Lauro Kitchen

My husband and I finally made it to Lauro! We had heard great things are were really looking forward to it. Sadly, we were disappointed. While the starter salad rocked (nice Caesar-style), the entrees were really unremarkable. I got a chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese and a piquant sauce. It should have been amazing but it wasn't. My husband got a seafood pasta that was just okay too. The wine was just okay. The dessert was unremarkable. We might go back if it were in our neighborhood and cost a lot less, but we won't be back. Too many good restaurants in Portland to waste time and money with the mediocre ones (even the highly hyped mediocre ones). more

Our first visit to Lauro was for our Valentines' dinner. We were a bit worried after reading some of the reviews here. When we arrived, the hostess made a special effort to sit us at a lovely table - even though there were 2 lesser tables available. Our server was a delight! We began the evening with wonderful cocktails and an amazing scallop and leek salad. The only disappointment was they ran out of the crab risotto special - but the paella and the lamb dishes were scrumptious. It was a truly romantic and exceptional dinner - we will be back! Pros: Food and service Cons: Ran out of special more

Had a wonderful evening eating at the bar overlooking the kitchen and getting ""free"" tips on how their amazing dishes are prepared. The food was wonderful, original and very well priced for the quality. Will be back very soon! Pros: Food taste, setting, ambiance more

Used to go to Lauro about 2/mth. Went for a lunch and it took 30 miniutes for the cook to put the friggin pizza in the oven. I had to get it to go. \r \r All the time, the ""chef"" who is supposed to be managing the kitchen was hangin out at the bar. Can't she flirt on her own time? The worst part is that I e-mailed the restaurant about my complaint and never heard back. I guess they don't care about service or their repeat customers.\r \r Bummer. Pros: Quality Food Cons: Bad Service more

My wife and I were very excited to check this restaurant out as we've been planning on going for a while. We arrived and the atmosphere and pre-dinner drinks were great. The menu and specials sounded awesome however things went downhill from here. The mussel appetizer was very good, not great, but good. The salads arrived about an hour (yes, an hour) after the appetizer. Such a delay is unacceptable, and the salads were decent, but not flavored appropriately and nothing to write home about. The biggest disappointment was our entree. We ordered a special of steelhead served over herb risotto. The steelhead was prepared well, however the risotto was more like cafeteria rice. Very wet, not flavorful and devoid of everything except a sparse sprinkle of DRIED herbs. It was really more of a wet, underdone rice than it was risotto. Definitely a huge disappointment for $19. We won't be back and would suggest that you spend your money at one of the more reliable (and incredible) restaurants that Portland has to offer Pros: Cocktails Cons: Slow service, Food quality more

Usually it is very reliable and one of my top special occasion places to go. Always warm, inviting atmosphere and service, and the food is always solid, if not impressive. Went on Father's Day with our college daughter, who somehow had never been there before. Was really looking forward to a good meal, but the Seafood Paella I ordered, and the Salmon Ravioli our daughter ordered, both tasted incredibly salty. I couldn't even finish almost half of my dish, which is a very unusual occurrence for me! I let the waitress know, but didn't get much of a response. Well, we had room for dessert, which was pretty good--rhubard cobbler with ginger ice cream, although the scoop of ice cream was tiny! Our daughter summed it up--""won't be back."" My wife and I will probably come back, but not for awhile. Pros: Service Cons: Salt, salt, and more salt more

Firstly, I'd like to say that they do take reservations. Your review says that they don't, but I just made them on a Friday morning at 10:00. \r \r We have been there twice. Once it was mediocre, and the second time it was wonderful. We had a beef stew and the fish. Both were spiced nicely and cooked perfectly. The first time I had the paella. It was o.k., but maybe I expected too much. Also, we were squeezed in by the door, which sort of dampened our enthusiam. As I said though, they do take reservations now, so I don't expect that to happen again. \r \r The spices were strong but balanced, the wine was great. We are going back for my birthday and taking the (older) kids. \r \r Pros: Nice warm oven, good specials, interestingly spiced food Cons: tables are a bit too close together more

I have had the pleasure of dining at Lauro twice now, and I not been disappointed either time. The first time I had a chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese and greens, with a delectable sauce and very fresh green beans. It was one of the best meals I have had in a restaurant in a long time! My friend dining with me ordered the hamburger and fries, which were outstanding. The freshness and quality of the ingredients they use at Lauro is what makes it one of the best restaurants in Portland. The careful preparation of every component of the meal makes the most of the fresh, flavorful ingredients they use. I tried my friend?s hamburger and fries and returned to Lauro for lunch when I had a ?Hamburger craving."" I was not disappointed on my return, this time I enjoyed eating outside and sipping lemonade while waiting for my lunch. Lauro is a very popular restaurant, moderately priced and high quality food. If you want to eat there on busy nights, be prepared to wait, but it is worth it. Pros: Great food, reasonably priced, clean contemporary atmosphere. Cons: Busy on weekend nights, waiting usually necessary. more

I have been to Lauro many times and have enjoyed it 90% of the time. Even after a vacation to the mediteranian region, I was still impressed by their honest REAL food.\r \r Your entrees are fairly priced however, your wines are WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. Please, be reasonable on your wine pricing and markup. Afterall, all you are doing is pouring it into a glass. more

When I drop $80-$100 on a meal for two I expect the food to be very good or even fabulous. I found Lauro to be exceptionally mediocre. My salad was an odd mixture of fruit and vegetables and the flavors didn't really complement eachother. My husband, however, really enjoyed his salad. Of course that was after they brought the wrong one initially and got huffy when we asked for the one he'd ordered. Our server rarely came to our table, and seemed annoyed toward the end of our meal when we ordered desert. I think he was the bartender and was covering tables in someone's absence as well as making drinks for the room. While I am sympathetic to his stress, it negatively affected the overall mood of our meal. Overall, nothing was absolutely terrible, but I have many restaurants that I would choose over this one. Pros: Ambience Cons: Food, service, price more

