Very nice birthday dinner for my dad. Party of six was seated in the back facing the kitchen. I love the ambiance sitting in the back...or at the bar. The oysters were excellent, fresh, with good accoutrements. The fois gras was wood grilled and had creme fresh and two sauces drizzled over it. The clam chowder and lobster bisque were both enjoyed by those eating it. I had the yellow fin tuna rare....which is virtually sashimi.....good portion and delicious. It was served with an herbed rice and a funky radish topping...an excellent dish. The swordfish special was well received, as was the standard dry aged steaks, with ala carte sides. A nice French Malbec was the wine special....it was great...pared with both fish and meat....and was good value for the $40 restaurant price, Everyone enjoyed their meals and desserts....and it was a very favorable evening, including wait service and all staff. Well done. 4 stars.....recommend
Every time here, I feast on a medium rare ribeye! Love it and love the staff. I look forward to each evening spent here!
(5)
Margaret M.
Best.Happy.Hour.Ever. Seriously, you will be amazed at what they offer and the prices in which they offer them. Most week nights this bar is packed to the gills and every bar stool is full by about 5:30 (so arrive early if you can). Awesome atmosphere, good selection of beers, wines & liquor and the vibe is bustling & fun. Haven't tried the restaurant side out, probably never will as I prefer bar seating, but it looks like a good cozy spot for a date night. We dined here on Valentine's Day at the bar, and although I was blown away by the happy hour offerings dinner fell a little short. I am going to chalk it up to eating out on a holiday such as V-day (one of my personal no nos after years in the industry). My steak as dry and flavorless, mac and cheese left much to be desired and the husbands lamb was way over cooked. Again, since it was a holiday I am not holding it against them (if that wasn't obvious by the 4 stars) but I will be trying the place out again to verify my assumption and fingers crossed dinner will be what I expected.
(4)
Shane L.
The wife and I were looking for a good place to go for lunch downtown and we had been to other places before like corner room and knew that the owner was the same for the "rooms" so we decided to belly up to the bar in the Grill room (the dining area was packed for lunch). We were greeted by a very friendly bartender who went through some of the specials that they were having for the day (which I will get into the fact that we took two of the things off of the special menu). We started our romantic meal with a plate of fresh fried oysters that sat atop some light lemon aioli that was garnished with a side of sprouts and diced cucumbers. We were talking about how we usually love fried oysters with a side of tarter sauce but these absolutely did not need them. The other thing that made thise things scrumptious was the chunks of slab bacon sprinkled across the top of the morsels of goodness. We then split a cup of the lobster stew that was very flavorful and tasted fresh and delicious ... the only drawback to this was the fact that we were looking for a little more lobster in the stew but for the price of the dish, I can see why where you would normally pay about 15-20 bucks for a lobster stew/bisque around town. I think dove into my main course of a fresh ceasar salad topped with a special order blackened salmon garnished with a sharp cheddar cheese crisp and a fresh anchovy for some added flavor. The lady got a special salad that had ... get ready ... baby spinach, goat cheese, cranberries, candied walnuts, thinly sliced radishes and turnips with a light and refreshing vinaigrette (she also ordered a medium rare steak to top it off) these salads were some of the best salads I have had around town and I would have never expected it at a burger/sandwich and steak restaurant. It was really good to see my favorite cold time beer in Alagash Black on draft and my wife had the non alcoholic Kaliber which she enjoyed (I always look for these places around town to have a selection of non-alcoholic beers .. it shows that they care and are not always about the profits) We both agreed that this spot was one that we would definitely go back to next time we are out and about in the Old Port. We enjoyed every bite and the service was top notch for us even with a jam packed establishment.
(5)
Justin B.
After searching for a good place to grab a late dinner we settled on The Grill Room. The menu looked great and the reviews seemed favorable. The problem was while they are open until 11, the full kitchen does not stay open until then, it closes at 10:00. We walked in at 9:55 oblivious to this fact. The hostess was not happy to see is. She spoke for about 30 seconds and was very confusing. Essentially I realized shortly that what she was trying to hint at was they would be required to serve us per restaurant policy, but no one wanted to. She took us to be seated and we saw the chefs in the open kitchen mouth the F word, and throw their hands up. At this point we just got up and left. I wasn't about to eat food made by angry, unprofessional staff. My suggestion is to either give the staff the leeway to say when the kitchen is closing, or hold them to a standard of professionally serving until close. To act like petulant children in full view of customers is completely unacceptable.
(1)
Theresa Marie S.
When in New England I am constantly on the hunt for amazing clam chowder. One of the hotel staff told me that I should definitely check out The Grill Room. I have to say that I have had better clam chowder from little stops along the road on the Cape. It had a very good tasting cream base, but virtually clamless, way too many onions, and a lot of celery. There were a good amount of potatoes. My main meal was the pork chop. The pork chop was HUGE at 16 oz. My husband and I shared. It was cooked well done just the way I wanted it. For a chop that large - it was surprisingly still very juicy and had a great flavor. Very happy with it. We ordered an array of sides; mac and cheese, carrots (but was more than just carrots), and mashed potatoes. They were decent. I have had better. There is a very good beer list. We had a couple different beers we never had before, but don't remember what they were. Loved the decor and atmosphere, but this restaurant was way too loud for my liking. Also did not like how close we had to be next to one another. You heard every conversation within the immediate area even if you weren't trying to. Our waitress was sweet and very informative, but the staff that I encountered at the front of the restaurant were a little snobby. Overall, not the greatest, but definitely not the worst.
(3)
Diana K.
I absolutely love this place! I was there twice. The first time I was there with my friend we had the cheese board appetizer and steak as a main course. - amazing! The second time we were there it was on Fourth of July - yep 2 days ago. We went there for appetizers with some good Malbec! Once again we were not disappointed! It was great! The food and the service were exceptional. We got the baked Brie, Tartare, cheese board and Foie Gras. Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere was super romantic. We sat on the little window bar and we're watching people passing on the street. We finished the evening with some fireworks. It was perfect 4th of July adventure :)
(5)
Noelle S.
The worst experience I've ever had a bar..EVER. The bartender failed to acknowledge us sitting at the bar....we were in a rush so we headed out to a bar across the street. He proceeded to follow us to the bar and harass us about our timely departure. Upon calling to complain the "GM" or the man claiming to be one didn't find this odd nor did he apologize. The entire experience was completely unprofessional.
(1)
Bob N.
This was the best meal we had. Excellent food and service to match. Place was very busy and we walked in and got lucky. My wife had the sword fish special and I had filet. Eat here.
(5)
Gregory G.
This place is awesome. The bartender Darby was super cool, told me all about the city and pointed me to several other great spots. Food was awesome, ambiance was awesome, it was just awesome.
(5)
Yelena S.
I want to like The Grill Room, I really do. I'm not a big red meat person so I generally avoid restaurants that seem to excel in just that, but I have to hand it to The Grill Room... aside from their smorgasbord of entrees and a la carte meats, they do have a selection of seafood appetizers and dinners. Unfortunately they're just too pricey for me, and I find a la carte menus to be a total doop. I have to pay $20+ for a meat AND I have to pay an additional $8+ for each side?? That being said, whenever I have gone here I've ordered the Maine-raised Burger, which is rather quite good (and also the cheapest at $17). The burger is not grotesquely big, and does taste much better than many burgers I've had. It also comes with a huge amount of crunchy sea salt fries, enough to share between two people. It doesn't come with any sort of cheese though, so you're looking at a $20 burger if you add cheese. The last time we went it was not planned, it was New Year's day and the restaurant we had made reservations at was actually closed... they neglected to tell us it was closed. At the last minute we looked for another place to eat and wound up at The Grill Room. I opted for something different this time; the fried shrimp bang bang and their cup of french onion soup as my meal. I was pretty disappointed. The shrimp were those tiny itty bitty ones (it says Maine shrimp on the menu but I don't know if I believe it), they tasted like they had been frozen for a long time, that's the only way I can really describe it. The sauce they're supposed to come in was barely there so I asked for a side of it, the shrimp was pretty bland so I needed the sauce to finish the dish. French onion soup is supposed to be seasoned, salty, and savory. This was not. It needed salt desperately, I try never to add salt to my meals, but this was an exception. The soup tasted exactly like the frozen kind that comes in a bag that they add water to dilute, it made me reminisce of the days I used to waitress and would watch the kitchen crew fill their soups containers for lunch. There's really nothing at The Grill Room that makes me dying to go back. If I did go I'd probably stick with the Maine-raised burger, otherwise there are many other places I'd rather go to first.
(2)
Eliza M.
Nope. Just doesn't do it for me. I like the atmosphere, the dark wood, the cozy eating. I don't really like open kitchens that much, so I find that hard. But moreover, my meals were too salty to eat and far too expensive for what we got. I'm not talking size/portion wise.... The portions were not dainty, by any means. But my meal (the skirt steak) was inedible. It's just not my scene, I like some of HLS's other establishments, but I think I'll pass on the Grill Room.
(2)
Sally V.
There are dozens of glowing reviews for The Grill Room, and here is mine: I glow with happiness whenever I have dinner here. My favorite menu items are the wedge salad, the rainbow trout, all the potato sides. My boyfriend usually orders the steak frites and his steak is always cooked perfectly. They have a nice wine list, well balanced cocktails, and the service is excellent. The Grill Room gets it right every time. It's one of my favorite places to have dinner in Portland.
(5)
Chris F.
We went there for our anniversary and the food was great however the waiting after being seated was a little longer than expected ever with having reservations
(5)
Emily V.
I can see why the reviews for this place are mixed. We went here after my carnivorous husband had his fill of new england seafood and needed a steak. As far as the food goes it is pretty good. The prices are on par for what you get. Slightly lower end steak house but still high quality meat. I had the filet which was very flavorful and was cooked perfectly. I think it was around $40. They have high end steak house sauces and sides which were just ok. For those that complain about the a la carte pricing - unlike most steak houses they also have a portion of the menu that has complete entree choices that are reasonably priced, so you could go either way. The issue is this place doesn't know what it wants to be. It serves higher end steak house fare but has a Texas Roadhouse/tavern style environment. Very loud music and atmosphere that doesn't mix well with the food and the prices. I can see how that would be confusing to some people and leave them scratching their heads. Also - service is a bit shaky, definitely could use some work there. The verdict? The meal was good but with all the incredible restaurants in the Portland area, if we are back in town we won't be returning to the Grill Room.
(3)
Mike S.
I have been to the Grill Room a few times now and have enjoyed each time! First time was for a GIANT grass fed porterhouse on special which I split with a friend and a ton of sides. That was absolutely fantastic! The second time was with a group and everybody enjoyed their meal. The service was good even though they were obviously busy and the food was consistently great! The third was again to order a special. I mean, seriously, who could resist a soft shell crab wrapped in bacon on top of a filet on a bed of bleu cheese mashed with fiddleheads. Yeah, that was amazing. Will coming here disappoint many people? No way! It is a highly recommended place to get a great steak! Why not five stars? That's hard to tell, I love a good steak and the food has been great, but something is just lacking a hair. I will happily change my rating if that were to change and with Timber now open nearby, maybe both places will step up their games and truly create something awesome. I just can't put my finger on what exactly it is but I look forward to visiting again and seeing if I feel differently!
(4)
Jill P.
A little pricey, but delicious! We came here for a long weekend and liked it so much that we decided to visit a second time before we left--it was that good. The French Onion soup takes a week to make. It will ruin you for any other soup. The Caesar salad was topped with a flavorful Parmesan crisp. Filet mignon was cooked PERFECTLY and was flavorful. We ordered a few sides for the table to split. I highly recommend the fries. Creamed spinach and jalapeño corn bread were just okay. Potatoes au gratin were golden brown, good and had a nice crust if cheese on top. We topped off this birthday celebration with a house made chocolate cake. It's actually made down the corner at their other restaurant. It was nice thin layers of chocolate and creamy not to sweet peanut butter frosting. It did come with walnuts on the outside, honestly, those were not needed. Oh and I forgot the excellent drink menu...try a martini.
(5)
rebecca g.
My boyfriend and I recently went to the Grill Room with the intent of just getting some drinks and apps before a concert. We had such a great time, we returned for dinner after the show. Yes, twice in a matter of hours even though there were dozens of restaurants to choose from in the area. The food, drinks and service stood out because they were all so good! Coming from Boston, we found the prices to be fair and were really impressed by talent of the chefs and professionalism of the staff. Don't miss the spice rubbed skirt steak! We also had a carpaccio dish with goat cheese and greens that was unbelievable (it will convert an anti-raw meat eater). Zoly at the bar created a welcoming, neighborhood feel (ie not tourist-y) and provided a level of service that is really rare. His recommendations for drinks and food were spot on, he was attentive without being pushy and he was obviously passionate about great dining. 'Farm to table' wasn't just a branding element and Zoly didn't just rattle off the names of the farms that worked with the restaurant, he KNEW them. When we travel, we like to learn from and enjoy the company of the locals and that's exactly what we experienced. The whole vibe of the restaurant was friendly and positive. Thank you to the great staff at the Grill Room!
(5)
Brett F.
When I saw Living Social had a "$50 for the price of $25," with no restrictions at all, I jumped on it (as probably thousands will), and I'm glad I did. I hadn't been to the Grill Room in years. My memory of it was very decent food but maybe the most expensive in Portland when you add up all of the sides. Before you know it...boom, $200 bill. For two. I arrived during the happy hour, and while waiting for my dad, saw some friends at the bar. Happy hour runs until 6 pm I was told, and has some of the best deals around. Well, they were right. Every draft beer (many local) and a solid selection of wines were $3, and there was a menu of tasty bar snacks (fried hot dogs, bbq wings, etc) for $3 as well. But that is for some other night. The service at the Grill Room is attentive and courteous; typical fine dining. The atmosphere is chic but crowded and there's not much space between tables. The menu is huge. There's wood-fired steaks and seafood, which come with just a sauce of your choice. There are complete entrees of steaks and seafood that come with pre-picked sides. And there's a long list of sides a la carte. My guess is that vegetarians and vegans will not love this place. But for everyone else, the food is delicious. The wood fired salmon (sushi grade, says the server) was reddish-pink at medium, probably slathered in butter, and devoured within two minutes. My dad's 9 ounce petite sirloin maybe lasted a few minutes longer. The mashed potato was more butter than potato, which was the only big miscue. The fresh, thin and crispy french fries could have fed a table of six. The above food with a wedge salad and a soda came to $90 after tip. Thank god for Living Social. I had never thought of it, but The Grill Room really is in competition with Fore Street, 555 and Street and Company. Premium, very expensive meats and seafoods. It holds its own strongly, but I'm not sure it's quite equal, or better. It's a very solid restaurant though and a top choice for dinner. For a classy happy hour, it's one of the best.
(4)
Bill S.
We had an amazing dinner here.- Great server- and the food was not only delicious but visually well plated and appealing! The atmosphere is pleasant and the restaurant is actually quiet even as packed as it was - it was quiet- we didn't gave to yell to hear each other! It Was an enjoyable diner.-
(5)
Anna D.
I feel like I should give them 4 stars, but when I break it down, I can only justify three. We used a living social the first time for dinner... I'm always down for a deal. I'm used to the shoulder to shoulder seating, but our two top wasn't too small and a little close to our dining neighbors, but enjoyable nonetheless. Our waiter promptly greeted us with drink menus and specials (which I appreciate because my drink usually depends on what I decide for my meal). On to the apps... This was the biggest snafu of the evening... I did inquire about the mussels (SURPRISE!). I specifically asked the waiter if they were small or on the larger size and said I will only eat them if they're small. His response, "they're I between.." Ok, I gave him the benefit of the doubt....nope. They were massive (awful), a bit smaller than a hard boiled egg. I had them returned immediately and because the meals were on their way, I skipped out on an app all together. If he had said they were on the larger side (he did ask the cook the size before I ordered) I would have ordered a different appetizer, no big deal. I ordered the Room salad, which I loved. The vegetables were chopped up enough that when I mixed the goat cheese in I barely needed a dressing! The portion was decent as I wasn't overly stuffed and had a little room for dessert. My boyfriend had a medium-rare filet with chimichurri sauce; cooked to perfection. There was a side of delicious garlic mashed potatoes enough for the two of us. Like I said, no appetizer left me enough space for their homemade lavender ice cream. I also asked the portion size, as I try to steer clear of too much dairy. He said we could share, which sounded perfect to me. The dish was a full pint! I know we're in America, but some of us don't sit down after a meal with a pint of ice cream! We both had a couple tastes and we were done. The lavender was a beautiful flavor, just a huge dish! In the end, we did have an enjoyable evening, but I go into detail for specific eaters like myself. :) For two drinks, two beers, my salad, his steak and the bowl of lavender creaminess, our bill came to $79. I did experience their happy hour for the first time last night..... Sans ID.... Like what?!? Who am I?! I had a club soda with a splash of grapefruit... Quite refreshing actually. My friend had a couple glasses of the prosecco, which I think was $3/glass... We ordered the chips and guac, chips and French onion dip and fried olives with aioli. These were all $3 and relatively small portions. The chips were similar to bagged potato chips, extra fried. The guac was a little bland, but the dip was pretty tasty. The fried olives on the other hand, awesome! And I don't even like olives....... The aioli was the perfect complement. I'll probably return, but not on the regular. Our waitress was a little bizarre and had zero expression or enthusiastic about much, it seemed. I think this Room is a go-to if you've never been because their food is wonderful, but it'll be the little details that'll git'ya!
(3)
Steff D.
NOTE: This review is ONLY for the happy hour. I have never felt compelled to visit The Grill Room. Why would I? After all, it's called The GRILL Room, and if that alone isn't enough information to go by, than one look at their menu will reassure you that there really isn't much on there for vegetarians to eat (oh, sure, there are the boring salad and portabella "burger" options, but... yawn... this isn't the 1970's anymore). But, I'm a sucker for a good happy hour and if there's one thing that Harding Lee Smith does right at his Rooms it's that (and usually, impressively, two - one at the standard late afternoon time, and one during the later evening hours). Here is no exception: $3 glasses of wine, $3 snacks. Yes, please! I arrived at 4:50 to find the restaurant completely empty. There were four or five servers all standing around at the very back of the restaurant who all looked up at me when I entered, then immediately looked away to continue talking. Great first impression, guys. Eventually the hostess found me and stared at me for a few seconds in confusion until I finally broke the silence, "Can I just grab a seat outside, or... ?" She looked even more confused, but grabbed the happy hour menus and led me to the outdoor area. I chose my seat and another server came over to take my wine order. Now let's break the experience down into a few different topics: 1. Outdoor Seating a) + The outdoor seating area is very nice - the trees do an exceptional job at naturally canopying over the area. As far as al fresco dining in the city goes, they've definitely got one of the better spaces! b) - Where we sat outside there were clouds and clouds of little fruit flies which proved was gross and proved to be a nuisance throughout the evening. c) - The chairs are not comfortable at all. They sit low and deep, so you're either perching yourself on the edge or lounging back like your sunbathing. 2. Service - Our server was rude. When my happy hour partner didn't have her ID, the server just stood there and stared at her. Here's an idea, why don't you kindly offer her something else to drink? When she continued to just stare at her in silence, I finally chirped up. "Do you guys make mocktails?" The server said they did, then proceeded to list off all the juices they could mix with seltzer water. That's not a mocktail. That's juice. And seltzer water. When my happy hour partner had a question about what kind of onion dip it was, the server - holding back a giggle - was like, "Um, it's, y'know, onion dip. Like ONION DIP. Like the kind you buy at the grocery store. Like the kind in the white tub." When I asked her if it was vegetarian, she responded with negativity in her voice, "Well, it's got cream in it, so...", at this point I jumped in and said, "So, YES, it IS vegetarian, but NOT vegan. THANK YOU." 3. Food (now, I understand this was all $3, but... c'mon, really?) 1) - Chips and guacamole - It's my opinion that salty potato chips do NOT pair well with guacamole. Tortillas or a spoon, however, do. The guacamole here had a slightly brown tinge to it, and was thinner than I was excepting (also, I'm not sure there was any kind of seasoning to it at all). There was maybe enough for four or five chips, so instead of scooping (as one is inclined to do with guacamole), we politely took turns dipping. 2) - Chips and onion dip - In fact, not anything like the kind you buy at the grocery store, because the kind you buy at the grocery store isn't disgusting (be warned: the onion dip here tastes like warm, soupy sour cream). 3) + Fried olives - Okay, I admit, these were AMAZING. AAAHHHHMMMAAAAAAAZING. Unsightly sounding as this is, I could have eaten then by the fistfuls (sans the aioli they came with, though, because that tasted just like a glob of mayonnaise). They were fried to golden perfection, salty, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. If you love olives and like fried pickles but wish they had more umph to them... you will LOVE these. I had heard someone in town was making fried olives, and now I finally know who (dangerous info to have)! I would come back to The Grill Room for a couple orders of just these and some prosecco, leave with a bill of only $12, and be very satisfied before going off to have real food and service elsewhere.
(2)
Kyle M.
Excellent food, excellent vibes, and the staff is very friendly! Highly recommend for a semi-fancy dinner in Portland.
(5)
Amanda H.
Over-rated. Pretentious. Had the grilled marinated organic chicken breast sandwich. Sliced chicken, shredded lettuce,sliced avocado=slipperiest sandwich ever. Not that great. The chicken was full of fat. Go somewhere else.
(2)
Melissa N.
We have been to the Grill Room often but this last time might be the last. Loved the happy hour beer prices and small apps. When seated we got our favorite, the cheeseburger pizza. It came out burned. We tried a piece but it was horrid. We gave it back to our server and he said the chefs burned all the onions (which did not explain burned crust). We got pepperoni which came out fine. I had an excellent skirt steak with fries. My husband got a burger which was 100% raw and mealy inside. Waiter noticed and took off the bill. The manager was told of both incidents by the waiter but never came by... spent free time texting in the corner... sad considering the great meals I have had there in the past.
(2)
Paul C.
This review is about the food as the service has always been good here. Between drinks and dinner my friends and I spent around $600+ between the 7 of us. Steaks were not seasoned and cook right. The quality didn't seem like it was worth the money for a place like this either. My sword fish was over seasoned and salty. The rice and beans that came with it was uneventful as well. Only thing worth it's money out of all our dishes was the escargot. It's too bad because I really do like the people here and it's a great place to grab a HH drink and enjoy a conversation with friends....
