Seres Restaurant

Whenever in the Portland area visiting I try to make it to Seres Restaurant in the Pearl District. The food is excellent and the service is great. The atmosphere is comfortable and quiet. Great restaurant for real Chinese food at a reasonable price. more

Either you get it or your don't. This place has been around for a reason. For fresh, clean flavors and a modern Chinese menu that accommodates special requests, it doesn't great better than this. This is not a Cantonese restaurant and should not be compared to restaurants on 82rd. This is a Chinese restaurant with western style that keeps the original flavors of Northern Chinese cooking. I'm from Hong Kong and am used to western influenced Chinese dishes. This style is very popular in Asia. Seres would rock in Hong Kong, no doubt. more

Delicious Chinese food in the Pearl District! Love this place! more

We've been fans of Seres since it was Sungari. Lately, however, the service and the food have been quite poor. Last night, for example, there was no hostess to seat anyone (we've noticed that they do not use a hostess anymore), we waited for 15 minutes before someone showed up even to take a drink order, there was never a consistent wait person, and the lemon chicken was the toughest chicken we've ever had. In fact, we noticed that the couple next to us didn't (or couldn't) eat it either. Generally, too, the happy hour portions are much smaller than they ever were before. For these prices, we'll look elsewhere for chinese food. more

Comparing Seres to PF Chang is like comparing pinot noir to grape soda. Seriously, there is no comparison. I have eaten at Seres many times over the year (before and after the name change), and I've eaten at PF Chang's too. PF Chang's? A bland, predictable excuse for Chinese food designed to appeal to suburbanites. Seres? The real thing. The food is amazing-- easily the best in Portland (with Hunan Pearl in L.O. coming in a distant second).\r \r Pros: On Max line, great for lunch if you work downtown Cons: Crowded at night more

I like Chinese food, but I was never picky about where I got it or what kind of quality it was until I came to Sungari Pearl ( now Seres). You can tell that the ingredients are fresh. I love the Dry Sauteed String Beans and I won't order General Tso's anywhere else. Pros: Fresh and yummy more

The enviroment was clean and relaxing. The service was not real fast, but we didn't mind since we were out for a dining experience. The food was DELICIOUS and our drinks with dinner were fabulous. DO NOT EAT HERE if you are looking for your typical chinese restaurant chain food....it is not even comparable in freshness or quality. more

My husband and I picked Sungari Pearl over PF Changs, because we were looking for a change. We went in this last Friday - with reservations (even though we DID NOT need them, we were 2 of 6 people there!) and were seated immediately. The service was outstanding, the drinks were amazing (real orchids in the mojito's!) but the food was just so-so! At $15-$17 per entree (for what we ordered), I would expect the food to be amazing, or at least better than PF Changs, and it just wasn't. PF's Seasame Chicken is better, as is their Mongolian Beef! The fried rice at Sungari's doesn't even compare to PF's. Sungari's fried rice was bland - utterly tasteless.\r \r If the entree's were priced cheaper, I might go back. BUT I wouldn't go and spend that kind of money again on food that's just alright. Pros: Quickly seated, takes reservations, great location Cons: overpriced more

We went to Sungari last night to avoid the crowds of First Thursday. The service was horrible. The place was empty but it took 45 minutes for them to take our order and then another 45 minutes before we were served. The didn't have much of a wine list but we were told our first selection wasn't chilled and that they were out of our second selection. This place used to be much better but last night's experience will keep us from ever going back. more

Last night I organized a group to meet at D.F.'s where I've had reservations for months. When we got there it was closed. The owners were evicted that morning.\r \r I went in search of a restaurant that could handle 15 people and Sungari was wonderful. They were kind enough to get me paper, a marker and tape to leave a note for late arrivals.\r \r By the time I re-joined my group and got to Sungari the had a very nice area set up for us with water, silverwear, the works. The service was good and the food delicious. Pros: I loved the ambiance Cons: n/a more

I took a friend from out of town recently and was extremely disappointed. They must have new owners or managers since this used to be great place with delicious food and fine service. Food is tasteless and bar service was slow. A big disappointment. Wish we had gone to the ""chain"" Chinese restaurant in the Pearl since their food is infinitely better. more

