The Venetian
253 E Main St, Hillsboro, OR, 97123
The Venetian Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Hillsboro for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Hillsboro for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Hillsboro for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
253 E Main St
Hillsboro, OR, 97123 - Phone (503) 693-3953
- Website https://www.venetiantheatre.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
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Tom S.
I happened to pick going here on the night of the street market outside and it was a bit busy. The hostess said 35 min wait, but could go to the bar for immediate service. There was at least one table open and a few more opened up while I was there and she kept telling new patrons about a longer wait. I guess she couldn't walk around the corner to see?? We did have a good meal and had pretty quick service. The bartender was pretty cool and attentive to our needs and requests. He answered some questions my wife had. She's been here before and liked it and that's why we came for dinner. I'd probably go back.
(3)Tammy D.
Love, love, love this place. It is such a beautiful restored theater and thank goodness the McMenamins chain didn't snap it up. Service staff has always been good to us, whether its a couple of us that want to lounge in bar or a large group of us show up and they need to quickly combine tables. . My friend who is "sensitive" believes it is haunted! Even better! I have tried most things on the menu and never been disappointed, but their fresh salads and mango dressing hit the spot especially. Their lunch specials are really reasonable and I love every one of their half sandwich combos. They get you in and out quickly. Walk off your meal at the cute shops around there. The Main Street location in charming downtown sets the tone perfectly.
(4)Ryan C.
I really liked the atmosphere and decor. Came here for dinner. My salad was tasty (mango vinagrette dressing) and my calzone was awesome! Good service from our quirky and chatty server. Free birthday cake for the birthday celebrant AND a comp'd meal! how awesome is that??
(4)cathy s.
I love old theaters. This one was very nice. I went to a OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) Science Pub--only in Oregon. This was a talk about the geology of Oregon by a professor at Portland State. You could purchase a beer and sit back and enjoy the show. There is also a restaurant at the front of the theater. I did not eat here, so I will save that for another review. I would highly recommend the theater though and definitely the Science Pub series. omsi.edu/sciencepub
(4)Molly F.
We have made this restaurant a regular weekly stop when we're done with a hard day of Martial Arts!!! The ravioli, salmon, and chopped salad are our favorites... not to mention their chocolate cake!!! We have grown very fond of this place!!
(4)Jenn D.
My family and I came across this place while walking around Hillsboro. It was a great find. I absolutely love the decor and look forward to coming back to watch a film or performance here. I had the mushroom soup and Pesto Shrimp Penne and both were delicious. The wait for food was lengthily even though the restaurant was not crowded, but it was well worth it.
(4)Christine C.
Tonight my friend and I had dinner at the ventian in hillsboro. We both had amazing salads which were delish. The service was wonderful Adam out waiter is on point and made our expirence there great! We will be back again, I highly recommend this restaurant. Sincerly, Christine Chapman
(5)Justin R.
the food here is stunning, and so is the staff. Yikes! This is my top location in Hillsboro, no one comes close!!!
(5)Kay G.
This continues to be one of my favorite places to go for business lunches. Their salads are fresh and tasty. The burgers are great! I love their dessert choices. Great local place.
(5)Nickolus L.
There are few times in life when a meal is prepared just right. The Mahi Mahi rules!The food comes out steaming and the spirits have the all the love you expect.
(5)Quinn M.
From time to time you get reminded how food should taste and how service should be. Venetian is that place! Wow. I thought I was a best friend to my server, the food was hot and timely. While this was happening, a table of 20 was getting the same service. I have sent all my family there. If you haven't tried this place, do!
(5)Jen K.
The Venetian is the heart of downtown Hillsboro's historic Main Street and an all around dining and entertainment venue. While many new restaurants and bars have opened nearby during the past year (Clarke's, Pizzario, McNally's Taproom), the Venetian is a solid go-to spot for an evening's entertainment. Compared to the other locations, it also tends to pull in an older crowd. At this point we have a running family joke, because I like to explore trying everything and Mr. K finds a place he likes and sticks with it. So while I encourage him to try other places in town, he practically has his name engraved on a bar stool here after multiple visits weekly during the past two months. They see him walk in the door and start pouring a glass of his favorite beer so it is waiting for him before he sits down. A game is playing on the TV over the bar and he really enjoys the staff (Dave is the best!). He's good. My visits have extended from the bar and restaurant to the theatre. I've seen two productions this season by the Bag & Baggage Theatre Company as well as the musical extravaganza of Tony Starlight in the Neil Diamond Experience. It is a comfortable mid-size theatre (400 seats) with some nice vintage touches and a small concession stand. On the restaurant's menu, they have more options than the local competition, with a focus on pasta dishes. Where they shine are excellent happy hour deals and reasonably priced cocktails. I personally like the Venetian Chopped House salad, which is much more interesting than your basic side salad with my entrees and Mr. K almost always chooses their Hungarian Mushroom Soup, which is absolutely dense with mushrooms. [1] We both love their garlic rolls that come with your meal. And if you are in the mood for comfort food, the Stuffed Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and vegetables is recommended. While it isn't the most exciting option in town, it is the place where we hosted a large group dinner with guests of varying ages because of the diversity of the food (burgesr, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, steak, seafood) and drink menu. And if you are seeing a show, there is a small theatre menu (burgers and pizza) that you can eat in the theatre while watching the show: venetiantheatre.com/web/… The dining area is a mix of booths and tables and on warm nights they roll up the front windows for open air dining on the patio. My only pet peeve about eating at the bar is they have a wide cushioned elbow rest that is nice for drinking, but makes eating a bit of a chore. After so many visits during the past few months, we have rarely had a disappointing experience. We've been here when it is packed (warm evenings and show nights) and there are times we've practically had it all to ourselves. In many ways, the Venetian has become our home base, especially for Mr. K. [1] Hungarian Mushroom Soup is not terribly common, but both the Venetian and the Primrose & Tumbleweed wine bar directly across the street offer it on an (almost) daily basis. Trying to decide is this is healthy competition or some sort of feud going on...
(4)Mandar P.
I was here for the team party. Nice ambiance. We were hanging out upstairs. Food was okay. Next time, I will try out the best dishes they have to offer.
(3)Michael G.
What a great use of the old theatre. I saw Jaws here when I was 13! Now it's a great little sidewalk restaurant that opens garage doors to the outside in good weather. This would be right at hone in downtown Portland. It adds some class to an otherwise dismal downtown Hillsboro.
(4)Jamie P.
This place is so cool!! Great service! Awesome menu! Fair pricing! I'd say it's the nicest restaurant in hillsboro for a special occasion or something that I've found. They could even make it nicer in my opinion and charge more-it's nice to have a place in hillsboro to eat that isn't hole in the wall, Mexican, or a chain. Amazing concept with the theater attached.
(4)Perfectly Imperfect A.
Ive gone here alot. But ive come to realize some of the bartenders are a little to "friendly" espically this one younger guy names erin? Or eric? Something like that
(1)Ron T.
It is a spectacle if you haven't been into an establishment in the city (Portland). It is fancy alright. It is Fred Meyer posh. It is cute and charming. You'll be taken back in time when you step out of this place. This place sticks out like a sore thumb in the block of dilapidated looking establishments. Foodwise? Something tells me that the HungryMan company works at the back of the restaurant. It tastes like it is tv dinner. My lasagna was half cold. Frozen cold. Which is sad. I'm not impressed at all. The drinks are basic. Don't ask for anything complicated. Let's help this place survive by being simple. Please.
(2)Tom D.
Meals are always good and the service is coupled with just a touch of edge. Enjoy having a beer at the bar as the bartenders dish it out as well as take it. If you want one of the only places in Hillsboro with a real genuine vibe, good food, and staff with character then you will enjoy the Venetian.
(4)Elle H.
