4. Restaurants

Ned Ludd

3925 NE Martin Luther King Blvd, Portland, OR, 97212
  • (503) 288-6900
  • Store is closed

Ned Ludd Menu

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  • Chris W.

    This place is one of the reasons Portland is known for it's amazing restaurants. Seasonal menu, hand crafted food, wood fired oven.... Winning.

    (5)

  • Maria M.

    I was really disappointed in this restaurant. The food was meh, and the service was worse. I would NOT give a poor review due to decor, however I will say the space is overdone hipster and kind of passé. We had a reservation and were seated quickly. We waited too long for our drink orders to be taken, then waited far too long for said drinks. Not a problem on its own, but as part of the combined experience it was another disappointing piece. The food was mediocre and the servings were SMALL. I ordered quail and it was literally 4 bites of meat on a bed of random, bland greens, except for the hot peppers. Our appetizers were uninspired and unimpressive. My Bloody Mary was pretty good. We won't be back.

    (1)

  • Michael U.

    With the majority of my meal at Tin Shed remarkable only in how subpar it was I was happy I'd planned on a second brunch/early lunch during my second day in Portland; this one at Ned Ludd. Described by themselves as an American Craft Kitchen and by people I trust as one of the most "authentic" restaurants in Portland due to Chef Jason French's responsible local sourcing ethos and a focus on cooking everything in a wood burning oven I sort of had a feeling going into this meal that it would be something memorable, but I had no idea that it would end up arguably the best meal of my trip. Located on MLK Blvd in a rather nondescript metal and glass building I'd jogged by just that morning my arrival at Ned Ludd preceded the 10:00am opening and wandering around back to see the local garden, then around front where the February weather had clearly worn on the foliage and herb garden it would not be long before the doors to Ned Ludd opened and greeted first by a young woman and then the young bearded man who would turn out to be my server I was offered my choice of seats and taking one opposite the bar so that I could see into the kitchen - a tiny space I'd later visit in order to see the minimalist layout and wood burning oven - I was handed a menu and offered coffee; my first of many experiences with Heart's superlative Ethiopian Yukro before being left to weigh the options. All wood beams and cement, heavy curtains and plants, plus a background soundtrack of Dylan and Young while brass chandeliers hung overhead it would not be long before the server returned and after inquiring about portion sizes - him suggesting 'one or two' plates per a guest - I opted for four, partially because I assumed he was underestimating my ability to eat and part because I felt the need to limit myself and not order the eleven items that sounded great. Asked if I'd like plates 'spread out' I stated that I certainly would and with two more tables now seated my server disappeared to the kitchen to place my order, returning seconds later with a refill and menus for the others; if there was another waiter or waitress present besides the bartender I'm unaware, but either way the service was beyond reproach. Happy with the coffee, music, and warm environs as the restaurant continued to fill my first plate to arrive was actually a board featuring a single Oven Griddled Apple Muffin with Sweet Butter and like everything that followed it was excellent - the muffin itself spiced like cider with a spongy texture not unlike a soufflé cake while the sweet butter/apple butter were an obvious accoutrements perfectly suited to the muffin - the sweet butter especially bringing out a light smokiness from the wood in the oven. Moving next to something savory, not always my 'go to' at breakfast or brunch but in this case too good to pass up, the Pork and Lamb Rillettes served with toasted whole wheat bread and pickled apples would prove an unintended but inspired follow-up to the muffin, in this case the savory apples providing a light acidic and texturally crisp foil to the intensely gamey but creamy rillettes. With two excellent dishes behind me and yet another coffee refill nothing could have prepared me for what came next, a plate that as of this writing on 3/3/13 is still the best thing I've eaten in 2013 - the simply named "Thick Cut French Toast, Maple Syrup, Pear Butter" featuring what can best be described as vanilla pudding posing as bread - a nearly liquid custard beneath the golden crust that was actually closer to buttery or savory than sweet and therefore a perfect pairing to the hot maple syrup and thick pear butter. Rarely one to pass on French Toast, whether served as breakfast or dessert, this was without a single shadow of a doubt the best French Toast I've ever experienced - a strong statement considering the one at LeMeac last April. At this point I could have stopped and left Ned Ludd ready to deem it one of my top five breakfasts/brunches of all time but at the suggestion of the couple next to me I decided to take my chances with one last plate and while the "Oven Kissed Chocolate Chip Cookie with Cold Milk and Sea Salt" did not soar to the heights of the French Toast it did indeed exceed all expectations - the steaming hot skillet a sort 50/50 mixture of crispy cookie dough and dark chocolate topped with crunchy bits of sea salt. Rich, decadent, and entirely over the top whether at breakfast, lunch, or dinner I'd be hard pressed to say this was the best chocolate chip cookie I've ever tasted, but I'd also have to think pretty hard to think of one aside from perhaps Levain or Le Grande Orange that was on par - and neither of them are anywhere near the same caliber of Ned Ludd in terms of setting, service, savories, or especially French Toast. Simply stated, my next visit to Portland will feature both brunch and dinner at Ned Ludd and I'd suggest anyone in town for even one day make it part of their agenda, as well.

    (5)

  • Tracy N.

    after having biscuits four days in a row, my body needed fresh produce - probably administered through an IV, but Ned Ludd was a reasonable alternative. A lot of care and thought is put into the food, and it really shows. if you're in the mood to just stuff your face, perhaps you'd be better served at a less cerebral place - like at any all you can eat buffet or grocery salad bar.

    (3)

  • L B.

    Brunch menu is mediocre! Food is tasty,but food choice is minimal. Didn't try lunch or dinner.

    (1)

  • John R.

    We had dinner at Ned Ludd after receiving a gift certificate from friends. Prior to that, we'd never heard of the place---don't go out for dinner too often with small kids at home. This was beyond a pleasant surprise. Our dinners were excellent. The winter stew had so many wonderful flavors. The service was great, and the environment was enjoyable. Great spot.

    (5)

  • Greg P.

    We came for pizza night. The best pizza I've had in Portland and compares to some of the best pizza I had in NYC. The gnocchi was perfect. I can't wait to go back on another night!

    (5)

  • James B.

    Ned Ludd's was great. Growing up in the pacNW, what was considered local food was basically pacific rim fusion at the medium to high end of dining. Ned's is what should have been from the beginning. Their dishes use local stuff to create local flavors in a way I've never really found anywhere else. Good solid selection of beer, wine, and unique custom cocktails provide a great accent to locally sourced meat and vegetables. I really enjoyed the dining experience to. It's pretty tight in there and that would usually turn me off, but somehow Ned's makes it feel intimate not crowded. i probably wouldn't go with more than 4 people unless i was going to try to just rent the whole place

    (4)

  • Erin W.

    If you're looking for that "Portland Foodie" restaurant to show your out of town friends, this is it. Inventive menu, tantalizing cocktails, warm service and quirky decor. We sat outside with our large group of family, throughly enjoying the warmth of a late summer Oregon evening. Recommended to us by several friends, this was our first visit. We will return soon for sure.

    (5)

  • Mishel F.

    By far our best meal in Portland, we tried Beast, Genoa, Le Pigeon, Paley's Place and Imperial - all of which were excellent but Ned Ludd was exceptional. The quality of the food is second to none, menu changes daily based on what's available from local farms. The luddite theme of the restaurant means as few modern conveniences as possible are used in cooking, all dishes are made in their woodfired oven which maximizes the flavor. We tried Ned Ludd for both brunch and dinner - both excelled in both service and food. The few cocktails on the list are excellent, I highly recommend the glog. A small, but thoughtful wine list rounds out the experience. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • K T.

    My Chesapeake Bay hubby says best fish he has had in decades. Great bartender, wonderful hen, awesome dessert, and nice but small Oregon wineries!! Wood fired amazing food. The hen is not normal "chicken" -- crispy skin, moist meat! Try it

    (5)

  • Philip O.

    Brunch is delicious yet mysteriously not crowded, portions are decent, food is creative and tasty, and the coffee is made strong. Dinner competes well with brunch. I've been in Portland for 3+ years now and consider this my favorite establishment. The menu changes monthly with additional seasonal adjustments. The price point is fair (go check the menu) and worth it. Note: Brunch is open on Sunday but not Saturday.

    (5)

  • Victoria T.

    Excellent, fresh food, comfortable atmosphere and friendly staff. Nice, unpretentious plating and portions. The trout was amazing; crispy skin and succulent. The quail was also stellar. The salmon was...nice. Note: a custard dessert was on the menu that we would have ordered four more of had we not been full. All four of us will go back and we all recommend it; really great food and a very relaxed environment. Reasonably priced as well.

    (5)

  • D P.

    Pretty dope spot. Heard about ned ludd through a friend and when i went to go find it i almost missed it due to the shrubbery. So glad i didnt. I recommend going on their pizza mondays where they have hiphop /music themed atmosphere. Id also recommend the dark and stormy with spinach onion and honey pizza. So gooood

    (4)

  • Kim S.

    Leonardo da Vinci said "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication," yet the very definition of the word tells us that something which is simple, LACKS sophistication. I think the problem is this: we assume that simple is the same thing as easy and in some cases, the two words CAN be used interchangeably but it's important to recognize that that which is simple is not always easy. I had dinner here the last week of June 2013 and it was simplicity at it's absolute finest....it went a little something like this: -Radishes with sweet cream butter and Oregon sea salt. Sounds boring, right? Well, think about it....the radishes are crunchy, a little bitter, have a hint of spice, the butter is smooth, creamy and slightly sweet, the sea salt is flakey and do I really have to say it? Salty. Three simple things, come together simply....and were simply delicious. -Avalanche Cheese Co "Midnight Blue" served with fresh and pickled (red and green) strawberries, honey, black pepper and toast. Okay so what? You got your cheese, your bread, some honey (typical with a blue cheese) and some fruit. It's just a typical cheese plate, right? NO, not right!!!! YOU SHUT YOUR FOUL MOUTH AND LISTEN TO ME FOR A MINUTE! This was one of the best things (no, not just in terms of cheese plates) I have ever had the pleasure of putting in my mouth. The blue cheese was fantastic, creamier than the average blue cheese but still a bit of crumble, sweet but pungent, just a little bit of tingle on the tongue. The fresh strawberries were tender, sweet and juicy and the pickled strawberries were all of those things but with a bit of acidity and tartness from the pickling brine (I tried to get the secret out of them but couldn't). The honey with cracked black pepper added a velvety feel and a bit of warmth to it all. It was unreal. Seriously. -Salad of shingiku (chrysanthemum greens), favas, turnips, radish, miso and sesame dressing. Oh, a salad! How exciting, you mock. DAMN RIGHT IT WAS EXCITING! I can still hear one of the people at the table exclaim "OH MY GOD! Did you taste the beans! Taste a bean!!!" Who gets that excited over a bean....in a salad? Well, we all did. Suddenly all 5 of our forks were diving to get at them. The key to this dish was fresh ingredients, seasoned well and dressed to absolute perfection. -Clams with green garlic, spinach and mustard crumbs. As soon as this dish hit the table we knew it would be good because the nose knows. This was a savory masterpiece. The clams were plentiful, plump and slightly sweet, the spinach was cooked, just lightly wilted, not soggy and the breadcrumbs had a ton of flavor and added a nice bit of texture and crunch. Another hit. Since I only ate my entree and tried a bite of one other, I'll simply tell you what they were and you can trust that each and every ingredient was done justice. There were NO complaints. -Whey Fed pork (served two ways, sliced and in sausage form) with turnips, arugula, porcini and a smoked whey sauce. -Halibut with veggies a la jardiniere, lovage, basil and morels. -Whole Roasted Trout, charred spring onion, carrot and fennel salad. -Roasted half poussin (young chicken), spring lettuce and vegetables, buttermilk dressing. As we sat there sipping the remainder of the second bottle of Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, OR, Westrey) we pondered whether the desserts could live up to the rest of the meal. They absolutely did......we had: -White chocolate cremeux with rainier cherries and candied pine nuts (off menu dessert special). It was PERFECTLY sweet, luscious and creamy, the cherries added a nice tartness and the candied pine nuts gave a nice pop of texture and crunch. -Lavender panna cotta with strawberry and white pepper jam. Lavender is often incredibly overpowering but they got it SO right. The flavors were delicate and subtle but did not get lost in any way. -Oven kissed chocolate chip cookie with milk. Cooked in their open fire oven it gets a little burnt on top but the flavor from the smoke paired with the flakes of sea salt, creamy chocolate chips and the cold milk works. I really don't know how they do it, but they do - and you should definitely check it out.

    (5)

  • Sarah K.

    Literally one of the best places in town! Jason French hits the nail on the head with every dish, whether I go for brunch or dinner. The staff is caring and friendly. Myself and another really enjoy the fact that Jason French lets his line cook take over the place on Monday to cook some killer pizzas! Probably eaten here over 10 times now and always take guests from out of town.

    (5)

  • Sandra S.

    Great space and atmosphere - the trout was phenomenal, while the other dishes were pretty good.

    (4)

  • Cassandra P.

    Good food, good service except it took almost 2 hours to get served!! Portions were tiny, no candles on our table (although every one around us got some as the night fell) and we came first in and last out because of this slooooow service! Food was served cold and dessert, which was graciously given "on the house" because of the slow service, was burnt. Waitress was lovely but there's only so much she can do. We were 4 people with a kid and we are not coming back!

    (2)

  • Allie R.

    I suspect that my expectations may have been a bit too high going in. This place has been so hyped in magazines, by friends, and in Yelp reviews, it was inevitable. But as a Portland brunch connoisseur, I didn't feel that it lived up to other spots at the same price point. The fare is definitely unique, the presentation is fantastic, and the space is lovely. Fantastic light and great vibe. If you want a more adventurous breakfast, this could be right up your alley, and I would certainly give it another go, perhaps in a different season when the menu shifts.

    (3)

  • Deb P.

    OK. I love this place and I don't think it gets the credit it deserves. When Ned Ludd first opened, I had a delicious trout. We went back a few weeks ago for dinner and everyone pretty much cleaned their plates. I had the hen. What's really nice is the portions are decent (not huge). We had the s'mores for dessert. Fun! Recently they started offering breakfast and I can't remember what I ate (I think it was a trout hash.) but I do remember it being delicious! Love the atmosphere. Casual, funky, warm and the staff is so friendly. We're so spoiled in Portland.

    (5)

  • Leslie W.

    Reading some of the reviews here I almost cancelled our reservation, but I decided to brave it and am I ever happy I did. Ned Ludd was so fantastic it will be difficult to try other restaurants instead of returning there again and again. We'd read about how small the portions were so we ordered a couple of salads, flat bread and pickles and a main dish to split and were worried we'd leave hungry. This was not the case. The portions are adequate and my only complaint is that they didn't offer serving spoons after we'd told them we were sharing our plates. Great food, no serving spoons--now this is Portland! I'm not a foodie so much as I'm a cook who was raised in a family that valued great food. But I am always an appreciative audience for chefs who cook as well or better than I do, and everything we ate at Ned Ludd made me want to try to replicate it later at home. I wasn't wildly enthusiastic about the pickles, which were all a bit too sweet for my taste. A little garlic or spice mixed in with the sweetness would have tipped my meter to wild, but the pickled apple was swell and the celery was great. We had an awesome beet salad, and a trout and fennel salad that was one of my favorite salads of all time. The whole fried trout was fantastic. The wine list was very good and the waiter did a good job recommending a wine based on my taste. My husband and I were split on our love of the dessert. He loved the bread pudding but it tasted too French Toast for me. Still, it was a great meal and I look forward to going back. It's a small place so be prepared to meet your neighbor, or at least see what she's eating for dinner.

    (5)

  • Kevin C.

    This place is the physical and culinary manifestation of Mumford and Sons. Super hip and no substance. The best part of this meal was my wife and I laughing about the bland morsels of food we were charged for. The appetizer of four underseasoned chopped red potatoes and a few sprigs of kale was in no way enhanced by the half teaspoon of yogurt dabbed atop said "dish". A sardine size trout with no salt was somehow 22 dollars. I got the pork served with the same dry chalky potatoes. After paying the hundred dollar rape tab we went next door and got great mexican food at Cocina. Seriously hit up La cocina! It is great.

    (1)

  • John H.

    Cool atmosphere, but not kid friendly. Didn't find the menu appealing, but when my duck (yeah, it was the most appealing thing) wow! Flavor was terrific. They also accommodated out challenging diets. I'll go back, but not with the kids.

    (3)

  • Chris B.

    Date night for us and we have been wanting to try this place for a while. I am so glad we did. What a great restaurant. This place moved up to #4 on my favorites in PDX. Pickle plate was great, they even pickled green strawberries and mushrooms. Very good. But you have to start off with the bread, very good olive oil and flakes of sea salt. I never knew bread could be so good. For entrees we had rabbit confit with a rich stock and peas. The bunny was so tender and moist. I called it "pulled bunny." Best rabbit dish I have had. We also got the lamb which was equally as good. For desert we split the warm chocolate chip cookie which comes out in a hot cast iron skillet and you dump a small glass of milk on it. It was a great way to end a wonderful dinner. Good selection of cocktails and local beers. Service was excellent and our waitress made some great selections on wine and food. Very nice restaurant. One of the best in PDX.

    (5)

  • Tara S.

    I finally got around to trying Ned Ludd last night, and I was sad to say I didn't feel it lived up to it's reputation. Maybe we came on an off night, but we ordered six dishes, and only two of them (the summer fruit with marigold greens and the green beans with blueberries) did I feel lived up to the infamous Ned Ludd standard. The greens were unusual, and the fruit was perfectly ripe and paired with sheep's cheese and perfectly roasted hazelnuts - very good. The green beans were good for the same reason, the same blueberries that were in the salad were in the beans with the same sheep's cheese, and roasted nuts. So, the bad (really, quite bad): I ordered a $24 pork dish on the recommendation of the server, only half of the meat was edible, and not particularly flavorful or satisfying at that. It was pork shoulder, but one chunk of meat was nothing but fat, and the other was dry and tough, and it came with no flavor. As in, completely dry. It was served on a bed of corn which was bland, and potatoes, which were also bland. I left half of the meat on the plate and had no inclination to take my leftovers home with me. The above average, but not great: My friend ordered the fried green tomatoes, which were good, but under-salted, and we also ordered the chefs charcuterie, which was good, but not the best charcuterie board I've had. The pickled items had good flavor, and the duck bacon was a pleasant, however And the service: We finished our meal relatively quickly without lingering at our table, and the restaurant started to pick up. When my friend ordered a coffee while we got the check, they actually asked us if we would be all right moving to the bar to drink the coffee so they could give our table to someone else. Strange. The bar service, however, was nice and the guy behind the bar was pleasant and chatted with us and made sure we all had full water glasses, and gave my friend plenty of top-ups on her coffee, which was a good roast. Not sure what supplier it came from though. All in all, I'd like to hope we came on an off night?

    (2)

  • Patricia B.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Portland. Their charcuterie plate is amazing, I love their fish, and they have a great wine list. I've never experienced bad service or a bad meal here (for dinner or brunch)

    (5)

  • Alexis C.

    The food here is incredibly rich - the pork noodles are amazingly tasty (not healthy at all, but worth the calories on a very rare occasion). I love the location, and atmosphere. the servers were very nice and did their best to make our experience as memorable as possible. Favorites: pork noodles heads up: it is pricey - especially if you like large portion sizes as these are definitely on the smaller side. it worked for our group though as the dishes are so rich we couldn't eat much more

    (4)

  • Liz G.

    Love, love, love it! My favorite restaurant in town. Cozy and romantic, delicious and creative food with a beautiful presentation and top-notch ingredients.

    (5)

  • Suzanne H.

    Pros: Freat drinks. I had the Queen Bee (twice), but also tasted the Blueberry Shrug. Both refreshing and strong, but not too strong. Great service: our waitress was helpful, explained the menu wonderfully, and didn't balk when our party of four ate almost everything on said menu. Food and drinks came at a great pace. I never felt as though we were wanting for attention. Atmosphere: very Portland. Eclectic and warm, loved the mason jars for drinks. Walking up to the door past their garden and wood stack really adds to their aesthetic. Food: the small plates and the charceuterie and cheese boards are awesome. I would recommend choosing one of each as opposed the chef's board (which was good, but we all preferred the unique hen liver mousse with cherry jam... oh that cherry jam). We loved the pork noodles (very unique and flavorful), the beans and peppers (roasted to perfection with a great sauce), the tomato-stewed beans with parm, and three of the four salads (the cabbage was my favorite). We also had the summer corn panna cotta which was not too sweet and had a great, smooth flavor. Several plates were licked clean. Oh, and really great coffee to end! Cons: (and it's a minor one) The larger entree plates were good. We had the trout and the tri-tip (the peppers with the tri-tip were fabulous). But, as one of my companions said, the entrees weren't nearly as unique or flavorful as the small plates and they felt more like an after thought. We were also there fairly early (6:30) mid-week and it was not busy (it did pick up around 8) so that may be why we had such great service. So overall, definitely worth the time and the money. While the entrees were not my favorite and I do feel a bit overpriced, the small plates were wonderful and several were different than anything I've ever had. Spend your money sharing the small plates and enjoying the unique combos on the meat and cheese plates and drinks, only get the entrees as a second thought, and go on a weeknight. I would definitely go back and recommend to friends as a "Portland" thing to do.

    (4)

  • Cooper M.

    Disappointing to have to write this but Ned Ludd did not do it for me this evening. Been wanting to eat here for a while and tonight it finally happened, with mediocre results. The place is very attractive and welcoming (yes the bathroom is cool too). Decent service, but the drinks are quite pricey and the clincher was my lamb dish. I had an $18 lamb entree which may have had about a 1/2 cup of edible lamb. The lengthy strand of fat/sinew wasn't gonna do it for me and neither were the heaps of random green leafs. I literally thought I was missing something with this dish... did they drop half of it on the way to the table? The charcuterie plate was ok... the trout... solid but again light on content... and the cookie with milk was good, but nothing wowed me and the main dish of mine just sealed it to bring us to where we are now. Maybe better luck next time.

    (3)

  • Alison W.

    I love everything about this place! The food is so delicious and the menu is always changing. The ambiance is perfect for an intimate dinner with a date or a small group of friends. And the staff is warm and attentive. Jason French is an awesome guy and a culinary genus! Great for dinner and the Sunday brunch is superb.

    (5)

  • Crystal W.

    Another PDX standout for breakfast/brunch! Can't say much for lunch or dinner since we haven't tried it but breakfast was amazing! Everything is super creative here, and you can tell they put a lot of work into this place. Service is very attentive & they're ready to serve you with delicious coffee right when you sit (not for free of course!). Most of the dishes are cooked in their slow-cooking wood-fired oven and there were a lot of breakfast options to choose from. Their cornmeal "pancake" was almost like dessert & came out super fluffy from the oven. They also had Migas, slow-cooked egg dishes & other delicious items. Everything is seasonal & they keep changing their menu option. If you need to walk off your breakfast head down the block to Ristretto Roasters for some coffee to help digest!

    (5)

  • Matt L.

    If you like small portions of weird artisan food that tastes bad (i.e. a "flatbread" which is basically just a burnt oily matzo cracker), go here. There are no real entrees on the menu -- just small plates that won't get you full. There service also sucked. I'm a 23 year old guy and I was there with my 23 year old girlfriend, and we were treated by the wait staff with relative disdain compared to the table of older folks next to us. We had to wait half an hour for the aforementioned cracker. They got my drink order very wrong too.

    (1)

  • Julia K.

    You know you've found a winner when you can hear everyone's reaction to their very first bite as "Oh my ..." Followed by yummmmm... And more OMG's! Ned Ludd's American fare is exactly what you wouldn't expect from a backwoods Oregonian chef! Hands down the best trout I've ever eaten and smoked potatoes?! Need I say more? I haven't posted a review in awhile and just had to share that I found a hidden gem :) Menu changes monthly and he serves fresh, organic, and local fare.

    (5)

  • Claire G.

    This has been my fifth time dining here and I have yet to be disappointed. The balance of flavor and ingredient on each plate has always been spot on. I always feel warm and welcome upon entering. I have yet to find a cocktail I didn't like there. The price point reflects the quality and labor that goes into the meal. It is incredibly labor intensive to produce a rotating, seasonal, locally grown menu. I applaud their ability to not only do so, but take the time to explain the menu and minutia of ingredients that may come across as unfamiliar. The staff is friendly, knowledgable, and on point when needed. The atmosphere makes me feel like I am at a comfortable farm table with friends and a lovely meal to look forward to. This is a lovely restaurant and my once a month indulgence. Would recommend again and again.

    (5)

  • Alex C.

    Drove out here to try this restaurant from Beavegas after hearing the good reviews of the FOOD. Walk up to find that the restaurant is closed. It's 5:30 pm. No sign. No message on website, which says it's open wednesday to sunday from 5 pm to close. Nothing. No twitter updates. No facebook status post. Just closed because they felt like it. How horrible. I see that the 4 stars this restaurant has received on yelp is for the food only. Maybe for the service. But definitely not for the business practices. I won't recommend a restaurant that can't communicate clearly with its patrons to anyone.

    (1)

  • Taylor W.

    This place definitely is NW craftsman inspired. We almost missed the place because it is surrounded by a shrubbery garden, which is what borders the outdoor dining area. Harvest tables with benches, mason jars and antique cookware all help make up the decor. For drinks, I would recommend the El Guapo. A tequila drink with muddled lime, sugar and hot sauce. Basically a spicy margarita and it was delicious. My husband got the Blueberry shrub which was also very tasty and refreshing. We did the chef's charcuterie plate which came with 2 cheeses and 3 meats. I guess not even meats because one of them was a smoked trout which was my favorite. It also had pickles and pickled asparagus on it as well as fresh berries and edible flowers. I am glad we got this as I felt like I got to try several different things and combinations. For dinner, I got the Oregon Albacore which was prepared very simply nothing to complex or unique abut the flavors here just good ole fashion fish and veggies. Dessert, I would recommend the Chocolate Chip Cookie and they cook it in a cast iron skillet and serve that to you with a tiny glass of milk. They even put sea salt on top of the cookie which I loved. Was not crazy about our server. I said I wanted the menu again so I could order a glass of wine with my entree and he never came back to take my order and remembered I said that when he came to get our empty plates. Also when our delicious cookie came out, we just had to sit there and smell it as we had no utensils or plates. What a tease. Overall great drinks, good food, okay service.

    (3)

  • Matt W.

    Been meaning to step in here for awhile and glad i finally did! It's super inviting and cozy inside and we got lucky scoring a good table with no reservations. The menu is nicely organized and easy to navigate. Everything is simple although well thought out and in our experience executed perfectly! Service was friendly and attentive but never pushy. I left perfectly satiated and happy!

    (5)

  • Soren M.

    I laughed out loud and got my tofu-infused, organic, fair-trade, vegan coffee in the wrong throught when I read "Benja F's" review of this place, which so short and elegantly described my own experience with this place: "Ned Ludd is a Portlandia episode bacon wrapped in whatever the latest NYTimes review of the latest stereotypical, hipster infused, craft, local blahblah Portland dining joint". My wife had some clients from out of town who wanted a "Portland" food-experience. She recommended Ned Ludd for the same reason. And they sure got value for all of the money, to repeat same review from before: "...The good stuff: Wait staff was great. Drinks were above average. Decor was salvaged wood." We live just up the road and probably will go back (if someone else is paying). P.S. The charcuterie plates are really sad and disappointing if you're accustomed to the traditional Scandinavian or North european kitchen.