(3)
Mayur K.
I dont usually write reviews but due to the experience I have had, I am delighted to write one. I took my wife to dinner last night at the grill room. I wanted to give a 5 stars but had to take away 1 because of the following reasons. We had a reservation at 6:30. The waitress was prompt and seated us. We ordered a carafe of wine. It was a decent amount for the price (about $15) but I wished I had 2 full glasses of wine instead of 1.25. The waitress brought out some bread and oil which were very good. My wife ordered a wedge salad which was to die for. The bacon and the blue cheese they used was very delicious. The lettuce wedge felt like it was freshly plucked. For the main course, my wife ordered a hangar steak and I ordered the ribeye (medium). The ribeye was delicious! I cant stop talking about it or thinking about it! Then we ordered desserts. Some tables over, I saw someone order a chocolate cake and it was HUGE! I asked the waitress if one cheesecake would be enough to share and she said yes but when the cheesecake arrived, it was a tiny piece. I was very disappointed and ended up ordering another gelato, hence a star deduction. Overall, my experience was very positive. It is a very nice place to take your wife, g/f out on a romantic date night and enjoy some delicious food.
My husband and I were on a "Babymoon" in the summer to Portland and being pregnant, not a lot of seafood appealed to me so we went here for steak and had an amazing experience. I had one of their specials- lambchops. I could eat this every night and be the happiest person in the world. Best lamp chops I've ever had. My husband had the ribeye which he couldn't finish but was amazing. The next time we are in Portland, we will definitely going back to the Grill Room as the service and food.
(5)
Kate C.
I'll try to make this brief (unlike I usually do): 5-10 min wait around 7 on a Friday night is a perfect amount of time for me. For apps, the scallops were 100% the best I've ever had but for $12, I think 2 was too few. Our waitress (Kristine) was phenomenal and attentive. For the fact that she pointed out twice that "rare" means cold and red center when i ordered , I was disappointed to get what I would call a medium rare fillet. It was a good size even though the lobster mashed potatoes were a little cool and lacked as much lobster as I expected for $11. The horseradish cream sauce that I got with the steak was delicious. Fair steakhouse prices, my biggest complaint was it was overcooked, although legally places probably shy away from serving steak cold and purple- which is how I prefer!
(4)
Tori B.
I've eaten a few lunches at The Grill Room and haven't had a bad bite yet. This past Saturday evening, my husband and I had our first kid-free time in Portland since we moved here a few months ago, so we went to a movie then wandered around town a bit looking for a quiet place for a drink. We landed on the patio at The Grill Room just moments before the kitchen closed, but our dear server rushed our order in so our hungry bellies would stop rumbling. I enjoyed a delicious ginger-lemon martini, and we each gobbled up onion soup then split the cheeseburger pizza from the app menu (tip: order it with bacon, too!). We sat in the chilly evening air under the twinkle lights, watching some fire-baton twirlers in the park and enjoying our time together. Perfect end to a great evening. Although this wasn't a complete dinner experience, the previous times I've eaten here I've enjoyed delicious food and excellent service. The Grill Room is top notch, and we'll be back!
(5)
Carrianne C.
My boyfriend and I came here were looking for a date spot in January, and I'm so glad Yelp was able to point us in this direction... The ambience is perfect for a date night, it's dark and intimate with an open kitchen. We started off with a few drinks and the wine list was extensive but had affordable options. Everything we ordered was off the specials list, and everything was utterly delicious. I had some lamb lollipops with a goat cheese and pomegranate sauce as an app, and a seafood dish over asparagus and crab risotto... Both were unreal. My date also loved his dishes but I can't remember what he ordered. The place is on the pricier side, but it's not pricey for what you're getting. The food was quality and creative, and the service was fantastic. Can't recommend this place enough
(5)
Jay B.
I always get the same thing, my favorite meal in Portland, at The Grill Room: onion soup, wedge salad & the burger. The Grill Room is known for steaks & great seafood but they 100% have the best burger in Portland Maine hands down. (sorry Nosh, I love you too) It is a monster burger served with french fries piled as high as the eyes can see. Every course of this meal is always amazing. Over all I find the food and service very consistent with every visit.
(5)
Gina S.
Very good meal here. I had the grilled scallops with a side of asparagus ans my husband had the filet mignon and a side of mushroom risotto. The scallops were seriously some of the best I have ever had. They were HUGE and perfectly soft and seasoned wonderfully. The filet was also cooked perfectly medium and while I did not try it, hubby thought the risotto was quite tasty as well.
(3)
Jocelyn A.
If you are looking for a lively place to have an excellent dinner, look no further than the Grill Room. This is my favorite of the "Room" restaurants. The environment here is bustling (some may even say a bit loud), with chefs cooking in the open kitchen, people enjoying drinks at the bar and servers rushing orders to crowded tables. This may not be for everyone, but I think it adds to the restaurant environment. All of the seafood here is fresh and the steaks are as tender as butter. What really impressed me was the creativity of the side dishes. No boring baked potato and steamed veggies here. My tuna came with white beans and a beet puree. The salads are also delicious. The goat cheese, beet and arugula comes with a large portion of warmed goat cheese on top. Yes, the service is not the best (the hostess was downright rude), but the food and fun environment makes up for it.
(4)
Christopher M.
The food here is excellent. Unfortunately our server, C--s was condescending and was more of an information robot than a server. A very odd experience. I would recommend this place highly, with the exception of this particular server.
(3)
Lara M.
This is the second time we have eaten at The Grill Room. Although it is a little on the pricey side, the food is fantastic. I tend to eat on the healthier side and love the a la carte options. The scallops and spicy broccoli were great, portion sizes were very generous and the food tasted very fresh. My husband had the petite filet and it was very good ( and not petite at all!). One thing I don't love, however, is that they do not entertain any substitutions but even with that, we will definitely eat here again!
(5)
Amy M.
I have been to the grill room twice. Both times were slightly above average. Wasn't blown away but was definitely had a good meal. I'd give it 3.5 if I could. Can't really put my finger on it other than to say it was good but not worth $100 for date night to me. Steaks were pretty good. Sides were okay. One of those places I'd accompany others to but probably not seek out to go myself.
(3)
Genna P.
The place was pretty packed but we were lucky to get an outside seat. Our service was ok, she forgot our salad and dinner took forever to come with little updates. Our drinks were refilled quickly and when dinner did come it looked great. I had the scallops and a tad undercooked but that might be personal preference. Still ate it all. Other guests had shrimp and steak and all were cooked great. I like to try some other dishes maybe on a less busy night.
(4)
Sarah A.
We have been here twice both due to living social coupons. Out first time my husband was happy with his steak and Mac n' cheese and I happy with my scallops although disappointed I had only gotten three. The second time his Mac n cheese was extremely salty even for a salt lover like me but they promptly replaced it and he said his steak was somewhat luke warm (he doesn't venture out on menu choices!) I got the lamb chop special. Four lamb chops, bacon and blue cheese mashed potatoes and asparagus topped with their blue cheese fondue sauce...AMAZING! We both agreed we probably wouldn't go back though...we prefer the front room over the grill room and corner room.
(3)
Samantha L.
I wanted to love this place but... the lighting in here is SO terrible we couldn't even read the menus and IT WAS STILL DAY LIGHT! And the ventilation could be better. I hate walking out of a place smelling like the food. In addition the booths are so incredibly uncomfortable. Okay, so these are just my aesthetic complaints... lets move on to the food and service. Our service wasn't superb, especially with the money we were spending. It was at first indifferent, then when my brother made it a point he had no issue spending copious amounts of money her attitude changed. Thats annoying. Food- overall it was pretty good. I got the trout and I was extremely disappointed for $27 entree I had to choke on more than 5 pieces of VERY large bones. I did mention it to the server and all she said is that the chefs make it a point to do their best but it does happen... WHAT? I've NEVER been to a restaurant where I encountered issue. It's the chefs JOB to make sure there isn't a bone, never mind 5 VERY large bones. Seems like someone is slacking in the kitchen. Okay, the lobster mash was pretty killer. The scallop entree also pretty rad. But again, it was so dark in there I could have been eating mystery meat and veggies and I wouldn't even know because I couldn't see a thing. I expected more since I consider this a 'higher end' restaurant in the Portland area.
(3)
Kaetlyn K.
I've been here twice for special occasions, and I always order the Filet Mignon because I am in love with that steak. It was fantastic and the server let me try a few different sauces since I was having a hard time deciding which one sounded best. The way they prepare their vegetables is also amazing. I hate veggies. Especially asparagus, but the asparagus my boyfriend had was actually tasty, and I love the green beans with bacon. I essentially have a foodgasm every time I can manage to go here. Fantastic! :D
(5)
Alise K.
Happy hour at the bar. $3 prosecco and wine. Also $3 appetizers. I had the duck and Brie pizza. Really really good. Drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Amazing
(4)
Benjamin C.
Used a living social deal for our first Grill Room experience. Only space available for reservation was at the chef's bar. Neat place to sit! Good opportunity for looking at the options as they come out. We started with a grill room salad, then moved along to the filet (2) with sides of spinach, mashed potato, and brussel sprouts with bacon. The filet were both cooked wonderfully. Melt in your mouth meat! (Keep it PG, people). Sides were all very good, with the brussel sprouts standing out. We left feeling pleasantly full and very happy. Front room is still our favorite of the "rooms," but you can't go wrong with the Grill Room.
(5)
Joseph M.
The grass fed ribeye (on special) cost a week's salary, but it was amazing. The service and atmosphere were both exceptional.
(5)
Nicole B.
Get reservations--- even if your friend's father tells you they don't take them. We had a girl's night here and while the food was absolutely delicious, I think next time we come, we'll skip the meals and go straight to dessert. Not only were the Carrot Cake and the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pie absolutely heavenly, but the portions were large enough to share amongst the four of us! I don't think there's anything else I can say about the food or service that hasn't already been said (steak was cooked perfectly, it was a little loud, our table was close to the people behind us, service was okay, we didn't feel pressured to leave...) but we had a fun night. I would come back with my spouse or to have a drink at the bar, but it probably won't be back on the girl's night list because of the table proximities.
(4)
CB W.
I really can't believe that The Grill Room only has 3.5 stars at the time I am writing this review. The drinks were great (we had the Mind the Gap and Spicy Margarita) and the food was perfection. We had the surf and turf with mashed potatoes and asparagus. It really was excellent. The service was also prompt and friendly. I would definitely recommend this place and return.
(5)
Dave S.
Wife was given this spot by a friend. Did not disappoint! Started with Solid choice if local beer on tap. Wife had Blueberry ale and u had a shipyard ale. Both very good. I don't usually like fruit beers but this one wasn't too sweet. We shared an appetizer- bang bang shrimp. Not too spicy but a nice start to hold us over until our dinner arrived. Awesome porter house with root veggies and a goat cheese mashed potato. Steak was cooked perfectly and potatoes were amazing. Best part of meal was the fire roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon. Simply amazing. Could if had them as a meal by themselves. They allowed us to split everything without an extra charge. As a travelers would not have been able to finish as separate meals. Extra points & tip for that!
(5)
Bill T.
Came here with a group of friends. Split the porterhouse with a buddy and everyone else had duck breast or steak. Food was fine. It was prepared well. I liked the horseradish sauce with the steak. Lobster mashed potatoes were very good. Cottage fries and spinach were fine. Service was friendly. It took an hour to get the food. It was later on a Saturday night and even though it was full when we got there, the tables were empty when we left. I guess it's just we were so hungry and it took almost an hour after we ordered to get the food that I wasn't impressed. If you're not in a hurry or if you're not starving, you'll probably like it better.
(3)
Ryan H.
Strip steak special was awesome, highly recommend the bacon, blue cheese mashed! Prices slightly high only reason for 4 stars.
(4)
Ed C.
We eat at the Grill Room every month. The food is fantastic with great specials. Adam and Ben are always friendly behind the Bar. If you are looking for a great Steak experience I highly recommend the Grill Room. Portland at its best.
(5)
Tiffany T.
This is the worst service I have ever encountered in Old Port thus far. I have eaten at many fine steakhouses throughout the country (Chicago, Seattle, Hawaii, Wyoming, etc.) and on this particular night, wanted to celebrate the end of my didactics. This is why I'm so incredibly shocked to have ended dinner on such a sour note. Everything went smoothly until the food arrived. We had ordered the grilled romaine salad as an appetizer which comes with two jumbo shrimps. My girlfriend's shrimp was larger than mine so I was happily eating away when she told me hers was raw in the middle. I always struggle with the decision to return food or not but not so much when you're eating at a supposedly higher end establishment. At less expensive places and depending on how much I like the server, I would let it slide. So we stopped eating and sat there waiting for our server to come back. When she did and we told her the situation, she replied, "so what do you want me to do about this?". Strike 1. We told her we'd like the shrimp cooked more thoroughly (you could actually see the transparency in the shrimp). So she took our plate and returned with ONE shrimp in ONE tiny bowl. My shrimp was perfectly cooked because it was smaller and the salad wasn't even half finished. What are we going to do with just one shrimp? The purpose of having her ask the chefs to re-fire the shrimp was for us to enjoy our appetizer completely. Next, came the "medium rare" ribeye with chimichurri sauce with a side of mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. It came out "blue rare" to "rare" -- so I told her the steak was too rare for my preference and I had asked for medium rare. The server then proceeded to tell me I was wrong and this is what "medium rare" is supposed to look like. I wish I had taken the time to snap a photo and post it on here. Because that fellow yelpers, is NOT medium rare. It was basically red throughout and cold to the touch. If you google image what a blue rare steak should look like, that is what my steak was. I've been to many steakhouses and know my steaks. My ex was a server at a steakhouse and she knows her steaks too so I was taught well. I am fuming at this point. Our server then goes to say, "so did you mean to say you wanted a medium cooked steak?". I can't even. How insulting is it for someone who loves steaks, makes it a point to eat out at nice steakhouses, to be told they are pretty much wrong. At least if you don't agree with me, shut up and take it back to the chefs and talk bad about me behind my back. I'm still a paying customer and she should have known better. Strike 2. Out of protest and anger, my girlfriend and I don't eat the lone jumbo shrimp. We return it and tell our server that we didn't want just one shrimp, we wanted our appetizer back in its entirety. The server then rolls her eyes at us. Strike 3. I'm done with this place. To be honest, once the steak came back having been re-fired, it was actually good! But to have to go through all that trouble sending food back and forth, getting chastised by our server, and having to endure her rolling her eyes, I will never come back here. I don't care how good their steaks might be -- it's not worth $42 for a ribeye. I was so mad that I even took down notes of what I ate that night and what the server's name was so that I could write a thorough review here. I'll refrain from blasting her name but not the horrible experience we had here. For anyone looking to use their LivingSocial deal here, your steak will be more rare than expected so order up on what you'd usually get. Hopefully, your server won't be as rude to you as ours was. We ended up tipping 10% from the original amount. We usually tip really well for incredible service but this was just a disaster. I couldn't get myself to give her nothing as she did comp our appetizer. This whole experience was just a mess and I will be forever scarred to come back here.
(1)
Meg B.
I have been a few times steaks are amazing along with being able to chose your sides, I love it. I have had the same bartender somehow every time. He is beyond knowledgeable always able to recommend a nice bottle of wine to go with the perfectly cook steak. This is the spot if that's what you are looking for!
(4)
Amelia H.
We went here on a recent vacation. The atmosphere is great. It is located in charming downtown Portland. I had the scallops over risotto and everything was cooked to perfection. My husband had the fish special (the type of fish is escaping me) and he said it was amazing. They also have a solid craft beer (from Maine) selection.
(5)
Chris E.
stopped in Saturday with two other people hoping to catch a table just as dinner service began so we could eat and then enjoy the symphony. the tables were 100% empty. 100%. No line of people waiting to get in. We were turned away because they were full up for reservations . that's fine if that's how you want to do business. I will simply never eat at a place that let's money walk out the door when the tables are completely empty. I walked out while looking at a dozen empty tables and for that you lost a customer for life. Too many other great resturaunts in Portland.
(1)
Molly H.
Been here a few times and each time worse than the last... So I went and ordered the filet, Black & Blue or Pittsburgh style. It came Medium to Medium Well. I don't believe in throwing out meat so I dealt w/ it. The excuse I was given is the chef is new... a high end steakhouse training a brand new chef is not a good excuse for completely missing the mark. So a complete disappointment and expensive meal. I've been here several times and probably won't be back. Waitress was not so good too.
(2)
Tracey Z.
Waitress was very knowledgable of the menu. The whole staff was on key, very smoothly run restaurant. Food was excellent. I had the chef's filet mignon the lobster was great and the red wine sauce was savory. My husband had the ny strip with German potatoes and horseradish sauce, he loved it. We started with the grillroom salad, that was a great chopped salad. Would recommend to anyone visiting Portland
(5)
Andrew J.
Had dinner two nights in a row at the Grill Room on a recent visit to Portland. The space has an urban feel...high ceilings, brick walls, open kitchen, very busy and great music. Had steak the first night, but returned for swordfish the second night and were seated at the chef's bar, directly overlooking the kitchen, which was a really fun experience. The food is excellent and our server, Kristine (with a K) was super sweet and made the evening very enjoyable. Highly recommended.....reservations a must!
(5)
zack d.
The only reason I went was to use a living social that was about to expire. We sat at the bar and the service was sub-par. I ordered a burger that tasted awful!! My gf had a pizza that she barely touched bc it was just gross, tasted old. Final result is I will never go back!
(1)
Chase V.
One of the best steaks you'll ever order. Worth the money for sure.
(4)
Laurie W.
We were entertaining friends from the "other Portland" area and decided to try the Grill Room. We were not disappointed! The food was fabulous but I want to comment on our waitress, Tess. Hands down the best waitress I've ever encountered. Tess describes food and wine like a pro. She could have been describing dog biscuits and I would have ordered one as an app. Tess was attentive and her timing was always perfect. We will definitely put The Grill Room on our short list of great restaurants and return soon (and ask for Tess!).
Fantastic food. The Trout and Hanger steak were excellent. Bar tender was very gracious and was the host. Got a bit if a mixup on the reservation but host suggested the bar and it was a great recommendation. A true gem in Portland!
(4)
Lisa D.
Based on the food alone, The Grill Room & Bar is a high 4-star restaurant. However, our experience was only 3 stars. The staff was very friendly and allowed us to bring our large dog to the outside seating area where he was promptly greeted with a bowl of water. The fried oyster appetizer was amazing, both of our entrees were great (swordfish with pork risotto and scallops with mushroom risotto) and the lobster mashed potatoes were excellent. Our server was very knowledgable about beer and gave me a great recommendation. The only reason that is review is not higher is because of the wait between the appetizer and receiving our entrees which was close to an hour. The waiter apologized after a very long wait, but it still took an additional 20 minutes after that to get our food. While the food was amazing, the wait soured the experience somewhat. I would have no reservation going back as I assume that this is not the norm.
(3)
Wes T.
I was thoroughly impressed with this place. It has everything you need in a steak house: dark wood, bricks, bad ass grill within view of almost every table, and great staff. We came here as a bachelor party and they treated us like kings. The steak selection is fantastic, and the staff will walk you through any questions you might have. Did I mention that they have a great wine and beer menu as well? Local products are showcased, and this just makes my heart swell with joy. And cholesterol.
(5)
Dore D.
Nothing really bad to say but the food was not particularly special. I liked the house salad a lot, the salmon was nice but not anything noteworthy. the beef tartar was dated 80's style. Service was ok, a little slow and we had to ask for bread. Still was an enjoyable evening, just not worth the hype.
(3)
AnnMarie N.
Honestly this place was just average to me and my husband. We came in for lunch and nothing about our meal really left a strong impression. We started with a French onion soup each; they were good, but nothing special. For our meals, I had the special seasonal salad with chicken, and my husband had the spicy hot dog sandwich. My salad was good but again, pretty unremarkable. My husband's sandwich looked a little weird to me, but I also don't like hot dogs. He said it was just kind of thrown together; avocado, cheese, lettuce, and the 2 cut up hot dogs on untoasted white bread. It was falling apart as he ate it. So again, not bad, but nothing more than good.
(3)
Greg M.
With so many other great restaurant choices in Portland, why choose Grill Room? We chose Grill Room for a celebratory meal with my family based on their high ratings-- many of which they surely deserve. But unfortunately our evening was marred by our mistreatment by restaurant ownership/management which deserves the lowest of ratings and why we will never return. And apparently we're not alone as just read this article about the ownership of this restaurant and seems many others, customers and staff alike, have had to endure the same: thebollard.com/2013/07/0… A must read if you're considering dining here. My entree was the source of contention as the kitchen had botched my order-- no two ways about it as everyone around me and even the server (who was great!) agreed. I sent it back as anyone would. Around 20-25 minutes later, my new entree came out and it was great. By the point, of course the whole evening was thrown off as everyone else had finished their food by the time my order came back out. To compensate, one would surely expect SOMETHING would be done to compensate: complimentary dessert, removing the entree charge, a round of drinks-- heck, even a drink. Alas, nothing. Even the waiter was surprised. I asked if there was something that could be done-- the waiter asked and returned and I was told there was nothing. Here's where it got interesting: I seldom escalate something like this, but felt it was necessary here especially when you're paying for such a pricey meal at an esteemed restaurant. I asked to speak the manager, which took a number of people to get to her (apparently she's well-guarded). I ended up getting the owners' wife, who was running point for the evening. And she came out steaming in an expletive-ridden tirade directed at me. "I'm not going to f---ing comp anything!" were her first words. Keep in mind, I had not met her or had any interaction with her at this point and this was her greeting. I tried to introduce myself and greet her, but she wanted none of that. After some back and forth, I continued to keep my cool but neither of us were budging, she eventually walked off on me as I was mid-sentence. Never had that happen to me, let alone at a restaurant like this. Eventually I was offered $5 off-- felt like a slap in the face. As I was walking away, at least three different servers, including our own, came up to me and thanked me for standing up to her-- or at least at my failed attempt. They apologized and seemed to have experienced this behavior before. So hard for me to understand how and why they would want to work for someone like that-- though I give them all the credit in the world for their fortitude. Again, I ask: with so many other great choices in Portland, why support Grill Room and their ownership?
