Fenouil

After recommendations from friends, I decided to try Fenouil for dinner. Beautiful ambience. Very cozy and comfortable. A lot of money was put into this place. Food was very good as well. I loved the scallops. Service was acceptable, but this is the problem I had with this restaurant in general; There was a noticeable tension in the room coming from a lot of the staff. Everyone seemed stiff, uptight. Smiles far and few between, seemed forced and insincere. Our server, in particular, smiled like it was painful. Seemed stressed out. And then another individual, who I assume is a manager, I felt had a total lack of professionalizm. On multiple occasions, I witnessed her talking down and just being flat out rude to her staff. Her stress management seemed minimal, and her negative attitude clearly affects her staff. I couldn't help but wonder, if my friend and I had noticed this, how many other customers noticed the same things? Ultimately, the above just made the experience uncomfortable. Perhaps it was just an off night? I'll never know. But I will say Fenouil's staff needs relax a bit, especially aforementioned members of management that are oblivious to people around them, customers AND staff. more

I had high expectations coming into Fenouil and they met everyone. It was Valentines so it was an important dinner that they made special. The food was great but what made the dinner so great was the service. I have never had such good service. If the price is something that might turn you off I would reconsider, it is worth every penny. I would recommend the grilled ribeye, I've paid more for less. Pros: Service Food more

Wonderful service and great food. The thing is that being in portland we have so many amazing options I would consider playing the field a bit if you like this place. Certainly worth trying out, but I have had better. Location was too whitewashed for me. more

Best of both worlds. I've been to this restaurant on Christmas Eve...sat upstairs with a beautiful view of the Christmas tree in Jamison Park. We went all out! Champagne, several courses, AND the dessert sampler. All said and done for 3 people we were in a little over $275. Expensive....but that night...we got EVERY PENNY'S worth. Nowadays...I don't have quite so much to spend, but Fenouil is still one of my top choices for what I call my "traveling dinner". I go to Fenouil and have Salade de Laitue with butter lettuce, hearts of palm and manchego cheese and (who am I kidding? I don't speak French!)...the French Fries with truffle oil. They are to DIE FOR! Sometimes, I'll order whatever the soup is because it is ALWAYS amazing. But the boyfriend and I share the salad and french fries and have sparking water and get out of there for less than $9.00/pp. I know, they probably won't want to hear that....but I'm telling you...you get an AMAZING salad...and yummy fries for a great price. I always sit outside and sometimes there is a great accordian player on one of the benches. This place is a homerun for me. Finally, I jump the free trolley and go to 23rd for dessert at Papa Haydn's. $8.00 split again! $4/pp. HOMERUN! I know I probably sound cheap....but I consider it smart...and it's 1/2 the calories. Pros: Location, view, people watching, romantic, can be fancy or simple Cons: can't think of any. more

I have been itching to go to Fenouil for a long time. When I got my hair cut at a nearby salon in the Pearl, I saw the outside and was immeadiately impressed. I didn't see the sign of the name, however, so I couldn't ask my Portland friends who may have eaten there. A few months later, I am with a friend at Art in the Pearl, meeting at Jamison Square. I mention to her I love the look of the restaurant and she says she has been there, and likes it. She suggests we go there to eat, but I feel a little under dressed and unprepared for such a fancy looking place. We get in on a Saturday around 4, and go to the bar. Our bartender comes to us right away, and we are informed it is happy hour. My friend tells me what she has eaten on the list, and suggests some things. We go for the three cheeses, french fries and grilled asparagus. We also order a white wine selection for 5 bucks. We get bread right away, and see some of the wait staff carrying in fresh loaves to the back. We keep commenting on how fast our water keeps getting filled (which is my general gauge of how good the service is). The food arrives, and it is delicious. I especially loved the dipping sauce with the fries. We ordered 2 helpings! The presentation of the cheeses was so beautiful, I took a picture! The wait staff, like I said was very attentive. Our bartender was funny, and everyone was super friendly. Not at all what I expected from the looks of the restaurant. Nobody snobby, very down-to-earth. I've been told the dining side might be a little different. It was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Portland---and I love to eat many places! And since we were at Happy Hour for the most part (we stayed 4-8) we each ended up paying 22 bucks! Not bad for a 5-star place. Just thought I would join so I could write this review...I'm still thinking about the food and planning when to go back :) I think it would be awesome for a date--it's a beautiful romantic setting! more

