Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
Verde Cocina

Verde Cocina

1131 NW Hoyt StOR 97209, Portland, United States

Mexican • Healthy • Northwest • Bar-lounge


"This is a go-to place for us, lunch, brunch, dinner, perhaps 6 blocks from our apartment. The food is always wonderful; the mashed sweet potatoes are things to dream about, the guacamole consistently excellent, the steak fajitas tender and wonderful. Nothing has ever been less than good, many things, including the cocktails have been just what we wanted/needed in any given meal. But the truly stellar aspect of the restaurant is the service., It has always been welcoming, attentive, responsive, without being hovering. This last time we had a waitress who was something special ... I think of her as Morticia, tall, black dress, glides across the floor. Knowledgeable and informative about the menu and everything on it, she's also funny enough to do standup, wry, witty, brash (we're originally from NY, brash is like mother's milk ; she made the meal a total delight for all of us from the moment we sat down until it ended, and now days later I still thinly warmly about the evening. Plus there was a symbiosis between Morticia and her bearded manager that was seamless ... if even a tiny thing went awry (the guac came with the meal they were both on it immediately and then didn't charge us for the guac. Together they made it an absolutely perfect way to spend an evening with our adult offspring. There's a chasm between dining and hospitality. So often restaurants focus on the former and don't seem to give a damn about the latter. But the truth is that if you eat out more than very rarely, it's all about how welcome you feel, how cared for, how at home. This is about the most comfortable I have felt at dinner in a place where I didn't have a tv remote in my hand as I can recall recently ... thanks to all there for a lovely and a tasty (and a filling! evening (I had the 3 steak special and wobbled home content, having been warned by Morticia often enough that it was a LOT of meat, that I had to point out that that caution was not needed for a guy as fat as me ."

Boutique Bk

Boutique Bk

187 Sackett St, Brooklyn, United States

Soup • Fish • French • American


"**Ambiance:** The dining room comfortably accommodated our party of four, with a beautifully set table. Soft music played in the background, which I believe can be adjusted to suit personal preferences. The area was separated from the kitchen by a wall with a glass sliding door, ensuring a completely private atmosphere—ideal for conversation. **Food:** We chose the five-course dinner, although a three-course option is also available. Our first course consisted of a risotto ball served in a crispy shell with a creamy filling, which all four of us rated as excellent. Next was a bruschetta, which also garnered rave reviews from everyone; it featured a crispy bread topped with an artichoke disc and looked beautiful on the plate. Following that, we had a pistachio-crusted fish dish, which received high praise from three of us, while one person, who doesn't eat fish, felt differently. The accompanying beans were noted to be perfectly cooked and delicious. Our next course was a filet mignon, which didn’t quite meet our expectations—not because it wasn’t well-prepared, but due to its unconventional cooking style. We discovered we prefer our steak prepared differently! However, the accompanying potato dishes were outstanding. Dessert was a chocolate-glazed treat with egg, which three out of four of us deemed excellent, although one person found the beignets a bit rubbery. Since the same dish is served to all, personal tastes may lead to some differing opinions, but overall, the food was fantastic! **Cost:** Our private, deluxe five-course dinner, including tax and gratuity, came to just under $500, plus the wine we brought from home—definitely a cost-effective option. **Overall:** This is a wonderful choice for a quiet dinner with close friends and family, allowing you to enjoy a remarkable meal in the company of an excellent host and chef, Matthew, who goes above and beyond to create a unique and personalized experience."