Andina

I've been here twice and may have to take a second job so I can go more often. The food is amazing: complex, flavorful, varied, fresh.... It's not strictly traditional Peruvian food but is an appetizing (read: yuppie) blend of Northwest and Andean cuisine, and in my humble opinion, is better for the cross-cultural contamination. So many times I find Northwest Cuisine tries a little too hard and contains one or two too many ingredients. Not so here. Everything I've consumed was been a taste-bud-popping treat. The quinoa salad is completely unexpected and delicious and a perfect segue to another course. It's hard to move on from the small plates to the éntrées and I think the ideal is to go with a group of four or more so you can sample several things. I've gone twice with my husband and we were sadly forced to limit our picks to four or so items (or we would have exploded). The desserts are also very, very good. This is a very good restaurant and people know that, so make a reservation or it could be a very long wait. more

Andina is one of my favorite restaurants in town. I have eaten there frequently for several years and it has always been a wonderful experience. The food is always outstanding, the service is great and the ambiance is warm and inviting. Definitely a great place for dinner with friends or a nice occasion. Very recommended more

My husband and I looked at a handful of places to have our rehearsal dinner, Andina being one of them. Portland has so many nice restaurants and settings for this kind of thing that it was a hard decision, but Andina was so wonderful and we wonder why we even thought to go anywhere else! We had our rehearsal dinner in the Tupai room, perfect for our 50 guests, even with a little 'birds nest' in the rafters where we were serenaded by a latin guitar. The food was AMAZING--all family style, the room was beautiful, the menus even had our wedding colors in it, the staff was so friendly and welcoming (the pisco sours helped lure my friends and family in too!) I've always thought thier food was great, but they can sure help put on a rehearsal dinner to remember! more

With reservations you will be seated promptly. Andina is so busy; reservations are a must. At dinner time, even the bar is crowded. Our dinner waiter Steve, was great, he was very descriptive of the specials and the menu. Everything we have ordered here has been wonderful --their Peruvian cuisine will not dissapoint. For dessert we have always gone with the sorbet of the day. This time around they happened to have 2 flavors. We had the lychee-lime and mango-lemongrass --both were delightful. The following day we decided to drop in for lunch. We were suprised to see that at that time they were also seating many groups who had reservations. We ended up waiting about 15 minutes for our table. We decided to have several tapas to share for lunch and they were all wonderful. \r \r The bottom-line: The food is a wonderful adventure and very good. The atmosphere is more up-beat and party-like, not really a place you want to go for a nice quiet evening. Finally, reservations are strongly recommended. more

I made the reservation with some trepidation, having read some not-so-glowing reviews. We were 11 people coming from out of state for my son's graduation and wanted a very special meal to celebrate the occasion, which obviously you cannot re-do if it goes bad. But it did not go bad at all. Rather, we had a fabulous, memorable experience that I am happy to report. My experience as a manager of a four-diamond restaurant leads me to want to shout from the rooftops: In every respect the staff was attentive and professional. Our server knew the menu, explained every item well (we are not familiar with Peruvian food), completely answered our questions, and from start to finish coordinated flawless service. Her backs were unobtrusive, yet timely and skilled. The table setting was crisp and perfectly suited to the establishment; we loved the colorful linens. Presentation of the food was as much a feast for the eyes as every morsel was satisfying and delightful. From the sangria and special cocktails (a cool margarita we even took a picture of) to the dipping sauces to the cerveche (surprising and incredible) and the asparagus app (perfectly prepared) to the duck, buffalo, scallops, filet, and chicken entrees to the Spanish coffee (what a way to end a meal) -- all was immensely enjoyable. Portion sizes were perfect -- any more would have been unnecessary. Our thanks and admiration abound. Bravo!! more

