Trebol

Great spot to eat, drink and chat! Service was spectacular and the tamales were delicious! The drink menu includes traditional margaritias as well as some daring and might I add tasty mixtures. Recommend for meeting friends or a date night!! more

Popped into Trebol last night at 7:00 and it was hoppin. We were greeted by a lovely young lady who suggested a high table in the lounge because all tables were full. We could have moved to a booth when it cleared but we enjoyed our experience where we were. After a few minutes our waiter who may have also been the Bartender, came to the table. He suggested a Pisco-Sour and a Margarita Rosada (both had unique ingredients) but we took his advice, and we were quite happy. We had several appetizers and the waiter suggested coursing the experience for us to accomadate the small table. We sat and enjoyed Prawns in a smokey red sauce, followed buy Ceviche of Prawns, and then Chorizo and Mole covered Oysters. The food was fantastic. Trebol is an experience that I recommend to those who are looking for fresh organic cuisine with accomodating service. Keep it up!!! more

I showed up excited about a new Mexican restaurant close to home! But when we got there the host, a bald guy with glasses, started the whole experience off on a wrong foot. Pros: Locale Cons: Service more

My girlfriend (who is from Mexico) and I read about this new restaurant and decided to give it a try. When we got there, we were very excited about what we saw. Very cozy atmosphere, great setup, and a very nice (although small) patio outside. It feels like a great place to meet friend for conversation and drinks. In fact, the drinks are amazing! Try the tamarindo margarita, it is awesome! However, the fun stops right there. People, this is NOT authentic Mexican food. In fact, this is more like an attempt for contemporary (or nuevo) Mexican cuisine, which means they mess up with the original recipes to create new flavors, that falls well short of expectations. Killing centuries-old recipes like that should be a crime. We ordered a shrimp ceviche which actually tasted sweet rather than tangy (from the lime juice that needs to be used on the recipe). For Mexicans, this tasted and looked more like a cold caldo rather than ceviche. You could barely see the shrimp in the dish as well. We also ordered a black bean soup, which was actually pretty decent (chipotle based). For our main course, we ordered empanadas de platano (plantain empanadas, actually an appetizer) and tamales. The tamales tasted very bland since they used cornmeal rather than corn flour. Also, we were told that the meat was very spicy, almost a 9 on a scale of 10. Not even close. It was more like a 4 out of 10. The meat didn't have any flavor either. The empanadas were very small and there were only three (for a plate that costs $10.50). They were drenched in a tomato based sauce that made it taste more Italian than Mexican, and the empanadas were also very thin and you could barely taste the plantain. Overall, I would give the restaurant 5 stars for drinks, atmosphere, and service, but ultimately a restaurant is graded by its food (I can get drinks and atmosphere at any Pearl District bar). The place has a lot of potential, but they still need some more practice at the kitchen. Salud! more

went to trebol last night to experience the hipe.. i have to say that everything said about the food, drinks and especially the service, couldn't be more on.... it's awesome. we arrived after what seemed to be an accident in the street, the buzz inside was still present... but their staff made everything right. the colors inside and the upbeat music to the great suggestions of drinks turned the focus on making our long day a fun and relaxing one. we started with the plantain turnovers, shrimp ceviche and the sassy czar salad that was executed perfectly... everything from freshness, unique style of dishes to the presentation was educational. our cocktails were really tasty and seemed to compliment the dishes rather well. their servers seemed to like to hussle because everytime i looked up they were always delivering something with smiles and never seemed stressed out, even being that there were only three of them.(two servers and mngr) we tried the braized pork shoulder, skate wing with mole amarillo and the caldo.... YEAH!!!!!!! try there choc. cake with summer berrie compote.. it was made to please... Pros: they have additional parking located next door at neil kellys lot, great drinks, late night happy hour Cons: none and we were looking more

Stopped by Trebol Last night for a drink with friends. It was my second visit, but the first for them. We were all surprised with a late night happy hour that was comprised of small bites and $4- Margaritas. I had to try the Tamarind Margarita. (it was great) My friends had Cactus Prickly Pear Margaritas, LOVED THEM!!! We all shared happy hour Flautas, Enchaladas, and Sopes. Everything tasted great. The staff was casual, attentive and very nice. Pros: Great, Late more

