Fish Grotto

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1035 SW Stark St
Portland, OR 97205

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(503) 226-4171
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Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Fish Grotto - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 15 )
( 8 )
( 0 )
( 2 )
( 2 )

Best

Are you looking for a place that oozes atmosphere,has great food and a fantastic happy hour? Then the Fish Grotto in downtown Portland is your place. They have been in busines...

Worst

My husband and I were very disappointed with this place. Our appetizer was prosciutto wrapped scallops, which were yummy except for the roasted apple sauce on it. He ordered the...

Hooray for happy hour 11/9/2010

Are you looking for a place that oozes atmosphere,has great food and a fantastic happy hour? Then the Fish Grotto in downtown Portland is your place. They have been in business for over a 100 years. Its wonderfully dark and moody, has antique nautical themed lights in the booths and the best happy hour ever. $3 wine or cocktail of the day and $5 food items. We had a delicious burger ( no slider size here) with thick cut fries. We also tried the shrimp skewers, seasoned to perfection and grilled just right. We were so impressed with the food, price and service (Melissa was great), we came back the next night. Next time were in Portland the Fish Grotto is the place we will be going back to. Leslie and Gary Sells Salt Lake City Ut. more

Surprisingly wonderful 9/26/2009

I have to admit I was a little skeptical... I'd been drinking and dancing at boxes, I've had the all you can drink bloody mary's at redcap and was very curious about this fine dining restaurant in between. But, it was fantastic. I had a trio of small plates which were all excellent. The salmon carpaccio was rich and savory, melding complex flavors of fennel, lemon and mint. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the neccatarine compote was a tasty and unexpected combonation. The classic caprese was generously portioned and delicious. The ingrediants were fresh and local. The wine list was varried, with many reasonable options. Pros: small plates menu, local foods, wines Cons: none more

My new favorite restaurant 9/18/2009

I honestly wish I could have given this place more than 5 stars. My friends and I wandered into the Fish Grotto last weekend after hearing the Kings of Leon "revelry" coming from it's warmly lit interior. We were just going to have drinks. . . (by the way they have a pretty great selection of craft beers and my lady friends were quite impressed by the wine list) . . . but then our server chatted us up about their small plate menu and we couldn't resist. Apparently this menu changes on a weekly basis and it's based on local seasonal stuff, perfect for localvores like myself! Anyway . . . we ended up ordering Mussels and Fries, YUM! Tuna Tartar, KILLER! Tiger Prawns, OMG! and many more!!! (don't judge, they were 3 for $19). We gorged like pigs essentially but what I'm getting at is this place, for being there for like 100 years ( according to our hilarious/awesome server) is still ROCKING it. Kudos Fish Grotto, we will definitely be back! more

Great food, definitely coming back! 8/8/2009

My wife and I ate there Thursday night after walking around the pearl district for and needed to eat some good food and heard the Fish Grotto was a good place for fish. Being tight on money and wanting a variety of dishes we were intrigued by the small plate menu. Walking in to the place was a blast from the past, beautiful mahogany wood but dining area in serious need of a make over. Whatever reservations i had about the decor quickly changed once we were greeted, sat, and were brought a small plate of sweet potato chips with a wonderful honey (and molasses?) drizzle. We ordered the watermelon soup, and the three course selection first which included scallops, albacore tuna, and a blueberry creme brulee which were all paired with three different wines to accentuate the flavors of the dishes. The scallops and tuna were cooked perfectly and tasted great! However, we were still hungry so before the creme brulee came we ordered from the small plate menu and got the sturgeon, ling cod and the shrimp cakes. All the dishes were to die for! The sturgeon even had sturgeon caviar on it! All the produce was local too! The best thing about it was when we were informed the small plate menu changes weekly. This so makes me want to come back and see what the chef is going to come up with next week. Definitely coming back! Pros: Great food Cons: dated decor more

If you're looking for seafood in Portland... 8/5/2009

We were in Portland for the day and we were looking for authentic, good seafood- we walked around the Pearl District, and settled on the Fish Grotto based on the menu and the reasonable prices. The service was amazing- fast, but personable and extremely competent. The shrimp salad was awesome, and the cioppino was to die for- gorgeous broth and piled high with seafood. The small plates menu (sort of an a la carte entree selection) is a great way to try a little of everything that looks good. A def must try. Pros: Amazing food and service Cons: none more