Folks, my wife and I just visited Andina Peruvian restaurant after hearing/reading about much of the hype. Unfortunately, looking at the tail end of a $135 bill for a dinner for two, I can't say I feel like I got much beside hype. \r I honestly kinda flipped when I saw the prices floating around the menu, but resigned to having a nice dinner with my wife. The waitress actually talked us into ordering two of the appetizers for $16 each and those weren't enough to fill the tummy of one of my two year old grandkids. \r I have to say the food was actually good, but C-amighty it was spendy. My wife and I have eaten out a fair amount of times in Portland, but I can't remember the last time I felt so taken price wise.\r Also, for a restaurant with that price range, I felt the atmosphere/decor/setting was underwhelming. There was really that said classy innovative or cutting edge in the setting. \r With dozens of upscale retaurant options in Portland, I don't recommend Andina. Pros: Variety - unique dishes Cons: Pricey so so atmosphere more

My wife and I have been to Andina many times, but not in the last several months. We went last night for a ""date night"" and were shocked by the increase in prices for the Tapas - $9 for one scallop; $16 for one small avacado with crab and one shrimp - really?? It appears that due to the popularity, Andina has responded by shrinking portions, and doubling prices.\r We will still go to the bar for drinks - but dinner/appetizers will be elsewhere. Pros: good atmosphere - great wine selection - great bar Cons: significant price increases, slow service more

Went here for a friends birthday and the food was amazing . Will be here again for sure Pros: Amazing Food Cons: Parking on weekend night if you don't valet around more

Please do check out my photos at Andina restaurant. For vegans/vegetarians, feel free to check them out because I'm telling you, they are amazing stuff. It's at rika photography dotcom. Having dined there three times since March 2010, it was already a favorite restaurant in the Pearl District, especially for a vegan and a vegetarian. Service was spectacular and very responsive. The cocktails were very unique with their names and the ingredients were freshly blended into a delicious one. Always start with the cocktail containing haberno pepper because it is among the most unique cocktails you will ever drink once you leave this restaurant. As a vegan, it is never disappointing to request to have these dishes made for vegans because their individual menus was designated for a vegan and vegetarian, separating from the meat menus. Appetizers were to die for, especially when they were pressed into colorful cakes of potatoes infused with lime juice and a touch of beautifully sliced avocados. Colourful potatoes/beets and medley of tropical-coloured vegetables were used alot in many of the veg-friendly appetizers especially the main courses. There were only three main courses that can be made for vegans/vegetarians. The curry-like squash sauce with basil rice tasted ah-mazing especially the risotto cake with fresh wild mushrooms/golden beets. Pros: unique cocktails, yummy vegan foods, great service Cons: too loud/dark in the evening, prices more

Had lunch and happy hour two different times, and everything was amazing. Loved the Sexy Lady martini! And the lamb is so good! Cant wait to go back! Pros: Wonderful seating Cons: Sometimes its gets a little snug more

Sorry, call me ol' fashion but having someone serving you beautiful food with a pierced tongue just doesn't work for me. I'm surprised management allows that to be worn. A word of advice-Make it part of the dress code for employees. That way you can stay away from any legal issues. Other than that, this place is frickin' AMAZING! The tapas, main courses, and drinks were over the top. Each dish is so perfectly balanced and tasty. Consistant Professional table service and food served in such an artful presentation that I can't think of a better restaurant in Portland. Reservations are a must. The Bar is also outstanding, with live music and a happening buzz! Pros: Food, Drinks, and Atmosphere Cons: Tongue piercing waitress more

Overall I really liked this place. Its a bit on the more expensive side but the food makes up for it. I have been here twice now and the service is average. I would go back again but it is not on my regular restaurants to visit list. Pros: Food is good Cons: Service is not so good more

After hearing everyone rave about this place we gave it a try. The first time we went there was an art showing and we had appetizers. The food and experience was just ok. The second time we had a horrible experience. I received my soup cold so sent it back. Never saw our server or my soup again until my husband was finished eating. Manager tried to make me have my soup or take it home but did not offer desert or glass of wine. The servers were too worried about a couple in the corner and neglected surrounding tables. Pros: - Cons: there are much better restaurants in this city! more