Many Thanks to theVenetian Theatre in Beautiful Downtown Hillsboro for coming to the rescue when "Encore" Dance Troop's annual spring show venue wasn't available. I've been to other productions at the Venetian and it's sure one of the nicest places in the Greater PDX area for plays. I loved having seats rather than bleachers to sit on, which is what Encore usually provides. I really hope that Encore Dance, Gymnastics, Voice and Drama continues to have their shows at this venue. Parking was tough because Saturday market was just closing up.....I had a great coffee opposite the Venetian, while waiting for the event. Sadly I didn't note the name of the coffee bar/outdoors shop, but it was very nice.
(5)Jael J.
So we had dinner here - It was okay I suppose. Server wasn't outstanding, food wasn't outstanding, general experience wasn't outstanding. It did at least meet expectations though. And since the person we were taking to dinner lived in the area, it was convenient. The menu has a good variety on it and they definitely did accomodate my request for chicken - but I just wasn't wowed. Like I said, it met expectations.
(3)Bob M.
If this were in some featureless strip mall which describes huge swaths of our little area I call the Land of the Bland, the Venetian Bistro would not have been half of the fun that it is. I don't know of many areas on this side of the world that have the charm of Hillsboro's downtown. Tonight, we parked by shops with neon lights, window displays designed to be appreciated by walking past them and rain that reflected these images softly on everything. One walks up the theater entrance with old theater racing lights, in through the double doors and to the right, the bar and dining room. Used brick are the only design element and lighting in the dining room is provided by art nouveau brass chandeliers and candles on each table. Above this, exposed beam ceilings, to the front of the house, vertical roll up doors which are opened in summer; though tonight through these windows you see the downtown lights and the rain that is coming down. It was not terribly busy when we got there at five, but the house started filling up as we dined. It is not a bad idea to give them a call before you head over and see if having a table held for you might be a good idea. Garlic and Parmesan bread knots came to our table first. House bread tends to be an afterthought, this was not, these were quite good. While we made our minds up for the entrées we started with the shrimp with the mango salsa. The large shrimp were grilled perfectly, set on a bed of mixed greens. The salsa, sweet but not cloyingly so. Each of these components together made a perfect and perfectly sized app for the two of us. Next, SO had the clam chowder, which was incredible. The clams were tender, the broth was rich and buttery. I had a Caesar salad. The dressing seemed house made but was underwhelming. He had the calzone with smoked pulled pork in a cranberry BBQ sauce with cheddar cheese and pineapple. I sucked in my face at the sound of it, but when it arrived at our table, I hushed after a taste. It was very good, sweet but with the different flavors coming together with a surprisingly complex flavor. I had the spinach ravioli with a garlic cream sauce. I was not expecting a great deal from this; I figured an Alfredo base with garlic flavorings. In fact, it was rich with sweet roasted garlic, the sauce base was specific to this dish, near as I could tell. I had mine prepared with shaved Parmesan rather than the feta as is described. This dish was good, but I wish I had accepted it with the feta; it would have been a nice counterpoint to the cream sauce. Desert? Oh, I think not. We took home a doggie bag and left quite full. Our original plan was to stroll Main Street, which would have been great if we had not filled ourselves to high bulge. The theater was dark tonight but as mentioned by others, the entertainment there is diverse, reasonable and a lot of fun. Look at their web site to plan an evening.
(4)Emily C.
Great wine and drink menu. The specials are always great as is the service. Great place to go with friends to get appetizers and drinks. Just don't have a seizure from the lights as you walk in!
(4)kamron g.
One of the most disappointing dinners. I wanted to get my parents to try a new place and support a local business. We waited an hour for dinner to arrive, were never offered any additional cocktails, and 2 of the 4 dinners were cold. So sad.
(2)Chiemi N.
I'm really starting to love the downtown Hillsboro area! I purchased movie tickets to see "Casablanca" at the Venetian via Groupon. It was a good deal, 2 movie tickets and a large bucket of popcorn for $7. Movie started at 7, so I decided to get to the bistro part of the venetian before the end of happy hour at 6pm. I had a burger with chips for $3. Because I am cutting back on gluten, I just ate the burger patty, but it was really large, and filled me up. They have happy hour prices on wine, beer and well drinks. I had an iced tea. The iced tea had a slight lemony taste, which I didn't care for. I've eaten here for dinner in the past, and I enjoyed my meal. The exterior of the Venetian has an old theater feel, with the lit up marquee. The interior is beautiful with a grand crystal chandelier. I love the feel and ambiance of the Venetian. The theater isn't very big, but the chairs are pretty comfortable, and it seemed to be well kept up and clean. I really love that the Venetian plays old classic movies. They have live entertainment too. I really love the movie "Casablanca", and it was so cool to see it on the big screen! I can't wait to see a play or another movie!
(4)Corrie C.
Food is good, service is good. I it gave it a 3 because I'm not excited about thee menu. Though the food is good, I want more variety or a few options for specials outside of the regular menu Atmosphere is great and the building has history, definitely worth the visit Theater is great, love seeing plays there!
(3)Mahn M.
Their house salad is fantastic. The free bread that looks like cinnamon rolls are awesome. I ordered the meatloaf, wow, it's so good. Best meatloaf I ever tasted. My wife had the chicken Salad, the chicken breast is so moist and delicious. Yummy, you got to eat here. High class food and the price is very reasonable.
(5)Tiffany M.
This is a charming spot in the heart of downtown Hillsboro. I must say, seeing Casablanca here with my better half was pretty fabulous, as the decor is old Hollywood charm. As far as movie viewing goes, this is a great place. The restaurant I feel leaves some things to be desired. The service has been a bit hot and cold. I've been about four times, and on only one of those occasions did our server have a personality of any kind. And she made for a great experience, I am sorry that her name escapes me right now. The food is also hit and miss, the pesto shrimp pasta was just ok but now I stick with the blackened salmon salad which is really tasty (although the salmon can be a bit on the salty side).
(3)Ben D.
Good, but not great. The wine was pretty good and the service was prompt. Might try it again.
(4)Levi L.
The burgers and pizza is very good. It's very cozy and the waiters and waitresses are very nice and funny. The mousse and cheesecake is different in an amazing way.
(4)Diane S.
I took friends there for dinner and was so embarrassed by the poor service and dinner. The lasagna was days old and heated in the microwave. The bottom half was hard as a rock from being heated up so many times. The snippy owner replaced it with a new portion to take home that we took and put in the garbage. Basically UNEATABLE! How can they stay in business! I will never go back! Disappointed in Hillsboro!
(1)Rebecca W.
The Venetian is a great little Hillsboro treasure! It was a Sunday evening, perfect warm spring night, no school the next day and this place was dead. I don't get it. The food was excellent. The service was excellent. The atmosphere was excellent. We had such a nice dinner that evening. First of all let me just say that the bread served as an appetizer was delicious. I had some kind of tomato soup with it and the two together were just heavenly good. My main dish was a pasta dish with shrimp. It was very good too. Maybe a little heavy on butter or olive oil, but the flavor was delish. The Venetian also hosts a variety of shows to include plays and featured musicians. The theater is fabulous! Gorgeous, plush, comfy, and clean. I've eaten at the Venetian a few times now and I have yet to be disappointed with the meals and the service has deffinitly improved since the doors opened a few years ago.
(5)Betty C.
