Rimsky-Korsakoffee House

Rimsky's has a lot going for it: rich and creamy desserts, a unique atmosphere, a cozy dining room in an old Victorian. Sadly all of these great things are ruined by a management that has no idea how to provide good service. During a recent visit for a friends birthday our large party of ten was pushed around, and treated rather rudely by two different managers. My friend had called ahead to check if bringing such a large party was acceptable and was told that they could accommodate us. They clearly could not. While our actual server was quite friendly and thoughtful we were essentially pushed out the door by a manager after a short stay because there was another party of 10 that needed our table. While I'm sure if you were to go on a weekday night or any afternoon your service would be fine, the management of Rimsky's apparently does not know how to provide service for crowds on Friday and Saturday night. I personally felt so dejected and insulted by the end of the night that I will never go back. Pros: Wonderful Desserts Cons: Horrible Service more

I love Rimsky's! The desserts and coffee are always great (mmm, Rasputin's Vice Sundae) and the waitresses have always been friendly and personable (sometimes very silly)! I don't know what's going on with the bad-review-ers -- maybe they wanted a more Starbucks-ish place, where you snap your fingers and get your exact latte like always with the same ""Have a nice day!"" and you're gone in 60 seconds? Too bad, because Rimsky's is NOT that place! Sure, sometimes it takes a little longer to get your order, but so what? Did you go there in a big rush to eat and run? Why? Where else is there candle-lit live classical music? Where else does the secret table do that thing -- oops, shhh! Where else would you find a little blue alligator at the bottom of your hot chocolate?\r \r I'd say, for those of you who need a clone-copy, drive-through, Dunkin' McRestaurant/Yuppie/power-lunch experience, then absolutely stay away -- you don't have the time or energy for this place. :) Pros: Totally unique, very cozy and laid-back, has *secret things* Cons: There are only two really big tables for extra-large groups, and only one couch! more

If you've just moved to Portland, Rimsky-Korsakoffee is a ""must do."" \r \r \r No, not for the service (it's terrible.) Nor particularly anything else. \r \r \r Because, although the desserts are excellent, and the ambience is unique, the real reason you have to go is so that you can become a genuine Portlander.\r \r \r After all, at what other coffee shop, can one ask for an ice cream sundae and be told:\r \r \r ""I have no idea what you're talking about."" (Said by the waiter while peering down haughtily at us.)\r ""Um, this ice cream sundae here, on your menu."" (Said we, while pointing at the menu.)\r ""We don't make ice cream sundea's.""\r Perplexed, we looked at each other, then back at the menu's.\r ""Um, ok, what kind of ice cream do you have?""\r At that point, the waiter (again, haughtily) stated the various choices (which did include ice cream sundea's.)\r \r \r So with that, we had been RIMSKIED.\r So, go ahead, try Rimsky's and you too will have a story to tell your friends.\r Good service can be gotten anywhere, Rimsky service can only be had at Rimsky-Korsakoffee. Pros: Great desserts, terrific music Cons: Service more

Do not go to this place. Don't give them any business. We were treated terribly. Waitress had no manners or decency, let alone any hint of professional ethic. She literally acted like barbaric trash, and you'd certainly find a nicer gal in Portland's roughest areas. Basically, this business doesn't take cards as payment. Nice to see that this site states as such, but you wouldn't know it walking into the place! No clear sign is present that they do not, just extremely fine print that practically takes a magnifying glass to see on the upper right hand corner of the already cluttered menu . After having to go to the nearest Plaid Pantry for cash to pay our bill, the unapologetic, careless waitress told us that it is the customer's responsibility to know the business doesn't take cards. How do they figure? Is a customer supposed to call before hand to ask them if they accept a visa!? Long story short, after telling them they need a larger sign of some sort somewhere in their establishment -- let alone on their door -- this waitress told us to just not come back! Oh, she used the f-word at us, too. We certainly won't ever go back, and recommend that others do not, as well. People in Portland's Old Town on a dark night will treat you better than you'll receive at Rimskey's. ""F"" minus grade. No class, no politeness, no satisfactory service. Oh, and by the way, we paid our bill, of course... but we shouldn't have after the treatment we received. Don't go to this place. There are much better coffeehouses in Portland that deserves your business, and this place just isn't it. Pros: Zero Cons: Vile service more

I can't comment on the coffee. We went for dessert, which was good, but it was hard to flag down a waiter. I thought I saw one, chatting up someone near the front door. I waved, and he waved back. Then he dissapeard. Nice work, dude. Probably not coming back or recommending this place to anyone. Service was slow. I went to the kitchen to pay my bill, and found a line of other people trying to find some wait staff. Since I counted three waiters that evening, I can't imagine what the problem could have been. Pros: great music (live, classical guitar) Cons: service..... uh, sure. nice theory. more

Though somewhat difficult to locate, this is a great little place to sit and sip to your heart's content, let alone indulge in a great dessert and listen to some of the local musicians. When I was there, a classical guitarist was performing relaxing tunes. Great for unwinding, studying, a romantic spot. Pros: Nice ambience, excellent coffee/dsrt Cons: Hard to find, can be crowded more