    (3)

  • Jason Z.

    This place was very cozy and inviting. Great place to take a small group to share dishes. The starter plates were bigger than we expected which was a great surprise. Our server was prompt and attentive and she walked us through several eating and drinking options. I got to try the lamb and the pork, both of which were flavorful and cooked perfectly. This place works as a date night or for a small get together.

    (4)

  • Jasmyn M.

    Ok, I need to edit this review as I was pretty fired up when I sat down to write it. Same message intent, just toned down and less immature. We had an unfortunately experience at brunch here due to the customer service of a server. Granted, one would not consider Ned Ludd a "family restaurant" but we thought brunch is generally not busy and we wanted to show our visiting foodie friends from SF a brunch like they would find back home. And yes, we brought our two infants in a double-wide stroller. Certainly not an ideal piece of equipment to bring into a dining establishment but we thought we could figure it out. We were greeted with a look of disdain which set the tone for our experience there. This was not really the case. Our server was clearly overwhelmed that we opted to do this and made it very clear that she didn't know how to manage the situation. She attempted to sound accommodating but she was everything but. It took her 15 minutes "trying to figure out" where to place us when we ended up in the very table we suggested when we walked in. I didn't understand what the problem was when there were 4 empty tables, 2 of which could have seated us, and no other waiting customers. Furthermore, she made it a point to tell us she was "uncomfortable" seating us there because it blocked a neighboring table and followed with "I'll do it anyways." Later it was clear it did not pose a problem because she sat a group there without a hitch. Her body language was atrocious and cried out "I want to turn these people away but instead I'll rush them through their meal". This made it really difficult to enjoy our food, which was delicious as it always is when we eat here. When she finally sat a group next to us, she came over to our table to let us know that "they are the perfect people WILLING to sit next to you". And why is that? Because they also had a tiny human? Seemed strange to point something like that out to us. It was an embarrassment to have brought our guests here and have the experience we did. They couldn't stop referring to it all weekend. I really like Ned Ludd but that was a pretty unfavorable experience. Since it was hopefully an isolated event, my review has been updated minus one star for the server. I've never felt more unwelcome at an eating establishment.

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    We had Sunday brunch at Ned Ludd's and enjoyed the food and the service was fine. Two fails however, the coffee, Hart's I was told, had that yucky cherry after taste. I admit I stomached the first cup and hoped for the best on the second but couldn't drink a drop more. The other fail, when a guest puts on sunglasses in the restaurant because the sun was shining in his or her eyes, maybe something should be done, like shutting the drapes. Just a thought! On a service bright spot, my water glass was always full. Otherwise, the food was perfect. I had the Migas and could have eaten another plate of it! The muffin was pretty much amazing too.

    (3)

  • Tina H.

    I've only had brunch there. The food was nothing too memorable, but it was only brunch. I loved the feel of the place and the decor. I'll be back for dinner at some point.

    (4)

  • Carson K.

    Great atmosphere and the food was delicious. The environment is very casual and the menu changes all the time. The service was great. I would recommend this place for others to try that want something out of the ordinary. I had the trout....but the menu changes....however, it was excellent....not a single bone in the fish while I ate it!

    (5)

  • Georgie K.

    We have been meaning try Ned Ludd for some time and we finally made it in. we were not disappointed. The ambiance is warm, rustic and cozy, the service is outstanding and the food was excellent. We did not find any the entrees to our liking ( they change them frequently and only have 4 or so to choose from) so the server helped us pick out some small plates that we could make meals of. We started with the flat bread and the beet salad with chevere and zatar. It was better than we could have imagined. We then had some more delectable small plates including a Brussels sprout dish and delicata squash with pomegranates. Both amazing. We also had dish that included strips of bacon and a fresh salad, again out of this world. We had a great time and did not want for a thing. So rare in Portland. We look forward to going back.

    (5)

  • DEBORAH J.

    I was visiting my son in Portland for Mothers Day, which was also my birthday, and he chose this diamond in the rough. There was a special menu for the day, but... choses were great, unique, and awesome presentation. This is a MUST go to. Looking forward to my next visit to Portland to visit this special experience again.

    (5)

  • RJ H.

    Ned Ludd is certainly one of the more creative restaurants in Portland . Its unique take on the American Craft Kitchen makes it a "must try" for locals and visits alike. I was excited about coming back. The location on MLK is a bit hidden to first timers but there is a small parking lot as well as usual ample street parking close by. The space itself is a unique combination on new and old , and the décor is a great example of sustainable architecture , from the lighting to the seating to the seating....honestly its worth the visit to take in the space. The wait staff is knowledgeable , friendly and love the fact that they are comfortable about the best wine pairings, or from their perspective, what's best on the menu. the menu is constantly rotating ....I admire so much the presentation and creativity. The "Forbits" , "Kaltbits" and "Warmbits" are exceptional .....had the Lardo appetizer , an amazing concoction of pork fat spread with carmelized fruit and their Charcuterie plate is one of the best. Sadly I wasn't wowed by the entrees......The Albacore was baked and a bit bland, and the Pork dish was good , nicely cooked....however the Melon and Arugula and Bacon salad's flavor was tremendous, and the presentation truly artistic, the melon was so under ripe it took away from the quality of the dish itself. Due to some of the inconsistency primarily due to creativity I started with 3 stars, but I like so much else about the restaurant the staff the space and much of the "starters, I am sure to return.

    (3)

  • Susan T.

    went for dinner here last night...decor is a little self-conscious - tries just a little too hard with bows on bunches of twigs...it looks like a stylist went at it with a vengance. But sort of cute in a way. Service was OK...but the food...on the charcuterie plate, the offal was awful (sorry - couldn't resist) - well maybe not awful but pretty bland. A bit stingy with the bread too. Radishes were good but came with a butter that was smothered in salt. This is one of my biggest criticisms - too much salt in all the food - and I love salt! Also - I love wood fire grilled food but the carrots were seriously burned and the fish overcooked also. Desserts were good. I think it's got potential and I might try again but needs tinkering....OK but not great and one of the pricier places we've tried in Portland,

    (3)

  • Michael C.

    One word. EXTRAORDINARY that's it. -- Just kidding. You know I couldn't leave you hanging like that, especially with a place this AWESOME. So for all of you tourist or Portlandians who haven't heard of Ned Ludd or for those of you who make a funny face and say "Ned what?" let it be known that place is abso-fucking-lutely AMAZING! #bestofportland First class service: CHECK Cozy and inviting atmosphere: CHECK Eclectic farm style decor: CHECK Friendly and attentive wait staff: CHECK Amazing food: CHECK Awesome beer selection: CHECK Tons of variety: CHECK Farm to table: CHECK Outdoor & Bar seating: CHECK Air Conditioning: CHECK I went pretty wild in terms of ordering and we probably had a bit too much to eat but better too much than too little if you ask me. We ordered 2 beers, 4 starter dishes, 2 small plates, 3 side orders, and 2 entrees to share between 4 people. Grand total including tax and tip $150, which is definitely a steal for the quality of food you are getting. In LA it would have been well over $200. #notaxkicksass We ordered the following and if you want to ensure that you have a good time you should do the same. Do as I do and make no substitutions. 1. Cheese Platter 4/5 - 3 varieties of cheese accompanied by some toasted bread, fruit compote, and roasted almonds. Great variety of cheese which includes goat, cow, and sheep 2. Hen liver Mousse 5/5 - 3 hefty scoops in yummy delicious liver pate served in varying consistencies with toasted bread, fruit compote, and mustard seeds. Great start to an amazing meal. 3. Pickle Plate 5/5 - Pickled beets, tomato, cucumber, onion, radish, and red cabbage. Simple, delicious, and to the point. 4. Flatbread 3/5 - 3 servings of freshly prepared flatbread drizzled with olive oil and topped with Maldon salt. Not really my thing really when eaten alone but definitely well made. I preferred to eat my flat bread with the Gravvlax (below) or Hen liver mousse. #teamwork 5. Duck Belly 5/5 - Smoked duck belly served with hazelnuts, plums, and heirloom tomatoes over a bed of wild field greens.The combination of these items was perfect. 6. Smoked Gravvlax 5/5- Served with pickled radishes, roasted beats, and horseradish creme, then drizzled with olive oil and salt. Straight money son! 7. Mac and Mornay 4/5 - Nice blend of Gruyere and other cheeses, with a layer of cruchy delicious crumbs on top. 8. Pork and beans 4/5 - green beans baked with pork and tomatoes. Nice bbq flavor and a nice take on the traditional side. 9. Crispy spuds 4/5 - Diced pink potatoes served crispy on the outside and oh so soft on the inside, topped with saffron aioli, pasrsley, salt and pepper. Kinda like home fries with saffron bukkake. My kind of side... 10. Roasted Hen 5/5 - Quarter Hen roasted to perfection and served with of lobster mushrooms, leeks, spuds, & onions. Very well executed and super flavorful Hen was perfectly cooked and juicy! 11. Chinook (Salmon) 4/5 - Perfectly crispy skin and wonderfully flakey fish. Very well prepared. Served with chantrelles, tomatoes and a weird but delicious veggie called ficoide glaciale (reminded me of cactus). No room for dessert but I would have loved to try the s'mores. It seemed as though every table in the restaurant ordered this to close out their meal. Unfortunately for our group I went a little to crazy with everything else and we simply could not handle anymore food. Definitely one of the best dinners I have ever had and to all you haters out there, you don't know a damn thing. If you can't appreciate the awesomeness of Ned Ludd then go get dinner at Mcdonalds cause that's probably more your style. Real talk! And for those of you who love to eat then this is your place. Definitely deserving of a best of badge. #iwannaboneNedLudd

    (5)

  • Don B.

    Three words come to mind when I consider how to describe Ned Ludd: Attention to Detail. It's present in every facet of the restaurant, from the design to the decoration to the food to the drink. Each component would stand out on its own in any other setting, but here is combined into one overall experience. Ned Ludd is one of those places that opened to much fanfare, and for some reason I never had a chance to make it in. I had heard tales of an overly meat-heavy menu, which never bodes well for someone married to a non-land-meat-eating person (at least in this price range). As it settled in and cemented itself into the PDX food scene, I found myself missing opportunity after opportunity to try it out. But having sampled Jason French's food at Taste of the Nation and other events, and with plans on the horizon to attend a Chef in My Garden captained by Mr. French, I decided it was time to stop in for a bite. The restaurant is set back from MLK, an ugly street that lends itself to little other than speeding traffic (in that stretch, at least), which allows a nice concrete patio hemmed in by large wooden boxes filled with firewood. In case nobody told you, everything at Ned Ludd is cooked via wood fire. The interior is actually smaller than the patio, with a few tables crammed in to a small space decorated in a rustic mountain cabin chic. 1970's gold and glass hanging lights mix with forest wood. There's a small bar with 4 stools, where walk-ins like us might be able to score an unreserved seat and access to the dinner menu. The menu itself is focused on either small nibbles, cold small plates, hot small plates, and large plates. At a place like this, the best way to get a good sampling is simply to order a bunch of small and large plates and pass them around. Our tasting menu included the pickle plate (with a bevy of different veggies and some fruits each picked in a specialty brine - the strawberries were divine), a gravlax cold plate which was much more a salad with some gravlax and dressing (which was tasty as well), the mac n cheese (baked - tasty), house-made charcuterie (one of Jason's specialties), wood-fired flat bread with caraway seeds and salted olive oil, a summer greens hand pie, the chicken (airline cut) with buttermilk-tossed fresh greens, and a few other bites. Everything is fresh, unique, complex and delicious. I would pick a stand-out dish, but I can't. They were all good. Sitting at the bar we made fast friends with the bartenders (one was training) and scored a delicious craft cocktail and some fantastic rosé to go with the meal. The staff was totally on point and happy to make any suggestions about the food and drink. A carefully curated wine menu, hand-made craft cocktails (with house-made infusions and syrups) and local beers round out the imbibables. What does a dinner like this cost a fella? Well, it isn't cheap, I'll tell you that. Three of us got beyond stuffed and I believe the bill ended up around $160 (not including tip). This included a whole bottle of wine and enough food for 4 people who didn't want to get stuffed, but I think with drinks and a healthy-sized meal, a party of 4 should probably be prepared to drop a little more than that. But for food like this, it's worth the cost. Hand-made, high-end, locally-sourced, and served in a casual yet upscale fun environment. I would class this among the better meals I've had in Portland, and in any other city, you'd pay 1.5 times as much for the same. How it had taken me so long to try Ned Ludd I don't know, but I do know I won't be sleeping on it as long before my return visit.

    (5)

  • Crystal H.

    I have literally just left Ned Ludd and I can't hold in my review any longer. I would give the decor 5 stars on its own. From the smell of the barbeque on the patio to the interior "cottage feel," complete with mason jar glassware, I am both at home and envious at the same time. It's was like walking into my future home in the woods! And then the food - the food - the food. Pickle plates full of cauliflower, strawberries, garlic scape, celery, chard and cherries. Charcuterie with multiple forms of bacon, yes I said bacon. Flatbreads with caraway, fennel, oils, puffed up in a woodfire oven. Pork and beans that take a comfort food to a new level. Quarter hen on a beautiful bed of buttermilk dressed mixed greens. Hand pies full of chard. I could go on, but then what would my food dreams be made of? Plus its a seasonal menu, which means ample opportunities to experience a variety of delicious food! I'd recommend reservations on a Friday night if you'd like to spend time siiting with just your friends. But if you want to meet new friends, might I suggest sitting at the four-top bar? Because if you do, you might just luck out like we did. Our servers/bartenders were a delight to hang out with. Entertaining, friendly, chalk full of useful information, they'd make coming here solo a social event. And with our food sharing. bottle drinking group - well, it felt like they were just a part of our crew. Yup, I'm a full fan. This is not only my kind of atmospheric vibe, this has been one of my favourite meals and menus in Portland. I believe in Ned Ludd and will be seeing you again, just as soon as I visit Portland again.

    (5)

  • Aimee L.

    Dude I spent $15 for half a muffin, two cheeses, a few nuts and some sliced bread. Really???? When I was indecisive about what I was going to order, instead of trying to help me find something I like, she practically sprinted away from the table - and this was after saying with obvious annoyance "we'd really like to get in your order". This is for a half empty restaurant too. Very strange. Yes the cheese plate was "pretty" but seriously, 2 kinds of basic cheeses and the rest is all filler? An apple muffin for $6 that is actually only the very top and very bottom (not the whole muffin)? It was good but no muffin should cost $6, especially when you're not even getting an entire muffin. Strange, strange experience. Not interested in returning.

    (3)

  • Mario S.

    Talking about a hidden gem ... you will probably not find this place by accident. I've driven by on MLK countless times but wasn't aware of one of Portland's finest dining places. Food is terrific - interiors are NW "warm"/charm. PS Almost hesitant to write the review but thanks to reservations accepted, you WILL get a seat ... Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Chad S.

    Portland seems to have a giant glut of restaurants serving "upscale" food in casual environments where the "upscale" involves high prices needed for the expensive build-out. The atmosphere here is so precious, so very Portlandia, down to the dust and cobwebs on the chandeliers, that it immediately makes me feel they are trying to out-quirky Zoe Deschanel. Yes, the atmosphere irked me. But I'm a big enough glutton to overlook that the second I bite into good food. It wasn't. I tried 4 different entrees and 2 different apps. Nothing was more than adequate. And servings were tiny. A $25 entree should be a dinner, not a taste, at least not unless the upscale involves fine dining rather than offbeat mediocrity.

    (2)

  • Matthew W.

    During our visit, Ned Ludd simply did not live up to it billing from fellow Yelpers. We had at best a 3-star night, especially considering the prices. The good food and above average service was tempered by a less-than-acceptable atmosphere. It could be an aberration, but the background music bordered on torturous. Think Poor Man's Jimi Hendrix guitar feedback layered over a Poor Man's Arlo Guthrie folk music. That being said, our dinner did deliver uncommon flavor combinations and high quality ingredients. We tried the spicy flat bread - think baked pita bread with salt, chili and olive oil - and enjoyed it. My entree had 3 types of tasty pork goodness (sliced ham, ribs and sausage) but had a slightly overpowering vinegar after taste. The "oven kissed" chocolate chip cookie for dessert was sweet, hot and gooey, but the burned exterior was better described as oven deep-throat French kissed. Surprisingly, though, it was not ruined and I devoured the whole cast iron skillet of decadence. Other thoughts: The inside is rustic and warm and the restroom reminds you more of a flea market than what it really is. Use your GPS so you don't drive past the storefront set back from MLK Blvd. Get there early to grab the minimal parking or you will need to park on Failing or farther away on MLK. There is also a patio that would be a nice change of pace in the Summer, though we were there on one of the rainiest nights of the Winter. Overall, Ned Ludd was a nice change of pace, but we have had better meals in Portland for this price range.

    (3)

  • Benja F.

    Ned Ludd is a Portlandia episode bacon wrapped in whatever the latest NYTimes review of the latest stereotypical, hipster infused, craft, local blahblah Portland dining joint. Enough already. Ned Ludd may represent the final zenith of the Portland "craft food" movement. Yes, it is possible to be too clever. And yes, I am surely part of the problem, not the solution. Guess what, I don't care if everything is wood fired if you can't cook the meat properly. The good stuff: Wait staff was great. Drinks were above average. Decor was salvaged wood.

    (2)

  • Staci W.

    Put a pickle on it! The eggs had bright orange yolks and the porchetta was over the top succulent. A challenging brunch menu is cooked over an open fire. The food is complimented by a decor of reclaimed chandeliers, crates of apple wood, and jars of pickled pleasures. The Stones amped up the farmhouse vibe. This place is worthy of another train trip.

    (5)

  • Brad C.

    I think this place got a bit too over-hyped for me. Don't get me wrong it was good but not as good as I imagined. Just about everything we ordered tasted great and it was hard to find a plate on our table that wasn't empty. I love that they are using so many locally and home grown veggies. Nothing really wow'd me but it was all solid. The portions were all good sizes and I was shocked at how big the mussels were. The place is small so make sure you make reservations, you might want to wait for the weather to warm up so you can sit outside. The service is excellent and if you have some extra cash to spend on a meal then give Ned Ludd a try.

    (4)

  • Rai W.

    Nettle soup was great. Also, the apple muffin dessert :) Excellent service at the bar. You must see the bathrooms! ;-)

    (5)

  • Danielle R.

    Just got back from a week-long visit to Portland, and this was one of the best meals I ate. We squeezed into a late reservation at 8:45 PM on a Thursday night, and arrived a little early to partake of a drink at the bar. The ambiance was cozy and cool, and the bartender was friendly and easy going. Unfortunately they were out of somethings to make the cocktail I ordered off the menu, but he improvised and made me something similar that was great. As we finished up our drinks, they let us know our tables was ready when we were. The menu overall is carefully curated - don't expect pages and pages of choices. But I did not eat a single bad bite. Our server was also fantastic, well paced and helpful in making recommendations and even let us know when he thought we had over-ordered. I would not hesitate to recommend Ned Ludd to anyone - go, eat, and be glad!

    (5)

  • Rachel W.

    I was in Portland the other weekend with my family who are all foodies, and we went here. This place is delicious! We had a huge group of 14, and the service was right on key and very friendly. We ordered a ton of plates and shared. I think we probably tried the whole menu! Everything was really really really good! I will definitely revisit this place. The coolest part is that everything there is cooked in their wood oven! Tip: Order the chocolate cookie for desert...insane! They serve it in a skillet with a side of Milk that you poor on, and it is gooey chocolate heaven! The decor is really cute, with a lot of the reclaimed look. Funniest thing there...the second bathroom the few stairs is this cute little reclaimed wood bathroom...and they have this huge gold gaudy picture frame on the wall with a picture of all of the rappers on it. I thought it was refreshingly funny as it didnt seem to belong, but totally made my night!

    (5)

  • Robyn W.

    Went here on a whim the other night and there was an available table for the two of us. The menu was well organized and descriptive, and the waiter was helpful with recommendations and answering any questions. The restaurant was fairly busy, but we felt like we got good personal attention. Good drinks, amazing food, and great service made for a wonderful dinner experience. I'm keeping this place on my list of recommendations if I have any friends ask about Portland in the future.

    (5)

  • Brittney F.

    The menu changes every day. Today I went for brunch and ate French toast with apple butter and it was absolutely delicious!

    (5)

  • david m.

    This great restraunt has a rustic vibe to go with its locally sourced food. The flavors are amazing and are thoughtfully paired. Our favorites included the beet salad with hazelnut and the whey pork with sausage and pork belly to put it over the top

    (5)

  • Lucky B.

    Good brunch, a fancy menu with quite variety. If you're in the mood to try something different this is a great place to try. Food was good but nothing to write home about.

    (2)

  • Eli L.

    I read up on this place before I went. I had heard and read amazing things. One night a friend wanted to go for his birthday and bring some out of town guests. Some things I liked: Short menu with seasonal items from local sources. Unusual offerings. A real Head to Hoof kind of place. Decor was interesting and not overly pretentious. (Which seems to be the trend) The staff were attentive and very, very helpful and knowledgeable about this dishes. They seemed to be presenting a new child to us they had so much pride in everything they do. I liked this attitude. Pride in what you're presenting to the public. Some things I didn't like and I would chalk this up to my own personal lack of a diverse palette and dislike of trying new things. Very unusual menu. I imagine 1890's Americans would be more familiar with the offerings. So, this is true to their theme. I honestly can't remember what I ordered because the two things I wanted from the menu weren't available. So, I ended up ordering something to try as a new thing for me and not eating it or liking it. I do remember the pork dish being VERY much overpriced and mostly fat and gristle. The salad was...okay. Not much of it. That's pretty much my overall impression of the dishes. I understand the whole "Portion control" and "Quality over Quantity" idea. But the prices were simply outrageous. "Artisan" or not. To me, the lack of two more stars and what keeps them from having a five star rating was the lack of having enough of the two things I wanted on the menu. It wasn't late in the evening, either. We ate pretty early. Poor planning on the Chef's part. Overall, I enjoyed the company of my friends and the atmosphere. My friends seemed to enjoy what they ate but agreed it was way over priced. Would I go back again? Only if a friend wanted to go try it or someone specifically requested it. Not on my own. Not saying it's a bad restaurant. Just not to my taste. Maybe if they had that rabbit dish available that would be useful. Also I understand the name of the place is "Ned Ludd", and the theme is less technology, but this day in age you need an updated web page. Maybe post the things you DON'T have if you know you're going to run out of it, say "Limited quantities." Embrace the technology, Ned Ludd...

    (3)

  • Liz B.

    Apparently, I'm one of the only people that dislikes this place. I came here with a group of friends who I was visiting while back in town. The atmosphere seemed cool but cramped from the outstart. I recommend not coming here if you have an appetite. Looking at the menu, I was left wanting. Did I want to spend $18 on a rabbit's hind? Not really. So I stuck to splitting some veggie plates with a girlfriend. we ordered carrots. Safe enough. Wrong! When it arrived, my friend and I were starved and getting drunker by the minute.( The appetizers could barely sustain 2 people at the table not all six of us.) Well, I'm not sure if we ordered carrots or a rosemary bush with four carrot bites. I couldn't keep myself from laughing as my friend and I continuously joked about the pretentiousness of the establishment. I finally had to excuse myself. I made my way to the bathroom, or was it a forest? Just go to see what I mean. All I know is. We were left hungry and poorer than when we entered. We trudged over to the Grilled Cheese Grill and filled up on that melty goodness.

    (1)

  • Jean B.

    Went to Ned Ludd for breakfast this weekend, and it definitively became my favorite brunch spot in all of Portland. The ambiance was that of a lovely American farm house with subtle touches like beautiful mixed cutlery. The rustic charm was met by modern enhancements and plenty of gorgeous lighting. The food lives up to the description of "American craft kitchen" and everything tasted beautifully fresh. The wood fired cooking method turn an everyday potato into a culinary experience. This is an establishment that can hold it's own in the national foodie scene. Calm, lovely, delicious. I can't wait to try their dinner menu. The service was also spot on. Zero suggestions for improvement means 5 stars.

    (5)

  • Madison A.

    Want to give more stars but our experience was pretty disappointing. The decor was amaaaazing and the drinks were exceptional. The best flower butter! A must try! however... we went there for my bday dinner, found this place on yelp, we walked in and the staff seemed very strange. As if they were all walking on egg shells. came in on a sunday (tonight) ordered the pork. Twice we sent it back for being cold. Two times ! That's pretty sad considering it was the most expensive plate on the menu.

    (3)

  • Christopher M.

    I'd been looking forward to going to Ned Ludd for a long time. The quality and taste of the food was outstanding. I just felt like the portion size should have been larger. The server described it as family style, but it was almost tapa style. The server was friendly but disappeared for lengthy amounts of time. The potential is there.

    (3)

  • Darrell M.

    Wow! I consider myself a foodie and heretofore had another Portland restaurant that was my favorite but tonight that all changed. I went with others as a party of 4 and we truly did a tour of the menu having most items that were available. We had the amazing charcuterie plate which included the most amazing duck bacon, pork rillete, and rabbit. The pickles were incredibly creative and included chard stems, golden beets, carrots, mushrooms and cucumbers. The selection of cocktails accompanied the menu nicely. I ultimately settled on the chicken for my entree accompanied by snow peas and green onions. It was the most amazing chicken I've ever had. Being the foodies thar we are, we had all 3 available desserts. The cookie baked in cast iron is phenomonal and the blueberry / peach crisp is to die for. Those were both decadent! Who knew that so many wonderful tastes could come from a wood fired oven. Ned Ludd has become my new favorite in town without question. No other restaurant better embodies the spirit of food in this city. It's the place that I will take visiting friends in the future to share what the Portland food scene is all about! Don't walk but run to Ned Ludd and enjoy a fabulous meal!

    (5)

  • Ron T.

    Small like a cabin yet with high celings & rustic. It fitted my mood that evening. Trinkets of plants and flowers sitting almost everywhere. Firewoods, logs on the side. Apples and oni So, is this Portland Posh? Meh. Greeted by pleasant faces, we sat on our little corner. The food was good. The charcuterie is decent. So is the duck proscuitto and the fried spuds with chili- aioli. The duck proscuitto might need to have more substance. The salad that came with it is lacking. LACKING LEAVES. We may not be rabbits but we need our greens, not a dozen leaves on our plate. We've had the leg o' lamb accompanied by some thing almost like collared greens are also good. Tender and sweet. Our server is nice but he seems to lack a little more charisma. Hey, smile a little. You're not serving people at a funeral. Their patio will definitely be of use during summers. Nice breeze, warm temperature and MLK! Woo! And if safety is a concern, just wear your bullet proof vest. :)

    (3)

  • Lisa K.

    Do you know what a "Luddite" is? If not, look up the definition before going and you'll appreciate the restaurant that much more. Better yet, ask your waiter who Ned Ludd is. For the Cliff Note's version, a Luddite is "an opponent of new technology: an opponent of technological or industrial change." (Thanks Bing Dictionary). Long story simple- EVERYTHING is cooked with a wood-fired oven there. There is no regular oven. And it's so good! We've never had a veggie side dish we didn't like. Although we are always excited when any vegetable with bacon shows up on that night's menu. The portion's have maybe gotten a little smaller over the years, but that means there's room for dessert. My favorite dish- the chocolate chip skillet cookie, straight out of the oven and served up with cream for dunking. Make a reservation, you'll be glad you did!

    (5)

  • Mike P.