So, I do like this place; it?s the one place I come and splurge with a cocktail, starters, main course and desert with an espresso afterwards. The food has been always very good, and the atmosphere is always nice and warm, and relaxed. One of the main reasons I did like it so much is that it reminds me of a restaurant I used to eat at in France. So definitely a plus for the food and ambiance. \r Now to the cons though: It used to have a great wine menu, with relatively reasonably priced wines. Now however, the wine list has exploded with over-priced wines, and a dinner for two has increased from about $100 to $130 (if you have three courses, a cocktail and a bottle of wine). Since David, the main chef and owner opened Vindaloh, he seems to be spending much of his time there (or at least NOT at Lauro?s) so the food quality is definitely slipping. The Portuguese pork used to be terrific, but now it?s a bit lackluster and loosing taste. The nightly specials are usually very good, but I feel that the restaurant is resting on it?s laurels now that it is established as a place with a good name. Shame. \r So yes, I recommend it, but it is expensive, and the wine list is sadly becoming overpriced and limited. Hopefully someone from Lauros will read this and get the place back on course. It needs a quick steering adjustment. \r Pros: Very nice food, ambiance and setting. Cons: Expensive wine list, expensive night out. more

The food was good here, but it wasn't the best. Prices are a little pricey, but I believe the portions were decent. Still worth a try, if you haven't been here before. It may have just been my choice of entree. You could have dinner here and walk over to Pix for dessert. \r more

My buddy lives down the street from Lauro Kitchen. Based on convenience our friends often go there for dinner or order pizzas for takeout. I'm surprised to hear any negativity about staffing, as we have always had fun with the servers who work there. Maybe they like us because we visit often, I don't know. Besides that, the food is always superb. Lauro is probably one of the most consistent places in town for food quality. Just last week we ordered a couple pizzas that were absolutely delicious. We'll keep coming back unless things change for the worse. Pros: Pizzas more

The eastside is worth the trip for eating out. There are so many options with creative kitchens. This place has a big draw back, waiting for a table can be a challenge during the rush hour. The host seems to be inflexible on one evening for starting at the counter and moving to a table. Beware of the long waits. more

This place is not even close to being great as it is hyped up to be. If I could this would have 0 stars but that is not an option. The food is not bad but the prices way too much. I've had way better for 5 bucks or less. The service was horrible and very slow. Not only was the service bad but the host was even worse he didn't know what he was doing and I waited for him to approach us for at least 10 min. or longer. The place is not big either and has a very bad location and is hard to find parking. They do have a lot that fits like 5 cars. So to put this in fewer words the wait is way too long for the cost of the food that isn't even that great, the service and host s uck, and the atmosphere of the place is horrible. This place su cks don't go there. Pros: They took mastercard? Cons: service, host, cost, atmosphere, etc more

I love this restaurant as much as a human being can love a restaurant! I have had consistently great food (mussels, fish specials) and have always been really impressed with the service. The amiable hospitality from the minute you walk in the door is wonderful - Darren is a most gracious host! The servers are always knowledgeable and friendly, while remaining professional and they seem genuine and not scripted - I appreciate that. The food is ambitious without venturing into ridiculousness and sticks close to its Mediterranean roots. This is our neighborhood spot and we love it!\r \r We've dined at their sister spot, Vindahlo, as well and the food has always been wonderful and we've had mostly great service there (one time it wasn't so great, both at the door and the table - but once is totally excusable). Pros: delicious food, hospitality Cons: long wait for table more

What a pleasant surprise! Thanks to the Portland Magazine we found this marvelous restaurant in S.E. Portland. Everything we tried was delicious. Whatever you try, don't miss the mussel appetizer. The broth was so good, we actually sat and ate it until it was gone. The menu is delicious, and the daily specials are always interesting and equally tasty. \r \r But, if you go hungry, as always seem to do, you will come home with leftovers, having ordered too much, as the portions are generous. \r \r The service was friendly, knowledgable and efficient. We were never without water or other drinks. Our bread was refilled regularly and we never had to wait for the next course. \r \r The prices are reasonable and the open kitchen adds to the friendly and warm surroundings.\r \r We arrive early, and understand that if you come later, there may quite a wait, especially on the weekends. Pros: Great mussels, along everything else, great service, reasonably priced Cons: no reservations more

My husband and I have lived in the Division neighborhood for three years. We were excited to see a friendly, modest, upscale restaurant open in our neighborhood. The seafood, pizza and winelist is superb! Try the Lauro cheeseburger! What a great meal for $10.00!!!! ( a HUGE extra-large burger and fries) And know it is a good, healthy meal or drive-thru a corporate mill of processed food (for $6.00) and wonder where it came from. I choose to go here! P.S. Try the paella it's great!!! Pros: Great food, service and in the neighborhood! more

I absolutely love this spot. Darren (I think that's the owner's name!?) is such a cool guy and knows how to run a restaurant. This spot is chill and has a great menu and make sure to check out the superb specials written on the blackboard...especially the drink specials! more

I have been to Lauro Kitchen at least 10 times now. I bring friends, family and clients! The secret to eating here is to order a salad to share and then lots of appetizers. There is no need to even order an entree - even though they are very yummy. The Beet salad is to die for - I didn't even know that I liked beets. The service is always good and I am NEVER disappointed. Pros: Great food. Great Service. Cons: Not open for Lunch. Sometimes a wait. more