E&L fine diners 4/20/2009

My husband and I really enjoyed our meal:) our server Cody was very friendly. The food was great! We liked the stuffed mushrooms, Cody said it a good pick they were really good! Our meals were very good!!! We will be back. Pros: Example: best croissants in town Cons: What are the drawbacks? more

Amazing food... Wow! No more franchise for me... 3/20/2009

I took my husband here, and I'm telling you, this place will make you wonder why you ever went to those overpriced franchise places. It is so cozy and romantic. The tuna was perfect, the fish and chips were so tasty, and they have some really unique cocktails made with local liquors. Perfect evening. We will be back soon. Pros: Cozy, Romantic, Amazing seafood and cocktails Cons: The need to be open longer, and for lunch. more

Where's the Halibut? 3/15/2009

My husband and I were very disappointed with this place. Our appetizer was prosciutto wrapped scallops, which were yummy except for the roasted apple sauce on it. He ordered the Hazelnut crusted Halibut which arrived dry and overcooked as a 4 oz. portion- for $21. My Razor Clams were okay, (needed salt which was not on the table, any of the tables actually. One of those places who don't want you messing with their masterpieces?) the broccolini was undercooked and the roasted potatoes seemed more like boiled baby reds quartered then heated up in oil and dill. The waitress was kind enough to remove my husbands unfinished dinner from our bill but we will not be returning. Pros: Attentive wait staff Cons: small portions, dry fish more

Simple, tasty and pleasant 9/15/2008

We had a really nice meal here. The restaurant is very small and old-school looking, which I liked. The servers were attentive, friendly and made great suggestions. The food simple, fresh and very well prepared. The razor clams were awesome, the parmesan halibut with a tomato/basil sauce was really, really good. My only disappointment was the clam chowder. It was a thick, gluey, flavorless slop. Don't bother with it. Go for a salad instead. But that did not at all detract from the rest of the meal which was excellent and very reasonably priced, including the wine offerings. more

Itimate and great food 3/10/2008

Not much to look at from the outside and very small inside. The food was great and artfully presented, the service was very good. Great food, good service and reasonable prices made for an enjoyable meal. Pros: ambience, good food Cons: parking was a bit of a problem more

Unprofessional Staff 5/19/2007

This evening, I had the unfortunate opportunity to experience the poorly trained and unprofessional door staff at this establishment. Not only did they assault my friend on a public street, but they assaulted me as well. While my friend was overly imparied, with certainity, i was not and, in fact, was trying to difuse the situation. The staff's reaction? To physicalyl restrain me on a public street all the while claiming that they controlled it as well as the bar. My several hundered dollars/month will be spent some place else. If you chose to patronize this establishment, just make sure that you treat the doormen as gods, otherwise you too might be assaulted. Pros: Dancing on saturday nights Cons: Idiots providing "security" more

Excellent food and service a stones throw from Jake's... 4/19/2007

My sister and I happened upon this place one night a few months back when it would have taken us an hour to get seated at Jakes. We were not impressed by the look of the restaurant from outside but the customers who were leaving just as we arrived to look at the menu gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up. They seemed like regulars. The inside is lovely and warm. Very intimate. Thoughout the evening we had very courteous and informed service. We requested assistance in picking out our meals and wine and were not disappointed at all. My hazelnut crusted halibut was simply wonderful and our vegetable/bread and cheese fondue appetizer was also very good. Paired with our wine the meal was delicious and worth every penny. I am not sure why they aren't busier. I would love to go back! more

First Time, but not the Last Time!!! 3/19/2007

I called to make a reservations, and the manager was very professional and fully answered my questions. I made dinner reservations, and she told me that they would put us in a "special table". My wife and I showed up early, and they had our comfy table ready to go for us. It was roomy, so we could sit side by side. As we walked in, it took a minute for our eyes to adjust to the dimness. The atmosphere to this eatery has a darker style setting, helping towards a calm mood. Dark wood is what you see all around, giving an older sturdy "classic" feel to it. There are two main areas to the restaurant, one near the front doors and the other is to the side of the bar. The hostess was nice, and the waiter had a good attitude. The menu has a fair selection. We started off with an order of "Calamari", which was hot and crispy with half rings and half ends. Perfect!! Rings for the lady while I ate the ends. The dipping sauce was good, too. I ordered the "Marionberry Salmon." It's a salmon piece with a marionberry and pinot noir sauce, sided with seasoned roasted potatoes and asparagus. The salmon was good, and as the sauce was not overpowering, it took a good sense to locate it. But, it did fit well. The potatoes were seasoned well, and the asparagus tender. My wife's "Prawns", on the other hand, were suppose to be regular fried, but they only had enough for a few regular. It was substituted with half "Coconut Prawns". The prawns were over cooked, but they did had good flavor. The rest of the plate was plain french fries, lots of them. If it had less fries, and another small side, than the price would have been justified. But, my wife mentions that the tarter sauce was great, with a lemon zest flavor. This little downtown Portland's seafood eatery is a great way to enjoy an evening. Parking is is street side, so park where you can. Because of how the staff carried themselves, and for the flavor of the foods, we will be back, and soon. Pros: Good Food and Great Staff. Cons: Needs more veriety. more