(1)
Michael D.
This is definitely the place to come for steak. The quality here is always good. On my last visit here I had filet mignon with a blue cheese sauce that was just wonderful. Additionally surprising was the grilled asparagus that we ordered. It had a great grilled flavor. This place is so good so many people like it. If you have a reservation you may still wait. Although we had a reservation we still waited 15 minutes. Although the food is great the service was not so great. We had the disappearing waitress syndrome and it took her 20 minutes to process the check. When you go to a place like grill room you kind of expect the complete package. I do want to be clear here that the food is excellent and Portland has need a real steak place not a chain type of restaurant. I will go back here and perhaps next time I will get a better server.
(3)
T N.
My husband and I stopped in to the Grill Room last night for dinner but without a reservation. We were able to get seats at the bar (barely) and eat there rather than wait for a table. We had a great time and will definitely go back. For starters, we had the steak tartare and escargot. Often I find steak tartare served too cold and under-seasoned. This one was great, served at a good temperature with an olive tapenade providing the necessary saltiness. The escargot was okay. The grilled bread and garlic butter were delicious. We followed this up with a wood-grilled romaine salad with shrimp, bacon lardons and a creamy jalapeno dressing. It was one of my favorite dishes on the night. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and were flavorful; the combination of the smoky charred lettuce, bacon and dressing were perfectly balanced and outstanding. For the entree, we split the hangar steak accompanied by the truffled creamed spinach and potatoes au gratin. The hangar steak was perfectly cooked (so great to be able to get meat cooked to the correct temp) and tender. The potatoes were very tasty. But the creamed spinach was the star of the night for me. I am immediately addicted and want to know how it was made. The dish was served with cheese on top that, when broiled, crisped some of the spinach on top adding an earthy, nutty note that I loved. The spinach was not swimming in a creamy sauce, instead it was this cohesive mesh of flavors. Just wonderful! My only criticism would be perhaps with the service. The bartender was great in that she really hustled and was friendly. However, I really felt she could have used more help in order to provide more attentive, timely service. She did a great job and I don't blame her for the waits we experienced. Just felt that more help was needed. Overall, a really good experience that I hope to repeat someday soon.
(4)
Nicholas L.
I have been here about four times. Compared to steak houses it doesn't come close. It is a step below most of them. As far as restaurants in the general Portland area that serve steaks they do rank very high. So what I am saying if you are looking for a typical steak house atmosphere you might want to stay clear. If you are looking for a different twist on beef dinners then give it a shot. It's not cheap. Some general recommendations for improvements is the service. It is okay, but below the standards for the prices they charge. The other is consistency amongst all products on the menu. You need to know what to order, or speak to a knowledgeable server as there is a huge variation amongst entrees and their caliber.
(3)
Eric S.
After blowing off my friend and his crazy girlfriend, I just wanted to find a great steak before calling it a night and boy did Google not let me down. Since I came in alone, the friendly hostesses suggested I might try the "Chef's bar" where I could watch them cook, that was a pleasant addition to what was about to be a meal fit for a king. So, as usual, to spare the reader long wordy paragraphs, here is my list: 1. Apps - Fried Brie w/buttery bread chips. Presentation was beautiful and it tasted even better; 2. Three Oysters w salsa - unexpected freebie from one of the chefs. Very sweet, fresh oysters; 3. Lettuce Wedge w Bleu Cheese - the bacon was really well cooked and hand chopped w nice fresh chunks of bleu cheese; 4. NY Sirloin - cooked to perfection, melted in the mouth. Worth every penny. Flanked by spicy broccoli and garlic spinach. The waitress was super friendly and the hostess even came over and chatted for a quick minute to see if I was enjoying myself. The chefs were all friendly and, in a nutshell, this restaurant is a real top notch, first class outfit. I'm still thinking about it several days later. ;)
(5)
Chris W.
Our experience started out a little rough but was pleased by the final outcome. Called earlier in the day to get a reservation for (4) that evening at 7. Pretty much prime time in this neck of the woods but figured it was a Wednesday so we should be good to go. I was greeted on the phone by an answering machine that wanted me to leave my info and time I wanted to reserve and then they would call back to confirm. Several hours went by and I got caught up with work and didn't realize it was close to 5. Called in and was greeted by a hostess who couldn't explain why I never got a call back. Explained what I would like and as you can imagine the open times were not even close, 5:15 or 8:45. I pushed a little harder and she was able to work 7:45 in. Pretty great full at this point but disappointed wondering if I could have received better if I would have had a return call. Anyways, got in and seated. We had two vouchers and our friends had a voucher as well. Waitress kindly indicated we can only use one per table even if we have two checks going. I wasn't so happy as the main reason we were here and bought the vouchers was to be able to treat our friends. Manager arrives and gives me the low down on the owners take and offers a free round of drinks to make up for it. Pleased with the results, the rest of the night went very well. Great food as always, and the atmosphere is top notch. Applause to the waitress and manager making things right. We will return.
(5)
Sage H.
Finally tried the Grill Room. I had been looking forward to it, a friend of mine told me it's the best burger in Portland. That was definitely not true. The ambiance was lovely, we sat at the bar. We started with the BBG scallops which were delicious. Then we wanted to split the burger and were quite disappointed. The burger was small with little taste and way too much bread per burger ratio. The fries were also delicious but they were way over the top in the amount. We wanted more burger with more flavor. Won't go back but wish the restaurant the best!
(2)
Michael J.
On Thursday evening 3 of us dropped in on the Grill Room and were seated with a great view of the kitchen and the wood-fired oven. The chef/owner, Harding Lee Smith, was at the counter checking every dish coming out of the kitchen. The wood-fired oven cooked Duck Pizza was outstanding. I'd go back for this pizza & a beer and be happy, happy. The focaccia, served with olive oil, was the best I've had in years. It was tender with a beautiful open crumb and oh so flavorful. The dining kept getting better with the entrees. The Chef designed a menu with paired combinations that reall work together. The menu also has a unique a la carte feature that let's you design your own meal. The skirt steak was perfectly seasoned and on the money at medium-rare. The petite sirloin was the same - perfect. I had the Cornish Game Hen and was blown away! It was so tender, moist and flavorful and the skin - perfect! Our server, Marilyn, was so smooth and helpful in making our first visit to the Grill Room. It's so nice to see a staff that's well trained and enjoys their work. We'll be back and will try other menu items. Thank you Chef and your staff.
(5)
LeeLee S.
Very delicious. I had the filet mignon with a baked potato and my boyfriend had the hanger steak with a potato. He got the clam chowder to start which was very tasty. We really enjoyed our dinner at the grill room. Very packed on a Saturday night in January. Were told the wait would be about 45 minutes, we ended up waiting a little over an hour. We had nothing else to do so it didn't bother us and it was def worth the wait.
(4)
Beth B.
Good food, good service, & a friendly bartender. Cheese board with honey comb & lobster mashed potatoes, yum! You must try the roasted root vegetables as a side dish. Really enjoyed the atmosphere & liked that you can watch your food get prepared.
(4)
Shaina P.
It's about time that Portland literally beefs up its restaurant scene by adding The Grill Room to compete with top dining establishments such as Fore Street and Five Fifty Five. The Grill Room is a new sister to The Front Room, popular for its welcoming, moderately priced, and delicious brunches and lunches. ATMOSPHERE The Grill Room is two large rooms with high ceilings in one of Portland's many old brick buildings. The first room houses the long bar complete with liquors, wines, local beer taps, and the perfect addition: guy with long white hair and classy western style moustache. The second space is separated by arched brick walls and the step down brings to the main dining area, a sultry yet social surrounding great for a date. The kitchen sits in the back and has its own bar seating area with pots hanging from an iron hanger overhead. FOOD Steaks (fish, beef, and rack of lamb) with sides a la carte, wood grilled personal pizzas, THE popular burger (order one step of doneness over what you'd normally get!), and an excellent selection of soups, salads, appetizers, and entrees. All entrees begin around $16-29. + My appetizer was from a selection of specials for the day. Chilled duck over watercress, blue cheese, and cherries. I was advised that the duck would be rare cooked and thin sliced, but when it arrived it was anything but rare. I later found out that "luck you, you got the last duck salad!" No wonder it wasn't rare anymore... This was the main disappointment. + Dave's minestrone came served with a dollop of fresh pesto possibly made with a little dill - yummo. + Mike's "steak & cheese" was beef carpaccio piled over a crisp baked goat cheese cake on a platter sized dinner plate. Could have served all of us. + The NOTEWORTHY DINNER of the night was Dave's duck. He asked for it to be cooked medium and it came out juicy and pink (he was going for medium rare). It had the most amazing flavor ever! I was ready to trade, but my shortrib was melt off the bone buttery and tasty. + The NOTEWORTHY WINE was a bottle of Stag's Leap Petite Syrah for $39 a pop. Please try The Grill Room, the meal, the service, and atmosphere were all superb!
(4)
Greg D.
Great great great food! Try to grilled pizzas. The filet mignon was also amazing. Very friendly service and a nice atmosphere. This is far away the best restaurant I've found in Portland so far.
(5)
nicole w.
I'd give the service and the atmosphere a '10' but the food was just so-so -- presentation was really lacking and everything my guest and I had was boring from the onion soup to the salad, sides and grilled salmon. Very disappointed in the food. For the price and the other reviews, I expected something far better. The fries were greasy, the carrots were awash in butter (and nothing else), the wedge was a big ugly piece of iceberg lettuce drenched in nothing but dressing with some bacon thrown on top -- the cheese itself was tasty but, again, presentation was very poor. The small slab of grilled salmon was mediocre at best and plated as if the chef had no interest in presentation whatsoever. I love the Front Room and have had some of the best food ever at the Corner Room....won't be back here anytime soon.
(3)
Melissa P.
Labor Day weekend, out and about in Portland with our dog, oh so hungry, searching for a place to have dinner outside. When we saw the patio at The Grill Room, we knew that was where we wanted to go. It is enclosed with a wooden fence, lit by candles on each table and tall torches in the corners. We loved that it was set off from the street and we wouldn't be bothered by foot traffic. It was a Saturday night and the place was packed, but somehow our server kept all that chaos inside and was cool as a cucumber every time she came over to our table. I actually had no idea how crowded the inside was until i heard the chatter flood out the door whenever it opened. Our server amazed me with her grace under fire. Warm brie app to start, Ruby Red Slipper martini to drink...we took ordering advice from fellow yelpers, who didn't steer us wrong, of course! I only wish the brie came with crusty bread instead of the little toasted crackers. It would have been nice to add a soft, chewy, crusty texture to the brie. I'm not sure why the chef at The Grill Room decided to redefine rare, medium, and well done for steak, but at least they tell you in advance that their system is different from...oh, pretty much EVERYwhere else. It came out perfectly cooked and utterly delicious. The half roasted chicken was equally tasty and, in all honesty, was probably much more than half. Our pup was the star of the show (as usual) and a bowl was placed in front of her within a minute of sitting down. Not only did it have ice cubes bobbing around in it, keeping Lulu entertained while she drank, but it was also a real bowl, not plastic. This was easily the finest dining experience of Lulu's life. (And let's not think about who got to be the lucky person to eat out of that bowl afterwards.) Great food, drinks, and server in a space that kept us tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Mission accomplished.
(4)
Alison M.
We first enjoyed their oysters on the half shell and their beef tartar. Both were excellent. Then we devoured the lobster mashed potatoes and the porterhouse (both a la carte specials) and the ribeye dinner (complimented with asparagus & amazing horseradish mashed potatoes). The steaks were so big we had to take them home. The wine was great and the service was fantastic. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Chris G.
Have been here twice. Great experience each time. Great menu, the food is outstanding, and the bartenders are very friendly. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Yamona M.
I had the Trout with a Beurre Blanc sauce, carrots and spicy brocolli. My dish was really good. My Duckhorn Pinot was also good, but I knew what to expect. The other wines by the glass were not what I would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. They were just meh. My friend had the swordfish, mashed potatoes and risotto. Way to double starch it, but okay - he's not a big food sharer, but I got a taste of the risotto which was so good. We skipped dessert due to an early morning but were both full and satisfied.
(4)
Jules V.
We had dinner at The Grill Room and if I could have eaten the next days breakfast, lunch and dinner there I would have. We ate at the bar because the joint was very busy. Our bartender was extremely friendly, handed out a few samples off their extensive cocktail menu and otherwise kept us entertained. This was an Amazing Meal. Perfectly cooked 37 ounce (you read that correctly, 37 ounces) porterhouse steak. Grilled asparagus, mushroom risotto and roasted beets as well as poached sweetbreads for a starter. I would have licked the plates if I hadn't been in polite company. We ended the night with a slice of carrot cake damn near the size of the plate it came on. I am already looking forward to our next visit. Check out my blog on my yelp profile page for all my reviews.
(5)
Julia G.
Went today for lunch. The service was very slow so instead of a full meal we only ordered the lobster bisque and it was TERRIBLE! We have lived in Portland over 20 years and have eaten a lot of lobster bisque. Will never go back or recommend too friends.
(1)
S M.
Great atmosphere, and a very accommodating menu. Unfortunately there was a certain attitude about the venue that I did not care for. We had called to make reservations for 8 and were accepted, or so we thought. At 7:45 while on our way to the restaurant we received a call from them stating that they were booked and would not be able to seat us until 9...we unenthusiastically accepted. Upon arrival at 9 we were instructed to wait for our table to be cleared and did not sit until 9:15. Our server greeted us and seemed to be very knowledgeable about the menu which was nice. Since the menu does not specify the quality of beef they use I asked the server if the beef was of prime grade. This is when the attitude really kicked in... She was almost insulted by the fact that I had a question she did not know the answer to, when she came back after speaking with the chefs I was informed that there is no such thing as prime grade and told me some other arbitrary classifications. Whatever. I ordered the rib eye med-rare and was asked to cut into my steak to see if it was cooked to MY liking. I was not able to even cut into the meat at all because it was so undercooked. When I brought my concerns to the waiters attention, she simply turned away without saying a word. Yes, she was going to grab another plate for me to place my steak on, but I did not know that at the time and was under the impression that she was going to speak with the chefs or managers or something of that nature. It was very rude and unprofessional. Next I was asked if I would now like my steak med-well....I was confused, why would I jump to med-rare to med-well??? She was attempting to insult my intelligence by suggesting that my steak was correctly cooked the first time. This was the overall attitude I gathered from this establishment, they convey a certain arrogance and assume no responsibility for mistakes they make...it was extremely frustrating and ruined my dining experience. If it was not for the nice setting and amazing shrimp appetizer I would have made my frustrations known in a much more public manner. Hope they can learn to accept the fact that everyone makes mistakes and cater the customers needs in a more professional way.
(2)
Julie T.
Was really excited to dine here again as we were back in Portland for a few days. Have to say was not as wonderful as 3 years ago. It was sooo dark you could barely read the menu, nevermind see your food. Our waiter was fine. Arugula & goat cheese salad was the highlight. Swordfish was good,risotto creamy but lacking any flavor. My husband ordered the small sirloin (9 oz) medium rare, but it was served rare- almost uncooked. The waiter asked him to cut into it to see if it was cooked to his liking, which he did, but again, its so dark you cant see a thing. So steak was put back on the grill, and reserved. Husband disappointed, not what you would expect at this restaurant. I ate my dinner while we waited for his to return. Nothing offered for our inconvenience, no drink, dessert....sorry to say this was our favorite spot in Portland, but had much better experiences during this visit at Ribollita and Davids.
(2)
Peter C.
We were there for a special dinner with friends. Staff was knowledgable and helpful. The menu is "what you see is what you get" not only good but flavorful and satisfying. Preparation nicely done, service polite. The wine list had good selections at very reasonable price. I highly recommend the restaurant. you know where you are. A high end stake house with fish options. Sides all support the entrees in quality and taste. Service top notch. Good meal all round.
(5)
Fred F.
First, it's always challenging to review a restaurant that is getting 4 stars and then you decide that you feel it should get 1 star. Let's keep it straight tonight. And no, I have nothing against the proprietor who has a notorious local reputation. 2 filet mignons cooked perfectly but served with sides of sauce that rivaled a squeeze packet from McDonalds. A side of truffled creamed spinach that was broiled to the point it looked like something scaped from the underside of your lawn mower. Potato gratin clearly cut from a baking dish, broiled to the point of the cheese was like day old "heated up fridge pizza" and tasting like it was 3 days old. Organic carrots that were cooked until they were black tidbits of some prehistoric vegetable matter (i thought they were beets they were so black). The plating was atrocious - platters sufficient to serve 1/2 a Thanksgiving turkey with 3 unappetizing lumps of food placed on them. The appearance was just so sad we both lost our appetite. A la carte sides should ALWAYS be served in separate dishes. Food should be fresh, cooked properly and served at the correct temperature. Special sauces for your steak should have flavor, body and have a nice appearance - not colored runny water. PS - our salads were OK - however, our wait person (very nice) checked to see if we were done eating our first course at least 4 times in 5 minutes - a clear signal that our entrees were back under the heat lamps, dying a quick death of culinary sadness. I've eaten at every fine restaurant in Portland dozens of times for 20 years. The only restaurant I've ever found to be a rip off is the Grill Room. I stayed away for 2 years and tonight was "one more chance". Oh my gosh. How sad. If you are going to price your menu like a Ruth Chris Steak House or a Mortons - for Pete's sake, get your professional act together.
(1)
Gladys S.
I went there last night for my boyfriends birthday dinner. He had steak which was cooked to perfection. The fries are the best we've ever had! They give you enough to feed 4 people. They are crispy with a touch of sea salt & parsley, I had the Salmon entree. The entire dish was awesome. The salmon was crisp on the outside & moist inside. The veg served with it was Brussel sprouts. They were so creative in preparing them. I could of eaten a whole bowl of them. The only complaint would be the time it took to get our food. About an hour from ordering but worth the wait.
(4)
Andy M.
Went to the grill room last night with a small party and we're sat by the open kitchen. It was a good spot so you could see the goings on in the kitchen. I have read in other reviews that the place could be a little loud. I found it to be no to loud other then the piped in music could be lowered a touch. To start with out waitress was excellent and her recommendation on the swordfish was right on. The swordfish with butternut squash risotto was the best cooked and moist fish I've had in a very long time. Another in our party had the flank steak which he said was excellent. The table split several side dishes like the fries and roasted vegetables. I loved the fries they were fresh cut and fried and seasoned very well. I'm a huge fan of roasted vegetables and they hit the mark on flavor the only thing I have to say is that they could have been cooked a little more. Next time I hit the grill room it's going to be steak.
(4)
Andrew F.
Very good, had ribeye and porkchop. The food pairings were great! Dark, close, you can see the kitchen from most tables. Nice long bar. Very good servers and food. Be ready to eat meat.
(5)
Jessica B.
I had dinner with a friend the other night at the Grill Room and what a pleasant surprise! First, the atmosphere is dark and modern, encouraging you to chat and take your time. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive without being too present. I literally can say I had the best burger of my life there. And I love burgers. I ordered their burger with peppers and spices on a ciabatta style roll medium well. First, they give you a huge pile of fries (more than most can eat), and the burger was delicious. The meat was tender and flavorful and fresh. It truly is the best burger in Portland. For $12, the flavor and the portions were great. I am taking friends here again, and I highly recommend it!
(5)
Benjamin W.
I've never had a bad meal at The Grill Room and my wife and I eat here at least once a month! I usually start with the Maine Lobster Bisque and/or the Local Greens salad followed by the NY Sirloin or the Scallops...depending on my mood! While my wife is a sucker for the French Onion Soup and the Arugula & Goat Cheese salad followed by the Filet Mignon (or occasionally the Tuna Steak). We absolutely love The Grill Room and I don't see us leaving this great spot out of our monthly restaurant rotation any time soon!
(5)
Vanessa H.
My third trip here this year. First time had salmon and beets (my choice of veggie). So good! Friend had steak of course, also great. Second time was simply happy hour, wine and we had a blast. Third time was tonight. Was tired and just wanted to chill, were given a spot on the patio. Was really motivated me to write was our service was lovely. I had tapas at a different place before coming here, so wasn't super hungry. I had a salad and prosecco, partner had onion soup and a beer. Nothing fancy, not our typical order-but we have stellar service regardless of how much $ we spent. That's class.
(5)
Jeff P.
One of my favorite spots in Portland. Excellent food. Excellent wine and beer. Great staff. Cozy inside. The patio overlooks the town riffraff.
(5)
Rajiv A.
[3 visits, 2010-2012] Dinner: Everything was en point - the steak, the veggies. Good glassware and wine selection, and super-hospitable service! It was a bit confusing that the meat temperatures didn't seem to line up with convention. E.g. Well Done at the Grill Room is a little pink at the center... which is medium well elsewhere. But I'm splitting hairs, the meal was delicious. --- Lunch: Full disclosure: the lunch chef is a friend of mine. That said, lunch here is certainly a treat! They do a foccacia bread burger, which is tasty and supportive, but a bit messy/awkward to eat. The deep-fried octopus with deep-fried olives is deliciously salty and crunchy, and the steak salad just... works. Very good food, executed by top-notch chefs.
(4)
Jim B.
This place is amazing. Came here two nights in a row. Jack is an amazing waiter. The steak tar tar is exceptional. Ask for Adam or Danielle at the bar. Perfection needs no explanation. Try the "Creole Mule." it's a spicy, smokey house original drink and it is unbelievably addicting.
(5)
Sunny D.
Ode to my porkchop: Oh porkchop, my porkshop! You were incredibly delish! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! Your thickness was outta control! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! You were perfect with the wonderful carafe of Sauvignon Blanc! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! You were in such a cute restaurant! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! You were wonderful with the amazing service! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! My woman has nothing on you tonight! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Timmy C.
Their lobster pizza may be the worst thing I've eaten in a very long time. The idea was interesting enough, but the execution was really poor. Who uses strong flavors like garlic, caramelized onions, and pecorino cheese to compliment lobster? It was a disaster. Their Caesar salad was edible and the server was nice enough, so that's why the two stars instead of one.
