Finally made it over to Toro Bravo for the first time. We enjoyed our meal, but as we always find, it's all about knowing how to order. We had the following five dishes, in order of deliciousness: Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with sheep's cheese Grilled Asparagus with fried jamon, olives & preserved lemon (without ham) Fresh Pasta with pimenton dulce & manchego Potatoes Bravas The Grilled Flat Bread was unbelievable! Soft, chewy bread that absolutely soaks in the truffle cheese. The Butternut Squash was warm and creamy. I wasn't particularly wowed with either the Asparagus or Pasta - I found the pasta to be really oily and lacking a little flavor. The least favorite for both of us was the Potatoes Bravas - I would not order this again. Potatoes themselves were on the dry side, without great flavor and the aioli on top just didn't do it for us. There were additional vegetarian items on the menu, so it's definitely do-able for those of us who don't eat meat. I'd come back, but I would adjust my order a bit. We also found that the five dishes (ordering the small size where applicable) was too much food for the two of us. The service was very friendly and helpful, and this place has a cool atmosphere.
I don't know what to think of this place. I wanted to walk about being really WOWED but instead I was merely satisfied. I thought all the dishes were good- some were creative. There wasn't one single thing we ordered that would really make me want to come back. I thought for what we got it was a bit overpriced as well. In terms of the atmosphere, it's LOUD and tight. Normally there is a long wait but they putting us in a holding table where we basically face a wall. The hostess came 10 min later to ask us if we'd like to stay or move to the dining area. She was visibly disappointed when we wanted to move. I mean, who on earth would want to stare at a wall 3 ft away all night? The duck liver mousse was really the hit of the night. I wasn't too crazy for the date covered by bacon (I've had it other places). We had some other dishes as well- all were good but nothing fantastic.
(4)
Jen K.
I find it impossible to review Toro Bravo without comparing it to two other high end tapas places in town, Navarre and Andina. Consider them the three sisters if you will, although Toro Bravo is really a masculine place. Two are loud: Toro Bravo and Andina Only one takes reservations: Andina Two have won the Oregonian's Restaurant of the Year award: Navarre (2009) and Andina (2005). But don't cry for Toro Bravo since they regularly receive high praise from The Oregonian and Portland Monthly. Two have outstanding service: Toro Bravo and Andina. The difference is that at Andina I feel like family and at Toro Bravo I feel like an honored guest. Location: Navarre and Andina are in the middle of vibrant neighborhoods. Toro Bravo is more of a destination since there are only a few other places around. Chef John Gorham runs a tight ship and it is a pleasure to sit by the kitchen and watch the staff work. This is, in fact, my favorite pastime at any restaurant. There are two seating areas right by the kitchen that I always choose. The first has you face the chefs, but you sit lower so you can't really see the action, only their focused expressions and interaction. There are also four seats to the side where you get a better view of their knife play. Toro Bravo is a sexy space and one of its secret weapons is their proximity to Secret Society lounge for a fabulous one-two punch. My experience with their wait staff has been excellent. Since the menu changes regularly to reflect seasonal ingredients, I won't bother mentioning particular dishes. When I first went with my little list of Yelp suggestions almost none were on the menu. I highly encourage you to have a conversation with your server to see what they recommend on a given day. My second favorite activity in restaurants. Just put yourself in their capable hands. Even though Navarre is all the rage right now, it is my least favorite of the three. I'm partial to Andina, but Toro Bravo is also high on my list.
(4)
Ketty G.
Best paella valenciana. I hope they open a branch in California. Service is awesome, great ambience.
(5)
Polly P.
I heard so much good things about this restaurant that I just have to check it out myself. Finally, I did go with a friend. And I LOVE it!!! We ordered a variety of tapas and a bottle of wine. Everything that I tasted were delicious and flavorful. The restaurant is not really spacious and it was crowded the night I was there. But, I would definitely go back for the food.
(4)
b s.
It was Saturday night and the place was packed. It's a cute space, looks inviting and warm. There's lots of food with bacon- so honestly how can you wrong. After debating what to get, we started with French Kisses- 'nuff said. I don't think i was capable of conversation for about 5 minutes afterwards. There was a flurry of food in between and we ended with Almonds and chocolate. It was ordered simply because someone else said it was amazing- i almost passed on it because honestly, it sounds so plain and dull. I was wrong. These were so amazing that they be had to be taken away because I couldn't bear to leave a single one behind. Will go eat here again. Although next time, sticking with the olive oil and bread, not the butter.
(5)
Nuria C.
We arrived to Toro Bravo on Friday, October 21st. We were told there was a 30-40 minute so we went upstairs for drinks at Secret Society. Once up there after 40 minutes, they called us to let us know that we could sit at two open spots at the bar. We declined and preferred a table. Upon sitting and having plenty of time to review the menu (server didn't greet us for almost 10 minutes), we were approached with the simple question of "are you ready to order?" Of course we were, so I ordered everything and asked a question about a beer. The food came out fairly quickly and in good order. First, we got the Bacalao fritters, which were great. I'm of Spanish heritage and think their alioli is quite good, but they obviously don't use raw egg. That's fine because it tasted good. Next, we had the pan-seared Calamari. This was my favorite, and the roasted red pepper on top totally made it. For dinner, we shared a Paella Toro. This was truly spectacular. The socorrat was great and crispy, not burned. The rice was cooked perfectly. They over did it on the chorizo as Spaniards don't eat a lot of spicy food. Nevertheless, everything culinary was GREAT. I can't give this restaurant 5 stars for one reason: our server. After having only spoken less than 3 minutes of words to us and having to ask several runners/other servers for things we wanted, we gave her a mediocre tip - 13%. (Now, be warned that I was a fine-dining server for 6 years. I hardly ever tip poorly even when service is poor, but I've learned better than that. I now know that poor-to-mediocre service does not require my generosity.) 13% was about two bucks away from a normal 15% tip. HOWEVER, my server approached me as I was putting on my coat and asked me if my poor tip was a reflection of her service. I told her the service was ok. With an extremely fake smile, she told me to have a good night. Now, I know she asked about the tip in the nicest way she could approach me, but the overall fact that she asked about her tip put me off (and remember, I have served at some really nice restaurants). I know, that no matter how much you want to, you should not criticize a guests' tip. It leaves a sour taste in their mouth and makes a wonder about what servers realistically expect. Do you EXPECT 15% just for showing up to the table? There are steps of service, sense of urgency and product knowledge that allllll go into receiving 15-20%. You don't just get a tip for showing up. Not only that, we didn't leave on a positive note, which sort of killed our night. Gratuity is for service, not for the price of the bill. I knocked out two stars. First impressions last a lifetime.
(3)
Alena C.
My BF and I came to Toro Bravo at 6pm on a Friday. We didn't have to wait at all, and got a great table. Our serve came over right away and got our drink order, and she came back just as quickley with those drinks. My BF can't handle his dairy, so our server was more than patient recommending dishes that would suit his baby belly, or dishes that can be made dairy free. We ordered the Bacon Burger, the Spicy octapus and prawn soup and the scallops, along with the bread and oil. Everything was great! The burger was fantastic! He ALWAYS orders burgers, and he said it was hands down the best he has had. I really liked the scallops. They are very easy to overcook, but they were done just right! The spicy soup was really good too. They were NOT kidding about the spicy! And I beleive the bread is from a local bakery, and it was soo good. We both had a glass of wine, and a really good dinner for $40.00. We will be back.
(5)
Carrie C.
Went in after Omsi after dark on wednesday. arrived around 9 - no wait. An hour before close, but they still served us the tasting menu. Thank you! It was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Portland. Our out of town guests and my husband and I enjoyed every bite. We had: (tasting menu) -bacon wrapped dates -radicchio salad -bread with butter and olive oil -house cured chorizo and manchego (came with some sort of liquor jelly.) -glazed carrots -griddled shrimp with chilies (these were HUGE) -baked polenta -roasted eggplant and lamb ragu -house smoked coppa steak We also ordered 4 "french kisses" Everything was absolutely delicious. $30 for the tasting menu is a steal in my opinion. There was PLENTY of food for 4 people, and we were more than satisfied at the end of our meal. The steak came last, and we were so full before we dug into that dish. We finished it anyway because it was one of the most delicious steaks I've ever had. The smoke flavor really came through. We also had some house red, and old rasputin. We received really good service. Thanks Toro Bravo!
(5)
Mitch M.
Wow! What a difference a year makes! I LOVED my first and second visit, but it's a whole different ball game now. Met up with the GF and friend after work on Thursday. I was stuck in traffic, running a few minutes late, and just before I got there the hostess threatened to kick my two dining partners (who had already been seated) out when they mentioned that they were waiting for a third to arrive before ordering. It went downhill from there. We were there for two hours, and dropped nearly two hundred dollars. The entire time there was no continuity in service - seemingly random people coming by to take orders and deliver food. The problem was, everyone one was curt to the point of being rude. It was no busier than it had been my first visit, but the attitude was horrible. Like Shutup and give me your money and get out. A far cry from our previous experiences. We intended to order a bit, drink a bit, order some more, drink some more, which is what the concept of a tapas bar is supposed to be, but the wait staff was clearly irritated when we wouldn't order everything all at once. And three times I had to stop someone from clearing plates with food we hadn't finished yet. We had been there for perhaps 1.5 hours, spending plenty of money. I had a nearly full drink in front of me, as did my dining partners, and we still had some food left. Suddenly, one of our waitresses came by and shoved desert menus in front of us, gave us a sour look, and asked us to wrap it up. To top it all off, each and every item we ordered was at best bland and mediocre, at worst awful. We all left feeling ripped off. I will say, they still have a fine margarita though. I used to love this place. But I think it's another case of success ruining a good thing. Moving on to better things.
(2)
Ninihada C.
Consistently, Toro wows me. We've been here multiple times and have always had a great dining experience. The food, tapas style, is so great because you get to try lots of different options. I always like that the menu changes for variety. The wait on weekends can be long, but if you arrive early you might be OK or go with a group of 7 or more you can get a reservation.
(5)
Amber S.
One of the best meals I've ever had. We arrived on a Sunday, about 15 minutes before opening and we were the first through the door. Service was excellent throughout the meal. Once we ordered the plates came out at the perfect pace. French Kiss-meh, was surprised it was served so cold. Was just there for me. Didn't make much of an impression. Salt Cod Fritters- These smelled so good that it seemed a shame to put them in my mouth. The aroma was amazing. I'm glad I did eat them because they were divine, and the garlic aioli was absolutely delicious. Chicken Liver Mousse-I didn't realize that I like liver. I have never liked liver before, regardless of how it's been served to me. This was the best dish we had at Toro Bravo. It was amazing. We will return specifically for this item. Bacon Wrapped Dates-Holy Diabetes! Really delicious little treat but SWEET! Brussels Sprouts-Prepared in a cream/sherry sauce. Oh my lord. I love Brussels sprouts and this is easily the best BS dish I've ever had. I must figure out this recipe. Empanada-I didn't find this all that wonderful. I thought it was a bit dry. GF thought this was one of the better things she tried though so who knows? I also got a Lamb stew with lentils-It was alright, but it seemed out of place with this meal. I probably wouldn't order it again. Had the Caramel Pana Cotta for dessert. Yum. So delicious. We were able to watch food coming out of the window all night and there are many, many other dishes that I'm going to have to return to try. Everything looked incredible. The price wasn't outlandish. We didn't get alcohol and our bill was an even $60. Fantastic price, considering the quality of the experience. Five Stars.
(5)
Becca R.
First of all, thank you to all of the reviewers who recommended showing up at 5:30 to snag a table. I arrived at 5:35, and the wait was already at 75 minutes. Which was totally fine, as I was well aware that this was common, and the food would be worth every second of waiting. (PS by 6, there was a 3 hour wait. So GET THERE EARLY). Or, maybe don't go on a nice Saturday? hehe. By the time my friends and I were seated, we were so stoked for food that we may or may not have ordered about half of the menu. Our waitress was great at giving us suggestions and guiding us, and recommending when we had definitely ordered enough food. My favorite dish is tied between the potatoes bravas and the burger. Holy cow, like, really. I had read that their burger was one of the best in the city, and I think it gets overlooked by such a substantial menu, but OMG you NEED to try this burger. We ordered two desserts, and one was taking awhile. Not that we minded, but the kitchen staff is friggen amazing and sent out a complimentary caramel panna cotta, which was sensational. We had the olive oil cake (my first olive oil cake!!!) and it was a scrumptious first impression. Toro Bravo, I dream about you. One day, I know I will be back.
(5)
Daniel P.
There's a reason this hot spot is packed: All the plates, A to oxtail, are stacked-- Like when Papi backed Manny, A sure hit--call the nanny, And go NOW. Even spinach is jacked.
(5)
Wendy S.
Went to have dinner there with my friend for her birthday this Thursday. I was blown away that the place still had a 90 minute wait on a Thursday evening at 8pm. I thought wow - they swure are doing well. It was my first time there so expected to be very impressed given everything I have heard. Well we were able to grab a little table outside while we waited and we could have eatten out there but in about 20 minutes we were told we could sit inside so even though the wait was supposed to be 90 mins it was far less. We sat at the bar and our waittress was wonderful. Attentive and helpful. We share the bacon wrapped date with stuffed almond - yum! I ordered the friend anchovies on a recommendation from the waitress but honestly, I would never oder that again. I love anchovies but there were tough and very very fishy. We shared the grilled corn, the spinach with raisins and pine nuts (pure ecstacy) and the smoked steak which was amazing! I would defintiely go back to this place. Yum yum
(4)
Vanessa M.
My first meal in Portland and it was excellent. Unfortunately the wait was so long that I was starved and completely forgot to take pictures. If you know me, thats just unheard of. The menu was quite extensive and we were sure we were going to order from both sides of the menu but we ordered approx 5 things from the 1st side and 2 cocktails.. we never made it to the 2nd side...such a shame. Other than the wait, the service is fast friendly and the food is exceptional. Great first meal in Portland! I will be back to try the 2nd side!
(4)
Bertrand R.
I was underwhelmed by this restaurant. I liked the vibe - the restaurant was well designed, had nice ambiance and good waiters. I liked the menu - the dishes sounded good. All of the dishes we ordered were good or okay but nothing was particularly amazing. Not what I expected from one of the highest rated restaurants in Portland. I think the roasted peanuts and pumpkin seeds they had sitting on the table were the highlight of the night - they were really amazing. (I am just reading this review over right now and drooling thinking about those) The cheese plate was also quite memorable and had a nice mix. It also came with a nice banana crisp bread and a date (I will have to remember to include dates in my next cheese events). I also liked how the waitress only told us what kind of animal each cheese came from - I just wish she had said it slower so we could follow what she was saying.
(3)
Luna J.
Wait...Wait... the new thing for great restaurants... Toro Bravo its a great place. Small dishes... Tapas very tasty that you just want more and more... The bartenders need to be a bit more friendly but nothing but to say about this place! Love it!!!
(4)
Amber P.
Super friendly service at the bar. Just the right amount of attention, and the spacing between items arriving was perfect. The $11 Strawberry Mountain burger was juicy and flavorful. The burger was very salty, but I have to say the frizzled cheese was a nice touch.
(4)
Wanugee N.
This is a great Tapas place in Portland! Quant neighborhood feel, large open window storefront with community tables and a rear eating bar, with the open kitchen right behind where all the fantastic little Tapa plates come out quickly! First, the 4 of us started by sitting in the waiting area, which is a long narrow, 3 foot wide space with little cabaret like tables nail down, for drinks. Cozy and intimate as we salivated over the tapas menu. The drinks menu was great too! After trying a Bravo Manhattan (Bulleit Bourbon, Carpano Antica Vermouth, Angostura bitters, toschi cherry, up, 9) and a Toro Martini (Medoyeff Vodka, Mansanilla Sherry rinse, salted almond, up, 9) we all agreed that the best drink was the Red Pepper Delicious (Aviation Gin, sweet red peppers, mint, lime, up $9) After being seated on a community table seating about 10, we ordered, with great attention from our server, who was helpful and great with timing. We ordered 13 things, and split them all between us. 1. Toasted Almonds with Sea Salt (2) 2. Pickled Vegetables and Marinated Olives (3) 3. Fried Anchovies with Fennel and Lemon (7) 4. Pimentos de Padrons (6) 5. Griddled Bacon Wrapped Dates with warm honey (2/each) 6. Duck Liver Mousse Terrine with Morels & House made sidra mustard (7) 7. Seared Scallops with Romesco sauce (13) 8. Spicy Octopus and Prawn Stew (10) 9. Smoked Pork Shoulder Sandwich with Aioli & Heirloom Tomato (8) 10. Roasted Eggplant w/Lamb Ragu, Sweet Peppers & Mahon (10) 11. Smoked Pork Rillettes with Marmalade and Toast (7) 12. Oxtail Croquettes with Spice Roasted Chili Mayonnaise (14) 13. Braised Torpedo Onions with Salbitxada (4) Desserts were Churros with Chocolate dipping sauce; Almond Ice Cream with hot Espresso poured over it, and large coffees. There wasn't a bad dish on the list! All winners, and such a fun way to eat with friends! They also have a tapas tasting menu for $25/person, a good wine list including 10 Sherries, Beer, and Sangria. Great food, great service, great fun! Best Tapas I have had in a long, long time! Ole! (See pics)
(5)
Felicia W.
My absolute favorite restaurant in Portland! Yes, I've had tapas in Spain and yes, these are different, but in my humble foodie opinion, they are much better than the vast majority of tapas we ate in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Sit at the bar for excellent service and be adventurous: try the tasting menu! Also, this is one of those long meal kinds of places, so sit back and enjoy it.
(5)
Kirsten S.
Oh man. Delicious! I was very pleased with the overall experience. The Potatoes Bravo were SO GOOD. They're fried potatoes coated with tomato sauce and served with house made aioli. That tomato sauce is a thing of glory. It has the kind of developed savory flavor that only an expert who really took their time can create. My fiance got the squid ink pasta and it was really good. The drinks we fantastic. And best of all, I think the pricing is very reasonable considering the quality. Fun to sit at the bar by the cooks and watch them prepare the food. It's important to either get there right when they open, or be ready to wait. They get very crowded very fast and don't take reservations. Worth the extra planning, though!
(5)
Brian L.
Came here on the strength of all the reviews...just didn't live up to them. The help was very nice, hostess was kind, bartender kind. The food just didn't hit the spot for me. I ordered the cheese fritters, which were fried cheese balls. They were ok, nothing special. But the main entree (which is what I was super excited for) was the Toro paella. I love me some good paella! But this paella was subpar. The rice needed more saffron, and should've been a bit drier. The shells on the mussels were cracking and got into the paella (not a huge issue, but it wasn't a plus). Overall, the flavor of the paella just didn't hit the spot. The price of it wasn't bad though ($16) and was spot on good pricing (didn't feel like I was being raped). Overall, it was a nice place, but the food just wouldn't make me think about going again. Although, I would go back to try other items, due to all the high reviews.
(3)
jear b.
Amazing. I thought I was going to be let down after all the hype I heard about this place but was not let down at all. Can't wait to go back. Wonderful experience.
(5)
Troy S.
I just wasn't a huge fan of Tora Bravo. The fact that I didn't make a reservation and it was my GF's birthday (which I, cough... forgot) may have been a contributing factor... I just didn't think the few dishes we had were as good as tapas I have had in the past. The fried green tomatoes were too heavily breaded and covered in a thick mayo-like sauce that really didn't agree with my tastebuds. The olive and pickled veggies were unimpressive. The service, however, was spot on. Although the place was packed they seated us outside immediately. It was a perfect night out so I think I enjoyed this more than I would have the very noisy inside seating. This place is very small, and I was really hoping for the more intimate environment that we had outside. Trying to recover from a forgotten birthday, one must really rely on your listening skills to manuever the sinking ship back to safe waters. I would like to try Toro again, but maybe for happy hour next time.
(4)
Kristine T.
Our first meal in Portland was a great experience. The atmosphere is bustling so if you're looking for a romantic spot, this probably isn't the best idea. Cocktails are very good, food is very, very good. Some things were a little heavy handed on the salt, but most of Spanish food is, in my opinion. Their paella and tortilla are authentic and the closest I've tasted to what my host mom made in Sevilla, in what feels like a lifetime ago. Would have given 5 stars if it wasn't such a frenetic energy in here. Yes, you're a great dining spot, but it doesn't mean tables have to be on top of each other and staff are practically running by every couple seconds. It almost gave me the feeling like we (diners) were in their way.
(4)
Julie T.
Had several standout dishes including the calamari, the blood orange salad, the brussells sprouts, the dates stuffed with fois gras, the octopus, the nettles on grilled bread, and the caramel panna cotta. All delish. But, I believe I enjoy Toro more than Tasty because there are lighter, seafood based dishes as opposed to pork with pork gravy and a side of bacon. Yum yum in the tum tum. Great glass of tempranillo wine as well! Yay, Toro Bravo!
(5)
T M.
I really don't see what is so sweet about this place. I was visiting Portland for the weekend and Yelp + numerous food blogs described this restaurant as one of Portland's best. And so, I readily braved the two hour wait for a table for two. The food really was just ok. I ordered a lot, and wasn't really blown away by anything - charcuterie plate: blah - squid ink pasta: interesting, nice local touch with the hazelnut garnish - octopus a la plancha: this was really tasty. it's tough to go wrong with griddled octopus - grilled asparagus: fine, tasty. - dates wrapped in bacon: the bacon used was really lean, bordering on cheap tasting. this dish was cool in the U.K. in like what, 1997? - eggplant and lamb ragout: boooooring. tasted pretty much like lasagna - drunken pork: this is pork brined in gin / juniper garnish and wrapped in bacon. this dish was bordering on inedible, and clear reminder why juniper's only practical use is cutting the taste of spirits In any event, I think I'm approaching this review from the standpoint that tapas are pretty lame, so if you love tapas (like actually love them, not just love them because everyone else does and it's the cool thing to do) you may consider trying this place. My advice would be to save yourself the wait, however, and head to Little Bird or some other cool place in town.
(2)
Chris B.
I must say...... There is really nothing better on PDX. I have been here many times and never had a bad meal/tapa. There is nothing but great local goodness with a Spanish twist. The coppa steak is awesome and the squash with sheep's milk cheese are always winners. I take all my friends and family here on their visits to Portland. This is one of Portland's best.
(5)
Rachel Jo-yu C.
It's alright, the service is nice and fast, didn't wait for too long at 6ish on Friday. However, the food is simply ok, not impressive. The sangria is definitely not worth 7 dollars. The bread was half burned, and the taste of the dishes are not well-balanced as i would expect one of the most popular restaurants in PDX would manage. I have been here twice and not feel motivated enough to go back again.
(3)
Ian H.
I know, I know... yet ANOTHER 5 star review for Toro Bravo. What can I say? After 4 visits and not even a twinge of disappointment in so much as a spoonful of food, I can safely say that these guys set my gold standard for Portland cuisine. I have been to dozens of other restaurants in this city that are rated just as high here on yelp, and none of them come even close in quality! John Gorham is the MAN! He is now opening his 4th restaurant/bar in this town (Tasty n Alder) and that's no small feat. You can't argue with success like that. If I could work for any cook in Oregon, this is the guy. So, go to Toro, or Tasty and see for yourself. The food will not disappoint.
(5)
Jan B.
YUMMMMMMMM Tapas! We had a great evening, plate after plate. Some highlights: Grilled Octopus with piquillo peppers, very savory! Squid Ink Pasta with hazelnuts and a sauce of egg yolk, very interesting flavor. I could have had a second plate. We shared 8 plates with four of us and enjoyed wine from The Canary Islands. The service was spot on and the GM stopped by to check on our satisfaction. I would highly recommend Toro Bravo.
(5)
Holy-foo' X.
"This club has got to be, The most pretentious thing...." ---Finger 11, 'Paralyzer' Toro Bravo opens for business @ 5pm, or right about the time folks in "Spain" Spain are finishing Siesta, but then Toro Bravo lapses into "one of these kids, is doin' his own thing" by closing down at 10pm sharp, ie, exactly when the joints start jumping-- in "Spain" Spain, and don't stop till 4am..! You can't exactly make the argument that there's no market here for late night diners, either, considering the on-going success of late-night independents like Higgins or Montage, as well as all-night chains (Shari's, IHOP etc). Setting aside the hours of operation conundrum,Toro Bravo also does not offer carry out, like its sister restaurant Tasty 'n' Sons. This is un malo chiste for any runners w/los Toros de San Fermin festival in Pamplona, ni los peregrinos del Camino de Santiago tampoco, chulos! The menu selection at the Boastful Bull is way fancier than anything I had the moolah for as an exchange student (and later, pilgrim traveler del Camino) in Spain. Spanish cuisine is of course highly variable regionally, and TB reflects it, though it seems to favor dishes in the northern lands, both of pais Basco and the distinctly French-flavored Pyriennes. Dealer's choice, what can you say? I've checked el Toro's changing menu many times, and I've yet to see Gazpacho, or pulpo, or pajaritos fritos, or even the ensaladas con pechuga, or those lovely tater omelets my host mamacita frequently made for me. Maybe these are considered lowbrow wares not worthy of the aristocracy and this is the fanciful appeal of the place to the burgeoning Bridgetown aristocratic and quasi-aristocratic strata.... In sum, Toro Bravo misses the mark rather substantially when it comes to Spanish fare, which frequently is nothing beyond a baguette, perhaps a little cheese, olive oil and Jamon! The Spaniards love them some Jamo'n! Toro Bravo fails precisely b/c they are a big hit here for the very crowd to which they aim, and no higher---- Los Presumidos.
(2)
Stacy G.
Divine. We went about 20 minutes before they opened on a Sunday and already a line was formed out of the door. Uh oh I thought... another just opened spot people line up to go to just because its trendy. Boy was I wrong. It didn't open a few weeks ago... it opened YEARS ago! People still line up to eat there. And for good reason. I had a taste of almost one of everything on the menu and it was all wonderful. Best part about it was the portion size was actually decent. I've been to many tapas places where the food size was tiny but this was enough to feed everyone in our party. We went with friends. So its good for smaller groups and definitely good for couples. Everyone was very nice and gave good food recommendations. The drinks were good. A bit too good. 3 drinks later I wished they were a bit less tasty! So good work Toro Bravo! I can't wait to come back here and would recommend to even my foodiest of friends.
(5)
Mallory T.
Its nearly impossible to live up to all the hype. I was expecting to be blown away, perhaps we didn't order the right things. I went with 2 girlfriends on a Saturday and waited for an hour upstairs at Secret Society (loved it!). They called us when our table was ready and we were seated in their open dining area. My dining partners took the reins and did the ordering since they had been there before. Apart from the bacon wrapped dates and sangria, everything else was pretty forgettable. I think I'll try again on a weeknight and make some of my own ordering decisions.
(3)
Raynaldo M.
I hate being shut out. My first attempt to eat at Toro Bravo was a lesson in poor planning. I knew they were a very popular place(thats why I wanted to eat there). I arrived at 6:30pm. End of story. If you try to go there after 5:30pm expect to wait a while. We were quoted 2 hours for a party of four. Live and learn. On my second attempt we were well prepared.We arrived at 4:45pm. Not a soul there before us, figures. The staff was having a pre-war meeting and they spotted us outside eagerly awaiting our first meal here. 5pm on the dot someone came out and welcomed us in. We opted for the side room/closet table. Cozy middle table in there. Claustophobic if you get the other two. I ordered a rum neat to start things off and Julia had a awesome specialty coctail that I can't remember the name of. Our server started to take our order but again we were well prepared. "Chefs Choice Tasting Menu please". If you go there, just get it. $30 is money well spent. They have a $10 corkage fee. Pretty cheap so we brought a nice 06' Rioja. Spanish restaurant, of course a Spanish wine. What am I a farmer? I may have missed a course. There were a lot of them. 1st Course:Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette Julia loved it. Me, eh. Not TB's fault I don't like radicchio. 2nd Couse:Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey. Sweet lord. Very tasty. 3rd Course:Duck Liver Mousse Terrine with morels & house made sidra mustard Not what I would of ordered, but I really liked it. Liver is not popular to many. Probably because not every one has had it here 1st. 4th Course:Chorizo & Manchego with country bread Of course we liked it. 5th Course:Braised Salsify with lemon bacon cream I will have this every time I walk into TB! Very rich, very delicious. 6th Course:Baked Polenta with roast beef, peppers, onions So yummy, but I'm starting to slow down. How many courses are they gonna bring out? 7th Course!North African Sausages with fries, harissa & house buttermilk cheese .I got nothin. I'm full. Great dish, I think. 8th Course: Drunken Pork with fresh shell bean stew O.K actually I'm not sure that this is what we had, but is as close as I can match up to the online menu. I have a picture and a fuzzy memory. 9th Course: Churros & Chocolate These went perfectly with our esspresso and cappuccino which we needed to keep awake after the marathon eating event. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu! Well done Toro Bravo.
(5)
Michael K.
way over priced for the food... I expected a lot from this place. However, their customer service was good
(3)
Michael C.
Best tapas restaurant I have ever eaten in save a few really cool ones in Spain many years ago. Service is top flight, the food is excellent and the atmosphere is lively without being overpowering. Fried anchovies are incredible, I could have scoffed down the whole plate on my own. Do not pass on the dates wrapped in bacon; they are so good. We finished the meal off with the paella which was terrific. Since this is a restaurant where you would expect a heavy emphasis on wines I was not expecting much when I ordered my usual martini. Surprised me with this one. These guys are A+ by my martini standard, cold, clear and dry.
(4)
Nate C.
Any restaurant with a line out the door on a Wednesday night at 9:30 has to be worth the wait, right? RIGHT. Toro Bravo is to me what a cake is to a fat kid: probably can't eat it all but I am damn well going to try! EVERYTHING on the menu sounds amazing - even though you may not know what some of those things are. But do not fear, as a person in our group noted, the plates are sized well enough that if someone on the table isn't loving a dish, it's over within a couple of bites anyway. Although, mostly you will find yourselves arguing over who gets to lick the plates clean. At 61 items, the menu will cater to any eater (yes, I actually counted the number of offerings that night). Highlights: Smoked Pork Rillettes - emphasis on the SMOKE. The pork itself is so finely shredded it melts like butter. Paired with a smear of house-marmalade and you are off to a good start Bacon wrapped dates - Sweet and salty never had it so good. The crisp bacon envelopes a warm date that has been lightly sweetened with a touch of honey. Torpedo onions with salbitxada - simple, simple, simple. Sauteed torpedos with a loving heap of salbitxada. Nutty, spicy, fragrant, sweet melting onions...simple pleasures. Aioli - accompaniment to many dishes but worth highlighting. Garlicy, sweet, creamy, bright, a perfect eating partner. Panna cotta with caramel - heaven. Suggestion: order in flights or you may end up with a pretty crowded table. The dishes come out quickly and the service is anything but slow which makes for a few rounds of ordering a breeze. Go get you some before the line gets too long!
(5)
Stephanie W.
Best tapas bar I've ever been to! I had a wonderful mushroom toast, roasted cauliflower, lemon crepes and champagne. And of course the bacon wrapped date! Sat at the bar as I was dining alone and the bartender was a doll! Chatted me up and took care of me. Also met some nice locals. Would love to go back next time I'm in town!
(5)
David H.
Toro Bravo has the best Tapas I have had since the last time I was in Madrid (and they may even be better). Everyone says that this place is one of the best restaurants in Portland - and it is. The service is beyond exceptional, the wine list is excellent and reasonable, and the food... well, the food is the whole reason to come. Yes, you are going to wait an hour or two to get seated. Yes, you may end up sharing a table with a bunch of people you don't know. And yes, they are going to be out of the empanadas by the time you get seated and ready to order. It doesn't matter. Toro Bravo is amazing, and you will never be disappointed. To pass the time you would otherwise be spending waiting outside for your opportunity to dine, do yourself a solid and walk upstairs to the Secret Society for a couple of cocktails. That two hour wait will feel like five minutes. PS to Toro Bravo - When you are running out of empanadas every single night, it's a good indication that you should prepare more before you open for dinner. I have been out of luck three times in a row...
(5)
Steven M.