My girlfriend and I went to Fenouil last week and sat on the patio on the bar side. It didn't seem super busy but service was s-l-o-w. It took a very long time to get our drinks, and on a hot day, seemed excruciating. We ordered the cheese plate and luckily for us, we know cheese, since it was placed without and being told what we were getting. The cheeses were not all that great, and had been in the heat too long. The fennel cracker was completely over-powering with the fennel seeds and was not a great compliment to the cheese, thank goodness a busser came along a offered bread. Our waiter was friendly, however, for the stature of restaurant, could have used a brush through her hair. I had a decent time, I wouldn't rush back, but if I ended up there again, that would be okay. Pros: nice outdoor patio Cons: slow service more

I admittedly had reservations about "classing it up" at this Pearl establishment but from the moment my wife and I sat down our server Elisabeth made us feel right at home and there was no looking back. We were there on a beautiful summer evening and the atmosphere on the patio was ideal. The food was good enough to help me forget the dent the meal would put in my checking account. The lobster beignets were the highlight of the myriad of small plates we feasted on. Just watching the elaborate creations roll out of the kitchen was more then entertaining. more

Best meal I have had in Portland. Celebrated 2nd anniversary with my bf. Delicious salmon appetizer. Great Halibut. Service was great from the moment we walked in the door (warm, friendly, knowledgeable). Wine list was impressive and we had a couple of the flights which were fun. Pros: Great Patio. Great Food. Cons: None more

I lived in Paris for six months in 2003 and my meal at Fenouil brought me back. The profiteroles were even better than I remembered. I recommend a pastis on the patio to complete the experience. Pros: Authenticity more

Great service, fantastic food, the best butter lettuce in town. If you're spending someone else's money, this is definitely the place to go! Cons: Expensive more

My husband and I went into Fenouil on Saturday night for our first time. When we first walked in the door we were greeted by a hostess who seemed to act as if she were speaking down to the other girls working with her and we felt uncomfortable, yet proceeded to our table (as reading some of the other reviews on this restaurant before we dined there, I am assuming this is the same "Pearl Attitude" that one lady has mentioned- it was not a good first impression for the restaurant). On another note, our server was wonderful and was very helpful with the wines and always made sure that we did not feel forgotten about. The food was ok, yet not as great as we had hoped it to be. Yet the apple crisp for dessert was amazing. (the only thing about the meal that we felt really stuck out) Overall, we had a nice night, yet the same feeling of the staff not working well together throughout the restaurant seemed to be a big problem there. We might give it another chance, maybe the lunch there is not so demanding but we will not recommend this restaurant to our friends. more

My husband and I recently moved to the area and decided to try out one of the restaurants near by. Fenouil was our first pick since we've walked by it so many times, and it always catches our eye. I have to say it was definitely a great choice. As soon as we stepped in the door, we were treated exceptionally. The service was prompt and friendly, our waiter was very helpful in choosing our wine, and we never felt ignored or rushed. Our meals were also amazing, they came out at the perfect time, and tasted wonderful. I usually have trouble finding restaurants that I am dying to go back to, but everything here was perfect. The entire atmosphere was exceptional and I can guarantee that we will be returning on a regular basis. This is the first time that I have written a review before, but I was so impressed that I had to give credit where credit is due. Pros: Over all experience more

We were a party of four, one of whom was on crutches. We made our reservations via open table and asked that we be seated at a table that would be easy for her to get to. And they did. That made the evening much more enjoyable. As for the food, it was terrific - everything. The ambience was great with the fireplace and stone facade in the dining room. It really did remind me of dinners I have had in Paris. YMMV, but we really enjoyed it and would definitely go back. more

We've been twice to Fenouil and both times the experience was wonderful. When you walk in, the atmosphere is immediately calming -- it is subdued and elegant. The menu and food make your mouth sing -- we've had delightful cocktails, great appetizers and delicious entrees each time (have yet to try dessert). Our wait staff have been knowledgeable, polite, and appropriately helpful. Even though this is a French restaurant on the high side from a price standpoint, you don't get a stuffy feeling at all -- rather you get the impression someone has thought about every detail and wants the diners to have a complete dining experience, where every part is friendly, relaxing and delicious. As an added benefit, it's reasonably quiet -- not noisy like so many "trendy" restaurants who's performance and/or dining experience is inconsistent with their reputation. So far, Fenouil has been consistenty wonderful and has become my new favorite restaurant in Portland.; in fact I'm writing this review because I came to look up its phone number for another reservation. more

