Roots Restaurant & Bar

Dont wast your money its expensive and not very good. i used to love Roots and go often...they changed there menu downgraded it...no more avocado crab salad and no more Delicious french bread...now they bring you dinner rolls that look like they came from Kentucky fried chicken..the steak was so bad we had to send it back...very disappointing for a place i used to favor...when i complained they said they were saving money....and that those items had become to expensive to keep on the menu.....REALLY FRESH FRENCH BREAD.........you might think your saving money but you will be loosing customers.... more

Roots is not as far as one might think and well worth the drive. It is probably about 5-10 minutes past the PDX airport taking the I-205 bridge. Exit onto I-14 heading east, and about two exits later get off at 192nd, go north about 3 stoplights. I give this dinner an A-. (I would do 4.5 stars if the system would let me.) They had a few things that were off, but the wait staff was excellent and tried very hard to fix them. My crispy pheasant appetizer was unique and very nice. The beet salad was fresh and robust. Loved the wild mushroom sauce over the home made ravioli. The main dishes were all excellent. (My dinner mates tried other dishes and loved everything.) My initial cocktail was more lemon juice then Pear brandy - but a new cocktail quickly replaced it made to my specifications and was delightful. (Tip: several of their cocktails use fresh lemon juice - not just a light splash - so if you are not in to the lemon flavor you might want to ask them to go light or skip the lemon juice.) They did not charge me for the first cocktail. Very nice wine menu with good selection of affordable wines by glass or bottle. The Malbec (sold by the glass) improved with a bit time to warm and went from good to great. We got some of their yummy signature focaccia bread before they ran out, (we were the last diners on a Sunday night) and the server actually went across the street to their sister restaurant and got some more bread to serve us! Not as good as the focaccia but we were really impressed with her efforts. My desert of ginger crepes was lack luster. Crepes are meant to be served off the grill light, warm and fluffy. This desert uses pre-made crepes, soaked in the ginger syrup and refrigerated. Maybe it would be better to plate the desert with re-warmed crepes right before serving? (Or better yet - fresh cooked crepes made to order). The other deserts looked divine. FYI - they offer a fixed price 3 course menu for $25 that changes! more

In our world of chain restaurants Roots is the BEST thing to happen in the Vancouver/Camas area. My friends and I have been several times and have never been disappointed. Lunch is fantastic, you must try the burger it is incredible. Our waitress told us that they grind their own meat daily. My friend had the salmon and said it was cooked perfectly. We couldn't leave with trying dessert. I've heard they have the best pastry chef in town. Our waitress suggested the Toffee cake. It was to die for, came out warm and gooey topped with vanilla ice cream....so delicious!!!! I am a Roots fan for life! more

Just ate at Roots--loved it! It's one of my favorite places because I'm never disappointed either by the food or the service. It's always good. There were a couple of new items on the menu this time that were really yummy: the potted white cheddar appetizer and the wild salmon. All the desserts are fantastic, making it hard to choose, but this last time I had the chocolate mousse cake. So good. Really. more

Roots is one of my favorite spots to stop in and enjoy a drink and a dessert. The staff is very nice and the ever changing menu keeps me trying something new every time I come in. more

We had dinner at Roots last night and we were very happy with the food and service. The chantrelles were quite a treat and the mushroom lasagna was so tasty and rich. The waitress's recommended wine paring with the lasagna was also spot on even though I don't typically like Chardonnay. The only thing I might have changed was having the waitress let us know that ordering the chantrelle small plate along with the olive bruchetta might be a bit of a bread overload as we didn't realize the first dish came served on delicious cheesy bruchetta. The ambience is nice even if it is set in a strip mall and I found the lighting and the sound to be pleasant; enough sound to let you know you're in an successful popular spot but not so loud that you're yelling at your date. You might read a couple of reviews from unhappy patrons but don't let that stop you. I'm not sure if the waitstaff changed from the apparent inattentive service Shilohh (9.12.10) experienced but our wait staff couldn't have been more helpful - there when we needed them and absent we we didn't want to be interrupted. And just as as aside, I haven't seen many busboys individually inspecting wine glasses for imperfections as I witnessed here. I'm giving it 4 start instead of 5 simply because I usually reserve 5 stars for places that blow my socks off; just like I don't give standing ovations for every performance from elementary school performances to flawless shows at the MET. Suffice to say we'll definitely be back. more