Went here with my brother while visiting from NYC. Great food. Will definitely be back next time I visit.
(4)
A F.
Amazing food. Highly recommended.
(5)
Abdul F.
Let me keep it simple for you. The staff is okay. Could be a bit more friendly, but they know their stuff. The flavor of every dish is absolutely incredible. I have ordered a few appetizers that were disappointing, but every single entree is perfect. The environment is dim and classy, and it's loud enough that nobody is listening to you but definitely easy to carry a conversation with those around you. Why 2 stars? Portion sizes! The portion sizes are absurd. I feel like I have to order 4, maybe 5 entrees and spend $100 on myself to have a decent meal. I barely get my palette wet with how ridiculously small these portions are. After trying the place twice, with 4 different entrees and 8 different appetizers (also with absurdly small portion sizes--is this a free sample from Costco?) I will never be going back.
(2)
Jim W.
Wow ...this place is great. I would suggest the chef's plate and have him whip of what ever they want. Come with an open mind and you will have tasty things fill your belly. I suspect your order is based on what others are ordering in the restaurant but sometimes its just what you need to open your mind to new things. I enjoyed everything I ate and will update my review later with more details. Great place for a date, to talk, or just hang out. I am coming back again and bringing more friends.
(5)
Kate T.
Amazing! Go hungry (you certainly will be after the loooooong wait) and go with at least 4 people, so you can try more things! We took 6 adventurous eaters, voted on what to order, shared everything and had a wonderful time. Many thanks to Amber, who must have the most hectic hostess job ever, and still maintains a pleasant attitude. The rest of the waitstaff were all hardworking and knowledgeable. When we had questions about the food, they could rattle off all the ingredients in every dish, very impressive. What a great culinary adventure to enjoy with friends! You must try: Bacon Wrapped Dates, Squid Ink Pasta and the Brussels Sprouts
(5)
Sareena N.
Our first visit to Toro Bravo was 5 stars. Our second was four mainly due to the surly bartender/server working the bar area we sat at. If you can, sit at the bar area by the kitchen, it's very cool to watch them work. Personal faves: Coppa Steak-Amazing, please don't go to TB without trying it. Moroccan Tuna-delicious, well seasoned. Hedgehog mushrooms on toast-mouthgasm for real. Caramel panna cotta-OMG yum. As for children, I think it's a fine place for older well-behaved children. Toddlers, not so much.
(4)
Richie W.
Four of us shared 12 amazing dishes that exploded with great flavor! The place bustles with action and great service. It's not a place for a quiet meal. There is a lot of noise. But it is the noise of people having a good time. Try this place, it's well worth the wait in line!
(5)
Marie Y.
The food here is worth ANY wait. Always crowded, but as soon as you take a bite, you'll know why. I know Portlanders are always raving about various restaurants, but there's a reason this place has hundreds of 5 star reviews. As soon as you come here, you will be sad you didn't do it sooner. While you're waiting, stop by the Secret Society lounge nearby for a drink.
(5)
Darryl R.
First thing, I am not from Portland and was visiting on business with my wife. We have eaten Spanish tapas in many restaurants in New York and Chicago and all over the country, and appreciate flavorful good cuisine. This was one of the worst Spanish tapas restaurants we have ever been in. Maybe it was an off night for the chef, but most of the dishes lacked texture and the flavors were off. The only dish of 6 that we liked was the calamari and white beans (a dish not on their website menu). For example, the Octopus a la Plancha sat on a potato that was way too overcooked - the overall dish was bland and mushy. The empanada was OK but it was mostly flaky dough with little filling and the flavor were off - we certainly had better elsewhere. The Baked Polenta had a cheese crust on top that was as tough as leather - it took 2 mins to cut with a knife. The polenta itself was bland. The squash dumplings with lamb, the dumpling were mushy not firm and barely tasted of squash - although the lamb was excellent. The Spicy Merguez Sausage and Flatbread was so bad to just look at we sent it back - it was french fries with mayonaise and what looked like a link of breakfast sausage on flatbread. The waitress was no help in selecting dishes. The number of healthy (non-mayo, non-cream sauce) or vegetarian dishes was very limited. For example, we might have tried the sauteed brussel sprouts but it came with with a sherry cream sauce. This may have been an off-night for the chef, or we got the wrong dishes, or it could be the best Portland has to offer, but if you travel the country and love Spanish tapas, I would avoid this place. The only good thing was the restaurant took off the bill all of the dishes we complained about - not just the one we sent back, so we didn't have to pay much for a bad experience. Note: limited street parking only.
(2)
Christina H.
great for small groups, the food was outstanding. I would highly recommend heading upstairs to the secret society before dining, the restaurant will call you when your table is ready. It can be a little loud and cramped at times
(4)
Phil N.
This is the restaurant that turned me into a foodie....the restaurant in which I use as a benchmark to compare other restaurants. The most underrated aspect of this restaurant is how consistent the kitchen is. Nothing that this kitchen puts out is bad....everything is good to great. Portland is so lucky to have an upscale restaurant that puts out high quality foodgasmic food at roughly 25-30 (it's easy to get carried away and spend 60 after drinks) per diner. It's restaurant would easily cost twice as much in other cities. My favs Bacon wrapped date French kisses Grilled asparagus Anything with romesco (scallops or burger) Moorish lamb chops Salt cod fritters
(5)
Kim G.
I was very nervous when we first walked in because this place is a mad house on Saturday night. We were lucky enough to get a side table tucked behind a partial wall. The table was surprisingly secluded for a such a busy restaurant. My general rule of thumb is to never show up to a tapas restaurant hungry, if you do you will pay the piper. The rule does not apply to Toro Bravo. We did the tasting menu and it was so much good food. The dinner was pretty good, but I thought that the baked polenta had a lot going on, maybe too much. My only quality complaint is that on the smoked steak one piece had a fair amount of fat and grissle. Overall I would go back again, but probably not Fri/Sat.
(4)
Marissa T.
Tonight was amazing. Being a very popular restaurant in town and the last night of Feast Portland; I was sure we were going to have to wait. We were seated at the bar (which is where we wanted to be) and probably the best seat in the house! Kyle was bartending and made our night out the best in a long time! I'm a glutard (gluten-free) so I had to ask if the chef's choice would be possible. Kyle said no, but if we would like he could pair some stuff for us. We took the offer, and so glad we did. At first we thought he was going to give us some options, but no he just ordered and brought out. Heaven, I tell you! Everything was so delicious and the atmosphere vibrant. If you can have this opportunity I highly suggest doing it. Kyle was a great bartender and server, can't wait to go back and have him guide us again to an amazing dinner.
(5)
Linda W.
Although it was very busy when we went, the waitstaff was very eager to please. The food that we had was very good and some of the other items looked . . . interesting. The drinks were great (get something that is usually served with a cherry; you'll be surprised). We will definitely return and bring friends (and make a reservation)
(4)
Julie C.
We arrived on Monday night at around 6pm, and we were seated right away, in the alcove. I would recommend requesting "alcove" seating if you have a small group and you want to keep it intimate. We ordered the Chefs Choice tasting. The food started to arrive right away and everything was delicious . We were served at least 8 different dishes. My favorites were the radicchio salad, the south African spice sausage, and the date wrapped in bacon. The service was great as well,
Excellent food, although I knew not what the items on the menu were. This Spanish cuisine was foreign in more ways than one to me. It was recommended to us and luckily we had help ordering from the menu of Tapas. Each dish was quite exotic and delicious. Also quite a good selection on the drinks menu. If you go, take someone with you who knows how and what to order or just ask your waiter to explain. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
P A.
Best tapas place in Portland. The food was top notch and the service was excellent. The flavors are a fantastic mix of traditional Spanish and nueva cusina. Each yummy bite sized dish which left you wanting more! Some of the memorable dishes... Bacon wrapped dates with warm honey - Incredibly flavorful little packages but I wish the portion was a tiny bit bigger especially if you're splitting it tapas style. Octopus a la plancha - delicious, well grilled Paella toro - good flavor, nice portion! Also a shoutout to the complimentary roasted nuts.. warm, herbed and slightly greasy. So satisfying for hungry diners :)
(5)
Grace L.
YUM! I'm so glad we chose to come here for dinner while we were in town. We were quickly seated on a Saturday night at the bar and ordered a bunch of different dishes. The most notable ones are: Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" Seared Scallops. romesco Iberico Skirt Steak. px sherry glaze Caramel Panna Cotta Service was quick and friendly too!
(5)
Phil L.
The place rocked, good food, good scene. I must say that all of our dishes were very solid. And Ryan did a great job taking care of us.
(5)
Zachary S.
I don't understand tapas. It's small appetizers on large plates, presented nicely to overcharge you. I get Toro Bravo. From the asparagus to the charcuterie to the pig ear, each dish was artful and flavorful. I thought I was spending a lot, but 6 dishes and 1.5 drinks got me out of there for $30; that's a deal. I see why Portland is gentrifying. I went here on a swing through Portland and Seattle, the focus of which was eating food. This restaurant was my favorite.
(5)
Barbara P.
Travis our waiter was great & good looking! Brazilian Kiss and also the Bacon wrapped Dates were tasty. Chorizo and Molten Mahone cheese Empanadas were also very good. Seared Scallops were the best!! I highly recommend that choice. We topped that off with a fabulous dessert...molten chocolate cake with olive oil ice cream...homemade by Toro Bravo. Great experience...just don't be in a hurry to eat...it took about an hour wait to get in!
(5)
Sabrina L.
I feel like once again, I let high expectations ruin my experience. It was more 3.5 star experience. It was our first dinner in PDX & highly anticipated! We got their early (15 minutes before opening) since we were told there could be a wait & they don't take reservations. We were the second party to be seated. We ordered: *The server highly recommend the Barcelona "kiss" but my friend tried it and thought it was just okay. *Cheese board: good and reasonably priced. *Iberico skirt steak: good flavor but over salted & overcooked. *Griddled prawns: great flavor but again over salted. grilled corn with cilantro pesto: delicious! * Squid ink Fideo with rabbit chorizo: great flavors & super rich but some of the pasta was too crunchy from being too close to the heating element & therefore inedible. * For dessert, cheese ice cream (like cheesecake!) with local Marion berries & caramel sauce. A super delicious dessert that was (surprise) almost more salty than you'd expect from a dessert but in a good balanced way. Overall: Everything was over salted but flavorful. And the same meal in LA would have cost way more!
(4)
Matt T.
We ended up waiting about an hour and a half to be seated on a Saturday night. Fortunately we were able to take refuge upstairs at a neighbor business to have some drinks during the long wait. Was the wait worth it? Definitely. We were seated along the bar seats surrounding the kitchen. Watching the kitchen staff was very entertaining and the line chef nearest to us was very friendly and treated us to a number of awesome samples and tips for our visit to Portland. Between the two of us, we ordered six items including dessert. Lets just say we were both very satisfied and totally stuffed by the end of the meal! -Charcuteria Board: a tasty selection of cured meats and liver preparations. -Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula: so brilliantly simple yet so good. The flat bread is tossed straight on the grill. -Salt Cod Fritters with aioli: a must try! So rich and satisfying with a slight hint of salt cod. -House Bacon & Manchego Burger with romesco & pickled vegetables: an great burger at a tapas restaurant? Believe it. -House Smoked Coppa Steak with olive oil poached potatoes, chopped olives & salbitxada: rich prime rib meats salty, smokey goodness. Not for those on a low-sodium diet! -Olive Oil Cake with stewed blueberries: recommended by both the chef and our waitress, it didn't disappoint. Great texture and flavor without being heavy. I'm not sure how some can complain about the price. For all this food and a cocktail our tab only came to about $70. By all accounts a bargain in my book (living in the SF Bay Area might skew my standards a bit I suppose).
(5)
Mal C.
According to their website, the menu changes daily, but we loved what we had and left stuffed beyond belief. Our wait time was approximately 45 minutes which was also what they had estimated. We waited next door and had some drinks at the Secret Society. What we ordered: Grilled flat bread with black truffle cheese & arugula: our favorite of the night! Olives and pickled veggies: the veggies were sweet - so if you're not into sweet pickled things, maybe select something else Cheese board: good selection House Smoked Coppa Steak: nice hints of bacon flavor and olive/carmelized onion on top Pitcher of sangria: standard - not anything to write home about Chard with sunnyside up egg: was served close to end which made the texture difficult to eat as we were already full Seared Scallops: Ditto Churros and chocolate: it was okay - not like the food carts in California Apples and rhubarb crisp: this was very yummy Coffee: massive cups All totaled under $100! Can't wait to go back and try more! Ambiance: we sat in a little nook off the main dining room and had our own private bench so we could sit next to each other and eat. Two tables flanked us. Nice atmosphere - like all of the wood they have and the chalkboard wall with the menu. Nicely lit. Music needs improvement - we think they were repeating the same hip hop song over and over again - though it was pretty quiet.
(5)
Julio G.
Overall, very good food and nice cool location. The food was a little extra salty for me and I think that is the thing that kept them from achieving a 5 star billing. Also the wait is sort of nuts.
(4)
Feuy S.
The older I get, the less inclined I am to celebrate my birthday with unhealthy amounts of alcohol. I wanted to be nice to my liver this year and decided to just have dinner with friends. I called two weeks ahead to get reservations for a large party. Since Toro Bravo is a small restaurant, the only time they were able to accommodate us was right when they opened at 5pm. Gina, the hostess I spoke to a few times was really accommodating to my ever changing number of people in my group. It went from 15 to 25 to 20 and finally settled on reservations for a party of 22. The service was fantastic, despite having to deal with such a large party. It wasn't too quick like I felt they were trying to rush us out of there. The time that elapsed between the waitress coming to check up on us and bringing out our plates and drinks was perfect... just enough time to leave us alone to enjoy each other's company, but not long enough where we felt like she forgot about us. The food was fantastic. With a party of 22, we were able to try almost everything on the menu. My favorites were the charcuteria board with a great fois gras. Their Cubano sandwich was very comforting... toasted, crunchy and cheesy. I also loved their pasta with lamb. The lamb seemed like it was stewed for hours and was so soft and tender. The pasta was fresh and delicious. I'm not a big dessert fan, but I did enjoy their olive oil cake. It didn't think it tasted like olive oil. Instead, it was more of a very light and airy cake that wasn't too sweet. I also really enjoyed their churros. It wasn't overloaded with sugar and cinnamon, so it wasn't too sweet. However, if sweet is what you want, it does come with melted milk chocolate for you to dip your churros. Toro Bravo does change their menu regularly, so I will definitely come back to try new items. If you would like to see some mouth-watering pictures of our meal at Toro Bravo, visit Liz T.'s page for some food porn.
(5)
Paul A.
Toro Bravo, mmmm, the brave bull. Yep. That applies. Brave to be so cold, bordering on hostile to me, the innocent patron who goes out of his way to be endearing because he has to please everyone. Like other reviewers have noted: 1. Wait is long. 2. Drinks are good. 3. Atmosphere is energetic (code word for loud but I like the vibe.) 4. Food is mostly amazing but there are some real losers in the mix. 5. Server was just mean. I don't know how else to say it. 6. Pressure to leave by server was intense. Here is the best part. I was with a friend and we had one drink. Seriously. One cocktail. When we ordered another, our server refused. I have been going out a long time and this has never happened. (There are probably a few times it SHOULD have happened.) This was not one of them. I thought she was kidding. When I arrived home, I called the restaurant. I asked to speak to the server whose name now escapes me. I told her I appreciated her concern and wanted to let her know I had made it home safely. Sure, this is a little passive aggressive but it felt right at the time. One day, I hope she will go into Powell's and when she is about to buy a few books, the clerk will say, "Oh no. Umm, ma'am, I think you've had enough books today." Want small plates and no pretension? Go to Navarre.
(2)
Cedric J.
This is one of my wife's favourite restaurants. Simply put: there is a lot of buzz about it for a reason. I'm going to keep it short because I'm not adding much here. Food: 5 (fantastic, just about everything) Atmosphere: 4 (gorgeous, clean) Service: 3 (not stellar, not lacking. C'mon, 3 is good, people!) Value: 2 (4 if you just get food) Sustainability: 4 (They really do try to buy local, just look at their website) Toro Bravo is a great place that has pretty much been busy since it started. It is not a function of location, location, location, but rather it is its own destination. Take tapas, the Spanish bar food, and then kick it up a Portland notch (because the food here is awesome), pair it with great drinks and a gorgeous atmosphere (with a bit of snoot, I must say) and you have Toro Bravo. Everything I've eaten here, and I've been many times, is nothing short of spectacular. Salt cod, chorizo, shrimp--all of it is just stunning. They go seasonal, so it isn't like I have some favourites on the menu: every time I go it is a new experience (which keeps me coming back). The drinks are good, but a bit overpriced. I've been able to walk out of there for under 40$ if I skip drinks; with drinks, double it. The elephant in the room is that there are 50 people waiting in the room--it is almost always busy, so you generally have to wait. That is, once you find a place to park (with the Wonder Ballroom next door and the church parking lot being stingy about their spots-that-they-never-use-but-for-Sunday, it is a bear to park in that 'hood). I believe they don't take reservations as well, so don't come already ready to eat the arm off your partner, because you may be mistaken for a zombie by the time you're seated. That said, go by bike and give yourself an hour until you're going to be starved. Then you will have a good time; it is worth the wait.
(4)
Shirley W.
After that fateful night and the day after with the porcelain throne, I vowed to myself never to return to the places that I had ate at during that day. I went to 2 places, Sonics and Toro Bravo and had horrible food poisoning that left me weak and dehydrated. Fast forward to 1 year later, I managed to stay away from Sonics but I couldn't avoid the latter. The second chance I gave to the restaurant was well worth it. After that meal, I made a huge mistake in blaming Toro Bravo for my horrible experience and now I want to return back for more! Everything was wonderful, the paella deserved the 25 minute wait with the abundant flavors in each bite. The charcuterie board was a good appetizer to start out with. The foie gras just melted in my mouth and the pate was delicious. Long story short, I'm sorry Toro Bravo for not giving you a second chance earlier!
(4)
Willow J.
We have been to Toro Bravo twice and both times the food and drinks were amazing. We love getting all the little plates so that we can try a little taste of everything. They seem to time each scrumptious little plate perfectly so they are bringing you a new taste as soon as you have finished the last. Small plates still add up to very full bellies! The place is always extremely full, there is always a wait, but luckily the Secret Society is just upstairs with delicious cocktails and great staff used to people waiting for tables at Toro Bravo. Not a place to go for quiet or romance, but with people that are fun to talk with that love good food it is a must!
Was Toro Bravo worth our almost-two-hour wait? Not really. Honestly, the food was hit-or-miss: salt cod fritters, hit; cold and weird foie gras "French kisses," miss. Spicy octopus and prawn stew, hit; inedibly salty Brussels sprouts, miss. You get the idea. Not to mention the fact that they called my cell phone to tell us our table would be ready in ten minutes (we were next-door-upstairs having a drink), and when we arrived in the restaurant ten minutes later, we had to wait another half hour to be seated. Clearly they'd called us because they only THOUGHT the seated party was leaving. Not the biggest deal on Earth -- I'm not an impatient person -- but it didn't exactly add to the experience. Maybe we just ordered some ill-advised stuff, but honestly, I'd say this place is worth the unbelievable wait only if you know exactly what you're doing -- that is, what you're ordering. Otherwise, it's a pretty neat place: cool decor, friendly staff, and right below a pretty good bar where you can, with booze, dull the pain of the fact that you're waiting the approximate length of a Harry Potter movie to pay -- let's face it -- a lot of money for inconsistent food.
(3)
Matt S.
Dang. Just dang. My wife and I are visiting Portland and stopped in to Toro Bravo tonight and had an incredible meal. We did the tasting menu, which at $30 is a STEAL! We live on Long Island, where a meal like this would cost easily three times as much as the $30 per head that this meal cost us tonight. So, where do I begin? They brought us the Radicchio salad (pretty good), dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped in bacon (which alone are worth considering moving to Portland for), the duck liver, salt cod fritters, grilled romano beans (amazingly good), corn with cilantro pesto (oh my), baked polenta, and chicken and clams cataplana (A.MAZ.ING.). I loved how the chef sent us out a variety of dishes that we probably never would have picked for ourselves, but were fantastic. The romano beans and corn we never would have ordered, but they were quite good and fit together perfectly with the rest of the meal. This was quite the experience... I just wish we could convince these guys to set up shop in New York... or else we will have to move to Portland.
(5)
Frank Lee F.
I have had several exceptional meals here. The combination of great spirits, both in the glass and from the folks working here, and the delicious smells wafting from the kitchen while I try not to lick my plate... well it's made for wonderful dining. For me, tonight's feast culminated in hedgehog mushrooms on griddled bread - and I knew I was eating my dessert before dessert (we also managed to share lemon curd crepes, which were excellent). The following summation is for adults only, though Toro Bravo appears friendly to families as well: Upon leaving this fine establishment I turned to my smiling date and said "I think I just came in my pants"...
A 90 minute wait and no reservations taken-so yes,be ready to wait. But the food was amazing,
(4)
Anthony V.
I ordered the $30 tasting menu with a ginger beer. One of the best dinners I've had in my life. I definitely recommend this place and I can't wait to come back to Portland and have an orgasmic dinner again!
(5)
Bryan S.
This place is great. I give them four stars only because their reservation (or lack thereof) system is a drag. They're on the other side of town for me, and I've called and been told "we can seat you right away" and get there for a 45-60 minute wait more than once. That's my only real complaint. They really need to take reservations. The food is great. I've never had a bad meal there, and I've had plenty. I would recommend something, but it's all pretty good. The drinks are a bit pricey and not that interesting, but they're OK. The food generally makes up for them.
(4)
Todd M.
Wow. My wife and I have been wanting to come since they opened, but have been put off by the long wait times and our too-infrequent date nights. We finally sucked it up last thurs for a date night extraordinaire!! Showed up at 730, was told there was a 30-45 min wait (natch), so we gave them our number and said we'd be upstairs at secret society( another long standing member of the date night list- which was pretty good as well- see separate review ) After about 35 mins or so waiting upstairs, a server comes up and called our name, and said they couldn't get through - how great is that? Most places that busy would have just moved on to the next name. Sat down and boy did the awesomeness begin! Outstanding service!!! Literally the best we've experienced in 8 yrs in Puddletown. Super attentive, quick to respond, very knowledgeable about their food and wine, and unobstrusive and not overly chatty. Dishes were recommended, brought at just the right spacing between courses, and cleared at the just the right time. Take note Portland Servers. You should aspire to the level of service we recieved here.. The food was awesome.. I won't go into too much detail, but I'll just mention the "life changing onions". Grilled spring onions with a spanish salbitxada sauce... holy freaking moly!!! out of the 10 or 12 different dishes we tried, this one was our favorite and we ordered two of them.. I was trying to not stuff myself for some Post datenight lovin', otherwise I could have eaten two or three more plates myself. Just go now. That's it. Suck up the wait, have a drink outside if it's nice, or upstairs if it's not. If you don't like your meal, call me and I'll come finish it for you.
(5)
Joanna R.
We ended our 3-day Portland food fest at Toro Bravo and it was amazing. We got there early and it was a good thing because people start lining up about 15 mins before the restaurant opened for dinner. Cute/cozy place with great service and great sangria. Favorites included....flatbread with arugula and truffle cheese, fried manchego with paprika, duck liver, baked polenta and salted cod. It was all amazing.
(5)
Kristen M.
SHARING IS CARING! With tapas, you are sharing your appetizer dishes. I LOVED their tapas! It was actually my first time having tapas and I was amazed by the engrossing flavors in the small - large plates. I had the Duck Chorizo Empanadas and Bacon wrapped dates drizzled in honey upon barbecue sauce. As for dessert, I had the Caramel Panna Cotta which was dead on delicious. It was not too sweet or too bland. It was just right. I was able to mooch some food from friends and loved the Paella (takes about 25 mins to make - so be aware of the waiting period), some pate and bread & olive oil, flat bread, duck & egg noodles. Too much stuff to try! The list is endless. Desserts were all so lovely as well. If you like pound cake, definitely try the Olive Oil Cake. But the panna cotta was my favorite at heart. The ambiance is unique and very well decorated. The restaurant gives a rustic feeling. Parking is on the street and if you are going there for a large crowd, do make reservations and come early. I did not think the service was bad at all. They were very helpful and was able to address every need required. Water was always filled for us and plates cleaned up promptly. My first experience for tapas was memorable and I will be definitely coming back for more. I like you Toro Bravo!
(4)
Cathy S.
Yesterday was our anniversary and we were excited to try Toro Bravo after reading lots of reviews and hearing how great it was from people we knew. We arrived early, sat outside on the stools for 15-20 minutes, and easily got a table when they opened at 5 pm. The line behind us though was loooong. For those of us arriving early, it was also nice to park on the street without paying. The menu said parking was also available across the street at the library. Service was fantastic, to the extent my husband said, "When did they bring me this Diet Coke?" When we asked, the server had helpful ideas of which tapas to order. We had been looking at their menu online, but took some of her suggestions as well. The bacon-wrapped dates were fantastic and very rich. My husband said he could only eat one and I was thinking they should bring a few more! The scallops had great flavor, but I was chewing grit in every bite. I've had scallops without grit that were purchased from a grocery store, so I was really surprised. The romesco sauce that came with them was fantastic and I definitely scraped it ALL onto my plate! The drunken pork with avocado salad was four chunks of pork sitting on a large dollop of chunky guacamole. The pork tasted fine and had those nice crunchy bits on it, but there was no evidence of exposure to alcohol! The chunky guacamole we could make in 5 minutes at home. For $13, we felt cheated. The squash blossoms were covered in a breading that took away from the uniqueness I was expecting from the dish. The squash blossom was indiscernible, so it was basically breaded sheep's cheese with mojo picon sauce (red pepper, spices - yes, I had to Google "mojo picon"). The North African sausages were flavorful and very spicy, and the harissa (Wikipedia-Tunisian hot chili) sauce they came with was also unique and tasty. It came with two 4-inch sausages, and a small glass dish with sour cream with a spoonful of the sauce. Besides the dates, my husband's favorite item was the bread and butter. Kind of a bummer when, between the bread and the sausages, our favorite foods weren't actually produced at the restaurant. On the other hand, the burgers we kept seeing carried by our table looked great, so we would have ordered that if we had known a little sooner. Oh well! Last year for our anniversary, we went to Andina, a restaurant in the Pearl District also known for tapas, and enjoyed every flavor and nuance of texture. Next year, I'm not sure I will remember where we went, except for the fact that I actually wrote my first review. While we won't be going back to Toro Bravo, maybe I could drive by and get a bag of bacon-wrapped dates to go!
(2)
Emilie S.
Yup, it's that good. The charcuterie platter is probably a good place to start if you've never been or are having trouble making up your mind. Among my favorites- Brussels sprouts with bacon sherry cream, sherry chicken liver mousse, Spanish anchovies fried with fennel and lemon, seared cauliflower, scallops with romesco, any of their mushroom dishes... I recommend focusing on their tapas and charcuterie- this is their really strength. Supposedly their desserts are great, though I have never made it that far. $10 corkage fee-- but their wine list is pretty great and not too spendy.
(5)
Ben F.
After living in Spain for 3.5 years, this is the only Spanish restaurant in Portland that meets my criteria. Love the menu choices, nice to see them do some fusion with NW ingredients, and they definitely have the best sherry selection in town. The pate is to die for.
(5)
Melissa L.
We went here to celebrate buying our first house (OK, being under contract to buy it, anyway...) and it was a celebratory dinner indeed. We sat at the bar, and had great service from the barmaid. The service in general was top-notch. They really seem to have their system worked out, as we never had to wait for anything, and given the size of the space, it could be a total clusterf*ck. We started with the pickled veggies & olives, and the bacon-wrapped dates. We were stoked to find pickled beets among these. The dates were super rich, so we were glad we'd only ordered one each. We also ordered the charcuterie board, which had a couple of unexpected items, like a sherry gelee, but also the best crostini I've ever had. They were crunchy, olive-oily, and a bit peppery. I could have eaten these slices like potato chips. And they gladly refilled the crostini, which was a nice (and dangerous) surprise. Then we had the braised lamb with egg noodles. This lamb was melt-in-your-mouth awesomeness, and the egg noodles had a nice texture too. The hangar steak plate was also cooked perfection, with a pepper sauce and fresh green salad. The last plate was the drunken pork. It wasn't clear what sort of booze they had marinated the pork in, but it was bacon-wrapped and came atop a bed of "avocado salad", which just looked & tasted like a thinner version of guacamole to me. We could have ordered more, but it was just perfect. We've eaten tapas in other cities, and while Toro Bravo's are not strictly authentic, (for example, you cannot order Serrano ham (jamon) as a plate in and of itself, they only have it as a wrapping or accent for some other ingredient) everything they served was delicious. I actually liked that they used some local /seasonal ingredients, like in the baked strawberries & rhubarb dessert we ordered. We can't wait to bring our visiting San Franciscan friends here, as this restaurant would hold its own in any city in America.
(5)
Kelsey H.
My dad and I went last night before a Blazer game and loved it. This was my 3rd or 4th time here and it did not disappoint yet again. We got there a few mins after they opened (5pm) and they were already almost full. That's a good sign the place is good. We were seated right away. We shared a bunch of plates, all yummy: - Chicken, butifarra, truffle butter, manchego- OMG I have been craving it since. Soooo yummy. Its almost like a pasta cheese sauce it comes in- maybe like a cannelloni/enchilada mixture. The filling is so delicious, it's a chicken and butifarra blend, so good! I want more! - Coppa Steak- great sauce on top - Meatballs - pretty typical but still good - Flatbread with truffle butter and arugula- nice and refreshing - Bacon wrapped dates- like candy SOOO good - Salt Cod Fritters- these are my fav. Little breaded goodness, Aioli with them is to die for. We had wine and had nice neighbors sitting next to us which is always nice. Our server was attentive and nice. She was patient with our million orders. Great spot for before Blazer games since its so close. No freeways or bridges to cross so hardly any traffic. I will be back!
(5)
Ed T.
Tapas joint that lives up to the hype. Expect to wait an hour or more, but you can head back to your car and play a Candy Crush-type game until they call you. I have to give credit for the papas bravas - the only one close enough to the original found in Spain. It's just lightly fried potatoes with a tomato sauce, but it's hard to explain unless you've had it prepared correctly. My lovely wife really likes the bacon-wrapped dates ($2 each), but I found it just a little too sweet for my tastes. I did, however, really enjoy the drunken pork with avocado salad (read: guacamole); it was so tender and flavorful, and I was regretting not ordering more. Don't make my mistake and get the half portion (which is two pieces) - the full order of four isn't nearly enough. The meatballs were a nice appetizer but nothing particularly special about them. The burger is good but not extraordinary - but it is probably the best value on the menu to make up for the tiny portions of everything else you order. One complaint is that it's way too dark in there. I like to see my food and the person I'm eating with, not to mention needing light for my Yelp photos. But overall, good job and kudos to the chef. This meal made us change our plans and go to their other restaurant, Tasty n Sons, which was also very good. Bonus points for the tiny bowl of delightfully salty sunflower seeds and nuts.
(4)
Jake W.
Went on a Wednesday night. Good atmosphere and vibe, friendly hostess and servers. Waited a bit to get a beer while waiting for a table, although the service was pleasant. My girlfriend (a chef) and I ordered bacalao croquettes with aioli for starters, which was great. The aioli was definitely on point! We ordered the squid ink pasta with dungeness crab and preserved lemon, as well as the octopus with romesco and fried kalamata olives. The pasta and crab dish was fantastic! Great flavors and well-priced for the portion ($23). Filled my girlfriend and I up and provided lunch the next day! It was one of the more memorable dishes either of us have eaten at a restaurant in a while. The octopus dish, on the other hand, was a bit disappointing ($17), as it was was not prepared well. Did not taste seasoned, which is not necessarily bad in all cases due to its delicate nature, however the romesco sauce lacked a 'wow' factor and the fried kalamata olives did not provide the needed texture. Overall, a good place and we shall return some day to explore more of the menu.