We read the reviews and saw the venue, and thought this would be a great place that we could eat locally and relax. The food sounded delicious. Not so much. We came in and were seated and given dinner menus. We decided that we'd just have an appetizer and dessert. Well, the appetizer (hummus plate) came, it lacked any type of flavor. It might be made in their kitchen, but if it is, their kitchen has no spices. There was no olive oil on it, the pita was dry, and it also had little flavor. We ate two small wedges, and here comes the waiter to ask if we are ready to order dessert. Hmmmm, a bit anxious? Then we get our dessert and we take two bites and here comes the waiter. He wants us to know it is last call...well heck, we haven't had a sentence between us without an interruption from him. We don't need another drink, we need peace. He tells us there is no hurry, they just have to do last call when they turn out the light ,but the theater has not let out yet, so those folks will meander through, we have plenty of time. Well, he no sooner leaves, we begin to talk again and he's BACK. This time with a check and "Welp, this time we are kind of throwing you out." We look around, and the theater has let out, and they are ORDERING DRINKS. Wait a minute, what if we HAD ordered dinner? Would we have been able to eat? And what in the world, I can't finish a drink in front of me, but you can serve new drinks? What happened to "last call"? We won't be back. I agree with the yelper who said "Where have the people who wrote these good reviews eaten before? Don't they ever leave Hillsboro?" This place is overpriced, the food is bland, and to be rushed out ...when they gave me a DINNER menu 20 minutes before--well, it's uncalled for.
(1)Elaine P.
Yes, the passive aggressive staff will always interrupt you during a deep thought at a power lunch, depriving you of that thought forever, but they have incredible soups. The food is good here. And they are playing "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane" in the theater later in the month. What can you say? Good stuff. And private bathrooms are triple plus good!
(4)Scott K.
Located in downtown Hillsboro, this Bistro is on the bottom floor of a fully renovated movie house. Think 1960's style or earlier. I recently visited here for the Bistro and not the movie. The Bistro upon walking in reminds me of a trendy San Francisco eatery. The staff is great and very knowledgeable about the menu. I recommend you ask them if you are allergic to anything. The craze of Gluten Free also hit this place. You have an alternative to get Gluten Free pasta. I ordered the Lasagna which im going to warn you ahead of time......its enough for 2 people. This is coming from me who likes to eat. I had to get a take out box for the remaining half portion. The garlic bread that they serve prior to the meal, you will want to order more. Its not to garlicy but its enough to make you want more than just 3. Once you are done, take a tour of the Theatre. Its something of history.
(4)Melina H.
Bartender: great. Pours a good drink, is pretty to look at, and is sincerely nice. Food: oh man, this is so tough because I want to like it here but the food is not that great. There have been a few comments about the hummus...yes, yes, i can confirm it sucks big time. Any hummus lover will agree it stunk...sheesh, Venitian, how many times do we have to tell you? Take it off the menu or get a new recipe already!!! The pizza is pretty good with generous toppings on the vegi pizza that I ordered, but Earth Oven down the street is supremely better. The atmosphere is really nice and service at the bar is always good. I can take it or leave it...and pretty much will never eat a meal there. HH - yes. Plated meal - definitely not. The place was packed and there wasn't even a show going on so don't take my word for it. There are obcviously many folks that like this place...just not a large chunk of folks who are willing to write about it I guess.
(3)Scott N.
Main Street in Hillsboro is a place where in the evening hours you can always find a place to park and you feel completely safe. Street lights cast a gentle glow over a collection of quaint shops and restaurants. However, one light is definitely prominent over Hillsboro's Main Street. It's a cool looking marquee that reads "The Venetian." This marquee marks a spot where you can enjoy a drink, a burger, a movie, a play, or a scrumptious gourmet meal. On our most recent visit to The Venetian we sampled a burger, a salad, and a pizza. The salad was Salmon Caesar and it was outstanding. A generous helping of broiled Salmon fillet heaped upon a bed of greens. The Venetian added shaved Parmesan cheese and made their own Caesar dressing. The burger was an avocado burger and came with chips and a choice of soup or salad. The burger patty was large, juicy, and cooked to order. Our avocado burger was less than $10 and the fact that it came with a choice of soup or salad made it quite a bargain. Our small Salami and Sausage pizza was $10.99 and came with a huge quantity of toppings. A small pizza at The Venetian will get you about a four slice pizza. The pizza itself is made up of a medium sized crust which was quite tasty. The meats were of the highest quality. The Venetian gets the reward for serving the best marinara sauce on a pizza. The pizza sauce here is so delicious! Other restaurants along Hillsboro's Main Street start closing about 9PM. However, The Venetian is open until 10. Whether you're cruising for burgers, pizza, or a full gourmet meal, Hillsboro's The Venetian is the place to go!
(5)Ed R.
This place was great, from the moment I walked in. The staff was both friendly and attentive. The menu had so many options, that I didn't know what to get. I decided on the spaghetti and meatballs, and bbq pulled pork pies. AMAZING. I enjoyed going there, and will be going back to eat again. Great service and food, always win.
(5)Matthew W.
The Venetian is part bar, part restaurant, part event center and part theater. I have been there for all four manifestations of the property and I generally like the place, though the food is just average. Located in Downtown Hillsboro a block from the Courthouse, The Venetian provides a hot spot for locals when the rest of Main Street is closed. You can catch a show with the Bag and Baggage Production Company, grab a draft beer or glass of wine, eat dinner or even hold a wedding reception upstairs. You can't say this place isn't versatile! In the restaurant, I have had hit and miss experiences with the food. The pasta sauce was too sweet and the bleu cheese dip was a strange flavor. However, the burgers and pizza are pretty good. The beer and wine offerings are good and the service is above average. I suggest getting a reservation on weekends. If you're going for a show, you can buy tickets online and grab some candy or popcorn at the old-time concessions counter. Though I prefer Syun Izakaya if going to Downtown Hillsboro, The Venetian's restaurant is a nice change of pace if we find ourselves in the area.
(3)Jeff H.
So Hillsboro has grown up a lot since I used to work in the area, and this downtown area only shows it. I decided to use this venue as a first date option, as it is not a franchise establishment (to my knowledge), seemed to have a sense of class, and would provide the perfect opportunity to engage in drinks with the option of dinner. I was a bit worried about finding the place, since, as I said, Hillsboro has grown up, but the huge flashing marquee sort of pointed the place out to me. Parking was all street, so if you don't like to parallel park, that's too bad. I did notice some pay lots, but didn't actually see where you go to pay. I'm sure if you looked hard enough, parking would be easy to find, but honestly, I found a place on the street only a few doors down from the establishment's entrance. Walking inside, it's easy to see that this is a theater that has a restaurant added onto it. The decor is sort of a plush, "old Hollywood" glitz that I absolutely adored. Deep reds and dark woods abounded, and it felt very cozy and intimate. The ceiling is exposed wood rafters and makes the space feel very, very open, but absolutely NOT industrial in any way, shape or form. The bar is small and horseshoe shaped, roughly, and I noticed about four deep stuffed chairs that are presumably for lounging in. The restaurant area is attached and isn't large and, as luck would have it, that night was some sort of special event that would have lots of people. I noticed plenty of "Reserved" signs on tables. So, meeting my friend there, I arrived a little early and took a seat at the bar. I was helped immediately by the bartender, who took time to engage me in conversation of my beer of choice (Fat Tire) and though they didn't have it, I did have an excellently poured Stella Artois. I put my name in with the hostess early, though since the place was empty, it seemed somewhat unnecessary, but as it turned out, it was very necessary. After my friend arrived and ordered a drink, a very pleasant woman, whom I assumed was a manager based on her dress and what she was doing while I was at the bar, approached me and asked if we were staying for dinner or just drinks. As we agreed on dinner, the manager got very thoughtful. I saw plenty of tables and then she said, "Well, we are having an event, unfortunately, this is a one night kind of thing, but...but..." and at this point I had visions of sitting at the little stand-alone two-seater table by the bar and having people bustling around us and all this stuff, and was thinking, "Oh, how loverly." So then she says, "Okay, see that booth down there on the left? Go ahead and take that, we'll make that booth yours." And it was. The wait staff were very attentive and came back frequently, inquiring about our drink refills. We took plenty of time to order and the menu had many wonderful looking options. There was American and Italian selections, from what I can gather (Poor Reviewer Admission here: I paid more attention to my friend than the menu, and in that, I failed you, dear Review Reader), and when I was finally forced to make a choice, I went with a thin crust salami, pepperoni, and pineapple pizza. My friend opted for cranberry pineapple barbecue chicken with mashed potatoes and a vegetable side. She also went in for the side salad, though I did not. We each received two garlic rolls, which, as I've seen others mention, were similar to cinnamon rolls in their shape. They were warm and very good, not too garlicy but not too doughy. I thoroughly enjoyed mine. When our food arrived, it was hot and presented very nicely. My pizza had a very good crust, just the right bit of crisp but not burned black, the sauce had a tang and zest to it, so it didn't feel canned, and the pineapple was honestly just amazing. As my friend finished all of hers and seemed to be making appreciative noises, I presume that hers was up to par as well. All in all, we stayed in our reserved booth for about three hours, and not once did we feel rushed or forced to go. We each had two adult beverages, and our entrees, and with tip, the bill was less than $50, very, very reasonable for the atmosphere, quality of food, and service provided. I would absolutely return to this location in the future, both in an intimate setting, but also with a large group of friends. Highly enjoyable!
