Fenouil

I have a very fussy palate and not a lot of money, but if you enjoy a really fine gustatory experince, Fenouil is well worth the price. I used to be in the wine business and have had the opportunity to taste the finest wines and some really spectacular meals. Although it has been many years since I have dined at the famed Four Seasons in NYC, I can honestly say that the food quality at Fenouil is in the same catagory. My daughter treated me to a special birthday dinner in August. I had been craving sweetbreads, but had not seen them on a menu in quite some time. After perusing the Fenouil website, I noticed that Chef Pascal invited diners to email him with any questions or requests. I did. He was incredibly gracious and promised me sweetbreads with a week's notice. He delivered admirably. They were lightly sauteed and accompanied by lucious ripe figs and a wine reduction sauce (if I remember correctly). We started our meal with escargots which were, without doubt, the best I have ever tasted. There was also a lovely small complimentary appitizer which included a fig and cheese. Delicious! When we were having trouble deciding on a wine, our delightful and knowledgeable server, Lucinda, arranged for us to taste three. We decided the $16 glass was worth the splurge. For desert we shared the twin souffles. To die for! Because it was my birthday, Pascal also sent over a tray of small tasty truffles. Bravo to the side of asparagus as well. We had regular coffee, which in Portland I have found to be generally awful. Not so at Fenouil. I have read some reviews that indicated the service was not good, not so in our case. Lucinda was charming, knowledgeable and attentive, even posing with us for a picture. We're trying the bistro today and I will again use the very reasonable ($5) valet parking. I can't wait. I might add, we ate outside with a lovely view of children playing in the fountain at Jamison Park. Pascal and Lucinda, we love you. Pros: Food, food, food. Also service and ambience. Valet parking a plus for handicapped. Cons: It is expensive, but you get what you pay for. more

I loved this place and will go back. The steak was among the best I've ever had and the service was outstanding. more

On September 15, I held a surprise birthday party for my mother at your restaurant. I flew from Atlanta and had only seen your website, but was so pleased when I arrived in town and saw it with my own eyes. Thanks to the assistance of the event planner and the excellent pasty chef, all details were taken care of in advance and I had nothing to worry about. I felt at ease as I arrived and our server mentioned that the cake was waiting; I never even had to ask. The hostesses assisted me in helping keep the surprise; even noting that the group my mother was arriving with would be under a different name (the reservation was under mine but that would have given it away) and letting us know that she was there so we could be ready. Even though it was a busy Saturday night, we never felt that the staff had too much going on or couldn't make everything happen for us. They were so gracious in accommodating what ended up being a group whose number changed several times due to illness and travel delays, and I never felt that things were not taken care of or that sense of unease you get when the staff isn't really "on the ball". Our server, Westman, was incredible. He made sure we had what we needed without being too invasive. We waited for half an hour for her to arrive and he kept us watered and breaded without making us feel like we should be ordering something. A delightful amuse bouche welcomed all the guests, another lovely touch. Throughout the meal, he was so attentive to everyone's needs and everyone who assisted him was just as courteous and wonderfully aloof. When the cake made an appearance, we were all thrilled. It was a masterpiece, and was exactly what I had asked for. We never had to ask for a cake server, an extra dish, or more water. Everyone was so on top of it. In addition, we all enjoyed what we ordered and send our compliments to the chef! I highly recommend Fenouil for any occasion! Pros: Staff, quality of food and service, ambience Cons: None more

Fenouil has fantastic service and great food. Rarely does any restaurant meet my expectations. Have the scallops and the escargot, down them with some white burgundy. Save room for dessert they have a banging creme brulee. Pros: scallops, waiters who care if you're happy Cons: B&T's crowding it up on the weekends more

I always have a great experience here. Service and food are great and the atmosphere leaves nothing to be... more

I always have a great experience here. Service and food are great and the atmosphere leaves nothing to be desired. My favorites are the duck and th... more

I just moved to town from Boston. I had heard good things about the food scene here and wanted my first meal out to be great. My neighbor said to check out Fenouil, and I'm glad they did. Everything was perfect. Nice view. Elegant decor and service. Soup to nuts delicious food. Glad to be in Portland. Pros: Food: Steak Frites Wine: 1/2 Bottle Brunello Service: Sommelier more