You simply can't go wrong when eating here. Order anything, it's all amazing. Watching the folks in the kitchen is my favorite. It's a tiny open kitchen with many people bustling around. It's like watching magic!
Superb tapas. Long wait on a Saturday night, but there's a great bar upstairs where you can pass the time. Service was excellent, maybe a little slow but they were packed. Plus the food was so good I'm inclined not to care if my water needed refilling. I'd recommend the oxtail croquettes and squid ink faedo above all else, but the foie gras terrine and scallops with romesco were also superb and should not be missed. Honestly didn't have a bite that wasn't tasty and cooked perfectly. Just sit down and order whatever jumps out at you, no chance you'll be disappointed.
(5)
Meg C.
Best tapas in PDX. Although Andina has higher accolades and a bigger price tag, I'd go so far as saying Toro is better (in my opinion). Love eating here before a show at wonder ballroom across the street, or showing friends some good eats. Been a handful of times and every dish ordered has been full of fun flavors and presented nicely. Service and timing of plates is spot on, which is refreshing. Chef's tasting menu highly recommended. Hard to go wrong with the bacon wrapped dates, oxtail croquettes, octopus and brussel sprouts. Only downside is the wait...which means going next door to prohibition themed Secret Society and having some pre-dinner lovely cocktails.
(5)
John K.
Just a quick update that a follow-up visit was just as good as the first. The Chef's Choice option continues to offer a terrific variety of flavors, spread out nicely, and portioned for as many people as you have in your party - so there's no trying to split a tapas dish with 4 items among 6 people. Of any place in Portland, this is the one I consider worth the wait for a table. My only quibble continues to be the sound system - loud enough to occasionally intrude on having a conversation, while being mostly just a dull, thumping noise that does not enhance the atmosphere.
(5)
Jessica S.
Great experience tonight. The food was wonderful, especially the butternut squash and fried pork belly. It was so good we decided to buy their cookbook. Service was friendly. We'll definitely be back. Added bonus: we got a complementary dessert. Cheese ice cream and huckleberry sauce, amazing! Starters at the standing table before seating: Fried pork belly on crustin, only complaint, not enough on my plate. Ash leaks Both amazing Starters at the table: Bacon wrapped dates. Seriously amazing Main courses: Smoked coppa steak Herissa butternut squash, favorite of the night The squash was so good we ended up buying the cookbook just to have the recipe. After looking through it we've decided it is the best cookbook ever!
(5)
Rachel C.
Experienced this swanky restaurant before a concert at Wonder Ballroom. The open kitchen definitely provides an intriguing entertainment with an over all ambiance of fine quality that every up and coming Portland restaurant strives for with out the usual stuffiness or lackluster. The Spanish fusion menu was unique and divers. Although that night, the meatball dish was heavy with salt. It made me think of jazzed up Ragu sauce, but paired with the most delicious, tender meatballs. So it puts me on the fence. We finished the meal with their molten chocolate lava cake. This was to die for. Don't pass on dessert, it would be a grave mistake. Service was impeccable. I was almost convinced that the waitress was hovering in a corner watching our every move, the service was timed so well. Overall, Toro Bravo helped enhance a wonderful date night out and should definitely be given a thought when planning your next adventure out.
(4)
Christine M.
all i can say is the $40 tasting menu is DEFINITELY WORTH IT. I have never been so full from a tasting menu IN MY LIFE! everything looked so small and yet filling. yummy too of course. course after course just kept coming. very nice atmosphere and had a great dinner. glad we waited to try it!
(5)
Jenny S.
FLAVORFUL TAPAS to share w/ a group! the more the merrier! put your number down & they'll call you when the table is ready so you can go grab drinks next door! the yummy pitcher of red SANGRIA was perfect for our group to share ---Complimentary peanuts and sunflower seeds while you're ordering! ---Scallops: Mm served w/ a great sauce. ---Grilled Octopus: perfectly cooked but DID NOT pair well w/ the dill ---Coppa steak; also good & followed their trend of having a yummy sauce accompainment ---Oxtail croquettes: A FIRST for me & very delicious! i loved the light breading ---Bacon wrapped dates: too sweet for me... these are ordered individually ---Squid ink pasta: a bit overrated, but not bad I could see myself coming back to try their whole menu if i was a local!
(4)
A B.
Wow...just wow. Go here. Do it. Do it now.
(5)
Tina M.
Came here on a Tuesday night and we were able to be seated immediately. The restaurant was very busy which is always a good sign. It's very dark inside with an intimate setting. Since the food is served tapas style, we all chose a dish for the table to share. We got the grilled octopus, seared scallops with romesco sauce, a baked fish dish (I can't remember the name of the fish) and paella toro. The scallops were delicious and the paella had a nice spicy kick to it. Both of these dishes I would order again. The grilled octopus was alright. It just didn't taste like octopus...it was actually kind of weird since the texture was so soft, actually tasted kinda like chicken. The baked fish dish is probably the only one that I wouldn't order again. The fish itself was cooked well but had no flavor unless you ate it with the skin. The skin had a ton of flavor and was very good. The reason why I wouldn't order it again is because of all the bones. We took out the main backbone of the fish but there were so so so many tiny bones throughout the fish that I couldn't even enjoy eating it because I was too busy fishing out bones from my teeth. Overall the experience was great.
(4)
Haley V.
Probably the best dining experience I have had in Portland so far. It's the perfect place for a special occasion and a must try for any "foodie". The wine and service were also fantastic!
(5)
Monica N.
I had the radicchio salad, Moorish lamb chops, meatballs, paella and caramel panna cotta and it was all amazing. Best meal in Portland
(5)
Jordan M.
We ate here when visiting from out of town. We all went for the chef's tasting menu for $30/person and weren't disappointed. The food was amazing, unique, prices were quite reasonable and ambience was fun. We would have appreciated a little more elbow room while eating, but ended up befriending the group who shared a table with our group - so it was fun. This is a great spot for a couple, or small group. They don't except reservations and are popular, so anticipate waiting or going next door for a drink while you wait.
(5)
Kevin K.
Second in line on Friday at 4:40 lets you choose your seat. Opt for the edge of the bar, which will give you elbow room and a good view of the densely packed tables. The line filled 2/3 of the loud restaurant at 5:15. By 5:30 Toro Bravo is warm, chatty, and has a wait. Once sat, the line places its drinks all at the same time, slamming the bar. We delayed choosing our poison and had to wait, so order your first drink immediately. The bartender knew his stuff and provided excellent recommendations. The complex if muddled Brazilian cocktail was refreshing though served too cold. We dug into the tasty bar snacks as we dissected the menu, plotting a multi-stage journey across standard favorites and unexpected inventiveness.Toro Bravo's menu is a slam dunk, displaying fixe price creations while delivering high-end quality at inexpensive prices. It's a must if in PDX, as evidenced by the line. Food-nerd details below _______________________________ The $2 spherical olive is a no brainer, more show than flavor but refreshing and unique. Take advantage of it not being part of a tasting menu and stretch your boundaries, in fact it's straight up stunning that a (great) place like Toro has this on the a la carte menu. The boozy french kiss was as rich as it read but unfortunately less harmonious, the funky foie and sugary prune at odds. By contrast, the nettles and fromage was at once bright, rich, and earthy all atop the light bread with perfect char. The olives were a surprise with the colorful asparagus, the acid balancing wonderfully even if the asparagus was overcooked. The coppa steak was done perfectly if arguably needing salt. The olives' acid offsetting the mustard and earthiness of the coppa. The small dish was more than enough. Despite so many hits already, the home run at Toro is the incredibly woody bacon wrapped date, the salt and sugar balanced perfectly. We ordered another to end the meal. At $2 ea, why not ten?
(4)
Skye B.
great little spot for some interesting and tasty tapas in an intimate setting. Went with my good friend and sat in the alcove - it's Prob best to sit there on a date but sat there anyway and it was easier to chat and catch up. Lovely little restaurant with a great vibe.
This is one of Portlands most famous tapas place, with a ridiculous wait time. We got there at 5:30 ( 30 minutes after they were opened, and were told it was a 1.5-2 hours wait). However we managed to grab a table outside ( it was a first come first serve basis, it wasn't too cold) and ordered our food. the price was decent, we ordered 6 dishes, the empanadas ( which were phenomenal), cheese pasta, drunken pork, scallops and something else. Overall the price wasn't bad for the food, but we were definitely satisfied.
(4)
Ann S.
So it actually pains me to write this review. I've dined here many times since they opened, and thought it would be a great place to take an out of town guest, who also happens to be a top chef in San Francisco, on her recent visit to Portland. We arrived a little bit after they opened on a Friday evening and were seated promptly, which was nice. The three us ordered the pitcher of sangria and the chef's choice, thinking that it would be a great sampling to wow our friend, and it would be nice to chat over courses. Never have I felt so rushed by a restaurant in all my life. Let me stress though, that this was THIS occasion only, past visits have been delightful. But not this visit. This visit our courses were brought out with barely enough time to even serve ourselves from the prior course. Sitting three people to a two person table is fine, until you try to crowd three courses, plates and drinks, and them come out with the fourth and look annoyed because there is no room. The table next to us had also ordered the chef's choice, but were three courses in when we sat down, yet somehow our table caught up with them. When we were done with the meal the server cleared most of the table, fine, thank you, however she also took our napkins and water pitcher and dropped of the check without asking if we wanted dessert, which we did. (Dessert was FANTASTIC, the caramel sauced panna cotta is soooo good.) When she brought dessert and I pointed out that we had no silverware, napkins, or water, she huffed away and brought us replacements. (Also would have ordered coffee, but it was never offered and I didn't want to annoy her more than we apparently already were.) We weren't trying to stay 3 hours, we weren't trying to stay, 2, but we did want to have a dinner at a restaurant that wasn't trying to kick us out after 30 minutes. And when we're paying $50/person I don't think that's too much to ask. Poor form TB, poor form.
(2)
Gabe G.
I had this place on my list of spots to go for a while finally made it there. Only reason I am marking them down a star is for not allowing reservations. Our wait was about an hour but luckily there was a bar around the corner we hung out at. Every dish was great even the salad which I usually don't care for. The octopus came with a sauce that was to die for. It had been years since I had Paella so I ordered it. It too was amazing. The service was good as was the atmosphere. Definitely recommend this spot.
(4)
Monica W.
If there is a 2+ hr wait, you know it's gotta be good! We were eager to wait for a table but decided to go for the first come first serve tables outside and since it was a nice day outside, we thought it'd be a good idea. Luckily, we were able to snag a seat within 30 mins. I HIGHLY recommend getting the salt cod fritters and the black truffle cheese flat bread. These were the best dishes I ever had. I'm already wanting to go back to Portland just for these dishes! The next few days, my friends and I constantly raved about these and wish we ordered more.
(5)
Christina Q.
The last time we wanted to try this place was half a year ago and was told we'd have to wait 2.5 hours for a table of 4. No thanks. My husband and I finally got to try this place the day after Thanksgiving 2014. They open at 5 pm and we got there at 4:30 pm.. That was our kind of "door buster friday" 'cause we were so darn excited for this place. At 4:45 pm there was already a nice short line forming just right behind us. Great atmosphere with very attentive waiters. Everything looked really tasty on the menu and we ordered 9 plates. YUP that's right. We wanted VARIETY! Boy, everything was just OH so delicious. We finished everything except for the paella because we got too full. Unfortunately we didn't make any room for dessert. One of my favorites was the Duck Liver Mousse Terrine - perfectly prepped and it just melted in my mouth. I'm so glad Oregon serves Duck Liver aka Foie gras and in case you do not know, it's banned in the State of California. Here's what we ordered listed - from our most favorite - least favorite Octopus a la Plancha, Duck Liver Mousse Terrine, Meatballs, Seared Scallops, Paella Toro, Braised Beef Cheeks, House smoked Coppa Steak, Grilled Moorish Lamb Chop, Grilled Pork Ribs. The last two grilled dishes lacked flavor. And...4 cocktails. Wish the tables can be at least 2 ft apart from each other. We were literally less than a foot apart from the other person seated next to us. Overall, we had a fabulous experience and we will definitely return to try the other dishes listed on menu.
(5)
Anthony B.
Toro Bravo has been one of my favorite spots in Portland and is always high on my list of recommendations. The wait has gotten absurdly long. But it's still worth it. Like my dad always used to ask "Are you hungry now? Well good you'll be hungry later." Infinite wisdom. The restaurant is beautiful. It definitely tends toward dark and romantic. The hustle and bustle of the restaurant isn't overpowering and lends to the intimate conversation. I've only ever been seated at the bar which is fine for me since I always enjoy getting to watch a professional at work. The service has always been tremendous. The front of the house always tries to give realistic expectations of wait times and handles the droves of hungry patrons with a smile. Last time I was here we were about to order empanadas as the kitchen 86'd them. Our serve came running back apologizing. We said it was no biggie and ordered some octopus instead. A few minutes later she came back with a delicious salad, compliments of the house! The food here on the whole has been excellent. However every time I've been here there has been at least one dish that has blown me away or introduced me to some amazing new cooking trend. My first visit it was green beans in a tomato sauce with jambon. I was so hesitant to order it (come on it's green beans), but it was the highlight of our night. On my most recent trip the Brussels Sprouts with bacon sherry cream were a revelation! Sherry cream! Such a wonderful idea, creamy and salty from the bacon cut with the delicious sherry. Also the Chanterelle mushrooms on toast were absurdly good. Possibly the best thing I ate that vacation. Their cocktails were good but nothing stood out. It's hard for them to be the focus when you are here for the food.
(5)
Traci s.
Best meal I have had in a very long time. Lived up to every expectation. And although very crowded, the vibe was awesome!
(5)
Gad F.
They know the secret! Small quantities of varied foods that keep the palate interested and attentive. It is the over-eating secret of buffets...or so I am told. The food is fun, the noise/crowded level is high and the prices are quite reasonable. Honestly, I do not remember the service over the noise/crowded level so it must have been fine. It is difficult to figure out what the various dishes are if you get the fixed menu since the din is so high. That is a parlor game and interesting all by itself. Definitely worth trying.
(4)
Sophia C.
Finally! I have gone to Toro Bravo! I got there a little before 5pm to avoid the long wait. My eyes popped like this when I saw their menu: O.O *drool...* I had such problems on deciding what to get because everything sounded amazing. So I opted to do their Chef's Choice option with my boyfriend so that I could sample as many dishes as possible for a reasonable price. Their menu constantly changes, but everything was quite good with diverse flavors and textures. The dishes that stood out: their bacon-wrapped dates with maple syrup (of course), braised leeks with a creamy almond sauce, and drunken pork with avocado sauce, which was a glorified guacamole with roasted red bell peppers. Not mention that the service was good here, not snooty like a good portion of other places in Portland. Hell yes! i must go here again soon!
The food here was amazing. I stopped in here for dinner on a business trip and the food blew us away . we got there just before it opened and the place filled up in about 15 minutes and stayed filled the whole time we in there.
(5)
Conrad C.
I was actually inclined to give this place 3 stars, and Wifey wanted to do 3.5. When trying to think of the reasons, however, I couldn't really think of many. The tasting ended before we thought it would, and the last dish of the tasting was by far the weakest, so perhaps the end of our meal just soured us on Toro Bravo more than it should. Almost every dish was really good, so I think 4 stars is more accurate. We each got a cocktail. Wifey, being on her caipirinha kick for the past few months, ordered one and enjoyed it. I got the Flor de Cana Fix, which seemed to be quite popular (we sat at the bar and saw almost every cocktail being made), and was good. Anyway, as alluded to above, we both got the tasting menu. The best dishes were the bacon-wrapped dates, the polenta, and the duck liver mousse terrine. Wifey isn't even a fan of liver and she liked it. I'm not sure I've ever had leeks at a restaurant before, but the braised leeks were good. The oxtail croquettes seemed a tad bit overcooked but were tasty. The last and worst dish was the drunken pork in bean stew. I'm not really sure what it was supposed to be, but it was salty and didn't have much of flavor. The other dishes in the tasting with the griddled shrimp, bread with olive oil (not sure why the latter dish was part of the tasting menu), and raddichio salad (pretty good). We got there about 4:55pm and were seated when it opened. As I mentioned above, we were seated at the bar (not by choice but we didn't mind). I thought this was a bit odd since there were small-tops open, and the place didn't fill up for at least 30-45 minutes.
(4)
Chandler L.
Can't say enough about this place!!! Probably my favorite restaurant ever. Great drinks, food, service, couldn't have been better!! The menu changes so I'm not even going to tell you what to get, but everything I had was amazing (minus the cheese board, I'd skip that). Basically you can't go wrong here!
(5)
Jeff D.
I went there to meet a girl for a second date. I got there a half hour earlier than my date, so I could get us a table. I was told I would not be allowed to sit until ten minutes before she arrived. So I went and sat at the bar. I was poked in the back and told that the bar is for dining customers only. I said I was here to dine and my date would be here in ten minutes. I would have to wait outside where they could serve me a drink. I asked the drink waitress if they served people who were dining alone. She explained that they were so busy, that it was more efficient for them to not allow people to just have a drink at the bar while waiting. When my date arrived, seated two couples who had just got there, even though I had put my name in on the list before them. The food was OK. Some thing were better than others, but some of them had a weird taste. The gazpacho and the octopus were good, but not great. The service was good once we were seated. All in all, if they have to be rude to make the most money, they should probably raise their prices and treat people with more respect.
(2)
Andy B.
I went here early today and there was no wait, although when we were getting ready to leave, the place got packed. It went from a cozy atmosphere to being so obnoxiously loud that I had to yell to my dining companion to be heard. Sadly, I fail to see why the place is so incredibly popular with the lackluster food. It's a shame because I really wanted to like this place. I tried four different tapas. The coppa steak was all right but only after scrapping off the sauce it was topped with. The apricot lamb left an unpleasant aftertaste in my mouth. The North African sausage was very bland apart from the spicy sauce they topped it with that I didn't enjoy. However, the spinach, probably the cheapest thing we got, was excellent. The service was great and the waiter was especially helpful in explaining the various dishes. Thumbs up to that. So in my opinion, the food is overpriced for its quality. While there's a large variety, I'm not anxious to come back to try again because of the loud dining area and the wait times other reviewers have experienced because I usually don't eat dinner as early as I did today.
(3)
Ron T.
I thought we almost won the lottery but alas, we just got seated immediately inside Toro. The wait staff is efficient and courteous though she must be having a moment when she forgot my friend's order of beer. Other than that, the food was tasty. We started with foie gras wrapped in prunes. It was marvelous and weird at the same time. We've ordered several pinchos and tapas. Just to try it out and there was never a dish that disappointed us. They were all tasty and conversation worthy. I think that's why it took us almost two hours eating all of it. Chew and discuss like a specimen. Things that stood out of the table: The nuts- too hard. I feel like chewing on a pistachio but shell. The Paella Toro- the best paella I have in PDX. The cod fritters- on the salty side but it was still good. The Marinated Sheep's Cheese with rose petal harissa and mint - is so good you have to try this lemony cheese. Put a period in your dining experience with a dessert wine and a slice of Molten Chocolate cake. The experience will leave a big smile in your face.
(5)
Rachael L.
Brought a vendor here for dinner and I was not disappointed! I can't even remember everything we had, but for sure I remember: salt cod fritters, polenta, frisee salad, and panna cotta. Everything on the table was mouthwatering. The physical size of the tables is somewhat limiting (we had a lot of plates on the table a few times) but I loved our dinner there. New date night spot for sure.
(5)
Jacob G.
My oft-delayed Toro Bravo review! I only started it, oh, THREE months ago. Anyways, I have to give this place 3 stars based on the Potatoes Bravas alone. I had them at their sister restaurant Tasty n Sons before but they're the same delicious potatoes (though the eggs they put on them makes them a bit better at Tasty). Then there's the burger. One of the best in town- possibly THE best in town but I did find one that rivals it (that's for another review). It's topped with house-made bacon, manchego cheese, pickles (I don't usually like 'em on burgers but these pickles are awesome), and romesco. The only faults with the burger is that it's messy and there's a ton of other delicious-sounding dishes to choose from. Damn, I want this burger now.
(5)
Josh B.
The food and drinks and Toro Bravo are awesome. Epic. Worthy of 5 stars. However, going to eat here on most occasions is a nightmare. We tried to get a table for 2 (anywhere in the restaurant) and we were told it would take an hour and 45 minutes. Having to wait almost 2 hours, before you can sit down is ridiculous. Most times there is not even enough room to wait inside the restaurant, so you can either go some place else and or wait it out outside. Sometimes I will be want to go and eat here but I divert as I get discoursed by the long wait. -1 Star for the typical wait that is so long I have to make sure I don't leave the house an an empty stomach. Don't get me wrong though, everything else is quality.
(4)
Leo W.
My roommate and wanted to try something new, so we went to Toro Bravo on a Tuesday evening. The decor is really nice inside, and it has a great, warm feeling to it. The menu is really well done and pretty expansive - definitely a place where you can spend time playing the "I'll try... THAT" game. I had sheep cheese for the first time in my life and it was incredible. The desserts were just as delightful as the main course. The drinks were tasty, and the service was efficient and friendly. I will be returning!
(5)
Rachel R.
Great food, a bit pricy and had a crazy long wait when I went. Luckily there is a bar upstairs and around the corner to keep you busy until a table opens. Loved the bacon wrapped dates, the crab and pork croquettes were out of this world, also the calamari was top notch.
(4)
Bob C.
Now I know what all of the hype is about. Toro Bravo is a first rate Tapas bar, and it deserves it. An extremely creative menu with something for everyone. That can include kids, if they're WELL behaved, and just a bit adventursome in their eating habits. My teenaged daughter enjoyed her meal very much. And to say that I did would be an understatement. We went for the "Chef's Choice for the Table" and I was very happy I did. Delicious little surprises kept coming and coming, and we got what we felt was a great representation of the Toro Bravo fare. I highly suggest it. By the way, the staff was attentive, friendly and pleasant.
(5)
Karen M.
Check it-Mark Bittman (the "Bitten" guy from the NY Times) basically calls Toro Bravo the best tapas in North America bitten.blogs.nytimes.com…
(5)
James A.
I would like to give it a four star rating for the good cuisine and excellent servers but I also would like to give it a one star for the RUDE and UN-HELPFULL phone service. How can you have such opposite experiences I don't know. Even some of the more crowded and trendy spots around town like Tasty and Sons, Screen Door, ect that have huge crowds and insane wait times have very courteous and patient people up front that manage the seating as well as screen all the restaurant calls. TORO BRAVO CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTS IN ALL ASPECTS! Thanks!
(2)
Shauna B.
My husband and I visited Toro Bravo for a shared birthday dinner after a long Yelp search for the best tapas in the Northwest. The menu at Toro Bravo was, by far, the most enticing and made our decision easy. My husband is vegetarian, but he usually makes some wiggle room in his customary diet for tapas, and we both love the array of flavors served up on "small plates." The food was, for the most part, fantastic. We loved the Butternut Squash, the fried Shrimp, the salad with beets...we even tried the anchovies in fennel on the premise that those at Toro Bravo would be as good as any we were ever likely to encounter. We ordered our very favorite Tapas treat--the Octopus a la Plancha, and just wish that it had been served as a racione instead of as a pincho; we love it so much. Unfortunately, our dinner experience was soured a little by the quality of service which, in our case, was fairly non-existent. We told our server when we sat down that it was our birthday dinner and we were planning to treat ourselves to a feast; however we had a hard time getting her attention whenever we were ready to order more. Instead of fresh dishes, we were left with empty glasses and dirty plates. We tried getting her attention with eye contact, and finally resorted to calling out "excuse me" as she passed by. Our server didn't hear us, but luckily another one did. She stepped in and saw to it that the finished plates were swept away, our drinks were refreshed, and that our server would come by to take our order for more food. All was well in the end, but for a meal in this price range, I don't think it should have come to that. Disappointing, too, given that she knew it was a special occasion dinner for us. Wish we could have tipped our rescuer instead of our assigned server. All in all, we'd go there again. I think the restaurant is quite good overall, we just got unlucky with service on that night.
(3)
Jennifer Z.
Woh woh. That's the sound of my disappointment at Toro Bravo. No offense to those who love it, but I don't think they know Spanish food--or real tapas for that matter. I really wanted to like it. I really wanted to find a place that would save me the $800 ticket to Sevilla for true Spanish tapas brought to my table and whisked away when I'm done, leaving me to drink in the sangria and conversation and atmosphere. I did not find it here.
(1)
Debbie L.
Toro Bravo was such a sweet surprise. We were told to check it out and we did for my 50th birthday. It was crowded but that was good. They told us to go up and have a drink at the Secret Society which is an amazing place too! At Toro Bravo, we were seated a the chef's bar which is the best place as far as I am concerned. We had been to Tasty n Sons as well and love this style of cooking and the seating arrangement. I had a salad with beats and squash in it. Had a few other things too but the salad was amazing and fun to watch the chef's make it. We can't wait to go back!
(5)
Windy S.
I've been here twice and the first time was stellar. Other than the long wait (which wasn't bad since we just went over to the bar next door), the overall experience was great. We basically let the waitress choose a few of her favorite plates and went with it! The food was flavorful and creative. We went back a second time and brought some friends with us and this time each plate was hit-or-miss. The sangria was pretty good. The atmosphere is pretty loud. But a great place for tapas.
(3)
RB W.
As someone who travels to France and Spain every summer for work, I feel I have the right to declare that this place takes some of the best ingredients and methods from the Iberian peninsula, adds only-in-American fresh-as-hell organic ingredients and a little brash creativity (damn you and your stuffy culinary rules Europe!) with amazing results. Anyone who knows good European food, likes innovative New American food, but is sick of idiotic 'creative' Americana things like fruit-infused vinaigrette, pulled-pork sliders, and cedar-plank salmon, will love Toro Bravo. I don't have much to say about the actual dishes, since they are well-covered by other 340 reviewers, except that a prune stuffed with fois gras and sprinkled with fluer de sel is a very good idea. Daaayum.
(5)
Neil W.
Man, I don't know if I'm not eating at the right places, but after about 8 visits to this wonderful establishment, I cannot think of any way to rate it anything other than 5 stars. Food Service Drinks all perfect, doesn't get any better.
(5)
Parantap R.
The place is nice and has a brilliant menu, but not really a drop-in place without reservations...Not that big a fan of the hour long wait to get a table...didn't mind the cocktails while waiting though :) The food more than made up for the wait. Exquisite food...for me it was an excellent introduction to a wide variety of Spanish food though some of my friends did say they'd had better. Loved the different tapas and paella and the wines.
(4)
Micha V.
May I just say that I LOVE TORO BRAVO! Loved it! Everything we ordered from the drinks to the food were delicious! The ambience is trendy and hip, but still feels cozy and open. The service is good and friendly, but can sometimes be a little slow because they can get really busy. Also, it takes a while to be seated, so either order a drink or RSVP if you can. Now, to get down to why we're all here: the FOOD. We ordered more than what I've included here, because we came hungry and had to wait almost 20 minutes before being seated (no RSVP and a good drink, so no hard feelings), but here are some of the highlights of our meal (From the menu, so prices included as a bonus!): *Toasted Almonds with sea salt 2 ***French "Kiss" brandy soaked prune stuffed with foie gras 2 ea (x4=$8) **Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse 7 ***Empanada with roasted chicken, raisins & almonds 8 **Squid Ink Pasta with hazelnuts, anchovy syrup & egg yolk 12 ***Grilled Moorish Lamb Chops with warm potato & chorizo salad 10/20 **Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels 19 (not a huge fan of paella - I know, Im weird. Everyone else thought it was wonderful though, so don't base your choice on my judgement for it). And - ***Sherry-bacon cream braised brussel sprouts (sadly not on the menu from what I can see - too bad, they were my favourite thing we ordered!) Dessert: ***Olive Oil Cake with rhubarb caramel 6 Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with this menu. Even things with one star were still incredible and would likely be ordered again. Do not miss Toro Bravo! It is a GOOD restaurant and an exceptional value. I think our total bill was $20 a person with everything and we ordered WAY more than what I added there. For me, having recently returned from Spain, eating here was a real treat and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Buford C.
Having been to a ton of Tapas bars around the world, Toro Bravo sits in the low end. Their food is OK, some things have complete lack of consideration while others do deliver a traditional Spanish flair. A cold potato pie slice, slathered with Mayo, and Harissa sauce (like a half cup of mayo) it was gross. Their croquettes were all right, but extremely greasy, the best plate we had did not come from the stove, Chorizo, Manchego and bread was the best we had. Cocktails were fine, the typical fancy PDX cocktail list, with fancy cocktail prices. Having 35 cocktails on the menu and one beer on tap seemed a little out of balance. What really bugged me about this place is that from the moment we sat down, they wanted us to leave. We were asked if we were ready for our check no fewer than 6 times, and we were there for two hours. People kept trying to clear half finished plates, and push us out. This would NEVER happen in Spain. 2 people, $126, about half the food was worth it. Not going back. I'll be headed to Colosso instead, where I know they want my business and do not plant a foot in your butt before you sit down.
(2)
Amy S.
Be prepared to wait for a table. We had to wait around 15 minutes so we had a cocktail and ordered an appetizer a the "wait bar" since the real bar seats are part of the host seating. Total bull. Once we did get a table they stuck us in a nook that faced a wall. I swear they "nook" used to be a closet. There was only enough room for a bench on one side of the table that we had to slide into. The food made up for eing completely separated from the other diners. Tons of items to choose from and they were all great. My only wish is that there were a few more spicy items on the menu, as there is only one or two.
(4)
Chad S.
Easily one of the best restaurants in a city of great restaurants. That is all.
(5)
Grace B.
I went to Toro Bravo with my boyfriend for a combination Fat Tuesday, Valentine's Day, and Anniversary. We had a lot of celebrating to do so we ordered four tapas, one dessert, and a pitcher of Sangria. (we took it slow with all that food!) The 25 minute wait went by quickly with our drinks, and the waiting area was comfortable and secluded. The servers were friendly and the atmosphere was warm--plus, there was a chalkboard listing the farms and bakeries and such the ingredients came from. So awesome! Toro Bravo ruled for a date, it was fun sharing food and the menu had lots of tasty vegetarian options, including stuff my non-vege bf was happy with. Hands down the best food I've had in Portland. Perfect and delicious. (especially the butternut squash and sheep's cheese. mmm.)
My first review on Yelp has to be my newest Fave, Toro Bravo. First, not only is it conveniently located in my neighborhood (like you care, but I do--I can friggin walk home!), but seriously folks--the food?? It is so good, and so unique that I am simply amazed and delighted each and every time I go. Delicious! Yes, there is a wait at times--the place is new and VERY popular--so there is a wait for a reason. Just plan ahead so you aren't disappointed, and this will be a non-issue for you--and it is worth it! Yes, there are plenty of good places to eat in Portland, and yes there are other great tapas places--but when I go out to dine what I am looking for is the whole experience, and they nail it! Good enough for me! Excellent, creative menu options, good wine and drinkies, a warm, loud , celebratory and fun environment, and GREAT caring service--yeah, they can be a bit spotty in the heat of things (might deliver a stack of dishes at once or forget one here and there), but Chef John actually pays attention to what is going out of the kitchen and that personal attention and caring really shows. Give a local chef and his crew some credit, and much deserved kudos--this place ROCKS. I love Toro Bravo! Yeah!
(5)
Wen-Chi Y.
We went back for our anniversary again... LOVELY!! Still can't get over those "kisses." It is definitely on my last meal list... A pitcher of Sangria, Kisses, squid ink pasta. pork chop, greens, and etc. we even went for the churros. While I got yucked out by the hersey's chocolate sauce, I do take note that they don't seem to have a pastry chef on side.. so I didn't take points off bc of it. Definitely a must try place! They are back on my good list...
(4)
Sara G.
This is the best restaurant I have been to in Portland. They don't need my review, but another 5-star should balance out any 2 or 3 stars. I hate to belittle others' opinions (who am I kidding?) but I have to think that anyone who doesn't at least like this place is just plain finicky or looking to disagree with the majority. I have never ordered a bad plate. Some things are executed more to my taste than others, but overall every single tapa is made as well as it can be made. I especially love the singing pigs salad, the croquettes, and the charred greens. You do have to be thoughtful when ordering because you could easily make an unhealthy/fry heavy meal if you don't think about it, but that's kind of on the diner be smart and eat your veggies! The best things in life are worth waiting for but don't come here if you are not okay with waiting an hour at a time when no other restaurant would have a wait.