My boyfriend and I went to roots for dinner one Saturday evening, we called ahead and when we arived we were seated right away no waiting (it was not very busy) we sat in the bar area of the resturant. We were not to impressed with the dinner and app menu because there was not alot to choose from. We ordered the fish and chips. Our order was delivered, not by our waiter but by the bus boy, nobody ever returned to ask if our food was ok or if we needed anything. Never received ice water, salt or pepper and the fish tasted like it was cooked in really, really old burnt oil and the fries were rubbery. Not very impreseed with the fish and chips that cost 15 dollars. Burgerville has better fish and chips than this resturant. The resturant was very cute and clean but the food and service did not meet the standards and unfortunately we will not return and I will inform my friends on my experience. more

The two previous reviewers must be local competitor restaurant owner's or soon to be former restaurant owners, because they are ""so far out of the norm"" and ""out of touch"" with their reviews. The bar is awesome as well as the food and the experienced, well trained staff is top notch. Happy hour (new menu) is great and it's worth the drive to dine here. It's a little loud in the dining area but that's because of how crowded it can be and also with high ceilings and concrete floors. Their private dining room is very nice for smaller parties up to 30. This is a very nice place, and I suggest you give it a try and forgive the two previous jealous reviewers. more

Way over priced. Menu is for those with a fancy taste preference only. Wait staff is seldom seen one you are seated and your order is taken. more

If a place is full I can deal with sub-par service. But when we were one of four tables and we get to see our waitress three times its bad. Take order, give food, and drop off check. Normally when you order a blue cheese burger you can taste everything. In this case it was a very strong blue cheese and bread taste. If only one the food or service was bad I would try again but both being bad its a no go for round two. Why two stars? The mussels were pretty good but not enough for a 2nd trip. more

I took a colleague here for a business lunch on the recommendation of a friend. I'd heard good things about Roots but had never been. I had a HUGE portion of poached salmon over a fennel and apple slaw. The salmon was literally the best I've ever had, hands down. I don't know what they did to make it so good but I could hardly keep from making little nummy noises the whole time I was eating it. The slaw was extremely good too - crisp, fresh, with a viniagrette that also had fresh herbs. My colleague had fish and chips and she also mentioned that hers was wonderful. Our server, I think her name was Kristin or Christine, was very attentive and friendly - it just made for a great lunch experience. Pros: extremely good food more

6 of us had brunch at Roots. 3 of us ordered the homemade corned beef hash with grain mustard. All of us got stringed beef over come cubed/chopped potatoes. No mustard, no evidence of corned beef. The beef was not fresh. Not appetizing looking. Pros: very good service Cons: overpriced for the value more

My husband and I went there a week ago for dinner - we'd never been but had heard friends rave about Roots. I loved the ambiance - classy but comfortable but the food was really the star of the show!\r \r I started off with a pineapple cilantro margarita - it was spicy and delicious, well-balanced, a really well-made drink. My husband and I shared the crab and avocado appetizer with vermouth viniagrette - when it arrived we were both surprised at how many huge fresh chunks of crab there were. It was delicious and after we took a bite we both looked at the menu again because we couldn't believe it was only $11. It doesn't happen often, but I just love getting really fantastic food for a great price - it makes me happy. :) \r \r Our server was very helpful and attentive as well - she knew her wine, offered me samples and helped me pick out a glass that went with my short ribs, which I had next. \r They were served with some delicious greens, root vegetables and pickled horseradish - the ribs were\r meltingly tender with the perfect amount of fat mouthfeel without it feeling fatty at all. Plus, once again the portion was huge - I had a full dinner plus a big lunch out of the leftovers. The amount of value you get for the price at Roots really amazed me.\r \r Especially since our meal had that 'certain something' ...you know how you can tell when the chef really cares about their creations? It's hard to put your finger on but you know it when you taste it. Roots has got it. Thanks for a wonderful evening - we will definitely be back. \r \r Pros: well-crafted, well thought out cuisine more

This place is awesome. Roots and 360 are sister restaurants. Roots has excellent happy hour. I have been to lunch and dinner and Roots and always had good experience b/c of very tasty food. The service on the other hand is RUDE. The wait staff is very rude, slow and obnoxious. If they get some people who are friendly on the wait staff, they will have a good turn around. Pros: Food, Parkind, Ambience Cons: Service more

I went to Roots last night for happy hour and was suprised to see a beautiful new bar. It is much larger with very comfortable leather chairs. The portions were quite large for happy hour and the food was great. The bartender was nice and extremly noligable about the food. I really have enjoyed every experience I have had at Roots and would strongly recommend it to any one who is a lover of food that doesn't come a can! Pros: large portions, good service, friendly staff Cons: noise more