I love this little oasis in the city! In a world of Walmart type coffee houses, Rimsky's offers the jittery a place to go that pleases all of the senses and soul. To visit here is to understand the heart of Portlanders. Casually chic and culinarily yummy! Pros: coffee, desserts, casual atmosphere Cons: busy more

Rimsky's is a tried & true coffee/dessert house, but its real accomplishment is it's integrity. You can smile when you walk in thru the oversized frontdoor for many reasons. Firstly you have just stepped inside a secret garden of a place. And yet its packed-out inside. Warm and inviting with live piano and intelligent convos, this is the sweet spot for taking a date, or mingling with friends. Everything is worth ordering on the ever-changing hand-written menu. Be sure to check out the surprising decor; the slowly rotating table, painted face 'coming out' of the wall paper, and the bathroom that reminds me of sunny days at the lake. This place is ecclectic & magnetic. Keep it a secret!!!! One more thing, bring cash cuz getting your bill can take, well, an hour!!! Pros: Live piano, Ecclectic, Super secret Cons: Busy, Small, snooty service more

After reading several of these negative reviews I have to say they are all hogwash! This is a great place to go for a friendly warm eclectic dessert coffee experience. You get wonderful live guitar and piano music, guitar being my first choice, but the staff is very opposite from what other's have said negatively about them. I found them to be very friendly, and fun in fact, any time I have gone. I have always felt like I was visiting someone rather then going into a place to buy a cup of coffee. So don't listen to these other peoples negative takes on such a great place. Go you won't be sorry! Pros: Inexpensive, Friendly, Yummie more

The place seems like it was put together by someone who really loves people, and I liked the sense of community in the pictures and things left behind under the tabletops and hanging from the ceiling. Also the mural in the stairwell and the underwater bathroom :) My Aunt was visiting me from out of town and took us to Rimsky Korsakoffee because she remembered they had the Best chocolate dessert she'd ever had, and twenty years later, it was still there, and just as good as she remembered it! It was the best I'd had too, and it was a very special treat to go there and try it. The experience was marred though by an obtrusive, disrespectful waiter that really got on my nerves. more

I love this place for its cozy, welcoming atmosphere, really tasty desserts, and for the live music. There's a singing waiter that works here who is always friendly, although I can't say that for the whole staff. Come here wanting to spend awhile chatting as the service can be slow. Pros: Affordable, Unique Cons: Hard to find parking more

Maybe everybody else went on a bad day, but I adore this place! Fabulous desserts, coffee, and hot chocolate! Great live music, decor like a fairytale, and a few table secrets! Be sure to take a trip to the bathroom, even if you don't need to go! Staff is superfriendly and accomadating! Cheers guys! Pros: Inexpensive, Cozy, Great Hang out more

Recently had a dessert date at RK and was very disappointed. Coffee was not hot and had a very bad flavor; both my date's cake and mine tasted STALE! We couldn't believe it. If you go to RK, don't expect attentive service - you will have to bribe the wait staff for a refill on your coffee. Great music and ambience don't make up for lousy java, bad service, and terrible desserts Pros: Music, Ambience Cons: , Cold Coffee, Bad Service more

This may be hard to find if you are not looking, but it is well worth the stop. Unique atmosphere with excellent desserts. Good coffee selections, but not always served hot. Service can be good or bad depending on the visit. I would visit again. Pros: Great dessert, unique atmosphere Cons: , coffe not hot more

So, my table hasn't moved any of the three times I've been to R-K. Whatever, no problem, better still. A mild problem was that my coffee smelled really unsavory two of the times. The dessert more than made up for these minor disappointments, and the music is great. (Ah, and if you don't know to seat yourself and do just the right thing with the menu, you won't get served for a really long time, and you'll get attitude about it to boot.) more

I love the fact that Rimskys is kind of a little secret. Never see any advertising for it, doesn't even have anything outside letting you know of its existence. Just looks like an old house! Once inside it's heaven. A quiet, eclectic space, with soft music, good food and beverages. Love to go there for quiet, inexpensive evenings out. more

As well as yummy desserts and calming piano music, Rimsky-Korsakoffee House is more than meets the eye! Make sure to visit the restroom and chat with the staff if they're not busy. Pros: staff, location Cons: parking more

This place is one of my favorite places to go and enjoy coffee with friends. The atmosphere is great as is the cafe vienna...I love it Pros: Cafe Vienna, Good Desserts Cons: inattentive serice more

I ordered a double capp, but got a cup of swill with sudsy foam... this is not specialty coffee. Pros: desert, atmosphere Cons: their coffee more

Last year for my first wedding anniversary, my husband took me to Rimsky's and I was blown away at how much I liked it. Everything was so....well, how should I put this......comfortable. I loved the music and the atmosphere was incrediable. I think we might make it a tradition to go there every year for our anniversary. Pros: great music, not to crowed, GREAT bathroom Cons: parking more