(5)
Amanda S.
thought the tapas were ok...the service was rushed and inatttentive... a little disappointing as i had high expectations from the raving reviews... my dining partners and i had: radicchio salad with green olive toast with manchego viaigrette...my favorite of the night...very similar to the radicchio salad at tasty n sons except without the olive toast... torilla espanola with amaranth fried spanish anchovies with fennel and lemon octopus a la plancha boquerones with toasted bread and piperade french kiss (brandy soaked prune stuffed with foie gras) squid ink pasta also ordered the meatballs and spicy octopus and prawn stew...which our server totally forgot about until reminded at the very end of our meal...by that time, we didn't want it... caramel panna cotta (gratis)...i guess they felt bad...
(3)
Jerome D.
We ate there on a Friday night. The 2 of us showed up around 8.30pm but still had to wait a 1h. We got seated at the bar which was fine but would have definitely preferred a table at that point. I love tapas and enjoyed every bite of the 5 tapas we ordered. Food is definitely great and there are lots of options on the menu. The place was very noisy though. The waitress could not even hear my order and a couple, obviously starting dating, next us had some trouble to communicate. Thus, I would recommend this place for friends, family and couples but not for dates. The restaurant atmosphere is nice, food is great, but I am not completely convinced that this place deserves the hour wait though. Food is 4-5, service is 3, restaurant 4, and overall experience was A-ok. I might just have to go back and try again.
(3)
Lindsay F.
I LOVE all the small plates here. My guy and I have been wanting to try this place since it was listed on the top 10 of Portland burgers by WW a few years ago but could never get it. We were going to a show that night next door so we were sure to get there well before they opened to ensure we'd get a seat and not an hour wait. We tried many different dishes including the charcuteria plate, braised onions, the bacon wrapped date, the salt cod fritters, bread and olive oil and of course the burger. Not many of the dishes "wowed" me per se, but I loved the process and I thought the prices were good for trying as much as we did. The burger WAS very tasty but didn't make my personal top 3. Overall, the service, ambiance and price of experimenting is what lends my 4 stars to Toro Bravo. I can't wait to go back and try the chef's choice!!
(4)
Chris P.
This is the best restaurant in Portland. As much as it pains this French wine salesman to declare a Spanish restaurant the best in town, this is a special place where everything coming out of the kitchen is thoughtfully prepared and scrumptious, without showmanship or pretense. These people don't miss. If a batter hits six home runs in six at bats, anything less than 5 stars makes no sense. If I go back and am disappointed, I will recant. You can order anything here. My frames of reference are places like Piperade in SF, Cesar in Berkeley, and Zuzu in Napa. Toro Bravo is better than all three, with the added benefit of going home full for your $100. For 3 people. Including drinks. The somber hand of a perfectionist is at work in this kitchen. The servers did a fantastic job too. Keep up the great work. It's 2010 and you are earning every penny.
(5)
Ian A.
From past experiences, Toro Bravo is the best Spanish cuisine that Portland has to offer. A couple of nights ago however, decided to go my American route (which is rare) and did the burger. I was a wee bit nervous, burger comes out, I dig in, and I was thoroughly joyed! With burgers, it is all about ratio and the bun or meat not overpowering the other and it was perfect! For a Spanish restaurant to have such a great burger, that makes me give them 5 stars!
line was already stacking up before the doors opened at 5, so we were happy to get there early. Food was wonderful, as was service. Nothing disappointed
(4)
Bucky M.
Tapas place. duck liver pate - 5 stars. The pate was awesome. The mustard it came with, also awesome. The bread, just average. empanada with pork - 3 stars. decent, but nothing that stood out.
(4)
J M.
Secret to not waiting - show up at opening hour. We sat at the chef's bar and watched all the delicious food being prepared. Was a great experience. We ordered several dishes to share and all the dishes were really good. My faves were the salt cod and octopus. I wanted to try more of the meat dishes but was not dining with a meat lover so I am looking forward to another trip with more meat loving friends. I love dining in Portland - better quality and value for money than Seattle.
(5)
Kimberly F.
toro bravo was probably one of my favorite meals while in portland. first of all, i love tapas. something about the small dishes and variety of food makes my dining experience so satisfying. we had gone to screen door earlier that day and still felt full, so only ordered a few things off the menu, but everything we got was good. - arugula salad with blood oranges. simple as it should be. - brussel sprouts. one thing i wish was different about this dish is the way it was prepared. i wish the brussel sprouts were kept either whole or halved, instead the whole brussel sprout was deconstructed. it was still delicious, but i prefer my sprouts to be in tact. - seared scallops. perfectly done. i also found out that the head chef was actually a chef at chez panisse in berkeley, so that was pretty cool. many of the other things on the menu sounded delicious. i'd definitely hit up toro bravo again when in portland.
(5)
Steph C.
I'm a huge fan of John Gorham. I've gone a couple times with a big group, so have had almost everything on the menu. Would definitely recommend the "Chef's tasting" which is really excellent value for $25 for 8 different small plates. A huge fan of the braised lamb, bacon-wrapped dates, basque pipperade, north african sausages, roasted eggplant. As with all good places in Portland- it's really difficult to get a table here. They don't take resos except for groups above 6 (worth rounding up friends to secure a table)- otherwise I've wait upwards of an hour to eat here.
(5)
Luke M.
We only tried this place based on the reviews..... and the majority are spot on! This place is simply fantastic. We live in New York.... if you could do this quality of Spanish food here for the same price there would be queues around the block trying to get in.... and let's be fair it's not far off it in Portland either (which by the way is a fantastic town - we loved it!) Suffice to say we tried a lot of the popular dishes mentioned in other very positive reviews and everything we had was amazing. We waddled out of this place with nothing but great memories of wonderful food, great wine, good service and top value for money. If you're in Portland give it a go.
(5)
Uli B.
I tried to go to Toro so much that I would be fed up with it and I failed. The standby's like the french kisses, radicchio salad, squid ink pasta and roasted eggplant & lamb ragu are as amazing as the plenty a-new items on the menu which change frequently and build a nice surprise factor. I suggest coming here with friends. That way you can order everything and share. And if you have a party of 7 or more you can make a reservation which is definitely good for weekends. But don't sweat the wait. Just go next door to the Secret Society for a drink. It's a small but oh so charming bar that deserves it's own 5 stars.
(5)
Alicia F.
"Is the food worth a two hour wait?"- Stepdad "Just wait and see"- Me 2 hrs later "Wow, I would have waited twice as long"- Stepdad (mouth full of food, trying to flag down the waitress to order more plates) "Told you"- Me Simply, the best meal I've ever had, you must try the margarita, and the service has always been amazing.
(5)
Colleen W.
My boyfriend and I like to pretend to be foodies and we loved exploring the menu here. It was my birthday, so we went a little overboard. I'm pretty sure I'll spend next week in confession. We arrived three minutes to open (5PM) on A Saturday night. I highly suggest you get there early as well. There was a full house waiting for the doors to open. We were promptly seated at a table, almost rubbing elbows with the table next to us. Yep, they're that close together...a little too close for comfort (I like my space bubble) but we were soon lost in the menu and forgot about it. We ordered... Tomato rubbed bread: a little too soggy/salty for me. We'll order the grand central baguette and olive oil next time. Bacon wrapped dates: Surprise, there's an almond inside! I thought the honey drizzle added way to much sweetness to an already rich and almost sickeningly sweet treat. I don't think we'll get these again. Grilled corn with a cilantro pesto: Can you really go wrong when it's in season? So sweet and delicious. The pesto was a bit salty...best used sparingly. Empanada: soft, flaky crust + savory filling = the perfect hot pocket. Fried Green Tomatoes with "pickle sauce": They came out way too black (over-fried) so the server brought us new ones. She comp'd the dish AND brought us two more complimentary bacon wrapped dates AND an additional complimentary dish: seared scallops in romesco. Although this was more of an apology than the two of us could handle, we greatly appreciated their efforts to make things right. BLT: such a simple, perfect sandwich with thick house cured bacon and ripe heirloom tomatoes. Seared scallops in romesco: perfect sear on the scallops and thick, delicious, peppery romesco sauce. The fact that they were free made them taste even better. Smoked Coppa Steak: flavorful is an understatement. What an incredible, rich, buttery steak! I'd definitely suggest this place for a date, but if you want to explore more of the menu without the gluttony, go with a group. The waitresses bust their asses here! They earn their tips, for sure. They're flying around the rooms bringing different tapas to table. Our waitress was particularly informative and was really good about clearing plates out of the way and bringing new ones (key for a tapas place with small tables) in a timely manner (good spacing between dishes). Next time, we'll sit up next to the kitchen so we can watch the chefs in action.
(4)
Liz T.
Tapas are generally considered small plates. Toro Bravo's tapas are anything but small. We came with a group of 22 people and nothing that we ordered was a disappointment. The staff was prompt, and the food was delicious. I got to take a bit of a friend's Potatoes Bravas and wish that I had ordered some for myself. The paella was sizzling and scrumptious. And to top off the perfect dinner, they had the best panna cotta I have ever tried. Perfectly light, creamy and smooth, topped with a decadent layer of caramel on top. I can't wait to come back here so I can try everything else on the menu!
(4)
Art A.
Wow, tapas done excellently! I can't even name all the dishes we had.. and drinks.. for 4 for $100! Insane. Shortbread, steak, open face BLT, empanadas, and the shrimp dish were definitely some of the highlights. The space is awesome, the open kitchen is amazing, the speakeasy upstairs is the bomb (yea, i said it!) and the service is on point! I will definitely be back when I return to Portland!
(5)
Wanjiku K.
Went on a whim with 2 girlfriends, really liked the vibe inside and the service was really good. I ordered the Bread with butter/olive oil for $1 for starters, then got the Chorizo & Manchego with country bread and Seared Scallops with romesco, and they were both divine. My friends ordered the Smoked Pork Rillettes with orange marmalade (good), Empanada with duck chorizo, apple and confit potatoes (so-so), Moroccan Tuna (good) with dried cherry couscous. For drinks they got the Lemoncello Classic $8, which she really enjoyed and the To Your Health (Pimms No 1, apple, Isastegi dry cider) $8 and they both raved about them. All and all, great night, good food, fairly crowded for a Tuesday night will definately revisit if I'm back in Portland soon. Parking was easy and free on the street and they took AMEX, my two favorite things.
(4)
Nisha D.
After two years of living in Portland, I'm leaving for California, and found Toro Bravo to be a fitting end to the wide range of culinary experiences I've had in this fantastic city. Why? IT WAS FOODIE NIRVANA. Sexy space? Check. Next-door bar to kill/enjoy the hour before we were seated? Check. Timely, efficient, personal service? Check. And the food, oh the food... We ordered the Tortilla Espanola, Grilled Flatbread, Manchego Fritters, and Grilled Corn. I know the menu changes, but the grilled corn with the cilantro pesto was so ridiculously yummy that I've been Googling "cilantro pesto" the last two days in the hopes of remaking it at home. And trust me, I eat out, I don't cook, so that's saying something. The service is also worth calling out--our waitress patiently listed some of the popular vegetarian items and explained each dish as it came out. I also enjoyed the fact that she came out with one dish at a time, so the three of us could really share the experience of one thing. Dessert was a slight disappointment, but I'll fault my taste buds for that. The caramel panna cotta was excellent, but the chocolate and churros were not sweet enough. But that could be my Taco Bell churro upbringing--a friend that traveled to Spain said that the churros were exactly like the ones you found there. Toro Bravo is no secret in Portland, and it definitely lives up to the hype.
(5)
Mark C.
This place was disappointing. The rice in the paella toro was under cooked and hard in the middle. The shrimp over cooked and rubbery. The chicken and chorizo was good but this dish was a huge let down. Worst Paella I ever had. The best thing was the bacon wrapped dates. But how can you make a dish bad when you add smoked bacon. $8.00 empanda that's baked with a pie like dough that crumbles like a scone. Not my idea of a empanda. Ended with churros and chocolate. Dough on churros make with a cookie/cake like dough. If you have had real churros before you know it's made with a doughnut type dough and fried till golden brown. Like one picture said screw the churros and drink the chocolate. I would not recommend this place to anyone. And I was truly hoping for a great dinning experience with all the hipe.
(1)
Paris O.
After putting this place off for a 'less busy' time, my gf and I decided to just do it. We arrived at 6pm on a Monday night. The place was packed. We were fortuante to only wait about 10 minutes. After being greeted by the hostess, we were set in the window to wait, review the menu, and order a drink. A server approached us promptly for our drink order. As we stood and took in our surroundings, I was actaully a little turned of with how loud the music was; only becasue the place is very busy, buzzing with patrons, and an open kitchen (love). We were sat very quickly at the open kitchen, bar style seats. We were really thrilled to be seated with full viewing of the kitchen. As a wanna be foodie, I couldn't stop wondering what everything was that they were preparing; many things were unrecognizable in their raw state. Glancing at the menu, we quickly realized it's not as 'mexican' inspired as the menu, reviews, and other literature states. Yes, they have empanadas, chiles in many dishes, and sangria...but it wasn't very Spanish, if you will. We ordered the asparagus first, this was phenomenal, our favorite of the whole evening. The LAYERS of flavor were just amazing. We also had the grilled shrimp (huge but very little flavor), the scallops (huge, the romesco was good), the empanada (good, but little flavor), and the lemon curd crepes (soooo delicious). We would definitely want to go back to Toro Bravo, to try new dishes. The menu is dated, so it must change everyday. I know that it seems as though some of the food was rated flavorless, but overall, it was great service, good food, and an overall great experience.
(4)
Ada T.
I absolutely adored my dinner at Toro Bravo. My boyfriend and I came late (past 9PM?) on a Thursday night, and the restaurant was still packed. Luckily, we got seated quite quickly at a sort of counter area, which was cool because we were able to observe the kitchen in action. I loved how long the menu was, such a contrast from the very brief menus that are so in vogue these days. Almost everything sounded worth ordering, but we settled on chorizo & manchego with country bread, potatoes bravas, empanada, jamon wrapped chicken with manchego. It all tasted great. The potatoes bravas were less crispy than the ones I've had previously due to the heavy use of tomato sauce, but tasted perfect. I wanted to just shovel forkful after forkful into my mouth -- classy, I know. The jamon wrapped chicken with manchego didn't have much other description so I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was very moist and delicious. For dessert, we ordered Churros & Chocolate...how could that be anything but great? My boyfriend really liked the dipping chocolate the churros came with and even drank the remainder straight. Atmosphere was good: dim and noisy. Also of note: this place is hard to get to without a car. But it's worth it! The total was a mere $50 (inc. a drink for my boyfriend), which I think is fantastic value for a memorable meal. If Toro Bravo were in the California Bay Area, I would be there all the time.
(5)
Pat C.
Great meal. Paella was wonderful. They continue to turn out delicious food year after year.
Toro Bravo did almost everything right, but I probably won't be back. My wife and I got the tasting menu, which was about 10 courses (and not bad at all price-wise for $40 each). Most of the dishes were interesting, and they certainly gave us more than enough food -- we were both quite full by the end. Everything was high quality and seemed thoughtfully prepared. That said, a few issues: - At one point they brought out I believe 4 dishes at once -- not sure if it was an accident or if they were all designed to be eaten together, but it seemed just a little odd - The steak was served as the final course when we were both already almost full, so that seemed like a poor choice unless that's the traditional / authentic Spanish way of doing it - Most importantly, while it was all good and quality food, nothing really stood out to us as excellent. The meal was certainly fine, but we were hoping for something just a little more (especially compared to Tasty n Alder). Of course, neither of us has had a lot of Spanish food before, so it could certainly just be personal preference
(4)
Rosie P.
Excellent, memorable dinner. Came here with a party of 3 as recommended by a friend. At 6:30 on a Sunday night we were told it'd be a 1.5-2 hour wait. We went upstairs to Secret Society Lounge for a cocktail and a bite to hold us over. At 7:45 they called that our table was ready! We had a hard time deciding what to order since the entire menu was so appealing. We settled on the house made chorizo with manchego, the meatballs, chicken & bacon banderilla, seared cauliflower and the shaved Brussels sprouts. There wasn't a bite left of anything- we practically licked our plates. So incredibly tasty! The cocktails and wine were great too. Really special and unique. I will definitely come back here next time I'm in Portland!
(5)
Randi W.
First impression: parking here is awful. Particularly when it's dark, and when there's a concert going on at a place nearby. Streets are narrow, and there's not a specific/clear parking lot. Plan to circle several blocks many times and then just give up and walk several blocks more than you had planned. Hope for the best, plan for the worst, ya know? We arrived at Toro Bravo at 9 p.m. on a Thursday hoping to see a few extra tables, but arrived to a packed place and were quoted a 45 minute wait. It was late and we had driven all the way out for the purpose of trying out this place, so we waited. There was a counter-top next to the door that we were able to get a drinks delivered to, so we ordered a bottle of cava to split. While the bottle was en route, we were told that everyone in front of us had cancelled (!) and we would get a table immediately. There was some breakdown in communication and the drinks were left to us at bar, leading to a strange deal where we carried the glasses, tab and bottle to the table ourselves... a little awkward. The menu was familiar to me since I lived in Spain for a time, but it was pretty overwhelming to the people I was with. They were out of tortilla when we arrived, which was incredibly disappointing for a Spanish place. Since it's traditionally just potatoes and eggs, it seemed a strange thing to run out of, but this was likely since they were out of the nettles (though that seemed quite strange too). On top of that, the room was dark, noisy and tightly packed. It was a little hard to read the menu, and for us to hear the waitress speaking from across the table. The food didn't transport me back to Spain, but it was pretty alright. The prawns came with legs and shell attached, which we probably wouldn't have bitten straight into if we could've seen it clearly. The hand cut noodles were tender, but the vodka cream sauce wasn't as flavorful as I was expecting. The dates were excellent, and the asparagus was solid. Overall, I'd say I had a nice time, but I can't say it would cut to the front of my list of restaurants to try again.
(3)
Andy K.
I found this place from Yelp and it didn't disappoint. Foods are so good and Sangria is very tasty. Love the open kitchen atmosphere. Also desserts are awesome.
(5)
Donna H.
In Portland for business and had someone I'm working with recommend Torro Bravo. I am so glad they did! I was dining alone, so I was seated in front of the kitchen. I arrived about 6 pm on a weeknight, there was no wait, but as I left the dining room was full. Great view of food prep. Brooks, my server did a fantastic job recommending items. I started with a glass of red wine and the grilled asparagus. They were tender, warm and perfectly prepared. A bit peppery for my liking but great (with little jambon - ham - slices fried. Then came the empanada. WOW!!! I live in Florida, so we know empanadas. These were the flakies outside with a warm and gooy inside. YUMMY. Then came House Smoked Coppa Steak with confit potatoes, cracked olives, caramelized onions and salbitxada (can't tell you what that is, but it was a great topping for the beef). As Brooks said, it was like a little bit of prime rib. Amazing. Lastly - churros with traditional cinnamon/sugar coating and a chocolate sauce for dipping/spreading. A great ending for the evening. I would certainly go back again. The meal was paced well, no long waits and was super tasty. No wonder it is on the list of Portland's best often.
(4)
Dianne W.
This place is so good! We sat down, took one look at the menu and ordered the Chef's Choice. They brought out so much delicious food! It was incredible! We also got a pitcher of sangria which was also very tasty. You can't go wrong!
(5)
Robert G.
The fried anchovies are exactly what you would taste in Spain. The fried lemon wedges are a marvelous companion to the dish. The cod fritters are deliciously Spanish. Depending on the time of desalination they flavor changes. They desalinated them more than I like but still wonderful. I don't like the glob of mayonnaise garlic they come in. The grilled asparagus is lovely. The grilled octopus is perfectly grilled and fresh. The tangy sauce takes away from the flavor of the octopus.
(4)
Miz C.
i love eating like this. small plates for maximum variety. although a bit spendy, not as bad as i thought it would be (about $60 for me and my hungry boyfriend, but we skipped getting any drinks) we tried 6 plates, which was a good amount for us, i was stuffed : salt cod fritters, seared cauliflower (which was romanesco broccoli with olives), delicata squash with lamb ragu (my personal favorite of the night), grilled flat bread, butter braised turnips (my least favorite) and griddled prawns (messy to eat). i would definitely go back to try more things.
(4)
Maureen H.
This was the best dining experience of my life. My friend and I couldn't really do the tasting menu since I am a vegetarian and he is not. But since we expressed interest in this, the wonderful server offered to select a number of his favorite tapas for our table. Every bite of our food was delicious, and I loved the surprise of not knowing what to expect next as each dish arrived at our table. Additionally, we sat over in the little nook which I kind of loved. Other people have mentioned disliking that area, but I enjoyed the cozy little space. Everything from the gorgeous interior to the food and service is exceptional. I can't recommend this place enough. I have a new favorite restaurant, and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kristin B.
I had a romantic, beautifully delicious dinner here during my visit to PDX. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I ate, specifically the squid, the sexiest scallops I've ever savored and most of all...it was my first time trying squid ink pasta and...I love it! Muy bien
(5)
Patama W.
I like the open kitchen. The restaurant is nice atmosphere. Our waitress is very nice and friendly. Food is very tasty and highly recommendation.
(5)
Thor N.
Im not even going to waste your time with a long review. Simply this. You like food? Cool. You need to eat here. Get the tasting menu and be prepared to leave uncomfortably full but ready to eat more. Great restaurant. Great staff. Great experience.
(5)
Lydia L.
Delicious! We had an hour wait for a table on a Saturday, but it was well worth it. Iberico Skirt Steak: superb and buttery French Kiss: delicious; it's a cold dish of foie gras stuffed brandy-soaked prune New York Kiss: dreamy stuff Fried Spanish Anchovies: very good; just a hint of batter for a dish of four anchovies, fennel, thin lemon slices Grilled Octopus: delicious and pleasantly crispy in the right way, and not in the least rubbery, and the basil "caviar" was just the right accent for the dish Cheese Board: not too big or heavy with a refreshing small array of 4 cheeses, cracker, and bread Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date: yes, it's sweet, but pleasantly so when taken in among the other dishes; I could've licked the plate afterwards Churros and Dipping Chocolate for dessert: what's all the hype about churros you've heard about? Try it here and you'll find out. Three yummy 8-10" long skinny crispy churros to dip in a little cup in of not-too-sweet chocolate. Can't go wrong with that.
(5)
Natalya L.
The food here is some of the best I have ever tried. The appetizers were so delicious. They just need bigger portions.
(4)
Patricia G.
The bacon wrapped dates are way too salty, the chilly shrimp was flavorless and too salty, drunken pork salty, and paella was not salty, but the shrimp was over cooked. The service was excellent!
(1)
H M.
Ever have one of those experiences where you're so full but can't stop eating because the food is out of this world? Yep, that's Toro Bravo. A Spanish tapas restaurant with a wildly creative menu. This little gem completely exceeded all of my expectations. Everything was top notch, from the service to the ambiance to the food. I was tempted to order the "Chef's Choice", but for my first time here, I wanted to play it a little safe and select what appealed to me the most. Some highlights: Sauteed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins - Never in a million years would I have thought that these ingredients go well together. Glad I followed the waiter's recommendation on this one. Seared scallops romesco - I'm aware that romesco sauce and seafood are a classic pairing. But this dish? Oh my! Tortilla Espanola - Rich and flavorful. Slightly potato heavy, but still kick-ass. Potatos Bravas - Must. Order. This. These spuds will knock your socks off. Churros and Chocolate - This dessert is reason alone to visit TB. The churros have an equal measure of sugar and cinnamon for the right amount of sweetness. I am not ashamed to admit that I drank the dipping chocolate after I finished my churros =D. Come early, come hungry my friends.
(5)
Matt Z.
Stop reading this and just go there. Get ready to have your taste buds blown to Beaverton but make reservations otherwise you'll be waiting freaking an hour 45.
(5)
Suie C.
Um, Toro Bravo is hands down my favorite restaurant in Portland. It's been on my to-try list for a while and we finally got the chance to try it out the last time we were down there. I've heard that it can get quite busy here, but we had no problems getting seated around 6pm on a Sunday night. Most of the tables are communal, but our table of 4 sat at the end of a communal table so it didn't seem like we were really sharing w/ strangers. Now, the FOOD. AMAZING. We were a bit overly excited and order quite a bit. We had the paella, the squid ink fiedo w/ boar sausage and half a dungeness crab, the drunken pork w/ avocado salad, chicken liver mousse, a beef tapas, and some rioja to go w/ it. Everything was delicious and the portions for the main dishes (paella, and fiedo) were quite generous. Some overall favorites included the tapa dish w/ beef, I forgot what it was called but our waitress recommended it and its basically chunks of marinate beef grilled to perfection. The paella was very flavorful and the drunken pork was quite tasty. I loved everything we had. The squid ink fiedo went well w/ the fresh crab on top and I appreciated that we were provided extra baugette for the mousse w/o asking. Our server was friendly, knowledgable, and pleasant. I LOVE this restaurant. If I lived in Portland, this would probably be my go-to dinner spot, girls night spot, wine spot, etc. Price-wise, very reasonable. I think our bill came to just a bit over $100 for all that food plus 3 glasses of wine. No tax in Oregon!
(5)
Kat D.
The food is good but overrated and overpriced. The portions are ridiculously small ...except on the wine, which is standard. The demographic or the target market is for consumers who like to think they are foodies and have too much to spend. There are no extraordinary dishes (that I've had). It seems like you have to order a dozen things to get a full meal, and in the end you're left with a hefty bill ...and quite possibly still hungry. Come on, being in Portland, you can find exceptional meals at a much lower cost. The only reason this place exists is because of people who don't know anything about great food. People who have either never heard of tapas or just think this place is cool because it's always crowded. Service was really good but food for its value was REALLY lacking.
(3)
Sam H.
Food was good not out of this world. We showed up 45 minutes after they opened and since they don't take reservations the wait time was going to be 1.5 hours. We decided to put our name in and head to another place told them we would be back in 2 hours. We were called and told they were ready, we headed back after the two hours and they made us wait another 35 minutes before we sat down and even then it was community seating with a bunch of strangers which I don't mind but some might. I really wanted the food to be spectacular to make up for the time and wait, it was good not kind blowing, by the time we ate I was just ready for the tab and wanted to get out of there. Good not Great!
(3)
Wayne D.
Visited TB and had a wonderful evening with new friends. The food was great, small portions but that's the style of this place. About 5 - 10 minutes from downtown Portland, easy cab ride. Oh remember to make a reservation. Give it a try!
(5)
Amiee H.
Wow, can you believe there's already a HUGE line of people, standing in the rain, waiting for it to open for dinner at 4:45pm when it doesn't open until 5:00pm?? And can you believe that I was one of those people that stood there in the rain?? So given the line, the rain, and the hype, I was expecting AMAZING food. And it sure delivered and a hefty price! Food: I had the grilled asparagus which were so tasty! I think half of the great taste came from the freshness of the asparagus. We also ordered the Paella, which ended up being DELIcIOUS!!! My only criticism was that it was a little TOO salty. The rest of the dishes for some reason escape my memory, but everything tasted pretty good, I don't remember not really like any of the dishes we ordered. Ambiance: This felt a "dress up and go on a fancy date night" kind of place or "dress up for a girls' nice out" or "dress up and celebrate"...but the key word is DRESS UP. It's definitely feels like a fancy, upscale, romantic, candle light, blow a hole in your wallet type of place. Service: Great service! Very friendly and attentive! Price: Really puts a dent in your wallet. Especially if you want to leave with a full belly. Overall: I liked the food, the dining experience was great, but I don't know if it's worth standing in the rain and/or waiting with a mob of people for the place to open. The food wasn't THAT amazing for me to do that again. Maybe if I was REALLY craving Paella again, but otherwise, no.
(4)
Connor B.
Wow what a fun spot! Had about an hour and a half wait to get a table, which should be expected. There are a few bars around to kill the time, which are all very fun (the upstairs bar next-door is very cool). Once seated, the energetic ambiance and exciting menu made for an amazing dinner. The beer list and drink menus are great. Some highlights from the dinner were the charcuterie board, empanada, and every item with pork. Regardless of the wait time, this spot is very much worth it. The staff is very friendly and knows that once seated, you want to spend quite a bit of time enjoying yourself, so there is no rush to leave. Great place!
(4)
Mario C.
I dined at Toro Bravo on a Monday evening. The wait was about 1 hour for table for 2, which apparently was a slow day. The place was packed, but I didn't find the noise level enough to take away from the ambiance, which was very Spanish themed. The drink I had was the sangria, which was a bit watered down and lacking fresh fruit. Now on to the food: Griddled bacon wrapped dates- impossible for anything wrapped in bacon to no be superb, so no points for this one Iberico skirt steak- very flavorful and delicious Octopus a la plancha-pretty tasty but not memorable. Squid ink pasta- this here was the highlight of the meal. Extremely flavorful and alone worth the price of admission. So many fresh flavors! Churros and chocolate- meh I'm not a fan of dark chocolate and the churros were a little too thin, which doesn't really allow you to taste the dough. Very disappointing, especially since this is a staple of Spanish dessert. While I'd wholly recommend the squid ink, I feel that toro bravo fails on the true Spanish staples, although the guest next to me raved about the paella so perhaps I'll try that next time. Where this place really shines is the "authentic" Spanish experience via the ambiance and the array of dishes which are all very flavorful and beautiful to look at before devouring.
(4)
Ser Z.
Hate to burst their bubble but this place is not really a 4.5 stars place. Again, depends on the number and variety of restaurants you've visited in the past. I have to say we had a bit of a disappointing experience too. We got there and asked for a table for 6. We were told the wait would be 2.5 hours and were invited to wait if we wanted to and we were suggested a great place, right next door, to have drinks in the meantime. We did check out that place, the Secret Society, it was great. We were also told, not to worry that it was getting late, we would be served just fine and we would not be rushed out. Fine. So, 2.5 hours later, after a few drinks upstairs, we finally get called in. We go in, we get our table and we try to order. Well... I would believe that any self respectable Spanish place would have jamon on their menu... Well, not this place. Ok. We all decide what we want and the waiter come by. Right as we get ready to order he grabs a menu and lets us know what their out of. Screw this, they were out of pretty much every item we wanted... so yeah, 2.5 hour wait for a list of what they were out of. Not happy. The food we did get was ok. The squid ink pasta was really good, the fresh pasta dish we got, a mistake order, was actually good too. Our friends got a meats plate that, normally would have had that jamon i mentioned, it was mediocre at best... gotta wonder if some stuff was left out because they ran out of it or it was simply mediocre. We also had a paella... which my friends, who have relatives in Spain, and lived there for a month, said it was nowhere close to what a traditional spanish paella should be. All in all... a lively place to hang out at but certainly not worthy of the hyped up 4.5 stars.
(3)
Megan G.
Went here last night for my friends birthday dinner. We got the Chef's Choice Tasting Menu. There were 4 of us in our party but the 4th person was going to be very late. Usually they say that the whole table has to get the tasting menu but they let our friend who came late order other food while we ate all the amazing food that came out. 10-12 tapas came out. It was hard to keep track. They kept on coming! Everything tasted amazing. From the deconstructed olive, the caviar, duck liver pate and the asparagus greens salad (there were many more things that came out) everything was amazing.
(5)
Tom T.
Two of us had: --Squid Ink Fideo with rabbit sausage, tomatoes, corn & tarragon $20 --Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels $21 --(3) Grilled Prawns with chilies $12 --(and something else that I can't remember) Everything tasted good to me, but it was a bit too spicy for my wife. We went at 5:00 PM and had a table immediately. Don't expect an intimate setting as the place packs out quickly and you will soon have neighbors. On balance, this place is fine, but nothing out of the ordinary. I would just assume to go eat elsewhere.
(3)
Hannah J.
This restaurant is an experience. The food is delicious and our waitress was super helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. There are so many interesting dishes here to try. You might have to wait awhile to be seated, but it is worth it for the quality of food. Try going on a weeknight and you wont have to wait as long.