My friend and I tried out this place on a Saturday two weeks ago and since all the tables were full we sat at the bar and were glad we did. The bartenders, Jordan and Tony, were attentive and hysterically funny and even though they were busy we never felt ignored. Every one of their recommendations, from drinks to food, was spot on and I don't think that we stopped laughing the entire time we were there. There was even an old Yul Brenner western playing on the set behind the bar. Ask Tony about movie trivia, he knows a lot. We were more than a little hesitant about diving in to their massive tequila selection (more than 50) but the bartenders were well versed and we really enjoyed their choices. I mean a desert tequila? Absolutely! I just wish I remembered which one it was so I can try it again but I'll ask next time we go. We were told that the menu changes often which is good because we plan on going back again. Oh, they have happy hour as well. Enjoy! Pros: Great space, attentive staff, excellent food Cons: Parking is on the street more

A friend and I went to Trebol on a recommendation and had a fantastic experience. The atmosphere was great, with bright colors, dim lighting, good music, and surfing on the flat screen. Tortillas are made fresh and served warm to get you started. I can't resist fish tacos, so I had fresh halibut tacos served with spicy cabbage slaw and drunken beans (an amazing dish). My friend had enchiladas served with an over-easy egg on top, presentation was perfect. As for the bar, one word... ""TEQUILA"". They have 50+ tequilas, and an innovative specialty cocktail list. The Mango Calentico, an interesting cocktail of pepper infused tequila, mango and cilantro was my favorite. My friend had a Margarita Azul, a margarita with house made lavender syrup. We enjoyed our server, he was attentative, funny, and informative. With two happy-hours we will go again and again. Pros: Happy Hours more

Hoping for something different, my husband and I tried this spot last Sunday. It's definitely not your average Mexican,TexMex or Chipolte Grill, it's got a very thoughtful and sophisticated menu. I had one of the nicest salads I've ever had - roasted beet, wilted spinach with nuts (coated with something delicious) and crumbled queso fresco. I also really, realy like the halibut. It was coated in smoked paprika prior to grilling. and was simply wonderful: incredible flavor, not dried out. We really liked the dipping sauces that came with the warm tortillas. Nice atmosphere, good cocktails, casual and approachable with a nice style to it. Easy to get to off I-5. We'd definitely go again since both my husband try to avoid the Generica-style restaurants that have proliferated in recent years. This place is obviously the labor of love (of food). Pros: Creative menu that is well executed. Easy atmosphere. Cons: Not sure if there's any off-street parking, but did find a close spot. more

Have been to Trebol a few times since it has opened. 4 times in a month and a half and we keep going back for more ! The food is so wonderful everytime, that it makes me want to try something new off the menu each visit. Try my favorite..the manilla clams and chorizzo...Great app. and plenty to share for 2 or even 4. The tequilla selection is IMPRESSIVE ! I have tried at least 9 of the inventive margarittas and can tell you with experience, they are fun and tasty. The staff is friendly and always accomodating. It has a real neighborhood atmosphere, where you just want to hang out and get to know the people. Much of the warm, inviting decor comes via many local artists, which makes Trebol not only a great place to have a meal, but also gives importance to community support . Go check them out.....You too will keep going back. Pros: Changing menu, great flavors, drink menu, price more

went to trebol last weekend, and the food was pretty spot on.. they have this tiger prawn ceviche in a chilled martini glass that is really good and is even better with a cold modelo. service is quite impressive, in that they have only been open for four weeks or so.... check out the neighborhood appreciation party coming up on the 7th of july, it's been said that there will be live bands and bbq from 2p.m.-6p.m. Pros: ceviche, tacos, pork Cons: parking more

went out to check out the place and really didn't like any of what we had.. nice decor and cool movies showing... can't really say anything stood out as really bad or great. too bad as i live around the corner and wanted this place to be a new regular haunt. more

I went when it first opened. The tuna ceviche was amazing as were the flautas and fresh guacamole. Everything was wonderful. This place is a must go. The staff wasvery friendly and their drink menu was one of the most original I have seen. Pros: Quick Seating, changing menu. more

listening to what people are saying about their experiences after dining at trebol are pretty impressive. everything from the service to the cocktail list and the food, makes me want to check this north portland neighborhood joint out. the word on the street is, they're launching happy hour on friday15th from 4-6p.m. and 10p.m.-12a.m. seven days a week. please try their halibut ceviche and the pulpo salad... great things have been said. sicko Pros: relaxing atmoshere with great service more