Their food on numerous occasions has been over-priced and at best, average quality. The dishes were on the greasy side and lacking sufficient meat and/or vegatables. \r \r This restaurant is in my neighborhood but I still have to order out for good Chinese. more

I was there last night for a girls night out. There were 7 of us and we had excellent service, prompt delivery of the food, which was hot and incredible food (duck rolls, spring rolls, hot and sour soup, SESAME BEEF!!!, mongolian beef, dry cooked beans with chicken, honey glazed prawns with walnuts). I love this place. When my husband and I moved from Berkeley, we thought we'd never find good chinese. This has definitely reached the top of our list for great chinese. One word to the wise, don't look in the back kitchen of any restaurant. Really, what do you expect? What does your kitchen look like on after a big meals been cooked? I never want to know. I just want to eat. Pros: All of it. I love it everytime Cons: It's a dinner place, not lunch, not best for small children more

As a former employee of Sungari Pearl, I have seen what goes on not only in the front of the restaurant, but the kitchen too. The entire staff (especially the kitchen) takes great pride in making sure every customer enjoys the freshest and best tasting food possible. Of course, as with any small restaurant that deals with the volume of in-house and take-out customers that Sungari Pearl does, sometimes service may not be as efficient on a Saturday night as it is on a Tuesday, but the staff does their best to ensure quality service. As for the cleanliness of the kitchen, I've worked in quite a few restaurants, and Sungari Pearl has the cleanest one I've had the pleasure of working in. I have eaten the food countless times and even though I no longer work there, I'll continue to do so. Sungari Pearl has by far the best chinese food in Portland, not only in my opinion, but also in the opinions of Willamette Weekly readers, as it was voted #1 chinese restaurant in Portland this year. Sure there could be some changes (the Marvin Gaye got switched for Ella Fitzgerald), but overall, Sungari Pearl offers a unique experience unlike anything else in the Pearl, or in all of Portland for that matter. Pros: The food, dining service, take-home service and location. Cons: Parking, reservations recommended for Saturday night. more

Not only has the quality of food and service in this place gone down hill in the past couple years but the staff have gotten more rude by the minute. Also - HAVE YOU SEEN THE KITCHEN!!! YUCK! On my last visit I happen to be walking by the kitchen doors when they opened and I looked in WHAT A FILTH PIT! After seeing the kitchen, I will never eat there again Pros: location Cons: everything BUT location more

Pretty underwhelming. Nice enough decor, but the most interesting thing was the hostess' blue band-aid on the back of her ankle. The food was really mediocre, the kung pao chicken had no pow, the hot and sour soup was kind of off, and what's up with having nice metal chopsticks and then having paper napkins? And what is up with the motown? Marvin Gaye, on repeat, the entire time. more

Sungari used to be one of our fave places to eat in DT. But ever since 8 months or so ago, the food has taken a HUGE step back. The flavor isnt as good anymore, they use way too much black pepper and the overall experience has declined. Even take out was mediocre at best and they got our order wrong. If you are looking for a chinese restaurant to go to in DT, I would pass on this place especially with what you are getting for the price. There are many other places that would be a better option with better tasting food. Pros: Nice part of downtown Cons: food has taken a step back more

We thought Sungari Pearl was the same restaurant as Sungaris on 1st, downtown, but it wasn't. The menu was different and the food was bland. I wouldn't return. more

I enjoyed the setting, although on first arriving, no wait staff were in evidence. We ended up hollering towards the kitchen to get their attention.\r \r The setting was beautiful, if a bit stark, and the service, once they realized we were there, was excellent. The food was tasty, although the very high prices will probably preclude another visit for lunch. (We accumulated a $75 lunch tab for the two of us--ouch!) Go if you have an expense account, otherwise, there are better choices.\r Pros: Nice setting, good service Cons: Prices more

Delicious and elegant Chinese food by far. The atmoshphere is romantic and quality of food is outstanding. Definitely try the sizzling rice soup - it's a nice change from the classic hot and sour or egg drop soup you might typically have at other restaurants. Pros: food, ambience Cons: parking more