(5)
Long N.
Just wanted to start off that I don't really yelp too much in terms of giving reviews for restaurants but when you come to Toro Bravo, you kind of have to. I came here to Portland for my graduation trip with my family and girlfriend. We decided to try something different and went with tapas. We waited for 2 hours for our seat and it was definitely worth it. For those who do not know what tapas styled dining is, it's basically eating a variety of appetizers or snacks. We ordered so many dishes from the: duck liver moose terrine, salt cod fritters, fresh pasta with morels, empanadas with chorizo, the grilled moorish lamb chops, and a couple of more. Each dish that came out would "top" the flavor from the previous dish. The staff & chefs do an awesome job of combining the different bold flavors & a huge variety of ingredients. Not only are they quick, each dish is tasty with great presentation. They really go out of their way for customer service as well. A small portion of the lamb looked undercooked to me and I just asked to see if this was normal. I wasn't expecting anything because I have not really eaten lamb in the past. I had told the waiter I was just curious. The chef decided to remake the entire dish for us. Definitely blew my mind they would go this far to fix a dish that is suppose to be eaten slightly raw or show some pink. Bottom line, try this place out. You won't regret it!
(5)
Nancy L.
Just go. Expect to wait, half the city will be there, but don't let that stop you. This place is a must for all foodies.
(5)
Lauren C.
We went to Toro Bravo on a Monday night at 5:45 and it was packed! Didn't have to wait for a seat though, and chose to sit at the bar/kitchen area so we could watch the chefs in action. Noise level wasn't so loud that I couldn't hear what my husband was saying, which was appreciated. Our server was fantastic, recommended a great bottle of wine to us and was there when we needed him to be. We splurged on the kobe beef (45.00 for a palm sized piece of meat) and it was, hands down, the best beef we have ever had. Melts in your mouth, perfectly cooked and seasoned. I would highly recommend, it was worth every penny. The other stand-out meal was the squid ink pasta. Its a perfectly sized portion to share or have as an entree to yourself. Tastes spectacular. We had the groundwork greens - a lightly dressed salad with lots of berries and nuts. Very refreshing and light. We also got the charcuterie board (lots of liver mousse) which was delicious and the drunken pork - which was just ok. Apparently the empanada is a best seller there - they were all out by the time we ordered at 6pm. Overall, would highly recommend. Everything was cooked to perfection and perfectly seasoned. Wine list was excellent. Portions were great for tapas style. Would go back soon if we lived in the area.
(5)
John C.
This place was delicious! If you like real authentic Spanish food then this is your place. Friendly staff and great price. Perfect date place.
(5)
Tman S.
Had a amazing feast with great company at this fine Spanish restaurant. From apps to main course. Perfect service and vibe. I fell in love. top that eaters.
(5)
Ophelia Y.
Y'know, I expected a lot from this place, and it was good, but it wasn't great. I came here for a friend's birthday and we got the tasting menu. It was good and filling, but definitely not quite what I was expecting. The first part that kind of shocked me is that they didn't have any accommodations for GF people. I'm not GF, but there was someone in our party who was, and maybe keeping rice crackers, or even extra greens on hand to sample the pate would have been nice. The cod fritters and steak were our highlights--the anchovies and I think it was the chicken liver or duck liver mousse, not so much (and I DO like anchovies). I don't get what the hype is about, but maybe I'll have to come back and try something else besides the tasting menu!
(3)
Donna S.
Place was recommended by our server at a nearby hotel. Read the Yelp reviews, so we were prepared for a long wait. Having done Portland sight-seeing on foot, we did not think we could endure standing in a long line for an hour. Fortunately, the hostess directed us to Secret Society Bar located upstairs and next door as a place to wait until our table was ready. (Great little bar, great drink, and feet were grateful!) Yes, the place is crowded and a bit frenetic. We were seated at the bar where we watched three young efficient chefs in a tiny space perform what looked like a bit of culinary choreography. Every motion was practiced and elegant. So the food: we ordered tapas style to try a variety of dishes. The bacon wrapped fig is to die for. Smokey, salty, sweet and I surreptitiously licked the plate to get every last drop of honey sauce. The fresh pasta was light but flavorful, perfectly cooked. Flatbread was done to perfection with a topping of fresh greens. Dessert: lemon curd crepes and churro with chocolate were the perfect ending to a perfect meal. We ordered potato bravo and didn't finish it. When our server, Sarah, noticed, she asked if there was anything wrong with the dish. I mentioned it was a bit salty for my taste, but not terrible. When we got our check, the charge for this item had been removed. Impressive extra gesture, considering I had not actually complained. Overall, highly recommended. Not often a wait that long is worth the inconvenience (I'm talking to you, Voodoo Doughnuts), but this is one of those times. If your feet aren't up to the stress, consider sipping a cocktail next door.
(5)
Vanessa M.
I absolutey love this place! I even have teh cookbook and make things out of it from time to time. The tapas are perfectly portioned and really amazing. I really like a lot of things on the menu but some of the things I always order are: bacon wrapped dates, harrisa butternut squash, radicchio salad, fresh pasta, grilled flat bread...seriously everything is just so amazingly delicious! I always sit at the chef's table and watch those guys take on the dinner rush every time! The secret to avoid the wait is to get there 15 mins before the doors open or about 40mins into the first seating!
(5)
Marlana S.
My friends and I decided to try Toro Bravo before going to a show at the Secret Society above the restaurant. We got there on a Friday night at around 7:15 and were told that it was a 30-45 minute wait for four people. We were fine with that, as we were expecting a long wait on a Friday night. We wish they took reservations though, would have made the night a lot smoother. We went upstairs to the Secret Society for a drink and the hostess called me when our table was ready (the hostess was very friendly!). We quickly went downstairs, very excited for our dinner. We were given the menus, which are two sided and very extensive. My friend and I got out our phones to google some of the menu items, as when we asked the waitress for help, she used a lot of very "foodie" terms that we still didn't understand. It was fun to go through all of the dishes and try to decide which things we wanted to try...it took awhile! When we were ready to order, the waitress explained to us that the food is done tapas style and that the food comes out when it is ready, and it's meant to be shared. She seemed a little exasperated with us, as if we should have known this before dining there. We quickly scrambled to figure out what we were going to order after finding this out. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates for the table. They were good, but the Sapphire hotels are better and not as expensive. My friend and I ordered the empanadas. I found it ok, but a little dry and not very flavorful. The grilled flatbread with arugula was delicious. My husband ordered the ribs with clams and they were very good, he had no complaints and everyone had to sample it. We waited the longest for my friend's six ounce "large" steak. It came out about 15 minutes after the rest of our food, He didn't share, but it looked great. Overall, it was a good experience. I think that my expectations were very high after reading reviews. I wish that they took reservations, as we were late to the show upstairs because our dinner was so much later than we expected. If we go back to the secret society for a show, we may visit again, but I don't think we will feel like going back on it's own.
(3)
Gio A.
went here last night for the first time with my wife and two friends. i was blown away!!! every dish was perfection...quite possibly the best meal, dining experience I've ever had ANYWHERE! BRAVO!
(5)
Doug V.
We've been here a few times. It was fantastic each time. The place is popular, put your name in and go upstairs to the Secret Society for a drink. They'll call you when you get a table, which could be an hour. Worth the wait. I can't recall all the things we tried but the paella was wonderful, and the charcuterie board was just amazing. I recall that there was a steak that was good, and lots of other plates that were just delightful. The waiter was good w/o being overly involved. Love this place.
(5)
Jessica W.
A little overrated .. especially with their prices for their small portioned tapas .. there were a couple items that were very yummy .. like the paella .. that was yum .. although bf said the seafood was very fishy .. in particular the clams. I ordered the steak .. which was not good .. .. the empanada was good .. but overpriced .. 1 empanada for idk $9? 10? i forget ... the flatbread was probably the best .. but mainly b/c I LOVE truffle anything.. we had some other items but don't remember .. as they weren't that memorable. They do get really packed .. but if you go a little later they seem to clear out pretty early. I think we came at 9 or 930 .. don't remember and it was pretty empty.
(3)
Neil W.
I will wait for a long time for this food. They do it right here. The quality and service are outstanding. The food is well made and it is priced and portioned appropriately. Toro Bravo encourages you to try new things and if you don't like it you didn't break the bank or your appetite. Every bite we took transported us back to Spain. The twists they put on a few dishes may not be true Spain, but that is Spanish food. They twist traditional and try new things, except salads those are lousy and I am glad Spanish salads are not on the menu. The salad, Butter lettuce in particular, was outstanding. It was served in a big chilled glass bowl. It was laced with smoky lardons and lightly dressed (my wife tried the pork and she doesn't eat pork). The flat bread was a pleasant hit. It reminded use of these pressed truffled cheese sandwiches from Barcelona. The Padron peppers were amazing. You need to get these; they are not too hot (you might get one). The duck egg with peppers was unusual and delicious. The drunken pork was tender and moist. It had a boozy bite that paired well with the avocado salad. The Patas Bravas were delicious. We never found this dish prepared exactly the same in Spain, but this was a good mix of the best that we did find. We ended with the churros y chocolate. The chocolate was perfect, but the churros were a bit doughy in the middle. They were still good. I would not change a thing about our meal, it was almost perfect.
Expensive food, yet very cheap service. I don't mind paying the price for excellent food. In fact we went specifically to spend a fair amount on our dining experience. Unfortunately our party was refused the option of the tasting menu due to one of us who needed a separate dish because of food allergies. The server made no attempt to remedy the situation. Set the tone for a disappointing evening.
(1)
Greg P.
Ordered a bunch of stuff and everything was amazing! The only issue is we went when it was 100 out and there was no ac and pretty miserable
(5)
Christina A.
I love this place! I've been twice and done the tasting menu both times. Everything I've had has been absolutely wonderful- especially the bacon wrapped dates and live terrine. The service is fantastic and the atmosphere is lovely- especially if you are able to sit in one of the small booth tables that are mostly closed off from the rest of the dining area. I don't think I could go here without ordering at LEAST 6-7 dishes so the tasting menu makes sense. Then you can add other plates if you missed one of your favorites!
(5)
Kathleen T.
One of the most memorable parts of this visit was that we came 15 minutes before they opened for dinner service and there was a good line going to the corner of the building already! We came here on a Sunday night; don't take your time coming here; they definitely fill up fast and when they seat everyone, the kitchen and staff have to hit the ground running! Service here was pretty good. There were long periods of time when our waitress wouldn't be there, but there were times when she would be there too much, but I guess it's because they are serving all people at the same exact time, so it's difficult to go from table to table consistently. We were seated and served a bottle of water (which is nice, so you don't have to keep asking for refills for your tap), and a little bowl of some peanuts and seeds. The menu itself is pretty extensive; you can tell that it keeps changing, based on the ingredients available. We started with an Octopus starter (there was a price for a half-portion and a whole-portion. We opted for the half). I can't remember exactly what went into this besides 3 pieces of thick-cut octopus tentacles (so tender and succulent!) on top of potato rounds and drizzled with olive oil. There were other elements to this dish, but it escapes me. I remember this was the perfect started to our meal. The tastes were spot-on and it was cooked perfectly. Then, we ordered a noodle dish; It was made with hand-cut noodles. This dish wasn't too memorable for me. I asked Jess W. what was in this, and we think it was something vegetarian. I remember the noodles seemed a little over-cooked for me, but the dish was decent. Our last main course was a squid ink fideo with dungeness crab and boar sausage, which was just amazing. This last dish was fairly large; we ended up taking some home for the next day, which surprisingly was still really delicious. There is tons of boar sausage, which is spiced beautifully and gave the fideo a nice contrast in texture and a good amount of dungeness crab legs. The crab was also very tasty. I would definitely order this again, but their menu seems to have so many other good options! We finished with hazelnut ice cream topped with sherry. I don't even think I need to describe the perfection that is already listed in the title. Overall, I liked our experience at Toro Bravo. We had a weird seat off to the little side room, but right at the entrance, so we basically watched the entire restaurant operate and all the diners eating from our seats (dinner AND a show!). Some of the dishes were not too memorable, but for the most part, when they WERE memorable, they were a solid ten stars!! :)
(4)
Archie R.
Amazing food , service and ambience . It is as good as it gets ! Potato Brava:- yummy.. .potatoes can be this tasty ? It had crisp potatoes with a wonderful sauce. Tortilla Espanola, Fresh pasta and gazpacho were so delicious.
(5)
Eric S.
Everything was delicious but the butternut squash was probably my favorite. Wonderful deserts too. We all shared everything and were very satisfied.
(5)
Neona R.
Have I never really reviewed this place before? I've been coming here since they first opened. I don't know if this will count for much, considering how many stellar reviews they already have, but it's my two cents. When they first opened they were knocking it out of the ball park. I thought the food and service was outstanding. In the last three years I've thought both have declined. Food was too salty, dishes I had had previously be transcendent had become mediocre, servers seemed preoccupied; all of this occurred on my last couple of visits. But tonight, at 5pm on a Wednesday, I went in for the first time in almost two years. Let me say almost every dish we had was delicious. Especially the beet salad and house made pasta. The house charcuterie was fantastic as well. Service was a little distant and corporate. There was a certain something missing. But the food was damn good, and it was $80 for three people to leave satisfied and stuffed. Overall I would say this is still great food for a great price. I'm probably only able to complain because I live in Portland and I'm fucking food spoiled.
(4)
J T.
What can you say about this place that hasn't already been said a million times? Toro Bravo is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. Consistently delicious food, drinks and great atmosphere. Favorite date spot. The only downside is the long wait and inability to make a reservation.
(5)
Momo B.
NO BULL Before Tasty n Alder and Tasty N Sons. it all started from this corner shop. This is my second attempt to dine here. Last Saturday there was a mob outside waiting to get in even when it was way past 9:30pm. This time on a MNF late evening I not only found a parking spot in front of the restaurant, but I got seated in less than 15 minutes. So, Yu-go chauffeur gets high marks for doing a super job. The wooden block tables are larger making it seem as though one had a little more privacy and the service is with a smile. Our greeter was named "Harmony" and our very pretty and adorable server was Janikka. Here I didn't need my flashlight to read the menu. As hectic as it was crowd and noise, they both made us feel at ease. As busy as it was, Janikka tended to us as if we were her only table. We stayed away from any beef and keep our focus on ham hocks, pork, lamb and finished up with a hot dessert topped with ice cream. From beginning to end it was a complete, fulfilling and uniquely Portland dining experience at it's finest. Told Janikka that we preferred Toro Bravo over the other fancier two sibling restaurants. That made her smile like an angel from heaven. Our epicurean tour of Portland is soon coming to a conclusion and this evening earned the explanation mark of why Portland is the Pacific Northwest's epicenter of creative and incredible dining. HERE'S A BRAVO TO TORO BRAVO
(5)
Kat R.
Yes, there was a 2.5 hour wait. And, yes, I waited. I had to see what Toro Bravo was all about... Even though I'm the THE most impatient person alive. Luckily after an hour and 45, they called us in. We had the Sangria, paella, potatoes bravas, bacon wrapped dates, cheese plate, and the butternut squash. Everything was incredible, though the portions were very small and ended up not really being enough for the four of us. The butternut squash was one of the best things I've ever taste, as were the potatoes bravas.... I'd suggest coming here on a week day to avoid the wait...
(4)
Ana B.
Every time someone asks me " Where should I go for dinner?", Toro Bravo is my immediately answer. Of course there are some exceptions like those who don't want to wait, or who are on a budget. Toro Bravo is for those looking for a dining experience and are willing to shell out some skrilla. Along with my recommendation I normally throw in a " Whatever you do get the paella! Seriously...you want me to text that to you so you remember". That rice...it's just hard to get a good spanish rice and this nails it. Throw in some seafood featuring mega shrimp prawns and chorizo and boom - day dream haunting paella. I have tried a number of tapas all of which orbit my paella which I consider the crown jewel. Hand cut noodle with chorizo, empanadas, drunken pork! I could go on and on. It's all heavenly. My pants could be on the brink of busting open and when they ask " Would you like to see a dessert menu?" the only answer is an emphatic "YES!". The carmel panna cotta is decadent, I don't even like panna cotta! The carmel is just so rich and goes nice with the creamy texture. Chocolate Molten Lave Cake is a dream. I once sat at the bar and watched them make this. I fell into a trance like state watching these be created and the chocolate aroma wafting over me. Don't. skip. dessert. Toro Bravo remains unparalleled for me when it comes to Spanish food here in the PDX. Bravo to you, a thousand times over.
(5)
Gary L.
I'm not really an adventurous foods type person, but I have to say that this was a really great experience. Memorables are the Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey, Drunken Pork, Paella Toro, and a lamb/noodle dish...finishing dinner off with the molten chocolate cake and almond ice cream with a shot of espresso. The waitresses were super nice and you could tell they really enjoy working there and take great pride in the food they serve.
(5)
Laura L.
I used to love this place, but it has gone down hill. My scallops had bits of sand and there were very few on the plate. Instead of expanding, maybe they should focus on maintaining the high quality of food they use to have.
(2)
Kristi C.
I absolutely and whole heartedly LOVE tapas. What is more fun than bites of this, tastes of that? And this place wins a spot on my coveted "I Loved It" list. Reading in numerous sources that Portland is known for it's vibrant food scene, Toro Bravo proved it for me. I didn't mind the 1 1/2 hour wait, who minds that with good company and a gin & tonic? Super friendly and attentive service, I also loved the energetic vibe and the background music too. Everything was delicious, but we had our faves. Paella, #1. I've only had it a few times and in my opinion, enjoyed it better than the version I had in Spain. The rice had a nice chew to it and was flavor packed. We also thought the Bacon Wrapped Dates, Griddled Shrimp with Chilies, Drunken Pork with Avocado Salad and Salt Cod Fritters with delicious, each in their own unique ways. Dessert? Well of course! The Olive Oil Cake with strawberry caramel, cake was very cake and well if you've read any of my past reviews, I love caramel so of course this as a hit with me. I saved room for a couple bites of the Baked Strawberry, Cherry & Rhubarb with Vanilla Ice Cream, being passed around the table and enjoyed that too.
(5)
Hank C.
Ok. This place is amazing, the food, staff, restaurant etc. In most likelihood and in my experience it indeed is the BEST restaurant in Portland. But....and I had to take away TWO stars for this. The no reservation policy in absolutely horrible. Now I understand food culture, and the idea of waiting and all that and how reservations could make it actually more difficult to get a table. But the policy they have here is so bizarre, instead of taking reservations, they put your name on a list and tell you they will call you when something is available. And I get oh 15- 20 minutes but they had our wait time listed for over 3 HOURS. I had invited relatives who were visiting from the east coast to come meet us here at 6:30 for dinner. Imagining a half hour or so wait, for a party of four, my friend and I arrived at 6 to get on the list. When we got there the hostess told us we'd probably be seated around 9:30. It was pretty embarrassing to have to reveal to my relatives that we wouldnt be dining for three hours past our intended time. Yes they say go to the Secret Society. But guess what that place becomes super crowded as well with their normal patrons plus all the added extra flow from Toro. So we end up going to the sports bar down the street first, which was loud and crazy. Wholly unacceptable for spending time with family you hardly see. Then we made into Secret Society when the sports bar was too crazy. Took us about 35 mins to get a drink there and we had to drink them in the waiting area for the bar. Mind you everyone is hungry, and moderately annoyed at this point. We finally get called and it 45mins earlier than she had said, so we have to chug the 2nd round of drinks we just ordered. The hostess said enough people had given up so we got in earlier. I'm wondering how many other folks had to go through this experience or how many nights were ruined where folks just wanted to have a decent bite and a little red, and instead were forced to wait hours and hours to even be seated. The food here is beyond excellent. But for the love of God man, start taking RESERVATIONS!!!
(3)
Smelly C.
Busy, busy, busy. Open for dinner seven nights a week serving tapas. It's a dim place. Noisy just because it's a busy restaurant. Open kitchen. Full bar. The menu is overwhelming.. So many to choose from but a Tasting Menu is available in which the chef will make you whatever he wants. $30 per person. That's the route we went on and plates came out at the same time or one after another.. We always had something to eat.. We probably had stuff we wouldn't have ordered and that's all well and good.. It's a good deal. There were a few items we wanted to try that didn't happen to be any of the plates that came to us. But that's okay.. everything was still good and we could have ordered what didn't come in our Tasting Menu but there was still dessert to be had.. We went for a couple different desserts and if Olive Cake is available.. I highly recommend it. Cocktails were good. Service was good. It's a nice place to hang out and eat but then you kinda feel bad that people are waiting for a table.. That was us waiting once upon a time.
(3)
Isley T.
Others TRY to be it, none seem to meet the quality, service, or style. Truly a portland gem. The variety on the menu for tapas (and drinks!) is amazing. It can get crowded and the wait long, but just go up to The Secret Society and have a drink after you put your name on the list. The servers were SPOT in and knew their menu, had GREAT recommendations, and were able to put you at ease with a sense of humor and knowledge about ALL the dishes. Had the duck pate, griddled bacon wrapped dates, duck mousse, and drunken pork with avocado salad. Nothing like this in portland that is so good yet so well priced! Worth the wait and experience. We've been there so many times. Don't be shy when ordering to ask the server for advice or what they recommend.
(5)
Dylan M.
Reviews are for sure as good as the food was on our visit. But what stood out to me most was the customer service from the hostess, runners, and especially the waitress. Went to dinner with two friends and their 2 yr old boy and my boy and my 9 month old and they were awesome keeping us informed of our wait for table and setting it up with high chairs, and then getting us drinks while we waited. My wife is on a dairy & egg free diet and the waitress knew what everything on the menu was made of and helped us pick our dishes to accommodate. And throughout the meal staff was on top of keeping our waters filled, checking in on our meal and everything else. Fantastic service. Only reason not 5 star was pretty expensive and food per plate was not as much as I'd hope... But everything was absolutely delicious though.
(4)
Alexa P.
I was in Portland for work and after researching the area for restaurants within walking distance from our hotel we decided on this place. On a Saturday evening this place was packed - the only seating available was outside on small bar style tables. We shared a pitcher of white sangria which was surprisingly strong and the bread plate - the olive oil that came with the bread plate was delicious, I could've lapped it up with a spoon. To start we had the bacon wrapped dates which were scrumptious though a little overpriced in my opinion. I had the squid ink pasta for my main course and while it was tasty I wasn't too fond of the hazelnuts and red peppers. I felt like the hazelnuts were an after thought and didn't really lend anything to the dish.
(3)
Minh-Thao N.
A nice little place with really good food. The portions aren't large by any means, so I would suggest buying an entree or two. When I went, I was sharing with two other friends so it was a nice experience tasting everything. There were candles on the tables, and it wasn't too noisy or too quiet either.
(4)
Sherine G.
Long wait, extremely cramped dining space, and unremarkable food. Partner and I shared the griddled prawns, potatos bravas, the iberia skirt steak, grilled pork ribs, coppa steak, and the paella. Overall, somewhat of a letdown. Not worth the money, won't be returning.
(2)
Hunter S.
Best food in town, and Portland is a foodie town... and I dislike tapas. This place is the best food in town.
(5)
Andrew D.
I seriously love this place. What I don't love is the wait, which can be absolutely crazy. I've come here three times, and everytime time the wait has been at least 2 hrs. But no worries it is worth it. I just went for my birthday last weekend, and we loved just about everything. We Had: -Chard & Pepper Gratin with alamonds, this was a simple and delicious dish. It was a bit heavy but split among four people it is good. -Salt Cod Fritters, slightly disappointing it has a unique texture that I do not care much for. -Pan Seared Petrale Sole with garlic, lemon, olives & calabrian chilies, yum. A decent piece of dish pan seared on both sides, it was moist, and the olives were a perfectly salty touch. It was very refreshing to have this dish after heavier dishes. -Drunken Pork w Avocado Salad the pork is cooked perfectly, it was tender and juicy. Amazing. I have gotten this every time i've come here. -Grilled Octopus with piquillo peppers & dill, I love grilled octopus so I may be biased, it was cooked perfectly not chewy whatsoever. -Braised Lamb, Apricots & Coriander with house made noodle MY FAVORITE DISH. I could write a song about this dish because it is so amazing. The lamb is obviously cooked and seasoned perfectly and the noodles have the perfect amount of chewiness. I just wish this dish came in a bigger portion! -Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels, this dish was decent. The first time it came out the kitchen accidently burned it, so they took it back and made a new one for us which was delicious! I can't remember what drinks everyone had, but my austrian soda with blood orange was delicious! Again a great place to come, and bring out of towners. Definitely coming back here again!
(5)
Nikki F.
Great waitstaff. Super friendly. Enjoyed the bacon wrapped dates, the brussel sprouts were dreamy, and the chorizo cabbage soup was delicious. Worth the wait. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Stina L.
amazing. simply amazing. I've been here several times now and every single time it's been amazing food, atmosphere and service. even if the wait time is a bit long, the host has always been really gracious and its been no problem waiting it out up at secret society. i would highly recommend the paella toro and potatoes bravas. oh and the blistered padron peppers when they're in season!
(5)
Elizabeth J.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. What more could you want? Went here to celebrate my boyfriends birthday. We shared about 4-5 small dishes. The food was amazing. The highlights were the flatbread (LOVED IT!), bacon wrapped dates, salad. I've been to Spain a couple times and this place definitely reminds me of it. The casual yet classy dinning, the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, yet the slow, enjoy your company dinning. This place also offers great prices. None of the tapas were overly prices. Great place to go with serval people so you can share more plates. Love this place!
This. Place. Is. AMAZING. Everything from the service, cocktails, food, and ambiance is brilliantly awesome. I was already a huge tapas fan, but Toro Bravo's unique Spanish tapas-style has blown me away. Came in on a Sunday night and was told that the wait would be about an hour. They don't take reservations on the weekends and the wait time is a bit long, but tough it out a little at the tables outside where you can enjoy some cocktails and small appetizers. Thankfully, they took us in after thirty minutes and sat us at the bar. The restaurant is a little tight and there's not too much space to walk around. You can definitely hear what the next table is talking about, but who really cares when you're there for the food anyways? And bonus points for the hostess, bartender, and servers for being very friendly and accommodating! Our party of two ordered Bread with butter&olive oil (had to ease the hunger pains while waiting), Paella Toro, and the Drunken Pork with avocado salad. The paella was big enough to feed 4 people and was so delicious. It had a hint of spiciness and the seafood was fresh. I highlyhighlyhighly recommend the drunken pork. The pork melted in my mouth and had the perfect texture, and the avocado salad with the meat is truly a match made in heaven. So damn good! I was making inappropriate noises while eating and the couple next to me watched me eat it for a good minute. They asked if it was "that good." I just silently nodded with my eyes slightly rolling to the back of my head and they ordered the exact same thing (you're welcome). Dim lighting sets the perfect mood for a date night, so bring your special someone and share a magical tapas experience.
(5)
Toni D.
Just ate here for the first time and left so pleased! My husband and I showed up during a busy time so we sat at the bar. The bar tender was absolutely phenomenal and is the best server I have had in recent years. His recommendations were spot on and even though it was busy he spent time with us to help select the perfect meal. My husband had the bacon wrapped chicken, I had the buttered and cheese noodles and then we got a bread plate and potatoes to share. We ended our meal with the molten chocolate cake. I am a notorious picky eater and enjoyed everything we had. Just go already!
(4)
Frank G.
Very Nice, food and cheese plates are very good, service is also great.
(4)
High S.
Still good. Still a long line. Worth the wait if you're craving what they serve. Unlike other places with lines (Por Que No on Mississippi, etc.) you won't feel rushed to finish once you're inside. They do Tasty and Alder, Tasty and Sons and they do them all well. The dishes are delicious and worth the price. Whether or not they're worth the wait depends on your patience, obviously.
(4)
Mark M.
Okay. Toro Bravo is a fun place to go with friends, family, significant others and business parties. The atmosphere is lively and casually stylish. The service is excellent and the food is delicious. So you ask; why the only three stars? Along with delicious or great food there must be value. I have given fives stars for cheap eats best of class, and the extraordinary, and only if I felt the price charge was a value. Toro Bravo food again is very good and the service is excellent. The value for the food is weak. It is overpriced for the portion size wit the unde3standing that these are small plates. There are so many other places to go in Portland. If I was entertaining I would consider Toro Bravo.
(3)
Marissa T.
mmmmmmmmm goood. The sis was in town and I wanted to Drag her around to the hottest Hypest places. This place totally meets up to all the hype. The parking is a little bit of a bore, but we scored. The interior is all twinkly lighted. Due to no reservations, we decided to go late and hope the hype for the night had died down. It did. We were immediately seated in the cutest little alcove table. Our little spot was very intimate and relaxing. SO CUTE. The service was great. We were encouraged to each order two tapas per person due to their size. We totally were like "we think one is fine". ONE is not FINE. YA gotta order at least two people. We all ended up ordering three tapas and a dessert. Every plate is VERY flavorful. The server was very helpful in selecting my wines. I had a French Granache and an Oregon one. My sister and her boyfriend from California were VERY impressed. We all agreed it was our favorite place of the weekend. Every thing was perfect.
(4)
Karen K.
This is still one of our absolute favorite Portland restaurants. We've brought many friends here from out of the town and they've all been thoroughly impressed. The service is stellar, the food is excellent, and the prices are very reasonable. It can get pretty crowded during peak dining hours but the experience is well worth the wait.
(5)
Ruth N.
Amazing Spanish food!! Everything we had was delicious--- the grilled corn, the greens salad, the paella, and the squid ink pasta. We were stuffed and very happy. Service was accommodating as well.
(5)
Roman S.
love Toro Bravo. i go here on special occasions and pretty much always get the tasting menu special which comes with 7 or so dishes for two people. the food is 100% amazing 5 stars blah blah however, there are a few things that knock it down a star given the overall experience. it's buz-y (small and popular place), and tables are small and inconvenient for tapas. is it worth going to? yes - go there at least once
(4)
Hollina U.
Hands-down, my absolute favorite restaurant in Portland! I went with five friends and we ordered seven dishes or so, and at least 5 were stand out dishes, and the other two were still pretty good too! The paella is amazing, along with the clam and chicken dish... and the olive oil cake is good too! This is the restaurant I always recommend to friends visiting Portland!
(5)
Robby R.
When friends/family come to town.. this is where I take them out for dinner. It allows everyone to try out a number of menu items and the drinks are fantastic. I am a vegetarian and they have a decent number of options for me. Be sure to checkout the potatoes bravas, the radicchio salad, and the cheese plate.
(5)
Barbara F.
No complaints. Ambiance was very nice with terrific service. Very friendly. Squid Ink Pasta was delicious as well as adventurous. The Coppa steak was cooked to perfection. Overall a lovely evening. Wait was an hour on a Wednesday but went by quickly over drinks and good conversation. Highly recommended.
(5)
Laurie A.
I guess I just don't get it. I have been here three times now and it just never works for me. I keep going back because the people of Portland just rave about it (and because Toro's little sister, Tasty on Alder, is so freaking delicious!). Maybe we are just ordering the wrong things (my boyfriend likes to pick the weirdest sounding thing on the menu and order it. It does not often turn out well). There is a strong chance I will go back because I feel like eventually I will have that "WOW... THIS IS WHY EVERYONE LOVES IT HERE" moment. But in the meantime...... I don't get it. Here are some tips for those of you who have never been here and plan on going" (A)They do not take reservations and there is almost ALWAYS a wait. (B)Don't let the wait throw you..... there is an awesome little spot upstairs called the Secret Society that makes amazing Moscow Mules. Spend your hour long wait up there! (C)Seating is very European. Expect to be up close and personal with the strangers sitting around you. (D)Parking. Oh the parking. It is Portland after all. Good luck to you on that adventure. Side note: The potato bravos taste EXACTLY like the potato locos that Taco Bell used to have on their menu.
(3)
Parada O.