(4)Kristina G.
I'm surprised to hear that some people have still had negative experiences at the Venetian. I've been there another four or five times since my last review, and it's been great! The new management (at least I must assume so) in the last year or so seems to be working really hard to make sure people have a good experience. That being said, not all of the food items are equal. I would recommend the pizza and the desserts over everything else. Appetizers are okay, but nothing special. Several of the pastas, such as the ravioli and the lasagna, are yummy, but my sister did not like the spaghetti and meatballs at all (not enough sauce, too much fennel). The 1/2 price wine bottle Sundays that they are having are great. Now that we live in Hillsboro, this will probably be a tradition.
(4)Sunny T.
I'm surprised by some of these negative reviews...especially about the lasagna. Tonight I took my Mother and Daughter in for dinner...my first time, and had a lovely experience. I even changed my dinner selection when I saw the lasagna served up to the table next to us because it looked amazing. The salads were fresh and had lots of fixins, the rolls were warm and delicious, and our server, Shelly, was very pleasant and attentive. The decor was warm and inviting. Maybe some times bad experiences happen when it's packed or maybe one Chef isn't as strong as another but for a Sunday night we had a positive experience and look forward to our next visit the next time we are in Hillsboro.
(4)Kristen M.
2.5 STARS (This review is for a catered event) The Venetian is located in the heart of downtown Hillsboro. This establishment offers a couple movie theaters and a restaurant. I came here one evening for an awards ceremony, where they catered the dinner event - buffet style. A corner of the room was dedicated to coffee, tea and water. Unfortunately, there weren't enough glasses available for 50 people. One had to suffice their thirst by purchasing a glass of beer/wine at the bar. There was no staff around to request for a couple of glasses for quite some time. OLIVE TAPENADE WITH BRIE CROSTINI was an appetizer that was served early into that evening. For a catered event, a big no-no was running out of food! Unfortunately, not everyone was able to sample this app! They didn't really serve enough for a party of 50! No bueno! The sample was okay. I think it had potential. There was too much brie cheese for a crostini and tapenade that it clashed with all the other flavors. (**1 STAR**) MIXED GREENS AND MANGO CITRUS DRESSING a simple salad. The salad dressing went quite well with the greens. It was a better option than ranch, but more flavorful than a tangy vinegarette. I felt I could've made this on my own at home. (**2 STARS**) GRILLED CHICKEN MARSALA was probably the best thing to have as an entree for the night. Large pieces of chicken were grilled and basted with the marsala sauce. The chicken was cooked very moist and that is a difficult thing to do with chicken! This was served with a side of CORN. (**3 STARS**) STUFFED SPINACH & CHEESE MANICOTTI was quite decent. The pasta was cooked great. The filling was yummy. The dish had potential, but the only part that was missing was flavor. I think it needed a bit more salt since it was a bit bland. (**2.5 STARS**) Dessert was pretty much a sham. A really dry CREAM PUFF. The bread was so dry, that it was quite difficult to even chew through the bread. I wasn't sure how old this was that I gave up attempting to eat the thing. I was hoping that the filled cream would be able to moisten the bread, but alas it didn't really help at all. (**1 STAR**) Towards the end of the dinner, the staff came around and provided GREEN-ONION CHEESE ROLLS. These tasted WAYYYY better than the dessert that was served. I wish these were served earlier into the dining event. The bread was very cheesy. You were able to smell the green onion essence and melted cheese around the room (**3.5 STARS**) Service was so-so. The staff was very friendly and helpful. BUT kinda missing in action throughout the night. I wasn't sure if they were just busy or they just lacked staff working the party that night. Where were the water glasses?! This area was never stocked throughout the rest of the evening! (**2 STARS**) Parking is on the street or nearby neighborhood streets. Caution while looking for the venue because some of the streets are one-way. The Venetian is a charming historical place in Hillsboro. I don't know if I would have a catered event here again. But I would like to try out the restaurant itself on my next visit.
(2)Mikhail H.
This review is just for the theater since I have yet to experience the restaurant. That will certainly change though. I have very rarely been into downtown Hillsboro and this was my my first ever visit here so I had no idea it even had a restaurant. We just visited to see them perform Dangerous Liasons which was amazing...a large part I feel was because of the inspirational backdrop. The theater is beautiful - so much detail. The seats were so comfortable as well so the two hour play was a breeze - especially with vittles from the wonderful snack bar! Next time we plan to go to dinner and then see a show or play but we will be back certainly....how could we not!!??
(5)Colin B.
Oh the Venetian. What can I say that hasn't been said? You're quite the mixed bag aren't you. My wife and I first started going there three years ago or so when we discovered a groupon for Gone With the Wind. Her and I love classic films and have gone to see quite a few of them at The Venetian. At the time a place with the Venetian's style and combination of restaurant/classic movie theater/stage productions was new to us. We were in awe and quickly became regulars. The staff was great, the food was good. Then over the years something changed...It sure wasn't the food. It's been the same for the past two or three years (maybe even more.) It was the service and that's what's killed the experience for us. One night we went in around 9:30-9:40, they were closing at 10. Our server seemed put off by the fact she had to take one last table despite being open for another 20 minutes. She seemed disinterested, rushed and generally unhappy. When it came time for desert (which I must say, they usually have a pretty good selection of) she rushed us through our selection and was eager to see us on our way. There was a time I called in a to go order and we got a staff member who is a little rough around the edges to say the least. He's fine in person if a little too comfortable with his tables to be a server. On the phone he cut me off, told me to hold on a minute, to slow down and basically had slight attitude. I understand asking someone to repeat themselves but there's a tactful way to ask someone to slow down or repeat themselves. It isn't cutting them off mid sentence. Another time we called in an order the server would cover the phone and talk to her co worker about something unrelated without asking me to hold on and rushed me through the phone call. I get it, you get busy but this is the service industry. It's no excuse to offer subpar service. A few months ago we went and the host forgot to tell our server we were seated and I guess the wait staff don't check their sections either as we waited a good 20 minutes just to be greeted and get water. My wife actually had to go ask if someone was coming to tend to us. It isn't all bad however. We have had more pleasant experiences there than bad with the staff being very accommodating. There are some exceptional staff members - Michael, Eric and a lady who's name escapes me unfortunately. The owner, Denzel (hope I spelled his name correctly) and the management team are all top notch. The food is good, although some change on the menu would be nice and the atmosphere is pleasant. For downtown Hillsboro it's a great blast from the past and nice to find a place open past 5. Go for the excellent classic films and entertaining stage production and decent food. Just try not to be too put off by the hit or miss customer service. One big plus for me - there's no T.Vs! It's nice to go out to eat without ten different televisions littered throughout. We will gladly continue to give the Venetian a chance in part because of nostalgia and because we genuinely like the place I just hope we've experienced the last of our poor service.