    The HYPE is: deserved. Ned Ludd has gotten a lot of much deserved press lately. It comes in at number 31 on the recently updated Eater 38 list. I particularly enjoyed chef/owner Jason French's Father's Day feature in FOODday. (links below) The decor is: Little House on the Prairie meets Possum Lodge (yeah I just dropped a Red Green reference) The food is: inspired. Chef French is a man who has paid his dues and his passion for his art shows in the menu. The mac n' mornay, meat pie! and cheese plate from Cheese Bar are highlights. The conundrum is: Smores with three marshmallows and figuring the best way to attack The beer is: a locavore's dream (Side note on drinks - I notice they switched from Stumptown to Heart coffee roasters) Noticeably absent is: Ned Ludd from "Food Lover's Guide to Portland" by Liz Crain The only negatives: make reservations as it can sometimes be hard to drop in on short notice, a few dishes have been overly salty, it's easy to rack up a large bill *The service has always been great even after explaining what kaltbits and warmbits are to each table. ________ links as promised above________ pdx.eater.com/archives/2… oregonlive.com/foodday/i…

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    The starters were quite good, my rabbit pot pie was tasty, but my wife's dish of lamb and greens was another story: The "pastured" lamb (whatever that means, is this like from Portlandia about the life of the free range chicken?) was a disappointment. There's no info on the menu about how the lamb was prepared, but it was dry and overcooked and the greens (rabe) were cold, vile and inedible. It would help to serve the hot entrées on a warm plate. As it was the entrées quickly cooled. How hard can it be to serve the food on a warm plate? Service was a bit slow although the house was not crowded when we were there on a Thursday night. We waited a long time for our desert to arrive. Wine list was limited to obscure wines that were overpriced. Water and beers were presented in a mason jar; I don't like to drink out of a threaded jar mouth and asked for glasses like my whiskey drink came in. Don't think will be back. Mike and Diana

    (3)

  • Jen K.

    The funny part is that taken separately, I enjoyed everything I ate, and yet this European-style gastropub was a bit of a disappointment. It is an industrial space where I couldn't decide if they spent a fortune or pennies making it homey. There are recycled beams and plants and the wall by our table was covered with a quilt made of coffee bean bags. At least one of their light fixtures hung in my former tract home built in the 80s. My biggest issue is that it all struck me as forced, not relaxing or organic. The veneer of being casual, when actually it comes across more as a temple of exactitude. I felt a little put off by the menu, the seating, pretty much everything. I have a regular supper club with friends and over the past couple years we've had dinner at a variety of places all over town. Ned Ludd was my least favorite of all the restaurants we've visited as a group. It was the first time eating here for all five of us and each had a difficult time finding the restaurant. Although it is located on MLK, there isn't obvious signage (at least not that you can see at night). Our party felt crowded at the table and service was pretty good although not without some odd moments. They have an interesting cocktail menu - traditional choices as well as house creations, but no soda or iced tea. I chose the Semester Abroad and also tasted the Sazarec. Forebits: The flatbread and pickle plate were a great way to begin the meal. I was pleasantly surprised by the assortment of items on the pickle plate and especially enjoyed the beets. The sunchoke veloute soup was interesting in that it was almost devoid of color and texture and yet still pleasing. Warmbits: Cauliflower with Moroccan spices and yogurt. For some reason I was expecting a puree, but it was nicely cooked and I enjoyed the yogurt drizzled on top. Charred brussel sprouts. I'm so fond of these little buggers and this was a nice presentation. Plats: Others in my party ordered the trout, pastured half hen and winter vegetables. Everyone seemed reasonably pleased, but if you are squeamish you may not appreciate the whole fish presentation (eyes and all). The fish has been deboned, but is put back together and served whole with a large amount of dill inside. This is a place where I fully understand both the high and low ratings. It isn't for everyone and clearly they are going for a very specific setting. Normally I would wait to review until I've had another experience, but I can't foresee ever wanting to return. I'm torn on my rating because the food was good, but the overall experience was not.

    (3)

  • ruth a.

    This was an amazing dinner. We arrived in a huge rainstorm, entered this warm and inviting space and were seated immediately. It smelled like woodsmoke and great food being cooked. We started with excellent Negroni's, Duck Confit, fresh baked flatbread, radishes with butter and sea salt, then taking the advice of our very helpful server, we tried the spinach with baked onion, the meat pie with a cream mustard sauce, and split the pork belly as our main course. We had the Patricia Green 2008 Pinot Noir and it was amazing. Desert was the Rhubarb Crisp and white port. This was a wonderful experience from start to finish, it is amazing that all the food comes out of the one wood fired oven! Our server also deserves recognition, she was enthusiastic and engaging and clearly wanted us to have a great experience. This was one of the highlights of our trip to Portland.

    (5)

  • Rob C.

    We went for a birthday dinner. Food was awesome, service very good. Low rating is a result of mandatory 30% gratuity. Would love to go back but Portland is full of great restaurants and I have a problem with mandatory gratuities - especially at 30%. Basically - screw you guys, I'll take my business elsewhere. Your good not not that good. I've eaten at 3 Michelin star restaurants that don't pull that crap, get over yourselves!

    (3)

  • Jeff K.

    Very solid rustic food all cooked in their wood fired oven. Great service, although, their seating hostess is a major "low talker" - very friendly but I have no idea of one word she said.

    (4)

  • Pat M.

    Nice atmosphere nice staff... Food was a bit too intimidating for me to enjoy... Just call it mac and cheese or give a better description of the menu items so I don't have to look up items online or ask the staff for a better description. They change the menu often so I liked it enough to give them another shot but not one of my favorites in the area just yet... The place does smell amazing!

    (3)

  • Nina M.

    The food + the atmosphere= my most memorable portland restaurant experience. We had Sunday brunch. It's as if a lumberjack took your CSA box and showed you how it's done. Check out the restroom. Wow.

    (5)

  • John L.

    everything was fresh but the portions were a bit on the smaller side. i liked the kale salad but my wife thought it was drenched in dressing and cheese. i thought, if anybody can make me like kale they've done a great job. i liked the small plates better than the entrees. the trout was decent but the ribeye seemed just ok.

    (4)

  • Renate F.

    charcuterie plate was delicious, the trout was nothing special, overload of greens in and around the fish without special taste. What really annoyed me was our server, she took the plates from 2 of our party while the others were still chewing, this is an absolute turn off in a wanna be good restaurant, she was radiating impatience the whole evening and actually interrupted our conversation to ask for our order.

    (2)

  • Fred P.

    We were a party of ten (9 adults, one 5 yr-old) for the Christmas Eve $45 prix fixe dinner. After arriving promptly at 5:30 p.m. for the first seating as requested, we then waited, and waited, and waited for service. Finally a server came to take drink orders, and those cocktails were delivered at 6:05. Our dinner order was also taken belatedly, but the food delivery, once begun, was on a higher paced schedule entirely. We were crowded at two smallish four-tops that were pushed together to make a table that could have comfortably seated six, but we should have been seated at a legitimate ten-top (with a reservation for nine adults and one child). Service, once the drinks were finally delivered and dinner got under way, was very efficient and brisk. Our wines were graciously opened and poured, and questions about the menu were fully and fairly answered. The five-course dinner was good, but short of terrific. Roasted Brussels sprouts are not a full course in most establishments, and Christmas Eve calls for a more inspired dessert. Maybe our group of ten was too much of a challenge for the limited front of the house capabilities on Christmas Eve? Maybe they overbooked, and needed to shoe-horn us in because they were short on tables? The cured salmon, greens with duck confit, and roast pork courses were very, very good -- but this establishment definitely has room for improvement.

    (2)

  • Kristine P.

    MMmmm! If you can afford to eat here do so. I have the Bird in the Nest and it was delicious! The BITN could be considered too salty for some, I loved it though. Also, tried the muffin and it was also very good. I can't eat here often due to the prices but will consider it next time I get my financial aid check!

    (4)

  • Chels T.

    I would fly from California to come back. Ok, so that's a little cray but Ned Ludd was such a great experience. We started off with the flatbread which was simple and delicious--just sea salt and olive oil. I decided to go the multiple appetizer route and ordered the pork rillettes (served with mustard seed, pickled apples, and toast) and the spinach (served with radish, bacon, buttermilk, and croutons). But wait. Roll back to me ordering the rillettes. First of all, do you know what rillettes is? I didn't, so I asked the waitress. Secondly, do you know how to pronounce rillettes? I didn't, and yes, I made the CARDINAL SIN and pronounced the "s". Instead of simply describing the dish, she CORRECTED my pronunciation, "It's actually pronounced 'ri-yet'. The French do not pronounce the 's'." I had just come off a flight, it was raining like crazy. Lady, I'm HUNGRY. Why didn't she just use the word when defining the dish and pronounce it correctly then? I was SO ANNOYED that she corrected me--she could've been way more subtle. And I was already embarrassed because I was with a group of 6...and I studied French for 8 years...thank you for the humiliation, waitress. I digress. The rillettes was fabulous--it came with a fat cap for god's sake. Yes, mildly disturbing that I had to cut out a chunk of lard from my adorable mason jar, but fortunately, I found it charming. The spinach was the star, or should I say, the bacon was the star? Best bacon I've had in my life. Go to Ned Ludd for a charming dinner or brunch. Make sure you take French before you go. Oh, and prepare yourself for the bathroom--you're walking into the set of Bambi when you go in there.

    (5)

  • fon z.

    I ordered a $14 hash that the waiter recommended. I was expecting enough food to feed a man, but instead the quantity was suitable to feed a 5 year old. A few small pieces of potatoes, carrots, and greens filled about 4 inches in diameter on my plate and less than a half inch thick topped with 2 poached eggs (where one of the yolk was over cooked) and a couple of cracker sized toasts. If the food was exceptional, tasty, well executed, and/or unique enough, I would overlook the quantity issue. Some of the best restaurants I've been to also served small portions, but you can taste the amount of thought and effort that went into it, but this is far from being that kind of a restaurant. It's just not exceptional or unique enough for you to pay for just a small handful of food. For less money I could get a hash from simpatica that is both far superior in taste, and four times the amount of food I got from Ned ludd. I really feel I was robbed by the end of our meal. On top of that we were served with a dirty coffee mug and spoon with stain and scraps of food still stuck on them, and the cook/chef forgot to put the smoked salmon that came with my hash. I know that food is subjective, but if you were raised in a town that only had burgers and hot dogs to offer and this was the only other option available then I can see how this place would be both tasty and worthwhile to come to, but Portland food scene these days are filled with amazing options that have both better quality and more quantity that I really don't see why this would be an attraction. If you frequent this establishment, I can only come up with 2 possible scenarios. You either lose weight from starvation and malnutrition, or you go broke from trying to stay properly fed. On a side note, the $8 cookie we had was pretty good but still expensive. Nothing you cant make on your own and just multiply the butter usage.

    (2)

  • Lowell J.

    The cab driver said many restaurants had previously occupied this space so he gave it little or no chance of survival ... After eating here is say the food is good ambience is fair so not sure whether or not that's enough in super competitive portlandia?

    (3)

  • Marybel M.

    Had the hen the first time and it was scrumptious. Had the lamb the second time and it was perfect. We shared some salads and pickles and other appetizers and they were al delicious. The cocktails were made so well, I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Anthony A T.

    You know it's an off night for a place when the server apologizes three or four times for the "wait" which was over 1.5 hours. The place has potential. The atmosphere is your typical NoPo / Rebuilt / Eclectic vibe. Do they think that they are located in San Francisco? The prices would indicate this. However, this is not the case. It is North Portland. We paid nearly $100 for two trout, a half bottle of wine, and three slices of cheese. Geezzz! It would have been worth it if the seating were more comfortable for our 90+ minute wait for the main "plat", and if the presentation and atmosphere fit the price tag. However scant the meal was, though, the food was tasty. I've read that a good rule of thumb is that a noisy restaurant is a good restaurant. The only loudness was the stereo which spanned Huey Lewis, the Cure, Bon Jovi, and some jazz. When my wine glass clinked the centerpiece of the table I felt like I was breaking the silence of a library. Huh... to me, Ned Ludd ended up being a dud.

    (2)

  • Matt D.

    This is a crosspost from a guest article did on the blog Hashcapades. I might as well copy and paste it! When I first stepped in to the restaurant, I found myself quite entranced by the interesting décor. It's as if they based interior decorating on my eccentric aunt's house, all they way down to the re-purposed liquor bottles used to pour the water. It wasn't kitschy by any means, but rather some combination of quirky, warm, and comfortable. Interior decorating aside, the main reason we came to this place is for the HASH! While the rest of the breakfast menu looked quite divine, I just couldn't resist the smoked sturgeon and seasonal vegetable hash. That behemoth of a fish is my weakness! The dish arrived beautifully presented. Two perfectly over-easy eggs atop a mound of roasted potatoes, diced green beans, greens, and most importantly, sturgeon. I felt terrible having to ruin such a beautiful presentation by cracking the yolk and mixing everything up, but I did it in the name of hash. At first, I was a bit alarmed at how strong the sturgeon was. It wasn't offensive by any means, but just a very rich and intense flavor. After just a few bites, my palate got used to how sapid it was and the rest of the dish came alive. The vegetables were vibrant and fresh, the potatoes were perfectly crisp on the outside and soft and substantial on the inside, and the farm fresh eggs rounded out everything and gave the dish a beautiful mouth feel. Damn! Massive props to Ned Ludd for preparing such a beautiful meal. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Miriam N.

    I can't say enough good things about this place after about 5 visits there, for both dinner and Sunday brunch. :: The food is delicious--an absolutely superb BLT, wonderful egg dishes (all of them), the bread plate is excellent, and they make a damn fine Bloody Mary. The wood oven makes everything scrumptious without making it all taste the same. :: Another plus is that they are very accommodating of gluten-free dietary needs, and they are great with kids. They brought out a wonderful little cheese and fruit plate for my 3yo nephew. :: The service is friendly with just the right balance of fine dining food knowledge and attentiveness with a casual, down-home feel. And you know the best part? They're not too cool for school like a certain tapas place around the way which bills itself as a neighborhood walk-in restaurant and doesn't take reservations... but I digress. Oh, and how can I forgot the decor?! As you would expect in Portland, this place is styled up the wazoo, but damned if they don't live up to the vibe they've created. It's gorgeous and it certainly doesn't outshine the food. Bottom line, go to here.

    (5)

  • Paul L.

    Excellent food preparations, if you are not very hungry and have lots of money to blow.

    (3)

  • J S.

    Really solid food with great care taken to highlight each ingredient. Thankfully, nothing came out over sauced, which is the bane of most restaurants. Nice spacing of appetizers to main entree to dessert. My wife and I really liked the quirky, crafty, even Asian-inspired ambience. Only real complaint is the music soundtrack. What are they thinking? I could name 10 genres that would fit hand in glove with the surroundings. Alas, the tunes selected were as mismatched as Ben Affleck and J-Lo.

    (4)

  • Megan H.

    Just got back from a fantastic brunch here, everything exceeded my expectations! Had been wanting to try Ned Ludd for a while and a friend picked it for her birthday brunch spot. We walked in at prime brunch time - 11 o'clock- and our party of 10 was seated quickly without one eye rolling. AMAZING. I had the Bird in the Nest which was a grown-up version of my favorite childhood breakfast; a perfectly cooked egg nestled inside a crispy polenta cake with mushroom ragout. I also had a side of bacon which was a good call. The table split the carrot bread pudding which was extremely decadent - tasted exactly like carrot cake complete with cream cheese "frosting". The service was some of the best I've had in Portland, they really made our large group feel welcome and were very attentive. I can't wait to come back to try dinner!

    (5)

  • Chuck R.

    Four of us (2 couples) met at Ned Ludd for a quick dinner before going to a play at Portland Playhouse. We drank some tasty rose wines and split 4-5 dishes, mostly salads & veggies and one trout. The greens and veggies were seasonal and the dressings and seasonings perfect. The plates were more than adequate for sharing 4-ways. The trout was de-boned, baked whole and delicious!. The service was very good and kept us on time - we needed to eat and square up in a little over an hour. We'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Loren D.

    A Disappoinment. The food was good, but not great. the menu choices were sparse. the service was poor - they lost our ticket, and after 30 minutes when they came back to tell us "we lost your ticket", they brought nothing to munch on or drink, just a half hearted apology. So, not awful, but really nothing worth going back for, especially when there are so many good places in this price range.

    (2)

  • Jennifer L.

    Ate here family style with 6 friends. Loved the gravvlax, heirloom tomato salad, and Mac and mornay. The pork misto was ok- it came with some very bland pork sausage and way too much pork fat for my taste, but the onions were perfectly caramelized. The potatoes were ok but not special. Service was fantastic. Decor was charming. Would definitely come here again but couldn't give it a 5th star. Maybe next trip.

    (4)

  • Bruce J.

    Ned Ludd gets 4 stars for originality, boldness, integrity, and excellent sourcing of high quality ingredients. They missed getting the 5th on their overly rich combinations and things being more burned than is acceptable - even coming from their wood burning oven. The decor and the excellent staff make the dining experience worth the high price.

    (4)

  • JJ G.

    Pure perfection. What a fantastic meal, balanced, delicious, creative and sustainable. Seriously, what more could I hope for, ever? Thank you Jason!

    (5)

  • Liz G.

    It's finally happened, yelp has steered me wrong, and it was for a birthday dinner too. D expressed interest in Ned Ludd for his birthday dinner, and I assured him that yelp said it would be good, so off we went. Everything started well enough. The place is cute as hell, and set back off MLK such that I'd never noticed it before. We had an early reservation so it was mostly empty when we arrived and we were seated and brought drinks quickly. We decided on starting with some "bits". We got the grilled flatbread, some wood-fired broccoli and purple cauliflower, and pork noodles. The flatbread was good, but how could it not be. The veggies were good. The pork noodles were tasty, but $12 for such a tiny portion was ridiculous and the restaurant should be ashamed of themselves. Moving on to the mains, we were thinking of sharing one, since we'd eaten 3 starters, but D decided he wanted the whole trout to himself, so I ordered the lamb. These came out pretty quickly, even though the server had pressured us into ordering them quickly for fear that the kitchen would get backed-up. I think they just wanted to turn the table quickly. Anyway, D's trout looked overdone, and the taste I had was, but he said most of it was cooked ok. But, he said the flavor and preparation weren't on par with other places around town. He was disappointed. Then there was my lamb. This is where a 3 star place turns into a 2 star place. I literally said "this isn't worth the effort of chewing." It was one of the toughest pieces of meat I've ever been served. I don't eat lamb much, and considered that this may just be a fact of eating lamb until D reminded me of other lamb dishes I've enjoyed, like a lamb shank we cooked at home that was downright incredible. I do like lamb, I just don't like the tough lamb I was served at Ned Ludd. At ~$20 apiece, you could say we were annoyed. When the server asked how everything was the best I could muster was a completely unenthusiastic "alright", which satisfied her fine. Normally I speak up when something is this bad, but it was D's birthday and we were more focused on getting the hell out of there so we could eat cake at home. I ate the greens that came with the lamb and left all of the meat, which didn't faze the server that took the plates away (not our regular server). She also didn't seem to mind that my wine glass still had wine in it when she cleared that. I can't get past the fact that I left a supposedly $20 piece of meat uneaten at a "nice" restaurant and nobody cared. If the minuscule $12 bowl of noodles didn't say it clearly enough, this made it perfectly clear, Ned Ludd doesn't give a fuck.

    (2)

  • Charles B.

    Amazing pickled plates, cheeses, charcuterie. The trout with onions is never short of excellent. Good drinks - lillet, vermouths, good manhattan. After coming many times for dinner, came for brunch - sat outside in the patio, had oven bread w/ salted butter & some fall vegetables - excellent & no wait!

    (5)

  • Lori F.

    This place is really quaint and cozy but the wait staff, not so much. Our waiter was a pretentious hipster who talked to us like we were 6 year olds. I was seated in an awkward chair against the bar where he was forced to reach over me every time he needed new silverware. After the fourth time of the reach around I got up and moved. Three of us shared side dishes and one drink a piece for the low low price of $90.00. The greens were delicious, everything else was unremarkable. With so many awesome places to chose from in Portland, Nedd Ludd really has no room to be so proud of themselves.

    (2)

  • Britt C.

    I love the store Anthropologie and I think if Anthropologie has somehow gotten involved in decorating restaurants, Ned Ludd would be one of them. The ceilings are high with an eclectic array of vintage light fixtures dangling down from them. Everything is done in rich wood (and accented with piles of chopped fire wood with which to feed the wood-burning oven) and all the details are perfect: mason jars, mismatched antique cups and saucers, succulents everywhere. The bathrooms (!!) are especially fun. Everything is cooked in their wood-burning stove and as a result, the place has a rustic and cozy feeling to it...one to be sought out on cold, wet, Portland nights. More importantly, the food that emerges from said stove is pretty tasty. I would recommend sharing a couple of the cold plates and warm plates (the pickle plate is both beautiful and delicious) and then getting a main dish. The smoked trout (if in season) is outstanding, though the rabbit was a bit tough. Alert: Be sure to save room for desert!! The s'mores are too good for words but if I must put words to them, picture me saying this in a rich Argentine accent while my eyes flutter into the back of my head in delight, "You die." On another note, if Tasty n Sons is too packed for bunch and you need immediate sustenance, Ned Ludd is a great, close by alternative. It's not a traditional brunch menu, but it is still satisfying.

    (4)

  • David H.

    I'd heard/read good things and had really high expectations. The food was good, the service was very good, but the decor was a really bad Portlandia skit. I mean seriously, put a bird on it already! Wait, they did... on EVERYTHING!!! The whole restaurant was a Rachel Ashwell "Shabby-Chic" nightmare. If I wanted to see that much stereotype in one place, I would have visited a retirement home in Miami.

    (2)

  • Jim S.

    Bookmark it right now. Ned Ludd is Top 10 PDX coming from a gourmand who has sampled the best. I can guarantee you will pause at the entrance and suck in your breath. You will look around wide eyed and feel like you just walked in to someones home. In a totally great way, believe me. Then you will be greeted with a genuine smile by an amazing FOH crew. The food is text book. Technique is wonderful, flavors not overpowering yet well rounded and bountiful. The menu is tight yet presents enough options to be accessible. You will feel lightness in the environment, in the service and in the food. Nothing here is oppressive. Nothing here is even slightly assuming or pretentious. From the logo, to the website, to the execution of the operations Ned Ludd has a vision that has come to life beautifully. Only the very good can make complexity look simple and the Chef and crew here do just that swimmingly. This isn't just another Portland restaurant, it is in a very rare league of excellent Portland restaurants. And all of this at a humble fare.

    (4)

  • Brian C.

    We came in here earlier on a Saturday around 5:30. It wasn't super busy but it was early. The service was great, really top notch. The food was flavorful but not worth the cash. I got the pork dish and was disappointed with all the fat in the meat. I would think for the prices they are changing that it would be better cuts of meat. The drinks were small and overpriced. Again, the service was excellent.

    (3)

  • Curtis B.

    I came here with a group of 8 people. We basically ordered everything on the menu. The waitress was extremely helpful: their menu is divided into small plates and large. She assured us she would help us decide on the proper amount of food to order. This is often a concern of mine and it was nice to have her address this right away. Everything was awesome. I suspect their menu rotates frequently, but if they have fish I recommend that. Everything is prepared in their wood fired oven and it does not seem like a lame schtick. I don't know what else to say. Check out the menu. If it appeals, then you should eat here. The small interior suggests making plans ahead of time OR not being pissed if you drop by at 7PM on Friday and they are full.

    (4)

  • jewel r.

    Went to Ned Ludd for dinner with my tennis gals. We try a new restaurant each time there is a birthday in the group and we tend to drop a ton of money. We are gourmands and big drinkers. I will not go back nor recommend this place because they wait staff put a time limit on our dining experience.

    (2)

  • Julie C.

    Mr. L and I needed foods. Big time. Where to go? We had no time for lines and long waits. Eat. Now. After reading one of the other reviewers give the green light on no wait times, we didn't walk, we ran. Actually, we had to run, crossing MLK is pretty close to playing human Frogger. True to the previous reviewer we sat down immediately. Relief. Then the fretting set in. Ned. Ned Ludd. Sounds familiar...wasn't he Pa Ingalls's friend on Little House? The one that lived down the road from Mr. Edwards? It might as well have been... I felt like I was sitting in a woodcutters hovel. After scanning the menu, some of the fare even seemed similar to what may have been served back in ol' Walnut Grove. No, not hard tack, just plenty of pickled/canned items...but a bit more exotic than dry biscuits. Mr. L gave me a quiet 'suggestion' about fretting, don't do it. I couldn't help it though. I am a fretter by nature. So I fret from the inside. Will these pickled items mix well with last night's liver pickling? Did I just order a pickled sea horse with canned oak tree roots? Will this be good? Will I leave hungry? Until.... The server suggested I try a fennel liquor bloody mary, now I LOVE me a good bloody mary and well, this was good. NOT great, but solid, a nice switch up from Vodka. This distracted me for a bit. Then the Mac n Mornay arrived. Mr L and I dug in like our lives depended on it. And consequently should our lives had ended right then, I would have had a very good life based on those bites. Our main course arrived, basically I had melted cheese on bread, just better and with a fancified name. Mr. L had a ragout of some sort. It was gone in two shakes of a lambs tail and he seemed satisfied enough. Until I suggested dessert to top off our brunch. The s'mores hit the spot. And then we were both pleasantly satisfied. Note: I did see the mussels on the table next to us and they were as big as Pa and Mr. Edwards mussels! PPS It says i was seated by open table, but it wasnt needed, I forgot to mention that to the greeter.

    (4)

  • Betsy S.

    I feel bad for writing this... Nedd Ludd just didn't do it for me. Growing up in a logging community, I really dig the Carhartt's and axe/wood motif. However, It's hard not to look at the guy rocking those tight Carhartt's and wonder if he's ever held an axe, lol. Service was top notch. Coffee was really super good. I could sit and drink this coffee all day. Food was...HEAVY. We were there for Sunday brunch, and I was a little overwhelmed with the fatty greasiness of it. The bacon smelled wonderful, but I just can't eat fat, dripping with fat. I think maybe a good balance would be something really heavy paired with something light to offset the grease - but pretty much everything was either solid fat (sausage, bacon, etc) or swimming in it (vegetable hash topped w/fried eggs). I'm not looking for spa cuisine, just a little less artery-clogging.

    (3)

  • RJ H.

    Ned Ludd boasts a seriously ambitious menu of hyper-sustainable food in a really rustic, quirky atmosphere. It is without a doubt a self-proclaimed food-lover's restaurant. This is not the sort of destination I would take out-of-town visitors to, but I myself will definitely revisit it in the future. The staff is very accommodating and helpful at walking newcomers through the menu. Every bit of food I tried was delicious, but it was the cast-iron chocolate chip cookie that blew my mind. It's one of those "Of course" moments: "Why didn't I think of that?" All in all, I'm impressed.

    (4)

  • Timothy V.