I've been 3 or 4 times within the space of a year and a half. I figure they're new, they'll get things sorted out. Evidently not. Went today for lunch, and in the midst of the meal was overcome with the thought ""Why does anyone come here?"" The service was bad, the food was slow, no free refills on drinks other than water, miniscule portions, and above average prices. I was discussing the place with another diner, and we were in agreement that the fish & chips were crappy, and to be avoided. \r \r So, in short, there is really NO reason to go to this place! Pros: I guess it's where the beautiful people want to be seen. Cons: Pretty much everything else. more

Having lived in San Francisco and the Chicago area for many years, I was disappointed in the restaurant scene in Vancouver when transferred here. I was so thrilled to discover Roots--a terrific atmosphere (be prepared for a bit of noise, however), beautifully-prepared food, great wine selection, and fantastic service (our server managed to be very attentive while avoiding mid-bite conversation). Don't let the location scare you away--you'll be transported once inside--and parking is a breeze. Pros: Urban chic, easy parking, imaginative menu, excellent service Cons: Noisy at times--not a place for quiet conversation more

Ordered my favorite dish at Roots last night, their short ribs and was served a bowl of pasta topped with some stringy flavorless meat (I will take their word for it that it was short ribs but it could just as well been stew meat) in a very bland watery sauce. Apparantly they changed the dish about a month ago and to the waitresses credit she offered to bring a different dish but I elected to give it try (won't do that again). My wife's Chicken was excellent as was the Potato Soup so all was not lost. Why they would make such drastic changes to one of their signature dishes doesn't make sense. The restaurant review highights the Short Ribs and talks about the meat served in a Port sauce and falling of the bone, well there ain't no bone and there ain't no port sauce. It's hard to recommend a restaurant when you don't know if what you recommend and what they serve next time are even remotely similar. Maybe their expansion is distracted them but someone clearly had a Brain Freeze more

My wife and I learned about the Roots from Portland Monthly Magazine. As a regular customer at Higgins, we were interested in how ?Higgins? foods transformed in to a new generation of restaurant. The first impression when you are trying to find a restaurant is not so impressive especially you see ?UPS Store? and other suburban shops sharing same parking lots. However, as you step into the restaurant, you will be surprised by a nicely decorated interior and friendly waiters. If you are regular to Higgins, you will quickly notice that waiter?s dress code, dishes, and menu are very similar to Higgins. I ordered steam mussels, salad with anchovies ($1 extra), and duck. My wife ordered a salada and a salmon dish. We asked both dishes to be cooked as rare as possible. We both agreed that mussels were very good but Higgins version has much more depth and complexity of flavor. Salmon was cooked according to our request (rare) and it was well balanced with potato side dish. Comparing to Higgins version, we still found that Higgins still scored higher. The duck is Higgins?s signature dish and we weren?t expecting Roots to come close to Higgins standard, however, to our surprise, we found that Root?s duck dish to be par with Higgins version. We didn?t find salad any special. In conclusion, we highly recommend ?duck? at Roots. Since my wife and I prefer downtown living, we prefer Higgins but if you live near Roots or want to avoid downtown, Pearl district, or East side of Portland (e.g., Le Pigeon, Genoa, etc.), the Roots Restaurant and Bar is an excellent alternative. Pros: good food in sub urban area Cons: average salad menu more

Well we enjoy Roots and they have times of greatness and other times they fall flat. Actually each time I try to order a steak here it comes out bad. So - go for the standbys.... great salads (especially the spinach) and the pork is good, excellent happy hour - but do NOT order a steak. The special was filet mignon and I decided to try it against my previous flat iron debacle of the past. I usually order medium but specified I want it pink just not oozing blo*d and she recommended going medium well since they tend to cook on the rare side. Well, it came out and there was not a trace of pink anywhere. Well, it took awhile to get the meal and since we had kids with us - I just picked off their plate and nibbled on the steak. Well, the bill came and my ""special of the day"" steak was $37!! I figured it would be $25 and was okay with overdone as the rest of the meal was good - but $37!! I really should of made the chef stretch himself and cook it appropriately. \r \r Good desserts - the creme brulee is creamy, decadent and ample, chocolate mousse cake is rich and oh so filling! \r \r ***FYI - the nixed the kids menus Pros: Good happy hour - good bar food - miss it on fine cuisine - good dessert Cons: noisy - takes a long time to get food - no kids menus - can't cook a steak more