(3)Meruti S.
Sorry the food was just sub par. I ordered a turkey, avacado bacon sandwich with ceaser salad. Where do i start. Usually a sandwich like this is toasted, it was cold. Bacon was tough, cooked yesterday. Chips were soggy, ceasar salad was soggy mess. My collegues ordered burgers and calzone. All said food was cold. It did not look good from my point of view either. Cafateria at my job is waaay better. Guys please put some effort. Thats all it is lack of effort. Kudos to the waiter he was very nice and responsive.
(2)Kathy O.
USED to be my favorite restaurant in Washington County until tonight. Customer NO Service! Place was practically empty at 5:45 on a Friday evening and now I know why! Seated quickly by good, friendly Hostess then ignored. Laminated one page menu. When I was eventually asked, 'what'll ya have" had to ASK for a drink menu. Menu got that tossed onto the table, then Ignored again. Several minutes later was again asked 'ya know what cha want?' What is this now...Mel's Diner on the TV show Alice? Had to ASK what the soup of the day was. Curt answer: Clam Chowder. Was NEVER told by the server what the specials were (there were three that night). DID get my glass of wine a few minutes later with the 'what'll ya have?' question/comment again. Eventually got my meal. The clam chowder was runny, oyster crackers stale. My Used-to-be-my-favorite Caeser salad with grilled salmon was warm with wilted lettuce, too much dressing, no shaved parmesan as in the past. Was never provided the delicious bread rolls that I USED to really enjoy when purchasing the salmon Caeser Salad. Salmon was good but Customer NO Service encouraged me to take my plate to the friendly Hostess and ask for a to go box. Didn't even finish my wine, paid the hostess. Bartender had been staring off into space. Bartender a few minutes before had been telling the couple at the bar, 'yea, this place will get busy pretty soon, it will be packed.' as if he was dreading it since he would have to do some work. Same bartender packed my to go package and privded me a broken plastic fork. Ate my salad at the Bag and Baggage play down the street with the plastic spoon. Don't YOU always eat YOUR salad with a spoon? WORST experience ever and I will never go back!
(1)Liz B.
Do yourself a favor and take a look at the filtered reviews here. Changes things a bit. The place is really more of a 3.5, but the low star reviews dominating the page and the almost all 5 star reviews that have been filtered make me round up. I've been here with the family a few times and it's one of my go-to suggestions for when I'm on that side of town with them. I've never found the service to be anything less than good, the past few times it's been pretty excellent. They've got a decent wine list and a few good beers on tap. We had a bit of a wait the last time we ate here and ordered drinks at the bar. The bartender suggested a local beer I'd never heard of and wish I remembered the name of because damn was it tasty. The food is tasty but nothing incredible. For the price and the huge (as in split between two people and still have leftovers kind of huge) portions, it's worth checking out.
(4)Matthew R.
Came here twice with vendors for lunch. This place is so incredibly slow for business people trying to have a meeting over lunch. They are also not very flexible in changing the reservation size if you come with an extra person. The service staff seemed overwhelmed as its next to impossible to get a water refill and we only talked to our server three times (ordering, delivery and paying the check). The kitchen or wait staff need to learn how to serve courses. There is no good reason to let people wait 20 minutes for pizza or calzones and not bring the salads out first. Not to mention that bringing salads out at the same time as the entree meant the table was over crowded with plates and we were left to jockey plates and glasses around to try and make room.
(2)Kevin M.
With all the stiff reviews on Yelp, see: not impressed because I think I could do better...fail, the Venetian is doing a good, and consistent job with service and food. I have visited twice now and was impressed for my first visit over Valentines day. The price was not outrageous and the portion was perfect. For a very busy night the staff was prompt, clean, and courteous. This is not a theme restaurant and does not try to boast about their food, which is good. I was impressed by the mood and wine service, which they did excel at . I will visit again if I like to have a enjoyable dinner out. Simple and tastful, cant ask for more!
(5)Debby A.
This old theatre is a great venue to have a quaint restaurant. Friends took us here and we enjoyed the ambiance and the calzones were wonderful.
(4)Corinne S.
Went in to the Bistro on a Saturday afternoon. Sadly disappointed. Just not all I expected - beautiful building but super bland burger. Had the mushroom burger and while it was obviously a good quality beef it lacked flavor. Chips were stale. My date's burger had a really yummy sauce (he got the teriyaki burger) but despite ordering it medium it was bright pink inside. Service was friendly and atmosphere is good. Restroom was very clean - guess I should have tried their pizzas based on other reviews.
(3)Sasha O.
My husband and I gladly dined at the Venetian yesterday evening, Sunday 8/14 and enjoyed our server, Lisa C. We were instantly informed of the Sunday promotion (when purchasing any two dinner entrees, you may enjoy a bottle of wine at 1/2 price). My husband ordered the Steak of the Day (Filet Mignon) and I ordered the Cranberry BBQ Chicken. The salads accompanying our meal choices were wonderful and perfect sized. Our meals came with "garlic knots" (scrumptious!)...and they were refilled with no charge. Our meals didn't disappoint (we really enjoyed all the flavors) and we ended on a beautiful note (dessert, cake made by the co-owner). Overall, this is such a wonderful restaurant, the ambiance is very classical/elegant (old theater), and every employee here has always been very pleasant and accommodating. Thank you, Venetian, we enjoy every chance we have to dine with you.
(5)Sam P.
Beautiful atmosphere BUT the food is just ok and the service is very slow and that is very disappointing. It still feels like the staff is learning the ropes because of the time it takes to get served. The drinks are fine but not really worth going to much trouble to return for. In the end it is too expensive for what you get, for example just chips with your burger. Still the place is lovely, with an increased service rate I think it could shine. Would be nice if they brought back the movies and I have been there when there was live music and that was a treat.
(3)Alicia M.
I want to give this place 5 stars. I really do. The theater is AMAZING and historic and they show classic black and white movies which I really love. It's the PERFECT romantic date spot. I have a heart for the classics, and watching Casablanca on their big screen while holding one of my best girlfriend's hand and crying makes a most excellent memory. You can eat and drink things in the theater other than popcorn and soda, which is still novel and awesome. Their customer service is great, the place is clean, and makes you feel like you have gone back in time. I LOVE everything about this place, except the food. It's really lackluster in flavor and I expected more from a place that seems so fancy and romantic. Also, the sound in the theater is all in front, which means you have to be really quiet when the movie is on or you'll disturb others and not be able to hear....which isnt that big of a deal, but if you are hard of hearing it may be a problem for you. That aside, I have been there twice already and with upcoming movies like The African Queen with Humphrey Bogart and The Long Long Trailer with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, I am destined for a return. Maybe I am out of place in my generation for enjoying old movies, but for a fan of the classics, it really doesn't get much better than sitting in the balcony with your sweetheart and watching them on the big screen. Love it!
(4)Sarah C.
After having dinner here 2 times, my husband and I have decided this is a great place to go for a cocktail, hang out, and enjoy the atmosphere, but we won't spend our money on the dinner fare- its too overpriced for the mediocre cooking. It is a great place to start an evening out in downtown Hillsboro. My husband and I both LOVE the Jack & Ginger on the rocks- they make their own ginger ale & it has a great zip to it! The decor is really fun and the waitstaff are genuinely charming and likeable. They always remember us and make us feel like part of the neighborhood crowd, even though we are very new to the area. So, come for the cocktails, and then walk to another restaurant for dinner!
(3)Sharon M.
I definitely like going to the Venetian, as it is my favorite restaurant in Downtown Hillsboro. The food is always good and so is the service. I went there once to see Casablanca, and it was a great setting for old time movies. It feels so right to see the black and white classic movies at the Venetian, as there aren't many places in Portland where you can see these kinds of movies. I would definitely recommend you go there, either for food, drink, or movie. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Alyssa G.