    Great meal here all around. We made a reservation Saturday afternoon for a Saturday evening meal. We arrived at our designated time and had to wait a few minutes, but considering the size of the place and number of seats, it's probably not unusual to have to wait for a bit of turnover. We waited at the bar and ordered some nice beers and interesting cocktails. Our waiter was nice, and very professional. To start, the charcuterie plate was fantastic, as well as the pickles. Neither were run-of-the-mill, and had very interesting things on them. We were forced to admit that the coppa di testa we tasted earlier in the day at Olympic Provisions had nothing on the specimen we ate at Ned Ludd. Well done. The pickled strawberries were great. We had an avocado and tiny shrimp salad, braised onion with balsamic reduction, artichokes and olives, rabbit with sorrel, and an amazing whole ruby trout stuffed with fennel and radish. While I was only visiting Portland for a few days, it seems that this place honors seasonal products, as we saw several items (such as spring radishes, sorrel, etc) that indicates local, seasonable cooking. Combined with a wood fired oven and an amazing space = great experience. Well done.

    (4)

  • Geoff G.

    This is exactly what I look for in a restaurant. Where to even begin. The food is nothing short of amazing. Local, fresh, not overly cooked or spiced, just simple and perfect. The salad with pears and duck bacon is incredible! I had the rabbit and it was really good. Lots of good beers and wines. Mostly local. Service was really exceptional. Left a 40% tip as I was so impressed. Bring your date here. No one's paying you to think, just do it, son! We'll be back again and again, I'm sure.

    (5)

  • Jenny C.

    Every month or so, I have a delightful conversation (read: throw-down) with Aaron, a friend from college who I've long considered my arts & culture equal. Although he's relocated to California, our periodic chats about the tunes we're playing or pages we're turning have yet to cease. Recently, however, restaurants were mentioned, his area of expertise. Uhoh... Aaron: Have you eaten at "Ned Ludd"? Jenny: I have not. (Damnit. Where?) A: Well it's in Portland! It was one of GQ's ten best restaurants in America. Two guys bought this old open brick oven pizza place to make a new restaurant, but then they realized it had no stove. So instead of remodeling they just said "screw it" and make amazing dishes just using that open fire wood oven. J: I can't believe that I've never heard of this. (Or that I'm about to loose some PDX street cred to a Californian.) A: The interior design is amazing. nedluddpdx.com/gallery.h… ... Boom. (A cool inception story, scenes of a rad space, and a to-die-for menu? This guy knows the way to my heart. And as it turns out, Ned Ludd knows the way to my taste-buds.) J: Whoa. Admittedly, it took a while for me to get here for dinner, but it was worth the wait. Michelle H. and I rolled in on a Monday night to a packed house, and welcomed a couple spots at the bar. The building, set waaaay back from MLK, resembles a greenhouse from the exterior. Once inside, it somehow transforms into a cozy hodgepodge of antiques and timber, kind of like a picturesque storage shed in the country. Imagine the type of space you'd want to warm up in on a dark, fall evening. This is it. The beer/wine/spirits list is creative but hardly unapproachable, given the list of regional breweries and vineyards. A Provence Sour cocktail is basically like a boozy, liquid meringue pie, and goes down way too smoothly. After a little guidance from the bartender, we settled on mac n' mornay, broccoli, and stuffed rabbit loin. It was easily the best broccoli I've ever had, and the mac was awesome. This was my first experience with rabbit, and stuffed with liver, and served on a bed of farro/chanterelles, I can wholeheartedly understand why so many people love it. And yes. You want the s'mores. We'll leave it at that. It seems to me that Ned Ludd is still relatively unknown when locals spout off the best Portland eateries. At least for now. But given the recent acclaim of spots creeping in around NE MLK, like Toro Bravo or Firehouse, Ned Ludd has located itself beautifully in the heart of the activity. The space is cool, and the team is accommodating and attentive. I'll be back for sure. However, there are very few people I know who I feel like I could bring here for dinner, as the menu demands a willingness to be a little adventurous. But for drinks and appetizers, or even dessert and coffee? Oh you'd better believe it's been permanently added to my recommendation list. Which means that I guess I've got to go tell Aaron that he was right... again. But before I do that, anyone know of a phenomenal, relatively unknown place around Lake Tahoe? I've got to try and one-up him.

    (4)

  • Rebecca D.

    A very impressive restaurant. The food was fabulous. The waitress was one of the best in Portland! We will return soon.

    (5)

  • Lawrence L.

    1)No stovetop, just brick-oven cooking, impressive! 2)fresh ingredients, organic, natural flavors, salt and pepper, that's it. 3)Decor is fantastic! Open kitchen, bar and dinning area all-in-one. 4)Homemade butter, mayo, bread, you name it. 5)Mostly small plates so order more, you won't regret.

    (5)

  • Michelle H.

    Not a date. But totally worthy of a date. Jenny C. and I pencil in a 'not a date' once a month or so to go catch up on life with the added benefit of checking out a place that's been on the 'to try' list for awhile. You might want to call ahead for a reservation, just to be safe, especially if you have more than two people. This place is poppin' even on a Monday night. We thankfully found to seats at their small bar. Thanks to the people who scooted over to make room. We appreciate it. There is a small standing bar in the middle of the room while you wait. I thought that was pretty slick. My initial impression of the place is "whoa, cozy" mixed with "wow, quirky." The cozy part won out, though. It's like your obscure grandma decided to open up her green house into some rustic eatery, complete with wood fired oven. It's weird but cool all that the same time. Fancy definitely isn't a word I'd use to describe it. The menu is one of those that you stare at blankly from start to finish for minutes on end in complete silence. You need that moment of silence just to digest how hard of a decision this is going to be. Every section of that damned menu had a handful of things I wanted. I almost went without booze just so I could try Dragonfly's (they're next door btw) lemongrass iced tea. Isn't that crazy? Me? Without booze? I ended up with a Provence Sour thanks to my new love for egg whites. It was so, so good. We split a bunch of items (charred broccoli, mac n' mornay, and stuffed rabbit), but easily could have split the whole menu. Fresh. Rotating. You know the drill. We actually picked our small plates before the entree, and after the rabbit was described like Thanksgiving, we knew we had a winner. You kind of wait a lot when it's busy. They have that one (read: awesome) wood burning oven, and if it gets busy? Wait your turn. But if you're in the company of cool friends and good drinks, it doesn't seem that bad. The dishes were unique thanks to that awesome oven. It was definitely comfort food mixed with a slight obscurity. You would never catch someone like my mom in here. She'd die of unfamiliar overload. We damn near licked our plates clean, though, if that's any indication. Dinner was transitioned into dessert (french press coffee from Heart and s'mores, naturally). S'mores are one of those things that you order knowing you could just as easily make them yourself, but you don't. At $4, it's a sweet little treat, perfect for snacking on while drinking the coffee. I hadn't had Heart coffee yet, but had been meaning to try it. It was different. I really couldn't put my finger on it. The one thing I didn't appreciate was the massive amounts of grounds left on the bottom of the cup. Tsk! All and all a very delicious meal, if a bit slow. The service was more than friendly and helpful. I knew the bartender was a good guy when he made straight for the laptop and banned Pandora from playing Aerosmith's 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" ever again.

    (4)

  • Kim L.

    We had one of the very best meals ever! The owner suggested wines that were perfect with each course. The roasted squash=food of the gods! The cabbage salad was awesome. Flatbread was a surprise - and a good one! I had the whole trout, Wayne had the pork. Both were exquisite. We also went for the chocolate chip cookie, which needs a new name - it was a chocolate chip cookie on steroids. Excellent service, fun decor, we can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Lloyd B.

    Great Portland charm and decor, Ned Ludd, is a definite stop for dinner for locals and out-of-towners. My girlfriend and I spent about $60 for two appetizers, two glasses of red wine, two entrees and a delicious dessert. Overall I was happy with the quality of the food/cost ratio. Most expensive entree (plats) is $16 and appetizers (forebits) range from $4-$8. We had mustard brussel sprouts that had the right hint of mustard and was very well balanced in flavor. A delicious chicken egg noodle dish sprinkled with bread crumbs for a wonderfully textured appetizer was a nice touch. The flavors were not overwhelming, but subtle and delightful. I find it very hard to find a really good balance of mustard's strong flavor, but Ned Ludd's chefs really did a good job. Onto the the plats, entrees, I had the trout gratin which was very light and well textured. The trout sat on top drenched in a wonderfully buttery light sauce and it was nice to have crusted cheese on top to really bring a nice crunch to the moist trout. I'd recommend it for a light dinner. My girlfriend had the pork shoulder which came with a very nicely cut slab. It was fatty, but in the right places. The texture was tender and the flavor was hinted with salt and hints of apple. Finally, we topped the dinner off with their s'mores dessert which seems a bit simple, but they did it right. It definitely sealed the meal. And, our red wines were fairly priced $5-$7 a glass.

    (4)

  • Karin K.

    Dinner here a week ago and Ned Ludd delivered another amazing meal with great service. The local sourcing and wood-fired oven is very Portland, and while I appreciate their purpose, what I love about Ned Ludd is that you don't have to be "into" that scene to appreciate the food. Folks who like a good quality food that is prepared with care will have a great time here. The menu is ever-changing, which can be disconcerting to some diners, but I never get bored here or have trouble finding something interesting. I struggle to not order the entire menu so I can try it all! The charcuterie board was excellent as usual. So often I'm faced with something on a charcuterie board that I think I'm going to hate (head cheese, for example) and I always love it. Beets were excellent as well...I wanted more! My friend had the pork ragu which was creamy and packed with flavor. Orgasmic. Our dessert of winter vegetables poached in red wine in pastry, served up with sour cream sauce was unexpected and delish! The pickle plate is always an adventure. Last spring French has pickled green strawberries and they were a revelation. In the fall, don't miss the creamed greens. Ned Ludd is also showing signs of becoming more accessible as well. They outdoor seating in good weather is lovely, despite being near busy MLK. I also note the absence of pretentiousness in the menu...My first visit was plauged with questions: "What is Bruss??" "Oh, brussel sprouts." "What is a Kalt Bites?" "Oh, *cold* food. Okay, I get it. " This seems to have departed the menu, thankfully. The all local liquor is clearly hand picked for quality. I've come here for drinks and a few snacks and really enjoyed the drinks here. Again, crafted with care, just like the food. The staff seems to really care about your experience and the food presented. I've never had poor service here. They give excellent advice on the menu if you're stuck. Ned Ludd is fast becoming my favorite restaurant. If you care about quality food and want quality service from folks who care, enjoy Ned Ludd.

    (5)

  • Duncan N.

    I do not go out "fine dining" that often. Not that I do not like it, but rather I have other priorities in life at the moment. Thing is this has made me kind of a snob- When I go out to eat and spend money, I expect to be wowed, not just enjoyable but an epiphany on my palate. I was part of a party that attended Ned Ludds' price fixe dinner for Christmas eve, and I was wowed, Like a chorus of angels singing in my mouth. When I had the meat course I almost said "praise Jesus" without irony for the first time since about age nine. Really it was that good. The staph were super friendly but not intrusive, the kind of "good service" that is so common on the east coast but not so much out here. The hostess kind enough to put up with our reservation antics, and the stilton cheese on the cheese plate.... sigh. I dreamed about that stilton last night. It was a vary good dream.

    (5)

  • Vincent W.

    For the price, I was a bit disappointed in what they had to offer. The portion size was ok for the price compared to comparable priced places nearby. I found the blend of flavors average as best. The seating arrangements are kinds tight which means you are very close to other people. I would suggest making a reservation because the restaurant is very small. I plan to go again someday and I hope this experience was a fluke because it came highly recommended from several foodies in Portland.

    (2)

  • Thomas B.

    Keep Portland Weird!!! Weird restaurants help. Was up in Portland for a wedding. Was told this was the new HOT place. Funny how people will rave about a restaurant once it has a cult following. I found the interior bordering on insanity. "How can we be over the top spending as little as possible?" The restrooms looked like they were assesorized from Goodwill. How much chautsky does one need in a restroom. The decor was definitely different but not good. For pricey tapas the food was just OK. I certainly had better on this trip. The presentation was average. Not the best dining experience. However, I did have the best barbecued chicken sandwich of my life off a food cart at 9th and Alder called Eat This. Huge, tasty and $6.50.

    (2)

  • Wolf L.

    Hmmmm, kind of pricey for what you get--that's my opinion anyway. Interesting decor. The pickle plate was...also interesting. Seemed a bit like something my Aunt Edna would whip together for surprise company. I don't know. I was really trying to like the place but nothing seemed particularly awesome to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a cheapskate. I'll pay top dollar for a fine dining experience, but I need to feel like I got my money's worth when I'm slogging back out the door. Ned Ludd didn't do it for me.

    (3)

  • Annette C.

    Oh, yes. This place was freaking delicious. The cheese plate was decadent and wonderful. The small plates we had were all tasty, particularly the carrots with cumin. Wow. It was so simple, yet the flavors were immaculately balanced; the experience of eating it was out of this world. We had the bigger plate of trout, which was the least impressive of the set, but it was still pretty darn good. The ambiance is rustic, super cute and homey. I imagine it would be a great place for a date. They have homemade lime soda (and they don't hold back on the lime), and a nice selection of beers, as is to be expected in Portland.

    (4)

  • Diana B.

    Had a great brunch first experience at Ned Ludd today. Went there via a suggestion from a coworker and it was rather tasty! A lovely mirage on MLK, this quaintly decorated spot is slightly hidden if you don't know where to look. We had the mushroom & kale ragout (a suggestion from the waitress) and the french toast. Both were absolutely amazing, even if portions were slightly small by our crazy American indulgent standards. We ordered a mimosa (seemed pretty heavy on the OJ, but I guess my heavy hand is a bad judge) and a 3$ cup of coffee that comes with only 1 refill (5$ for bottomless). After 1 cup however, the waitress told us we couldn't have a refill because of a hot water issue. Soo.. I'm wondering.. does that mean one cup is only $1.50 then? Seems kind of counterintuitive and subpar, though the Guatemalan roast was good. All in all, a good spot to check out ever so often if you want to skip the crazy long waits common with Portland brunches. Prices were moderate (maybe slightly high for some of amazing places there are around here) but I do have to say the Ragout was ridiculously amazing.

    (4)

  • Bob U.

    Went as a party of 4 and made reservations through yelp (super quick and easy). We were quickly seated and had a round of cocktails that were good and started ordering the food. We decided to do a family style, food sharing meal and the server was more than helpful in helping us choose. She was there when we needed her and didn't hover. The food was fantastic (who knew that pork skin noodles were tasty?) and the ambiance was pleasant. We'll definitely be going back.

    (5)

  • Tzook R.

    Natural, earthy, sustainable... WHOLESOME! A pleasant and tasteful evening!!

    (5)

  • Amy A.

    So my folks are immigrants, refugee immigrants, the kinda folks who fled their native country with the clothes on their backs, literally. So I grew up really pragmatically, like everything you did had to be very practical, cost-effective and prudent. Basically, I grew up thinking that Sizzler was the end all of fine dining. No joke. But I used to watch a lot of television, and would dream about eating at "fancy" restaurants like the ones that my favorite sitcom stars dined at (excluding "The Max"). But I grew up to slum it out in the non-profit ghettos and was a volunteer abroad for years and thus, leaving me without the expendable income to enjoy such things like very fine dining. Then I met a boy, who also happens to be a vendor to Ned Ludd, and he loves to work on trade. And thus began my foray into this artisan menu. Insanely delicious. From the butter lettuce salad, charred scallions to the spiced hen leg to the ruby trout. With the entrees, expect the meat to be uber-tender, falling off the bone-like. The service is totally on-point and not imposing or aloof. I sat across the boy during our first visit, and just went on and on about how much I used to love Sizzler and never imagined that I would eat at restaurants where you don't order off a menu that's tacked on a wall with accompanying photos. Thank you Ned Ludd for bringing me closer to the American dream- the pursuit of yumminess.

    (5)

  • Mark T.

    Always a comfortably wide range of delectable and creative menu options. Love the local sourcing of seasonal, incredibly fresh, delicious ingredients. All the great connections with local farms makes for some wondrous vegetarian dining. Very comfortable ambience, and attentive/knowledgeable service. Would prefer a couple more wine options.

    (5)

  • S J.

    I am still unsure of what to think, but I am not rushing back. Have you ever heard a movie described as "oscar bait?" I think this place is the restaurant equivalent. I have to admit that European food (NOT Italian, French or Spanish) evokes no emotion in me. The charcuterie board was A+. Every item was excellent and was clearly prepared with love. The roasted potatoes were great, although I'm pretty sure the sambal oelek was straight from the jar. The other dishes were good, but not overly memorable. Problem time- the server/bartender... whoa. Not only did he not smile, he never even threatened to smile. His hipster "game" was unappreciated. Sure, he had game. I get it. I could tell by the plastic (probably non-prescription) glasses. I felt almost embarrassed to smile around him. I was not going to let him bring us down though, we were out to have a fun night. The decor is awesome, but seems suspiciously well-arranged. It feels contribed and over-calculated. I surely felt transported... but I had no intention of visiting the fabulous home of an old gay logger.

    (3)

  • Steph C.

    I should probably preface this review by saying that the my dinner-mate was not nearly as enthused with the food here as I was- and I probably would've given this 3.5 stars (if you could do that). Let's get the easy stuff out of the way: the service here is top-notch. Friendly, totally unpretentious, took the time to explain the menu to me and made some helpful recommendations. The atmosphere can definitely be described as "kitschy," with an assortment of wood/lumber around for decorative purposes. The food is where it gets a bit complicated. Overall, I enjoyed my meal, but there were a couple of misses. Started with the flat bread, which many have raved about. I just found it a bit too oily and salty for me- would probably have been better off ordering the pickle plate. The charcuterie plate was awesome- obviously one of their specialties. Good mixture of stuff- including two types of bacon (duck and pork) which were melt in your mouth good. The summer vegetable plate was good- you could taste the freshness in the vegetables, but like the bread, the veges seemed a little bit too oily. In terms of mains, we ordered the hen, which very well done. Tender and tasty- it actually reminded me a lot of turkey dish. The accompanying mash potatoes accentuated the "thanksgiving" theme for me. The pork shoulder was fairly tasty- but actually a little bit tough for my liking. Dessert was a anise panna cotta with peaches, which was good.

    (4)

  • mafe P.

    Yumm!Yumm! Pickled Oregon strawberries... enough said.

    (5)

  • H O.

    +: Good pickle plate. -: Meat pie and MLK traffic for your view. !: Cozy interior. ?: Move the seats or block the view with plants???

    (4)

  • Jason W.

    I had the pork here and it was over a bed of marinated grape leaves with a braised apricot on the top. It was splendid in flavor combinations and texture. One of the best pieces of meat I have ever had. Don't go here if you're a vegetarian though. My wife could only eat one thing on the menu and it was a $15 glorified side of vegetables. This is a meat lovers paradise however.

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    So after working the 40-hour white-collar thing and hating it, I've thrown myself into is the world of fine dining. My frontline experiences have colored my view, certainly, and have made me a more understanding guy when it comes to the truth that this stuff ain't easy. So when I called Ned Ledd early in the week, left a message, and didn't get a call back, I figured they'd get it. I wasn't going to be the guy that called and called, desperately. They indeed got a table for three reserved for us, and we were sat in the far left corner of the restaurant. I think this is a pretty sweet spot, right next to the open kitchen. All the food comes out right behind you, and you can take in the entirety of the tiny, amazing, unique space. We got the spring radishes, the arugula with speck, and the charred raabes, of which the charred raabes were the most remarkable. Just unbelievable, actually. Texture, smokiness, appetizing quality. Get these. For main dishes, we got the mussels, lamb, and hen. I wasn't actually super enthused by the mussels or the lamb. Both were tasty, but that broth was not slurp or soak worthy, which is a total necessity in this situation. The lamb was cooked really well, and the person who ordered it loved it, but I just couldn't get past a few minute off-flavors. The hen was sublime, and the veggies accompanying all of our plates were just so well done. Our server was awesome, explained things well, and was neither somber or ebullient. Working this gig makes me realize that calm, un-fake, and un-forced is the only way to keep the inherent zaniness of the gig from getting to you. She was the portrait of this. Nice work. We also got the dessert option mentioned most, the smores. They were tasty, and yes, they weren't as chocolately as they could have been. I don't think people realize that really good chocolate isn't cheap, so you're not going to get much for a $4 more, sorry. The chocolate tasting plate was also good, and yes, spendy. I found at least two I can dream about. At the end of the night I came around to the fact that the Roots and Shoots entree was probably the best thing in the place, and I didn't get it. I will try that the next time. This place is worth a visit if only for the fact that the guy running things in "back" has the restaurants' logo tatooed to his arm. Also: extra points for the ridiculously awesome tap-list. Two The Breury sours on-tap at once when I was there. Wow.

    (4)

  • Nicholas C.

    Call me Country... What a great experience. I felt as if I had been transported to a prohibition era 'speak' standing at the bar drinking some foreign flavored bourbon. The atmosphere continued to impress I was seated next to the wood burning oven operated by a very friendly Mr. French. My meal began with one of the most well flavored charcuterie boards in town, and that is saying something. The cod entree was amazing on the palette, however it was a little over souped for my liking. I could not continue onto dessert as my buttons had popped, however I cannot wait to return for something surprisingly sweet.

    (4)

  • Corey F.

    We went to Ned Ludd expecting to be blown away and left with our hair only slightly mussed. Perhaps we created a standard impossible to reach but the food left us feeling a little flat. The flat bread (oh yes i did) was delicious and already on the table, ordered by our friends that arrived earlier. The cocktails were nice: stout, tasty and made from lots of ingredients I couldn't pronounce (always a good sign in Portland). However, when asked if we knew what we wanted to eat, I mentioned that I like to take things slow, nibble on smaller plates and make decisions on main courses after a little conversation. In response, I was told that we needed to know at that moment in order to prevent stressing the kitchen. Not a bad rationale but one I've never heard before and I was surprised that it wasn't followed up with more explanation (eg. flow of a craft kitchen, single oven, whatever). Needless to say, I felt a little rushed and our server's impatience colored the rest of my Ned Ludd experience. Everyone at the table except me got the salmon and it looked amazing. Cooked to perfection in parchment bags, it was cut open at the table just prior to serving. I had the lamb chop. It was delicious, cooked medium rare and had excellent flavor but overall was a fairly fatty cut (where's the meat?). I took what I could and moved on. The initial small plates we started with served as our sides and to be honest, I can't remember anything too remarkable about them. The highlight of the evening was the bathroom decor. I think it's fun to check out bathrooms if they take you through a kitchen or other interesting part of a restaurant. Sometimes bathrooms are interesting. In this case, the bathroom was both feature and destination. Packed with cut wood, found historical objects and warm lighting, it was my favorite part of the experience. If you go, be sure to check it out. Overall, not the experience I was hoping for at Ned Ludd. If a bathroom is the most memorable part of a dining experience, it's not a good sign. The food was good, just not amazing. I may go back to try their brunch but with so many other restaurants to eat at in Portland, I may just keep moving down my list.

    (3)

  • yuki t.

    Actually not all food we ordered deserve 5-star, but I have enjoyed the whole experience every time I dined at this restaurant, and I appreciate their simple cooking method and flavoring style. Although I am not a vegetarian, I prefer their small oven-fired veggie plates over some of their heavier meat/seafood dishes. I give mussels and grilled pork belly (which I don't see on their menu any more) 3 star, but all others are 4+ star.

    (5)

  • K H.

    Wow what a meal. I went to college in Portland, but now live back in SF. My fiancé and I were in town for a visit, and had heard great things about it. It was a lovely warm Friday night. We walked into Ned Ludd and fell in love with the decor. Our cocktails were superb. We ordered the flatbread (oh the warm salty goodness), salad with duck egg (never thought of that amazing combo), trout (the best my NW born and raised fiancé has ever had), and the pork (perfectly cooked). It was one of the best meals we've ever had. In fact we talk about our next trip back to Portland so we can go back to Ned Ludd for dinner. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Ryan S.

    From the fresh ingredients and great flavor to the open atmosphere and friendly staff, this is PNW dining at its best. Ned Ludd is one of the best restaurants in Portland, and probably the most underrated. If you are thinking about going here, do it. You won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Richard P.

    I'm willing to try again, but I thought this place missed the brass ring on a couple of revolutions. OK. Pork Pork Pork. I made a joke to the chef about creating a desert made out of sugar extracted from a pig and he was not at all amused and I sensed a flaring temper being suppressed. Yuck. Whatever. Everybody wears glasses. Weird. Got the pork noodles and enjoyed the first couple of mouthfuls. Had no idea that the noodles were actually made of pig skin rendered into a soft gooey noodle. Fascinating. It did freak me out after a few more mouthfuls and I had to stop. They were tasty though. The puffy bread thing was adored by everyone and I thought it was a big miss. Underwhelming. The dessert was a chocolate chip cookie bake in a mini cast iron skillet .... cute.... but tasted cakey and overbaked. The cabbage salad with some kind of pork was good. I think the place is evolving and in a year or so it will be pretty darn good. I'm gonna wait. Comparing this place to Beast or Genoa, etc., is absurd. Not even in the same universe as Beast.

    (3)

  • Linnea M.

    Ned Ludd is awesome. No other word for it. Except maybe amazing. I went there last weekend with a group of 4. I made the reservation a couple of weeks ago...not sure if it's usually hard to get in or not, but it was full when we were seated. We shared several different things on the menu. To start we got the flatbread, a side of pork rillettes(yum!), the pickle plate(really great-apples, beets, celery, and other things, all pickled in their own way). Then it was on to the baby lettuce salad, which was light and refreshing, with herbs and a lemon vinaigrette dressing. My favorite was probably the creamed sorrel and spring greens on brioche toast-rich, but not too rich, a little earthy, with the crispy brioche...I've been thinking about it all week. I might need to recreate that one. We also had the mustard greens, which were done with a miso vinaigrette. Tasty, but it also had some sesame oil or something that was a little overpowering. On to the mains, we shared the veggie main and the pork chop. The vegetarian main was roasted root vegetables-carrots, beets with potatoes, fennel, herbs, and lemon. Outstanding. The pork chop was perfectly cooked, with some creamed kale that had little crispy bacon bits in it. Topped off with the rhubarb crisp for dessert and excellent beer and wine list, I can not wait to go back to Ned Ludd. The atmosphere is also great-rustic but elegant...kind of woodsy chic.

    (5)

  • Jenny Y.

    Ned Ludd is a great place to go for special occassions, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. We took our parent's here for our rehearsal dinner and wanted a restaurant that wasn't too noisy. Their food is delicious, creative, seasonal and the proper portion. Staff is always friendly. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Isabel N.

    While the food was good, it was not amazing. It was expensive. We spent $220 for 4 people. We did not go crazy on food and ordered two of their most inexpensive bottles of wine for the 4 of us. We had terrible service and the food took a long time to cook. Our service also knew nothing about wine and had nothing informative to share when we asked him any questions about the food or wine. Not many options for vegetarians (I am not a vegetarian). Very rich food. Cool atmosphere and building but not impressed at all. A shame that I wasted my money on this restaurant. Not sure why it has all the hype and why it made PDX Eater's top 38 list.

    (2)

  • Kody L.

    The ambiance of this place seems more Pearl than NE Portland. We were invited in after an employee saw us peeking inside, trying not to get noticed by anyone who worked there. We're smooth that way. The menu looked interesting enough -- very well-worded, for sure. As far as the flavor, it was just okay: The mussels were in a sauce that was way too sweet, but they were cooked better than most places. The pork chop was very fatty and tasted more bacony. The charcuterie board was good. I really love that they had smores on the menu. That takes balls. It also takes more chocolate than they gave us. When they add that missing chocolate, they'll have a must-order dessert. (They better read this part and change their ways!)

    (3)

  • Owen P.

