Isabel Restaurant

I went to Isabel Restaurant for lunch four days ago. The food was decent, service was mediocre but the real issue I have is after leaving a decent tip on my card, I noticed through my online banking that the server had increased the tip. This is ridiculous and the main reason I will not be going back to this restaurant. Beware or pay with cash!\r more

I went to Isabel's because it has gotten good reviews and i always see a crowd there on weekends. I was anticipating good, or at least acceptable food. I arrived just after 9:00am on a Tuesday morning and found the place nearly deserted, as most restaurants are at that time on a week day, but it still took 45 minutes for my food to come. I ordered an Arnold Palmer (with passionfruit juice) and a cream cheese and chive scramble on a croissant. The tea had a weird soapy taste, like instant tea does. For $3 I expected fresh brewed. The croissant wasn't really a croissant at all, but the sort of limp, overly sweet white bread croissant-shaped thing that one would get in a bag in a supermarket. Given the price and that there are fabulous bakeries just a few doors away, this is unforgivable. But the worst were the eggs, so overcooked that they were brown all through and disgustingly burned at the edges. The chives and cream cheese had apparently been dumped on as an afterthought and the whole thing was cold. The waitress didn't ask about the food or come near my table until it was time for the check. When I said I'd never seen such bad scrambled eggs (the truth) she took $4.50 off my bill, but I still ended up paying $7.50 for food I couldn't and didn't eat. Maybe the pancakes are better, but I won't be coming back. more

One of my favorite places! Great food and great service. They must treat their staff well; I've been going to Isabel's for years and always see the same friendly wait staff. I always end up taking home at least half of my meal -- the portions are big, the food is fresh and the menu has great healthy options. more

We were looking for a place for breakfast and decided to try and find something in the Pearl. We drove by the place twice - not sure if it was a restaurant, coffee shop, etc. (No signs anywhere!) Since there was a parking spot just a few spots down from the door, we decided to check. So glad we did. The service was great! We had the blackberry banana pancakes and the coconut french toast. They were both outstanding. We added the side of two eggs and bacon. The bacon was nice and crisp - eggs were just basic. The restaurant is very clean with a nice, sleek look. The floor to ceiling windows make it a great place to people watch while enjoying the tasty food. We didn't see the dinner menu, but the lunch menu looked interesting. We'll definitely be back. more

A friend and I have a tradition of trying new brunch places around town. I have to say this is definitely in the top 2 that we have been to. I had ran by it one day last summer and always meant to try it. I remember it exactly, beautiful food, pancakes and waffles. Almost a year later we finally wanted it. We were greated by a friendly smile and promptly seated. The wait staff was very attentive and there specials were very well thought out. I had the avocado scramble with jalapeno potatoes and black beans. A great combination and everything was served piping hot and made to order. My friend ordered the pesto scramble which she raved about. All and all it is a great place for brunch. I highly suggest you try it. Next time I differently get the pancakes. Pros: Great Food, friendly staff and the food.. was AWESOME! more

Went to Isabel for lunch. Food is simple and clean. The restaurant itself is clean and bright with floor to ceiling windows everywhere. Very bright and modern. Service was friendly. The coconut french toast was really good. more

This little gem in the pearl seems to have finally worked out the kinks! I'd had some problems in the past with food taking forever and had just about given up on this place. I think they got a new chef... if so, LOVE IT!!! On top of the normally delicious menu, I've really enjoyed the items on the special board the last few times I have been there. The management and staff are friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating to special requests. The only complaints that I have about this place are more for the owners... Please fix the other bathroom. The weird posts wrapped in paper... What is it?!? Also, it would be nice if there were signs outside. I've had friends not be able to find you! Keep up the good work, guys! I'll definitely be back Pros: good food, great service Cons: no signs, only one bathroom more

This restaraunt is amazing, the prices are a bit high but this ethnic latin food not only looks amazing but tastes just as good. I've only been their several times so I can't review their entire menu but all I've eaten has been superb. I'd recomend their thai burrito, their mexican avocado omelet, their mexican hot chocolate, their thai lettuce wrap (although its hard to eat and entertaining to watch.) Everything is flavorful, the waiters are friendly, and it all takes place in a open/well lit setting. Make sure you give this place a chance, you'll be glad you did! Pros: Great Food in open, warm Atmosphere! Cons: Somethings are a bit pricy more

Best pancakes and french toast and rosemary toast and blackberry jam and and running out of breath, tasty tasty bacon, best service, occasionally good, fun music (although, word to the owners... sometimes it's a major drag: come on, it's just a modern ikea-ville/displaced California-pan-Asian snobbery with crappy pop music or stale adult contemporary elevator jazz, you guys gotta keep this joint and the people who come here on their toes...THIS IS PORTLAND...a city filled with immaculate food, coffee, and music...think fresh). This place is borderline awesome/wretched. If you go on a day when your food is served quickly, the restaurant is barely filled with random passerbys AND can listen to Sonic Youth and Cat Power...you have come to the right place at the right time. But hey, that's just me. Pros: Personality Cons: Reeeeeeally dry chicken more