During our visit to Portland earlier this year, the hubby, a friend, and I went to Toro Bravo for a pre-game dinner before walking over to the Rose Garden to see the Trailblazers play the Warriors. We didn't have a reservation but were seated immediately (the place was nearly full even though it was a Wednesday night). Toro Bravo offers tapas or small plates in a casual and lively ambiance. We ordered a ton of dishes, and we were a couple of happy diners. Our favorites include the chicken & chorizo empanada, marinated sheep's cheese with rose petal harissa & mint, salt cod fritters, and, of course, bacon-wrapped dates. I think their menu changes seasonally, but some dishes like the dates are mainstays. A selective wine list and delicious cocktails complete the dining experience. If we had Toro Bravo in San Diego, I would go there all the time. Seriously. Bravo, Toro Bravo!
(4)
Pam R.
Food was outstanding, waiter was good. Not sure whether it was the kitchen or the food runners but our dinner was delivered randomly over an hour and a half + period of time on a Thursday night.
(3)
Allison R.
Damn, i forgot to review Toro Bravo! How did that happen? The sad part is, I dont even remember all the food my group ordered, I just remember it being pretty damn good. A couple items that stuck out for me was the flatbread with black truffle cheese and arugula, as well as the bacon wrapped dates (So simple, but so bomb). The Paella looked off the freakin' hook and the next time I go, I will be ordering that. I did notice an issue with the people waiting to be seated though. The wait was almost 2 hours long and that was about 30 minutes after the resturaunt opened their doors! Lucky for us, we were standing in line like the other foodies prior to opening so we got right in and seated.
(5)
stacey k.
Love love love. I have been here 3 or 4 times and have enjoyed every morsel. This last trip I was with a table of 8. Some meat eaters some not. Olives and pickled vegetables, beet salad, scallops, potatoes bravas (least interesting), ribs, cheese plate. Everything fantastic. A nice wine menu. Definitely will be back.
(5)
Brittany F.
We arrived around 10:30pm for a late dinner on Saturday night. There was no wait and we sat at the chefs counter and ordered immediately. We started with the octopus a la plancha, which was my favorite dish of the night. A thick slice of potato came with a incredibly tender piece of octopus as well as a bit of sauce. The oxtail croquettes were not to my liking. They were fatty and I'll take chicken croquettes any day over these. The harissa stewed spring squash was a nice, lighter dish. The sheep's cheese was melted on top and everything is better with cheese. Squid ink pasta with an egg yolk, hazelnuts and anchovy syrup was one of the most unique pasta preparations I've had. The sauce was basically the yolk, and stewed onions and peppers. It was sweet and the hazelnuts gave a great textural component. I didn't even notice the anchovy syrup, and that is a good thing as I am not a fan of anchovies. When the bill came, I noticed they had removed the oxtail croquettes, which was so kind and unexpected. Prices were reasonable, service great and the food came out quickly. Overall, it was good food in a nice setting. I'd prefer to come in a group of four so that I could try more of the menu.
(4)
Alyssa C.
Update to my previous review - I came back here to try the burger. This place is definitely becoming one of my favorite spots in all of PDX. I'm a little bit of a burger snob, and this place's burger just definitely made my top 5 in Portland. Bacon! Manchego! Juicy deliciousness! This place never fails to impress, offering delicious food, great service, and really affordable for the amazing food you get. We also shared a radicchio salad which was phenomenal. This place can do no wrong in my book!
(5)
Karina G.
Unique, bold and mouth watering concoctions. Pairings are simply amazing. Must grab dinner if you visit Portland.
(5)
Kayla D.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Portland. Perfect portions and exquisite complex flavors in every dish. I love this place and would highly recommend it to anyone! Just be prepared if you're going on a Friday or Saturday night, there will be a lengthy weight. It's well worth it!
(5)
Greg S.
I have been dining @ Toro Bravo for years and find the food and service top notch. Toro gets better for me with every visit.
(5)
Kaleb F.
Ya its good brah
(5)
Jskilicious S.
Lots of interesting food choices, and good service. Try the burger. It was the best of what we tried!
(4)
Nara K.
There was a bit of a wait as we waited for a table but there was a table you could stand by and the host helped us get started on drinks as we waited. The cocktails were pretty good but I felt my Jameson on the rocks was a bit watered down (as soon as it arrived) than I was used to. Once seated, we had the squid ink pasta, paella and drunken pork. Everything tasted great and nothing bad to say about service.
(4)
Karen C.
Simply love this place. We haven't had a dish we didn't love. We particularly love the octopus and squid ink pasta dishes, but really everything is wonderful. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jenny D.
Overrated. Expect 1-2 hr wait on the weekend. Wouldn't say the wait was worth it. Let's start w the pros - Baked apple and pears - the dessert that made it to the top of the list. Made me want to change the 3 to a 3.5. Perfect amount of cinnamon. Sour, sweet, and salty. Lightly crisped. Totally hit the spot. Atmosphere is amazing. Very cozy and romantic. Service was friendly and chill but they still kept it professional. Grilled Flat bread (10) - soft inside and crispy outside topped with a cheese and arugula. Seared Scallops (18) - well balanced w this orange sauce and pickled cabbage thing. Something to try but I wouldn't die if you didn't. The cons - Pricy Popular w only disappointments - Paella Toro (21) - chicken (not moist, bland, and charred), chorizo, shrimp (lacked juiciness), clams (fishy), & mussels (extreme ocean taste) What's in-between and didn't make it to the list? Griddles bacon wrapped date with warm honey (2) - came w two sweet dates ;P and bacon was not salty. Sweet and salty taste not achieved. Salad - started w an R and original from their cookbook. Nothing special. Can't say I would come back or miss this place. However the dessert might have rescued this place...
(3)
Joel R.
"Hi, so good to see you!" exclaimed the hostess, as she welcomed the party that arrived immediately after us. "Will this be a party of four?". "Well, no. We're actually separate parties". Awkward silence. And so began our generally forgettable meal at Toro Bravo. We sat at the bar, opting out of table service. The bartender was friendly, but mostly occupied by the regulars seated next to us. Drinks were good but not exceptional, with standard pricing (nine bucks for a cocktail). The food was hit-or-miss. The best thing we had was a charcuterie plate, which speaks for good taste but says nothing about the kitchen. I opted for the fideo as my main dish, tempted by the promise of spring vegetables. The bartender warned me that the dish was enormous, and indeed it was. But enormous isn't a substitute for good and I was disappointed to find that the fideo wasn't really "elevated" in any way. Not many vegetables either, mostly just pasta filler. To be fair, fideo is often mediocre so I should have known better. That said, I expected a little more from this place, and combined with the off (and slow) service, I can't really say that I'll give them another shot.
(2)
Kailyn G.
Came for dinner at the recommendation of a friend. We came around 5:30pm on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Ended up waiting a little over an hour. So I would say, expect a wait no matter what. FOOD: Chef's tasting menu - they told us 6-8 dishes of whatever the chef was feeling. We got bread, duck mousse terrine, bacon wrapped dates, scallops, salt cod fritters, clams/chicken, spring squash, eggplant with lamb ragu. It was a huge amount of food and all of it tasty. There's no reason you shouldn't do the tasting menu. ENVIRONMENT: Cute restaurant. Not too big. Pretty dark - espeically given that it was a sunny day. Pretty packed and definitely pretty loud. We sat at the bar near the chefs - which was pretty cool. SERVICE: Plus points for one of the waitresses greet us when we walked in and let us know the hostess will help us in a minute. I hate having to wait around for a hostess without knowing what to do. Other than that - service was very efficient but not terribly friendly. With the restaurant being full - it seemed as though the wait staff was rushing around trying to get all the dishes out.
(4)
Wendy Y.
Saying food here is solid would be an understatement. Exactly how solid? By the end of the meal if your eating speed is the same as how you started with no signs of slowing down, (not because you need more food) this is how good it is. My partner and I were lucky to be "early", shortly after they just opened for dinner (5pm). We were given the choice to sit inside or outside. We opted for a tiny bar table with two tiny bar stools outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. We ordered a Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse ($9) and Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels ($19). Our liver mousse arrived first. It was served in a ramekin with coarse salt and pepper sprinkled on top. It was smooth with balanced deep flavors of liver and sherry. There were slices of fresh bread, crostini, and pickled beets & onions. We (more like I) asked for more fresh bread to mop up every last smear of mousse I could find. It was amazingly good and I couldn't stop smiling. Half way through the liver mousse our Paella arrived. It was served in a shallow cast iron skillet. The yellow rice was glowing in my face and the opened shellfish was so plump and juicy as if they are saying "eat me, eat me now, put me in your mouth". Men stepped on the Moon. Toro Bravo created THE Paella. It was perfection. The rice was al dente, and soaked with flavors of the fresh seafood. The two headless jumbo prawns were again, cooked to perfection. The chicken placed in the middle of the Paella was succulent and perfectly seasoned. Every bite was like gentle sex, with every bite, every stroke, you just want the moment to last forever. I was moaning and groaning inside. After emptying the skillet and licking off any residual grease, I sat there, still in disbelief that I just ate the best Paella of my life. My partner and I ordered a baked apples and pear with vanilla ice cream ($7). It was light; a good end to a memorable meal that'll last as long as I shall live.
(5)
Missy C.
Good food but not worth the 2 hour wait or the price. Can't call in for reservations.
(3)
Steven K.
Must visit place if you're ever in Portland. Good luck getting a table.
(5)
Giggly C.
What? I didn't r review this yet?Been here 6+ times. Great food. Long long long lines. Fav cheese plate, corn, paella, inksquid pasta, dates.... Always disappointed in sangria.
(4)
Violet B.
we recently dined here to celebrate my husbands birthday. on the plus side, we were seated promptly, and after ordering, our dishes were delivered soon. our first impression after entering the restaurant, was the extremely noisy atmosphere. we found it necessary to resort to almost yelling to carry on a conversation and to order our meals. in addition the table adjacent to ours was so close, we felt like we were at the same table. but above all else, a positive dining experience was impossible due to the excessive noise level (from all patrons being forced to converse as we were - LOUDLY).
(1)
Sudipto G.
Wow.. simply wow.. the sheer variety of cuisine portland has to offer makes it one of the culinary capitals of the US. Toro Bravo just continues that tradition.. incredible tapas place on the east side... had around 10-12 dishes and most of them were mindblowingly good.. just go and give this place a try you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Tianyi S.
Food: 3 stars Value: 5 stars Average: 4 stars I was super excited to eat at a Portland Top 20, and was, on most levels, not disappointed. The service was sweet, the wait (on a Friday night, at 6:30pm) was nonexistent, and the ambiance (outdoors, on a warm, summer evening) was vibrant, yet relaxed. The food was good as well- finely constructed and generously portioned... but not mind blowing. In ordering the tasting menu, I sensed that the chefs often take the easy way out in preparing foods that are user/palate friendly- basically, hard to screw up. Not that this is a bad thing, since everything is finely prepared (and certainly worth the price) but I would rather pay more to be wowed. I don't want to go out for a dinner of dishes I could handily prepare at home... which is what crossed my mind while I dined on bread with olive oil and butter, bacon-wrapped dates, radicchio salad with tapenade rubbed toast and vinaigrette, griddled prawns, and roasted eggplant with lamb ragu. The greatest difficulty in making those dishes would be procuring ingredients as high-quality as those used at Toro Bravo. Still, a few of the more impressive dishes lingered on my mind: the French Kiss (brandy-soaked prunes stuffed with foie gras and sprinkled with sea salt), the duck liver mousse terrine (even if the silky fullness mostly came from the addition of tons. and tons. and tons. of butter) the harissa stewed summer squash with sheep's cheese and mint... and the winner of the night- braised green beans with jamon, tomato and creme fraiche butter. I LOVED this dish. Acidic, salty, rich, savory and full- I would come back just for this. The only underwhelming dish was the jamon-wrapped chicken with pisto manchego, which broke the Cardinal Chicken Rule of being dry. As Toro Bravo is constantly touted as one of the best restaurants in Portland, I think it could afford to be more experimental and gutsy. Even the French Kiss feels conservative- as good as it is, I imagine that the hardest part in making it is procuring the foie at a good price. Or maybe I just won't order the tasting menu the next time I drop in. The tasting menu is a deal, but the fried Spanish anchovies with fennel and lemon, the grilled octopus, and the squid ink pasta with hazelnuts and anchovy syrup & egg yolk all sound more like my jam.
(4)
Samantha T.
Stopped in for tapas and drinks before heading elsewhere for dinner. Impressed instantly by amazing decor and seated immediately. Took a bit too long for our table to be visited and drinks to arrive, but the bacon wrapped dates were amazing, as was the Brussels sprouts salad. Will definitely return for more samplings of the menu.
(4)
N B.
Went here the other night for the first time. It was around 6:00pm on a Friday night and it was super busy. There were two of us and they quoted us 1 1/2 hours until we would be able to be sat. Although, we did not want to wait, we did end up sticking it out ( What do you expect the wait would be on a Friday night at 6) They did mention to us that if you see an outdoor table open it is first come first serve. An hour goes by and we ended up snagging an outside table but the table tops were so small we just decided to have a drink and wait it out for the table we requested inside. We sat at the bar top, we ordered.. sheep cheese- it was awesome marinated olives and pickled veggies- little small for 4 bucks. potato bravas - eh' not for me, kind of tasted very ketchup- ie. GRILLED CORN- AMAZING. you totally have to get it if you go to Toro Bravo Paella Toro- it was really good, great saffron- nutty flavor. All around great, if you don't mind the wait. :)
(4)
Tiffany C.
Not impressed, and seriously disappointed. I came with two friends on a Tuesday night around 8 and the place had about 2-3 groups waiting ahead of us. No big deal - I expected as much from reading the reviews, but the hostess definitely gave us the impression that the wait would be 15 minutes at most. We ended up waiting probably for at least half an hour, and the entrance is pretty cramped. Not really the fault of the restaurant necessarily but it was already setting up for a lousy mood. They ended up seating us in one of the side rooms which were a bit more intimate but I didn't really like the set-up- we were facing outward to the main room and all seated on the same side, which was a little awkward. We ordered: - the famed bacon-wrapped dates (too sweet! whyyy?) - truffle cheese arugula flatbread (yum) - grilled asparagus with jamon (salt salt and more salt. oh and chilis) - squid ink pasta with hazelnuts (spicy and not very appetizing to be honest... it's a weird combination of additions) The only highlight for me was the flatbread, which is saying something considering this place is supposed to specialize in the tapas and Latin-American themed dishes. Everything we ordered made my mouth either pucker from the salt or lemon and was way too heavy on the flavorings, overwhelming the dishes. This was also our last night in Portland, which made me quite sad to send off the trip this way, but we made up for it by going home and eating Saint Cupcakes Galore, which assuaged some of that disappointment pretty well, if I say so myself.
(2)
Kerri L.
A large group of the friends and I dropped in after being shooed out of an Ethiopian restaurant down the street due to a wedding reception about to take place. We were hungry and the night was still young. Somebody said "Toro Bravo," and we were off like a shot for the short walk to a restaurant new to all of us. By some miracle, they had room for us, and we were ushered right to our table, which was large and had benches. I'm not always crazy about benches because they can be uncomfortable, but these benches were quite large, looked like they'd been hewn out of some massive tree, and were super comfortable for the 3-4 hours we were there. I'm still scratching my head about getting in so quick, but hells bells who am I to question a miracle. Just seize the moment and run with it, which we did. After a round of cocktails, we did take quite a bit of time perusing the menu and making our choices. I had the cheese plate, some bread, and some olives along with bacon-wrapped dates. The bacon-wrapped dates grabbed the rest of the group's attention, so plenty more of those were ordered. What else can I say but smoky salty sweetness? A friend who doesn't even like dates ordered more after she got a very slim slice from my bacon-wrapped date. We all shared bites from each other's plates, which is so much fun, and I tasted some of the best steak I've ever sampled (cannot remember the name of this tasty dish), and was amazed at all the other food. It was noisy, but you know that's what makes it fun, and my group certainly added to the noise level in there. The decor is dark, romantic, rustic, and draws you right in. The staff is excellent, bend down to really listen (due to noise level) to your questions, and are very knowledgeable and friendly. So, if you want a truly excellent experience and something quite different than anything else you've experienced, I say get thee over to Toro Bravo.
(5)
Brianna A.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Portland, whether i am with a group of friends or just looking for a casual place to grab food they accommodate! Be prepared to wait, especially on the weekends, this place is very popular but be assured the wait is worth your while. *** If you dont want to wait for a table then you probably shouldnt go out to eat on the weekends in Portland.*** Plus, you can go next door to the Secret Society and grab drinks while you wait, not many restaurants can offer that! If you are coming here for the first time I recommend the tasting menu. Its ONLY $30, I have yet to come across a tasting menu that is as inexpensive and delicious! Keep up the great work! :)
(4)
Ann J.
Brought a group of seven here. Service was impeccable. Casual but upscale. All dishes were fresh, well prepared, well seasoned and served hot. Great for sharing as a group. Exceptional place for sharing Recommend the empanadas and copa steak for the meat eaters and potatoes bravos and flatbread for others.
(4)
Johanna L.
Toro-Bravo is a much-hyped restaurant in Portland that deserves all the praise that it gets. Definitely a must-do for any visiting friends and family. I highly recommend the Chef's Tasting Menu... according to our bartender, it varies nightly and also somewhat from table to table. At $30 per person, there's no way you'd be able to try as many things for as good as a deal as this. Best part is that it's all a surprise and you'll try things you might not have thought to order yourself. Here's what came with ours last Saturday night: 1) Radicchio Salad with Manchego Viniagrette and green olive toast. Huge serving of deliciously crisp and flavorful salad to start. I was worried the portions would be small, but when this huge bowl of salad came out (for 2 people) I was put at ease. The raddichio was crisp, perfectly dressed, and the little crouton with olive tapenade was a very tasty bite. 2) Bread with butter and olive oil. A very nice little snack to have, nice fresh bread, soft butter, and tasty olive oil... perfect because the other starter that came was... 3) Duck Liver pate with stone ground mustard and house pickles from their charcuterie selection. Oh My God. This was maybe the best thing we had all night. I like pate but I'm not usually ALL about it, although I've had many different kinds at different places around town. This pate was silky, rich, buttery, flavorful... perfect. We ate every last bite, smearing it on the crostini and bread it came with on the board, as well as the additional bread that had come before. Amazing. 4) Oxtail croquettes - mmmm croquettes. These were excellent. The oxtail was so tender and flavorful inside.. it had a delicious sauce on it and was crispy and hot. 5) Salt cod fritters with aoli - another croquette dish, very similar to the traditional croquettes I had in Madrid a few years ago. Creamy, not too fishy... the sauce was delicious. Very crispy. 6) Roasted eggplant and lamb ragu - this one came out HOT! It was so good though, the eggplant was cooked perfectly with bubbly melty cheese and perfect lamb crumbles all throughout. It was built kind of like a little personal pizza, with the roasted piece of eggplant on the bottom with the lamb and cheese mixture baked on top. 7) Harrisa Stewed butternut squash with sheep's cheese... mmm another delicious baked dish, this time perfectly baked butternut squash in a savory sauce with sheeps cheese baked on top..... mmmmmmmm 8) The final dish: Laughing Stock ham (I think) with potatoes and green onion. Ok, this was good, delicious tender ham with traditional potatoes (there might have been horseradish in them) and the green onion. However, I thought it was a very odd and basic ending to what had been a fantastic meal with unusual and thoughtfully flavored preparations. This was a very traditional ham-potato-braised onion dish that was largely forgettable and ordinary. We ate it all of course, it was very good, but I just didn't think it belonged there and would have loved a more spanish-themed seafood or unusual type of meat. But that's just me. We were perfectly full after this meal (it was two of us) but we decided to try two desserts, the olive oil cake and the lemon crepes. Both were very good, the olive oil cake was delicately flavored and moist and not too sweet. The lemon crepes were better - the lemon curd was very flavorful and citrusy and the edges of the crepes were crispy. However, there really wasn't anything special about these desserts and I will pass next time. We had two cocktails which were delicious but again, nothing to write home about. We split a pitcher of sangria as well and I was a bit disappointed in this... the drink itself was good but the best part of a sangria is generally the alcohol-soaked fruit.. or just any fruit... I got maybe 2 pieces of orange in mine. For a spanish-inspired restaurant you'd think they would want this drink to shine. Sangria, to me, is like a bloody mary.... when done well they can be very special and even a signature, but if not done carefully, why bother? Regardless, the service, atmosphere, and food was amazing, and it is my new favorite restaurant in town. You can definitely get away with $30 per person if you forgo the drinks and desserts, and this has to be the best value in town for what you get, especially with the quality and consistency of what you get. A++++++++++
(5)
liz s.
In town for Friday night, solo and cabbed to Toro Bravo for a late dinner. They were able to seat me in 20 minutes. They sat me at the kitchen counter - perfect for solo dinners who may feel conspicuous at a table by themselves. You'll quickly run up your tab but the great service and food make it worth it. If you have just one opportunity for a local meal and don't want to chance it, eat here. Sherry - There's a nice selection of sherry, including a cream for those of us who prefer a sweeter cherry. Bacon-wrapped dates - Better than the usual renditions at other tapas restaurants. French kiss - Foie gras shoved into a brandy soaked prune. I like none of those things separately but together they are delicious. Salt cod fritters - Compliments of the chef. Nice touch for a solo diner. Tasty. Paella - Yes I did! It's a big portion, enough for two after several small plates. Delicious. I ate the meat and seafood, leaving most of the rice to-go. Olive oil cake - Not many desserts box up nicely, but this did. I got this to-go. Not overly sweet. Very good. I'm inspired to make this myself.
(4)
Nicole C.
This place came highly recommended by several people, but I had a not so pleasant experience. First off, we got there on a Friday night approximately fifteen minutes before the restaurant opened, and there was a huge line. I suppose this made me think that we were at a really wonderful restaurant since so many people were in line before us. Thankfully, we were seated before all the tables filled up. Service was good. The waitress was very friendly and upbeat. However, the food was not to my liking whatsoever. We ordered the tasting menu, which came with ten dishes (the waitress said that they give at least eight dishes but that the number can vary depending on the night) that the chefs picked out. Normally, I don't do tasting menus unless I know what's coming my way, but I took a chance. ... And I'll never make that mistake again. It's as though the chefs just sent us random dishes rather than really thinking about what would go with what in a certain order. The meat to vegetable ratio was terrible. We got two meat dishes (both of which I really didn't like), and the rest were vegetable dishes. And it's not just that. It's that the flavors of the dishes didn't go with each other at all. One had strong Indian spices, and the next was rather Spanish. I will not be returning.
(1)
Carrie R.
This place is amazing. We were tucked away in a dark comfy corner surrounded by the hum of happy eaters. We tried multiple dishes like the: ~grilled bacon wrapped dates with honey (a genius combination of flavors) ~octopus a la plancha (salty & nice) ~grilled porcini mushrooms with cherries ~empanada ~drunken pork (salty, sweet & crunchy) ~oxtail Then for dessert we tried the churros and chocolate. It sounds like a lot of food however the portions were small but priced well. We left satisfied and wanting more! This is a must-do when in Portland!
(5)
M W.
I am not usually a big Spanish cuisine person, but this place was pretty nice. The potatoes, corn, bacon wrapped dates, and butter leaf salad were all delicious. Dessert selection was not that exciting, in my opinion, though the rest of the party enjoyed it. Arrived before the crowd, and it definitely got a little claustrophobic and rushed once the hoards of people arrived.
(3)
Shannon C.
Fantastic food. Come hungry and try as much as you can! Went there on a Monday night with a friend and there was no wait for us (party of 2). We ordered a lot of different dishes, my favorites were the Scallops and the Duck Eggs, but everything we tried was great! Finished it off with a molten chocolate cake, not the best I've had but still good. Definitely a place I will go back to!
(5)
Suzanna K.
Hands down the only place in Portland that you can always count on to impress, as long as you're willing to wait (in one of the many bars in either direction next door). Please goodness get something with steak in it.
(5)
Will T.
Chef's tasting menu is decided by the chef; no one has a clue what you will get except the chef. We decided to go with this option (only if you are willing to eat anything or don't have any dietary constraints). Unfortunately, the two items that I don't enjoy eating were served: eggplant and squash. Yeah, I didn't enjoy those items. Other items were decent but not anything will wow you. There's no deal with the chef tasting so if you're up to picking your food, it comes out to the same. I would have to say it's a but overrated. Food is decent but would I wait 1 hr+, no. Worth a try but wouldn't be a repeat customer here. Come at 5pm. On a Saturday I came at 5:15 and it was already packed. Heard that people line up before 5pm. BUT if there's a long wait, the Nike factory store is just around the corner with pretty good deals. They also take down your number and will call you. Do note that they only give you 5 mins so you will probably need to put on your newly minted shoes that you just brought to run back.
(3)
WineRocks I.
Wow! I think every body that consider's themselves hip and moves to Portland needs to eat here to officially be indoctrinated. Seriously, I know food, and I know how great the food is in Portland. The food here IS good, but priced accordingly if you lived in NYC or LA. The portions are ridiculously small for the price (I'm not referring to the tapas). This place is always packed with a hip crowd. But that just makes me sad for all the amazing places to eat in this town that don't get their props... Their wine list is mediocre and WAY overpriced. Que Pena!
(3)
Destry W.
The only thing wrong with this place is the wait. OMG tried the drunken pork last night. It was awesome ! With a little avocado salad - don't think I've ever had a dish paired so well.
(5)
Jessica G.
DELICIOUS! Great service and great food. Two unforgettable dishes were the Radicchio Salad and the Pork & Clams.
Asking to put a sauce on the side (which I do not consider a "substitution") is almost a personal affront to the not very friendly waitress who declined to even ask the chef about it. All I wanted was no bacon sauce on my Brussels sprouts as the menu offers very few dishes without either lamb, pork or beef. Scallops were too salty. On top of it all, there was a waitress who kept hitting the back of my chair every time she went by even though she had about three feet clearance. She never apologized. Toro Bravo used to be good but now is overrated.
(1)
catrina F.
This is the best tapa restaurant we've been to and we've done our fair share of traveling
(4)
Sean W.
Food was great. We tried first to go around the corner to OX since we're from out of time, but we couldn't wait 45 mins for a table since we were flying out that night. Heard or Toro Bravo also from "PDX Eater 38" and saw that it was in the same neighborhood. We got there just in time and didn't have to wait. The food was great! It was seasoned well, and the service was quick and friendly. The ambiance was fun and energetic. The experienced wowed my aunt, and that is no easy task. Thanks for the amazing time and I will be sure to stop in next time I am in PDX for fun or family.
(4)
Amy B.
With all the hype we knew we would need to eventually make our over and give it a shot. Toro Bravo did not disappoint. I had gone on and read a tip of showing up early on a Wednesday. We did that and there was not a wait at all. We even got to choose where we wanted to sit, so we choose the counter by the chefs so we could watch what was happening and ask questions. They were all awesome back there. Thanks for your help. We ordered a ton of stuff and I liked that even the larger dishes came with small portions. That was nice because we kept ordering smalls of everything so we could try more things. My only disappointment was the burger. It was so incredibly salty I could barely eat it. I was later told it was the sauce they used, if that's true, I'm still disappointed. I was really hoping for a good burger from them since I had read about it.
(4)
Stevo S.
The good: phenomenal food. The squid ink pasta, scallops, grilled octopus all amazing dishes. The bad: the wait! Got there 45 mins after opening and were quoted a 2.5 hour wait. After 3 hours we were seated at the end of the bar, next to where the food runners and bus station is, facing their coffee machine. I would have rather waited another 15 mins for a real table and was completely put off that after that wait this wasn't offered to us. Would I go back? No time soon. Maybe if I was hungry at 4pm (yes, an hour before opening), on a cold and rainy Tuesday when I wouldn't have to suffer the wait.
(3)
Ali S.
You must try both the bacon wrapped date and the french kiss. The latter is a little more contingent on your feelings about prunes, but both were absolutely scrumptious! The harira was fine. Full disclosure, I'm not sure how any lentil dish can be anything more than fine. If you're a big fan of lentils, then you might love this dish because the flavors were subtle. The lamb's presence was a little underwhelming. Steve's cheese plate had three goat cheese, one sheep's cheese, and one cow/sheep cheese when we had it. If you hate goat cheese like me, then you should probably ask how many you will be getting before you order it. I was pretty disappointed that the cow cheese was completely absent, but everyone else at the table loved the selection. To my dismay, sheep's cheese reminds me way too much like goat cheese. This would have been helpful to know since I was a bit of a n00b. The 3 people at my table who were lucky enough to try the charred octopus said it was the best octopus they have ever had. Unfortunately, there were only 3 pieces. Next time. Caramel panna cotta is INCREDIBLE. I'm not even a custard person, but this was delicious! Don't hesitate for a second when the server asks about dessert. You must try this.
(4)
Amy W.
Divine, simply put. If you go there, do the chefs choice and bartenders choice tasting menus. It blew my mind. This is my favorite place to eat out in Portland!
(5)
Charly S.
Not quite as good as it could be. The little nook is still terribly drafty in the corners, but on the plus side they have added some photos to the adjacent wall. Service is average to fair. The cocktails are quite good, some interesting combinations. The sangria is watery and lacks fruitful flavour. The paella has gone down hill. Despite asking for it to be crisp on the bottom, the paella ended up more the consistency of risotto, soggy. Paella is generally cooked so all the lovely flavours merge and create an amazing dish, but even the chicken was an afterthought, grilled and thrown on top. The flavour was just not quite right.... tasted more like what I would imagine rice-a-roni tastes like.
(2)
David Y.
For a Sunday night, our wait wasn't too bad at 5 p.m. I shared the paella (sp) with my wife and it was a nice serving size. The waiter offered complementary pasta with cheese for the children in our party since there was not really anything on the menu for them. The reason for the 4 stars is that the menu seems a little limiting although the service here was great. They do maximize their table space though in that we had a longer table with some space at the end, and they seated another party there. Overall, it was a great experience though.
(4)
Mauricio P.
About one month ago I moved to Portland. My mom came to visit around that time in hopes to spend some time with me and with my two year old (her only grandson) during the week of her 50th birthday. I had heard the menu here was good so I decided to take my mother here and have a good time. When we were finally seated we ordered some appetizers and a glass of wine. not long after the food arrived, my mom began to feel "strange" and appeared paler by the minute. Soon after that, she actually passed out with some blood pressure issue or blood sugar issue. This had never happened before and fortunately she recovered quickly. This of course had nothing to do with the quality of the food, I must say, the food was great and of excellent quality. However, I was dealing with my mom's health issue while having my two year old witness the whole thing. 911 was called, they arrived quickly and came in with some monitors and such to evaluate the situation. When my mom began feeling ill, I had asked for the check and before the EMT's arrived I had paid in full with a generous tip. About 15 minutes after the EMT arrived on the scene, in the middle of a test being administered, the lovely hostess came in and asked: "is there anyway you guys could move this outside? It's kinda bad for business..." I had no idea how to respond to that trying to care for my mom and my two year old in the middle of all the commotion, but the EMT that was treating my mother paused for a second and with a very puzzled look asked his colleague: "Did that just happened??". The other EMT had no answer. We left after being given a box with only 1 of the three dishes we ordered that had not arrived at the table. After it all was under control, outside of Toro Bravo now, I finally realized how outrageous that request was. We were not taking any more time at the table than if we had actually stayed to eat, I had tipped them very nicely for their trouble, I did not get all my food, and then they try to ask us to leave when my mom is literally unable to get up. The food, however, great. I just wished they had not treated us so badly and with such disrespect. I really hope that if you go to Toro Bravo, you get better treatment than this. Simply for the ridiculous kind of service that I got there, I have to give it 1 very sad star.
(1)
Lara L.
Great food! Great service! The server even marked the menu for me to let me know what I could safely eat Gluten Free. Be ready for a wait any day of the week, but there's wonderful bars nearby and upstairs to have a drink in.
(5)
Jean M.
This is one of my favorite spots in Portland. I was away for awhile, but they still dish it out. The small plates are well priced and each one amazes. My favorite is the bacon wrapped roasted dates in a honey sauce. Great sangria too.
(5)
heather d.
