Lauro Kitchen

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3377 SE Division St
Portland, OR 97202

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(503) 239-7000
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Lauro Kitchen - Portland, OR
Lauro Kitchen - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 20 )
( 5 )
( 2 )
( 11 )
( 6 )

Best

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 ...

Worst

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 Caesa...

Yes, I had to wait awhile as a walk-in too! Do they take reservations? 11/2/2006

I don't think so, however, ask to be seated at the food counter and your wait will be shorter than a glass or two at the bar. That's the way to do it and make it worth your while by ordering the seafood paela or shortribs that were so tender and better when paired with garlic mash. The place is loud and crowded, so think casual with time on your hands...last night, on a Monday it was slower and I had the most wonderful plates of fried calamari and mussels with chorizo. Matched to a romaine caesar with anchovy dressing and a wheat beer, it was superb! Last, but no least was the excellent service from Andrea who appeared at my elbow a minute after a plate was cleared. What timing! Pros: Try small plate dining for a variety with bread and olive oil Cons: Loud, crowded, busy on the prime weekend nights more
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Disappointing food and service - not worth it 10/30/2006

I dinned tonight at Lauro and was very disappointed with the food and service. The service was very cold, almost robotic. I felt almost like it was a burden to serve me and I was a solo diner. The beet salad was not prepared fresh. It came straight from the refrigerator, ice cold, and void of flavor. The sole with pumpkin risotto was heavily laced with butter and other fats, completely overwhelming the fish and pumpkin I could not finish it. Overall, the whole experience was cold and un-fulfilling. For the market they are trying to reach, they fall quite short. I (as others here) would recommend a re-focus on fundamentals of welcoming their customers warmly and improve thier food quality for the market they want to target. Cons: service, food more
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Bring Magnifying Glass 10/20/2006

If you want to spend $14 on a saucer of pasta then this is it! Where was the butternut squash filling? Flavor? I have never left a place hungry before. Ordered dessert just to stave off the growls in my tum-tum. A saucer of flattened apple crisp (though it tasted good) wasn't enough to please the local canary. Service was good and the ginger martinis are great....but, doesn't make up for the lack of portion. Who are they kidding? more
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Lauro slipping? 2/23/2006

Usually, I'm GUARANTEED a good experience for my dollar here no matter what day of the week I go. Unfortunately, on my last visit, things were far less than polished. The hostes was testy, the waitress inaccurate and the bartender condescending. Along with wrong dishes and drinks, the price was not as tolerable this time around. C+ seems to be the grade now. Pros: good food, centrally located, parking lot Cons: service at times. more
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Love Lauro 2/9/2006

Lauro has been packed every night for the past 2-1/2 years from opening to closing - and people keep going back for more, even with a 1 - 2 hour wait. And I can tell you why - the food is delicious, fresh, comforting fare and the cocktails and wine are top-notch. We have brought friends from out of town there time after time and when they come back to Portland, that's where they want to go again. We've probably been to Lauro more times than anyone, and never had a bad experience - Pros: great food/specials, great wait staff, great bar more
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A miss on every point 12/16/2005

Three of us had dinner here the other night. 2 of the 3 meals were awfule. I had the clams linguini which was far to spicy. Another friend had a chicken with goat cheese and spinich, the flavors clashed so much that the dish was not even consumable. The only meal that was any good was the porkloin. We waited over an hour and a half and while they did give us the fried squid we felt the price and service did not warrent the reputation. We will not be returning and won't be recommending this place to out friends. more
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second times the charm 6/26/2005

This was the second time at Lauros and was much more impressed this time. The saffron and lamb kabab was amazing! Because you cannot make reservations, we went on a thursday night and a little earlier than most of the dinner crowd. We were seated promptly and the service was good the whole night. Will go back to this neighborhood restaurant in the future. more
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Great Atmosphere, Poor Food & Service 6/4/2005

I have been to the Lauro kitchen twice. The drinks are awesome and the bartender is very friendly & professional. However, the food is lacking. The first time I ordered a prawn & rice dish and it was very bland . The second time I visited I ordered a side salad and a scallop special, only to realize upon arrival that I had ordered an appetizer. I received 2.5 scallops. The wait staff did not suggest any remedy. Then when I asked to re-order she made me wait. I sat through my group's entire meal with no contact with wait staff. I will not be back and certainly do not recommend this restaurant for dinner. Though for drinks... the atmosphere is lovely. Pros: Atmosphere, Drinks, Friendly Bar staff Cons: Food , Service more
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attention lauro kitchen 4/26/2005

I ate at Lauro before the stellar review. Most of the food was a little off, but the atmosphere was great, the service and wine very good. Went back recently to give a second chance, atmosphere, service, wine still all good. Food really bad. Chef was walking around talking to tables all night. Maybe he should spend some time supervising the food coming out of the kitchen instead. Our complaints about the food were ignored. After looking at previous reviews I see I'm not the only one. It's too bad, we will not return. Pros: atmosphere, service Cons: food, come on! more
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Exceptional quality, value and atmosphere 3/10/2005

I visited Lauro with friends for the 4th time. this is my favorite spot to eat in PDX. I ordered the Mediterranean Mussels and Chouriço in Cataplana and they were outstanding! about 20 to 25 mussels in a wonderfully spiced sausage and tomato stew. The best mussels i've ever eaten. A friend ordered the Calamari with Portuguese Piri Piri Sauce which was excellent as well. The Culotte Steak with Wild Mushrooms and Potato Gratin i ordered was cooked to medium rare perfectly and the mushrooms were quite a treat. I had the pleasure of trying my girlfriend's Braised Lamb Shoulder with Creamy Polenta, Tomatoes and Olives and that was probably the most flavorful and tender lamb i've ever tried and the polenta was exceptional. Staff was knowledgable as always. expect a long wait if you visit on the weekend. best time to go is weekdays around 7:30pm. Pros: Great food!, Excellent staff, Exceptional value Cons: very busy on weekends more
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A Rude A-wait-ening 12/28/2004

