Veritable Quandary

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1220 SW First Ave (at Downtown (Including the Skidmore Historic District & Chinatown))
Portland, OR 97201

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(503) 227-7342
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Veritable Quandary - Portland, OR
Veritable Quandary - Portland, OR
Veritable Quandary - Portland, OR
Veritable Quandary - Portland, OR
Veritable Quandary - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 31 )
( 19 )
( 5 )
( 9 )
( 6 )

Best

Easily the best place for brunch. I was lucky enough to get in here with a friend and everything we had was out of this world. Their take on food is intelligent and creative. If y...

Worst

the place is nice, but if you're going for food, go elsewhere. not only was it overpriced, it was not very tasty. I had one beef skewer for $8, which sounded tasty on the menu,...

Bent Over Backwards to Make Vegetarians Happy 7/24/2006

Just got home from a special night! Wife's birthday, and last day at a job better forgotten. The 3 of us (10 year old son too) are vegetarian and saw a scanty selection on the menu. Crestfallen, we considered leaving for more familiar hauntings, but our wonderful server, Christine, convinced us to allow the vegetarian sous chef to stretch a bit. We were knocked out by 3 fabulous entrees, a couple of wonderful salads and the signature chocolate souffle. Atmosphere, was comendable. In typical Portland fashion, we met a couple at a nearby table and had a great conversation to boot. Understand that we have backgrounds in food service, management, and bartending in past lives, so we are picky for good service. The other reviews on this site worried me about the possible uppity waitstaff. DON'T BELIEVE THEM! Our service was exemplary and we will happily return. Christine, thanks for taking great care of us on a special night, and please thank the kitchen for a great memory. Cheers. more
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Worst Customer Service ever 7/19/2006

The entrance is indistinguishable so we entered the bar area only to have the bartender give us an arrogant look but turned away. A waitress was 5 ft in front of us but didn't acknowledge us even though she made eye contact. Instead, a patron told us to head outside and just choose a seat. We went outside, no one greeted us, but there were tables already set with menus on them. We happily chose a nice table only to be rudely shooed away by a hostess as if we were hoodlums. She made us take a seat in the outdoor ""bar"" area instead. We sat there for 10 minutes before that same bar waitress came out to bring the remainder of our menus and take our orders. Pros: beautiful outdoor patio Cons: arrogant waitstaff, lack of customer service more
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Delightful dining experience 6/12/2006

I have been dining at the Veritable Quandry for 3 years now, Every time I dine there, the servers are wonderful, the food is even better. Gorgeous outdoor seating and a great place to bring people from out of town. With all the other reviews, not much more needs to be said. I just wanted to express how much i love this place. more
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Great for brunch and dinner 5/26/2006

Outstanding brunch - the best garden/veggie burger I've ever had. Ever. It had things in it that actually looked and tasted like veggies, not just some soy patty. I saw somebody else eating a meatburger and I wanted to rip it out of her hands and stuff it in my mouth before she could call the police. The home-style Southern-style stuff that's on the brunch menu is great too and is comfort food without being too greasy or heavy like many 'Southern' style restaurants tend to be. For dinner, we all swooned, even our picky friend. Sole with greens and very light truffle oil. Mm-mmm. Service was friendly, charming and efficient. People say it's an old-fashioned place but there's a reason it's survived. Definite recommendation. Pros: Great food, Good service, Reasonable prices Cons: A bit hustle-bustle more
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Poor Service 5/25/2006

No hellos, no welcomes, nothing! After we found our own seats the waitress just handed us the menus and walked away. Do the people who work there have trainings on how to be a snob? All of the waitstaff were unatentive to all the customers. And there were only three tables being served. Unless you liked to be ignored, avoid this place at all costs! Cons: staff, price more
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Yummy Burger!! 5/7/2006

Have eaten here many times - however have never had the budger. Best I've ever had at a restaurant; fries were delicious too - ate them all. Nice staff, service was a bit slower than I am used to - but it was a busy brunch. You must try this burger!! Pros: Food, Location, Wine more
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best place to take out of town guests for brunch 1/14/2006