(2)
Keith M.
Caesar salad. Lobster pizza. Fries. Carrot cake. The woman at the hotel (residence inn) had another great recommendation. Service was great and didn't mind that we needed to wait for another. Food came quickly in good portions, so I had room for dessert. There was enough lobster, it was not dried out and not overpowered by cheese, etc.
(4)
Bill S.
The restaurant had a nice atmosphere, but is a bit dark and our table was small on a corner with lots of traffic. Great wood fire grill burning and there is a chef's bar that we did not realize. Would like to try that. The pork belly app is great. Try it. Waiter Jack was awesome, he made the dining experience memorable. Pizza is small, but great flavor. If you are hungry they are personal pizzas. We had the pesto with mushroom, but disappointed chef would not add some chicken when I asked. If we had eaten earlier, would have tried a steak. Place was packed so getting a reservation was key.
Just left about a half hour ago. Simply one of the best meals ever, and I'm. No kid (sadly :). Excellent service. Grilled options and side - so good. We shared the roasted olives & I had the simple green salad. My his and had the cesar with anchovies - he was happy not to have to ask, they were offered. We both had the 22/basil drink -excellent! Not sweet - I cannot tolerate a sweet drink :) I had grilled scallops - 3 large with the sides were enough. My husband had grilled salmon. We shared roasted mushrooms, spinach, roasted beets and mushroom risotto. All was exceptional. Just the right-sized portions, too. Highly recommend. Just go and enjoy. Only negative - and I hate this but it's not enough to detract from the culinary experience - acoustics are bad - its loud. I have a soft voice and my husband frequently can't hear me - we still loved this place! Just go, really :)
(5)
Caitlin C.
I went here last weekend with my family and we had a very enjoyable meal. Here is the rundown: Drinks: They definitely card. My brother boldly attempted to order alcohol (he's twenty), but they carded him (wah wah). I started out with a glass of the Rhone Blend ($10, very nice). My father ordered Scotch, as is his custom. And my Mother was quite pleased with her Ruby Slipper cocktail. For dinner we had a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape, which went well with our steaks. Bread: a simple, but tasty foccacia with a nice olive oil. Appetizers: To start I had the escargot, but I wasn't terribly impressed. I prefer my escargot to come in the shell (these were already removed). They were fine, just no wow factor really. My father ordered the Camembert with honey comb, balsamic, and pepper jelly which was quite lovely. My brother's Maine crab cakes were also quite tasty. But it was my mother's fried clam special that was the hit appetizer. Boy, were those wonderful (and I've eaten a lot of fried clams in my day, including Woodman's)! They were perfectly crispy with a bit of kick. Yum! Salad: my parents both had the spinach salad special with a blueberry vinaigrette. It also had a local cheese (described as similar to brie). This cheese was extremely stinky, but it tasted ok. Entree: I ordered off the a la carte menu. I paired the filet mignon with their Bearnaise sauce, the parmesan polenta special side, and spicy broccoli. The servers tell you to order the next done-ness up, so I ordered medium so as to have medium-rare. And my filet was cooked perfectly. It was a lovely piece of meat, though I wish the Bearnaise had had more tarragon. The parmesan polenta was not terribly exciting (though polenta really ever terribly exciting) and the spicy broccoli was solid. Other notables: mac n cheese is decent, though I prefer white cheddar to orangey-yellow. The potatoes aligot is amazing. And my mother's special entree (ribeye w/ carmelized onions and mushrooms) was pretty fabulous. Dessert: By this point I was so full that I uncharacteristically skipped dessert. Instead, we shared the creme brulee and the homemade watermelon sorbet. The sorbet was not really sorbet, in fact it was more like gelato (creamy rather than icey), but the flavor was lovely. The creme brulee was decent, but I've had better. The sugar crust was lovely, but the custard was a little lacking in mouth-feel (seemed too warm/runny). I also had a nice cappuccino to ward off a serious food coma (had a 2 hour drive back to Boston). Service: We had Leslie as our server. She was very pleasant and attentive. No complaints. Atmosphere: When we hurried in from the rain, the restaurant was pretty empty, but by the time we had left it had filled right up (pretty busy for a Sunday night). Nothing really notable to report on the decor. We rather liked the prints of the animals adorning the wall (the one of Ferninand the bull was quite nice). It would probably be a good date place (only if your date is a serious carnivore). Conclusion: Ultimately, we had a very good meal. My mother raved that it probably ranked in ther 10 ten meals ever. If I return, I certainly would tweak my choices a bit, but I was quite satisfied. If you go here, order steak. It's a steak house and that's what they do best. This place is most definitely a carnivore's delight.
(4)
Marcus H.
They try a little too hard to be "clever" with their menu items. My steak and cheese came out as a cold meat salad on top of warm fried cheese. No bread, no sauce, no thanks. The benefit of this place is the large beer selection.
(3)
Pat G.
Epic fail....first time we went two months ago it was ok. Last night it was horrible. First we came early and I walked past the dining room on my way to the men's room. Wow all the prep food was out on tables, not bad but, hamburgers cooked hours before.....really! Bread and oil dip have to owners tried it? Pizza crust was that dough? My duck liver app was undercooked and a mouthful of greasy taste. To bad that's why we bought the living social coupon to come back. Wife's flank steak or whatever it was called raw, little and plate covered with 3/4 fries and salted to hell to make you buy more booze. Oh yes SALT I guess since your near the ocean everything get really over salted. All I can say if you want liquor have fun. Owners have to may places they can't manage.
(1)
Kamron H.
The Grill Room is a great place for a business lunch or dinner! They also do a wonderful job of dinner. Like a true steak joint, the sides are mostly al'la carte, the meat is cooked to perfection, you can eat slowly and enjoy your company!
(5)
Paul O.
Offers a great level of service and atmosphere for a higher end steak experience. Love the new ala carte and specials menu. I had the bacon wrapped asparagus with the quail eggs that was excellent as a starter and the petite NY Strip, which often is over cooked due to its small size, but was perfect medium rare. The spicy broccoli was the only let down as it was way too heavy on the pepper flake, as it was coated with pepper flake versus a bit of sprinkles. Could not choke more then a piece down. My companion had the Caesar which was perfect and the hangar steak that was quite large and wonderfully prepared. On my next trip, I would like to try the Porterhouse special and the bacon and string beans.
(4)
Barbara M.
Went to the Grill Room last night and had a wonderful dinner. The special salad was delicious as was the fried squid. My husband had the rib eye steak and I had the filet --both we're cooked perfectly. We went early (6:00) and the place was pretty empty but by the time we left at about 8:00 the place was packed. Not bad for a cold Monday night after the Blizzard of 2013. Can't wait to return.
(5)
Meg P.
If you're a martini person, try the Ruby Red Slipper. Best martini I've ever had in my life - hands down. The food was great - we had the swordfish with lobster and pea risotto which I thought was amazing. We also had the stuffed porkchop. It wasn't as good as I expected, but if you're a big pork chop person you probably would. I rarely eat them, so it was my own fault. The steaks at the table next to ours looked fantastic. Loved the atmosphere, and would definitely consider returning if I'm ever in Portland again!
(4)
Morgan O.
The Grill Room is a breath of fresh air for Portland! It always amazed me with the amount of restaurants in Portland, no one could get a steak quite right...well, The Grill Room turned that table! Not only are the steaks great, but there are a bunch of other options on the menu. My boyfriend and I dine here on a regular basis (at least once a week) and always split the same meal (The Sirloin Entree) The steak is pepper crusted and it comes with potatoes aligot (to die for!!) and spicy broccoli, which we love. My Recommendation: Sit at the back bar...the appetizer cooks are great and they will hook you up with lots of tasters while you wait for your meal, but don't worry, you don't wait long here, the food comes fast! We usually order a salad and once that comes we order our steak to have plenty of dining time. My favorite appetizer - the Tuna Tartar --delicious!
(4)
Ali M.
Ohmygod, OHMYGOD. I have been wanting to try this place for months now and I finally got to eat here last weekend when my parents visited and took my boyfriend and me out for dinner. They seated us immediately at 5:30 on a Saturday, without a reservation. I started off with a refreshing French 75 which, although not as strong as I like my cocktails to be, still very good. For my main I ordered the filet mignon, medium-well, with the horseradish cream sauce. Holy.. Beef. I used to be a vegetarian, but for the past 2 years I've been re-acquainting myself with my good old friend, beef. This filet mignon was GLORIOUS. The best beef I've had since renouncing vegetarianism, definitely! My mom had the hanger steak, which I had a few bites of and was equally as scrumptious. My boyfriend and dad both got grilled fish dishes which they said were very good but not the best they'd eaten. My tip: go for the meat here. It's clearly what they do best. I ended with the flourless chocolate cake which was amazing. It was almost more of a souffle-type dessert - warm chocolate deliciousness in a bowl, with some homemade vanilla gelato on top. TLDR; Do yourself a favor. Go here. Empty your wallets. Eat their scrumptious beef and chocolate cake and go home bloated and happy.
(5)
Premshree P.
We were driving to Bar Harbor from Boston. We stopped in Portland hoping to have some decent lunch. The Grill Room looked like the place I'd like. The setting inside was nice, albeit a little cramped. The wait staff was very friendly. Since we were in Maine, I decided to have some seafood. I asked for the Maine Crab Cakes, while my friend asked for a chicken sandwich. My friend liked his sandwich. My crab cakes were crispy and very oily. It didn't taste very fresh either. Nothing to write home about.
(2)
Michael C.
This is a good-great steak restaurant. Fair, small selection of seafood. A la cart so pick your favorites. The portions are HUGE. My wife and I , if we can agree, can easily share a steak and still have some to bring home. Escargot appetizer is wonderful. The place is a little small and probably too loud so it's not a romantic stop, but great place to meet friends and have a great, satisfying dinner.
(4)
Terence M.
Man, Portland gets crowded. We didn't have a reservation anywhere, so we came in here and ate at the bar. A nice laid back place. Good local beer selection and a few cocktails on the menu. We had the pork chop and dry aged strip. Both were amazing. I loved the dry rub they put on the pork. The steak was cooked perfectly, and had great flavor. Glad we ended up coming in here.
(4)
Laurel O.
This restaurant was recommended by a family member who lives in Maine, and it did not disappoint! We went here on our last night in Maine, and it was so delicious. The Mushroom and Pesto pizza with goat cheese is an amazing flavor combination, with a light and flavorful crust. The monkfish and the duck were phenomenal, and you can choose one of their creations or make your own. Definitely coming back next time I'm in town!
(5)
Ramin R.
The waitresses all wear these sexy stockings. I am not sure if it is dress code or not...I was too scared to ask. The atmosphere here is really nice. This was he first place I visited when I got into Portland for the first time ever. I had the duck and fettucciniabsolutely delicious...the sauce was creamy and very flavorful and the duck was well cooked. My friend had the grilled trout on top of lobster mashed potatoes and spinach. We had the oven roasted Brie cheese with bread crackers (which were way too oily) that was really filling and tasty. I wish the beer selection was more extensive.
(4)
Ryan R.
popped in here on a whim.....I will never regret this in my life! Sat at the "chef bar", absolutelty awesome. If you sit ther, talk to the cooks, they will respond. We got tons of samples of all foods, incredible. Versus the couple next to us who seemed "above" conversing with the help, they did not get jack! I hav eaten at good restaurants around the world, this one impressed me with its' eecution and its' professionalism
(5)
Sara E.
My favorite of all the "room" restaurants by Harding Lee Smith. I have yet to go for dinner but I had a great lunch here the other day. The meats are amazing and I can never go to any of the rooms without ordering a salad. I have no idea how something as simple as a salad can be so damn delicious but it was. I had the Big Winter Salad and also ordered the white pizza which was really delicious. They also have a great selection of wines which are a must with every meal.
(5)
Mike P.
I was only visiting the Portland, ME area for a few days for work and I got word of a new restaurant named The Grill Room. After checking Yelp, I noticed that the reviews weren't very high, but since it was relatively new I decided to give it a shot any how. Atmosphere - Low level lighting and candles give the place a laid back feel but also a place with potential for some fun times around happy hour or later. Service - Since I was dining alone I sat at the bar. In my experience you will always get better service at the bar, and this place was no exception. The barkeep came over shortly after I sat down and was very good about keeping my drink filled. The food came out quicker than I expected and it was an overall nice service experience. Food - I wanted to taste a little bit everything that Maine's famous seafood had to offer, so I got an appetizer and entree specialty of the day. I had the crab cakes as an appetizer and they were fantastic. The taste was not overly fishy like some can be and it was mostly made out of crab, not breading. The entree was the grilled trout served over a bed of garlic lobster mashed potatoes (my favorite) and topped with wilted spinach. The entire meal was fantastic and I would highly recommend this place to anyone.
(4)
D B.
It's pretty rare for me to visit a restaurant and not have at least a few minor details to complain about. I was lucky enough to eat at the Grill Room for the second time last weekend and my experience was even better than the first time. My wife and I had dinner with two other couples and between the 6 of us we covered a good portion of the menu. I started with the Arugula and goat cheese salad. Was more than happy with this generous portion. My wife had the baked brie, and the ladies at the table devoured before I could even think of giving it a whirl. Several people had the tar tar and I heard no complaints about that either. I went with the Fillet with blue cheese fondue and mashed potatoes for my meal. Once again the steak was cooked perfectly and left me happy after every bite. Mashed potatoes were Delicious. My wife had Salmon and I did manage to try a bite or two. Both of us agreed this was also delicious. Our friends had the Rib eye, Pork chop and at .east one other dish that is escaping me, but everyone had nothing but great things to say. Most of us had carrot cake for dessert and I know I personally loved every last bite of it. Service was promt and professional with plenty of time allowed to enjoy each course. Grill Room wins again!
(5)
Lg M.
Great salads especially local greens. Steaks were out of this world with red wine sauce. Onion soup and sides were all superb!
(5)
Brent M.
Went to dinner here on a recent trip to Portland. Started off with the Baked Brie (excellent), and followed that up with an above average filet. I would definitely go here again.
(4)
Melanie B.
Oh, Portland. How I love your dining scene. *gush* My dear friend from college and I went to lunch at The Grill Room today, on her suggestion since she works nearby. I had no idea what this place was, since the last time I was home, I believe it was still Natasha's (zzz). I was super impressed by my whole experience here, and would definitely recommend this place to anyone - especially for lunch on their patio on an idyllic (yet slightly hot, for Maine) afternoon. I walked in a little before noon, slightly early, and no one was really there. I sipped a beer (Shipyard Summer Ale!) at the bar for a while and then took a table outside while waiting for M. While I had been at the bar, the patio had filled up, so I'm glad I got the seats when I did - walking through the restaurant to get to the patio, I experienced everything aesthetically that I love about the Portland dining scene - exposed brick walls, hardwood, open hearth kitchen, and classy people who are much more down to earth than big-city folks. The food here is fantastic - the lunch menu is fairly reasonably priced, especially for a restaurant that I was told by others was pricey. The key to amazing but expensive restaurants is not to avoid them, people... it's to go for lunch or happy hour. My friend ordered the steak and cheese, which turned out to be this amazing amalgamation of "andouille sausage, mozzarella, potato cake, grilled onion & lusty aioli ." Are you kidding me?! How could I NOT order "lusty aioli?!" And of course, the steak was rare-as-hell - the waitress sweety asked both M. and I if we knew the meat would be cold if we ordered it rare - and then laughed when she realised we're two girls who know our food. Speaking of rare steak, M. ordered the steak and cheese, which is really not at all what you think of when you think steak and cheese - it is something much more amazing. Ordered rare, this was a bloody, deliciously nearly-raw beef carpaccio with fried fresh goat cheese and greens. Hello. I'm in love. I am so glad we stopped in here for lunch. The Grill Room reminds me of my days of Portland culinary adventuring - but on 'roids. I would love to try the other two restaurants by the same owners - the Corner Room and the Front Room. Sitting outside on Exchange/Middle, eating amazing food with the salt air thick above our heads, I nearly wanted to move back home... plus five cool points, Grill Room, for putting the fleeting thought in my head.
(4)
Michael C.
Food was really good, the service was amazing. Friendly staff. Not a place for a quiet romantic dinner, but my steak was cooked perfectly, the thick cut chips were great and the white pizza was outstanding.
(5)
Lisa L.
Wow, this food was amazing. I usually don't care for steakhouses, but this place is unique, very flavorful food with inventive flavor combinations. The waitress recommended we try the olives. I'm an olive fan, so we ordered them, and was surprised to learn they were warm and spicy...sooo good and so different! I had a beet and cheese salad that was very good. But the highlight was definitely the scallops, served with risotto and root vegetables. I practically licked the plate clean, and I usually never finish a meal. It's pricey, but not more than you'd expect for a restaurant of its caliber. A great place to go with friends or on a "couples date."
(5)
T.H. J.
I've eaten there a couple of times, once for lunch and once for dinner. The place is expensive and overrated. I had a Cobb Salad at lunch that had greasy chicken strings (intended) that were unpleasant. Too little for too much money.
(3)
Roseann C.
I had heard great things about this place and was in the mood for steak, so my dining companion and I chose to eat there this past Sunday evening. Well, I chose and he went along with it - gotta love that! : ) I loved the charm of the exposed brick and ducts that this place featured, as well as the red walls and wood floors. There were red glass candle holders scattered around and on the tables. The atmosphere was all quite inviting. I was pleased when we were seated around the corner from the front door at a table in the window; it seemed like being seated anywhere else would have placed us at the center of the din that I'm sure is characteristic of a good restaurant on a weekend night. We could converse easily without having to raise our voices and we could look out at the eclectic cast of characters milling by. The lighting was dim, but not overly so, and was quite pleasant. My dining companion looked quite cute in it, actually. We started with cocktails and I absolutely loved mine - the name of it escapes me but it was some sort of gin and ginger liquor concoction that was very tasty. My dining companion was jealous because this time, *I* had the better drink! We started off with the warm ricotta appetizer which was nice, but needed some seasoning which we added ourselves when the waitress brought out some salt and pepper. There also was not enough of the grilled bread that goes with it - there were only 4 small slices that came with it. Luckily, the bread basket came next and we were able to use that to finish up the ricotta. We then each ordered steak - my dining companion got a hanger steak with spicy BBQ sauce, and I got a filet with some sort of brandy cream sauce. Yum! The steaks were both cooked properly. We ordered parmesan polenta and creamed spinach for our sides. The polenta was a little short on parmsean flavor, but pleasant enough, and the creamed spinach was the best I've ever had. I like that they do NOT use nutmeg in theirs, and I believe it had truffle oil as well. Truffle oil makes EVERYTHING better! We unfortunately did not save room for dessert, but we did thoroughly enjoy our meals (we pretty much cleaned our plates). The service was warm, friendly and hospitable also. This place definitely gets two thumbs up. My experience here has made me also want to try the Front Room and the Corner Room when back in Portland.
(4)
Bob R.
Showed up without a reservation but got a table for three without a wait. Waitress was good and very attentive. Split the "steak and cheese" which is really beef carpaccio with goat cheese - excellent. Had a fried potato app with a nice sauce - unfortunately the sauce was on a plate that got cleared too quickly so the last few pieces of potato had nothing to dip into. Service was almost too quick - the entrees came out within seconds of the apps plates being cleared. Two of us had grilled swordfish - very nicely done with a lobster and pea risotto which was luke warm although still very tasty. One had a petite sirloin which was very good with a bearnaise sauce - perfectly cooked asparagus but a mashed potato with some kind of cheese that unfortunately gave it a consistency of brick mortar - we commented that it could be used to stop the oil leak inthe gulf. Nice chocolate cake for dessert and coffee was really good. Overall, I really like this place and have eaten here several times and will do so again.
(3)
brian d.
absolute worst dining experience..the English Manager Lady should be FIRED...she was soooo rude...horrible food...all four of us were disappointed with the service the wait (45 min for food) and one person asked to have her hamburger cooked more...the English WITCH came out and argued with us...wow...just horrible
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Claudio C.
Very nice birthday dinner for my dad. Party of six was seated in the back facing the kitchen. I love the ambiance sitting in the back...or at the bar. The oysters were excellent, fresh, with good accoutrements. The fois gras was wood grilled and had creme fresh and two sauces drizzled over it. The clam chowder and lobster bisque were both enjoyed by those eating it. I had the yellow fin tuna rare....which is virtually sashimi.....good portion and delicious. It was served with an herbed rice and a funky radish topping...an excellent dish. The swordfish special was well received, as was the standard dry aged steaks, with ala carte sides. A nice French Malbec was the wine special....it was great...pared with both fish and meat....and was good value for the $40 restaurant price, Everyone enjoyed their meals and desserts....and it was a very favorable evening, including wait service and all staff. Well done. 4 stars.....recommend
(4)Stephanie W.
Love the atmosphere. Sat right near the open kitchen area. Food was DELICIOUS. Filet mignon and asparagus was to die for! Fiancé got sirloin and macaroni and cheese, also great! Sangria was awesome Great experience
(5)Peter Q.
Fantastic service and one if the better filets I've ever had! Potatoes gratin were delicious too!
(4)Chris C.
If you want a steak in Portland Maine, this is the place to get it. classic steakhouse decor and menu, we start with the oysters and make our way to an excellent ribeye with béarnaise. It is steak house prices, so be prepared, not cheap!
(5)Ryan J.
Every time here, I feast on a medium rare ribeye! Love it and love the staff. I look forward to each evening spent here!
(5)Margaret M.
Best.Happy.Hour.Ever. Seriously, you will be amazed at what they offer and the prices in which they offer them. Most week nights this bar is packed to the gills and every bar stool is full by about 5:30 (so arrive early if you can). Awesome atmosphere, good selection of beers, wines & liquor and the vibe is bustling & fun. Haven't tried the restaurant side out, probably never will as I prefer bar seating, but it looks like a good cozy spot for a date night. We dined here on Valentine's Day at the bar, and although I was blown away by the happy hour offerings dinner fell a little short. I am going to chalk it up to eating out on a holiday such as V-day (one of my personal no nos after years in the industry). My steak as dry and flavorless, mac and cheese left much to be desired and the husbands lamb was way over cooked. Again, since it was a holiday I am not holding it against them (if that wasn't obvious by the 4 stars) but I will be trying the place out again to verify my assumption and fingers crossed dinner will be what I expected.