What a sad surprise! After reading the Willamette Week's glowing praise of Lauro, my friends and I were really looking forward to a wonderful meal in one of the city's newest hot spots. Although the amosphere was great, I'm afraid I can't say the same about either the food or the service. After waiting more than an hour and a half for a table (there is only one table that can seat six), we inquired about the possibility of moving two tables together, and were treated with downright hostility. There are so many fabulous restaurants in Portland that will not only serve you a great meal, but give you the sense they'd like you to keep coming back. Unfortunately, Lauro is not one of them. Pros: Atmosphere Cons: , Service, Attitude more
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Service has bad attitude 7/28/2004

I was extremely dissappointed in the service we received. We go there often, understand it's very popular right now and endured an hour long wait for our table. We were not told that our meal was be delayed due to the nature of our order and when we inquired and suggested mentioning that in the menu or ahead of time, we were treated with a nonchalance that was very irritating. There is no excuse for a year-old establishment to treat customers this way. Pros: Great Food Cons: , Rude service more
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SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED $$$ 7/22/2004

The food and service are absolutely NOT WORTHY of the money they are charging. This place is spendy and the wait is uncomfortable and long due to the teeny tiny bar and nonexistent waiting area. When I pay this much money for food I expect fireworks for my senses. But since the food was only fair to midlin,' the sticker shock of our dinner only compounded our disappointment. Our waitress was inattentive to us. Every time I drive by this restaurant I want to tell the people waiting to please spend their money elsewhere. I believe what patrons end up paying for at Lauro are the atmosphere and the bragging rights of eating at a trendy, new restaurant. And that is all. Pros: atmosphere Cons: , inattentive service, underwhelming food more
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Pretty dang good! 6/13/2004

We happened upon Lauro by accident. However, it was great. It was able to suit the blending of my two families very well (one side is very traditional, and not too adventurous, the other full on foodies). The tagine was a touch dry, and the chorizo in the paella the same, but it did not affect the flavor or even our enjoyement! It can get a bit loud, so if you want a nice quiet place, this isn't it. Our server was incredible, prompt and very polite. It was great fun! Pros: Good food, Fun Drinks, Great Service Cons: , There are Waits more
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Value 5/31/2004

I think Lauro Kitchen is the best overall value of any ""upscale"" resturant in Portland. For my dollar spent and quality of ingrediants and preperation, I vote for Lauro Kitchen! Pros: modern, quality, good staff more
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Enjoyed the Chicken Tagine 5/8/2004

Lauro is an enjoyable eatery. Yes it is loud at times, but I don't go out to eat to avoid people. Our drinks were very good, and our dinners were great. We very much liked everything about the place ... especially the Chicken Tangine. The flavors of cilantro, green olives and saffron were fabulous. Pros: wood fire oven, happy staff, cool atmosphere Cons: , the noise more
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Beware the Wait 5/5/2004

Hands down, the food here is great. Dishes are true to the style and focus of the restaurant and a value for the price. Service is great and the space is delightful, if a bit industrial. The problem is that crazy ""no reservations"" policy. I'm spending big bucks to come here and don't appreciate being made to wait outside like an obese family at the ""Old Country Buffet."" The not so subtle message this sends is, ""We care more about raking in as much dough as we can, than we do about developing a long term relationship with a customer."" I'd like to eat her often, we live close by, but there are many other great places to eat in town that value my time. Why go back and stand on the sidewalk here! more
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Don't believe the hype 3/18/2004

Tried it last night based on the steady flow of traffic and happy looking dinners. I had the special of Halibut Cheeks on Spanish rice. The sauce that covered everything over powered the entire dish. My date had the stuffed chicken, which was average at best. While the service and atmosphere were both excellent, the food prompted the decision to stay away in the future. For the price, I expected better fair. Pros: service, atmosphere more
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Great Steak! 3/13/2004

The steak and frites were exceptional....perfectly done, and the sauce was to die for! Also the cambazola cheese/elephant garlic/flatbread app was excellent - good choice for 3 to share. Lamb shank not the best I've ever had, but tasty, and can't pass-up occasion for lamb taste-test. Bartender friendly; atmosphere pleasant. Could use a ""waiting"" section - tables to close to door and drafty. We opted to eat at the cocktail bar. Good wine list and special cocktails. Pros: kitchen bar, cocktail bar, food more
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WOW! 2/11/2004

There is a reason why a wait can be expected at Lauro. SUCCESS!.... The authentic Mediterranean style cusine is the finest Portland has ever seen. Each dish was unique, succulent and presented beautifully and the portions are quite substantial. It was obvious to taste that Machado uses only the best fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. Items not to miss are the mussels with chorizo, pancetta wrapped radicchio, true seafood paella, braised lamb shank, goat cheese stuffed chicken, and the daily creative fish specials. The staff was extremely professional, sincere and very attentive, definitely some of the best I've experienced in the Northwest. Their exstensive wine knowledge, helped me choose a fabulous, affordable bottle. The prices are a great value for the wonderful food, friendly staff and warm atmosphere. I highly recommend dining at Lauro to see for yourself thier proven success will exceed your expectations! Pros: staff, food, ambiance more
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Editorial

  • In Short
    The sleek, downtown feel of this upscale eatery is softened by a lofty ceiling, warm wood accents and an open-hearth oven. The elbow-to-elbow seating, open kitchen and crowded...

  • 7/11/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: Discover, Master Card, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Richmond, Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program
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