This was the first nice restaurant I went to after moving to PDX (a year and half ago). Since then I have taken every person who has come to visit me to the VQ brunch. Super reasonable prices, great bloody marys and coffee, and a patio that (despite its highway proximity) feels like a secret place. I have never eaten dinner there, so I can't comment on anything else, but I highly recommend it as a way to start a weekend off in Portland. Pros: patio, coffee, seafood brunch entree more
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Well loved by savvy Portlanders! 12/15/2005

Called VQ, locals & foodies in the know make a beeline to this intimate, picturesque dining spot. If you arrive early you might have the pleasure of meeting the charismatic owner at the bar, (we did!) The atmosphere reminds me of fine San Francisco or New Orleans, where owners actually care if you enjoy your meal. Very fresh, exciting menu pleases both meat eaters,(mouth watering osso bucco),& lighter tastes,(amazing crab cakes, salads, appetizers. Large portions, & fine wine list (Veuve Clicquot by the glass!) Go for breakfast Sat & Sun, enjoy exquisite dishes & children welcome. In summer the outdoor garden patio is the best spot to dine al fresco in PDX. With many chain restaurants/steak houses pushing out the local color, it is refreshing to find the VQ still delighting with some of the best food our city has to offer. Go. Pros: Ambience/garden patio, fresh/innovative food, Great wine list more
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Great Place, BUT....... 11/8/2005

I travel quite extensively(~200+ days per year) for a living around the world, but in particular, around the US. I definately feel that I know a gem when I find one. VQ is almost there, BUT----Falls just short of that status. Here are my impressions....... Food--Very frsh, high quality, basic, but well balanced menu, measured & variable Staff--Outstanding and knowledgeable regarding food, wine, local scene Ambiance-- Very classy, yet not snobby or ridiculously upscale. Slightly elegant, yet comfortable. Except for...... Music--Amazing variety, selection, diversity, & intriguing, but sound system was horrific (one of the speakers was actually ""blown"" & ""popping"" on low to medium volume) How can such a classy establishment not fork out minimal investment on such a BASIC concept in ambiance and class? This was the difference between a good experience and a GREAT experience!!! My coleagues concurred, and, so, I write this on all of our behalf. Pros: STAFF, Food, Diversity of crowd Cons: Music system more
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When did This Place Get So Expensive! 10/19/2005

I was just there before seeing The Lion King last week. You can't beat the VQ for the combo of location, cocktails, efficient service and indoor/outdoor venue in fair weather. The food's always been solid in my opinion and I've been an occasional customer for 20 odd years. I had a burger (always good) and the Mrs had a shrimp gnocchi appetizer that was great. A glass of Veuve was $14.00 and we we each had one. I noticed that the entrees were well into the $20.00 range, some even higher and that surprised me...I always thought that this place strived for a casual vibe and their food and prices had always reflected that. Not anymore, be prepared to fork it over the next time you stop in. Looks like they're going for a destination dining spot with their menu and certainly their pricing. Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Location Cons: Expensive more
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Wonderful dining al fresco! 9/4/2005

When the weather is just right, dining on the outdoor patio is an exceptional experience. We started with the duck confit spring rolls with wasabi ginger sauce and the grilled pizza with figs, prosciutto, brie and hazlenuts. Both were a flavorful adventure. For our entrees we tried the New York Strip with Fire Roasted Corn Salsa, the Pork Tenderloin with warm Fingerling Potato salad, and the Oregon Salmon with Lobster Mushrooms. All of these were well received. For dessert we pre-ordered the banana tart. It was good, but not as amazing as the rest of the meal. The wine list is lengthy, but pricey. The service was excellent. Pros: Outdoor Dining, Creative Cuisine, Service Cons: Parking more
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No question - one of the best in Portland 6/18/2005

The food is excellent, and the service 1st class. If you go to one resaurant in Portland this should be it. Just the right amount of personal attention. Coat, tie to jeans are all welcome. Portland has become so casual that the norm is to get your bill when the food arrives. Even in the better restaurants it is not unusual to see the bill arrive long before you finish the meal. At VG the server, Michelle, knew exactly when to deliver the bill: when we were finished with dinner, and looked like we were ready for the bill. If you didn't see the Willamette River in your view, you could easily guess you were in Georgetown, D.C., or someplace nice in Europe. Pros: Food, Service, Local Flavour more
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Weekend Brunch is fabulous! 5/19/2005