(4)Shane L.
The wife and I were looking for a good place to go for lunch downtown and we had been to other places before like corner room and knew that the owner was the same for the "rooms" so we decided to belly up to the bar in the Grill room (the dining area was packed for lunch). We were greeted by a very friendly bartender who went through some of the specials that they were having for the day (which I will get into the fact that we took two of the things off of the special menu). We started our romantic meal with a plate of fresh fried oysters that sat atop some light lemon aioli that was garnished with a side of sprouts and diced cucumbers. We were talking about how we usually love fried oysters with a side of tarter sauce but these absolutely did not need them. The other thing that made thise things scrumptious was the chunks of slab bacon sprinkled across the top of the morsels of goodness. We then split a cup of the lobster stew that was very flavorful and tasted fresh and delicious ... the only drawback to this was the fact that we were looking for a little more lobster in the stew but for the price of the dish, I can see why where you would normally pay about 15-20 bucks for a lobster stew/bisque around town. I think dove into my main course of a fresh ceasar salad topped with a special order blackened salmon garnished with a sharp cheddar cheese crisp and a fresh anchovy for some added flavor. The lady got a special salad that had ... get ready ... baby spinach, goat cheese, cranberries, candied walnuts, thinly sliced radishes and turnips with a light and refreshing vinaigrette (she also ordered a medium rare steak to top it off) these salads were some of the best salads I have had around town and I would have never expected it at a burger/sandwich and steak restaurant. It was really good to see my favorite cold time beer in Alagash Black on draft and my wife had the non alcoholic Kaliber which she enjoyed (I always look for these places around town to have a selection of non-alcoholic beers .. it shows that they care and are not always about the profits) We both agreed that this spot was one that we would definitely go back to next time we are out and about in the Old Port. We enjoyed every bite and the service was top notch for us even with a jam packed establishment.
(5)Justin B.
After searching for a good place to grab a late dinner we settled on The Grill Room. The menu looked great and the reviews seemed favorable. The problem was while they are open until 11, the full kitchen does not stay open until then, it closes at 10:00. We walked in at 9:55 oblivious to this fact. The hostess was not happy to see is. She spoke for about 30 seconds and was very confusing. Essentially I realized shortly that what she was trying to hint at was they would be required to serve us per restaurant policy, but no one wanted to. She took us to be seated and we saw the chefs in the open kitchen mouth the F word, and throw their hands up. At this point we just got up and left. I wasn't about to eat food made by angry, unprofessional staff. My suggestion is to either give the staff the leeway to say when the kitchen is closing, or hold them to a standard of professionally serving until close. To act like petulant children in full view of customers is completely unacceptable.
(1)Theresa Marie S.
When in New England I am constantly on the hunt for amazing clam chowder. One of the hotel staff told me that I should definitely check out The Grill Room. I have to say that I have had better clam chowder from little stops along the road on the Cape. It had a very good tasting cream base, but virtually clamless, way too many onions, and a lot of celery. There were a good amount of potatoes. My main meal was the pork chop. The pork chop was HUGE at 16 oz. My husband and I shared. It was cooked well done just the way I wanted it. For a chop that large - it was surprisingly still very juicy and had a great flavor. Very happy with it. We ordered an array of sides; mac and cheese, carrots (but was more than just carrots), and mashed potatoes. They were decent. I have had better. There is a very good beer list. We had a couple different beers we never had before, but don't remember what they were. Loved the decor and atmosphere, but this restaurant was way too loud for my liking. Also did not like how close we had to be next to one another. You heard every conversation within the immediate area even if you weren't trying to. Our waitress was sweet and very informative, but the staff that I encountered at the front of the restaurant were a little snobby. Overall, not the greatest, but definitely not the worst.
(3)Diana K.
I absolutely love this place! I was there twice. The first time I was there with my friend we had the cheese board appetizer and steak as a main course. - amazing! The second time we were there it was on Fourth of July - yep 2 days ago. We went there for appetizers with some good Malbec! Once again we were not disappointed! It was great! The food and the service were exceptional. We got the baked Brie, Tartare, cheese board and Foie Gras. Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere was super romantic. We sat on the little window bar and we're watching people passing on the street. We finished the evening with some fireworks. It was perfect 4th of July adventure :)
(5)Noelle S.
The worst experience I've ever had a bar..EVER. The bartender failed to acknowledge us sitting at the bar....we were in a rush so we headed out to a bar across the street. He proceeded to follow us to the bar and harass us about our timely departure. Upon calling to complain the "GM" or the man claiming to be one didn't find this odd nor did he apologize. The entire experience was completely unprofessional.
(1)Bob N.
This was the best meal we had. Excellent food and service to match. Place was very busy and we walked in and got lucky. My wife had the sword fish special and I had filet. Eat here.
(5)Gregory G.
This place is awesome. The bartender Darby was super cool, told me all about the city and pointed me to several other great spots. Food was awesome, ambiance was awesome, it was just awesome.
(5)Yelena S.
I want to like The Grill Room, I really do. I'm not a big red meat person so I generally avoid restaurants that seem to excel in just that, but I have to hand it to The Grill Room... aside from their smorgasbord of entrees and a la carte meats, they do have a selection of seafood appetizers and dinners. Unfortunately they're just too pricey for me, and I find a la carte menus to be a total doop. I have to pay $20+ for a meat AND I have to pay an additional $8+ for each side?? That being said, whenever I have gone here I've ordered the Maine-raised Burger, which is rather quite good (and also the cheapest at $17). The burger is not grotesquely big, and does taste much better than many burgers I've had. It also comes with a huge amount of crunchy sea salt fries, enough to share between two people. It doesn't come with any sort of cheese though, so you're looking at a $20 burger if you add cheese. The last time we went it was not planned, it was New Year's day and the restaurant we had made reservations at was actually closed... they neglected to tell us it was closed. At the last minute we looked for another place to eat and wound up at The Grill Room. I opted for something different this time; the fried shrimp bang bang and their cup of french onion soup as my meal. I was pretty disappointed. The shrimp were those tiny itty bitty ones (it says Maine shrimp on the menu but I don't know if I believe it), they tasted like they had been frozen for a long time, that's the only way I can really describe it. The sauce they're supposed to come in was barely there so I asked for a side of it, the shrimp was pretty bland so I needed the sauce to finish the dish. French onion soup is supposed to be seasoned, salty, and savory. This was not. It needed salt desperately, I try never to add salt to my meals, but this was an exception. The soup tasted exactly like the frozen kind that comes in a bag that they add water to dilute, it made me reminisce of the days I used to waitress and would watch the kitchen crew fill their soups containers for lunch. There's really nothing at The Grill Room that makes me dying to go back. If I did go I'd probably stick with the Maine-raised burger, otherwise there are many other places I'd rather go to first.
(2)Eliza M.
Nope. Just doesn't do it for me. I like the atmosphere, the dark wood, the cozy eating. I don't really like open kitchens that much, so I find that hard. But moreover, my meals were too salty to eat and far too expensive for what we got. I'm not talking size/portion wise.... The portions were not dainty, by any means. But my meal (the skirt steak) was inedible. It's just not my scene, I like some of HLS's other establishments, but I think I'll pass on the Grill Room.
(2)Sally V.
There are dozens of glowing reviews for The Grill Room, and here is mine: I glow with happiness whenever I have dinner here. My favorite menu items are the wedge salad, the rainbow trout, all the potato sides. My boyfriend usually orders the steak frites and his steak is always cooked perfectly. They have a nice wine list, well balanced cocktails, and the service is excellent. The Grill Room gets it right every time. It's one of my favorite places to have dinner in Portland.
(5)Chris F.
We went there for our anniversary and the food was great however the waiting after being seated was a little longer than expected ever with having reservations
(5)Emily V.
I can see why the reviews for this place are mixed. We went here after my carnivorous husband had his fill of new england seafood and needed a steak. As far as the food goes it is pretty good. The prices are on par for what you get. Slightly lower end steak house but still high quality meat. I had the filet which was very flavorful and was cooked perfectly. I think it was around $40. They have high end steak house sauces and sides which were just ok. For those that complain about the a la carte pricing - unlike most steak houses they also have a portion of the menu that has complete entree choices that are reasonably priced, so you could go either way. The issue is this place doesn't know what it wants to be. It serves higher end steak house fare but has a Texas Roadhouse/tavern style environment. Very loud music and atmosphere that doesn't mix well with the food and the prices. I can see how that would be confusing to some people and leave them scratching their heads. Also - service is a bit shaky, definitely could use some work there. The verdict? The meal was good but with all the incredible restaurants in the Portland area, if we are back in town we won't be returning to the Grill Room.
(3)Mike S.
I have been to the Grill Room a few times now and have enjoyed each time! First time was for a GIANT grass fed porterhouse on special which I split with a friend and a ton of sides. That was absolutely fantastic! The second time was with a group and everybody enjoyed their meal. The service was good even though they were obviously busy and the food was consistently great! The third was again to order a special. I mean, seriously, who could resist a soft shell crab wrapped in bacon on top of a filet on a bed of bleu cheese mashed with fiddleheads. Yeah, that was amazing. Will coming here disappoint many people? No way! It is a highly recommended place to get a great steak! Why not five stars? That's hard to tell, I love a good steak and the food has been great, but something is just lacking a hair. I will happily change my rating if that were to change and with Timber now open nearby, maybe both places will step up their games and truly create something awesome. I just can't put my finger on what exactly it is but I look forward to visiting again and seeing if I feel differently!
(4)Jill P.
A little pricey, but delicious! We came here for a long weekend and liked it so much that we decided to visit a second time before we left--it was that good. The French Onion soup takes a week to make. It will ruin you for any other soup. The Caesar salad was topped with a flavorful Parmesan crisp. Filet mignon was cooked PERFECTLY and was flavorful. We ordered a few sides for the table to split. I highly recommend the fries. Creamed spinach and jalapeño corn bread were just okay. Potatoes au gratin were golden brown, good and had a nice crust if cheese on top. We topped off this birthday celebration with a house made chocolate cake. It's actually made down the corner at their other restaurant. It was nice thin layers of chocolate and creamy not to sweet peanut butter frosting. It did come with walnuts on the outside, honestly, those were not needed. Oh and I forgot the excellent drink menu...try a martini.
(5)rebecca g.
My boyfriend and I recently went to the Grill Room with the intent of just getting some drinks and apps before a concert. We had such a great time, we returned for dinner after the show. Yes, twice in a matter of hours even though there were dozens of restaurants to choose from in the area. The food, drinks and service stood out because they were all so good! Coming from Boston, we found the prices to be fair and were really impressed by talent of the chefs and professionalism of the staff. Don't miss the spice rubbed skirt steak! We also had a carpaccio dish with goat cheese and greens that was unbelievable (it will convert an anti-raw meat eater). Zoly at the bar created a welcoming, neighborhood feel (ie not tourist-y) and provided a level of service that is really rare. His recommendations for drinks and food were spot on, he was attentive without being pushy and he was obviously passionate about great dining. 'Farm to table' wasn't just a branding element and Zoly didn't just rattle off the names of the farms that worked with the restaurant, he KNEW them. When we travel, we like to learn from and enjoy the company of the locals and that's exactly what we experienced. The whole vibe of the restaurant was friendly and positive. Thank you to the great staff at the Grill Room!
(5)Brett F.
When I saw Living Social had a "$50 for the price of $25," with no restrictions at all, I jumped on it (as probably thousands will), and I'm glad I did. I hadn't been to the Grill Room in years. My memory of it was very decent food but maybe the most expensive in Portland when you add up all of the sides. Before you know it...boom, $200 bill. For two. I arrived during the happy hour, and while waiting for my dad, saw some friends at the bar. Happy hour runs until 6 pm I was told, and has some of the best deals around. Well, they were right. Every draft beer (many local) and a solid selection of wines were $3, and there was a menu of tasty bar snacks (fried hot dogs, bbq wings, etc) for $3 as well. But that is for some other night. The service at the Grill Room is attentive and courteous; typical fine dining. The atmosphere is chic but crowded and there's not much space between tables. The menu is huge. There's wood-fired steaks and seafood, which come with just a sauce of your choice. There are complete entrees of steaks and seafood that come with pre-picked sides. And there's a long list of sides a la carte. My guess is that vegetarians and vegans will not love this place. But for everyone else, the food is delicious. The wood fired salmon (sushi grade, says the server) was reddish-pink at medium, probably slathered in butter, and devoured within two minutes. My dad's 9 ounce petite sirloin maybe lasted a few minutes longer. The mashed potato was more butter than potato, which was the only big miscue. The fresh, thin and crispy french fries could have fed a table of six. The above food with a wedge salad and a soda came to $90 after tip. Thank god for Living Social. I had never thought of it, but The Grill Room really is in competition with Fore Street, 555 and Street and Company. Premium, very expensive meats and seafoods. It holds its own strongly, but I'm not sure it's quite equal, or better. It's a very solid restaurant though and a top choice for dinner. For a classy happy hour, it's one of the best.
(4)Bill S.
We had an amazing dinner here.- Great server- and the food was not only delicious but visually well plated and appealing! The atmosphere is pleasant and the restaurant is actually quiet even as packed as it was - it was quiet- we didn't gave to yell to hear each other! It Was an enjoyable diner.-
(5)Anna D.
I feel like I should give them 4 stars, but when I break it down, I can only justify three. We used a living social the first time for dinner... I'm always down for a deal. I'm used to the shoulder to shoulder seating, but our two top wasn't too small and a little close to our dining neighbors, but enjoyable nonetheless. Our waiter promptly greeted us with drink menus and specials (which I appreciate because my drink usually depends on what I decide for my meal). On to the apps... This was the biggest snafu of the evening... I did inquire about the mussels (SURPRISE!). I specifically asked the waiter if they were small or on the larger size and said I will only eat them if they're small. His response, "they're I between.." Ok, I gave him the benefit of the doubt....nope. They were massive (awful), a bit smaller than a hard boiled egg. I had them returned immediately and because the meals were on their way, I skipped out on an app all together. If he had said they were on the larger side (he did ask the cook the size before I ordered) I would have ordered a different appetizer, no big deal. I ordered the Room salad, which I loved. The vegetables were chopped up enough that when I mixed the goat cheese in I barely needed a dressing! The portion was decent as I wasn't overly stuffed and had a little room for dessert. My boyfriend had a medium-rare filet with chimichurri sauce; cooked to perfection. There was a side of delicious garlic mashed potatoes enough for the two of us. Like I said, no appetizer left me enough space for their homemade lavender ice cream. I also asked the portion size, as I try to steer clear of too much dairy. He said we could share, which sounded perfect to me. The dish was a full pint! I know we're in America, but some of us don't sit down after a meal with a pint of ice cream! We both had a couple tastes and we were done. The lavender was a beautiful flavor, just a huge dish! In the end, we did have an enjoyable evening, but I go into detail for specific eaters like myself. :) For two drinks, two beers, my salad, his steak and the bowl of lavender creaminess, our bill came to $79. I did experience their happy hour for the first time last night..... Sans ID.... Like what?!? Who am I?! I had a club soda with a splash of grapefruit... Quite refreshing actually. My friend had a couple glasses of the prosecco, which I think was $3/glass... We ordered the chips and guac, chips and French onion dip and fried olives with aioli. These were all $3 and relatively small portions. The chips were similar to bagged potato chips, extra fried. The guac was a little bland, but the dip was pretty tasty. The fried olives on the other hand, awesome! And I don't even like olives....... The aioli was the perfect complement. I'll probably return, but not on the regular. Our waitress was a little bizarre and had zero expression or enthusiastic about much, it seemed. I think this Room is a go-to if you've never been because their food is wonderful, but it'll be the little details that'll git'ya!
(3)Steff D.
NOTE: This review is ONLY for the happy hour. I have never felt compelled to visit The Grill Room. Why would I? After all, it's called The GRILL Room, and if that alone isn't enough information to go by, than one look at their menu will reassure you that there really isn't much on there for vegetarians to eat (oh, sure, there are the boring salad and portabella "burger" options, but... yawn... this isn't the 1970's anymore). But, I'm a sucker for a good happy hour and if there's one thing that Harding Lee Smith does right at his Rooms it's that (and usually, impressively, two - one at the standard late afternoon time, and one during the later evening hours). Here is no exception: $3 glasses of wine, $3 snacks. Yes, please! I arrived at 4:50 to find the restaurant completely empty. There were four or five servers all standing around at the very back of the restaurant who all looked up at me when I entered, then immediately looked away to continue talking. Great first impression, guys. Eventually the hostess found me and stared at me for a few seconds in confusion until I finally broke the silence, "Can I just grab a seat outside, or... ?" She looked even more confused, but grabbed the happy hour menus and led me to the outdoor area. I chose my seat and another server came over to take my wine order. Now let's break the experience down into a few different topics: 1. Outdoor Seating a) + The outdoor seating area is very nice - the trees do an exceptional job at naturally canopying over the area. As far as al fresco dining in the city goes, they've definitely got one of the better spaces! b) - Where we sat outside there were clouds and clouds of little fruit flies which proved was gross and proved to be a nuisance throughout the evening. c) - The chairs are not comfortable at all. They sit low and deep, so you're either perching yourself on the edge or lounging back like your sunbathing. 2. Service - Our server was rude. When my happy hour partner didn't have her ID, the server just stood there and stared at her. Here's an idea, why don't you kindly offer her something else to drink? When she continued to just stare at her in silence, I finally chirped up. "Do you guys make mocktails?" The server said they did, then proceeded to list off all the juices they could mix with seltzer water. That's not a mocktail. That's juice. And seltzer water. When my happy hour partner had a question about what kind of onion dip it was, the server - holding back a giggle - was like, "Um, it's, y'know, onion dip. Like ONION DIP. Like the kind you buy at the grocery store. Like the kind in the white tub." When I asked her if it was vegetarian, she responded with negativity in her voice, "Well, it's got cream in it, so...", at this point I jumped in and said, "So, YES, it IS vegetarian, but NOT vegan. THANK YOU." 3. Food (now, I understand this was all $3, but... c'mon, really?) 1) - Chips and guacamole - It's my opinion that salty potato chips do NOT pair well with guacamole. Tortillas or a spoon, however, do. The guacamole here had a slightly brown tinge to it, and was thinner than I was excepting (also, I'm not sure there was any kind of seasoning to it at all). There was maybe enough for four or five chips, so instead of scooping (as one is inclined to do with guacamole), we politely took turns dipping. 2) - Chips and onion dip - In fact, not anything like the kind you buy at the grocery store, because the kind you buy at the grocery store isn't disgusting (be warned: the onion dip here tastes like warm, soupy sour cream). 3) + Fried olives - Okay, I admit, these were AMAZING. AAAHHHHMMMAAAAAAAZING. Unsightly sounding as this is, I could have eaten then by the fistfuls (sans the aioli they came with, though, because that tasted just like a glob of mayonnaise). They were fried to golden perfection, salty, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. If you love olives and like fried pickles but wish they had more umph to them... you will LOVE these. I had heard someone in town was making fried olives, and now I finally know who (dangerous info to have)! I would come back to The Grill Room for a couple orders of just these and some prosecco, leave with a bill of only $12, and be very satisfied before going off to have real food and service elsewhere.
(2)Kyle M.
Excellent food, excellent vibes, and the staff is very friendly! Highly recommend for a semi-fancy dinner in Portland.
(5)Amanda H.
Over-rated. Pretentious. Had the grilled marinated organic chicken breast sandwich. Sliced chicken, shredded lettuce,sliced avocado=slipperiest sandwich ever. Not that great. The chicken was full of fat. Go somewhere else.
(2)Melissa N.
We have been to the Grill Room often but this last time might be the last. Loved the happy hour beer prices and small apps. When seated we got our favorite, the cheeseburger pizza. It came out burned. We tried a piece but it was horrid. We gave it back to our server and he said the chefs burned all the onions (which did not explain burned crust). We got pepperoni which came out fine. I had an excellent skirt steak with fries. My husband got a burger which was 100% raw and mealy inside. Waiter noticed and took off the bill. The manager was told of both incidents by the waiter but never came by... spent free time texting in the corner... sad considering the great meals I have had there in the past.
(2)Paul C.
This review is about the food as the service has always been good here. Between drinks and dinner my friends and I spent around $600+ between the 7 of us. Steaks were not seasoned and cook right. The quality didn't seem like it was worth the money for a place like this either. My sword fish was over seasoned and salty. The rice and beans that came with it was uneventful as well. Only thing worth it's money out of all our dishes was the escargot. It's too bad because I really do like the people here and it's a great place to grab a HH drink and enjoy a conversation with friends....
(3)Mayur K.
I dont usually write reviews but due to the experience I have had, I am delighted to write one. I took my wife to dinner last night at the grill room. I wanted to give a 5 stars but had to take away 1 because of the following reasons. We had a reservation at 6:30. The waitress was prompt and seated us. We ordered a carafe of wine. It was a decent amount for the price (about $15) but I wished I had 2 full glasses of wine instead of 1.25. The waitress brought out some bread and oil which were very good. My wife ordered a wedge salad which was to die for. The bacon and the blue cheese they used was very delicious. The lettuce wedge felt like it was freshly plucked. For the main course, my wife ordered a hangar steak and I ordered the ribeye (medium). The ribeye was delicious! I cant stop talking about it or thinking about it! Then we ordered desserts. Some tables over, I saw someone order a chocolate cake and it was HUGE! I asked the waitress if one cheesecake would be enough to share and she said yes but when the cheesecake arrived, it was a tiny piece. I was very disappointed and ended up ordering another gelato, hence a star deduction. Overall, my experience was very positive. It is a very nice place to take your wife, g/f out on a romantic date night and enjoy some delicious food.
(4)Andrew H.