I crave this place, just wish it wasn't such a jaunt for me to get there! My "must-haves" are the bacon wrapped dates (so rich and sweet, almost like a dessert!), the tomato rubbed bread (although $5 is a tad steep for two pieces of bread), and the seared scallops (they are always cooked perfectly and the romesco sauce is delicious). I really like the white sangria, and was bummed to find out they take it off the menu after labor day -- is this like not wearing white shoes?? I would agree with other reviews that the wait can be long and the noise level is high, but it is worth dealing with for such yummy, and fun, food. Service is always excellent and friendly. This is a good place to take out of town guests, just try to keep it to 4 people for easier seating.
(5)
Sarah R.
I was recently in town for a concert at the Wonder Ballroom, did some Yelping and found out that Toro Bravo was next door to the venue, so my husband and I decided to give it a shot. First of all, we must have lucked out or something because there was no wait for a table and it was a Friday evening. (I think we got there around 6 pm.) It did totally fill up while we were there, though. I love tapas, and this place did not disappoint. Everything that we had was SO GOOD. We each had a cocktail, which were fun and tasty, and started with the cheese plate, which had 5 different kinds of cheese. Then we ordered 4 tapas, which was totally plenty of food and really filled us up. We had: * Tortilla Espanola (my favorite, SO good) * Spicy Octopus and Prawn stew (the best octopus I've ever had!) * flatbread with cheese and arugula * pork empanada We also got a pitcher of sangria, which was tasty. In sum, I'm actually really sad that this restaurant is not in San Francisco. If it was, I'd go here all the time.
(5)
Liz A.
I've been here a number of times. I always try something new. I love their bacon wrapped dates....perfect combination of meat and sweet. Their drinks are pretty tasty, their dishes are unique, I love the fact that they have an open kitchen so you can see the chefs cooking...it does get rather packed, so I would recommend calling for a reservation, or getting in before 6pm. The bar next to it is GREAT! It's called the Secret Society...it has an old time feeling to it.
(4)
Art V. B.
Craving potatoes bravas at night? This is the place to go. Where they actually originated. This tapas place is the best I've been in this country by far. Its menu has a mix of traditional tapas and more innovative ones. Its wine list is short but smart. The Rioja that I had in my last visit was excellent. Service is very friendly and it caters well to vegetarians.
(5)
Deborah C.
I just had a mouth-gasm! Duck liver to die for and a daily menu? What more could a girl need? Great service and a 45 min wait turned into only 30. We came on a Tuesday and there was a wait at 6pm.
(5)
Jessica D.
This place was recommended to us by several people. We ate here on a Monday night and still had to wait an hour - guess that tells you how popular it is! Great food and service - we asked our waiter to bring us a few items he recommended. Bacon wrapped dates, the bacon caesar and smoky delicious hamburger were awesome. Their sangria is tasty too!
(5)
Parker P.
Great food...imaginative and unique...definitely worth the wait. The scallops, grilled flat bread and asparagus are must trys! It was very very busy and a bit loud, but we really enjoyed our visit. The guys and gals cooking these dishes are super busy!!!! End your meal with the churros and chocolate!!!!!!
(5)
John C.
Best with vegetables in town. We take a bottle of wine, have five outstanding dishes, paid $42. Really. $42. Insane. Worth the wait.
(5)
Violet B.
Loved it!! Wish I could try everything in one night!!! There menu is seriously overwhelming, but in a good way. Also I didn't know what a lot of things were it would be nice if they had more descriptions. My fav was the steak for sure, so tender and juicy. Also the squid and prawns were on point. Im sure there is not one thing here that is not delicious. We finished with the olive oil cake,SOOOO good! The bill was a bit high, but worth it for sure. Can't wait to return!
(5)
Phil T.
2nd time here, first time amazing, some flaws the second time around, but still amazing. Had the chef pick our menu for $25, which netted 11 dishes and the overall opinion that it was worthy of a feast. My highlights were: Duck liver mousse terrine: served with stone ground mustard and pickles. Impressive flavor and richess, mousse perfectly fatty. Braised salsify with lemon, bacon and cream: So tender and perfect. Lemon cream sauce not tart but savory. Bacon FTW. Lowlights: Prunes with fois gras: It was better my first time here. The second time gave an impression that the fois gras was not as fresh and something just went off 1/2 way through chewing. Spanish ham panini: Maybe this is a traditional dish in Spain but it was so boring. Felt like I just microwaved a ham sandwich. Maybe if the tomato or mushrooms brought more to the table. All I got was ham and so so panini bread. Service was professional as always and Secret Society next door making waiting for a table a joy especially with a group of people. Will have to try a 2-3 person meal next time.
(4)
J B.
So, call me biased seeing as tha tI just moved from San Francisco not too long ago, but this place seems suuuuper cheap for the amount of food and the flavors involved. The drinks were good, and the tapas style dining is the bomb. Seems a little snooty when you first show up but they are actually really nice there. Be prepared for a line, and pop into the Secret Society for a drink while you wait (Toro wil call you when your tabel is ready).
(5)
Joe B.
Why am I about to write a great review that's only going to make the wait longer next time? Sigh.. My wife and I stood/sat at a small table outside TB last night waiting to enjoy one of the best meals in memory. Sipping on a spicy tequila cocktail and munching on charred bread covered in goat cheese and nettles, we people-watched as crowds flowed into neighboring auditoriums before getting sat at the entertaining chef's counter. 5 reasons why TB gets 5 starts, despite a 1.5 hour wait and no input on where to sit once the wait has ended: 1. Charred bread covered in goat cheese and nettles 2. TB let's you enjoy smart cocktails and any item on the menu outside during your wait. 3. Sitting at the chef's counter - I would recommend taking some meth to keep up with the chef's movements, but that may decrease appetite 4. Everything on the menu 5. Our server was clearly busy, but not too cluttered to keep track of us and offer great service. I look forward to many more meals here.
(5)
Sherry Y.
Good food, possibly great depending on what you order. I wandered by once before but the wait was too long. I went tonight at 7:30, still a small wait, but worth it. The servers were busy, so I felt everyone was slightly ignored, but whenever we asked regarding a menu item, our server was very informative. Great food, long waits, loud/crowded atmosphere (our table was literally one inch from touching the table next to us). Already planning my next visit.
(4)
Marc W.
I really enjoy Spanish tapas, and I love doing a Chef's Tasting Menu when available... add to this a really comfortable fun environment and Toro Bravo is fantastic!! We did select the tasting menu. Courses were delivered in a comfortably but timely manner, quantity of food was good - we weren't overly stuffed half way through the menu, but by the end, we were all very full. Of course, the selections were varied and wonderful. I can't say any one or two things were my favorites.. they were all so yummy.. the one that stands out was the eggplant with ragu. The menu had so many exciting options, I'll have to go back for additional visits just to try some of the other things. We also shared a couple pitchers of the white sangria.. fruity but not overly sweet ; pleasant. I will recommend this to my friends seeking eating out recommendations. They won't be disappointed.
(5)
Chrissie B.
I have never had spanish food before!! ITS SO GOOD!!! The papas are AMAZING! Like classy tater tots! There are alot of things on the menu that I have never heard of, but I'll be back to try more as soon as my man brings me!
(4)
Venerable V.
I was taken here for my birthday this past weekend after putting off coming here for so long. Typically, it's been the wait that's deterred me but not on my birthday. I was prepared. We put our name down and went upstairs to the Secret Society Lounge, which I loved. Small, softly-lit, Billie Holiday on, attentive bartenders...the hour went by in no time. When we returned, we were sat and were surprised at how quick the food arrived. The portions were larger than we had figured for tapas and actually left feeling painfully full. I don't think I had eaten so much food in months so I'm glad it was yummy Toro Bravo-ness making me uncomfortable rather than, say, Taco Bell. I will absolutely return. Hands down, it is one of the better meals I've had in a long, long time. My favorite dish out of all was the scallops - those were probably the best I"ve EVER had.
(5)
Robert H.
Food is good, drinks are creative. But we had to leave after 30 minutes. The noise level is literally migraine-inducing. Poor acoustics (not unusual in restaurants these days) but also blaring music
(2)
T Z.
I have never been disappointed and almost always elevated at this amazing place. The service is always friendly and efficient, the food always inspiring. It's tough to get in most of the time, which is a bummer, but if you go early and on weeknights you can often get seats at the chefs table (really fun to watch everything being made) or the bar. Always ask what's new and seasonal - last night we had a delicious zarzuela (Catalan seafood stew) that was brand new on the menu and totally divine.
(5)
Ryan H.
Wow! Amazing! Every dish was unique and worthy of approving "mmmmmmms". With Tapas you can order many small dishes and share. The atmosphere is simple, yet refined. Everyone seemed to be having a good time working there. I will definitely be taking my out-of-town friends here.
(5)
Ali U.
Diners are forced to go back at least 4 times to experience the entire menu and given the menu changes regularly this can become a continual quest. A quest I am ready to take! After reading the reviews online, last night I experienced Toro Bravo for myself and it was phenomenal! A coworker and I started with the grilled bacon wrapped dates; always a good choice, but Toro takes it to a new level with thick bacon and a sweet, smokey honey. The in-house pickled vegetables are brilliantly sweet and sour (yes I just referred to pickled veggies as brilliant, they are that good). I've tried a lot of anchovies and hated all of them, I even gagged while eating fresh caught anchovies in Italy. But I promised my coworker I would try them if he ordered; so I reluctantly ate a fried anchovy with fennel. The anchovy was surprisingly unoffending and I even mildly enjoyed it. Given my hatred for anchovies, this says a lot. The duck liver sherry mousse terrine and Swiss chard Manchego gratin were fabulously flavorful and generously portioned. Finally, the 8 pepper lamb and squash dumplings provided the perfect balance of spice and sweet; just as my tongue started to burn from the spice, the creaminess of the dumpling beautifully soothed the flame. To top it all off the wait staff was fabulous. Our server was incredibly knowledgable about everything on the menu and gave me a great lesson on sherry.
(5)
Jessi H.
I like many other people, have mixed feelings on this place. My husband and I went to Toro Bravo on our anniversary. We waited about 50 min. to get seated. Our seats were near the kitchen. The set up was more "bar like" than fine dining. We had two other people sitting next to us and I could hear everything they were talking about since we only had a small space between us. All night I kept bumping elbows with the guy. This is not my idea of a romantic dinner. The food was good. My favorite dish was the lamb dumplings. The service was good but not great. I can't really say anything bad because overall it was ok. I was wishing for a little more. If I got invited to go back I would go... but it won't be my go-to place. I would say everyone should at least try it for themselves because it had some very unique aspects.
(2)
Keely B.
Great ingredients prepared beautifully. Yummy. Everything we had was delish and the atmosphere was fun and casual, but still special. There was a bit of a wait, which was a challenge with a small child in tow, but crisis averted with a bit of sunshine and a few laps around the block.
(5)
Sce P.
Amazing food, great service. I'd recommend going as a party of four. The small plates are perfect portions for sharing with a group of four and getting a variety of them. The only thing I would ding them on is dessert. I was hoping the churros would be chewier.
(4)
Nattie X.
Holy moly, 2.5 hours wait on a Saturday night! We put our names down and got back in the car to drive across the river to the Pearl District. Ran a few errands and surely 2 hours later received a text saying our table was ready. Now that's a wait. Second time here and the food was as good as I remembered it to be. It's just a good staple for spanish tapas. Lively ambiance with plate after plates of delicious tapas. -1 star for the insane wait time
(4)
Christine N.
It's a very romantic, dimly lit, and intimate space. Keep in mind, however, that you may be seated at a communal table with multiple parties. Steve's Cheese Board: Overall, it was decent. One cheese in particular was extremely potent and it reminded me of the durian fruit, which many people aren't used to. Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey: The flavors were too imbalanced. It was overwhelmingly sweet. Oxtail croquetted with chili mayo: This dish was extremely hyped- not worth it. Roasted eggplant and lamb ragu: It was on the mushy side.
(3)
Tina C.
Amazing tapas yet affordable! Loved the grilled corn and the short rib croquettes! A must if it's your first time. The only dish I would recommend avoiding would be charcuterie. Will definitely be back the next time I am in Portland.
(5)
Sarah H.
Tips: 1. Make reservations (Or, hope to get lucky like we did----Thursday night there was an hour wait for inside but we were able to sit outside with no wait.) 2. Order rounds and be prepared to share. They're small plates and are served family-style. 3. Be prepared to google to see what the menu items are. Unless you're brave (unlike me) and just order the first thing that jumps out at you. 4. Be ready for excellent seasonal food. Warnings: 1. Unless you have an unending appetite and bank account, you won't be able to try everything in one go, which means you have to return. 2. It is really, really loud inside. 3. A possibly homeless woman may or may not walk up to your table and ask you if you have leftovers.
(5)
Clarice O.
I love tapas. They are just the perfect size for me if I were dining alone yet if I have company, a few plates and I get a taste of everything I find interesting. I leave sated without feeling overly guilty. For a grownup dinner, my friends and I went to Toro Bravo. Having heard that they get really busy, we opted to dine at around 6 PM to beat the crowd. And I think it was perfect since when we left, there really was a crowd waiting to get in. The space is quaint, cozy and beautiful. It is dark and mysterious...sexy, even. It is just my kind of spot! Although perhaps an additional half a foot of space between tables would be nice, but I may be nitpicking here as I never truly felt claustrophobic while we were dining. It could get a bit awkward, though, if one had to get up. We ordered a pitcher of sangria to go with a variety of tapas. It was delicious, albeit a bit too strong for me. Now, I am a lightweight so do not let this deter you, but half a glass and I was already in my happy place. This may be a plus for most people, but for my fellow lightweights, do keep this in mind. Now to the tapas. They were absolutely delicious! We split 6 plates between us, but the most memorable were the squid ink pasta, short rib and clam cataplana, and the grilled asparagus (with fried jamon, Calabrian chiles, preserved lemon and cracked olives). The squid ink, which would probably turn off non-adventurous diner, tasted subtly of sea and was just truly delicious with the homemade pasta. The clam was also very delicious and we found ourselves fighting over the broth which we mopped with the bread with which it came. On this, though, we wished they provided more bread because two pieces were simply not enough to enjoy that broth.... As for the asparagus, Toro Bravo's is probably one of my most favorites as all the accoutrements made for a fabulous explosion of flavors with every bite. For dessert, we had the churro with chocolate dip. It sound so simple yet it was simply divine. The chocolate was velvety and more rich than sweet, and the churro was a beautiful texture. One order to split between three people, and it worked, which was really surprising to me as I usually eat a lot of sweets. When I go back to Portland, Toro Bravo would most definitely one of the places I would go back to. They serve simply delicious tapas.
(4)
Vania K.
Nomnomnom... It's no secret that Toro Bravo is delicious, you'll always find a full house here. We came here early Saturday evening for dinner and were told there was a 2-hour wait for a table for 4. But alas, we are Seattleites and we think the weather is nice enough to hang around outside when it's cloudy and a breezy 65-degree. We ended up hanging out at the tall tables outside, where they serve full food menu. There was no chair (why was there no chair?), so it was nothing like the cozy atmosphere inside, but that didn't take away from the experience. Service was excellent, friendly and attentive even though we were outside. Our food came out promptly and our drinks were never empty. Everything we ordered was delicious, flavorful, and different, but my favorite was a toss up between the squid ink pasta and the jamon wrapped chicken... Or the bacon and manchego burger. Damn, there were just so many tasty things! Drinks were good, especially if you like bitters, but not very strong. Final thought: Don't miss the squid ink pasta!
(5)
Stephanie C.
Delicious but small portions! Would highly recommend ordering the paella & a couple small dishes to share. The service was good & the staff friendly. We waited about an hour for a table for four on a Friday night. We wrote down our name & went to The Secret Society next door to wait for our table. They took our phone number, but we ended up walking back around the time our table was ready. One of the waitresses came outside to ask if we wanted to order drinks & tapas while we were waiting for our table to get ready. For appeteasers (since the portions were so small they were a tease) we ordered: - Griddled Prawns (3 pieces of jumbo shrimp) -- good, but pricey - Empanada (1 piece) -- cheesy & meaty.. Surprisingly delicious but also a bit pricey All the entrees were quite small, except the paella. We ordered: - Lamb Chops (4 pieces) -- very small, but delicious - Drunken Pork (4 pieces) -- also small, but very tasty - Squid Ink Pasta -- a bit salty, but good. I thought the anchovy syrup taste would be more prominent, but it wasn't, which was nice. - Toro Paella -- good portion to share & delicious! A little salty, but overall, my favorite dish.
Paella was delicious and tasty. Definitely a must. The mussels practically melted in your mouth and had no sand crunch! The chicken was so flavorful and probably one of the best chicken I've had. The only thing I would change is less oil. It's very oily! The octopus wasn't rubbery at all nor chewy. I'd order the bacon wrapped dates again but not so sure about the spinach. I wish they didn't douse everything with so much oil! You just can't keep eating when everything is so oily and heavy. The wait for two wasn't bad (we got seats right when we got there) although the table they gave us was awkwardly on the side facing the restaurant.
(4)
William H.
Been here twice now. I think everyone has given this place a good review, so I will just provide the highlights of what to get and not get. Get: Anything with octopus Panna Cotta Flat Bread - so plain, but surprisingly good. Don't get: Ashed Leeks Radicchio salad - maybe different type of cheese and doesn't include the olive tapenade, but just go to Tasty N Sons for their version at happy hour--it's half the price. That said, if you need some veggies, get it.
(5)
Kailes B.
As my aunt would say, holy buckets. This place really does live up to its hype completely as far as food, service and atmosphere goes. We came on a Tuesday night around 8:30pm for Jeffrey's birthday and the place was full, but luckily there was one two top open :D Our servers name was Brooks, super friendly, knowledgable, and attentive. Those are the three things I look for in a good server and he nailed it. Not to mention all of the staff from the host, busser and servers assistant (even though essentially all of them were aka support staff) were just as friendly and attentive as Brooks. The atmopshere here was rockin. Cozy and intimate space with an open kitchen, full bar and even some more private tables off to the side.....kind of literally in the wall. Let talk food now. If you know Spain, you know tapas. Tapas are NOT big dishes, essentially th culture is to have small savory bites with lots of variety meant to be eaten with good company for hours into the night. Toro Bravo provides exactly that, with a menu that is nothing short of amazing. I wanted to get the foie dish and randomly I felt the spinach with pine nuts and raisins sounded good but my date thinks foie is too rich and spinach is boring. Sad face. Alas, we got all the other dishes I wanted so I was pretty happy; pork skirt steak (holy butter and perfect sear), scallops (cooked perfectly), braised pork (? I think thats what it was, was like glorified porky meatloaf), flatbread (perfect chew, cheesy and TRUFFLES). Last but not least we got two desserts - cause duh. Churros with dark chocolate and the olive oil cake. Churros were tasty! I was going a little crazy on the chocolate and the second time it spilled down my face I gave up because Jeffrey was getting embarassed. Olive oil cake had a nice berry compote on it that gave it a tart zing for the rich almost pound cake like flavor. All in all, check Toro Bravo out if you want some great food, awesome experience and just plain and simple want to experience some of what the Portland eating scene has to offer. Thanks to the chef and staff for an amazing birthday meal!
(5)
Cathy C.
First time at a tapas restaurant so I didn't know what to expect. We had a party of four and split 4 appetizers and several other dishes and desserts. Every dish is specially prepared and has exquisite flavor. Hard to pick my favorite, but I especially liked two dishes: the seared scallops and the rabbit sausage dish. Red sangria was wonderful. Told the wait would be 3 hrs so we went upstairs to The Secret Society: another gem in Portland! We were having a great time upstairs and then we were seated downstairs within an hour!
(5)
Jason T.
I had doubts about the tastiness and overall quality of Toro Bravo's dishes when I was here half a year ago. Some of them were good; some were okay; some were mediocre. But on my last visit, Toro Bravo proved itself in the face of six hungry eaters and showed us what great tapas tasted like. My party ordered a considerable amount of food, and they were all great. I highly recommend the following: - Skirt steak - so good we had two! - Grilled octopus - not to be confused with the other octopus dish - Potatoes Bravas - must-have for any occasion - Paella - very large, with lots of meat and buttery goodness - Brussel sprouts with bacon - you gotta have at least some veggies right? - Dessert: Almond ice cream with wine Despite the high costs of most dishes, I believe Toro Bravo is an opportunity that should not be missed. Hands down, Toro Bravo serves up better food than Tasty N Alder. Note: Reservations only available for parties of 7 or more.
(5)
Jen F.
I made my first trip to Portland in 2010, and I came across Toro Bravo by chance. However, being a forever lover of Spanish cuisine, I couldn't resist checking it out. I remember indulging in foie gras stuffed prunes (their "french kiss") and caramel panna cotta (with plenty of wine of course), and having fond memories of it. It's really hard to find a good Spanish style restaurant, so when they're good, they tend to leave an impression. I knew I would have to come back to this place. However, it's not easy convincing your friends to drop money on a fancy tapas place when you're visiting from out of state, especially when they could be chugging down $3 cocktails and tots someplace else in Portland (which is a lovely experience in itself, of course) and feel more Portland-y by doing so. But, five years later, I made it my mission to check out this place again, and I'm sure glad I did. It still has the cozy yet classy atmosphere, ample menu offerings, delicious bites, and friendly service that I remember. This time I got the tasting menu ($40 per person) and this is what I was served: Kisses (I interpret these as fancy pintxos): -Spanish Kiss "Spherical Olives" (described to me as a reconstructed olive...which, while cool, essentially tastes like an oily liquid version of an olive) -Barcelona Kiss (manchego stuffed cracker thing - tasty) Pintxos (bites) -Bread, Butter & Olive Oil (standard fare...wasn't digging the breadsticks) -Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date w/ warm honey (always a delicious classic) -Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" (very tasty for a pintxo - a great savory bite) Salad: -Beet Salad with microgreens and some kind of cheese (tasty, but simple) Charcuterie: -Duck Liver Mousse Terrine (delicious...a definite recommendation!) Tapas (small plates/snacks): -Grilled Asparagus w/ fried jamon, preserved lemon, olives, and chilies (it's grilled asparagus - it is what it is) -Seared Cauliflower w/ cracked olives and salsa verde (tasty in a this-cauliflower-is-tasty kind of way) Raciones (portions): -Oxtail Croquesttes w/ chili mayonnaise (tasty in a meat-and-potatoes kind of way...the mayonnaise had a nice kick to it) -Seared scallops w/ fennel and romesco (delicious - the scallops were perfect) -House smoked Coppa Steak w/ confit potatoes, cracked olives, caramelized onions, salbitxada (AKA delicious sauce) Sweets: -Chocolate covered almonds If you love Spanish food and family style eating, I definitely recommend this spot. It is well-executed and a great experience. Arrive hungry and leave stuffed, as these tiny plates are rich and indulgent. Be warned, though, that this place is pretty much walk-in only (unless you have a really large group I think), and seating is limited. I'd recommend coming early so that you can relax and enjoy yourself without the wait. I'd give it 5 stars if they would add a great crema catalana or flan to their menu. While the caramel panna cotta is delicious, it's still not quite the same.
(4)
Hans M.
Only eaten here once but the food was fantastic. Look forward to trying more items on the menu when I visit Portland next.
(5)
Kyle S.
I'm not sure what can be written about this place that has not already been said. I personally love tapas style dining. You get to taste so many different plates with completely different personalities. Keep in mind the tables are for parties of 4 or more, so if it's you and your honey on a date anticipate sitting at "the bar". We did not particularly care as it was not too crowded and plenty of space to fit all the dishes! Not being known for being the most decisive people in the world we both ordered the tasting menu. $40/per person got us our fill of pieces ranging from a wonderful asparagus salad and duck pate, to bacon wrapped dates, super tasty pork ribs, and lamb. Having done the tasting menu, I can safely say that we will return to try the many things that we did not have the opportunity (nor the room in our stomachs) to try. Come hungry with an open mind and cleansed pallet and you will have a wonderful time!
(5)
Elisa H.
Came here after reading the hype about this place from yelp reviews. We were visiting from LA and decided to try it out on our last day (Sunday) in Portland. Reservations are only for parties of 6 or more and since it was just 2 of us, we were quoted a 90 minute wait. To our surprise, 30 minutes later we got a call and our table was ready. The ambience of the restaurant was great, which got me really excited. We ordered squid ink pasta, seared scallops, drunken pork, and the smoked copa steak. First of all, can I just start by saying that the food was absolutely horrendous?! The concept behind the food was up to par but whoever they had in the kitchen that day is a complete FAIL! Our seared scallops were cold and tasted like it had been sitting on the counter for who knows how long. The wine taste from the drunken pork was too overwhelming, not to mention it was ALSO cold. And the copa steak was the only thing that was tolerable to our taste but of course, it was cold too. If I could give zero stars to the food, I would. The 2 are for our server. She was very attentive and comped the seared scallops after telling her it was cold. We didn't feel the need to complain about the rest of our dishes. We walked out of the restaurant in sad disappointment. A few hours later, my girlfriend complained of having an upset stomach. And sure enough, she began throwing up that night. We had a flight to return to LA early the next morning, and she was vomiting the entire flight home. On a brighter note, at least this happened at the end of our trip or it would have ruined a perfectly good weekend getaway!
(2)
Melani B.
this place does not need my help in the review department, but I want to go on record saying how much I enjoyed some of the dishes we had the other night--we got the tasting menu ($40 per person) and it included some awesome things which are not on the regular menu--my favorites were the roasted pepper gratin with manchego and the grilled padron peppers. Hooray for tasting-menu awesomeness!
(4)
Brian G.
This was absolutely delightful. We sat at the bar, which I would recommend doing 100%. You get to talk to the chefs to see what they recommend and see all of the delicious plates they make. The Octopus was amazing, and I would highly recommend getting it. The chefs also surprised us with a free desert so that we could try it. The service was impeccable.
(5)
Athena L.
I LOVE Toro Bravo! Came here on a Sunday night last weekend and it was ridiculously crowded.. which I've noticed is pretty typical for a great restaurant in Portland. Most places here don't take reservations. We waited for 2 hours at the next door lounge (Secret Lounge Society) and they gave us a call when our table was ready. We got the tasting menu because there is SO much to choose from and it turned out to be a good amount of food for a tasting menu. There were about 10 dishes (from what I remember) and these aren't your usual tapas sized portions! Radicchio Salad- Simple, yet so good. I love salad and I love vinaigrette. It's topped with a few slices of mini toast with chopped green olives. Bacon Wrapped Date- It was replaced with an almond inside! I actually really enjoyed this, but I wouldn't have eaten more than one date. The bacon and the almond inside evened out the sweetness of the date. Pretty interesting, must try! Duck Liver Mousse Terrine- Probably one of my favorite dishes. It came with some hot mustard, pickles, and olives. So delicious, not too salty. A defnite MUST TRY! Grilled Octopus- My second favorite dish! This serving was more like your tapas dish. They were bite sized pieces of toasts topped with a small piece of grilled octopus, topped with tomato, chilies, and olives. Seared Scallops- I've never had such a huge scallop served in a restaurant before! Another bite sized portion. Simple, but other than the size, it was not memorable. Stewed Butternut Squash- Okay, so I've never really had butternut squash ever in my life... but this totally changed my mind. This dish ties for favorite at Toro Bravo. It was SO good with the sheep's cheese! Definitely surprised me because it just looks like mush. Haha House Smoked Coppa Steak- Cooked medium/medium well. Tender, just the way I like it... but I couldn't eat more than a few bites. This portion was pretty generous for a tapas dish. The seasoning was a little too salty for my taste. Roasted Delicata Squash & Lamb Ragu- Yummy. I love lamb! For those who can't stand lamb because of its distinct taste, you can't really tell in this dish. :) Sauteed Spinach- Okay, seriously. How does something SO simple like sauteed spinch with pine nuts... taste SO good?! Definitely going to cook my spinach with pine nuts from now on. Game changer. This place is a definite must try when you're in Portland! Be prepared to wait though :)
(4)
Andrew W.
Fair warning: there is a pretty long wait. The host kindly suggested Secret Society Lounge next door while we waited, and that place is pretty great in its own right. But eventually we found ourselves a seat. The restaurant is crowded and it takes too long to get a seat, but the moment I had my first bite of my first "kiss," I knew there was no where else I'd rather be than in the awkward corner of a crowded bar counter at one of the best tapas restaurants around. In other words, the food is really good. We tried all the "kisses," I think they're dishes designed to be delivered in a single bite, and I was really happy by the nice balance of textures and flavor in each of them. You could tell that the chef was putting some actual thought into each one. We also had the Octopus a la Plancha, House Smoked Coppa Steak, Drunken Pork, and the Oxtail Croquettes. Everything tasted great, was well prepared, and lent themselves to the 5 star-rating that I really believe this place deserves. If I had any complaint it would be that the menu was a little large and just about everything looked interesting. It forces me to have to make the 2.5 hour drive from Seattle again so I can try all the fun things in the menu.
I'll try to keep this review short and sweet. Their service was super attentive, quick and friendly. But their time estimation it pretty horrible. We got there around 7:30, and wanted to see how long the wait would be for a table. They estimated 1hour to 1and a half. We were pretty tired, and decided since it was small tapas, we could eat standing up in the waiting/bar area. half way through our meal, a lot of tables cleared out (I assumed there were reservations for those other tables? but reservations weren't allowed), but our waitress then quickly told us that a table has been cleared for us, and checked to see if we wanted to move. We had a loooottt of tapas on our stand up table already, and thought it wasn't worth moving, as we were almost finished. I looked at the clock, and it was only 34 minutes prior to us checking in. Ohwell.. we got to try the place out, but I expected better timing estimation. Now on to the tapas: I would consider the sizes of their tapas, a lot smaller than other tapas. We ordered quite a bit, but sharing with a group of 5, meant that everyone could get just one single bite (one spoon or one forking) of each dish. with the exception of the Paella, which we were able to get about 3/4 spoons for each person. For their size of their tapas.. the price was not worth it. Also, the taste of all the tapas were mediocre at best. Maybe I ordered alllllll the wrong things. Paella tastes better at a paella restaurant. So I was quite disappointed. Ambiance was nice, but super dark. So couldn't really take much food pics.
(3)
Yannie S.
To be honest, I didn't really expect much when my cousin decided to come here for dinner. I know the Mexican food in Portland is nothing compared to California, but this was Spanish... Anyway, we came around 7pm on Sunday and the wait was about 30 mins. Our group ordered: 1. Radicchio salad - a little bitter but it was still appetizing. We really needed some veggies in our system from all the grubbing in Seattle/Portland. 2. Salt Cod Fritters- VERY delicious. 3. Potatoes Bravas - decent. tasted like potatoes infused with some kind of tomato sauce 4. Meatballs - they were good but can be overlooked. 5. Oxtail croquettes - one of my favorites here. the croquettes were tasty. The oxtail was something else. very tender and melted in your mouth. 6. Paella - another favorite, loaded with flavor and mussles, clams, chorizo. However, chicken was a little too charred for my taste. Skipped dessert cause this was enough food for 4. Another added plus for this restaurant was that it was extremely affordable! Normally I feel like a tapas joint can add up and be pretty expensive, but this was very reasonably priced. The servers were also very attentive and service was great! Overall, I would definitely come back for their oxtail, and paella!!!
(4)
Sarah C.
An affordable-ish must eat place for tapas in Portland. If you really have the money, then hit up Andina. You really have to plan accordingly if you plan to dine here. We arrived around 6pm on a Saturday evening. It was an hour wait. You can put down your number and they can call you. They'll either suggest the secret society next door or some other bar. We didn't want to do that so we just waited by the door and ordered a sangria to share. The sangria is tasty and strong. I feel like most people end up eating their meal at the waiting area. This party of 7/8 waited for 2 hours for their table. A lot of people dropped in, realized the wait, and left. Come during the weekday if you really want to eat here. It is a small place that serves tapas; can't go too fast. Paella Toro. chicken. chorizo. shrimp. clams. mussels - I think this is my first time eating Paella. It is very homely and comes with a boat load of rice. My boyfriend can eat a lot so we were able to finish with two other tapas but if you are two females or two people with average appetites just order this and possibly one other tapa. We enjoyed it. Grilled Flat Bread. black truffle cheese & arugula - This was amazingly good. My favorite out of the three tapas we ordered. It is filled with flavor. If you like garlic bread you will definitely love this. Also comes with a large bed of arugula on top. Made me happy since we didn't order a veggie dish. House Smoked Coppa Steak with potatoes, olives, onions & salbitxada - You can order this in two sizes. We opted for the smaller one since its just the two of us and we wanted to try more items. You would think its kind of dumb to order a steak at a tapas place but the sauce it came with was to die for. The steak was tender. I actually though the side items were the gem of the dish. Caramel Panna Cotta - This looked extremely boring when it was dropped onto our table. It was caramel colored and it was in a caramel colored bowl. Um... But man was it tasty. If you are into salted caramel sprinkle some maldon sea salt that is found on your table onto the dessert. It is heavenly bliss. Kind of like the salt and straw delight. Two unisex restrooms in the back. The restaurant itself is dim and has a romantic feel to it. The seats are really close to one another and it can get a bit loud. Also it is uber stuffy up in there so beware.