I had the most delicius dinner last night with mi Wife and friend, the service is great, the personal add some latino details to the talk, the food was amazing, and the drink..OMG the best cocktails ever, will go back again...and again... Pros: Everything Cons: parking more

Andina takes the lead in the restaurant industry! Never have had anything less than perfect food and service. All the other restaurants could learn a thing or two from Andina. Pros: everything Cons: n/a more

this place is just perfect, wine bar in the basement and special tasting rooms for parties. the lighting and service was good and the menu also very appetizing. will go back again. Pros: white and red sangria Cons: parking but still not bad more

I cannot get enough of the specialty cocktails at Andina! They are my favorite in town. It's best to bring a few people so you can share and try them all especially the spicy one:) Pros: Drinks Cons: Parking more

I so wanted to like Andina. I had heard so much about it............................................. But alas the service is great, but the food is TOO SALTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I returned my dish only to get one that was equally salty, and my husband's was no better. I guess the food was bettter in the past as this was my husband's third visit (two other times he was brave enough to take clients there and was mucho pleased). I so wanted to like this place as it was a huge date for us - we were visiting Portland on a special weekend from Seattle, and we were celebrating me surviving my stroke. Kind of a big deal for us, and Tom was crestfallen that Andina was not up to what he remembered, or that my experience there was a big so-so. Mr Chef, hide your damn salt shaker. Perhaps you brine your pork and lamb? The Cervich was $14 and was tasty, but we each got only two tablespoons apiece. Cost was not an issue for us because this was to be special night and we wanted to splurge, but...Your happy hour with its raw oysters and skewers as the only ""reduced"" fare is a sham and very spendy. I can't drink so I could not imbibe in your wonderful cocktails, and you do not have nonalcoholic beer, Just fruit juice, for cripe sake! Sorry. You are overrated. I guess you were once great, but beware,No more. They are a product of their success. Since I posted this on Yelp, I have received emails from others who have also found the food too salty and the quality of the food wanting. So I am not alone. Also the place was noisy and sitting next to the windows was damn cold. I could have forgiven all if the food had been edible. Alas, it was too salty and I pushed the second replacement dish of food around my plate, hoping my husband would not notice. I so wanted to like this place, for him and me. This was a big night and you failed us Pros: Great Service Cons: Salty food more

This is the resturant my husband takes me to every birthday and whenever the craving for Peruvian food strikes (which is often). The mother of the owner commonly walks from table to table to be sure you are enjoying your food and the experience. They seem so appreciative of their customers, yet I feel like the lucky one when I am there.\r \r Unique flavors and ingredients abound at Andina. I have a few go-to items that I almost always order, but I have tried many other items and have yet to eat anything I haven't liked. \r \r FAVORITE TAPAS: \r 1) musciamede atun (cured tuna loin) \r 2) conchas a la parmesana (baked parmesan scallops) 3) causa (mashed potatoes with key lime juice, pressed into a cake with assorted fillings) - either the 'mixta nikkei' or 'morada' fillings\r 4) tortilla de patata (like a fritatta of potatos)\r 5) quesos artesanos (artisan cheese plate) - pairs wonderfully with the jamon serrano (aged ham plate)\r \r FAVORITE DRINK: \r Sacsayhuaman (pronounced ""sexy woman"") - habanero infused vodka with passion fruit puree and cane sugar (so good - it's fruity with a kick of spice) \r \r FAVORITE ENTREE: \r Lomo Saltado - Beef tenders wok-fried with onions, tomatoes, oyster sauce, garlic, and ají, served with Yukon Gold fries and garlic rice (very traditional and excellent flavor)\r \r Their entree specials have also been wonderful.\r \r Pros: Too many to list!! Cons: Difficult to get a seat without reservations more

Its never happened.. but it would be a nightmare to go and not have these.... grilled asparagus!!! oh my Pros: Grilled scallops Cons: A waitress telling me they dont have grilled scallops more