I knew I was in for something special when the sous chef passed me a fresh snap pea that she was cleaning and said, Try this, it's from one of our favorite farmers. I thought it was about as good as a pea could be but I was wrong. When it came out as a side on my dish it was even better, sautéed for a moment in a blazing hot pan with butter and salt, perfect. I don't often order salmon in a steak house but it was highly recommended. The fish was from a collective of fisherman nearby, the chef explained to me (I was sitting at the small bar right in front of the open kitchen and I was there early so there was time to talk). I have to say, that was about the best salmon steak I've ever had and I just came back from Alaska, which has some pretty good salmon. I watched a lot of food come out and I was very impressed. It struck me that this restaurant doesn't have to be this good to be very busy, they don't have to carefully source their ingredients and pay extra money for the best stuff, or cook everything with such precise attention to detail but they clearly take great pride in their food and service and it shows.
(5)Amy B.
My husband and I were on a "Babymoon" in the summer to Portland and being pregnant, not a lot of seafood appealed to me so we went here for steak and had an amazing experience. I had one of their specials- lambchops. I could eat this every night and be the happiest person in the world. Best lamp chops I've ever had. My husband had the ribeye which he couldn't finish but was amazing. The next time we are in Portland, we will definitely going back to the Grill Room as the service and food.
(5)Kate C.
I'll try to make this brief (unlike I usually do): 5-10 min wait around 7 on a Friday night is a perfect amount of time for me. For apps, the scallops were 100% the best I've ever had but for $12, I think 2 was too few. Our waitress (Kristine) was phenomenal and attentive. For the fact that she pointed out twice that "rare" means cold and red center when i ordered , I was disappointed to get what I would call a medium rare fillet. It was a good size even though the lobster mashed potatoes were a little cool and lacked as much lobster as I expected for $11. The horseradish cream sauce that I got with the steak was delicious. Fair steakhouse prices, my biggest complaint was it was overcooked, although legally places probably shy away from serving steak cold and purple- which is how I prefer!
(4)Tori B.
I've eaten a few lunches at The Grill Room and haven't had a bad bite yet. This past Saturday evening, my husband and I had our first kid-free time in Portland since we moved here a few months ago, so we went to a movie then wandered around town a bit looking for a quiet place for a drink. We landed on the patio at The Grill Room just moments before the kitchen closed, but our dear server rushed our order in so our hungry bellies would stop rumbling. I enjoyed a delicious ginger-lemon martini, and we each gobbled up onion soup then split the cheeseburger pizza from the app menu (tip: order it with bacon, too!). We sat in the chilly evening air under the twinkle lights, watching some fire-baton twirlers in the park and enjoying our time together. Perfect end to a great evening. Although this wasn't a complete dinner experience, the previous times I've eaten here I've enjoyed delicious food and excellent service. The Grill Room is top notch, and we'll be back!
(5)Carrianne C.
My boyfriend and I came here were looking for a date spot in January, and I'm so glad Yelp was able to point us in this direction... The ambience is perfect for a date night, it's dark and intimate with an open kitchen. We started off with a few drinks and the wine list was extensive but had affordable options. Everything we ordered was off the specials list, and everything was utterly delicious. I had some lamb lollipops with a goat cheese and pomegranate sauce as an app, and a seafood dish over asparagus and crab risotto... Both were unreal. My date also loved his dishes but I can't remember what he ordered. The place is on the pricier side, but it's not pricey for what you're getting. The food was quality and creative, and the service was fantastic. Can't recommend this place enough
(5)Jay B.
I always get the same thing, my favorite meal in Portland, at The Grill Room: onion soup, wedge salad & the burger. The Grill Room is known for steaks & great seafood but they 100% have the best burger in Portland Maine hands down. (sorry Nosh, I love you too) It is a monster burger served with french fries piled as high as the eyes can see. Every course of this meal is always amazing. Over all I find the food and service very consistent with every visit.
(5)Gina S.
Very good meal here. I had the grilled scallops with a side of asparagus ans my husband had the filet mignon and a side of mushroom risotto. The scallops were seriously some of the best I have ever had. They were HUGE and perfectly soft and seasoned wonderfully. The filet was also cooked perfectly medium and while I did not try it, hubby thought the risotto was quite tasty as well.
(3)Jocelyn A.
If you are looking for a lively place to have an excellent dinner, look no further than the Grill Room. This is my favorite of the "Room" restaurants. The environment here is bustling (some may even say a bit loud), with chefs cooking in the open kitchen, people enjoying drinks at the bar and servers rushing orders to crowded tables. This may not be for everyone, but I think it adds to the restaurant environment. All of the seafood here is fresh and the steaks are as tender as butter. What really impressed me was the creativity of the side dishes. No boring baked potato and steamed veggies here. My tuna came with white beans and a beet puree. The salads are also delicious. The goat cheese, beet and arugula comes with a large portion of warmed goat cheese on top. Yes, the service is not the best (the hostess was downright rude), but the food and fun environment makes up for it.
(4)Christopher M.
The food here is excellent. Unfortunately our server, C--s was condescending and was more of an information robot than a server. A very odd experience. I would recommend this place highly, with the exception of this particular server.
(3)Lara M.
This is the second time we have eaten at The Grill Room. Although it is a little on the pricey side, the food is fantastic. I tend to eat on the healthier side and love the a la carte options. The scallops and spicy broccoli were great, portion sizes were very generous and the food tasted very fresh. My husband had the petite filet and it was very good ( and not petite at all!). One thing I don't love, however, is that they do not entertain any substitutions but even with that, we will definitely eat here again!
(5)Amy M.
I have been to the grill room twice. Both times were slightly above average. Wasn't blown away but was definitely had a good meal. I'd give it 3.5 if I could. Can't really put my finger on it other than to say it was good but not worth $100 for date night to me. Steaks were pretty good. Sides were okay. One of those places I'd accompany others to but probably not seek out to go myself.
(3)Genna P.
The place was pretty packed but we were lucky to get an outside seat. Our service was ok, she forgot our salad and dinner took forever to come with little updates. Our drinks were refilled quickly and when dinner did come it looked great. I had the scallops and a tad undercooked but that might be personal preference. Still ate it all. Other guests had shrimp and steak and all were cooked great. I like to try some other dishes maybe on a less busy night.
(4)Sarah A.
We have been here twice both due to living social coupons. Out first time my husband was happy with his steak and Mac n' cheese and I happy with my scallops although disappointed I had only gotten three. The second time his Mac n cheese was extremely salty even for a salt lover like me but they promptly replaced it and he said his steak was somewhat luke warm (he doesn't venture out on menu choices!) I got the lamb chop special. Four lamb chops, bacon and blue cheese mashed potatoes and asparagus topped with their blue cheese fondue sauce...AMAZING! We both agreed we probably wouldn't go back though...we prefer the front room over the grill room and corner room.
(3)Samantha L.
I wanted to love this place but... the lighting in here is SO terrible we couldn't even read the menus and IT WAS STILL DAY LIGHT! And the ventilation could be better. I hate walking out of a place smelling like the food. In addition the booths are so incredibly uncomfortable. Okay, so these are just my aesthetic complaints... lets move on to the food and service. Our service wasn't superb, especially with the money we were spending. It was at first indifferent, then when my brother made it a point he had no issue spending copious amounts of money her attitude changed. Thats annoying. Food- overall it was pretty good. I got the trout and I was extremely disappointed for $27 entree I had to choke on more than 5 pieces of VERY large bones. I did mention it to the server and all she said is that the chefs make it a point to do their best but it does happen... WHAT? I've NEVER been to a restaurant where I encountered issue. It's the chefs JOB to make sure there isn't a bone, never mind 5 VERY large bones. Seems like someone is slacking in the kitchen. Okay, the lobster mash was pretty killer. The scallop entree also pretty rad. But again, it was so dark in there I could have been eating mystery meat and veggies and I wouldn't even know because I couldn't see a thing. I expected more since I consider this a 'higher end' restaurant in the Portland area.
(3)Kaetlyn K.
I've been here twice for special occasions, and I always order the Filet Mignon because I am in love with that steak. It was fantastic and the server let me try a few different sauces since I was having a hard time deciding which one sounded best. The way they prepare their vegetables is also amazing. I hate veggies. Especially asparagus, but the asparagus my boyfriend had was actually tasty, and I love the green beans with bacon. I essentially have a foodgasm every time I can manage to go here. Fantastic! :D
(5)Alise K.
Happy hour at the bar. $3 prosecco and wine. Also $3 appetizers. I had the duck and Brie pizza. Really really good. Drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Amazing
(4)Benjamin C.
Used a living social deal for our first Grill Room experience. Only space available for reservation was at the chef's bar. Neat place to sit! Good opportunity for looking at the options as they come out. We started with a grill room salad, then moved along to the filet (2) with sides of spinach, mashed potato, and brussel sprouts with bacon. The filet were both cooked wonderfully. Melt in your mouth meat! (Keep it PG, people). Sides were all very good, with the brussel sprouts standing out. We left feeling pleasantly full and very happy. Front room is still our favorite of the "rooms," but you can't go wrong with the Grill Room.
(5)Joseph M.
The grass fed ribeye (on special) cost a week's salary, but it was amazing. The service and atmosphere were both exceptional.
(5)Nicole B.
Get reservations--- even if your friend's father tells you they don't take them. We had a girl's night here and while the food was absolutely delicious, I think next time we come, we'll skip the meals and go straight to dessert. Not only were the Carrot Cake and the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pie absolutely heavenly, but the portions were large enough to share amongst the four of us! I don't think there's anything else I can say about the food or service that hasn't already been said (steak was cooked perfectly, it was a little loud, our table was close to the people behind us, service was okay, we didn't feel pressured to leave...) but we had a fun night. I would come back with my spouse or to have a drink at the bar, but it probably won't be back on the girl's night list because of the table proximities.
(4)CB W.
I really can't believe that The Grill Room only has 3.5 stars at the time I am writing this review. The drinks were great (we had the Mind the Gap and Spicy Margarita) and the food was perfection. We had the surf and turf with mashed potatoes and asparagus. It really was excellent. The service was also prompt and friendly. I would definitely recommend this place and return.
(5)Dave S.
Wife was given this spot by a friend. Did not disappoint! Started with Solid choice if local beer on tap. Wife had Blueberry ale and u had a shipyard ale. Both very good. I don't usually like fruit beers but this one wasn't too sweet. We shared an appetizer- bang bang shrimp. Not too spicy but a nice start to hold us over until our dinner arrived. Awesome porter house with root veggies and a goat cheese mashed potato. Steak was cooked perfectly and potatoes were amazing. Best part of meal was the fire roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon. Simply amazing. Could if had them as a meal by themselves. They allowed us to split everything without an extra charge. As a travelers would not have been able to finish as separate meals. Extra points & tip for that!
(5)Bill T.
Came here with a group of friends. Split the porterhouse with a buddy and everyone else had duck breast or steak. Food was fine. It was prepared well. I liked the horseradish sauce with the steak. Lobster mashed potatoes were very good. Cottage fries and spinach were fine. Service was friendly. It took an hour to get the food. It was later on a Saturday night and even though it was full when we got there, the tables were empty when we left. I guess it's just we were so hungry and it took almost an hour after we ordered to get the food that I wasn't impressed. If you're not in a hurry or if you're not starving, you'll probably like it better.
(3)Ryan H.
Strip steak special was awesome, highly recommend the bacon, blue cheese mashed! Prices slightly high only reason for 4 stars.
(4)Ed C.
We eat at the Grill Room every month. The food is fantastic with great specials. Adam and Ben are always friendly behind the Bar. If you are looking for a great Steak experience I highly recommend the Grill Room. Portland at its best.
(5)Tiffany T.
This is the worst service I have ever encountered in Old Port thus far. I have eaten at many fine steakhouses throughout the country (Chicago, Seattle, Hawaii, Wyoming, etc.) and on this particular night, wanted to celebrate the end of my didactics. This is why I'm so incredibly shocked to have ended dinner on such a sour note. Everything went smoothly until the food arrived. We had ordered the grilled romaine salad as an appetizer which comes with two jumbo shrimps. My girlfriend's shrimp was larger than mine so I was happily eating away when she told me hers was raw in the middle. I always struggle with the decision to return food or not but not so much when you're eating at a supposedly higher end establishment. At less expensive places and depending on how much I like the server, I would let it slide. So we stopped eating and sat there waiting for our server to come back. When she did and we told her the situation, she replied, "so what do you want me to do about this?". Strike 1. We told her we'd like the shrimp cooked more thoroughly (you could actually see the transparency in the shrimp). So she took our plate and returned with ONE shrimp in ONE tiny bowl. My shrimp was perfectly cooked because it was smaller and the salad wasn't even half finished. What are we going to do with just one shrimp? The purpose of having her ask the chefs to re-fire the shrimp was for us to enjoy our appetizer completely. Next, came the "medium rare" ribeye with chimichurri sauce with a side of mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. It came out "blue rare" to "rare" -- so I told her the steak was too rare for my preference and I had asked for medium rare. The server then proceeded to tell me I was wrong and this is what "medium rare" is supposed to look like. I wish I had taken the time to snap a photo and post it on here. Because that fellow yelpers, is NOT medium rare. It was basically red throughout and cold to the touch. If you google image what a blue rare steak should look like, that is what my steak was. I've been to many steakhouses and know my steaks. My ex was a server at a steakhouse and she knows her steaks too so I was taught well. I am fuming at this point. Our server then goes to say, "so did you mean to say you wanted a medium cooked steak?". I can't even. How insulting is it for someone who loves steaks, makes it a point to eat out at nice steakhouses, to be told they are pretty much wrong. At least if you don't agree with me, shut up and take it back to the chefs and talk bad about me behind my back. I'm still a paying customer and she should have known better. Strike 2. Out of protest and anger, my girlfriend and I don't eat the lone jumbo shrimp. We return it and tell our server that we didn't want just one shrimp, we wanted our appetizer back in its entirety. The server then rolls her eyes at us. Strike 3. I'm done with this place. To be honest, once the steak came back having been re-fired, it was actually good! But to have to go through all that trouble sending food back and forth, getting chastised by our server, and having to endure her rolling her eyes, I will never come back here. I don't care how good their steaks might be -- it's not worth $42 for a ribeye. I was so mad that I even took down notes of what I ate that night and what the server's name was so that I could write a thorough review here. I'll refrain from blasting her name but not the horrible experience we had here. For anyone looking to use their LivingSocial deal here, your steak will be more rare than expected so order up on what you'd usually get. Hopefully, your server won't be as rude to you as ours was. We ended up tipping 10% from the original amount. We usually tip really well for incredible service but this was just a disaster. I couldn't get myself to give her nothing as she did comp our appetizer. This whole experience was just a mess and I will be forever scarred to come back here.
(1)Meg B.
I have been a few times steaks are amazing along with being able to chose your sides, I love it. I have had the same bartender somehow every time. He is beyond knowledgeable always able to recommend a nice bottle of wine to go with the perfectly cook steak. This is the spot if that's what you are looking for!
(4)Amelia H.
We went here on a recent vacation. The atmosphere is great. It is located in charming downtown Portland. I had the scallops over risotto and everything was cooked to perfection. My husband had the fish special (the type of fish is escaping me) and he said it was amazing. They also have a solid craft beer (from Maine) selection.
(5)Chris E.
stopped in Saturday with two other people hoping to catch a table just as dinner service began so we could eat and then enjoy the symphony. the tables were 100% empty. 100%. No line of people waiting to get in. We were turned away because they were full up for reservations . that's fine if that's how you want to do business. I will simply never eat at a place that let's money walk out the door when the tables are completely empty. I walked out while looking at a dozen empty tables and for that you lost a customer for life. Too many other great resturaunts in Portland.
(1)Molly H.
Been here a few times and each time worse than the last... So I went and ordered the filet, Black & Blue or Pittsburgh style. It came Medium to Medium Well. I don't believe in throwing out meat so I dealt w/ it. The excuse I was given is the chef is new... a high end steakhouse training a brand new chef is not a good excuse for completely missing the mark. So a complete disappointment and expensive meal. I've been here several times and probably won't be back. Waitress was not so good too.
(2)Tracey Z.
Waitress was very knowledgable of the menu. The whole staff was on key, very smoothly run restaurant. Food was excellent. I had the chef's filet mignon the lobster was great and the red wine sauce was savory. My husband had the ny strip with German potatoes and horseradish sauce, he loved it. We started with the grillroom salad, that was a great chopped salad. Would recommend to anyone visiting Portland
(5)Andrew J.
Had dinner two nights in a row at the Grill Room on a recent visit to Portland. The space has an urban feel...high ceilings, brick walls, open kitchen, very busy and great music. Had steak the first night, but returned for swordfish the second night and were seated at the chef's bar, directly overlooking the kitchen, which was a really fun experience. The food is excellent and our server, Kristine (with a K) was super sweet and made the evening very enjoyable. Highly recommended.....reservations a must!
(5)zack d.
The only reason I went was to use a living social that was about to expire. We sat at the bar and the service was sub-par. I ordered a burger that tasted awful!! My gf had a pizza that she barely touched bc it was just gross, tasted old. Final result is I will never go back!
(1)Chase V.
One of the best steaks you'll ever order. Worth the money for sure.
(4)Laurie W.
We were entertaining friends from the "other Portland" area and decided to try the Grill Room. We were not disappointed! The food was fabulous but I want to comment on our waitress, Tess. Hands down the best waitress I've ever encountered. Tess describes food and wine like a pro. She could have been describing dog biscuits and I would have ordered one as an app. Tess was attentive and her timing was always perfect. We will definitely put The Grill Room on our short list of great restaurants and return soon (and ask for Tess!).
(4)Phil B.
I've dined at The Grill Room on 3 different occasions, and have had varying experiences. However, the last was the worst. The first time, everything was terrific - we had a wonderful time and the food was delightfully cooked and nicely presented. The second time was mixed - my lamb meat loaf was hot and juicy, with a great sauce, but the garlic mashed potatoes it was resting on was at best, sort of warm. You'd think that the chef would care about consistent temperature. Yes, the server offered to warm it up, but to me, that is not the option in a classy restaurant. It smacks of chain eateries where they are used to inconsistency. I was disappointed, but, again, the meat loaf was superb. Now this last time is the real complaint. I made reservations for the evening of my 65th birthday - an occasion with both positive and negative connotations - December 6th, at 5:00 PM. We arrived early, and enjoyed happy hour appetizers and drinks at the bar. Our mood was definitely enhanced by the service and we were escorted to the chic table for two at the window, where we met our waiter, Zoltan. He's a gem and he made us feel welcome and appreciative. We listened to the specials and I was really excited about the Porterhouse - what a treat for my birthday! My wife ordered the scallops. I specified medium for how I wanted my steak, Zoltan suggested that the chef slice it before serving our table. Great idea. After he left, I noticed how dim the lights were - at the table near us a diner used her flashlight phone app so she could see the menu. Our dinner was served, and I was amazed at how large the Porterhouse was. Zoltan asked if everything was all right, and I replied yes. Then I started eating my steak. I noticed that the end pieces were like medium rare, which was fine. As I delved deeper into the steak I saw that the rest of it was more than just rare - it was raw in the middle. The place was busy, so when Zoltan was finally able to come back to the table, I told him this. He offered to take it back to cook it better, but I was not really happy, and decided to stop eating and just take the meat home to enjoy it my way. Imagine my surprise when I saw that my raw hunk of meat (yes, as a full entrée) costs $90!!!! I was flabbergasted, My wife was, too. Stunned as we were, we decided to just tell Zoltan that we were surprised at how expensive it was and we just left. The more we thought about it, the more I felt like a chump for being so nice. After all, you pride yourself in being a steak house, and this Porterhouse should have been really special...I mean REALLY special! The lighting was bad - otherwise I would have sent it back immediately when it was brought to the table. In any case, the chef should have seen that it wasn't cooked when he cut it. I had a Living Social $50 voucher, so it didn't break us, but we felt ripped off the more we thought about it. I am probably not coming back, but I wanted to let you know what happened and how we felt. Before I post this to social media, I thought I should give you the benefit of responding to our concerns. You have my address, email, and phone number - feel free to contact me. (They didn't!) Regretfully disappointed,
(1)Francisco S.
Fantastic food. The Trout and Hanger steak were excellent. Bar tender was very gracious and was the host. Got a bit if a mixup on the reservation but host suggested the bar and it was a great recommendation. A true gem in Portland!
(4)Lisa D.
Based on the food alone, The Grill Room & Bar is a high 4-star restaurant. However, our experience was only 3 stars. The staff was very friendly and allowed us to bring our large dog to the outside seating area where he was promptly greeted with a bowl of water. The fried oyster appetizer was amazing, both of our entrees were great (swordfish with pork risotto and scallops with mushroom risotto) and the lobster mashed potatoes were excellent. Our server was very knowledgable about beer and gave me a great recommendation. The only reason that is review is not higher is because of the wait between the appetizer and receiving our entrees which was close to an hour. The waiter apologized after a very long wait, but it still took an additional 20 minutes after that to get our food. While the food was amazing, the wait soured the experience somewhat. I would have no reservation going back as I assume that this is not the norm.
(3)Wes T.
I was thoroughly impressed with this place. It has everything you need in a steak house: dark wood, bricks, bad ass grill within view of almost every table, and great staff. We came here as a bachelor party and they treated us like kings. The steak selection is fantastic, and the staff will walk you through any questions you might have. Did I mention that they have a great wine and beer menu as well? Local products are showcased, and this just makes my heart swell with joy. And cholesterol.
(5)Dore D.
Nothing really bad to say but the food was not particularly special. I liked the house salad a lot, the salmon was nice but not anything noteworthy. the beef tartar was dated 80's style. Service was ok, a little slow and we had to ask for bread. Still was an enjoyable evening, just not worth the hype.
(3)AnnMarie N.
Honestly this place was just average to me and my husband. We came in for lunch and nothing about our meal really left a strong impression. We started with a French onion soup each; they were good, but nothing special. For our meals, I had the special seasonal salad with chicken, and my husband had the spicy hot dog sandwich. My salad was good but again, pretty unremarkable. My husband's sandwich looked a little weird to me, but I also don't like hot dogs. He said it was just kind of thrown together; avocado, cheese, lettuce, and the 2 cut up hot dogs on untoasted white bread. It was falling apart as he ate it. So again, not bad, but nothing more than good.
(3)Greg M.