Worth trying! 4/17/2006

Went there for our anniversary, it was totally dead. However, we received great service and good food. Our waiter made it a fun evening and we got special attention since it was so slow while we were there. I wouldn't say it was the best place ever, but it was nice and I would recommend for sure. I would definately go there again. Pros: Food, Price, Service Cons: Really Small more

Great little place! 9/28/2004

I took a friend to dinner here recently & we had a wonderful time! Oddly, we were the ONLY customers in the small dining room at 8:30pm on a Friday night, but we didn't mind one bit. The one woman show (hostess/bartender/waitress) who runs the place was wonderful, and she served up excellent martinis as well as a lovely dinner presentation. The fondue appetizer was fun, the seafood was very fresh and well prepared, they had a solid wine list, and desert was excellent. It shares a building with several popular gay bars, but we never heard the bar music or noise in the restaurant. We'll definitely return the next time we need a nice, upscale meal before hitting the bars. Pros: Hip Decor & Intimacy, Great food & drinks, Gracious service more

MUST READ>>> 6/6/2004

Must have clam chowder! everything went perfect for my wife and I; my Jamblaya was moist and left a lingering warmth upon my palate; the salmon with baby bokchoy and purple potatoes were as good as you will find; will return again!!! Thanks, Jill for all your attention. more

yuck! 3/24/2004

I cant belive this place made it on the top 10! My husband and I ate there once and we were both very dissapointed. it was overpriced, the ambiance was horrible. It was so small and quiet. The bartender was our server, when we could get her attention. we were cramped in this little half booth, so close to another couple I felt like we should be including them in our conversation. I would never eat there again, especially on a special occassion. more

Horrible Service 2/18/2004

I called this place a month before Valentines day and set up a reservation for my wife and I. We had heard great things about the resteraunt and both wanted to try it out. When I called to confirm my reservation the day of, the gentleman (or not) on the phone informed me I had no reservation afterall. The insencere and uninterested tone of the man was unbelievable!!! In addition to that he made no effort to remedy the situation and try and get us in. We ended up having to wait over an hour to eat at another restaurant that night and pretty much screwed up our entire plans for the evening. I heard they have good food here, too bad I will never go back to try it nor want to. I will never recommend this place to anyone I know!!! Pros: None Cons: , SERVICE!!!!, SERVICE!!!! more

Still Great! 12/4/2003

Being relatively new to town, it is nice to have found the Fish Grotto. We've enjoyed ourselves several times there now, and plan on returning. The food is always fresh, and the service is casual but excellent. The Grotto probably has the best looking dining room in town- it's comfortable and inviting and has worked for us on our anniversary as well as when we've grabbed a quick bite with our kid. It feels like a real restaurant, quite unlike many of Portland's "hottest" places. Pros: Food, Drinks, Kids Bites Cons: Parking? more

A pleasant surprise 9/12/2003

Our first visit to the Grotto was very enjoyable. The Jamabalya couldn't have been better at K-Pauls. Crusted Halibut was excellent, although the veggies were a bit salty. Great how the waiters cover for each other. Like to see more of that at other restaurants. Overall a fine evening. I recommend. Pros: seafood, service Cons: parking more
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Menu for Fish Grotto


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Editorial
  • In Short
    Illuminated by glittery sparkles from the enormous disco ball above, the cage-like sunken dance floor of the Brigg beckons to all from the back of the Red Cap Garage. Voyeurs and exhibitionists carouse the walkway surrounding the floor, amidst the thump of loud music. Dancing here is uninhibited, joyous and sweaty. Cool off with a stiffly poured cocktail or nourish your tired self on a turkey sandwich or basket of fries from the bar menu.

  • 8/14/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
  • Payments: Discover, Visa, American Express, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown, Neighbors West - Northwest
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