I took my partner to Fenouil for birthday dinner on a Friday night. We had reservations and were seated promptly, and with courtesy. The waiter was friendly, spoke French and tried to accomodate us. The Rothschild Merlot blend was fantastic, as was my partner's French beer. The problem, then? Our appetizer, a canard terrine, was terrible. The "grilled bread" was actually pure carbon. The meaty mixture smelled very unappetizing and made my stomach turn. I expected perhaps this was just too "gamy" a dish for my liking. Our entrees were also a disappointment, however. My partner ordered the Wild Boar Medallions, with bone Marrow, while I chose the Short Ribs on a bed of Brussel Sprouts and something else. I disliked the flavor of the Medallions, and my partner, attempting to be gracious, commented little. I felt the short ribs were nothing special, rather fatty, and not all that tasty. What a disappointment for a Friday night birthday surprise. I would not, and have not recommended the restaurant, as a result. Our friends who are visiting from France next summer, will not be taken there for dinner. Is this place slipping, or is my experience just not written about often? Pros: Beer and wine selections Cons: Entrees and appetizers more

Went here for a weekday lunch and was seated promptly, and was greeted by a very courteous staff. The duck was simply amazing, however, the risotto was very undercooked. We sent it back, and received the same dish; for all I know they left it on a warmer and then returned it to us 5 minutes later. Will try for dinner in the future, but will not order the risotto again. Pros: Great service and food (overall) Cons: Sent back food should be corrected more

I am generally reticent to dine out in French restaurants do to my extensive travels and dining experience on the continent, but Fenouil managed to exceed my expectations for food and service. This was a really exciting find for me. The duck is excellent, and they serve Dom Perignon by the glass. Pros: Authentic, well executed cuisine. more

My wife and I ate here for New Years Eve and loved it. We?ve eaten at Fenouil in the past and have always enjoyed our meals; especially in the summer overlooking the park. As for our NYE dinner, we had the special and we?re able to sample all the entree?s except the pheasant. The entire meal was perfect, I don?t have one complaint. more

I've eaten several times here, but 2 weeks ago went there with two friends at 11:30 to see if we could have lunch. The restaurant (both levels) was COMPLETELY empty, and when we asked if we could have a table for 3 at noon, we got a curt "Hold on - let me check". After looking at her book, the hostess replied "We can seat you at 1PM" in an equally curt manner. No "I know this sounds crazy, but we're actually booked until 1" or anything remotely friendly or empathetic. Just plain rudeness, or as a local shopkeeper called it when we told her the story, "Pearl attitude". I have chosen this restaurant in the past for my local college alumnae lunches as well as for personal occasions, but will surely not do so again. more

My fiance and I went to Fenouil to celebrate our engagement last Saturday, and being our first experience with a French restaurant we were thoroughly pleased. The food, atmosphere and staff were all fantastic. I had the Magret de Canard Roti et son Oeuf (roasted duck breast. poached duck egg. toasted brioche. clementine hollandaise. escarole). The flavors complimented each other nicely and had me raving all night. For an appetizer I had the Beignets de Langouste (lobster beignets. pastis aioli. arugula) which was my least favorite item of the evening, but tasty nonetheless. My fiance had the Steak Frites aux Echalottes (grilled ?Cascade Natural? ribeye steak. confit shallots. pommes frites) with a side of Gratin Dauphinois (au gratin potato. blue cheese. cream) and broccolini. She found all of them excellent. She was a little disappointed in the French Onion Soup being a bit heavy on the cheese. Our table was upstairs overlooking the kitchen, which made the night even more romantic and memorable. Overall, we had a great experience at Fenouil and wanted to share our thanks with the staff. Hopefully we'll be back soon. Pros: Excellent food, great atmosphere, friendly staff. Tables upstairs are preferred. As romantic or casual as you would like. Cons: A bit expensive once you've ordered wine, appetizers and dessert - but all worth it. more