I've been to fenouil 3 times in the last month. I dine out a fair bit, but never that frequently at one place. They have an awesome outdoor area, so maybe that's part of it (I'm writing this in summer for anyone reading this down the line a bit) but I definitely wouldn't keep going back if the food **the scallops!** wasn't great and the place gorgeous. Service has been friendly, but a lot of places have that in this town. At fenouil they also tend to know what they're talking about, which is a little more rare (not that I want to sound cynical). what i mean to say is Fenouil = awesome. Pros: patio, service, scallops more

Five of us went to Fenouil for a birthday lunch and it was outstanding in every way. Our server was terrific and knowlegable and the assistants never let our water glasses get low. The appetizers are amazing (you have to try the lobster beignets and the truffle oil french fries) and the entrees even better! My scallops were perfectly done and the beef dishes looked yummy. The dessert souffles are outstanding with a warm chocolate or caramel sauce. Yes, the prices are high, but the quality of the food and the impeccable service make it worth it! We'll be back. Pros: Food, ambience, waitstaff more

It was with some nervousness that we arrived for dinner here recently- we had just read the reviews and were on the point of cancelling but I am glad we didn't. This was nothing like the rude, slow service others had reported and the standard of the food was excellent. I can recommend the French onion soup and the steak frites personally and the other food the group ordered was passed around the table to be sampled and I tried most of it. The seafood platter as a starter was terrific- served attractively and enjoyed by all. The sauce of the steak frites was also worth going for alone and the desserts, although I did not have one, were imaginatively served and enjoyed by those in the party who did indulge. The food was was not overly hot but nothing to complain about and we enjoyed a couple of nice wines from a good French selection with the meal. As a Scot, I am predisposed to complain if I do not feel I am getting value for money and despite entering the restauarant wih more than a little secpticism, I was impressed enough to come home to write this review in an effort to redress the balance. I suppose in essence what I am saying is judge for yourself and prepare to be impressed. more

Wanting to try this place after a rave review in the NY Times, I headed straight down. I can't remember what the app I got was called - It was Duck leg confit with talegio cheese, currents and truffle oil. I followed that with the French Onion soup. They were both incredibly rich, and very good. For the entree I ordered one of the House specials, the Scallops, with smoked bacon, on a bed of watercress mashed potatoes, with the seared Foie Gras added. The food was so rich, I was only able to finish several bites of the entree, also, this was my first foray into French cuisine. The quality of the food seemed good, the service was good, and on it's surface, the decor was nice. Although, as with alot of other "classy" places, I noticed don't look too close. The food, service, and the interior, while all nice, vibrate a sense of pretention, and quality, but that goes only so deep. Unfortunately, this is something I find with the majority of "ultra" eating establishments, particularly in Portland. However, if anyone was to ask me about a good french restaurant, i would most likely recommend Fenouil, but I'd be quick to point out that, if you want to eat alot, and feel comfortable, and not really stuffy, you might want to make another choice. Pros: Some pretty inventive flavor combos Cons: a little pretentious and overrated more

Ok, there are a lot of good restaurants in Portland, but Fenouil has it all. Great food, wine, service & atmosphere. The waiter was on top of things and recommeded a very good red wine with our steak dinners. The steak was tender and mouth watering and the potatoes, tasted like a dessert. This is a great place for after work or a date. Pros: Food, Wine, Atmosphere, Service more

Fenouil is a bustling contemporary French bistro that does not disappoint. The atmosphere in elegant and busy. The food is excellent! The service can be a little snooty but the rest of the experience is wonderful. Pros: Atmosphere and even a great bar scene with a great wine selection Cons: can get a bit noisy more

What a great place! The food was fabulous, the service excellent and we were all impressed with the gorgeous interior of the restaurant. The five of us loved the lobster beignets so much that we ordered another round and the french fries were amazing. Terrific appetizers. The main courses were just as good, the scallops and salads phenomenal. We will definitely be back. Truly fabulous and now on our top five list for PDX. Pros: Beautiful restaurant, great food, excellent service Cons: Pricey more