Love the happy hour specials.
(4)Mike O.
No better Italian in the Area. I also enjoy the theater and movies here. Great for date night, after work drinks, or casual lunch or semi formal dinner. The staff are friendly and the drinks are made perfect! (you don't have to order a double).
(5)Maggie B.
My husband and I had our first date here many years ago. It is a very intimate and cozy place with great food and also shows old movies and plays. Over the years we have been coming back here and ALWAYS have great service and the food quality for the price cant be beat. We have never had any trouble with our order being anything but exactly what we wanted. The mango vinaigrette on the salad is wonderful and the dinner rolls are awesome! Sometimes the waiter will slip us an extra few in our to-go boxes for not charge! The desserts, when you save room for them, are amazing! Now that we moved 45 minutes away we are bummed to not visit as frequently, but it was nice to revisit this evening and bring back some of those first date memories since we are 3 weeks away from having our first child. Thanks Venetian for the wonderful meals! We will be back!
(5)Kat J.
Normally we visit the Venetian on the weekends; however, we tried their Happy Hour last night with some great friends. Awesome experience, had the best waitress ever, Heidi. They were packed but she attended to our table as if we were the only customers there. Very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. Thank you Heidi. Never did we feel rushed, very relax place due to Heidi. One downside, I believe they forgot the gin in my drink-oops. Still has the best food in town. Love their homemade soups and have never had a bad service or meal there. Keep up the great job.
(5)cory h.
I wrote a review before and I have to admit that I didn't do the Venetian justice. I've eaten there several more times since. My favorite two dishes at the Venetian: the Pesto burger and the lasagna. The Pesto burger seems like an unlikely combination at first, but has become one of my favorite burgers in the Portland area. I love it! The lasagna is ENORMOUS! As soon as it came out I knew I was going to need a to-go box because there was no way that I was going to eat the whole thing, plus a side salad. It was piping hot, coming in its own custom dish, covered in sauce and oozing cheese everywhere. I don't usually like restaurant pasta, but this was spot on. Oh, and if you see a show at the Venetian, you an take food and drinks in the theatre with you!
(4)Martine H.
The food here is incredibly disappointing. It really is such a shame because if they stepped it up a few notches, they would have a booming business. I mean really, why serve chips with a burger at a place like this and why not use a better roll for that burger? The pasta is frozen, the disgusting rolls they serve just don't make sense. The changes they need to make would cost them pennies. You just have such high expectations walking in and then are left feeling ripped off. They desperately need a visit from Robert Irvine.
(1)Kayla H.
The one thing that I noticed about Hillsboro is the lack of italian restaurants. I'm fine with it for the most part, since it's so easy to cook at home. That being said, the Venetian is pretty good for dine-in Italian. I got mushroom ravioli, and it was on par with what I've had at chain restaurants. Our waiter was great and super attentive. Planning on going back to experience the wonders of dinner and a movie.
(3)Brian I.
I finally made it back to the Venetian for a 2nd time. It only took oh, about a year. I just don't seem to end up in downtown Hillsboro for meals terribly often, but since we moved a bit closer I managed to talk the wife into a bit of a ride down Baseline to the restaurant. I think the things they've done to renovate the place are neat. It's comfortable, with nice booths and plenty of brick. There's a very rustic feeling to the Venetian, along with an essence of quality that is sorely lacking in a downtown area that needs it. Granted, there's something about the rural, old feeling of downtown Hillsboro, but a few more places like the Venetian wouldn't hurt. Back on track, on to the food. I stuck with 2 appetizers (crab cakes and cilantro lime shrimp skewers) and a house salad. Wife had the black bean burger (plain, as dairy ain't her thing). We were served some bread initially, and it was a wonderful (if a bit dull) home grain loaf with plenty of tasty seeds. It reminded me of one of the varieties of "Dave's Killer" breads. My blue cheese dressing was non-standard, it was less creamy than it was oily and sweet, and it was very tasty. The appetizers showed up after that along with my wife's burger. I must say I was extremely pleased with the crab cakes. There are 2 cakes, and they're plenty big. They have a nice brown fried color with plenty of crab meat, combined with not a terrible amount of filler to keep them together. I enjoyed the cilantro lime shrimp skewers as well. Nicely cooked, tangy, salty, sweet and plump, they were very good. The Venetian gets an additional star from me for having Vertigo Brewing's Schwindel Alt on tap. This is such a tasty beverage, and it's from the tiniest of breweries right in Hillsboro. Do yourself a favor and get a pint of this fine brew if you're at the Venetian. So... yeah! Great stuff. I've had their pulled pork and pineapple pizza in the past, which was very, very good. They have something on the menu for everyone, so go give it a try!
(4)Michael F.
A great asset for downtown Hillsboro. We've eaten here regularly since it opened, mostly burgers and pizzas, which are not sensational but are good enough to keep us coming back. Service is always pleasant, and we're never disappointed. The other night, though, I tried the flatiron steak -- very reasonable at about $16 -- and it was memorable, seriously one of the best pieces of beef I've had in years, lean and tasty and served perfectly medium-rare. If everything on the menu were that good, five stars would be a conservative rating. But overall, I'll give them an enthusiastic four stars.
(4)Michelle W.
My husband and I have found this to be one of our favorte places to grab a quick "date night" mid-week. Nicely priced bar menu is available all day, everyday making it affordable to pop in anytime and have a bite and a bevy. Dinners and desserts in the main restaurant are very good, and the service has always been very good when we have been in eityher the main dining area as well as at the bar. Atmosphere is great here - nice find right downtown Hillsboro. We have seen a couple of plays here which were very nice. I understand they may also have movies although we have not been to those yet. Over all, worth your time checking this place out.... one ofthe better places to spend time dining in the area.
(4)Monte C.
Beautiful place, but terrible service. I took my wife out this evening to celebrate her new job. The theater was busy with people attending the play, but we were able to make our way through to the bistro and were seated immediately. The hostess took our initial drink orders and by the time they arrived our server got our dinner requests to the kitchen. That's about the time customer service evaporated. The place started filling up, and normally I'd expect this to mean that we might see less of our server. But we saw her plenty, mostly attending to the couple sat at the next table. They came in about the time our entrees arrived. They managed to order and finish their meal before we got our empty water glasses filled. We sat and waited while they were offered dessert and after dinner coffee within earshot. No offer was made to us, just a lame apology with the check and a free dessert coupon on our next visit. We left it there as we won't be returning. And the meal was sub par. My flat iron steak, ordered medium well, was extremely well done. We weren't presented with an opportunity to let anyone know.
(1)Chana G.
Best soup in town. Doesn't matter what the soup of the day is, it will always be amazing. The night shift bartender has drink making dialed. The only drawback of this place is...just not big enough. :) I am a local and would like to eat there more often but usually on the weekends if you don't make a reservation you are not getting in. Oh, and being able to eat and drink while watching a movie is just amazing. The specials are usually pretty good to great.
(4)Ambyr H.
Love this place, family or date night! (Passport 20% discount.)
(5)P S.
Great staff, wonderful and affordable food, delicious libations. The atmosphere is very nice, especially on days when the front roll-up is open to the quaint Main st. And just inside is professional live theatre and other unique events. Grab some dinner reservations and get your theatre tickets and you've got a perfect date!
(5)Obed R.
Great food. Nice dinning experience and they even have an awesome happy hr. You will also find local beer such as vertigo brewing and ambacht brewing on tap.
(4)Alena G.
The Venetian no longer shows first run movies. They only sporadically show movies, at all. This is all too bad because a good movie would probably balance out the mediocre food. I support local businesses and feel bad in saying this because the effort The Venetian has taken to restore this building is apparent, but my suggestion is to go for happy hour if you are in the area. Enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine with an appetizer before getting dinner someplace else. The atmosphere is wonderful but the food is less so, and certainly not worth the price of a dinner out.
