and the beef cheeks were okay but over salted. I want to say great things about this restaurant but unfortunately I can?t. It really is at the low end of restaurants I?ve gone to for the past 25 years. Pros: Interesting ambience; great wine Cons: The FOOD more

We have been here 4 or 5 times and the food is clearly made with love. The chefs are friendly and interested in how you are enjoying your meal. SIT AT THE BAR TOP and watch the chefs and their handiwork. The cornbread-bacon-maple ice cream dessert is artery-clogging and delicious. Fish is cooked perfectly (I had the best carrot-butter poached halibut), meats can on or off target, but overall you should go because the menu is inventive and sometimes cheeky and overall the food will please your palate. Pros: inventive, consistent food in a cozy atmosphere Cons: hosts might run into your chair (it's a tight space) more

After reading a short spread on Gabriel Rucker and his new restaurant, Le Pigeon, in the Portland Monthly magazine we were interested in trying it. What we found was a perfect little neighborhood bistro that is inventive, dynamic and tasty. Chef Ruckers menu changes constantly. There are a couple of regular menu items which are enticing enough to draw you back where you will be challenged by his new and creative dining options. One of his consistent menu options is one of the tastiest burgers youll find in Portland. The wait staff is knowledgeable and attentive. These two facts alone separate this restaurant from many in Portland. A true treat for any foodie is to dine at the bar. This will turn your experience into one that will rival the chef table at any restaurant. The banter with Chef Rucker and his supporting staff can elevate your dinner into an occasion. Le Pigeon offers a small but diverse wine list. There are also a nice selections of beers. Even with the vast dining options that Portland offers we will return to Le Pigeon often. Pros: The food and attentive wait staff Cons: Lack of room to wait for often filled tables more

Portland, a city that does not lack great restaurants, has been blessed with what could very well be the best spot to go for fine dining. And it's not just about the food, even though the braised beef was more tender than my dear mom's brisket. The flavors are bold, yet they all seem to belong together perfectly. Even the bacon and maple ice cream. But what makes this place special is the staff, the tone for which is set by the chef Gabe Rucker. This group is warm, accessible and fun. I give this place a 10. more

i have some suggestions that will vastly improve this restaurant. Take them or leave them, as you like. First of all the maitre'd should be replaced, made us feel rushed and uncomfortable, same for the male waiters. The elbow room at the counter should be bigger by removing one chair on each side. Believe me I do not think the chef ever sat there like his customers do, packed in like sardines. Buy some small 2 top tables and sell the large ones, they do NOT work. NO ONE wants to sit 5 inches from their neighbor, not even in an Alpian Village, PLEASE!!!!! Then hire very friendly servers, who actually know what is IN the dishes you are serving. That's it! Also try to apply for a full bar, people really love to have a cocktail before dinner! Small samplings would also be helpful! The food was somewhat salty, and I LIKE salty food. So maybe request less salt if possible from the chef or waiter. We will come back if you do all these things! For sure! Pros: nice chef Cons: bad service more

Yes, even beats Portland City Grill - as long as you sit at the bar. Watching these guys work is something else and when your food comes - which never seems that long (I've even got an apology from the chef for my appetizer taking more than 15 minutes). There's no use sitting anywhere else in the place -- you'll miss out on too much. The chef often greets you when you arrive, you can talk to the guys about the food and they'll even tell you how to make it. And when it comes...just close your eyes and travel to that happy place. Sweetbreads, veal blanquette, the chef asked me once if I wanted a pigeon head in my soup. Now where else are you gonna get that? Tell me. You'll know where to find me. Pros: Food is unbelievably consistently great. Cons: It does get quite crowded. more

Le Pigeon was a fun and interesting experience. The space was not designed for the typical American (this means if you are "robust" you will enjoy getting to know your neighbor intimately). The food was delicious but if you're not up for eating unique pieces of meat like cow cheek or beef neck then you should stick to the good old American processed food, I'm sure mapquest has the nearest McDonald's. Oh and don't be alarmed when tiny skinned birds are tossed into a skillet. The name does imply they serve pigeon, at least they didn't the week of Aug. 18. All-in-All the staff was incredible and if you want a great experience with fresh and enjoyable food definitely give Le Pigeon a go but make sure you make a reservation. Pros: Good food and excellent service Cons: Wear deodorant because you will be very close to your neighbor more

Went with three people this spring, we all tried different entrees and appetizers and everything was outstanding. My entree was the pea risotto. While not a big pea fan, I loved this dish. The cornbread dessert is the best. Cozy atmosphere. Can be difficult to get a table. Pros: Unique dining experience, delicious food Cons: can be hard to get a table more

This place is my fav restaurant in Portland!! I've been on a mission to try every top restaurant in town...and I haven't come across anything that can compete with LePigeon. the food is amazing (very unique!), the ambiance is romantic. It's the perfect date spot. Also, this is a good way to figure out who you're dating. If they complain about waiting, personal space, servers- then you know not to go out on another date with them. I've read other people's reviews and am thankful not to have to dine with them! Pros: Food, Ambiance Cons: Nothing more

More often than nought, a restaurant is a place to meet friends and enjoy some good food. And Le Pigeon certainly fits those requirements beautifully. Fortuanely for those of us lucky enough to have eaten there, Le Pigeon transends most "normal" restaurants in Portland for their charm, service and exceptional food. Since I and my guest were sitting at the counter we not only enjoyed the kitchen pyrotechnics but were treated like guest of the chef who welcomed us with a smile and food suggestions. The Veal Blanquette was terrific, but the ravioli adoring the top was an unexpected treat that is not to be missed. Everything about the evening was relaxed and professional. After dinner the chef surprised us with a special white truffel dusted in chocolate that he had just whipped-up. Not only was the food delicious, but the chef and the servers made you feel like a guest at a friends dinner party. more