    Ned Ludd describes itself as a Craft Kitchen, and I don't really know what that means, except "Delicious Food." We discovered it after a failed attempt to visit Belly on Saturday afternoon. Having just moved to Irvington, we're discovering the local gems, and Ned Ludd is definitely one of those. I had an amazing beet salad and the trout entree. My wife had the pepper soup and the grilled cheese on brioche. Our food was outstanding, and the apple soda I had as an accompaniment was delicious as well. I loved the decor: it's inside a corrugated sheet-metal building, but smells redolent of wood smoke. The interior has a country kitchen feel with exposed rough beams, stacks of knick-knacks, and a mural of Ned Ludd himself on his loom-smashing escapades. We came back later the next week with our 18-month-old daughter and her grandma in tow. Once again, the food was fantastic, and they were great at accommodating our child. Ned Ludd has been reviewed as "not good for kids," but she enjoyed the mac and cheese and the trout, and the staff gave us a table in the corner where she could tromp around on the bench seat without bothering other patrons. I had the braised lamb, which was stellar. We shared the mac and mornay, the polenta with pork, and the beets for starters. My mom had the stuffed trout, and my wife got the barley plate. For dessert, I'd recommend the apple pie. We also had the cookie plate and the poached pear, but the pie stood head and shoulders above the others. Pros: Delicious, fresh food; homey, comfortable atmosphere, attentive and accommodating service. Cons: None that I can think of.

    (5)

  • Perla C.

    I was taken here for lunch by a friend that gave me the tour of the garden out back before we went in. I was helped by great staff that was willing to do anything to make me enjoy my food. I was kidding around thinking they were to but they were not. I was happy to eat food that was cooked over fire. picked fruit and vegetables from the garden I just saw. The home made soda had so much flavor!! I have never been to a place that left you not only cleaning your plate but wanting to take some home to eat later.

    (5)

  • mary r.

    Had 4 friends visiting from NYC and SF, wanted to share the best PDX has to offer...Ned Ludd had to be on the agenda. It did not disappoint. The good: Everything thing! Walking in with a party of 6 on a weekend and recieveing a smile. Drinks were yummy Amazing food Great decor Perfect music (indluding the volume) Excellent Service Prices are incredibly low for the quality The only thing I would change, the pickles seem to have too much vinegar....oh if they stayed open until midnight...but that's a portland issue. Eat here, you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Kim T.

    This is a great little restaurant with such a cozy feel. It's getting busy enough that you should probably make a reservation. My recommendation is to order several of the small plates and share because you really can't go wrong here. We had the crispy potatoes, chicken wings and mac and cheese to start. The wings were to die for in a yummy mustardy sauce that wasn't overpowering at all. We shared a main course of the pork belly and it was the perfect way to end a meal full of comfort food on a stormy night. Perfectly cooked, melt in your mouth pork. Simply amazing. By that point I was too stuffed for dessert but will go back for their fresh out of the oven cookies and smores. The wine list is good and they now have a full bar as well. Great friendly servers and the two head cooks will be happy to strike up a conversation with you as they pull food out of the wood fire.

    (5)

  • Spencer M.

    Had early dinner with wife, aunt, and baby. Food and atmosphere were good, service was excellent. Best dish ordered was the trout. Mussels were "delicious" (according to wife). Cut of pork was too fatty for me. Will visit again soon.

    (4)

  • Benji B.

    This was one of the most delicious meals I've ever had. I'll keep this review short and sweet: eat here. Went with a big group and pretty much tried every item on the menu. Great selection of wine, and well-made food. Lots of flavor and great ingredients. Nice atmosphere, well designed, nice lighting. Yep.

    (5)

  • Laura H.

    I love a good meal and going out to dinner. I had high expectations of this place based on yelp and the fact that this is a hip Portland restaurant. In one word: disappointing. Super expensive for mediocre food. I would choose Grain and Gristle or Olympic Provisions to spend some money at any day over this place. The food was nothing special. I get super annoyed when a dish costs $18 and it is sub-par. I don't mind paying but I expect the foodie excellence that is the Portland dining scene. The pork belly wasn't cooked well, the mac n' mornay was unmemorable, the lamb sausage dish lacked presentation and wow. We ordered the cheese plate and they accidentally brought us the charcuterie board which looked amazing. They took it away and brought us our cheese plate so we didn't actually try it. The one plus were the cocktails. I guess I'd go back here for cocktails and a charcuterie since the ambiance was cozy and had fresh, seasonal decorations of greenery and pumpkins. After cocktails and ordering a bunch of items, we came to $36 per person for a mediocre meal. Cool place lacking the wow-factor for their dishes to justify the price.

    (2)

  • Lola C.

    Charming is the perfect word to describe this place. The decor is precious and just the tiniest bit campy, but not over the top. The service is warm and accommodating without being smothering. The food is excellent. We basically ordered everything off of the small bits menu and it was all tasty. I loved the cheese and charcuterie plates. The entrees were spot on. Hen with dressed greens: delicious. The potatoes with aioli were amazing. When we didn't touch one of the sides the server asked us what was wrong (way too acidic) and then whisked it away politely. We really enjoyed our night here.

    (5)

  • Suzanne F.

    Ned Ludd is my kind of place to take me, myself, & i when I want to take myself out for a Date Night. Because dammit! I'm worth it! Seriously, when out of town friends wanted to try either Ned Ludd or another very well known spot in town, I suggested the former. Then I remembered that everything is made in a wood-fired oven. It happened to be a day/evening in the mid 80's so I thought perhaps this was a rash choice...wrong! The new outdoor patio is wonderful! You'd never know you were next to ML King Blvd! The food is sublime! We shared several 'forebits' ~ the flat bread with Maldon sea salt & incredible olive oil; the radishes with sweet butter; & the pickle plate. Every single item was fresh, delicious, & simple. Then we opted for 3 choices on the 'kaltbits' section: a Little Gems salad with lardons, buttermilk dressing & croutons; broccoli rabe with boquerones & Parmesan; and finally a shinguku salad with chevre, basil, & radishes. I had no idea what this third choice actually was, so for those wondering, it's fresh chrysanthemum leaf...and it's really tasty! Our entree section, called 'warmbits' on the menu had all sorts of fabulous sounding offerings, tho' we limited ourselves to 2 - we shared some freshly dug spuds with aioli (honestly, potatoes do NOT get any better than these!), a ruby trout stuffed with leeks & fennel; and a ;pork & peas' plate - this particular night consisting of a massive pork chop with fresh garden peas, fennel, leeks, & radishes. A better dinner out I have yet to have in P-Town! I can say, without question, that this was the best dinner I have eaten since moving to Portland (with the exception of memorable meals at home). Drinks & wine were incredible - for those enjoying rose currently, may I strongly suggest the J Christopher, "Christo Irresisto", OR 2010?? Despite the corny name, it is amazing wine. We finished up with some beautiful panna cotta with rhubarb sauce, & a messy-but-amazing home made S'More. The chef came to chat & we had a great visit, our guests were deeply satisfied with the entire meal, and all of us felt happy. Perfect spot to bring someone you love. I might just take myself back there for a drink & snack, all by myself! PS I should state that the service was WONDERFUL! The wait staff were professional, helpful, friendly...pretty much everything I'd been taught to be when I worked in the Bay Area food business. It is not easy to find this level of competent service in Portland, so attention & accolades must be paid here at Ned Ludd. Thanks for a wonderful evening!

    (5)

  • Cheryl G.

    I love you, Ned Ludd. I love you for dinner. I love you for brunch. I wish I could even love you for lunch.

    (5)

  • Stacey A.

    Two words, one sweeping hand motion: SOOO BOMB!

    (5)

  • Abendigo R.

    My favorite restaurant in Portland and they put a bird on it. Everything is delicious and interesting. Risks are taken but not at the expense of the palate. You cannot go wrong here. Their cocktails are killer. They're snout to tail in every detail. It's Dr. Seuss meets Weston A. Price, Elmonzo Wilder's mom eating with Michael Bauer.

    (5)

  • Ryan S.

    I had a 6 course tasting menu this past summer before I moved to Portland and I've been dying to get back ever since. Quite simply the best food I've eaten in Portland yet! The atmosphere is comfortable and the food is cooked in an open air kitchen so you see exactly how the food is prepared and who cooks it for you!

    (5)

  • May W.

    I was disappointed with this place given the amount of publicity it has received. I thought the food was overpriced for quality. We had the flatbread which I thought was overcooked. The pickle plate was interesting as there was a variety of pickled items, but otherwise unimpressive. I had the Ruby trout which was tasty and well cooked, but could have done with less fennel to allow the natural trout flavours to come through. I did like the ambience however- very cozy and warm.

    (3)

  • Heidi J.

    My husband and I just discovered Ned Ludd. And we LOVE it! It has a wonderful and friendly staff, a fun and interesting decor and delicious food! We liked it so much on Thursday, that we came back Saturday morning and tried their brunch. We are very happy with Ned Ludd and plan to return. We hope you'll try it out, too!

    (5)

  • ThreeWordReviews ..

    Wood fired everything

    (4)

  • Steve F.

    Ned Ludd's icon is a large axe, and their menu is replete with meat, although the current menu is not posted online so one must be a bit brave in dining here. The outside is a big, shiny steel structure that looks like a big greenhouse, or a shed. Inside, it's all rough-hewn wood, and the contrast is sudden. It's a small place, with seating for maybe 50; make reservations. It looks like there is a nice outdoor patio for when the weather is warm. While there are a couple of vegetarian options on the menu, Ned Ludd is mainly about the meat. The charcuterie here is a rustic presentation, in keeping with the setting, but nothing homely about the food. Big wooden board of pâté, foie gras, really good pickled rhubarb and picked carrots, some sliced meats...I could probably have eaten just this, but we both wanted more, so we went on to the entrees. I got the pork belly with turnips; She went for the terrine of...well, some sort of dead animal, served over a bed of green leafy bits. The terrine was great; basically a bigger slice of some of the stuff that had been on the charcuterie plate. The pork belly was okay, but only because I am a pork belly fan. It was grilled without having been slow-cooked at all, so the meat was a bit stiff and the fat not rendered at all. Downcheck on the pork belly, but big upcheck on the charcuterie. Dessert: oh my, definitely save room for the s'mores. The last time I had s'mores was probably...well, never, not ever having been a Girl Scout. A s'more, I am lead to believe, is usually two graham crackers with chocolate and marshmallow in-between, and heated. These s'mores were a graham cracker on top of a slightly melted marshmallow, on a plate, drenched in Xocolatl de David chocolate. Heavenly good, I'd trade a bunch of merit badges for an order of this again. Scoop it all up with the side of the fork. Final score: solid 4 out of 5, and likely a 5 next time when I order something other than the pork belly.

    (4)

  • Amy C.

    I went back to Ned Ludd last night and while the menu was completely different from my last visit, the food was just as delicious and the service was great. We took our sweet time (occupying the table for 3 hours!), but our server was patient and appropriately attentive. Between the three of us we enjoyed 3 starters, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, a bottle of wine, a beer and a lemonade for $90 bucks not including the gratuity. Even if you are feeling the pinch as many of us are, I think you will appreciate that Ned Ludd is the total package; great food, service AND a very enjoyable "dining experience". Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Daniel P.

    This unexpected highlight of North Portland may not jump out at you as you drive by (it's quietly hidden in plain view next to Wayne's), but makes a big impression from the moment you step in. The atmosphere is as warm and inviting as the wood fire oven that cooks the food at Ned Ludd. The staff are courteous, personable and know their food, which they are happy to discuss with you. They were happy to make arrangements with me to make my dinner special for an occasion, but I found that the restaurant's natural ambiance, assortment of delicious foods and wines, and overall presentation made the experience a unique experience without any special dressing up. You'll want to bring a bit of money to eat at Ned Ludd- not because it's expensive, but because you'll want to sample from every section of the menu. We ended up spending just over $70 for our dinner, which included several courses, drinks, and dessert. You'll be surprised at how far your money can go here, making it not only a perfect place for a date, but a perfect place to feel like you're splurging while sticking to your budget.

    (5)

  • kevin c.

    Went for dinner. Blown away.

    (5)

  • sean b.

    Worthwhile, if you can find it. It's tucked away off MLK and easy to miss if driving. I disagree with Jason's "don't go here if you are vegetarian" comment. Our crew was mostly vegetarian, and though the veggie side dishes were a little overpriced, there were quite a few tasty vegetables and salads to choose from. The spring onions dish, as simple as it sounds, was amazing...as was the butter lettuce salad. Roasted beets were nice. The fennel-stuffed trout is DELISH. Local, seasonal, and everything is cooked in the wood-fired oven.

    (5)

  • Regina I.

    So this review is way over due. I have to say Ned Ludd was one of the best food experiences I have had in a restaurant in Ptown. I am a foodie and I know quality service, presentation and food when I see it, experience it and taste it. The pickled veggies are like non other and the flat bread well i could go on about that for days. I have honestly walked past this place about a 100 times and didn't stop until last month and now I see why there is never any parking spots in the evening time. The decor is so eclectic as well. Makes you almost feel like you are visiting some great country cabin inn at the mountains. The food was outstanding and I loved the french pressed coffee for dessert....I bow and curtsy to the creator of this taste bud tantalizer....AMAZING......

    (5)

  • Elia U.

    Ate dinner there last night and was so impressed with the food! It was delicious and straight from the wood-fired oven. The flat bread to start, was amazing, and then the squash and trout was almost equally as good. I had a Mulberry Gimlet made with mulberries hand-picked by the chef/owner in Canada last summer, the bartender said. The decor is cute and half log cabin, half hipster style. Pretty cool that they chop wood in front too. For dessert, I had a s'more. Perfectly toasted and melty. At least if you're going to leave smelling like a campfire, ending the meal with a s'more is completely appropriate.

    (4)

  • Thi S.

    Aside from being a local neighborhood spot for me, the food is great! My husband, daughter and I shared the charcuterie board, a couple of small plates, duck entree and the pork entree. This was too much food, but we felt like we needed to try as many dishes as we could. Never hurts to have leftovers. We enjoyed the friendly service just as much as the food!

    (4)

  • John B.

    The best dining experience I've ever had.

    (5)

  • T M.

    Ned Ludd's brunch was amazing!! And I thought LA was a brunch town... Ned Ludd put most eastside restaurants to total shame. Fresh, organic ingredients, decent prices, delicious bloody marys, and a great staff. Delightfully rustic in ambiance. I could babble on and on, but it'll just sound redundant. Next time i'm in Portland Ludd's will be on the agenda.

    (5)

  • Julia S.

    So delicious! You must try the charred Brussels sprouts and the meat hand pie. Also had the lamb chops which were huge portions for a totally reasonable $18 or so. The one very weird thing that other posters have commented on was the reservation process. I called and asked for a table for 6 for dinner. Was told that I'd have to be there by 6:30. We got a confirmation call, but they had somehow associated my reservation with a completely incorrect callback number. (How they managed to reach me in the first place is beyond me). The Ned Ludd employee then assumed there must be 2 parties for 6 wanting to come in on the same day and time, and both listed under my not common name. Because he couldn't possibly fathom that this was simply an error or mis-communication on their, we had to come in early - 5:45. Imagine our frustration at watching our other table for 6 sit empty for over an hour before they finally realized that the second "Julia, table for 6" wasn't going to be coming on that Tuesday night.

    (4)

  • Leslie D.

    An eclectic dining experience. When you first walk in the decor seems strange but it grew on us and was fun and different. Open kitchen is also fun. It was a challenge to select the right number and combination of plates for 4 people especially as we were planning to share sort of family style. Some menu items were very unique and that felt daunting at first but the food was deliciously prepared and we liked everything; some more than others. The only downside is that the portions really are small- although not over priced. The service was very attentive with each dish being delivered at the perfect time. Oddly, the only thing that was slow was delivery of our check. Wine list needs work. Would we go back again? The trouble is that there are so many restaurants to try in Portland and this food was good but nothing Id be dying to go back for, partly because if not dining family style the entree selection is extremely limited, and the portions small.

    (3)

  • Aaron M.

    I find the whole "farm to table" thing a bit precious. It can divert the diner from the question of whether the food actually tastes good. Are the recipes good? Is the seasoning flavorful or are we merely meditating on the purity of the kale? Ned Ludd has convinced me that farm to table and great cooking aren't mutually exclusive. The food at Ned Ludd was wonderful and at prices that no one from the East Coast (where I'm from) would believe. We began with the homemade pickles and flat-bread. Delicious. The "hen" and lamb entrees were revelatory. And who says chicken is boring? Simple, moist and flavorful. A side of carrots was amazing. Great selection of wine and beer. Desserts, s'mores and a berry cobbler, were wonderful. I'm now a Luddite!

    (5)

  • Liz K.

    Love this place! What a unique and creative spot, both the food & decor. Food was exceptional - a fresh grilled pork with a creamy cabbage that was to die-for. Pate, cheeses, fresh grilled veggies - we tried so much on the menu as a share thing with our table and it was amazing! One of my favorite restaurants in PDX.

    (5)

  • David M.

    I cannot say I loved the food, but I certainly did love the atmosphere and the service. the food just didn't have much flavor. I will definitely try it again as it seems my experience was different than other yelpers who have given highly favorable reviews - perhaps I went on an off night?

    (2)

  • Chelsea S.

    Amazing and delectable experience here recently. Love the rustic setting and wood-fired oven. Memorable dishes include thinly sliced smoked duck bacon over greens, a fresh chick pea and chick weed salad, creamed smoked trout with potato and apples, and so much more...The hot toddies and s'mores (yes s'mores!) rounded it out to be the most perfect and delicious meal I've had in a long time. Affordable mid-range prices, considering the quality of their cuisine. The wait staff is a cut above as well - it's clear that everyone working there is proud of the excellent food they are serving, as they should be.

    (5)

  • Debbie Y.

    I wish I could say our company was also 5 star. But aside from that the food was delicious. My husband and I shared a white bean salad and then I had the lentils, squash and kale. The flavors were amazing. My husband had the pork chop and loved it. I did try some trout and it was also very good. The restaurant is fairly small and reservations I would think would be highly recommended. I did see them turn away a couple who did not have a reservation. Very cute place, friendly staff. Liked it better than Lincoln. Also close to 5th Quadrant if you desire a drink before or after dinner.

    (5)

  • Deanna E.

    Ned Ludd is super sexy. It's pdx food to a T. My friend has a crush on the owner, but that's another story. I think it's because he's standing in front of that pizza oven all the time. Heat from the coals and such. Back to the food: I'm a big girl, so I know food. And hair, I know good hair. Ned Ludd has good food and good hair. Really freaking cheap for the high end feel you get. Definitely a date place. I took my parents who live in Po Dunk Banks, OR and they loved it too. Honestly. you're only going to spend about 60 bucks for the night, I mean, a bottle of wine is like 20 bucks there. Amazing. I think Pistil Nursery did their inside flowers. Love that. Go there. Eat the food. Love it.

    (5)

  • Lisa C.

    The food is 3 1/2 stars, but our amazing server deserves 5 for her attentiveness and great personality. If you go there I hope you get her- she is a super cute curvey blonde but I cannot remember her name for the life of me! We shared a lot of the food on the menu since we had 7 people. We got the flat bread which was Meh. The pickeld veggies were delicious but VERY small portions. Sorry, but rhubarb is not all that expensive and neither is zucchini- can we have a few more than 3 paper thin slices of it? Oh well, I am a pig so sue me... The smoked Trout salad... YUM!! I could have eaten a huge salad of that for my main entree. It was absolutley delish and the lemony dressing on the greens was a perfect compliment. Order it. The charcuterie plate was, of course, fabulous although I limited my tasting on that one. Not a huge meat eater. Through the whole meal our wonderful server was right there, going through practically every item on the menu with us. She also translated the cocktails for me since it was a little hard to imagine how some of them would taste. I loved the one she suggested for me to get, but I can't recall what it was called. I think it had Rye, grapefruit, vermouth and something else in it. It was very good. The trout entree was amazing and so was the lamb. OMG. The trout is pretty salty, but it is supposed to be like that. The brine or whatever it is adds to the crispiness when it is cooked. The flesh was flaky and amazingly fresh and flavorful. My dad had the lamb and I did not try it, but everyone else did and they were all freaking out about it. My cousin got the pork and to me it looked kind of Meh, but he liked it. I got the Hen and honestly, was not all that impressed. I was expecting it to be tender and kind of charred from the oven, but it didn't seem like they had tenderized it at all so it was a little rubberry and the skin, although brown on the outside, had not really crisped up to how I would have liked it. Another note on the service- once we were seated it was great but we did have a little wait at the bar and nobody ever bothered to ask if I wanted a drink. I was standing there for a minimum of 5 minutes so I think that is a little rude. I was really craving a glass of wine. We ordered one of each (4) of the desserts and we all split them. My favorite was the panna cotta with blueberry topping. This place can get VERY EXPENSIVE if you are not careful, especially if you order a ton of appetizers so watch out. I will definitely be back and will have a better idea of what sorts of things to get next time. Reservations RECOMMENDED

    (4)

  • Cheyenne T.

    I live a couple blocks from this wonderful restaurant. I'm a lucky, lucky girl. Usually I come with friends, solo, or with my husband. The other evening I brought my three-year old. What wonderful service we received. Don't think I agree that it is not a good place to bring kids. We went on the very early side--as I believe that most people dining with young kids should--and they went out of their way to make us comfortable. Brought some kid-friendly snack right away (mmmm...grapes and almonds and pickles). Even spread the elbows-and-mornay out in a shallower pan than normal so it would cool quickly for my toddler. Bravo!

    (4)

  • Vanessa M.

    Oh Em Gee. I'd heard good things about this place from credible sources and I'd wholeheartedly agree with all of them and my reasons are many... 1) The service. Our server, while new, was knowledgeable, attentive, and unobtrusively entertaining. Not only that, but he was kinda cute ;-) 2) Fresh, seasonal, simple, succulent. You know how sometimes you go to these places that get rave reviews, order your food and you're not sure exactly what it is when it comes to your table? Yeahno. Not here. The menu is designed and prepared in a way that highlights local and seasonal flavors of the food- fresh and wood-fired. My dinner was simple- dressed whole trout, fennel, and onions. Not huge, but I left more satisfied and with the flavor and feel of the food than most places I've gone. 3) Food sensitivities. This is a big one for me. While flavor, service, ambiance, and drinks all weigh most heavily, I'm Celiac and an establishment's ability to serve delicious food with an awareness of gluten, dairy, soy, etc is definitely an influencing factor in my review. For all of you dairy- and gluten-free kiddos out there... Mark this down as another great place to go with lots of options and attentive staff. I'd say that about 75-80% of the menu (excluding the beer) was safe for me. And I didn't even have to special order anything and feel like a pain in the ass or fear the chef spitting in my food. That's huge! 4) Drinks. I'd go here for happy hour/drinks/dessert. Hell yeah. Some creative and tasty concoctions that I've not seen anywhere else. Yes and yes. So the verdict (if you couldn't tell by now) is go here. You will not be sad that you did. Oh, and if they have pork bellies, you really must get them. The end.

    (5)

  • Peter B.

    Outstanding meal, great service, somewhat expensive but well worth it.

    (5)

  • eve a.

    Our dinner at Ned Ludd was one of those experiences where everything comes together to create a very memorable evening: the service was great, the food and drink was great, and the company of our friends was great. Our server Jess was on target during our whole meal. She was knowledgeable and informative. It was the first time there for all of us, and Jess gave us the run down on the menu and let us know her personal favorites. We started with the charcuterie and pickle plate, which I highly recommend ordering together, along with the flatbread. Go with a few people you are comfortable sharing with so you can try more things. We ordered 11 dishes for 4 people and were very satisfied at the end of the meal. We'll be back for the next special occasion.

    (5)

  • Lyska M.

    Wow! Everything I've had here is delicious! That oven they put everything into turns food into magic! It's crazy cute inside too... romantic.

    (5)

  • D H.

    This place is pretty special. Have visited Ned Ludd now on 3 occasions and found 3 completely different menus. This may be a set back for some places, but not here. The servers are super fun and know their stuff. On our first visit, the owner and main chef (I think he said Jason?) introduced himself and chatted us up as we finished up our meal and filled us in on the back story of this place. The food is all cooked "low tech" in a wood burning stove and is a testament as to the chef's abilities. Portions are not huge, but very reasonably priced. A lot of French influence on the menu, but by no means could this place be pigeon-holed. Very unique. My current favorite restaurant in Portland. I

    (4)

  • Tracy T.

    Good, great, excellent! Love that everything is made in the beautiful wood fire stove that is displayed as you walk in the door. Will be back. The bartender Micah was informative on the specialized drinks they had and went out of his way.

    (5)

  • Michael H.

    After reading the reviews, I expected much more. First, this is not a date place. It is loud and the tables are packed closely together. The food was just that - food. We ordered the kale and brussel sprouts for appetizers. Kale was good and had a good balance. The sprouts were somewhat charred and the spices were in there somewhere. It was difficult to taste anything other than something hot to the mouth. For the main, we ordered trout and sole. Trout was fair to good at best. Sole, I prefer the menus description to the actual meal. There was no flavor in the watered down cream on top of a tasteless sole. This entree was extremely bland. And finally the wine, the fancy names on the list are only to intrigue you to spend money. The cork on our bottle broke in two and there was plenty of sediment in the bottom of the bottle and hence in the glass. There has to be better places in Portland to enjoy a date night AND FOOD.

    (1)

  • David R.

    I was better than 2 stars but not good enough to get three. The food was pretty good. The wait staff was nice. The atmosphere was interesting. The seats were extremely uncomfortable. For desert: a $4 S'more sounded like a fun idea, but it was difficult to eat, and better in concept than reality.

    (2)

  • Domenic C.

    After a whirl wind eating and exploring trip through Portland, my girlfriend and I concluded the dinning part of our trip at Ned Ludd. Suggested by more than a few people, I was extremely nervous that it wouldn't live up to the hype. I was way wrong. Not only did it live up to it, but it surpassed it. The waitstaff even laughed at my incredibly corny jokes, even though they were not funny. We tried 6 different plates on the menu, sticking with all apps so that we could taste as much as possible without going over our budget and also not stuffing ourselves too much. The Lil Gem salad was outrageous, the chickweed and cherry salad was equally as good. White legged Prawns with Padron peppers was really nice and the shells were thin enough to eat as well. We are from New Orleans so we also sucked the juice out of the heads. Yeah, people were staring, but thats how your supposed to eat them. The charred brassica(broccoli) was really good also. The last things we ate were the Pork noodles with braised hen and the olive oil poached cod. Really really good. For dessert we got a skillet baked choco chip cookie that had sea salt on top that I burned my mouth on 2-3 times cause I wasnt patient enough to let it cool because it was soo good. Our server was supper nice and helpful and in no ways pushy. I think they might have been a little slow that night, so there was none of the problems that I have seen on other yelp reviews about timing being slow or two fast. I would go back there once a month if I lived in Portland. Well done!

    (5)

  • Brandi M.

    Great place. The food is excellent, creative and quality yet accessible (nice but not haute cuisine). Love the vibe and aesthetics. Service is also great.

    (5)

  • Diane P.