(2)Joy A.
Great food. Have never had a bad meal. One problem, we went for happy hour, they have a great happy hour, but were asked to LEAVE because we were there too long and they wanted to give our table to someone else. I have been a long time customer, disappointed we were treated so poorly.
(3)Robin H.
I think they may be understaffed or at the very least, need a bartender. We were there at lunch on Saturday during the Hillsboro Farmer's Market. It was not busy, only about 4 other tables in use. It took an extraordinarily long time for our order to be taken. My husband noticed our server was over mixing drinks behind the bar. We let the person refilling our water glasses know that we'd like to order and she said she'd let our server know. Finally another waitress came over and took our order. I'm not sure what was going on as we've only been there once before for dinner and didn't have any problems then. Our original server came by our table later to say the table behind us wanted drinks and so she had to make them. After that we didn't see her anymore, someone else brought our food. The food was excellent. I had the chicken salad. They use Dave's bread for their sandwiches which I love. A half sandwich instead of a whole one would be plenty because it comes with chips and soup or salad. However, I didn't see that on the menu so I'm not sure if they offer it. So for food = A+; service = C
(3)Daniel B.
Nice and attractive interior of this bistro, with plenty of friendly and fast service. I had a calzone and it honestly was not the greatest, but decent... BUT even a simple side salad was awesome and everything else ordered in our party was great... Great atmosphere for lunch, nice menu variety and fast and friendly service make The Ventian definitely worth checking out.
(4)Nick S.
Every time I've been to The Venetian then food has been Fantastic! It can be busy at times but that's because it's so good.
(5)Rodney M.
I really like this place. They are a class act and the food amazing. One of the best places on te west side to eat.
(5)Gary B.
This was another location were my boss had a biz dinner meeting. The event manager knows her stuff! We used the large meeting room upstairs, it was set up perfectly and the buffet area looked good! They provided plenty of food for all 50 guests and there was plenty to take home after (YUM). They are easy to work with and accommodated our specific requests for things like food options and having a self serve beverage area etc. Lots of parking in back, elevator upstairs. Highly recommend for large groups.
(5)Ludo N.
First let me say, I am fairly sure that like Applebee's, their food all comes premade and they just heat it up and serve it, this is why most people say their food is bland. It makes for consistent food, but not good flavors. Our order took over an hour to get to our table, and then they got my order wrong (I ordered a greek pononi and got the chicken pononi). It was so terrible that I couldn't eat it, and even my husband wouldn't eat it (and that is unusual). We split a small pizza with a couple of friends in addition, and the pizza was slightly better than something like pizza hut, and that's not saying much. The prices are high and the quality low. Between the outdoor tables and the sandwich boards, you can hardly walk by the place on the sidewalk. The place puts their dumpster right out on the sidewalk on the side street and it's usually there for 2 days. I live near the place and was excited when it opened, but think it needs some different owners and (friendly) management.
(1)Maryalicia V.
We were hungry and decided to go a restaurant near where my brother lived. We called them and asked if we needed reservations, when she asked when, I said 15 minutes. The hostess (or owner, unsure which, but an elderly lady with a British accent) said she would prepare a table for us. 10 min later we were there, and sure enough, a table was ready and waiting for us, despite the fact that there was a play getting out. We had Angie, who was by far one of the best servers we have ever had. She was patient, attentive, and we never had a dirty dish on our table. She was kind, and our food came quick without it being too quick. She also offered us desserts without the usual- here's your check. The Food. Thier menu boasts quite a variety of sampling, from American to Italian. I had the spinach manicotti, my hubby thier poncini (yes, spelled correctly- looks like a cross between a sandwich and a calazone), and my brother a hamburger. The food was piping hot, in fact a little too hot. Thier food was tasty and satisfying, and my brother and I took home doggy bags. The ambiance was nice as well, and the food I thought would be more expensive, but it was no more expensive than an Olive Garden. Meals from $8 to 20, with a surf and turf I think the most expensive at $28 about. When we did get our check, Angie was busy, and another server stopped by (seeing our daughter was getting cranky) and offered to take it to her. He did, and we had it back within minutes. I am so glad I did not read the reviews before coming here, or I would never of experienced the gem of a server, or one of my most pleasant meals in awhile (and we eat out alot). Looks like the owners are listening to the customers, as the experience was wonderful, service and food, and we were handed a comment card on the way out. Great job Venetian, and we will be visiting again.
(5)Christine H.
Five of us went to The Venetian for the first time last night. I was immediately taken with the ambiance and decor. Very classy and elegant, but not too stuffy. I hate stuffy. We didn't have a reservation but were seated within five minutes, just enough time for us to take a look around the place. I hadn't been there since it was the Town Theater back in the day. I was curious to see how it was renovated. I must say that the service was impeccable. Our waitress was awesome, very descriptive of the specials and just really friendly. We ordered and didn't wait long at all for the food. I tried the linguine with chicken and a vodka marinara which was really very good. Everyone else had calzones, which got high marks from the rest of the group. The waitress was telling us that when it's your birthday, you can come in and get a free dinner. My daughter mentioned it was her birthday in two days. She and I ordered a dessert and when she brought us the bill, she said our dessert was on the house. How sweet is that? Also, another positive was that one of the calzones came out with onions in it which were requested be left off, and the chef was making another one, but left us the one with onions just so my friend would have some food in front of him. He didn't eat it, but took it home with him. I thought that was very considerate to make up for a mistake like that instead of just saying "oopsie" and leave it. We all had a great time and will definitely be back. I love that we have a place like that in Hillsboro!
(5)Venus S.
I find The Venetian hits the spot everytime I get a chance to visit!! I LOVE the ambience/atmosphere, the staff is attentive, friendly and helpful in yummy suggestions. The past couple visits have been only for a few cocktails. My personal favorite is the espresso martini, it is THE best!! I have tried other places of note around the Portland area and there is no comparison, seriously the best martini's!!!!!! The food is also quite good, great portions and good taste for the price. It is the perfect place for my friend and I to catch up!! Oh and the bartender who makes my martini ain't bad to look at too!!! ;D
(4)Tony M.
Went in here after a Blazers game the other nite and had blast, friendly staff, and the cholate cake and wine pairing was spot on! Our waiter was a lively one, and was great to have after a great game. been in a few times before, but they keep this up, we will be back! forgot to yelp while there..... dang it!
(4)James L.
Great Pizza - the buttery and soft crust is awesome. It is a spendy pie, but it is probably the best in the area. The other food on the menu is very good, but not as good as the pizza, and the atmosphere is fun. The food is hearty, so even if it costs a bit more there still is good value.
(4)Bobby D.
A new local restaurant with a theater like a mcmenamins. I went during the happy hour and had some pizza. The pizza was not too bad and they offer a variety of toppings. The atmosphere was cozy and they have a nice balcony area on the second floor near the theater. Great place for groups. They did an excellent job of re-modelling an old historic building in the old town area of hillsboro. I will definitely revisit and checkout the theater.
(3)Joy S.