Especially a treat when dining on the outside patio is in season (no doubt the best outdoor dining experience in Portland). But the inside is warm and beautiful always. Soups are a special treat -- alway fantastic, as are brocollini or asparagus sides. The frog legs are terrific. And the tasting size portions and pricing for the deserts make several worth a try. The chef's bar can be a fun vantage point from which to watch the culinary magic. Ask to meet Pascal, the handsome french chef and co-proprieter who makes each visit special. Pros: Beautiful experience whether dining inside or out. Wonderful food and wine list. more

Yeah, yeah, yeah - everyone's raving about this new hip restaurant in the basement of some building or in a dark converted warehouse. If you're looking for an elegant yet comfortable place to take someone special and really impress their socks off, head to Fenouil (fa-nooy). The space is drop-dead gorgeous a-la Architectural Digest. When you look outside, instead of staring at some delapidated adjacent structure, you can actually see trees and a part, right inside the city. The menu is inventive and elegantly served. Food is always prepared just right. Portions are somewhat small - which, in a way is good - so you don't have to stretch your clothing after dinner. The wait staff in my 5-6 visits so far have been excellent. I like the upstairs seating myself, but I encourage you to try both upstairs and downstairs - they have a completely different feel. As you'd expect, dinner will cost you more than you anticipate (but, that's the point of impressing, isn't it? Enjoy! more

awesome steak and the bleu cheese gratin potatoes are the best potatoes I have had the pleasure of enjoying. small deserts ensure you dont over eat. more

Great food! Great atmosphere (downstairs)! Expensive, but well worth it. Avoid the upstairs in this charming french restaurant as it was dirty and not very nice at our visit. It is a perfect location for a special occasion and the food is delicious! Although there menu has changed a lot since I have been there, there frog legs, rabbit, and duck were very delectable. Get a spot by the fireplace for a romantic dining experience you will never forget. Also, don't forget dessert and have the waiter/waitress recommend a good french wine from their selection, you will not be disappointed! Pros: Fireplace, semi-open kitchen, nice ambience, great food! Cons: Expensive, upstairs is shabby. more

We came down to Portland from Seattle and had dinner for our anniversary at Fenouil. The space is grand and beautifully done. Really, really nice. The fireplaces and decor make this restaurant comfortable and fairly intimate-feeling despite it's large scale. The service was excellent -- the bartender was a pro and waitstaff attentive without being obtrusive. They have a nice, efficient system for getting people waiting in the bar to their table. Their truffle fries were perfect. The scallop dish was heavenly. They had a goof-up and gave us another table's desserts and made up for it by also bringing the ones we ordered, making for a very rich (but wonderful) ending to our meal. The chocolate banana truffle tart was to die for and far surpassed the others which were still good. It did not seem expensive for the quality of food and dining experience, though the wines seemed overpriced. Pros: Ambience, food, service Cons: None more

When you think "French" cuisine, do you think; heavy cream laden sauces, marinades of Burgundy wine? Well, think again. Fenouil offers a French menu with the touch of urban, and Pacific NW. Great atmosphere in this place, and a very attentive wait staff. Although our server seemed relatively new, he had to read the specials from his notes, the stuffy French place this was not. If you are dining for two, I'd recommend asking to be seated in the second floor, overlooking the kitchen. It's entertaining to see the dishes being prepared, and trying to guess if they're preparing yours. And the wafts of wonderful aromas are an added bonus. This is a place where you should dress up, and when you do feel pampered. The meals are not the most expensive in town, but they are spendy. The wine list is extensive, and diverse. Timing was very good in ordering, not a lot of down time between our servings. Appetizers make a nice compliment, so do try one . . . or two. Deserts are served "petite" style, just a few bites and your down. There is an orange/chocolate crepe that is one of the nicest deserts I've eaten in a long time. The sad part to our dining experience is that our waiter made a big FAUS PAX. He actually spilled an entire bowl of French Onion soup on one of the patrons seated next to us. Right down his back. I told you I thought he was new at this . . . poor guy. Pros: Nice place. A very nice place. Cons: Beware of servers bearing French Onion soup more