    My dinner tonight at Ned Ludd was transporting. One of those magical lovely evenings when everything comes together perfectly. There were five of us, Friday night. We called and they said they'd have a table in an hour and a half. We just showed up anyway; we were seated in 45 minutes. We stood at the little bar in the middle of the room and had cocktails and bites. I had a most unusual cocktail, called A Drink Named Steve (or something like that). Green tea-infused grappa, cream, and sugar. It sounded too strange not to try (I'm crazy like that). It was indeed strange- and strangely delicious. There was also a drink with hazelnut infused cognac, sparkling. I didn't try it, but it gives you an idea of the offbeat creativity at work here, at least behind the bar. Kudos. The bites were: Flatbread: served puffed up, like poori but baked, not fried. A hint of sugar. Fantastic. Cheese board: good. Three cheeses, brown bread, pears, and pickled apples (!) Olives: a bit scant. Pickle plate: an assortment of pickled vegetables: green beans, beets, red onions, and some other stuff. Oh yes. Just in time to finish these, we were seated. The wine list is limited, and they seem to have some fascination with rieslings. We had two bottles of riesling and a chardonnay, which was oddly sharp-edged. We initially thought it was bad, but they told us it was supposed to be that way. They were very gracious about it, and offered to get us something else; but we're not swine, if it's not corked or off, we'll drink it. It grew on us nicely. Our server was personable, attentive, and professional. The staff come off initially as hopeless hipsters, but our server was just great. No attitude, not intrusive, paid attention to my quickly emptied water glass; really all you could want. I've been a bartender for many years, and am both very forgiving but very picky about my service. They got it right. First course (we shared everything): Cauliflower: OMG. Dreamy. I don't remember all the ingredients, but there were olives in there. And some sort of creme fraiche-y thing drizzled over. Absolutely divine. Butter lettuce salad: so bright and soft and crisp and lovely. Trout endive salad: this was a revelation. It was so vibrant, sparkly. Lemony. Everything was at the height of freshness. Don't miss this one. Or the butter lettuce. Roasted brussels sprouts: just right. Fantastic. Also as fresh as could be; that could be discerned even after roasting. Meat pie: I didn't eat it (don't do the meat, myself), but it got groans from the participants. Mac n' cheese: fine. Second course: Beef thingie: again, didn't partake. No comments, but looked good. And smelled good. Trout: another OMG. Best thing on the table. A whole fish, blackened crisp skin, creamy goodness inside, on a bed of fennel/leeks(?) that was dreamy. We could not stop eating it. Winter vegetables with... cous cous? some grain: wonderful. Very slight curry note. Yum. I think that's it. The pacing was good, not too slow, not too hurried. The room is warm and inviting, with strange chandeliers that somehow worked. The kitchen is open, and I noted with pleasure that the cooks don't have to work under fluorescent lights. I hate those things. They were friendly and bid us farewell as we stumbled out into the chilly Portland night, all giddy and warmed in the belly and happy. I really can't say a bad thing about the place, and we all agreed that we couldn't remember a time when we walked out of a Portland restaurant and said "wow". We're kind of a spoiled bunch, though. Go.

    (5)

  • J R.

    Group of eight starved athletes looking for a delicious brunch in NE Portland after several long hours in the north Portland rain. Ned Ludd began as an optimistic suggestion and taste bud adventure that fell short of our imagination and our past Portland brunch experiences -- without dropping names. The Willamette Week restaurant guide classifies Ned Ludd as NW or wood fired oven cuisine -- yet, the menu was quite confusing to a table full of well traveled and starved diners. Was it french food or Irish food? The menu and decor of the restaurant was definitely not, NW -- especially not to a true NW native. We ordered an array of items on the menu: the french press cafe, the squash soup, granola and fruit, oven baked vegetable plate, polenta and gravy and the trout hash. Unfortunately, the trout hash arrived without the wheat toast and without the trout -- it was a portion that looked like leftovers from a half eaten plate returned to the kitchen. The trout plate has was then returned to the cook twice for trout and then ten minutes later the wheat toast was brought to the table. Not the best dinning experience to say the least. Our table then ordered the s'more and it arrived scorched and over done, but to their credit the dessert was gratis and they provided a second s'more to replace the burnt one. The idea of the wood fired stove is cute for tourists and people looking for a country kitchen feel or slow food experience, and the polenta and sausage gravy is definitely looked like something to write home about. However, this dinning experience was horrible and not to be forgotten. Although, for some reason several diners (not in our party) took the liberty to provide direct complements to the chef -- did we miss something. Unfortunately, our large group had nothing positive to take away from this experience or share with the man running the operation. Portland has far too many wonderful brunch and dinning experiences for Ned Ludd to provide such a sub-par and lack luster experience, especially to such a large and diverse group of diners. I do not recommend Ned Ludd for brunch.

    (2)

  • Molly H.

    I've eaten here twice and have loved it both times. It is a low key sort of place, very casual and relaxed. The menu is set up sort of oddly with a variety of "bits" or small plates and plats (entreés). I don't eat pork and unlike a lot of non-veg places in Portland the menu here is well balanced, as in only pork dishes had pork in them. The food is great- simply prepared and perfectly executed. Whatever creamed seasonal green they have on brioche is amazing (I've had spinach & sorrel variations). The salads (kaltbits) are very nice also. I've tried a few different plats and they were all very good. The mussels do not standout, but they're good- as mussels usually are. The food is well seasoned, not over-salted, and not too heavy. Great comfort food.

    (5)

  • scott l.

    Love this place. Service is great and the good is even better. Will come to NL over and over again.

    (5)

  • Valerie F.

    Yes! Woohoo! Amazing food and great cosy decor. Service was good. We had the roasted squash and flat bread and finished with the S'mores and Panna Coatta. We were very impressed especially it is close to home! We will be back!

    (5)

  • Eric P.

    First off, everything about the place was comfortable and appealing, a hidden gem off MLK that I'd heard of and driven past a million times and never been inside. Then the cocktails proved to be delicious, as did the little bits dishes that my two friends and I shared to afford us more breath in sampling the menu. The flavors were really remarkable, and everyone at the table was gushing, except for me. My dish was an aromatic triumph too, but alas, the 'pork leg' that I was served with apples and parsnips or some such root crop (also delectable) was apparently the pigs' knee that he damaged playing football in high school. About two pieces of bacon's worth of meat encased in gristle and a little fat, this should have never entered, much less left the kitchen. I have no idea what they were thinking. My bad though, I know the wait person was standing there expectantly, waiting for me to say something, because our eyes met at one point with a look that let me know that she knew that I was jawing my way through something only a grizzly is prepared to chew. I could have said something, but I wasn't that hungry, and why ruin everyone's night? My advice? Go here, eat and drink broadly of the menu. Send back the knee.

    (3)

  • Keri S.

    Great atmosphere. Smell of baked chocolate chip cookies waft thru this cozy space. Super service. Very nice about gluten restrictions. Small delicious plates. I wish my apartment was as cool as their bathrooms.

    (5)

  • S. N.

    I love Ned Ludd. The menu is always changing, they do AMAZING things with produce and the service is consistently great. I've been here at least a dozen times with my husband and/or friends and have always had a great time. And I love the bathrooms! They just fixed up the back bathroom and I could sit and eat in there it's so cute!

    (5)

  • Rob T.

    I ran across this looking for a nice place for a date with my wife. It was Monday night and I figured who needs a reservation, but I was wrong. 30 minute wait on a Monday night. The wait was well worth it. The beer selection is top notch (great Divide, Double Mountain, etc...) We had some flatbread and olives to start. Then had a beet salad (why don't i eat more beets this was great) and smothered greens (who new I 'd like green stuff) We finished off with a meat pie which was delicious. Can't wait for the next visit, there was so much good looking food to choose from

    (5)

  • Carrie A.

    Ned Ludd's is Portland's little gem: they totally get it. Comforting and stylish atmosphere; knowledgeable and well-experienced staff; fresh, flavorful foods; and a nice selection of beer and wines. Everything about this place is a pure delight - I can't say enough nice things about it. If you're looking for a night out where the quality of the food and service are a wonderful match, this is your place.

    (5)

  • Roger S.

    Pretty awesome. Get the thing with the duck egg on top. It will blow your mind.

    (5)

  • Detlev P.

    Amazing artisan foods prepared in the wood fired oven. Corsican white wine pairing recommended by our waitress was just right with the trout. A definite destination on a return visit to Portland. Prices were more than reasonable.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey B.

    The restaurant is small (only indoors was available, it looks like there's a sizeable outdoor area which I hope to return to soon to experience) but very comfortable atmosphere. Very nice beer/wine selections. There were four of us - the flatbread puffs up in the wood-fired oven and with the olive oil and salt was a great starter. All four appetizers were wonderful - I have never had a better fried (duck) egg. There are only a handful of entrees, but who cares when (we had four different ones between the four of us) they're all outstanding as well - not only the main protein but the accompanying greens/vege as well. Quality desserts finished a meal that was one of the best I've had in recent memory. Our server was delightful and timely. And who doesn't like water served in mason jars?

    (5)

  • Myron W.

    What an awkward situation for the fellow who greated us at the appointed hour. I called in the early PM to speak to NL's voice mail, asked for 7:15 pm, seating for 2 and included a call back number, said it twice to be sure. Then showed up on time and was told no reservation, no message received, machine on the blink, more like forgot to listen I think. The fellow was sincere though, did his best and provided two options: 1) wait an hour, or 2) eat in less than an hour before the 8PM reservation showed up for a table on hold. Now why would I do that? Be advised that there is a lounge type bar to have drink like reasonable people would do, enjoy a glass and wait patiently. However the bar appeared to be only for eating this night, two couples sitting there, maybe a five seater at most. What would you do? We went to Tasty n Sons, had a wonderful meal; see my review.

    (1)

  • Clark O.

    I've never felt more uncomfortable in my life. So here's the deal. Three for thirty. Don't participate in a promo if you really don't care "Ned". Ned Dudd indeed.

    (1)

  • Suzanne O.

    Ned DUDD. We could not have been more disappointed. We got there early with the idea of enjoying an appetizer and a nice beverage. Not only were the wait staff snooty, but they even ignored us. We tried a couple of appetizers. One--the roasted apricots--were not even ripe. We also had a fennel salad that was drenched with lemon juice--nothing tasty there. All in all, both dishes made us pucker up--they were simply sour. I don't get this place and definitely won't be back for more.

    (1)

  • Windy S.

    Came here with a friend who is a sous chef, so I let him do the ordering. Instead of the common bread starter, we got a plate of radishes (grown in house) with olive oil, salt and butter. Different, but good. Next up, the housemade charcuterie which was my favorite dish of the night. The bacon was pretty phenomenal. Next, tender greens with boquerones, lemon, olive oil, parsley. Very light, nice flavors. The last two dishes, the spicy pork smothered collard greens the the meat pie. The collard greens were really spicy and flavorful. The meat pie had a really nice flaky crust. For dessert we had the chocolate chip cookie smothered in cream. Very Rich and very bad for me! Overall a really solid meal. Everything is cooked from the wood fire oven. The space is pretty cool as well as the decor. Liked the bookcase with all the cook books. Service was good. Would definitely go back and try one of the actual main entrees.

    (4)

  • Dana S.

    I can't tell you if this place is worth the $$$ price tag because, this time, I didn't have to pay. HAH! What I will say is, this place is pleasing to ever sense. There are about a million little ornamental things around the open sunny room to looks at and admire. It's rustic and antiquity at the same time. The food is beautiful to look at. Presentation was wonderful. It was equally as edible as it looked and smelled. I went for bruch. I recomend brunch.

    (4)

  • akzidenz g.

    o m g. food here was so fresh and delicious. i got the fish and it was fantastic. no overpowering flavors, was seasoned delicately. everyone in our party of 15 was extremely satisfied and raved about the food. yummmm. would i return? not on my own dime, so good thing i came with the company!

    (4)

  • Jim G.

    Food is excellent and staff is great especially Jess! I'm going to have dreams about the pork, lobster & mushroom ragout!

    (5)

  • Rick W.

    We stopped into Ned Ludd early in the evening for a drink and a light snack. We received a drink and a light snub. Since we were the only people there we sat in the middle of the bar. We were asked to move down against the wall by a staff member and willing did so thinking other people were coming. Nope. It felt uncomfortable sitting in a corner and even moreso by the cold attitude of the staff.the bartener conversed with another staff member and glared at us like we were uninvited guests. Screw that! We left and went across town to 3 Doors Down, had a great meal and chatted with Matt, the bartender, who treated us like old friends.

    (2)

  • S. H.

    This is a great place for a special occasion dinner. I agree with the suggestion to make reservations and don't make plans for afterward. This place takes time--not in that the service isn't fast because I found it to be rather prompt, we just left after almost two hours of dining and were shocked that so much time had passed. Upon our arrival, all of the staff greeted us with smiles, even the cooks hard at work in the open kitchen, which was impressive. The wood-fired oven emits a wonderful aroma and the decor is charmingly rustic and cute, but not too much so. It is at once pretty rustic and elegant. With the lovely ferns growing on the tables and the mismatched chandeliers, I felt like an elven creature who had stepped into a magical woodland pub, but one with vaulted ceilings (think Shelley Duvall's Fairytale Theatre: Rumpelstiltskin when he is seen through the pub's window!). The seating is suffocatingly European, so beware of having almost no elbow room (which is made-up for in the ambiance and head space). Some of the dishes were fabulous and some felt like they were lacking something, but I should note that my date and I shared small plates instead of each ordering main courses: flatbread (simple, tasty, would have liked more of it), shaved celery, lemon, boquerones, dry jack (unbalanced citronette, but very refreshing and pleasantly fishy), smoked trout, endive, shaved fennel, lemon cream, chives (generously dressed, but seriously amazing), beets, greens, balsamic, hazelnuts (pleasing, but inconsistent doneness with some of the beets, however, they were roasted, so that can be difficult to achieve in mass quantities), curried cauliflower, pickled onion, yogurt (fabulous and just right), and a meat pie! What can I say? It was a little moist, flaky bundle of meaty joy. We finished off with a s'more and a chocolate chip cookie (made in a 6" cast iron pan!) both were wonderful. Overall, I feel that most of the food was priced appropriately and were served faster than I expected and in a flowing order. In the beverage department, I had a yummy sparkling wine and hazelnut-infused cognac apéritif that was outstanding and just my kind of thing. My date's mulberry gimlet was good, but not sweetened properly (at all, I suspect). Then we had a glass of the Quinta Do Correio, Do Mencia 2007 and one of the Domaine Mas de Martin, Cuvée Roi Patriote, Languedoc 2006. These were by no means "bad," I just don't comprehend why I was suggested the first choice with our plates because I asked for something acidic as well as tannic and got a pretty heavy wine that reminded me of an earthy Merlot. I enjoyed the wine, I just couldn't drink it with what I was eating because it clashed in my mouth. I want to be clear that our server was pleasant and polite and its not that I expect everyone to care as much about wine as I do, I just believe that if your job is to sell $60 bottles of wine, you should have a grasp on its basic characteristics and what foods each selection might go well with. Its common sense if you've ever had anything besides a bottle of ole Rossi. Am I right or am I being a douchebag? Probably both. Anyway, the poor guy couldn't pronounce any of the bottles, which I though was cute, but slightly degraded the fact that we were going all out, by my standards (okay, we're too poor to buy the whole bottle), and made it seem strange to pay for a glass of wine that I should have not consumed with that dish (I understand that doing pairings with small plates is a complicated undertaking, and he was tipped well because of his good attitude and service otherwise). He inquired as to whether we were pleased with our selections and I politely told him the Quinta do Correio wasn't my favorite and he offered to switch me out with another choice, which was professional and much appreciated. We finished the night with a little Amaro Nonino and Blanton's single barrel bourbon (both of which went amazingly well with the desserts, at our server's suggestion). I think it is possible to have a modest meal here and have heard of people spending $20 a person, but to really achieve what this place wants you to experience, I'm going to say $50/person if you have drinkers on your hands... I think the weaknesses of this place are few and far between and am sure that in time it will break itself in with the strong foundation it already has going for it. You should really check this place out.

    (4)

  • Edward J.

    WOW, everyone really loves this place. I love it too! I just don't fall addict to it like crack. So Ned Ludd is kinda in a weird location, near Belly along MLK near Alberta. From the outside it looks not much of a restaurant, but once you enter the brown curtained doors. Hm.... this place is really nice and fancy and gorgeous. I love how the entire restaurant is stacked with wooden logs (probably 'cause they have a brick oven, hint... its gonna be good). The waiter explains that the logs are actually apple trees. The logs will flavor the meat or bread as it is baked in the oven. The drink menu looks fairly creative, though I'm here for the food! I did order a glass of papaya nectar soda $5, kinda pricy but I like papaya. My friend and I ordered $4 flat breads, freshly baked on order from the oven. We also ordered a side of daily mashed cream special... turnip for the day, $7. A bit pricy but very delicious. The entrees... hm...plats... I got the Whole Trout stuffed with thyme, salt, pepper, lemon zests. The trout then is baked in the oven on top of mustard stem and relish. OH man... oh man... that apple wood definitely burnt into the skin of the fish. I ate that thing up. My friend being meat lover, she got the pork belly pot roasted with mushroom and marinated onion. That fat belly looks freak'n delicious. I wish I eat meat. I seriously wish I do. We didn't stop our adventure... we got dessert. Dear Jesus! We got the smore, oh my gosh, reminds me of christmas (though it is Easter) and the apricot pound cake with soft whip cream. Its okay. I have to say the smore hits the spot, $4. That ended our Easter Sunday adventure.

    (4)

  • Jennifer T.

    My husband took me here last night for a very special dinner. It was horrible!!! The prices were too expensive for what you got. We had to wait way too long for our food. We ended up spending $100.00 on food and feeling very disappointed! I predict they will be closed in one year!

    (1)

  • Hugh H.

    Nice place - reasonable prices for what you're getting. This is a very interesting restaurant - everything cooked in a wood-fired oven. I had a pork chop with the skin and fat left on - helps it retain great juicy flavor during cooking - with a compote of apricots and cous cous on the side. My wife had the trout which she said was the best she's had in a very long time - I tried it and it was excellent. Good wine list - not overwhelming and the waitress was very helpful in selecting a good wine for our group of four - we all ordered difference mains. Dinner for 4 with two starters, a bottle of wine, a beer, plus dessert (oven-baked s'mores) came in at $102 plus tip.

    (5)

  • Jackie K.

    Just went to New Year's here. It was wonderful. The food great and the pairings perfect. Our waiter was great and it was a wonderful start for our year.

    (5)

  • robert a.

    First try of Ned Ludd was... interesting. Let's start with the good, nay, wonderful service. Greeted at the door immediately, with a smile, seated (with reservations) promptly, and service throughout the night continued to be attentive, very friendly, anti-pretentious, very Portland, yet precise, not lackadaisical. Only flaw was that my coffee was served after the dessert was finished... but we ate the dessert fast and would have asked the coffee come more quickly if it really mattered. 5 stars on the service. Decor - kitschy, down-home - I don't have the words for it. It was very comfortable but certainly not upscale; very casual. It went well with the service, maybe not quite so well with the food and maybe not quite 'enough' for me, given the prices and aspirations of the food. Food - A complicated review for me. I liked some things very much. I know the food is locally sourced, handmade, and apparently all cooked in the brick oven - darn impressive. It is very lovingly done. The passion for excellence is obvious. The presentation matched the service (intentional, exacting, but informal). All great things. But I will just come right out and say: some of the dishes, or maybe it was the meal in its entirety, just... didn't quite work. Not in a bad way. But maybe not in a great way. I take some responsibility as I made the food choices. And the server made a recommended change which turned out to be for the better. Things actually started out wonderful and then slid down to just "good" from there. 1st up - flatbread - fennel, anise, caraway, sea salt, fruity olive oil - like spiked Persian nan - super wonderful, warm, soft, tender - perfect 2nd - pickles plate - melon rind, carrot, bean, green tomato - sweetish pickling, I think cloves in the flavoring - just a bit too sweet for me but went exceptionally well with the next plate... 3rd - chef's charcuterie board. Rich and decadent handmade pork products. For me the highlight of the meal. A really special plate of food. Shredded pork (almost like Hawaiian Kalua pig), housemade bacon, little fatty belly that wasn't smoked, pate de campagne, and wonderful ham. Served with pickled mustard grain and mustard. 4th - salad - garbonzos, hazelnuts, arugula, cherries, duck bacon - this salad was overly dressed and the dressing overwhelmed the arugula. That is somewhat hard to do, given the arugula's peppery and distinctive bite. But more problematic - this salad did not achieve more than the sum of its parts. It tasted exactly like the 5 ingredients mentioned. No ethereal synergistic elixir was created. And after a plate full of pork products, the duck bacon was a little dry, and a little too mild. 5th - corn, chanterelles, shrimp, cream - a warm side dish which again did not taste like more than the ingredients within. Shrimp were tiny Oregon Bay Shrimp - very sweet and fresh - wonderful. But not enough chanterelles, which are mild enough that in very small quantities drowned in cream taste not a lot different than supermarket creminis. Too much cream for me. If they had served with a bit of olive oil and yogurt, I would have liked this dish much better. 6th - main course - pork fat. Seriously, that's what it was. A big slab - really, like a 2x4 - of pork belly served on beans. Now this was a work of art - seared/caramelized on the tip, chewy bits underneath, pork fat soaking the broad beans - all that, yummy. But again, too much pork. And unfortunately, we couldn't get past the fact that an entire 2/5 or so of the piece was pure, unadulterated, pork fat. Our server did alert us to this. And a bite or two of something like this could be wonderful. But is it even legal to serve this much pork fat for dinner in 2011? It was too much. If it were me - and what do I know, really? - I would have shaved off all but a couple millimeters of the fat so it could just provide a hint, a decadent taste of what the pig can offer. Serving this was, despite its positive characteristics, almost gross. Not that it tasted bad, it didn't - but 'tis something that should be enjoyed in extremely small quantities, not in an entree-sized piece of lard. 7th - dessert - berries with sweet cream and brown butter shortbread. Shortbread was awesome. Berries - not quite ripe. And were the blueberries frozen? I think the biggest problem was the cream was barely sweet. Not sweet enough, for sure. It simply needed more sugar. drinks - beer Kolsch, does not belong on this menu. Tastes a lot like Budweiser. And was served too warm. Coffee - Heart Roasters - spectacular - like a Nipps candy. Overall - the rotating seasonal menu will bring us back to try again. We could have stopped after the charcuterie plate. We ordered way too much food, and too much pork. Prices moderately high. Not everything worked but the passion for quality ingredients won my heart and I'll try again. You should too, especially for a light meal, come several times rather than trying to stuff it all in at once.

    (4)

  • stephanie c.

    I agree with the name Ned Dud! I had heard many great things about this place, and was very excited to try it. First of all, there lunch menu sucks. There are very limited dishes to pick from. I ordered 4 different dishes and the ONLY one that remotely good was the mac and marnoy. They also didn't have much to choose for beverages... so i decided on a french press Tea. There only 2 choices, green or black. I opted for the black. IT WAS NASTY! It smelled and taste like "liquid smoke", ya know the stuff you put on meat! The server was also non-attentive. She had a total of 4 tables. She never checked back ONCE! The only time she came back was to bring us our check. So, I do NOT recommend this place, don't waste your money!

    (1)

  • Bob D.

    Ned Ludd's was a fantastic eating experience! The staff were extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu. The beers are delicious and so is the food. Given that there menu is seasonal and local, you'll never find the same thing on the menu twice, which makes for an adventurous dining experience. I had the muscles and the Kolsch to drink--exquisitely seasoned food and tasty beer. We had not made a reservation, but we should have, because that's how you get a seat. Lucky for us, someone had canceled and we got their spot. Did I say that this was a great experience? Now I would give 5 stars except for one thing, the portions are tiny. I'm a big eater, I'll give them that much, but I was thinking about how I should have eaten a sandwich before I had plowed through an appetizer, an entree, and a beer. If you're reading this Ned Ludd's, serve a side with the main dish.

    (4)

  • Eric G.

    I can't say enough nice things about Ned Ludd, we've been back 4-5 times and been very happy. The wait staff have always been friendly and patient. The prices have been really reasonable (dinner for ~$50) and the wines are delicious and sanely priced. The menu rotates frequently (daily?) and has always had something intriguing on it.

    (5)

  • Elise B.

    I've eaten here twice recently. Both times were excellent. They source beautiful ingredients. Our table had lovely food, not overcooked like some other reviewers experienced but quite wonderful, accompanied by good quality interesting flavors. This is solid, well prepared food. And it's not expensive by finer dining standards. $20 for an entree has become reasonable for sustainably sourced food. The ambiance outside is pleasant and I love that I can bring my doggie, inside it is "countrified" and charming if you like restaurants that are trying to create a setting and an idea about country. I will say that the staff is far from professional and that seems to be the norm from my experience in Portland. Pretty much you'll need to hunt down a server to ask for things if you need them, and one time my server was completely ignorant about what they were serving as if they are never informed, which really is the job of the chef, ie, to keep the staff up on the restaurant's goals including their sources. They also need a sommelier of some kind, or someone that has a clue about wine and a better list, a much better list. But aside from these quibbles, I highly recommend the place, and think their blackberry panna cotta is a standout dessert, tart with just the right amount of sweetness to compliment a very good meal.

    (4)

  • Laura Q.

    Went there last night. My friend and I split a bottle of wine (great!), some appetizers (flatbread and cheese plate), and entree (rabbit). I loved the whole evening. Service was great and correctly timed. I would go back again.

    (4)

  • M. R.

    Had Valentine's Day dinner here with my sweetie. A delicious multi-course, pre-fix (sp?) dinner. Nice decor and atmosphere. Great service. Really enjoyed it and will go back for a special meal.

    (4)

  • Jed M.

    I'm always impressed with the food and friendly service at Ned Ludd, and this morning's brunch was incredible. The veggie hash with smoked trout and two eggs was fantastic. Mixed with warm smiles, great coffee, and a special plate prepared by the chef for our 20 month old, this was one of the best brunches I've had in Portland.

    (5)

  • Dawn M.

    Never had a bad experience here. Food is amazing. My favorite place in PDX.

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    A server from one of fav restaurants recommended this place. It was pretty good. They do have $10 corking fee, which is greatness. The food was good. I had the mussels, the broth was a little salty, but still good. Husband had the braised lamb, which had a good taste and nice sides. We were there on a Monday night late, however it was pretty busy. Our server was attentive, and has good recommendations, she also knew the wine list well. Our sever did mention that the outside seating was only open during the day and has a different menu. Intriguing. She mentioned pulled pork, burgers and sausage's of course we tried it a few days later. It was great! We will be back.

    (4)

  • Neona R.

    It should be noted that this is a lunch review. Haven't had the opportunity to have dinner here yet.... Came in for the first time this afternoon with pretty high hopes. Yelp reviews are pretty good and the Oregonian just gave them another accolade, calling them quintessential Portland... My first impression was that it's really cute. Has a warm, cozy feeling and I loved all the air plants everywhere. We started off with the pickle plate, which I thought was delicious. Especially the beets and mushrooms. Unfortunately, by the time our first plate arrived someone in the back decided that was a good time to hammer the holy bejesus out of SOMETHING. I have no clue what, but it was loud and went on for awhile. I know it was slow in there, but I would have appreciated them waiting until 3pm, when lunch ends.... Next the beet and frisee salad. Delicious! Really nice. Superb beets and outstanding flavors. Then main course: we had the pork shoulder, the mac and cheese and a grilled cheese. The mac was out of this world. Excellent balance of creamy and cheesy. The pork shoulder was underwhelming. The polenta was nice and creamy, but the root vegetables were undercooked and tough to chew. The shoulder itself was tender enough, but just a little bland. And the grilled cheeses? $6 for a completely normal, make it yourself at home grilled cheese. Whatever. I didn't expect a masterpiece, but something a little special would have been nice. All in all, it was a pleasant dining experience and I would try dinner here. I wish I felt a little more excited to come back, though.

