ZAYTOON

This bar is a good example of what happens when one specific type of clientelle dominates the landscape of an establishment too heavily. In this case it is the lesbian community. And some will be offended by that remark, but it is not meant in a negative way, just a very realistic one. Instead of just being a place where everyone feels like coming to chill, it smacks of a place you tell your friends "this is a lesbian bar." That's simply too specific for most people. Again, not in a bad way. That's just the way the world turns. Plus, for a neighborhood that thumbs its nose at the establishment of NW Portland it sure is spendy. Proof positive that I'm not alone in this thought can be found in the deafening deadness on a Satuday night. I don't want to hang out at pricey bars that have a "hetero feel" either, such as many we all know of here in town. Just a nice inexpensive bar will suffice. It's too bad, too, because the place is beautiful and the help is friendly. But that niche clientelle, almost non-existent table service, and steep prices in this neighborhood make for slow nights. Again, I think "consistently dead" might be a better term. Pros: Nice staff, great feel. Cons: Pricey, dead. more

We came in on a Sunday evening for dinner, I was pleasantly surprised to get an amazing burger and a pint of hef for $6 (great Sunday special). I appreciated the decor, and the owner was very friendly. Not much of a selection for food or beers, but it seemed like it would be a chill place to hang out with some friends. I will definitely have to check it out on a Friday or Saturday night. Pros: Nice happy hour, rad owner Cons: Not much variety more

What could be better than a Sunday burger and beer special? (Maybe their Monday $2 pint special!) $6 gets you a amazingly seasoned burger with your choice of salad or yummy homemade soup and a microbrew! Portlanders, don't sleep on this place. The atmosphere is cozy, and the servers are friendly. It's true, you should probably order at the bar, but then again it IS a bar, so that seems somewhat obvious. Also, the sweet magic dessert is to die for. Pros: Great food, great beer, great prices, great atmosphere Cons: May appears to be somewhat "upscale" from the outward appearance - maybe that's why it isn't so crowded inside? more

If you're in the Alberta Arts neighborhood, we highly recommend Zaytoon for dinner and/or drinks. Often, they have good jazz music, too. We've been regulars at Zaytoon for a while now and always get great service. The food is consistently tasty, and the bartenders know what they're doing. Baba's burger won't disappoint. We always have a great experience when we visit. Zaytoon is our favorite neighborhood bar. Pros: Great food, drinks, and often live music more

The last guy is right. We went into this place at 9:00pm on a Friday night. We sat there for over 25 minutes and no one came to our table. We finally asked the bartender for help. We were told we could order from the bar. There was no sign, and the staff didn't appear to have any sense of urgency. They seemed more interested in socializing with friends than serving customers. NEVER AGAIN. more

This place puts a new face on pub grub. Middle-eastern fusion has something for everyone: possibly the best burger in town, mezza, al dente lentil soup, and flawless martinis to wash it all down. The upstairs and downstairs provide two different atmospheres like ocean strata. The upstairs is lounge with a pool table that will give anyone confidence and leather couches. Downstairs is a dining room that would work for your first date, an out of town relative or a business meeting (wifi!). As if that weren't enough, the prices are very reasonable. The prawns with balsamic reduction is under $10 and the appetizers can be ordered ala carte for filling entree. Everything here is a great value with some class and pizazz. Pros: Great bartenders! Cons: Not open until five more

So why do I go back to this bar time after time? For the simple fact that I love the atmosphere. I love to sit and take it all in. It could be at 5pm when happy hour just starts and I sit and listen to the mellow music that plays in the background, or it could be at 10pm when they have a great dj going and I can watch the people dance from the upstairs or it could be at 1am when I just want to drink a beer and play a good game of pool. Anyway I look at it, this is by far my favorite bar. It's classy and there are always interesting people who come in. And if you stop the hot bar owner or the ,oh so nice bartenders for a minute to chat they make you feel like this has been your bar for years. Oh, and don't forget the hummus-my favorite late night snack while people watching. Bottom Line---This bar has all the style with none of the attitude, what more do you want? Check it out. Pros: Non smoking area, and great drink prices. Cons: Can get a little packed around the bar area. more

Having recently moved to the Alberta area, I was pleased to find a bar that reminds me of my East Coast city roots. It was actually a World Affairs Council social gathering that brought me in for the first time. We had the opportunity to nosh on tasty mezza platters (hummus, tabouleh, laban, meatballs and assorted olives) and meet the owner who gave an informal presentation about her life growing up in Iraq, England and America. I stop by often now (it seems to be THE place during Alberta's "Last Thursday" fair) and am still trying to decipher the code of Baba's Burger--is that cinnamon in the recipe? The bartenders are always friendly and the atmosphere distinctly inviting. Sometimes the service can slow down on busy nights, and I get the feeling that Zaytoon is still trying to find it's groove with a diverse clientele, but overall the classy, upscale (yet affordable) bar shines nicely on a street flooded with casual watering holes and pubs. Pros: ambience, friendly bartenders, signature cocktails, happy hour specials, great food Cons: service can sometimes be slow on busy nights more