With so many other great restaurant choices in Portland, why choose Grill Room? We chose Grill Room for a celebratory meal with my family based on their high ratings-- many of which they surely deserve. But unfortunately our evening was marred by our mistreatment by restaurant ownership/management which deserves the lowest of ratings and why we will never return. And apparently we're not alone as just read this article about the ownership of this restaurant and seems many others, customers and staff alike, have had to endure the same: thebollard.com/2013/07/0… A must read if you're considering dining here. My entree was the source of contention as the kitchen had botched my order-- no two ways about it as everyone around me and even the server (who was great!) agreed. I sent it back as anyone would. Around 20-25 minutes later, my new entree came out and it was great. By the point, of course the whole evening was thrown off as everyone else had finished their food by the time my order came back out. To compensate, one would surely expect SOMETHING would be done to compensate: complimentary dessert, removing the entree charge, a round of drinks-- heck, even a drink. Alas, nothing. Even the waiter was surprised. I asked if there was something that could be done-- the waiter asked and returned and I was told there was nothing. Here's where it got interesting: I seldom escalate something like this, but felt it was necessary here especially when you're paying for such a pricey meal at an esteemed restaurant. I asked to speak the manager, which took a number of people to get to her (apparently she's well-guarded). I ended up getting the owners' wife, who was running point for the evening. And she came out steaming in an expletive-ridden tirade directed at me. "I'm not going to f---ing comp anything!" were her first words. Keep in mind, I had not met her or had any interaction with her at this point and this was her greeting. I tried to introduce myself and greet her, but she wanted none of that. After some back and forth, I continued to keep my cool but neither of us were budging, she eventually walked off on me as I was mid-sentence. Never had that happen to me, let alone at a restaurant like this. Eventually I was offered $5 off-- felt like a slap in the face. As I was walking away, at least three different servers, including our own, came up to me and thanked me for standing up to her-- or at least at my failed attempt. They apologized and seemed to have experienced this behavior before. So hard for me to understand how and why they would want to work for someone like that-- though I give them all the credit in the world for their fortitude. Again, I ask: with so many other great choices in Portland, why support Grill Room and their ownership?
(1)Michael D.
This is definitely the place to come for steak. The quality here is always good. On my last visit here I had filet mignon with a blue cheese sauce that was just wonderful. Additionally surprising was the grilled asparagus that we ordered. It had a great grilled flavor. This place is so good so many people like it. If you have a reservation you may still wait. Although we had a reservation we still waited 15 minutes. Although the food is great the service was not so great. We had the disappearing waitress syndrome and it took her 20 minutes to process the check. When you go to a place like grill room you kind of expect the complete package. I do want to be clear here that the food is excellent and Portland has need a real steak place not a chain type of restaurant. I will go back here and perhaps next time I will get a better server.
(3)T N.
My husband and I stopped in to the Grill Room last night for dinner but without a reservation. We were able to get seats at the bar (barely) and eat there rather than wait for a table. We had a great time and will definitely go back. For starters, we had the steak tartare and escargot. Often I find steak tartare served too cold and under-seasoned. This one was great, served at a good temperature with an olive tapenade providing the necessary saltiness. The escargot was okay. The grilled bread and garlic butter were delicious. We followed this up with a wood-grilled romaine salad with shrimp, bacon lardons and a creamy jalapeno dressing. It was one of my favorite dishes on the night. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and were flavorful; the combination of the smoky charred lettuce, bacon and dressing were perfectly balanced and outstanding. For the entree, we split the hangar steak accompanied by the truffled creamed spinach and potatoes au gratin. The hangar steak was perfectly cooked (so great to be able to get meat cooked to the correct temp) and tender. The potatoes were very tasty. But the creamed spinach was the star of the night for me. I am immediately addicted and want to know how it was made. The dish was served with cheese on top that, when broiled, crisped some of the spinach on top adding an earthy, nutty note that I loved. The spinach was not swimming in a creamy sauce, instead it was this cohesive mesh of flavors. Just wonderful! My only criticism would be perhaps with the service. The bartender was great in that she really hustled and was friendly. However, I really felt she could have used more help in order to provide more attentive, timely service. She did a great job and I don't blame her for the waits we experienced. Just felt that more help was needed. Overall, a really good experience that I hope to repeat someday soon.
(4)Nicholas L.
I have been here about four times. Compared to steak houses it doesn't come close. It is a step below most of them. As far as restaurants in the general Portland area that serve steaks they do rank very high. So what I am saying if you are looking for a typical steak house atmosphere you might want to stay clear. If you are looking for a different twist on beef dinners then give it a shot. It's not cheap. Some general recommendations for improvements is the service. It is okay, but below the standards for the prices they charge. The other is consistency amongst all products on the menu. You need to know what to order, or speak to a knowledgeable server as there is a huge variation amongst entrees and their caliber.
(3)Eric S.
After blowing off my friend and his crazy girlfriend, I just wanted to find a great steak before calling it a night and boy did Google not let me down. Since I came in alone, the friendly hostesses suggested I might try the "Chef's bar" where I could watch them cook, that was a pleasant addition to what was about to be a meal fit for a king. So, as usual, to spare the reader long wordy paragraphs, here is my list: 1. Apps - Fried Brie w/buttery bread chips. Presentation was beautiful and it tasted even better; 2. Three Oysters w salsa - unexpected freebie from one of the chefs. Very sweet, fresh oysters; 3. Lettuce Wedge w Bleu Cheese - the bacon was really well cooked and hand chopped w nice fresh chunks of bleu cheese; 4. NY Sirloin - cooked to perfection, melted in the mouth. Worth every penny. Flanked by spicy broccoli and garlic spinach. The waitress was super friendly and the hostess even came over and chatted for a quick minute to see if I was enjoying myself. The chefs were all friendly and, in a nutshell, this restaurant is a real top notch, first class outfit. I'm still thinking about it several days later. ;)
(5)Chris W.
Our experience started out a little rough but was pleased by the final outcome. Called earlier in the day to get a reservation for (4) that evening at 7. Pretty much prime time in this neck of the woods but figured it was a Wednesday so we should be good to go. I was greeted on the phone by an answering machine that wanted me to leave my info and time I wanted to reserve and then they would call back to confirm. Several hours went by and I got caught up with work and didn't realize it was close to 5. Called in and was greeted by a hostess who couldn't explain why I never got a call back. Explained what I would like and as you can imagine the open times were not even close, 5:15 or 8:45. I pushed a little harder and she was able to work 7:45 in. Pretty great full at this point but disappointed wondering if I could have received better if I would have had a return call. Anyways, got in and seated. We had two vouchers and our friends had a voucher as well. Waitress kindly indicated we can only use one per table even if we have two checks going. I wasn't so happy as the main reason we were here and bought the vouchers was to be able to treat our friends. Manager arrives and gives me the low down on the owners take and offers a free round of drinks to make up for it. Pleased with the results, the rest of the night went very well. Great food as always, and the atmosphere is top notch. Applause to the waitress and manager making things right. We will return.
(5)Sage H.
Finally tried the Grill Room. I had been looking forward to it, a friend of mine told me it's the best burger in Portland. That was definitely not true. The ambiance was lovely, we sat at the bar. We started with the BBG scallops which were delicious. Then we wanted to split the burger and were quite disappointed. The burger was small with little taste and way too much bread per burger ratio. The fries were also delicious but they were way over the top in the amount. We wanted more burger with more flavor. Won't go back but wish the restaurant the best!
(2)Michael J.
On Thursday evening 3 of us dropped in on the Grill Room and were seated with a great view of the kitchen and the wood-fired oven. The chef/owner, Harding Lee Smith, was at the counter checking every dish coming out of the kitchen. The wood-fired oven cooked Duck Pizza was outstanding. I'd go back for this pizza & a beer and be happy, happy. The focaccia, served with olive oil, was the best I've had in years. It was tender with a beautiful open crumb and oh so flavorful. The dining kept getting better with the entrees. The Chef designed a menu with paired combinations that reall work together. The menu also has a unique a la carte feature that let's you design your own meal. The skirt steak was perfectly seasoned and on the money at medium-rare. The petite sirloin was the same - perfect. I had the Cornish Game Hen and was blown away! It was so tender, moist and flavorful and the skin - perfect! Our server, Marilyn, was so smooth and helpful in making our first visit to the Grill Room. It's so nice to see a staff that's well trained and enjoys their work. We'll be back and will try other menu items. Thank you Chef and your staff.
(5)LeeLee S.
Very delicious. I had the filet mignon with a baked potato and my boyfriend had the hanger steak with a potato. He got the clam chowder to start which was very tasty. We really enjoyed our dinner at the grill room. Very packed on a Saturday night in January. Were told the wait would be about 45 minutes, we ended up waiting a little over an hour. We had nothing else to do so it didn't bother us and it was def worth the wait.
(4)Beth B.
Good food, good service, & a friendly bartender. Cheese board with honey comb & lobster mashed potatoes, yum! You must try the roasted root vegetables as a side dish. Really enjoyed the atmosphere & liked that you can watch your food get prepared.
(4)Shaina P.
It's about time that Portland literally beefs up its restaurant scene by adding The Grill Room to compete with top dining establishments such as Fore Street and Five Fifty Five. The Grill Room is a new sister to The Front Room, popular for its welcoming, moderately priced, and delicious brunches and lunches. ATMOSPHERE The Grill Room is two large rooms with high ceilings in one of Portland's many old brick buildings. The first room houses the long bar complete with liquors, wines, local beer taps, and the perfect addition: guy with long white hair and classy western style moustache. The second space is separated by arched brick walls and the step down brings to the main dining area, a sultry yet social surrounding great for a date. The kitchen sits in the back and has its own bar seating area with pots hanging from an iron hanger overhead. FOOD Steaks (fish, beef, and rack of lamb) with sides a la carte, wood grilled personal pizzas, THE popular burger (order one step of doneness over what you'd normally get!), and an excellent selection of soups, salads, appetizers, and entrees. All entrees begin around $16-29. + My appetizer was from a selection of specials for the day. Chilled duck over watercress, blue cheese, and cherries. I was advised that the duck would be rare cooked and thin sliced, but when it arrived it was anything but rare. I later found out that "luck you, you got the last duck salad!" No wonder it wasn't rare anymore... This was the main disappointment. + Dave's minestrone came served with a dollop of fresh pesto possibly made with a little dill - yummo. + Mike's "steak & cheese" was beef carpaccio piled over a crisp baked goat cheese cake on a platter sized dinner plate. Could have served all of us. + The NOTEWORTHY DINNER of the night was Dave's duck. He asked for it to be cooked medium and it came out juicy and pink (he was going for medium rare). It had the most amazing flavor ever! I was ready to trade, but my shortrib was melt off the bone buttery and tasty. + The NOTEWORTHY WINE was a bottle of Stag's Leap Petite Syrah for $39 a pop. Please try The Grill Room, the meal, the service, and atmosphere were all superb!
(4)Greg D.
Great great great food! Try to grilled pizzas. The filet mignon was also amazing. Very friendly service and a nice atmosphere. This is far away the best restaurant I've found in Portland so far.
(5)nicole w.
I'd give the service and the atmosphere a '10' but the food was just so-so -- presentation was really lacking and everything my guest and I had was boring from the onion soup to the salad, sides and grilled salmon. Very disappointed in the food. For the price and the other reviews, I expected something far better. The fries were greasy, the carrots were awash in butter (and nothing else), the wedge was a big ugly piece of iceberg lettuce drenched in nothing but dressing with some bacon thrown on top -- the cheese itself was tasty but, again, presentation was very poor. The small slab of grilled salmon was mediocre at best and plated as if the chef had no interest in presentation whatsoever. I love the Front Room and have had some of the best food ever at the Corner Room....won't be back here anytime soon.
(3)Melissa P.
Labor Day weekend, out and about in Portland with our dog, oh so hungry, searching for a place to have dinner outside. When we saw the patio at The Grill Room, we knew that was where we wanted to go. It is enclosed with a wooden fence, lit by candles on each table and tall torches in the corners. We loved that it was set off from the street and we wouldn't be bothered by foot traffic. It was a Saturday night and the place was packed, but somehow our server kept all that chaos inside and was cool as a cucumber every time she came over to our table. I actually had no idea how crowded the inside was until i heard the chatter flood out the door whenever it opened. Our server amazed me with her grace under fire. Warm brie app to start, Ruby Red Slipper martini to drink...we took ordering advice from fellow yelpers, who didn't steer us wrong, of course! I only wish the brie came with crusty bread instead of the little toasted crackers. It would have been nice to add a soft, chewy, crusty texture to the brie. I'm not sure why the chef at The Grill Room decided to redefine rare, medium, and well done for steak, but at least they tell you in advance that their system is different from...oh, pretty much EVERYwhere else. It came out perfectly cooked and utterly delicious. The half roasted chicken was equally tasty and, in all honesty, was probably much more than half. Our pup was the star of the show (as usual) and a bowl was placed in front of her within a minute of sitting down. Not only did it have ice cubes bobbing around in it, keeping Lulu entertained while she drank, but it was also a real bowl, not plastic. This was easily the finest dining experience of Lulu's life. (And let's not think about who got to be the lucky person to eat out of that bowl afterwards.) Great food, drinks, and server in a space that kept us tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Mission accomplished.
(4)Alison M.
We first enjoyed their oysters on the half shell and their beef tartar. Both were excellent. Then we devoured the lobster mashed potatoes and the porterhouse (both a la carte specials) and the ribeye dinner (complimented with asparagus & amazing horseradish mashed potatoes). The steaks were so big we had to take them home. The wine was great and the service was fantastic. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Chris G.
Have been here twice. Great experience each time. Great menu, the food is outstanding, and the bartenders are very friendly. Highly recommend it.
(5)Yamona M.
I had the Trout with a Beurre Blanc sauce, carrots and spicy brocolli. My dish was really good. My Duckhorn Pinot was also good, but I knew what to expect. The other wines by the glass were not what I would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. They were just meh. My friend had the swordfish, mashed potatoes and risotto. Way to double starch it, but okay - he's not a big food sharer, but I got a taste of the risotto which was so good. We skipped dessert due to an early morning but were both full and satisfied.
(4)Jules V.
We had dinner at The Grill Room and if I could have eaten the next days breakfast, lunch and dinner there I would have. We ate at the bar because the joint was very busy. Our bartender was extremely friendly, handed out a few samples off their extensive cocktail menu and otherwise kept us entertained. This was an Amazing Meal. Perfectly cooked 37 ounce (you read that correctly, 37 ounces) porterhouse steak. Grilled asparagus, mushroom risotto and roasted beets as well as poached sweetbreads for a starter. I would have licked the plates if I hadn't been in polite company. We ended the night with a slice of carrot cake damn near the size of the plate it came on. I am already looking forward to our next visit. Check out my blog on my yelp profile page for all my reviews.
(5)Julia G.
Went today for lunch. The service was very slow so instead of a full meal we only ordered the lobster bisque and it was TERRIBLE! We have lived in Portland over 20 years and have eaten a lot of lobster bisque. Will never go back or recommend too friends.
(1)S M.
Great atmosphere, and a very accommodating menu. Unfortunately there was a certain attitude about the venue that I did not care for. We had called to make reservations for 8 and were accepted, or so we thought. At 7:45 while on our way to the restaurant we received a call from them stating that they were booked and would not be able to seat us until 9...we unenthusiastically accepted. Upon arrival at 9 we were instructed to wait for our table to be cleared and did not sit until 9:15. Our server greeted us and seemed to be very knowledgeable about the menu which was nice. Since the menu does not specify the quality of beef they use I asked the server if the beef was of prime grade. This is when the attitude really kicked in... She was almost insulted by the fact that I had a question she did not know the answer to, when she came back after speaking with the chefs I was informed that there is no such thing as prime grade and told me some other arbitrary classifications. Whatever. I ordered the rib eye med-rare and was asked to cut into my steak to see if it was cooked to MY liking. I was not able to even cut into the meat at all because it was so undercooked. When I brought my concerns to the waiters attention, she simply turned away without saying a word. Yes, she was going to grab another plate for me to place my steak on, but I did not know that at the time and was under the impression that she was going to speak with the chefs or managers or something of that nature. It was very rude and unprofessional. Next I was asked if I would now like my steak med-well....I was confused, why would I jump to med-rare to med-well??? She was attempting to insult my intelligence by suggesting that my steak was correctly cooked the first time. This was the overall attitude I gathered from this establishment, they convey a certain arrogance and assume no responsibility for mistakes they make...it was extremely frustrating and ruined my dining experience. If it was not for the nice setting and amazing shrimp appetizer I would have made my frustrations known in a much more public manner. Hope they can learn to accept the fact that everyone makes mistakes and cater the customers needs in a more professional way.
(2)Julie T.
Was really excited to dine here again as we were back in Portland for a few days. Have to say was not as wonderful as 3 years ago. It was sooo dark you could barely read the menu, nevermind see your food. Our waiter was fine. Arugula & goat cheese salad was the highlight. Swordfish was good,risotto creamy but lacking any flavor. My husband ordered the small sirloin (9 oz) medium rare, but it was served rare- almost uncooked. The waiter asked him to cut into it to see if it was cooked to his liking, which he did, but again, its so dark you cant see a thing. So steak was put back on the grill, and reserved. Husband disappointed, not what you would expect at this restaurant. I ate my dinner while we waited for his to return. Nothing offered for our inconvenience, no drink, dessert....sorry to say this was our favorite spot in Portland, but had much better experiences during this visit at Ribollita and Davids.
(2)Peter C.
We were there for a special dinner with friends. Staff was knowledgable and helpful. The menu is "what you see is what you get" not only good but flavorful and satisfying. Preparation nicely done, service polite. The wine list had good selections at very reasonable price. I highly recommend the restaurant. you know where you are. A high end stake house with fish options. Sides all support the entrees in quality and taste. Service top notch. Good meal all round.
(5)Fred F.
First, it's always challenging to review a restaurant that is getting 4 stars and then you decide that you feel it should get 1 star. Let's keep it straight tonight. And no, I have nothing against the proprietor who has a notorious local reputation. 2 filet mignons cooked perfectly but served with sides of sauce that rivaled a squeeze packet from McDonalds. A side of truffled creamed spinach that was broiled to the point it looked like something scaped from the underside of your lawn mower. Potato gratin clearly cut from a baking dish, broiled to the point of the cheese was like day old "heated up fridge pizza" and tasting like it was 3 days old. Organic carrots that were cooked until they were black tidbits of some prehistoric vegetable matter (i thought they were beets they were so black). The plating was atrocious - platters sufficient to serve 1/2 a Thanksgiving turkey with 3 unappetizing lumps of food placed on them. The appearance was just so sad we both lost our appetite. A la carte sides should ALWAYS be served in separate dishes. Food should be fresh, cooked properly and served at the correct temperature. Special sauces for your steak should have flavor, body and have a nice appearance - not colored runny water. PS - our salads were OK - however, our wait person (very nice) checked to see if we were done eating our first course at least 4 times in 5 minutes - a clear signal that our entrees were back under the heat lamps, dying a quick death of culinary sadness. I've eaten at every fine restaurant in Portland dozens of times for 20 years. The only restaurant I've ever found to be a rip off is the Grill Room. I stayed away for 2 years and tonight was "one more chance". Oh my gosh. How sad. If you are going to price your menu like a Ruth Chris Steak House or a Mortons - for Pete's sake, get your professional act together.
(1)Gladys S.
I went there last night for my boyfriends birthday dinner. He had steak which was cooked to perfection. The fries are the best we've ever had! They give you enough to feed 4 people. They are crispy with a touch of sea salt & parsley, I had the Salmon entree. The entire dish was awesome. The salmon was crisp on the outside & moist inside. The veg served with it was Brussel sprouts. They were so creative in preparing them. I could of eaten a whole bowl of them. The only complaint would be the time it took to get our food. About an hour from ordering but worth the wait.
(4)Andy M.
Went to the grill room last night with a small party and we're sat by the open kitchen. It was a good spot so you could see the goings on in the kitchen. I have read in other reviews that the place could be a little loud. I found it to be no to loud other then the piped in music could be lowered a touch. To start with out waitress was excellent and her recommendation on the swordfish was right on. The swordfish with butternut squash risotto was the best cooked and moist fish I've had in a very long time. Another in our party had the flank steak which he said was excellent. The table split several side dishes like the fries and roasted vegetables. I loved the fries they were fresh cut and fried and seasoned very well. I'm a huge fan of roasted vegetables and they hit the mark on flavor the only thing I have to say is that they could have been cooked a little more. Next time I hit the grill room it's going to be steak.
(4)Andrew F.
Very good, had ribeye and porkchop. The food pairings were great! Dark, close, you can see the kitchen from most tables. Nice long bar. Very good servers and food. Be ready to eat meat.
(5)Jessica B.
I had dinner with a friend the other night at the Grill Room and what a pleasant surprise! First, the atmosphere is dark and modern, encouraging you to chat and take your time. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive without being too present. I literally can say I had the best burger of my life there. And I love burgers. I ordered their burger with peppers and spices on a ciabatta style roll medium well. First, they give you a huge pile of fries (more than most can eat), and the burger was delicious. The meat was tender and flavorful and fresh. It truly is the best burger in Portland. For $12, the flavor and the portions were great. I am taking friends here again, and I highly recommend it!
(5)Benjamin W.
I've never had a bad meal at The Grill Room and my wife and I eat here at least once a month! I usually start with the Maine Lobster Bisque and/or the Local Greens salad followed by the NY Sirloin or the Scallops...depending on my mood! While my wife is a sucker for the French Onion Soup and the Arugula & Goat Cheese salad followed by the Filet Mignon (or occasionally the Tuna Steak). We absolutely love The Grill Room and I don't see us leaving this great spot out of our monthly restaurant rotation any time soon!
(5)Vanessa H.
My third trip here this year. First time had salmon and beets (my choice of veggie). So good! Friend had steak of course, also great. Second time was simply happy hour, wine and we had a blast. Third time was tonight. Was tired and just wanted to chill, were given a spot on the patio. Was really motivated me to write was our service was lovely. I had tapas at a different place before coming here, so wasn't super hungry. I had a salad and prosecco, partner had onion soup and a beer. Nothing fancy, not our typical order-but we have stellar service regardless of how much $ we spent. That's class.