    (3)

  • Alexa P.

    I had a wonderful dinner with my date there the other night. We loved the decor and the warm lighting. We ordered the pork chop dish which in my opinion was just OK. We also got mussels which were super super tasty. For desert we had the smores, which wasn't a novelty but it was fun and yummy. In general everything we ordered seemed like it was made with quality ingredients, and with love. Apparently they change their menu every day, so we'll be back to try more!

    (4)

  • Lara M.

    I have been a couple of times now and was very much impressed. I heard through the grapevine about their Pizza Socials on Monday nights only. I was very much impressed by their interesting unique combos of toppings. I enjoyed some of the best fire oven roasted pizzas I have ever had and would definitely recommend. Brunch. As all Portlanders know, brunch is sacred. I was not let down here. From my mimosa to my delicious food, I highly recommend coming here. I got the salmon tartines while others ordered the hash. No one was let down. Our servers in all experiences were outstanding as well. They were incredibly nice and knowledgable.

    (5)

  • Stephanie W.

    Make reservations for dinner! It was booked pretty far in advance but my boyfriend was able to snag a spot when someone cancelled. We had an appetizer of crackers and cheese spread, I ordered a hen dish and my boyfriend had a salad of pickled onions. Everything was really tasty, but like other people said portions are SMALL. The prices aren't low either so I was disappointed. A lot of it is made in house so I kept that in mind. The sections on the menu were titled oddly "kaltbits?", and we were too embarrassed to ask about it. That's not to say the waiters aren't nice, ours was great. The restaurant was really nicely decorated and overall it was a fun experience. Not sure I'd come back though.

    (4)

  • Christine M.

    Really fantastic meal tonight! It was my first time here, but had heard good things from friends, so went on my birthday. I love what they've done with the space - it was already pretty homey when it was wildfire, but they've done a lot to make it really beautiful. Had the pickle plate - tomight was strawberries, mushrooms, summer squash, apples, chard stems, beets, onions, and carrots all pickled with different pickling recipes - really fun. We then split the duck confit salad with beautiful greens, cherries, and a creamy red wine vinaigrette - really nice and fresh with a lot of flavor from the duck and cherries. Then we split the summer squash and zucchini with a bacon cream sauce - extremely decadent and fabulous sauce. I kept telling my husband " I wish I had ordered the flatbread, but it's made to order, and it would probably take some time - it's such a crime to have all of this sauce and no bread". Well, the server saw us sneaking fingers into the sauce leftover in the dish and brought us bread! It was my birthday wish come true! Seriously. I really wanted bread. I had the trout (very nice with a delicious charred and flavorful skin, but you have to adore fennel to get the most out of this dish - stuffed with it and sauteed on the side as well. Great flavor on the fish, and I really enjoyed it). My husband had the game bird stuffed with herbs and served with roasted carrots- wowsa. It was so flavorful . What a great meal. Super service, even if he hadn't magically read my mind and brought bread. Very nice wine. Wish they had cocktails, but won't fault them on this. A lovely birthday meal - I can't believe how little buzz this restaurant has gotten! If it were my restaurant, I would add a big fence to enclose the courtyard/outdoor seating area, as the traffic is pretty close. They're doing a good job with the plantings, but it could use more. Inside is so pretty though, I'd prefer it to outside for now. Please support this nice restaurant! PS: another fantastic dinner in August 09 - the quail terrine with berry compote and shiso and amaranth greens was spectacular. All around great meal with great service. Love it.

    (5)

  • Bob T.

    Walked in on a cold winter Sunday afternoon a few minutes before closing. Had great food (ok - a bit spendy) and great conversation with the chef. Maybe it was the company and the occasion but i had a great time. If you lend me some money I'd go back right now.

    (4)

  • Patrick S.

    On a local recommendation we ate at Ned Ludd. The food was terrific and included barnyard terrine, baby head lettuce salad with bacon and honey mustard, possibly the best salad we ever ate, heirloom tomato and creamed chard on brioche toast and pork chops with cannellini beans and chard. We were impressed as the space is a bit funky and tables a little close together. But, the patrons were nice and the staff excellent. The downsides were the heavy wine glasses and no espresso. Also the desserts, though they may have been good, did not sound like anything we would want.

    (4)

  • Jessica T.

    The food and ambiance was okay. We were there for the Monday Night Pizza Social, and understand that this event means dishes come out as they're ready. However, after between 90 minutes and 2 hours, we were still missing one of our orders. When we told the waiter, he said "The ticket is marked as delivered" and seemed to insinuate that we were lying about the "missing pizza." We went back and forth for awhile explaining that no, we weren't lying about it, until he said he'd look into it. Eventually, they figured out what happened (it was given to another table), apologized and brought it on the house...but it's still not what you want to experience. (The misplaced pizza? Okay. The insinuation that we were trying to get away with a free pizza after ordering a bunch of other dishes? Not so much).

    (2)

  • Opal D.

    Come here if you eat like a bird or are on a diet. Teeny tiny portions, but really good quality fresh ingredients. I ordered the smoked trout hash; great flavour but had very little actual trout in it. Their iced tea was really tasty but came in an extremely small glass, on ice, and a refill was never offered. The service was great and their patio is mostly shaded and the air circulated well, it was ideal for a Summer brunch. It wasn't bad, just wasn't my favourite and I can't recommend it and it is unlikely I'll be back.

    (3)

  • Phoebe W.

    3.75. This place was fair for the food. It didn't blow me away. I did like the veggie dishes more than the beef dish which could have been rarer and hotter. Just a little too lukewarm for me. I think it sat in the pass a little too long. What I did love was the service at this place. Friendly and attentive. Additionally, they had the best r&b spotify mix going on and that just made it for a fun Sunday night wind down.

    (4)

  • Dan C.

    This is a review for brunch - I have not had dinner. But our table ordered almost everything on the brunch menu. The outdoor vibe, for lack of a better description, feels like Mother's Day There's flowers and crates and wooden tables and cool lights and it's bright and airy and open. Sunday morning brunch fits perfectly. (Side note: the bathroom feels like the line to Splash Mountain. Be sure to go at least once. End side note.) But enough about that. Let's talk about how the food is very flavorful, very balanced, and overall just GOOD. Ok, good talk. It's small though, so don't think you're gonna leave stuffed. But order an entree and some sides to share (or another entree to family style) and you'll leave happy. Also, dip the $8 cookie (which is more like a pizza pie, pazooki style) in the Vanilla bean milk. Just do it. And don't ever look back.

    (4)

  • Leah L.

    Don't order the pickle plate as appetizer, it's gross. The bathrooms are cool and the patio is well done in a modern/rustic style.

    (3)

  • Meg R.

    Ned Ludd is phenomenal. My friend was visiting from SF for the weekend and we took her here and she said it was her favorite restaurant in Portland annnnd her best meal "in a long time". We were late for our reservations, and the staff was still so accommodating and friendly when we showed up nearly 30 minutes late. They sat us right away in their patio area, which is nicely tucked away from the busy street the restaurant is on. The ambiance here is so romantic, casual, and inviting. Our waiter was super friendly and very knowledgable about the wines and food. We started with the cheese and charcuterie plate. It was delicious with some awesome rabbit pate, which took me by surprise by how much I enjoyed it. The bruschetta was also wonderful... but let's talk about the lamb for the entree. WOW. Their menu changes all the time, so who knows if this lamb will ever be there again (sorry guys!), but it was INCREDIBLE. melt in your mouth tender and drizzled with a sauce that was worth licking the plate clean. Finally, we ordered the chocolate chip cookie for dessert which was cooked and served in it's own personal skillet. It was warm, gooey, chewy, crispy in all the right places, salty, sweet... basically everything you want in a cookie. Overall the meal and ambiance was some of the best in Portland. This place is on the pricier side, but WORTH it.

    (5)

  • Diana W.

    I loved the boards. Also, make reservations, the hostess sighed at us when we came in without one. Seriously... she rolled her eyes and then gave me a look that made me think she needed to add more fiber to her diet.

    (4)

  • Yen D.

    The veggies are deliciously fresh. The service was fine even though my wine from WA was flat and sour and a poor choice to be on the wine list. But I didn't love my meal like I did at Ox. Or Laurelhurst market. Or even at Oven and Shaker. The flavors were off and I didn't think the entrees or sides were expertly made or spiced right. The meal was fine, but I don't plan on returning.

    (3)

  • Debbie L.

    I can't believe I haven't reviewed Ned Ludd before now. Went a few years ago and loved it. Enjoyed the patio and a cider company was sampling so that was great. Went for pizza night about a yr ago and the place was packed. The decor inside is very cabin/portlandish/woodsy and fun! The pizza is awesome btw. Nice beer and cocktails too! You need to check out the bathrooms. Even if you don't have to go. They are pretty cool. Liked our last visit to Elder Hall, the event space behind the restaurant. Perfect for a party, big dinner etc. A lot of thought has gone into this place. The food is delicious and so it's truly the whole package.

    (4)

  • Caroline M.

    I really wanted to love this place...but I don't. The service was great! But the food wasn't the best.....we had the chicken and the lamb. The chicken was way too salty and the lamb was really fatty....disappointing for the price. I feel like 3 stars is generous.

    (3)

  • Scott H.

    Celebrate the vegetable. We've been here twice and for some reason I wanted to wait for the second time to do my review. It's kind of a waste to comment on some specific menu items as their menu does change. I love the atmosphere. It's very funky weird Portland kind of thing going. But not hipster loud impersonal. Even the bathroom has a ton of personality. For starters you gotta get at least one order of the flatbread with olive oil. Very simple, but flavorful and hot right out of that oven. They also take a lot of pride in their pickling. The pickled veggies show up on lots of the plates as well as the pickle plate. A little sweet and vinegary and a really good accompaniment. We like the rye whiskey with the Pickle back. Yup, it's exactly what it sounds like, but with the sweetness of the pickle back it makes for a tasty, but strange combo. There are always great vegetable side dishes that really celebrate each individual vegetable. One of my favorites is the carrots with harissa and yogurt sauce. Every vegetable dish is well seasoned and well thought out to accent each vegetable. The butchery is quite impressive. The birds have been deboned to a point which make them very easy to eat, but the integrity of the bird has been preserved. Desserts are delicious as well and rotate on a regular basis. The oven kissed cookie is kind of fun. Be careful though, it is flaming hot when it arrives. We got the same waitress both times and she is very good. Knowledgeable friendly and attentive. There is a very professional atmosphere with the staff that I truly appreciate if you've seen any of my other reviews. It's not cheap, however you can survive on the yummy sides and salads for a reasonable total for the table. I've seen much much worse.

    (5)

  • Alex S.

    If my stomach could talk it would recommend this place! The cuisine was worth every single penny, and if I had a bottomless wallet I would eat here every night. I appreciate the care that goes into planning the menu in accordance to the seasonal local produce - and we could tell that everything on our plates was fresh. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and made excellent recommendations for drink pairings. As it was my birthday, the restaurant even sent over some complementary champagne - an unexpected treat. My tastebuds are screaming at you to make a reservation for your next special occasion. You won't regret it in the slightest!

    (5)

  • gotham ..

    Our first time was pretty good. Our second visit, not so much. The food was a 4 but the service was a 2 at best. With so many choices in town, we won't be back.

    (3)

  • Morgan M.

    Favorite dining experience in Portland thus far. Very unique with their wood burning oven, hipsterustic decor, and constantly changing menu. The haus made rosemary lavender soda was phenomenal and I don't even like super floral stuff. The flatbread with sea salt and olive oil was pretty standard and a little boring. But the quail!! So good! Loved the little quail-ys with padrons (green peppers) and raspberries. My dad's trout was unfortunately overcooked and not that flavorful...but I loved my meal! But they saved the best for last...the blackberry panna cotta with roasted pistachios. Decadent and rich but also refreshing. The partially baked chocolate chip cookie with milk (recommended by the waiter) was good but too much chocolate to cookie ratio for me. You could definitely split one dessert between three people. Can't wait to come back!

    (5)

  • Dan S.

    Cute place, wanted to try it for a long time so we treated ourselves. The charred broccoli with boquerones- very good, nice flavors The trout- flavorless, decent salad The lamb- some excellent bites, but overall very chewy, partly raw, lots of undercooked fat (I love fat) . Why am I paying this much for food I can make better at home? I'm not that good of a cook! If I'm gonna spend $70 on dinner for 2 I'll go to Laurelhurst Market which has a very similar menu, but magnitudes more flavor. Grain and Gristle, which I don't think is that good is on par with this place, but much less expensive. Server was nice enough to give us half off the lamb. Otherwise 2 stars. Very disappointed. Went home and made second dinner.

    (2)

  • Nadia B.

    Hit the spot! Dinner was delicious! Meats and cheese were on point! (I ordered the chefs charcuterie) and my friend had the hen.. So juicy and full of flavor! And lastly the dessert! Cookie: wow! Crepe: melt in your mouth deliciousness! I will be back!

    (5)

  • Joel T.

    I actually went here by mistake the other night. I was walking to a different restaurant and, not paying attention to the sign out front, walked into Ned Ludd. We put our name down on the list. It was surprisingly busy for 8:45pm on a Monday night. The host grabbed us a couple of drinks while we waited and we got to sit after about 10 minutes. It wasn't until I sat down and read through the menu that I realized I was at the wrong place. My girlfriend and I had a laugh about it and decided to stay and try it out. The menu was pretty short, being made up of about half pizza and half pasta/salad items. We quickly decided to get a Caesar salad and sausage pizza with brioche cre. The salad was good, but rather sour tasting. We ate the whole thing and enjoyed it but I'd probably order something different next time. The pizza was baked in a wood-fired oven and came out at just the right time. It was maybe a 14" pie that cost us $17. The sausage was ground and crispy. There was a cream sauce rather than a tomato sauce. It was really delicious. We were pretty hungry but the two of us finished the whole pie and left quite full. I'm not much of a dough/crust person but this crust was excellent. It was nice and crispy and buttery. This area of MLK seems like it's restaurant scene is picking up. Definitely try Ned Ludd if you haven't yet!

    (4)

  • Devandra B.

    Unique and perfect for and adventurous dinner whom what's all the unique offering the NW had to offer, with good people and great wine, what's there more to want.

    (5)

  • Julia G.

    What a fantastic restaurant. It was perfect. From the liver mousse to the bocherones to the perfection whole roasted trout it was superb. Each and every one of the staff were attentive, friendly, and helpful. I can't wait to go back. There were five of us, and everyone loved their meal.

    (5)

  • Jonathan B.

    Come hungry leave hungry. Everything tasted strong of lemon and licorice (lots and lots of fennel seed use). Novel idea only cooking everything in a hot oven. Who cares. the food sucked.

    (1)

  • Mojdeh S.

    How I heard of this place: My sister's close friend and college buddy introduced us to Ned Ludd as the perfect dinner spot for celebrating my sister's birth! Type of cuisine: An "American craft kitchen", Ned Ludd offers a pairing of old world cooking (in their brick oven, leftover from the pizza restaurant that used to be in the space) with local wines and seasonal farm fare. Apple and pear wood from a neighboring orchard are used to smoke the oven and give all of their locally channeled, organic and seasonal food (everything is prepared in the same oven) a hearty, classic, Portland Euro flair. Uncomplicated food that is far from simple. According to an article written about Ned Ludd in GQ magazine, "What comes out of that oven now is intelligent, gutsy food - meat pies, pork chops, flat breads, crusty gratins - that puts to shame restaurants with more gear, bigger staff and glitzy PR budgets." Jason French, one of the owners and chefs says, "The pressure's off the money here, and the focus is on the food, where it should be." Ambiance: A nondescript building, with picnic chairs and tables, large pots for planting and cobbled space outdoors, welcomes you into this airy but homey and comfortable bistro. The decor is rustic and functional. Apple and pear wood stacks, that fuel the oven, are found in the space, as are jars of pickled vegetables (pickled, canned and jarred in house), foliage and winter squash. Large kegs, wooden crates, copper pots and pans, even a wooden/straw bird house can be found. What I ordered: Among the three of us dining at Ned Ludd on this cold, winter evening, I ordered a house-made lemon/lime soda ($3), my sister ordered a refillable cup of tea ($3), and our third dining companion selected a glass of wine. To start, we shared the crisp spuds ($7) served with aioli and a sprinkling of parsley, as well as the charred, halved Brussels sprouts ($8) tossed with chili flakes and lemon. For the main course, I selected the highly recommended whole ruby trout ($17) with leeks, fennel, lemon and herbs, minus bones. My sister ordered the lamb chops ($18) with Brussels sprouts, olives and lemon. Our dining companion was very pleased with the pork chop ($18) served over crisply kale and topped with two poached apple halves. What I loved: I loved the Brussels sprouts the most! Memorable, flavorful and there could have been so many more! The spuds, also off of the warmbits menu scored a high second in my book! I would have loved to stay for the oven-baked s'mores, but alas our dessert plans took us elsewhere. Why I loved it: The ease and comfort of the space, the freshness and high quality food, the friendly, witty and efficient server and the chef-owner made for a perfect experience. I must admit, I do love the creativity and the simplicity of preparing all dishes in a wood-fire, brick oven. Cost: Low to average ($14-$18 per dinner entree)

    (4)

  • Raymond L.

    Incredibly fresh ingredients, cooked to perfection in a wood burning oven. Nice mix of veggie small plates and meat/fish based mains for dinner. This place reminds me of Chez Panisse in its precision. Ambiance is also great; feels like a cabin tucked away in the woods. Will come back every time we're in Portland!

    (5)

  • C S.

    Went here for fiancé's birthday dinner and it was really nice! It's a casual atmosphere, rustically decorated, but high in price and limited in seating so I recommend saving it for a special occasion and making reservations. We were seated at one of the side bars since we were walk-ins on a Saturday night. Neither of us had alcohol, but I had the seasonal soda (changes frequently) which was a lavender-Rosemary soda. I didn't think it possible to like a savory soda, but it was good. Fiancé had the root beer, expensive but way better than Barq's or A&W. To eat we started with warm olives and bruschetta. I don't like olives and fiancé doesn't like mushrooms (which were on the bruschetta), but we both liked the dishes! Then we had the charcuterie and I discovered I like beets way more than I thought! The items on this dish also rotate, so ask beforehand if you're worried. I especially enjoyed the smoked cod on ours. My entree was the trout and his was the halibut. Trout includes the head, so it's probably not for the squeamish. Though mine was delicious and light, my fiancé's halibut was soooo rich and flavorful. I kind of regretted my trout choice. We were too full for dessert, but the panna cotta would've been my first choice. The waitstaff here is a bit like an episode of Portlandia. That's not a bad thing, since they care about the food and it's okay to know the details, but we both chuckled a little as they explained the origin and preparation of every dish.

    (4)

  • Amber B.

    We went here to celebrate our anniversary. Love the decor. Our server was great. Very laid back and easy to talk to. We talked about how it was our anniversary and she brought us champagne! So sweet! Food was amazing! My hubby had the trout and I had the beef. Both were so good. We also had the chocolate chip cookie with milk for dessert. The cookie was made in a little cast iron skillet and was delicious! We'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Ritu K.

    This review is strictly for pizza Mondays.. My biggest regret since giving up lactose is giving up my fave food- pizza! Ned Ludd pizza Monday is a perfect example of why pizza is so beloved. Using their wood fired oven they churn out perfect Neapolitan pizza. Salty in the crust, tangy sauce, sweet delicious cheese (yum cheese- so sad). Anyways I would love to see a few more pizza and side options on the menu and can I just mention one thing. It is hot as balls in this restaurant during the summer. The outdoor tables provide a small respite, but with the wood fired oven cranking and no AC (at least when we were there), the inside of this restaurant was a hot sweaty mess (well maybe I was a hot sweaty mess). Go check out pizza Monday and make a lactose intolerant person super jealous..

    (4)

  • Frances M.

    If you like charred food this is the place for you. I loved the crispiness of the trout (and you bet the head is on that guy) & the savory char on the fava beans. The radishes with smoked butter! Who knew butter, salt, and radishes could be so delightful. Buttery salmon, that didn't need to tahini sauce (why mess with a beautiful fish?). My friend ate the pork & he loved it. I can't wait to go back when I can afford more.

    (4)

  • Sophia L.

    We came to Ned Ludd for Portland Dining Month and it did not disappoint. I must say though, many of their dishes were pretty sour tasting. The only dish that did not have such a taste was the Bourbon Buttermilk Panna Cotta, aka the dessert dish. The hen that I had was tender and the vegetable garnishes accompanied the protein well. The portions were a good size to leave us not feeling so bloated. When we came in, we had not made a reservation, and the server seemed to prioritize reservations first before walk-ins. He let us know when the next reservation was coming in and asked if it was enough time for us to finish eating before he sat us down. I personally respect Ned Ludd for having such a policy because I have been to other restaurants where I would make a reservation but still ended up waiting for over an hour to be seated because they did not honor and organize reservations well. The decorations were original and suited the restaurant well. Sunlight that came in through the windows shined natural light all around the restaurant, keeping the atmosphere calm and peaceful. I had an excellent dining experience here and the service by the staff only added on to it!

    (4)

  • Anthony J.

    This place has a wonderful array of organically grown ingredients they use in the food and cook it all in a wood-fire oven. My girlfriend and I randomly chose Ned's on my birthday weekend from Seattle and couldn't be happier. The atmosphere was really cozy and I could truly taste the love in the food. My girlfriend got a Douglus Fir infused drink and I had some nice local beer. My Trout was AMAZING! I highly recommend it. Not a cheap dinner but worth spending a little bit more on a great local restaurant.

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    Portland artisan with a mix of bad service. I have been here twice. My recent visit was for Mother's Day brunch. The quality of the food was strong but that is where the good ends. The brunch menu is limited. I knew my fried eggs would make for a small portion, which it did, so I ordered toast as a side. The toast came with no butter, jam, or any other condiment that might be desired. My toast resembled and tasted like a big, thin crouton. For service we had a staff that looked busy ignoring their patrons. I feel we got the worst of it but wouldn't be surprised if other tables felt that way too. Don't buy into the hype!

    (2)

  • Anna Marie C.

    This is a review for pizza night. We arrived around 730, there was no wait. The cocktails were strong and flavorful, and the summer breeze was lovely. So--this pizza is the bees knees. I mean, really, the key to an amazing pizza is an uber hot oven and great ingredients--and they do it darn well here! The crust was bubbly and crispy and chewy. The middle was missing just a hint of crisp--but minor detail. We had the panna cotta for dessert and it was a lovely end of the meal--nice touch with the basil! It's a bit pricey (pizzas were 16 or more, and a very small seeming Caesar salad was 8!) and so I can't see myself making it a frequent spot...

    (4)

  • Alyssa R.

    Holy moly! My boyfriend and I went here for a belated Valentine's Day dinner and everything we tried was mouthwateringly good. I started with the Last Word - a gin cocktail that was hands down the best gin cocktail I have ever had. Herbal, green, and definitely fit the woodsy hand crafted vibe. My boyfriend was so jealous of how good it was (he had ordered a cider) that he quickly drank the cider so he could order one as well. For an appetizer we had cow's milk cheese with honey, nuts, parsley and bread. Really yummy and a great size for an appetizer. For our entrees, I ordered the pork and my boyfriend had the rabbit. The pork was fired to perfection - crispy along the outside with a melt in your mouth center. Underneath was a bed of potatoes and cabbage doused in a whey sauce that was out of this world. I don't even like cabbage - but this wood fired cabbage was better than campfire marshmallows. My boyfriend had the rabbit which was not even the slightest bit dry. The aromatics were fantastic - rosemary and wood, we both loved it. We couldn't leave without dessert and ordered the chocolate chip cookie with milk. Instead a few minutes later a different dessert was set on our table and the runner left before we could even tell him it wasn't ours. As soon as our server saw it on our table she realized the mistake and said, "That's not a cookie, but you are welcome to it - your cookie will be right out." We ended up with the buttermilk panna cotta and the cookie! Both were hard to stop eating, and we didn't. The panna cotta was light and airy with perfect texture. The cookie was warm and served in a really cool little cast iron skillet. You pour the milk over the top and let it soak in. The cookie had this interesting banana-ish flavor so unique that we asked the server if they had used banana instead of eggs (a common vegan substitute). She responded as if that were a common questions saying that eggs were used and that the recipe was from the old Joy of Cooking book. I LOVE old recipes, and they found a winner with this one. The entire restaurant, menu, vibe, and food are all in the WIN category for me. I will be dreaming of that pork until the next time...and the cocktail. Cheers for a memorable night out!

    (5)

  • David O.

    Our brunch experience was definitely unique and unforgettable, but not in a good way. The food was tasty, but there were some serious misses with regard to the service, portions, and pricing for our large group (10+). Also, for a place that seems to pride itself on its preciousness with food, there were some totally stingy behaviors that, while it seems petty to point out, made me never want to go back. Total Downers: 1. They split us to two tables (it's a small space). 2. The menu was fixed price and outrageously priced for brunch ($25/person). 3. The number of entrees of food served was the same for our 6-top as for our 8-top and in both cases, it was not enough food. 4. there was no choice of which entrees would be served and the server was basically mistaken about what we would be served when he gave us our very minimal orientation to how things would work. 5. The time between courses was absurd. Our final "dessert" course took basically 45 minutes to arrive, after the last of our meager main course had been served. 6. Coffee. Oh lord, the coffee. - A "full" cup is about 3/4 full, regardless of the volume of the cup (sizes vary). - multiple pricing options are absurd: $3 for coffee + 1 refill; $5 for unlimited refills - refill service was noticeably petty; the server was very fast to refill my $3 cup (basically before I'd drunk even half of the coffee), but there were long lags between refills for folks who'd paid for the unlimited option. Based on our experience, my take is that Ned Ludd should simply refuse to serve large groups (we were more than 10 in total). It would also be absolutely valuable to do a much better job of orienting people and explaining how the fixed-price menu works. Expectations were not well-managed at all.

    (1)

  • Alex S.

    I've stepped into a Wes Anderson movie and I never want to leave. seriously, sleeping bags and popcorn included. nestled up against the woodstove it's apparent, Ned Ludd's dreamy interior takes fine dining to another level. my eyes are dazzled as I look around this cozy, homestead esque cabin. it's playful, eccentric, quaint and cool. the Doug Fir, rosemary gin suits my mood as i examine the intricate personality of this rustic abode. no food this time but I'll be back due to relentless curiosity.

    (5)

  • Mao T.

    Brunch. We came here for brunch expecting a line but we got sat right away next to the window. The atmosphere here is great, nice and cozy like you should be sitting next to a fireplace with some hot chocolate. We got some coffees while we decided on our brunch. Everything sounded great but we got a fresh arugula salad with melons and a skillet baked egg. It was delicious. Price is right on point. We wanted to get the chocolate chip cookie and we even considered starting with it but....in the end we were stuffed and decided to save it for next time.

    (4)

  • Bianca M.

    I had the trout which I would say is just okay. Five of us ate and the total came out to $205 including drinks which is pretty good for an upscale restaurant but not worth the food we ate. Cute ambiance and heard the pizza is good on Mondays but we wont go back .

    (3)

  • Pepper P.