I just paid $4 for a to go cappuccino. After recovering from the shock of the price, I took a sip hoping that for $4 it would taste at least twice as good as Stumptown's $3 cappuccino. Didn't have much hope though seeing how the capp was delivered in a 16 oz generic coffee cup. A 16 oz. cappuccino!? Come on. Pros: nice curb appeal, open air feel, garage doors Cons: over priced burnt espresso more

Very disappointing on all levels. Food was tough, dry, almost not worth eating. more

A beautiful space but acoustics weren't a factor. Food is interesting, eclectic, passable enough. Service is slow and confused. Disorganization is the buzzword here. Be prepared to wait and if it's conversation with your dining companion you're looking for go somewhere else. Pros: Interesting tastes and comprehensive menu. Cons: Noisy and disorganized. more

I met friends there for brunch at 11:00 on a weekday. Perfect time to go. I had the Cantina Croissant w/rosemary potatoes which was soooo yummy. We were there when they first opened so our service was fantastic. It started to get much busier towards lunch time. Pros: Breakfast Food, Prices Cons: Can't think of any more

I've been here three times now and I have to say that the food is pretty darn good. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what they are doing in the kitchen, but this last time after waiting 15 minutes for our waitress to acknowledge us and take our order it took another 40 minutes for our food to arrive. If it was dinner, I may not have cared quite so much, but for breakfast it just wasn't fun. Maybe it is because there are just too many menu items (they serve breakfast and lunch all day) that the kitchen isn't equipped to run efficiently. Pros: Rosemary potatoes Cons: Kitchen and Service is slow more

Overall very good! Excellent location - restaurant wide open - not a romantic cosy place, but a great place to go with firends. The meal was veyr good, especially for the price - not the typical ""we are in the Pearl so we charge $100 just for the pleasure of dining here"". The menu was eclectic, with not a lot of choices, but what was delivered was excellent. The Ahi Tuna and the Carnitas appetizer were excellent. The bowls were available in a variety of tastes - the noodles with Thai Peanut was good, not too peanuty, but could have used some more heat. The seared beef on the side was done to perfection. The Mexican style chicken was excleent - big portion, and very tasty. Wine list short, and geared toward lower end wines, but the waitresses reccommndation was very good. Service was good, not great. Depending on how you took it, it was either leisurely (which is what we wanted - so hard to tell), or lacking as there were only a few table in use. more

Dear Isabel's , Pros: You can see out the window! Good food Cons: No sign saying they're open for dinner, and only one bathroom. more

We had a great experience at Isabel's for dinner. The atmosphere was hip, but not stuffy. The food was fresh and tasty. The menu had a great mix of unique and standard dishes. Best of all, the service was excellent! The staff was friendly, knowledgeable and prompt - not always found in the pearl. We will definitely be going back. Pros: Ambience, friendly service, reasonably priced Cons: small cocktail menu more

I enjoy the breakfast selection the most. It is hard to select from the well prepared French toast to the Pancakes. The service was very good. The view is interesting to people watch. It takes me time to select from the menu but the server made excellent recommendations. I only wish it were open for dinner. Pros: Great menu, great service, plain setting Cons: No dinner menu, short hours, more

This place is a Godsend! What a pearl in the Pearl! I went for lunch and had soup & salad combo for lunch. This wasn't just ""soup & salad"" though. The soup served was Lemongrass Chicken with Coconut Cream and the sal ewas Blue Cheese & Walnut Salad with House Vinegrette. It was amazing! The soup had a wonderful bouquet. I""m not sure whether the smell was better or the flavor. One definitely does not need to add pepper, mildly spicy, but wonderful. There was a little too much lemongrass for me, but not overpowering, and not enough coconut flavor, maybe needed a little more sweetness. The chicken in the soup was moist and big chunks, so good! Pros: Thumbs up! Service & quality & quantity! Cons: Not open for dinner yet and no bar yet, but soon! more

The menu is amazing. A great mix of Asian and Latin...but not in a wierd way. The coconut french toast is to die for! The waitstaff is amazing and for being brand new I think they did a great job of taking care of our needs. I cannot wait for them to open in Jan for dinner!!! If they plan on having a bar in the evenings I will for sure bring my friends here. It is a great place to read the paper, drink a great coffee and get some amazing food. They have restaurants in Southern Oregon and Southern California and I've heard they are planning on opening more soon. I can't wait! You need to check this place out and see for yourself. The prices are the cheapest in the Pearl and the food is great!!! Pros: Great service, low prices, awesome food Cons: not open for dinner YET! more