I'm really surprised that the Venetian doesn't have 5 stars across the board! This has quickly become my favorite place in the downtown Hillsboro area and, possibly in the entire area. I keep dragging friends in for lunch going, "you've got to try this place!" Why do I love the Venetian so much? It's a tossup between the food and the service. Let's start with the service: It's superb. It's as good as I've experienced at much more expensive and exclusive restaurants. The staff is attentive and friendly, they answer questions clearly, they bend over backwards to make sure you are satisfied. I have a bunch of dietary restrictions and allergies. I have never seen another restaurant that could compare to the Venetian in the staff's understanding of allergies and willingness to work with me on them. The first time I was there, all the available vegetable sides contained one or more of my allergens. Hearing this, the cook volunteered to put together a vegetable dish that I could eat and made sure to use a separate skillet in which to saute them, to make sure there was no cross-contamination. They have a low carb and a gluten free menu as well. As for the food, well, nobody I've gone with has had anything that wasn't absolutely delicious! The artichoke and blue cheese appetizer is not only cheesy-yummmm, but enough to share between several people. Their Cesar salad is the best I've had anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. Pasta dishes are diverse and creative full of colour and flavor. They do pizza, calzone and a number of Italian inspired dishes that my companions have enjoyed. I had a Salisbury Steak special one evening and enjoyed it thoroughly - it had just the right balance between meat and a good, mushroomy sauce. I frequently go there just for the burgers, which are really noteworthy. Unlike so many restaurant hamburgers, the Venetian's burgers are as thick and juicy as homemade and made from really flavourful beef. The price for a burger, salad and chips is around $8.00 and you can't get a better burger for that money anywhere that I've found! Oh and the desserts... What can I possibly say about the desserts except swooon...... Rich, thick chocolate cake, creamy smooth cheesecake, perfectly carmelized creme brulee... their dessert tray varies somewhat but every single thing I've tried has been to die for. I like the ambiance - exposed brick and bottles around the walls, a sort of modern Italian bistro quality. The Venetian theater area, where you enter the building, is grand and has a 30's feel to it with pictures from old movies and a massive, glittering chandelier. There's a few sidewalk tables as well. It's a nice place for a date night dinner before the theater or to take someone for a leisurely business lunch. Be prepared to make reservations during busy hours and to wait a bit for your food - this isn't the place for a "quick bite" or a lunch where you have to get back to the office in a half hour. They appear to prioritize comfort over quickness. Service is good but not fast. That's okay - the food is well worth waiting for and you never feel abandoned by the wait staff - they are always around to make sure you're not waiting for something overlooked or wanting for anything. They make you feel welcome, something that's fairly rare in modern restaurants.
(5)Nader A.
The Venetian restaurant and theater is an interesting spot out in downtown Hillsboro. I don't spend much time out there, and can't imagine there are that many places as cool as this one. I had a fine lunch at The Venetian: a delicious Kielbasa, onion, and bell pepper panini. The grilled bread was salty-buttery good, and it was stuffed full of sausage, onion, and peppers. It came with a nice green salad for just $6.99, so the price is right. The service was a little slow - so if you're on a biz lunch and need to be outta there in under 1hr, I'd let them know straight off the bat. The menu also had nice looking pizzas (I think they were available in a couple sizes, and seemed reasonably priced) and from the look of one I saw on another table they might be good for 2 to share. The ambiance is quite charming; it's a converted theater where much of the lobby has been turned into the dining area, including a mezzanine upstairs that looks out over downtown Hillsboro. They also have live music and shows on the stage, making this a pretty cool entertainment destination for locals, not just a good restaurant. If The Venetian were located in Portland I'd definitely go back; but since I currently don't find myself in Hillsboro that often, I'm not sure I'd make the trek out there unless there was a REALLY good show going on.
(4)Ron B.
The Venetian Theatre has been a great addition to downtown HIllsboro. The atmosphere is comfortable. The staff are friendly and helpful, Dave is a standout. The food is good, the prices are reasonable. With ID your meal can be free on your birthday $ limits. The theatre shows a selection of classic movies, I first saw some of them while operating the projector displayed in the lobby. Bag and Baggage a theatre company calls the Venetian home and season tickets are reasonable. The productions are first rate. I recommend reservations on the weekends.
(5)Mark V.
My wife and I went here because of a Groupon and loved it. We made reservations - good idea as it was even busy at 5:15PM on a Friday night. We are mostly Vegan - She got the Black Bean Burger which was one of the best we have ever had. It was not your typical "we have these in the freezer in case the strange people show up" bean burger. It looked homemade and was served on Dave's Killer Bread - yum - order no cheese or mayo if you care about that. I got the whole wheat and roasted veggie ravioli - delicious (not vegan though - cream sauce). Great service - as in really great - waitress asked if we were going to a movie, told us how everything worked and was considerate of our timing. Side note - loved the theater - saw Gone with the Wind - wonderful on the big screen. We will go back - very nice date night.
(5)Chris C.
Minimal beer menu and the food took forever. It did taste good though, and the service was friendly.
(3)steve D.
Update: wife brought home pizza during our last pack up. It was pretty damn good and it was from the Venetian. Food was a 3 on a scale of 1-100. The atmosphere was a 70 and the service a 40. The owner and cook was bitchy and does not know how to smile. She appears to good for her clients. Needless to say we will not be back.
(3)Patti W.
What a neat restaurant in downtown Hillsboro! The food and service was great- cant wait to come back and see a movie there. I can't believe that I haven't been here before- will defiantly come back!
(4)John T.
So i went wandering around downtown, and my friend made this awesome discovery. The theater was showing the nba finals! it's nice to sit in a roomy theater, with ac watching the game. so we decided to eat there. turns out my friend wanted to eat there for a while now but he never expressed it. we wanted the balcony , yes so we can check out the girls walking around! i had the curry with rice soup. rather bland lacked a punch in the face curry flavor and salt. the dinner rolls were yummy so soft and tender. My friend had the pasta salad, again weak on flavor, not enough of a pesto punch. i had the calzone special which was pretty good. being torn between good and bad i had to go there again to be sure. so i went a few days later for lunch and this time my friend had the better dish, though how hard is it to mess up spinach and artichoke dip right? my turkey sandwich was boring. toasted bread, turkey slices, and a hollandaise dipping sauce. as for food, yeah it's hit or miss and not spectacular. service was split also. during lunch it sucked ass and dinner it went just fine. so with that i have to give it a 3 because it averages itself out.
(3)Stuart H.
I was excited to hear about a upscale wine bar and theater in downtown Hillsboro so I decided to check it out. The owner(s) for the most part did a decent job and you can see there was a lot of money spent here. That's about it. They miss the boat on everything else big time and I see this place having a "For Lease" sign in the not to distant future if they don't make some drastic changes SOON!. The service lacked big time. You don't hire "kids" to run yourwine bar business! It felt like a Red Robin crew running it. You need to hire the best of the best and in this economy and you shouldn't have any problem. Find people that your customers remember and come back to see all the time. Your bartender should be the most important person on the floor. Someone with alot of personality. That is soooo essential to running a business. Especially when you've spent as much money as you have to create your dream. The woman owner needs to stay behind the scene when I met her she seemed to not want to be bothered and this was not just coming from me. You only have one shot and you better not mess it up, cuz this is it!! Your food is mediocre. The staff is superfical and robotic (typical for Hillsboro) they could care less about the bottomline. There is alot of potential in this place but for me, until I hear otherwise it isn't worth the gas nor the time.
(1)Carl P.
I was amazed at the quality of food and for a good price. The atmosphere is great and I can only imagine how cool it is to sit on the balcony in the summer overlooking the city street. Very European in that sense. A must stop in downtown Hillsboro.
(5)Melissa L.
First time and WOW were we impressed. It was my husband and I with our three teen-age children - taking "DAD" out for father's day. Server was friendly and attentive. Food was large portions and very tasty. DAD had the Mile High Lasagna. It was huge cheesy, and yummy. Big enough for a small portion to take home. I'm gluten free so I had the Venetian Pasta Medley with the GF spaghetti noodles (they were only offering one that day). The sauce was buttery and it was packed with Italian meats and olives. Keep in mind none of this is low calorie or low fat...it's just amazing Italian Comfort food. Wear your expandable pants!! My oldest son (who is the pickiest eater) had the Mushroom, Cheddar, & Swiss Burger. They make the hamburger to order, he ordered medium rare and it was perfect with a little pink. He said it was delicious. The other two had calzones. Chicken & Spinach Alfredo and BBQ Smoked Pork & Pineapple. These were also very delicious. All in all, even before we had paid the tab, we were planning the next time we could come to Hillsboro just to eat here again.
(5)