    Three stars. Yes. Just three. This place deserves more (I think) BUT my welcome was unpleasant. That is my first impression, my foodie friends. I may not be dressed to impress... Traditionally... but I'm wearing not less than $300 of visible clothing. (Not including rain coat) My bar experience was awkward for both myself and my guest. Perhaps there is only a slim set of clientele the staff wants to invite in.... Perhaps it is because they've parked themselves on MLK....I was headed to the bar and had a basketball-like blocking experience walking in from the tardy door staff. He was tall, imposing and unfriendly. I WANT to like this place because their ethos mirrors mine (generally) but my greeting was totally off putting to myself AND my friend. (We arrived at two different times) I will reserve final judgment for a second try in February. The menu is without reproach.... But, fellas, I can cook this way at home. I come out for atmosphere, hospitality... And then food.

    (3)

  • Zunty X.

    Come here if you eat like a bird or are on a diet. Aren't i so effing clever and proud of myself w that statement. Have you met me in real life cuz I'm an awful person

    (5)

  • Jeri F.

    WE went there for Pizza AND Hip Hop. We did get amazing pizza but..... The Hip Hop Pizza night is no longer going on- I wish I would have known. On the plus side the bartender was our favorite person- sweet being & the pizza was excellent. People need to know that PREAM isn't going down at this location any longer though. Spread the word

    (4)

  • Laura W.

    Very cozy, warm and intimate, rustic dinner place. Great for a winter date night. Food All the food tastes deliciously woody, since it is all cooked in the wood-fired oven, which is the centerplace for the venue. Super interesting flavor combinations that I would have never thought to combine! Like vinegar with preserved lemons, and shaved fennel with fats and oils and deliciousness in every bite. We got the duck and the trout, which were both perfectly crisped. Portions were ideal and we left quite satisfied. Ambiance This is definitely a place to go during the cold winter months when you want a cozy place to dine. The decor is like your retired logger grandparents house, obsessively decorated with wood and ecclectically rustic. The atmosphere makes you want to linger for a long time before and after your meal. Service Fantastic. We were seated after 10pm, which is an unusual find in Portland! Even seated so late, we never felt rushed. I love that the place is so ecclectic and the food is so interesting that the restaurant and menu can actually end up the focus of conversation. If it were any cheaper, I'd be there every winter evening!

    (4)

  • Jskilicious S.

    I don't really understand the appeal of this restaurant. It's neat that they seem to grow their own herbs in the bins out front. Plus the food seems fresh,however the items we tried were strange and unpleasant. We ordered breakfast items such as the French toast, which came out as one large rather burnt slice.(our table had two orders and both were that way) An order of a white split sausage over watery creamed greens. A Mexican style egg dish with soggy chips, egg, guac and what I think was cheese. I believe this restaurant means well, but the menu could use some serious attention when it comes to breakfast offerings. The design and idea is there, but not the payoff.

    (2)

  • terry r.

    I just finally got to Ned Ludd after so many years hearing about it. I will say the a good portion was fabulous while a few things were unfortunately not very good. We started with the warm olives and their flatbread which were both great. The bread, in particular, I could have feasted on for the rest of the evening--somewhat like pita but slightly crispy and a bit lighter with bits of caraway seed, dusted with sea salt and sitting on delicious olive oil. I ordered the charred radicchio with long beans and a tart yogurt which was also terrific, as was the charred broccoli. Also had the marinated beet salad, also spot on, wonderful flavors with strong clove spiced pickled onions. Two of my friends ordered the salmon which was beautifully prepared and they both loved it. My other friend ordered the lamb which came with 70 percent of it long pieces of fat and a medallion about the size of a silver dollar of actual lamb, for $29.00. It just was so far off my friend returned it, and our waiter was gracious, apologized and didn't charge us for it. I ordered the "hen", which, on reflection afterwards I guess is a nice word for old chicken. It was overly brined and very salty, and the texture of the bird tasted like something heated in the microwave. It just didn't make it I'm afraid. The vegetables it came with were very good. We ordered dessert, the panna cotta and the "chocolate chip cookie". Both were amazing. The panna cotta was the best of I've had, and the "cookie" was really like a cookie/brownie baked in a cast iron pan and served with a side of milk. Fantastic. We were also kindly comped the panna cotta. I will definitely go back and just be a bit more discerning in the entree I choose next time, though the lamb entree shouldn't have been served at all. And the chicken...well, that should be something a restaurant could do well--juicy, full of flavor, not salty and dry. I'd love to try their pizza, especially after that amazing flat bread. I will say the service was great except for the fact that 3 of our entrees came out and we had to wait another 10 minutes for that fatty lamb. I was so curious to see the next lamb servings at the table next to us, 3 of whom ordered it, but alas it hadn't come out by the time we left, so I couldn't see if theirs was a fatty as ours had been. Oh and a word on others comments about serviings being too small--get with it Portland...servings in some of our restaurants are obscene! I see couples in their 20's weighing 200 pounds or more. Europeans who come here and visit are shocked by the size portions at our restaurants--it's downright unhealthy. Try savoring your food, eating slowly and you'll live to enjoy another meal!

    (4)

  • Tim F.

    My wife and I had brunch here and it was an awesome experience. The food was good; it wasn't mind-blowing. The fact that they have a huge wood-fired oven that everything is cooked in makes it really cool. The place is really rustic and just very comfortable. I definitely want to go back; it's just fun to be there.

    (4)

  • Jens J.

    We had previously eaten at Nedd Ludd several times, enjoying each of those experiences. However, this past Sunday, the staff had changed and so had the vibe. We were made to feel like serving us was a hassle. Don't get me wrong, most of the dishes (including the braised lamb and "Creamery") were delicious and wonderfully presented. A cup of coffee was now $3, with just one refill allowed. And the menu warned that any additional refills would jack the price up to $5. Maybe that's reasonable, but as I mentioned in my original review, the coffee is not particularly good, reminding me of instant coffee. I ordered the Winter Vegetable hash, and requested (for an extra $4) that beef be added. The dish was very good - with potato, nicely carmelized onion and a few other vegetables. But there was no beef in the dish. Nada. So, I told my waitress. She told the chefs, whom we were seated by (and definitely within earshot). The one cook flatly stated, with a blank-as-a-refrigerator-door expression, that he had added beef to the dish and suggested I was asking for extra beef. Let's just say I don't cotton to being called a liar or a thief. Man up and admit you made a mistake. But at least they weren't so parsimonious as to refuse my request, sending a tiny cup of cubed beef to my table. But shucks, if I had known that the beef was going to taste like the smell of shoe polish (my nephew's description), I wouldn't have requested the beef. Something else too - despite the sunshine - the temperature outside was only in the mid 30s. But as we were sitting there, our server inexplicably took a log and propped open the front door to let an icy breeze blow into the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Jane A.

    My husband planned a date for us and took me to this place. It was delicious and unique. Families sat outside on large wooden picnic tables, surrounded by different types of herbs and aromatics. The restaurant's ambiance was woodsy and rustic bringing the outside in, with floor to ceiling windows and eclectic natural and vintage decor. Here is a break down: unique cocktails: 4 stars chefs charcuterie: 5 stars whole trout entree: 5 stars lamb dish: 3 stars (server said it would come out rare to medium rare but was well done. We received a complimentary desert) Creameux with rhubarb, basil, pine nuts: 5 stars (seriously delicious like a deconstructed rhubarb pie) Over all it's a great place for a romantic dinner, good food, family friendly service and unique drinks.

    (4)

  • Maria G.

    We came here for brunch on Sunday morning after our first choice turned out to have a 2 hour wait, and boy were we happy we ended up here! First, the ambience. This place is adorable, tucked away a little bit away from the street, and has this cute cabin in the woods feel. We were starving, so we ordered: -Griddled muffin with apple butter (the highlight of the meal! so fluffy and delicious! - this is a must have here!) -Goat cheese plate with apples and grapes (yummy with a lovely presentation) -Zucchini plate (good and very simple) -Hash with trout (pretty tasty) Overall, a really cute, low key restaurant with a country warmth to it and delicious food!

    (4)

  • Silas C.

    We have lived in the Boise neighborhood for a few years now and had always wanted to try out this place since multiple friends had suggested it.....now we are kicking ourselves for not going sooner! The staff was fantastic and the atmosphere is very relaxing and laid back. The outdoor space looks really inviting as well but it had been raining all day so we sat inside. The food was pretty basic in concept but all tasted flavorful and fresh at the same time. The spiced carrot dish stands out as being pretty awesome and the Ahi dish as the main course was the best I have had in a really long time. If you are going to go here...do so on an empty stomach! We almost had to be rolled out of this place! We will be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Margaret P.

    Ended up at this restaurant because the original place we intended to take our friend for her Bday was expecting an hour and a half wait...Sunday at 7 pm..lame. The staff was nice and accomodating even though they were clearly booked for the evening. Since one of my friends is 9 mos pregnant waiting much longer than 10 minutes was not going to happen. We were seated at the side bar table..granted a little odd for 3 but beggers cannot be choosers. Our waitress was very nice and very knowledgeable about the the menu. I took all of her cocktail recommendations and she did not lead me astray. The food was simple and rustic and on par with a farm to table establishment. There are plenty or delicious innovative places to choose from in Portland but sometimes something simple done really well is all you need. If that is what you are looking for, look no further.

    (4)

  • Katya L.

    Took my dad to dinner here one fine Saturday evening. He wanted to try Toro Bravo, but we'd missed the initial round of seating and the wait was 45+ minutes. Ned Ludd being conveniently less than a mile away and having a couple open tables, we scooted on over. Overall, a solid experience. Not in love with the building itself, but they've done good things with the space. I love how unself-consciously kitschy the decor is, and despite the glass walls the space feels cozy. Service was good - not spectacular, but nothing to complain about. As it was cold and dark, as tends to be in Portland in December, I started with mulled wine and my dad had a whiskey, neat (there are only two whiskeys at the bar, so not a wide liquor selection. They do have a decent wine menu). We started with some roasted squash with a lemon-poppyseed dressing/sauce that was to die for. I'm not normally a huge squash fan, but this was cooked perfectly and the creamy zestiness of the dressing cut through the richness of the squash well. We also had a goose (I think?) confit which was, for me, the one downside of the meal. I'm not sure if the wood-fired oven format just doesn't work for the waterfowl, but the confit was dry and hard to chew. Really unremarkable. For mains, my dad had the clam/mussel stew, which I didn't try but he loved, and I had the pork shoulder. A return to standards! It was delicious, fatty and tender and savory, nearly melting on the tongue. Served with some greens, scalloped potatoes and a wine-poached pear, it was a perfect plate - but so rich, I could hardly eat half of it! You bet I took the rest home. Our server recommended a good glass of white wine for my dad, and I had a glass of red (shiraz? maybe) that was really tasty. I'd be back for a glass of wine and some wood-roasted veggies on a cold winter night, but I would definitely be aware of certain foods that wouldn't necessarily work well in a wood-fired oven. Never again, goose, never again.

    (4)

  • Heather S.

    Ned Ludd is a true experience. It's basically seasonal farm-to-table cuisine. I would ignore the negative reviews and just try it yourself. Sure, it may not be for everyone, especially if you're used to chain food served by chain servers. I personally think it takes a lot of creativity and amazing talent to be able to create such fine food based on what is locally available and in season. Every week. The food is fresh and the mix of flavors together is tantalizing and exquisite. Love it! The atmosphere is relaxed and the service is friendly. I feel very happy being there. They have a nice large patio and a little bar as well as a small dining area. Sure the music selection is funky, but I like it! It's different! If you want the same old, same old, then go somewhere else. Lots of boring places to eat in Portland... Give it a try! I don't think you'll be disappointed.

    (5)

  • David J.

    Please do not eat here. This is about the worst eating experience I have had in Nth America. At first the faux-lumberjack-cum Portlandia set decor was charming...until the food came out. The menu is just plain stupid. Piss-poor salads which constitute a few scattered leaves with half-handfuls of nuts just do not cut it. Broccoli with boquerones, over-salted quail with chillies and seeded mustard? What are they thinking of if they want to sell wine? (and a poor list it is). They had only 4 mains on the list and one had sold out by 7:15pm. Beer in jam jars...is it 2006? Where were these people trained? Please give the axe (of which there are plenty pretentiously placed at the front desk) to the chef. And the music, is it meant to be ironic? 80's soft rock FM? Please Portland, shun this contrived and poor excuse for an eating establishment. Ned Ludd No Luv Nuff Sed

    (1)

  • Connor B.

    Always a great spot. Both the indoor and outdoor seating areas are unique, although the design of the interior goes hand in hand with the nature of the food served. The beer and drink lists are very good. Every item on the menu is simple and very well done. The trout and salmon were very good, along with the pork chop. For dessert, the oven kissed cookie with a shot of milk is a nice way to end the meal. I'd recommend a res, as it is usually pretty busy.

    (5)

  • Vity K.

    I have to say, I loved the food here. The service was excellent as well. The tables for two are really small, and the couple next to us decided that instead of sitting across from one another like they should, they wanted to sit next to each other (even though there was no room). So the guy basically sat next to me the entire time with his legs spread wide, it was uncomfortable to say the least and annoyed me immensely. But the delicious food made up for it.

    (4)

  • Jelena S.

    So good, it's stupid. Food was delicious, wait staff knowledgeable and a perhaps a bit cold but that didn't take away from enjoying the food. Will definitely return and bring a few friends.

    (5)

  • K P.

    Monday pizza night is the bomb! Best pizza around....worth the wait if there's a line. Friendly staff and good service...the massaged kale salad is a favorite too!

    (5)

  • Mika M.

    Amazing Sunday brunch here. Just happened upon this after getting a pedicure with my husband on a date day out, and we fell in love. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Leslie ..

    My boyfriend and I ate here for the first time tonight. We were greeted immediately. We chose to sit outside on the patio. The patio area is lovely - it's secluded and cozy (no street noise or view), garden setting. There are several large wooden tables and long benches. Our waiter, Brian, was awesome. We were seated, orders taken and food served quickly. The flat bread is baked in the wood fire oven - delicious! My boyfriend's whole trout was perfectly deboned. They serve wood fired pizzas on Monday nights and I will be back to try those. The tables on the patios are community eating style. My boyfriend and I had the table to ourselves until more diners arrived and were seated at our table.

    (4)

  • Vanessa M.

    This place is so freakin cute inside I cant even take it! We had an amazing litle brunch sitting at the small high bar table. This helped us to avoid the 45 min wait that there was. It was worth sitting on a stool! The choc chip cookie came in a littel dutch pancake style pan and the baked eggs were great. We will be back for dinner and will make reservations for sure!

    (5)

  • Amy E.

    I'm sorry, $15 for a really (I mean REALLY) skimpy salad is silly. Maybe folks from California are used to paying this much for mere greens, but it's just... Just... Sigh. Seriously guys, it was like half a handful of arugula. Fif. Teen.

    (2)

  • Laura P.

    One of our FAVORITES anywhere! We've been coming since it opened. It's always delicious, really awesome. The menu changes at least seasonally and never disappointed. Ned Ludd was the first place I'd had rabbit since I was a kid. I couldn't wait to have it again. It was so good. It's hard not to choose it whenever it is on the menu, it's so good, but so is everything else! We went Friday night for a bit of a celebration. We started with the Charcuterie. WOW, the chicken liver mouse, the pork rillette, pork and pistachio pate, which house made pickles and mustard. The bread they serve with it is super good too! Next we moved on to the Roasted Carrots with cumin, mint and yogurt. We also shared Charred Raabs with pine nuts and yogurt sauce. It was very good too! The carrots were amazing. Dinner was the Rabbit and the Pork, done 3 ways. I know, I still had the rabbit, but we decided to get it and the Pork. It was amazing. We shared each other's plates too good not to! Dessert did not disappoint either. We had the ever awesome baked to order, chocolate chip cookie made in a mini cast iron skillet in the wood oven! Don't get me wrong, it isn't a small cookie, and the best thing ever is the small pitcher of cream that you pour over it! Check out the picture! We also had the Cremeux, which didn't pale in comparison, but the cookie is the bomb, so it get's a little less press. It was smooth and creamy and yummy! Service always good, we see the same wait staff which we think is great. Low turnover further shows just how good this place it. Not that we needed any affirmation of our opinion of this place, but while we were there, another notable Portland Chef came in and enjoyed a glass of wine and dinner!

    (5)

  • Maya S.

    Impressed. I always cringe when I am about to try a new (to me) and possibly hipster/foodie place in Portland. What's going to happen? Will I be met with what the server at Ned Ludd and I agreed was "hipster stuffiness"? It gets really old really fast in this town being met with a holier than thou attitude in some of these places. It actually keeps me from wanting to go certain places. I just don't need the attitude. It's so rife in Portland. It was my wedding anniversary and we had in fact eaten lunch out that same day and been met by an incredibly rude server which made me never want to go in the place again. NOTE TO BUSINESS OWNERS IN PORTLAND: WHEN are you going to teach your staff about customer service? Wow, it's blindingly missing sometimes. But not at Ned Ludd. Test one: it's a small crowded entryway. Servers are immediately attentive and trying to sort out where you belong as opposed to breezing by, no eye contact, whatever. (Happens a lot in places.) Immediate service, given menus and water at the side bar. AS IT SHOULD BE! I mentioned it was our wedding anniversary. When we were seated we were brought complimentary glasses of sparkling wine. How incredibly nice of them. I certainly did not expect that! Wow. Thank you. The server: warm, attentive, extremely food knowledgable. Obviously, the food is prepared with great care here by passionate chefs. Their passion and knowledge has been handed down to the server, clearly. I have been to places of a similar caliber to Ned Ludd (once and never again) with unsmiling servers who didn't do much except by rote and didn't seem to care if I was there or not. Our server was great. She watched where you were in your meal without hovering, and when she came, she had great things to say. I actually talked to her about how impressed we were not only with the food and the focus it must take to cook everything (including pasta!) in a wood fired oven, but how impressed we were with HER. Not a smidgen of that hipster, annoying, cooler than thou Portland restaurant attitude. She told me that very day they had been discussing that subject in the restaurant and said: "That's not what we're about." Clearly. Thank you and bravo! The cavatelli is to die for, I wish it was a giant bowl full! The trout... wow. Just... wow. Never thought I'd be slurping up charred bits of leek but they taste that good! They even put an anniversary candle on our dessert. Very sweet. I was hoping that our anniversary dinner would go well. Last year we picked regretfully with unsmiling and really irritating hipster attitude servers and wished we had picked another restaurant. You will not find that problem at Ned Ludd. Yay. My only small and not really relevant "complaint" is that it's quite cold being seated near the door on a cold, rainy night, but that probably has to do with the design of the building/ wood oven, etc. Put a coat on, enjoy. Thanks Ned Ludd for being a memorable place for our anniversary.

    (5)

  • Thomas N.

    Our visit to Ned Ludd was nice, especially since I didn't have to pick up the bill. My girlfriend and I went for dinner on a Saturday evening with my parents. The ambience was nice and the food and drinks were very good but everything was overpriced and the place was a bit too pretentious for my tastes. I love checking out new restaurants and consider myself a bit of a foodie but this place didn't impress me as much as I had expected. If the prices were 20% lower I'd give it 5 stars. The food preparation and presentation were great but the portions were small.

    (4)

  • Lindsay C.

    After hearing rave reviews, we dropped in for Sunday brunch. Overall, we left disappointed. This place takes itself absurdly seriously and presents as if you're just lucky to be there. After being seated quickly, it took ages for a server to check in with us. Food was well flavored, but portions were small. One slice of French Toast? No bacon or sausage sides? The smoked trout hash was really tasty, but the veggies were warm and the trout was cold. Server didn't check in with us once after the food came, so we didn't have a chance to provide feedback. We probably won't be back - at least not for brunch. Bridges, Publican, Tasty & Alder, Veritable Quandry, Hoyt on 23rd and half a dozen other places provide just as good of food at a better value. If I want to pay for Portland chic decor I'll hit Woodsman.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth K.

    Really good pizza! We had the margarita and the caramelized onion, honey, kale with lardo. Both delicious!!!

    (5)

  • Xochil S.

    Ned Ludd came highly recommended from a local Seattle chef, and it did not disappoint! I had the most amazing fish stew, succulent salmon, sole & trout. Bursting with flavor, a tangy broth was a delight! Their home made crusty bread was served on the side. A perfect meal. I also shared the kale gratin and tried the flat bread. Both were so tasty!! Very nice wine list, and the service was impeccable. This is a MUST for all foodies!

    (5)

  • Geoff M.

    Until I ate at Ned Ludd I never had eaten food like this before. Ned Ludd is basically straight from the garden to the table type food. Totally fresh. Full of flavor. The food is cooked in a open wood oven. Depending on the wood and temp the food flavors change. The service is amazing. All the staff was friendly and positive. Completely engaged with the customers. Jason, the owner, even sat down at our table and talked with us for a while. It can get a little spendy, but like much of everything else, you get what you pay for. The food is excellent. The ambiance is completely chill. I felt like I was eating in my green house garden. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Charyl C.

    Celebrated an anniversary last night at Ned Ludd. Had a most delightful evening. The service was great - our servers went out of their way to help us celebrate. The food was wonderful and wonderfully prepared. Definitely a place we will go back to!

    (5)

  • Chelsea M.

    Such an awesome find! Great decor, intimate lighting with a welcoming vibe. The food was so amazing and the service was great! The 'oven-kissed cookie with milk' was the best cookie I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Jack M.

    Called and left a message for a reservation. No call back? Whatsup busy bodies

    (2)

  • Mellissa B.

    Who knew that my next great love story would be with whipped pork fat slathered on perfectly crisp, thin, artisan toast topped with baked apple slices and drizzled in maple syrup? Put a fork in me, Ned Ludd, because I'm f*ckin' WELL done! I was privileged to eat dinner at this delicious, small but perfect American restaurant for the first time tonight. It had the sort of vibe that made me feel like I was in a family kitchen where my lumberjack uncle might bring in freshly caught fish from the river or freshly harvested greens from the forest garden out back. . .but with a city's expertise and style. It was casual, yet I felt comfortable in my skirt and heels as well. The wait staff was genuinely friendly, professional and attentive. My cider was amazing, dry, earthy and not sweet one bit while still having that lovely apple finish. My Cucumber salad, my grilled zucchini and grape tomatoes, and my hen with greens and chanterelle mushrooms was ridiculously tasty and everything had some kind of unique spice or barely-there sauce to let all the natural goodness shine through. I wouldn't mind if they amped up the same awesome factor to their fairly unremarkable dessert menu. . .but really who cares when the entire dinner menu is to die for. Pass the bread board (with flower butter) please, and remember to make reservations. Because if you don't make reservations, you'll be waiting in a line outside the door, which I witnessed this evening. And just for a fun side note, I looked up the official website - the Owner-Chef is really hot. Bonus!

    (5)

  • Alyssa C.

    Came here for PREAM - Monday night pizza with what else but Wu Tang Clan playing alllllll night long! I have to say - the Margherita pizza was one of the best margs I've had in a WHILE. It was just the perfect amount of salty with just the right amount of beat in the background to make me go ohhhh yeaaaahhh! We also tried the kale pizza, which was good, but didn't make my toes tingle like the marg. Pizzas are a lil spendy - 17 for the marg or 18 for the others. Beers are 5-6 each, making this place a more spendy date night, but man - hip hop makes it worth it!

    (4)

  • El W.

    The food is awesome. I came here with my family (a 2 yr-old niece is coming along). We tried almost everything on the menu and loved them. There is no question regarding the quality of the food. My favorite meat plates are the salmon and the pork loin. 5* Despite of how the size of the restaurant, they are incredibly kid-friendly. We came with a 2-yr old and the awesome waiter gave her a bunch of strawberries (in season). She is more than happy to indulge in them and keep saying "more more" 5* Thank you for the awesome meal! We will come back!

    (5)

  • Janice F.

    Amazing French toast, it's almost like eating a bread creme brulee - the crust is crispy, the bread is dense & pudding-like. Sprinkled with hazelnuts, nice crunchy touch to the whole dish. They said the house is baked in-house, a ciabatta perhaps? Rustic funky decor, very Portland, very American - fits their tagline of "American Craft Kitchen". Also had the mushroom skillet with kale & eggs, tasty. One egg was perfectly poached, runny yolk - the other was overcooked, more like a hardboiled egg. Ordered a side of their bacon - delicious, smoky sweet - goes great with the French toast!

    (5)

  • Angie S.

    Good but small menu.

    (3)

  • Zara E.

    I love the decor and the vibe, I really want to be there for long periods of time, enjoying the view of a wood-fired oven, and tattooed, bearded manly-men. But gosh darned it, Ned, the food just isn't memorable nor is it as fabulous as your reputation leads us to believe. Most dishes I've had are hit or miss, unfortunately leaning more on the miss side of the spectrum. White Chocolate cremuex dessert is fabulous and unique. The well-seasoned, beautifully cooked salmon was destroyed by being served over a pile of beet mush (and I love beets, y'all) -- actually, it was kind of gross. The pre-bottled fizzy cocktails are really only OK. Service, meh -- takes a long time for someone to notice you are there. I want to love you more, really I do! But I think I'll be spending my money elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Tom C.

    Amazing food! Loved it. Hand made fresh flat bread, miner's lettuce salad, whole roasted trout, cod, and the chocolate cookie for dessert. Incredible meal and fantastic drinks. Everything is made in the stone oven. Jason the owner is really passionate about making the perfect meal. Would love to go back! PS. order the cookie for dessert and pour the milk over it in the mini fry pan its served in. It's so hot, the milk gets absorbed for a super soft cookie. Incredible!

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    Beautiful restaurant, attentive (and attractive) waitstaff, good wine list, fresh menu and excellent plating. The flat bread was delicious and authentic, the trout was perfect (crispy skin and flakey fish....it makes me feel romantic), the charcuterie plate was amazing (rabbit mousse? Yes.). The cookie. That was my favorite part. Piping hot from the oven, served in a small cast iron pan and served with a couple ounces of cold milk (pour IT on top and watch it sizzle!), this cookie made me feel like a little kid all over again. Yum.

    (4)

  • Steve L.

    Damn! What a great meal. We were in town from Vancouver for the weekend and came across this place on Yelp. It totally lived up to expectations with a really fantastic, cozy atmosphere. The food was stellar - particularly the asparagus, radish, turnip, miso, toasted rice salad. I've never had a salad quite like that before. I'd love to try out the outdoor seating sometime, it looked great for a an al-fresco evening.

    (5)

  • Joshua L.

    The atmosphere is the omnipresent industrial chic - rough around the edges but tasty upon further inspection. It would have been nice if this had been a theme for the food and service. I got the sense that you're supposed to love this restaurant, but I've had similar if not better experiences at local brewpubs and just super casual low cost restaurants. Our service was good for a bar, but pretty mediocre for a $$$ jam: Food was auctioned off, I had to grab my plate from the runner twice ($$$??), and the server was shocked that our table wasn't expecting the 'pork noodles' to be slivers of slippery fatback. Also, no suggestions were made, the cocktails were unremarkable, and we got 4 points of toast for our table of 6 charcuterie board. Aside from the 'noodles' our meal and app choices definitely displayed some kitchen prowess, but it was fairly forgettable, and some of the flavor combinations felt a little forced. A final note, %20 mandatory gratuity for a 6 top at a nice restaurant doesn't exactly exude class for me. If you're going to insult our table we should at least get some mints!

    (3)

  • mafe P.

    Yumm!Yumm! Pickled Oregon strawberries... enough said.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Accepts Bitcoin : No
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street, Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Ned Ludd

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