(5)Jeff P.
One of my favorite spots in Portland. Excellent food. Excellent wine and beer. Great staff. Cozy inside. The patio overlooks the town riffraff.
(5)Rajiv A.
[3 visits, 2010-2012] Dinner: Everything was en point - the steak, the veggies. Good glassware and wine selection, and super-hospitable service! It was a bit confusing that the meat temperatures didn't seem to line up with convention. E.g. Well Done at the Grill Room is a little pink at the center... which is medium well elsewhere. But I'm splitting hairs, the meal was delicious. --- Lunch: Full disclosure: the lunch chef is a friend of mine. That said, lunch here is certainly a treat! They do a foccacia bread burger, which is tasty and supportive, but a bit messy/awkward to eat. The deep-fried octopus with deep-fried olives is deliciously salty and crunchy, and the steak salad just... works. Very good food, executed by top-notch chefs.
(4)Jim B.
This place is amazing. Came here two nights in a row. Jack is an amazing waiter. The steak tar tar is exceptional. Ask for Adam or Danielle at the bar. Perfection needs no explanation. Try the "Creole Mule." it's a spicy, smokey house original drink and it is unbelievably addicting.
(5)Sunny D.
Ode to my porkchop: Oh porkchop, my porkshop! You were incredibly delish! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! Your thickness was outta control! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! You were perfect with the wonderful carafe of Sauvignon Blanc! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! You were in such a cute restaurant! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! You were wonderful with the amazing service! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! My woman has nothing on you tonight! Oh porkchop, my porkshop! I can't wait to come back!
(5)Timmy C.
Their lobster pizza may be the worst thing I've eaten in a very long time. The idea was interesting enough, but the execution was really poor. Who uses strong flavors like garlic, caramelized onions, and pecorino cheese to compliment lobster? It was a disaster. Their Caesar salad was edible and the server was nice enough, so that's why the two stars instead of one.
(2)Keith M.
Caesar salad. Lobster pizza. Fries. Carrot cake. The woman at the hotel (residence inn) had another great recommendation. Service was great and didn't mind that we needed to wait for another. Food came quickly in good portions, so I had room for dessert. There was enough lobster, it was not dried out and not overpowered by cheese, etc.
(4)Bill S.
The restaurant had a nice atmosphere, but is a bit dark and our table was small on a corner with lots of traffic. Great wood fire grill burning and there is a chef's bar that we did not realize. Would like to try that. The pork belly app is great. Try it. Waiter Jack was awesome, he made the dining experience memorable. Pizza is small, but great flavor. If you are hungry they are personal pizzas. We had the pesto with mushroom, but disappointed chef would not add some chicken when I asked. If we had eaten earlier, would have tried a steak. Place was packed so getting a reservation was key.
(3)Dan S.
Very nice steak and more restaurant in a great Portland location. The food was very good and the outdoor patio ideal with a nice view of the square. Service was great. The only flaw was they miscooked our steaks, with medium coming in rare and medium rare coming in medium well. To their credit they offered to fix this but when declined comped a creme brûlée which was outstanding. Would go again and hope for a more correct steak.
(4)Judy P.
Just left about a half hour ago. Simply one of the best meals ever, and I'm. No kid (sadly :). Excellent service. Grilled options and side - so good. We shared the roasted olives & I had the simple green salad. My his and had the cesar with anchovies - he was happy not to have to ask, they were offered. We both had the 22/basil drink -excellent! Not sweet - I cannot tolerate a sweet drink :) I had grilled scallops - 3 large with the sides were enough. My husband had grilled salmon. We shared roasted mushrooms, spinach, roasted beets and mushroom risotto. All was exceptional. Just the right-sized portions, too. Highly recommend. Just go and enjoy. Only negative - and I hate this but it's not enough to detract from the culinary experience - acoustics are bad - its loud. I have a soft voice and my husband frequently can't hear me - we still loved this place! Just go, really :)
(5)Caitlin C.
I went here last weekend with my family and we had a very enjoyable meal. Here is the rundown: Drinks: They definitely card. My brother boldly attempted to order alcohol (he's twenty), but they carded him (wah wah). I started out with a glass of the Rhone Blend ($10, very nice). My father ordered Scotch, as is his custom. And my Mother was quite pleased with her Ruby Slipper cocktail. For dinner we had a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape, which went well with our steaks. Bread: a simple, but tasty foccacia with a nice olive oil. Appetizers: To start I had the escargot, but I wasn't terribly impressed. I prefer my escargot to come in the shell (these were already removed). They were fine, just no wow factor really. My father ordered the Camembert with honey comb, balsamic, and pepper jelly which was quite lovely. My brother's Maine crab cakes were also quite tasty. But it was my mother's fried clam special that was the hit appetizer. Boy, were those wonderful (and I've eaten a lot of fried clams in my day, including Woodman's)! They were perfectly crispy with a bit of kick. Yum! Salad: my parents both had the spinach salad special with a blueberry vinaigrette. It also had a local cheese (described as similar to brie). This cheese was extremely stinky, but it tasted ok. Entree: I ordered off the a la carte menu. I paired the filet mignon with their Bearnaise sauce, the parmesan polenta special side, and spicy broccoli. The servers tell you to order the next done-ness up, so I ordered medium so as to have medium-rare. And my filet was cooked perfectly. It was a lovely piece of meat, though I wish the Bearnaise had had more tarragon. The parmesan polenta was not terribly exciting (though polenta really ever terribly exciting) and the spicy broccoli was solid. Other notables: mac n cheese is decent, though I prefer white cheddar to orangey-yellow. The potatoes aligot is amazing. And my mother's special entree (ribeye w/ carmelized onions and mushrooms) was pretty fabulous. Dessert: By this point I was so full that I uncharacteristically skipped dessert. Instead, we shared the creme brulee and the homemade watermelon sorbet. The sorbet was not really sorbet, in fact it was more like gelato (creamy rather than icey), but the flavor was lovely. The creme brulee was decent, but I've had better. The sugar crust was lovely, but the custard was a little lacking in mouth-feel (seemed too warm/runny). I also had a nice cappuccino to ward off a serious food coma (had a 2 hour drive back to Boston). Service: We had Leslie as our server. She was very pleasant and attentive. No complaints. Atmosphere: When we hurried in from the rain, the restaurant was pretty empty, but by the time we had left it had filled right up (pretty busy for a Sunday night). Nothing really notable to report on the decor. We rather liked the prints of the animals adorning the wall (the one of Ferninand the bull was quite nice). It would probably be a good date place (only if your date is a serious carnivore). Conclusion: Ultimately, we had a very good meal. My mother raved that it probably ranked in ther 10 ten meals ever. If I return, I certainly would tweak my choices a bit, but I was quite satisfied. If you go here, order steak. It's a steak house and that's what they do best. This place is most definitely a carnivore's delight.
(4)Marcus H.
They try a little too hard to be "clever" with their menu items. My steak and cheese came out as a cold meat salad on top of warm fried cheese. No bread, no sauce, no thanks. The benefit of this place is the large beer selection.
(3)Pat G.
Epic fail....first time we went two months ago it was ok. Last night it was horrible. First we came early and I walked past the dining room on my way to the men's room. Wow all the prep food was out on tables, not bad but, hamburgers cooked hours before.....really! Bread and oil dip have to owners tried it? Pizza crust was that dough? My duck liver app was undercooked and a mouthful of greasy taste. To bad that's why we bought the living social coupon to come back. Wife's flank steak or whatever it was called raw, little and plate covered with 3/4 fries and salted to hell to make you buy more booze. Oh yes SALT I guess since your near the ocean everything get really over salted. All I can say if you want liquor have fun. Owners have to may places they can't manage.
(1)Kamron H.
The Grill Room is a great place for a business lunch or dinner! They also do a wonderful job of dinner. Like a true steak joint, the sides are mostly al'la carte, the meat is cooked to perfection, you can eat slowly and enjoy your company!
(5)Paul O.
Offers a great level of service and atmosphere for a higher end steak experience. Love the new ala carte and specials menu. I had the bacon wrapped asparagus with the quail eggs that was excellent as a starter and the petite NY Strip, which often is over cooked due to its small size, but was perfect medium rare. The spicy broccoli was the only let down as it was way too heavy on the pepper flake, as it was coated with pepper flake versus a bit of sprinkles. Could not choke more then a piece down. My companion had the Caesar which was perfect and the hangar steak that was quite large and wonderfully prepared. On my next trip, I would like to try the Porterhouse special and the bacon and string beans.
(4)Barbara M.
Went to the Grill Room last night and had a wonderful dinner. The special salad was delicious as was the fried squid. My husband had the rib eye steak and I had the filet --both we're cooked perfectly. We went early (6:00) and the place was pretty empty but by the time we left at about 8:00 the place was packed. Not bad for a cold Monday night after the Blizzard of 2013. Can't wait to return.
(5)Meg P.
If you're a martini person, try the Ruby Red Slipper. Best martini I've ever had in my life - hands down. The food was great - we had the swordfish with lobster and pea risotto which I thought was amazing. We also had the stuffed porkchop. It wasn't as good as I expected, but if you're a big pork chop person you probably would. I rarely eat them, so it was my own fault. The steaks at the table next to ours looked fantastic. Loved the atmosphere, and would definitely consider returning if I'm ever in Portland again!
(4)Morgan O.
The Grill Room is a breath of fresh air for Portland! It always amazed me with the amount of restaurants in Portland, no one could get a steak quite right...well, The Grill Room turned that table! Not only are the steaks great, but there are a bunch of other options on the menu. My boyfriend and I dine here on a regular basis (at least once a week) and always split the same meal (The Sirloin Entree) The steak is pepper crusted and it comes with potatoes aligot (to die for!!) and spicy broccoli, which we love. My Recommendation: Sit at the back bar...the appetizer cooks are great and they will hook you up with lots of tasters while you wait for your meal, but don't worry, you don't wait long here, the food comes fast! We usually order a salad and once that comes we order our steak to have plenty of dining time. My favorite appetizer - the Tuna Tartar --delicious!
(4)Ali M.
Ohmygod, OHMYGOD. I have been wanting to try this place for months now and I finally got to eat here last weekend when my parents visited and took my boyfriend and me out for dinner. They seated us immediately at 5:30 on a Saturday, without a reservation. I started off with a refreshing French 75 which, although not as strong as I like my cocktails to be, still very good. For my main I ordered the filet mignon, medium-well, with the horseradish cream sauce. Holy.. Beef. I used to be a vegetarian, but for the past 2 years I've been re-acquainting myself with my good old friend, beef. This filet mignon was GLORIOUS. The best beef I've had since renouncing vegetarianism, definitely! My mom had the hanger steak, which I had a few bites of and was equally as scrumptious. My boyfriend and dad both got grilled fish dishes which they said were very good but not the best they'd eaten. My tip: go for the meat here. It's clearly what they do best. I ended with the flourless chocolate cake which was amazing. It was almost more of a souffle-type dessert - warm chocolate deliciousness in a bowl, with some homemade vanilla gelato on top. TLDR; Do yourself a favor. Go here. Empty your wallets. Eat their scrumptious beef and chocolate cake and go home bloated and happy.
(5)Premshree P.
We were driving to Bar Harbor from Boston. We stopped in Portland hoping to have some decent lunch. The Grill Room looked like the place I'd like. The setting inside was nice, albeit a little cramped. The wait staff was very friendly. Since we were in Maine, I decided to have some seafood. I asked for the Maine Crab Cakes, while my friend asked for a chicken sandwich. My friend liked his sandwich. My crab cakes were crispy and very oily. It didn't taste very fresh either. Nothing to write home about.
(2)Michael C.
This is a good-great steak restaurant. Fair, small selection of seafood. A la cart so pick your favorites. The portions are HUGE. My wife and I , if we can agree, can easily share a steak and still have some to bring home. Escargot appetizer is wonderful. The place is a little small and probably too loud so it's not a romantic stop, but great place to meet friends and have a great, satisfying dinner.
(4)Terence M.
Man, Portland gets crowded. We didn't have a reservation anywhere, so we came in here and ate at the bar. A nice laid back place. Good local beer selection and a few cocktails on the menu. We had the pork chop and dry aged strip. Both were amazing. I loved the dry rub they put on the pork. The steak was cooked perfectly, and had great flavor. Glad we ended up coming in here.
(4)Laurel O.
This restaurant was recommended by a family member who lives in Maine, and it did not disappoint! We went here on our last night in Maine, and it was so delicious. The Mushroom and Pesto pizza with goat cheese is an amazing flavor combination, with a light and flavorful crust. The monkfish and the duck were phenomenal, and you can choose one of their creations or make your own. Definitely coming back next time I'm in town!
(5)Ramin R.
The waitresses all wear these sexy stockings. I am not sure if it is dress code or not...I was too scared to ask. The atmosphere here is really nice. This was he first place I visited when I got into Portland for the first time ever. I had the duck and fettucciniabsolutely delicious...the sauce was creamy and very flavorful and the duck was well cooked. My friend had the grilled trout on top of lobster mashed potatoes and spinach. We had the oven roasted Brie cheese with bread crackers (which were way too oily) that was really filling and tasty. I wish the beer selection was more extensive.
(4)Ryan R.
popped in here on a whim.....I will never regret this in my life! Sat at the "chef bar", absolutelty awesome. If you sit ther, talk to the cooks, they will respond. We got tons of samples of all foods, incredible. Versus the couple next to us who seemed "above" conversing with the help, they did not get jack! I hav eaten at good restaurants around the world, this one impressed me with its' eecution and its' professionalism
(5)Sara E.
My favorite of all the "room" restaurants by Harding Lee Smith. I have yet to go for dinner but I had a great lunch here the other day. The meats are amazing and I can never go to any of the rooms without ordering a salad. I have no idea how something as simple as a salad can be so damn delicious but it was. I had the Big Winter Salad and also ordered the white pizza which was really delicious. They also have a great selection of wines which are a must with every meal.
(5)Mike P.
I was only visiting the Portland, ME area for a few days for work and I got word of a new restaurant named The Grill Room. After checking Yelp, I noticed that the reviews weren't very high, but since it was relatively new I decided to give it a shot any how. Atmosphere - Low level lighting and candles give the place a laid back feel but also a place with potential for some fun times around happy hour or later. Service - Since I was dining alone I sat at the bar. In my experience you will always get better service at the bar, and this place was no exception. The barkeep came over shortly after I sat down and was very good about keeping my drink filled. The food came out quicker than I expected and it was an overall nice service experience. Food - I wanted to taste a little bit everything that Maine's famous seafood had to offer, so I got an appetizer and entree specialty of the day. I had the crab cakes as an appetizer and they were fantastic. The taste was not overly fishy like some can be and it was mostly made out of crab, not breading. The entree was the grilled trout served over a bed of garlic lobster mashed potatoes (my favorite) and topped with wilted spinach. The entire meal was fantastic and I would highly recommend this place to anyone.
(4)D B.
It's pretty rare for me to visit a restaurant and not have at least a few minor details to complain about. I was lucky enough to eat at the Grill Room for the second time last weekend and my experience was even better than the first time. My wife and I had dinner with two other couples and between the 6 of us we covered a good portion of the menu. I started with the Arugula and goat cheese salad. Was more than happy with this generous portion. My wife had the baked brie, and the ladies at the table devoured before I could even think of giving it a whirl. Several people had the tar tar and I heard no complaints about that either. I went with the Fillet with blue cheese fondue and mashed potatoes for my meal. Once again the steak was cooked perfectly and left me happy after every bite. Mashed potatoes were Delicious. My wife had Salmon and I did manage to try a bite or two. Both of us agreed this was also delicious. Our friends had the Rib eye, Pork chop and at .east one other dish that is escaping me, but everyone had nothing but great things to say. Most of us had carrot cake for dessert and I know I personally loved every last bite of it. Service was promt and professional with plenty of time allowed to enjoy each course. Grill Room wins again!
(5)Lg M.
Great salads especially local greens. Steaks were out of this world with red wine sauce. Onion soup and sides were all superb!
(5)Brent M.
Went to dinner here on a recent trip to Portland. Started off with the Baked Brie (excellent), and followed that up with an above average filet. I would definitely go here again.
(4)Melanie B.
Oh, Portland. How I love your dining scene. *gush* My dear friend from college and I went to lunch at The Grill Room today, on her suggestion since she works nearby. I had no idea what this place was, since the last time I was home, I believe it was still Natasha's (zzz). I was super impressed by my whole experience here, and would definitely recommend this place to anyone - especially for lunch on their patio on an idyllic (yet slightly hot, for Maine) afternoon. I walked in a little before noon, slightly early, and no one was really there. I sipped a beer (Shipyard Summer Ale!) at the bar for a while and then took a table outside while waiting for M. While I had been at the bar, the patio had filled up, so I'm glad I got the seats when I did - walking through the restaurant to get to the patio, I experienced everything aesthetically that I love about the Portland dining scene - exposed brick walls, hardwood, open hearth kitchen, and classy people who are much more down to earth than big-city folks. The food here is fantastic - the lunch menu is fairly reasonably priced, especially for a restaurant that I was told by others was pricey. The key to amazing but expensive restaurants is not to avoid them, people... it's to go for lunch or happy hour. My friend ordered the steak and cheese, which turned out to be this amazing amalgamation of "andouille sausage, mozzarella, potato cake, grilled onion & lusty aioli ." Are you kidding me?! How could I NOT order "lusty aioli?!" And of course, the steak was rare-as-hell - the waitress sweety asked both M. and I if we knew the meat would be cold if we ordered it rare - and then laughed when she realised we're two girls who know our food. Speaking of rare steak, M. ordered the steak and cheese, which is really not at all what you think of when you think steak and cheese - it is something much more amazing. Ordered rare, this was a bloody, deliciously nearly-raw beef carpaccio with fried fresh goat cheese and greens. Hello. I'm in love. I am so glad we stopped in here for lunch. The Grill Room reminds me of my days of Portland culinary adventuring - but on 'roids. I would love to try the other two restaurants by the same owners - the Corner Room and the Front Room. Sitting outside on Exchange/Middle, eating amazing food with the salt air thick above our heads, I nearly wanted to move back home... plus five cool points, Grill Room, for putting the fleeting thought in my head.
(4)Michael C.
Food was really good, the service was amazing. Friendly staff. Not a place for a quiet romantic dinner, but my steak was cooked perfectly, the thick cut chips were great and the white pizza was outstanding.
(5)Lisa L.
Wow, this food was amazing. I usually don't care for steakhouses, but this place is unique, very flavorful food with inventive flavor combinations. The waitress recommended we try the olives. I'm an olive fan, so we ordered them, and was surprised to learn they were warm and spicy...sooo good and so different! I had a beet and cheese salad that was very good. But the highlight was definitely the scallops, served with risotto and root vegetables. I practically licked the plate clean, and I usually never finish a meal. It's pricey, but not more than you'd expect for a restaurant of its caliber. A great place to go with friends or on a "couples date."
(5)T.H. J.
I've eaten there a couple of times, once for lunch and once for dinner. The place is expensive and overrated. I had a Cobb Salad at lunch that had greasy chicken strings (intended) that were unpleasant. Too little for too much money.
(3)Roseann C.
I had heard great things about this place and was in the mood for steak, so my dining companion and I chose to eat there this past Sunday evening. Well, I chose and he went along with it - gotta love that! : ) I loved the charm of the exposed brick and ducts that this place featured, as well as the red walls and wood floors. There were red glass candle holders scattered around and on the tables. The atmosphere was all quite inviting. I was pleased when we were seated around the corner from the front door at a table in the window; it seemed like being seated anywhere else would have placed us at the center of the din that I'm sure is characteristic of a good restaurant on a weekend night. We could converse easily without having to raise our voices and we could look out at the eclectic cast of characters milling by. The lighting was dim, but not overly so, and was quite pleasant. My dining companion looked quite cute in it, actually. We started with cocktails and I absolutely loved mine - the name of it escapes me but it was some sort of gin and ginger liquor concoction that was very tasty. My dining companion was jealous because this time, *I* had the better drink! We started off with the warm ricotta appetizer which was nice, but needed some seasoning which we added ourselves when the waitress brought out some salt and pepper. There also was not enough of the grilled bread that goes with it - there were only 4 small slices that came with it. Luckily, the bread basket came next and we were able to use that to finish up the ricotta. We then each ordered steak - my dining companion got a hanger steak with spicy BBQ sauce, and I got a filet with some sort of brandy cream sauce. Yum! The steaks were both cooked properly. We ordered parmesan polenta and creamed spinach for our sides. The polenta was a little short on parmsean flavor, but pleasant enough, and the creamed spinach was the best I've ever had. I like that they do NOT use nutmeg in theirs, and I believe it had truffle oil as well. Truffle oil makes EVERYTHING better! We unfortunately did not save room for dessert, but we did thoroughly enjoy our meals (we pretty much cleaned our plates). The service was warm, friendly and hospitable also. This place definitely gets two thumbs up. My experience here has made me also want to try the Front Room and the Corner Room when back in Portland.
(4)Bob R.
Showed up without a reservation but got a table for three without a wait. Waitress was good and very attentive. Split the "steak and cheese" which is really beef carpaccio with goat cheese - excellent. Had a fried potato app with a nice sauce - unfortunately the sauce was on a plate that got cleared too quickly so the last few pieces of potato had nothing to dip into. Service was almost too quick - the entrees came out within seconds of the apps plates being cleared. Two of us had grilled swordfish - very nicely done with a lobster and pea risotto which was luke warm although still very tasty. One had a petite sirloin which was very good with a bearnaise sauce - perfectly cooked asparagus but a mashed potato with some kind of cheese that unfortunately gave it a consistency of brick mortar - we commented that it could be used to stop the oil leak inthe gulf. Nice chocolate cake for dessert and coffee was really good. Overall, I really like this place and have eaten here several times and will do so again.
(3)brian d.
absolute worst dining experience..the English Manager Lady should be FIRED...she was soooo rude...horrible food...all four of us were disappointed with the service the wait (45 min for food) and one person asked to have her hamburger cooked more...the English WITCH came out and argued with us...wow...just horrible
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