Whether you are going on a date or with friends from out of town this is perfect place for brunch. For starters the stumptown coffee is great! The seasonal brunch menu is always right on. Whether you choose something sweet like rhubarb, strawberry jonnycakes with creme fraiche or something savory mushroom crepes - you will not go wrong. The service is great whether you want to sit and chat or need faster service. I love veritable quandary! Wine list is excellent too! Pros: Menu Selection, Atmosphere, Service more
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A Classic that deserves the title 4/13/2005

As long as the VQ has been around, it has been a place your can count on as well as a place that always keeps things interesting for its regulars. The bar staff is either extremely competent (taking care of business) or is working very hard to get there. The food has been very consistent; the wine list has several interesting choices. They are even open 'til 2:30 (I believe) every night. That comes in handy if I'm working on a project late and need a quick bite. Pros: Staff, Food, Outdoor patio more
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Best outdoor patio in downtown!! 3/25/2005

Being on the outside patio is like being in a someone's fancy backyard! Trees from the deck, various levels, ivy, a lawn, night lighting, benches.....so easy to get lost in relaxation. fun to sit next to kitchen windows so you can watch the culinary delights come to life. bottle of wine and a salad was only the begining of our night: the pasta dishes are to die for! this place is my new downtown ""home"" !! Pros: patio, NW ingredients, cost more
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Veritable Delight 3/12/2005

As ever Denny has the best thing going, the food is wonderful and the people very pleasent. Everytime we go its a new experience in dining always very very good, espicially the Veal (wow) more
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Hoity Toity Trash 1/20/2005

Heaping portions of arrogance and pomposity from the waitstaff were ample distraction from our meal (which was just as well because the quality of the food, for its price, was sincerely mediocre.) With so many superior alternatives to choose from in the neighborhood, I'm sure I'll never return - the experience was memorably distasteful. more
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Amazing! 2/15/2004

We had the best meal we have ever had at a nice restaurant. Between business travel and personal recreation, I eat out probably 150 nights a year, often entertaining clients at some of the nicest restaurants cities have to offer. With that as a backdrop, please let me say again, VQ was the best restaurant I have ever been to. Lest you think I am some kind of plant, let me say that the soup was only so-so. Beyond that, it was absolutely fantastic. Pros: Ambience, Food, Service more
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Perfect sunday dining 8/11/2003

VQ was such a pleasant place for Sunday dinner. The place wasn't too crowded compared to Fri or Sat. So relaxing. The staff (Christy) was very friendly and nice. We had such a great time. Seafood stew was good. The portion was big considering it was appetizer. Don't get salad as the main course becasue the portion is small. Tiramisu was divine. The size was big. Three of us could share it. Good wine selection. Pros: good service, romantic Cons: parking more
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Old School but very quite nice. 8/5/2003

My wife and I had been staying at the Marriott and they recommended the Veritable Quandary as a place to have dinner. We were both very tired and the weather was an extremely warm 101 degrees, dressed in t-shirts and shorts we went in, and we certainly were treated to quite a dinner, sausage ravioli, sturgeon (which we unfortunately don't see much of) and a wide aray of wine selections. The waiter was spot on with his suggestion of a local wine from southern oregon whose name escapes me. We were treated quite well, and found the casual atmosphere quite nice...I really didn't want to wear a tie and jacket that day thats for sure! Pros: white linens, wine list, good service Cons: smokey bar, wait to sit outside, smoking aloud outside more
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Menu for Veritable Quandary


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Editorial

  • In Short
    The long narrow dining room with neutral tones and a wall of glass windows plays second fiddle to the patio. A suit-and-tie crowd takes advantage of the extensive wine list...

  • 5/30/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30am Sat-Sun 9:30am-2:30am
  • Payments: American Express, Carte Blanche, Diner's Club, Discover, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Neighbors West - Northwest, Downtown
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