(4)
Astha M.
I had heard a lot about Toro Bravo and decided to try their food. My overall experience is the tapas taste and size is not worth the money. Everything what at least we ordered was mediocre. Nothing stood out for us to rave about. Canalone catalan was the biggest disappointment. It lacked flavor and was too bland. Stewed butternut squash and burger were two best tasting dishes. The burger was not your usual burger. It had a different but good flavor to it which I think people must try. Bacon wrapped dates were too sweet for our taste and they lacked the smokiness of bacon. The money we paid for a tapas with 3 griddles prawns wasn't worth it. Salt cod fritters simply tasted like mashed up fish was batter fried and they had no other added flavor. They had a good ambience and nicely dressed people with a good service but I wouldn't go back when Portland has so much more to offer in terms of food.
(3)
Joel T.
I'm a huge fan of Toro Bravo. This is my go to top of the line tapas restaurant. Go on a weeknight that isn't Thursday or Friday to avoid the 2.5 hour wait. You'll still have to wait but at least you won't starve to death before sitting down. Also parties of 6 or more can make reservations. I'd highly recommend going in a group of that size also so that you can try a dozen different dishes. You'll be happy you did. Everything I've had here has been amazing with the exception of the potatoes bravas. Though I have yet to be excited by them at other restaurants as well so it may just be the nature of the dish. Get one of everything and pass it around! If you do have to wait, you can always go to Secret Society above the restaurant or Bunk Bar next door to have drinks beforehand. Don't get too sloshy though or you won't remember exactly how much you loved the food.
(5)
Bee C.
We had to wait a bit since we didn't have a reservation. But the waitress was awesome for telling us we could get started with dinner at the open standing tables and could transfer to a table once one was available. We opted to take the shared standing table and start our order. Everything was delicious. We wanted to order seconds of everything we ordered but were afraid to miss out on trying everything else. Everything on the Charcuteria Board was delicious and we wanted to spread the Duck Liver Mousse on everything. The Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" was tender, delicious. The price was super reasonable including drinks. We enjoyed the food so much we were trying to figure out how to fit in another meal here in our 2 day stay. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Alex T.
This places comes highly recommended by some local friends we have. We decided to stop in at 530 since they don't take reservations. Luckily we got a bar/kitchen top with out having to wait. The party of four in front had to wait 1.5-2 hours. We had a pitcher of sangria which was tasty and not too strong for a brandy based sangria. The food and dessert was exceptional! A foodie must some would say but I was a little let down by the slow service. I don't feel it's right to have to wave the waitress every time I need something. A little more attention would have gotten 5 stars. Still great food don't pass it up.
(4)
Nicole B.
Was looking for a place to take my mom out for her birthday. Toro Bravo, was definitely on the list. We walked up to the establishment, around 9pm. The place was packed, but luckily no line. Initially, I wasn't too impressed. We weren't acknowledged for a few minutes. Granted, it was busy. I like it when, someone, anyone says "hey, we're super busy at the moment, but we'll be right with you". We were then greeted, and told it would be a few minutes to have a table set up for us. It was a communal table, which I didn't mind, seeing as there were four of us, and four of another party. Our server, was fantastic. Even though, every seat at Toro Bravo, had been taken, she was very on top of everything. We started off with drinks, and a few french kisses and duck liver mousse. I would definitely order the duck liver mousse again. It was creamy and complemented the accompaniments. We then ordered a few items, and shared everything. We ordered: squid ink pasta, grilled moorish lamb chops, coppa steak and the paella. Everything we had ordered was exceptionally delectable. The highlights:grilled moorish lamb and the paella. The moorish lamb, had great flavor; tender and succulent. The paella, which we were told would be a 25 minute wait, was a myriad of flavors. Citrus, tomatoes, shrimp, mussels, chicken etc. Unfortunately, there was no room for dessert. A great restaurant, that is congruent with the hype. Worth checking out.
(4)
Ling Tzu W.
The food was nothing but delicious at this Tapas restaurant opened by Chef John Gorham. I had been to one other Chef Gorham's restaurant, Tasty and Alder, so the expectation was very high when it comes to food and service. The tapas that we ordered was tasty most of the time, but there are just couple of dishes that we ordered were not up to our expectations. Maybe it was a little bit too high. The two dishes that were mostly memorable was the skirt steak and the bacon wrapped dates. They were amazing. The service on the night we went seemed a little bit off. We weren't getting consistent service and after an 1.5 hr wait for a seat for 2, we were expecting a little bit more service, i.e taking our order in a timely fashion and not forgetting to refill our water cups?! This is one of those places that I would visit at least once for the food to see if you actually like it but the service needs a little bit of work so they don't have off nights.
(3)
Jasper J.
A fantastic experience here every time. This is what food is like when done right! Every dish has its own unique flavor profile with tremendous depth. Personally, I enjoyed the fritters, anchovies, prawns, potatoes bravo, squid ink pasta, scallops (just perfectly done), meatballs, lamb chops, and duck liver terrine. The only "meh" was the paella. Very talented chef. Great prices for fine dining food quality without the fluff. You can expect to pay more than twice as much in San Francisco for the same food experience. Come here. You will not regret it. Start the evening right by grabbing a drink upstairs at the Secret Society while waiting for your table downstairs at Toro Bravo.
I am so stuffed i am in a food coma. With so many different options on the menu the tasting menu is a good way to try a handful of things. If your like me and enjoy variety, it's an awesome way to try a good amount of dishes. They fed me 7 very well portioned dishes. Here is what they served me: Olive burst is the places take on gastronomy. Suppose to be just like an olive but I didn't get it. Was still good, just not as olivey as I thought it would be. Griddled bacon wrapped date. Perfect mix of bacon and date with a sweet honey glaze. Salt cod fritter. House made salted cod. A little too salty for my taste. Groundwork greens. Seasonal salad with super fresh tomatoes and cucumbers and a light oil based salad dressing with blue cheese. Scallops over blood sausage mixed with rice. Great combination. Grilled torpedo onions with salbitxada. This was my favorite. The salbitxada dressing on the grilled onions was very good. Grilled Moorish lamb chops over potatoes and chorizo. This was ok, but the chops were a bit thin, whereas I woulda preferred a thicker cut to get more of the meat flavor. All in all, great value and a very unique menu. The service was also awesome and the atmosphere was cool
(4)
Ivana W.
I got the white wine sangria. It was deliciously made with a pear brandy and had a citrusy taste but the glass was only half filled... The braised lamb was exquisite!! The pasta is a great complement to the lamb. We also got the paella. It was tasty but salty. We're glad we tried this place during our trip to Portland!
(4)
Cortney R.
I'll make this short and sweet - food was great! Amazing flavors and textures. Loved it, but my experience was marred by the 3 hour wait! We were told 2 hours which was tolerable because of the bar upstairs, but then we kept getting told "soon, you're next". By that time, we may have actually been the last table seated and even the staff was tired. Very professional but still clearly ready to go home. I would go again, just plan to arrive at 5 and wait 90mins.
First of all, I have to say I am not from Portland so I am not sure what is the food standard for Portland, but this is what I think as a LA person! Wait - still a wait at 9pm on a Saturday night, I waited for about 20 mins and got seated at the bar. Service - excellent! and the food came out super fast even though it was a busy night! Food - we ordered the Duck Liver Terrine and Paella Toro, both are amazing, they make their own pickles and mustard for the duck liver. Also ordered, the Bacon Wrapped Date since a lot of Yelpers recommended, but not a fan of it, it is way too sweet for me. Price - super reasonable considered how good the quality of the food is! Extremely satisfied!
(5)
Roger M.
As good as it gets. Expect scrumptious dishes prepared and plated presentations. Expect snappy service. Expect a line waiting at the front door when it opens. Met our Expect-taste-in's! Tapas, diverse selection. Liked bacon wrap figs with warm honey appetizer. Liked fried squash blossoms stuffed with sheep cheese and mojo pico. Liked eggplant in lamb ragu with sweet peppers.
(4)
Elizabeth F.
Such a fun place for a date night! Great small plates.
(5)
Liz R.
Walked in and were seated right away despite it being very busy. The service is a bit slow but its worth the wait for the savory meal. Plan to order multiple items from the menu to make a meal and we were told by the employees that this place is designed with the idea of sharing the food amongst yourselves so there aren't traditional "entrees".
(5)
Doug B.
First of all, this is not a review of the food as the food was fantastic; this is a review about having the final tip amount changed and increased by our server. In the US the credit card payment is still paper based (not pin based) so whatever the server decides to submit as a final total is based upon the honour system. We visited Toro Bravo on the 15th of June and had a great meal sitting at the bar. We enjoyed our meal and left a 20% tip, but when we saw the transaction (minus exchange rate, and verified by our bank), the amount had increased by another 13% for an amended tip amount of 33%. My wife being an accountant saw the discrepancy when reconciling our vacation receipts and we called our bank who verified the amended amount of the tip. Thank goodness our credit card company verified and has rectified, and credited our account back, but what happens if we were not so diligent? Looking at our copy of the receipt it would be very hard to make this type of mistake as the writing is clear, the amount happened to come to a round number, so barring some very thick fingers, I am unclear of how this could happen. This has left a bad impression of Toro Bravo, and will not be going back or recommending this place to our friends. My recommendation is to watch the receipt if paying by credit card....
(1)
Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: While I had recognized the name and certainly remembered the logo, it wasn't until my older sister's friend from her undergraduate days at Lewis & Clark College took me there that I realized I was at their sister restaurant on a previous trip to Portland! Type of cuisine: A Spanish inspired tapas restaurant. Ambiance: Flamenco in the air, the deep red walls and simple decor with dim lighting truly bring out the ambiance of a Spanish establishment set in the heart of NE Portland. Candles everywhere. The kitchen open, allowing the staff to see the happiness on the faces of dining patrons, the slightly too loud music and the white noise murmurings of neighboring diners lets you know that you are enjoying a meal among locals who consider Toro Bravo a favorite in Portland eateries. What I ordered: My dining companion and I shared a handful of selections including two of the Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey ($2 each) from the Pinchos menu, as well as the Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" ($9) from the same menu. From the tapas, we enjoyed the Grilled Raab with calabrian chilies & breadcrumbs ($8), Griddled Prawns with chilies ($12), and a small order of the Potatoes Bravas ($5). With food that good, I simply had to take something home for my hard-working husband, and chose from the Raciones menu, which offered larger portions, including the House Bacon & Manchego Burger with romesco & pickled vegetables ($12). What I loved: Of the tapas in our mix, it is truly difficult to select one over the other; each providing hearty, tangy, robust flavors that forced one to slowly, diligently savor each morsel. The burger, devoured upon being seen, a perfect mix of thick-cut manchego cheese, melted onto layer after layer of thick-cut, crisped to perfection bacon, and juicy, tender, medium ground beef. Open wide. Why I loved it: I love learning about local favorites from some of my local favorites, and Toro Bravo is no exception to the tried and true being among the best. From popularity to ambiance, from music to food, they deliver. Cost: High ($8 - $21 for no sides dinner entrees)
(5)
Lisa H.
Try the chef's tasting menu! That's my best advice. Other than that... Save up some $$$ so you can go here and spend. I have always had great service here. On my most recent visit it was very busy and we were impressed with the speed, precision and quality of food the kitchen put out. Everything on the menu sounds delicious so I had no idea how to choose. With the tasting menu, you get a little plate of many many dishes. I think we got 11 or 12 tastes. I enjoyed them all. I have enjoyed my meal each time I visit. I have gone for snacks and drinks as well as full meals. Recently, on a whim with a friend we thought we would drop on by and that's when we tried the tasting menu. If you haven't been here before and you can't decide what to get, just do the tasting menu. It's worth it!
(5)
Victoria E.
Portland, like Boston, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, Cape Cod, and Salt Lake City, evoked memories of the past, some pleasant, some not. I am not particularly fond of revisiting past and retracing the path I had taken, though in the recent years, past paths seem to have found me. I have resolved to come to terms with all. It was under such sentimentality, I arrived in Portland. Toro Bravo, voted one of the best restaurants in Portland, rumored to have a two hour wait. Staff, super friendly and helpful. Told me it's really more like an half an hour because I arrived just in time before the big mob showed up. Five minutes into it, I asked if there was somewhere to walk about (did not seem to be such a place), and they informed me a cancelation just happened (she literately just got off the call) and they could seat me, if I'd like at the counter. Score. I love counter dining. I get much more attention from the waitstaff / bartender and food seemed to taste better when you are eating at the bar. Grilled squid, splendid. drunken pork was deliciously drunk, paella had an excellent chicken addition, salt cod fritters were decadently dunked in mayo, you wish that you did not order it because you could eat 20 of them! Churros with chocolate sauce for dipping to cap the evening. Fanciful drinks to boot. This is one of the four restaurants owned by John Gorham. I want to know what kind of person is he, because this is simply great and I know that MEC (Mediterranean Exploration Company) just got opened in Pearl district and is already generating equal amount of buzz. Food is 4.5, but coming from San Francisco and New York vantage point of view, value, boy, let's talk about value. It's half of the price you'd expect to pay here. If you eat here three times it just paid for your airline ticket. Think about it. Do not delay. Virgin is having a sale of $59 one way for January from SFO to PDX. Fly with me.
(5)
Tim F.
Burger: 8/9 Squid Ink Pasta: 6/10 (it's good but it's just decent pasta with black food coloring..well, that's what it seems) Paella: 4/10 Roasted leaks: 9/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 I'd go to tasty n sons and alder before this place but it's definitely a place to try if you're in portland..they have other things on the menu that I haven't tried but I know they'd be good
(3)
Paul V.
Amazing. Just amazing. Everything about this experience was about as good as you could expect. Service, food, ambiance... this is the perfect dining experience that everyone should experience at least once. Toro Bravo is firmly planted atop my Portland eateries. I can't wait to come back here. Everything was delicious. I highly recommend the Squid Ink Pasta, the empanadas, and the sobrasada. I did enjoy the Salt Cod Fritters, but I probably would hold off on getting them again in order to try the other flavors. John Gorham is a magician and I'm curious to see what he has cooking up over at Tasty n sons/alder. I trust him implicitly. They have Underberg, so order a whole bunch of stuff and don't worry about feeling too full afterward. Just enjoy the ride. The service was excellent. For how busy the restaurant was, our waitress was attentive and friendly for the entire duration. The host was nice and had a good sense of humor and great attitude even though he was juggling dozens of hungry and antsy patrons. He was also accurate in his estimation of how long it would take to get a seat, which is always appreciated. They really have a great supporting staff here. If I had one complaint about Toro Bravo, it's that the wait time to get a seat is a bit too long in my opinion. It was about 100 minute wait to get a table for 2. Fortunately, there are several other establishments in the area to get a drink and kill some time. They recommend Secret Society, which is a speakeasy type place right near the restaurant entrance. We tried to go there, but there were several people waiting in the lobby for a table there too. Don't fret if that happens to you, just walk around the neighborhood and you'll come across something in no time. All complaints aside, this place is marvelous. If you have a discerning palate, you absolutely must eat here at least once in your life. You're going to wait, but at the end of the day, it's totally worth it.
(5)
Charles H.
If you want a great food experience at a cheap price then this is the place. To much good to list. Everything we ate was amazing. The drinks were new and exciting. The service was great. i recommend you order the chef's choice for $40 per person. It may sound expensive but you will get 15 different servings of amazing food. I had a similar experience at the Willows Inn on Lummi Island, WA except the meal was $300 a person.
(5)
Jennifer H.
WOW, what can I say that hasn't been said. This place lives up to the hype. There were five in our party. We went family style, sharing everything... our server was super helpful with plate selections and since it was out first time in we were appreciative of her patience and knowledge. Everything she suggested was mouthwateringly good. Brussels Sprouts with bacon sherry cream, Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula, House Smoked Coppa Steak* with potatoes, olives, onions & salbitxada, Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with sheep's cheese just to name a few. And dessert... Churros & Chocolate and Cheese ice cream and huckleberry sauce. We had very adventurous eaters and very unadventurous eaters and there was something for everyone (some things sound a little more foofoo than they actually are). I can't wait to go back and can say with full "Elite" status authority this place has earned it's stats!
(5)
Loon E.
There is almost always a long wait to get seated here, but it is worth it! And I don't even like tapas generally. The hostess will usually send you upstairs to the bar to get a drink while waiting or you can just wander about the street and have a few cigarettes. Regardless, just wait! It's generally pretty dark and crowded in here. Service can be amiss, but just sit at the bar and you'll get your drinks quick and the bartenders here are pretty good in general. The food here is rock solid. Be prepared that a lot of the items on the menu will not be available the later you arrive though. Even salads will be gone! The one time we were craving a late night salad and they were out! LOL. Everybody loves the bacon wrapped dates and they are good, but they are far from the best item here. Off memory and looking at the few pics I have, the pate was really good and the flatbread was also nicely charred (I've always enjoyed the flatbreads here). The crispy fritters were bad and only memorable in that aspect. The menu is extensive, so before you know it, you'll have ordered a ton of small things to try. It can get expensive here, but is well worth it!
(5)
Tyler C.
I've been trying to go here for almost two years now. Every attempt thus far has been abandoned due to my lack of patience or unwillingness to wait 2+ hours to be seated. I love tasty & son so really wanted the toro experience. Tonight my boyfriend & I walked in and were seated immediately while the group of four in front of us was told they'd be waiting 35 minutes for a table. Sucks to have friends :-) Our waitress was very nice and the whole staff attentive. Our water carafe was never empty, we never felt left alone but weren't smothered. Perfect service! Let me say that we have both spent significant time in Spain & Latin America so it is possible we have unreasonable expectations of our tapas? I ordered the "to your health" drink and my boyfriend had the basque kiss. Both were just ok. They were both a tad bland and seemed to be lacking the key ingredient of booze. $9 I want a stiff delicious drink. For dinner the dishes were in order: tortilla espanola, patatas bravas, brussles sprouts & calamari. Tortilla - not bad. The sauces really great and true spanish flavor. It was a tad potato heavy. I'd recommend a touch more egg and flavor. Patatas - not as good as the tortilla. We both thought they were lacking flavor. But in general decent. Brussles - I love this dish at tasty but something at toro was off. Maybe they were over cooked. They were a bit bland and the burnt flavor was too much. Close. Calamari - I would defiantly not recommend this dish. Bland, lacks flavor, chewy, underwhelming. Was very disappointed with this. In short... I may give this place another shot but in general was disappointed. Think tasty & son is my choice for dining on Williams when I decide to venture out of the pearl.
(3)
Therese N.
Since I love Toro Bravo's sister restaurant, Tasty N Sons, it was only natural that I try Toro Bravo. Same concept of small plates but they are Spanish Tapas. I especially love the seafood paella! It takes a while to come out but so worth the wait. I couldn't work up the nerve to order the squid ink dish...maybe someday. I especially love their molten chocolate cake: made with very good chocolate. This place gets super busy so expect a long wait.
(5)
Gillian W.
Was in here last weekend after an event and I'm not sure why I am reviewing this place as I really didn't eat anything. Was here for drinks and that was it. Came in with DH and his buddy, there were two seats at the bar and and three of us. My DH wanted to sit at the bar, but the bartender told us there wasn't enough seats and said sorry we can't seat you at the bar, my DH said he would stand up, she still said no so we took up a table that was for 4. Fine by me I guess. I had my vodka on the rocks and DH and friend had beer. Wasn't impressed with the staff in this place, but I hear it has good food, I may update this review if I decide to go back for the food, but gathering the first treatment from staff- not a good impression. Not sure what the reasoning behind us not being able to be at the bar.. but eh what do I know?
(3)
Neal L.
Like they said on Portlandia, "Tapas: they're small plates but they cost as much as normal ones." I don't like doing tapas only because the bill is always a math clusterfu*k with a number of people with different attitudes towards money. It's really best when someone just takes out the whole group, which happens...almost never. This place had some amazing, amazing food and brilliantly creative dishes. When squash steals the show, you know there's talent in the kitchen. The food comes out fast, too. Not a big beer list, but my favorite German beer was in the mix, and I think a wheat beer is good for not staying with the palate when trying to taste complex foods. The charcuterie left a little to be desired but good for the most part, but every other dish was knocked out of the park. I'd love to come back.
(4)
Jim T.
REALLY nice early dinner. Sat outside at a sidewalk table with the pooch. Good choice because the inside isn't air conditioned and it was HOT and STUFFY inside! It got busy fast but service was great with everybody sharing the load and meeting customer needs. Had several small plates, all were good. Well worth the stop.
(5)
DAVID G S.
a great time!!!!!!!!! I would recommend this to a group of three or four,share a bunch of stuff,explore.... I absolutely loved it.
(5)
Rebecca C.
Certain dishes are amazing, and certain are just ok. I am not sure that this place is worth the hour and a half wait, but the staff is really friendly and tries to be helpful since they know you've been waiting forever. The food we had was good. Not the best i've ever eaten, but certainly in the top bracket. I loved the cheese board and the fried potatoes. I also loved the bacon wrapped dates (although really, how do you mess that up?). The asparagus was amazing and spicy and just an excellent dish. The meatballs are meh. That was my friend's order (men and their meat). The dessert was a mixed bag. The churros were ok, but frankly I prefer the kind found on the street at disneyland. These were too plain. The Caramel Panna Cotta was beyond amazing and we fought over the last few bites. All in all, a good place if you have an evening to kill, but make sure you understand you'll be there for hours on end.
(4)
Ashok R.
Yesterday we went to Toro Bravo for my wife's birthday. It was our first visit. I should say almost everything we ordered was tasking awesome. From the dates wrapped in bacon :-), the Tapas, Braised Lamb apricot and coriander, smoked steak. Even the desert the churro and chocolate and a pound cake. the only issue for me was that the portion sizes, i wasn't sure if they are dinner portion or an appetizer. My order of Pan seared halibut cheeks were about 25% of a small plate. The chicken was by far the biggest portion sized dinner. I saw the burgers were about normal sized. But the first visit wasn't disappointing or anything, even after an hour wait it wasn't bad. There was another restaurant right next door, where we snacked an order of french fries and some wings. That was splendid too. It was a great evening nevertheless. ROY lived up to the expectations.!
(4)
Hungry H.
We waited about 1.5 hours at 8pm on a Friday night.. was it worth it? mmm prob. not. would definitely eat here but only if the wait was less than 30 mins. Don't get me wrong the food wasn't bad, but at the same time it was nothing to write home about.. heres what we had throughout the course of the night Good: - Paella toro (a must) - bacon wrapped dates - House Smoked Coppa Steak with potatoes, olives, onions & salbitxada - almond ice cream with espresso ( a must, you'll thank me later!) Ok: - drunken pork w/avocado salad Bad: - squid ink pasta w/hazelnuts (far too salty for my taste) - potatoes bravas (um, if you like them mushy and sweet) - salt cod fritters (TOO salty, ridiculously small) - churros w/chocolate (didn't even touch the chocolate, churros were nothing special, just overpriced - had better at Costco.) TIP for travelers: yet another hyped up place, didn't think it was worth the wait. Still had a good time with my party, but if I were to do it again definitely would not wait that long...
(3)
Faye F.
My friend and I came here dinner time, but we made sure to arrive a little early since we heard the wait can be long. Seated right away and the servers were great. The food was amazing! Had the seafood paella and I loved it! I loved the little kick it gave and the huge portions of seafood (mussels, clams, shrimp!). My friend had the grilled flatbread, potatoes brava, and the hairira moroccan lamb stew. The potatoes brava were delicious! I don't think I've had anything like that before. If you ever get a chance to come up here, TRY THIS PLACE! Service was pretty good and food comes out as it's done. They have these mixed nuts on the table and those were good too.
(4)
Monica A.
Went here once and thought it was okay. I didn't write a review because I was hoping the next time would be better. Unfortunately-- it is still just "okay" for me so here's the review: Be patient as the wait time can be atrocious- but if you can find a spot at the bar, it's not so bad. I like to watch my sodium intake and this place is definitely not low on salt. All of our dishes tasted over salted and left us pretty thirsty. The first time I went with some friends, we ordered more than half the menu. This last time, I was able to try the other dishes hoping for less salt but they all seemed salty. I do like the variety of plates and decor, but otherwise-- overrated.
(3)
K T.
This is my suggestion!!!! If it's hot in Portland, wait until it's cool! The place is packed and when it is hot outside, the restaurant is really warm even tho they have a quasi air conditioned space. Go on a week day nite, early, or wait an hour and a half til you can be seated! Our server was excellent and helpful. Everything we ordered was great; however, as other people have said, the portions are really small! We were a party of four and we ordered 4 entrees plus other goodies. The eggplant with the lamb ragout was outrageously delicious, but we could have ordered 4 of them. We didn't realize it would be one slice of eggplant. We ordered the empanada for $9 and there was one!!! So now we know! And another suggestion that someone else made! For dessert, we ordered the date wrapped in bacon and stuffed with something that I can't remember, and honey was drizzled over the top! It was the icing on the cake! Perfect but different kind of dessert, but we all loved it! By the way, the date is under appetizers! Have fun and be prepared for a long leisurely dinner!
(4)
Lilia C.
Came with a group of 6 on a Saturday so we played it smart and arrived 15 minutes before they opened. We got a table immediately and service was excellent for our entire visit. The food was good overall, some dishes were great and others were average. My entire group enjoyed sharing so we all got to try plenty. The portions were larger than I expected so it made it easy to share.
(4)
Brad H.
Amazing, if waiting to get in or trying to get out isn't a problem for you, this is my vote for best Tapas place in town.
(4)
Kohlrabi P.
perfect
(5)
Sarah K.
This is my go-to for solid upscale dinner in North Portland. The service is always attentive & professional. A big screw-up on the food or drinks here wouldn't even count as a mistake at most other restaurants. I don't know if it's because the owner has 3 restaurants now, or what, but I've noticed that the menu has been really static the last couple years or so. It would be great to see more mixing it up. Hence the 1 star deduction. Still, an excellent restaurant.
(4)
S T.
I just absolutely love Toro Bravo. They have exquisite cuisine and a supremely friendly and attentive staff. Not only the best scallops and pasta I have ever had, but also the best burger in Portland. The price is well worth the quality of food and the wonderful atmosphere. One of my favorite restaurants in town!
(5)
K C.
Da Shiz. Thoroughly impressed by the combinations of flavors. I came here with my dad and we were blown away by how cool this place is. The wait for us on a Monday night was about 35 minutes, which we spent walking around the area (we are not natives of Portland) and investigating the Nike store. After getting the exciting call, we were seated in the alcove area: a dimly lit, mod/intimate version of the family booths in apple bees or some fam diner. This was a nice area though, and while we wanted to explore more, we were primarily here to eat. And that we did.
(5)
Vanessa G.
Amazing food and service! We were visiting from out of town and my friend who is a chef recommended Toro Bravo as his top restaurant to eat at in Portland. I'm not familiar with Spanish wine so the server recommended some wines comparable to a Cab and Sauvignon Blanc. Everyone suggested to try the chefs choice off the menu. There are so many tapas to choose from that I liked the idea of have a set tasting from the staff. Bacon wrapped dates, a goose and moose patay, cabbage parmesan salad, salted fried peppers, fried oxtail, scallops that were cooked perfectly, deconstructed olives that popped in your mouth, fried cod, and for the last part a steak that was like dessert. I've worked in the restaurant industry for 11 years and every aspect of this dinning experience was perfect. Tables are close together because it doesn't have a large dining room, but for me that makes it more intimate. Will definitely recommended this place to anyone who enters the Portland city limits.
(5)
Ashley L.
Good, but not incredible or particularly memorable. Came for dinner, arrived roughly half an hour before opening time to avoid a long wait. Great place to go with a group of friends so you can order a lot of small plates and share. We had the following: - (Bacon Wrapped Dates) Sweet and crispy, but fairly standard. - (Salt Cod Fritters w/aioli) Excellent texture. Paired nicely with the aioli to counterbalance the saltiness. - (Grilled Flat Bread) Topped with black truffle cheese and lots of fresh arugula. Light and tasty. - (Steve's Cheese Board) Steve really knows his stuff, and this does not disappoint. Includes 5 different cheeses. - (Drunken Pork w/avocado salad) Chunks of pork atop avocado. I could have done without this one. - (Paella Toro) Extremely rich and flavorful but so heavily salted. Grab a cocktail from The Secret Society upstairs while you're waiting!
(3)
J N.
I'm a pretty hard grader, but this is an excellent Portland restaurant. The food and service last night was fantastic. We had the bacon wrapped dates, chicken liver mousse, favas and lomo, and the paella. All excellent, and more than enough for two. Portion sizes were generous--the favas and lomo was a bit small, but it was a great dish and paired well with the other heavier choices. Regarding the wait--it's a VERY popular place with no reservations except for large groups, so plan your strategy. Put your name and cell number in and stroll the neighborhood or go next door for a drink. This place needs to be on your list. We'll definitely be back to try out more of the menu.
(5)
Gil E.
Best restaurant in Portland. Get there early, order one of everything, bring friends, order red wine.
(5)
Tam Q.
Expect the 2 hour wait on a Saturday night....Good thing for the bar next door. Despite the long wait, the food came out very quickly...so I'm guessing this is just a place where people like to sit, chit-chat and enjoy their yummy tapas. We decided to order the Tasting Menu since everything sounded delicious. I can't recall all the plates...but they were all sooo good! I would definitely come here again...only lost a star for the super long wait.
(4)
Brendan M.
Does Toro Bravo -need- another 5 star review? I'm sure they don't need it, though it couldn't hurt either. However, yesterday I experienced service there that it would be criminal not to describe. I am currently following a restricted diet that makes it very difficult to eat most places. In addition to needing to avoid all grains including rice and corn (not just gluten) and all dairy, I need to essentially avoid sugar that isn't naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables (specifically disaccharides, if there are any docs or biochems in the house). So when I go to a restaurant, I often have to have conversations with the staff that go beyond what many are used to, even in Portland where many places are increasingly conscious of the increasing demands of people following restrictive diets. Sadly I didn't get my servers name, but she exceeded all expectations by taking my menu from me, going to talk to several other servers and chefs, and coming back with an annotated menu showing me precisely what I was able to get. The chefs were also adept in preparing dishes that usually contain dairy without it. I ate Seared Cauliflower. Sauteed Spinach, and Seared Scallops (all of which were specifically ordered to not contain dairy), as well as Padron Peppers and the House Smoked Coppa Steak, which were safe as is. My stomach is often quite sensitive to even small amounts of these ingredients that I am avoiding, and I'm happy to say that not only was the food I was able to get extremely delicious, but also I left feeling fully satisfied and without a hint of any reactions that I sometimes experience in other restaurants despite similar efforts. I already knew Toro Bravo was a great restaurant from having been there several times, but now I feel that it is truly an excellent one.
(5)
Sergio H.
Really just an amazing meal, all great authentic ingredients from sobrasada to Basque cider, delicious. No dish felt as if it lacked attention. The wait was not bad at all and having a glass of wine upstairs was the right idea while waiting.
(5)
Tamara C.
Observation: We marveled at how a seemingly small kitchen can produce the enormous variety on the menu so seamlessly. So impressed. Bravo. Between the four of us we must have ordered their amazing salad about four times over. I wish I could remember the name. Just ask for the amazing salad and they should know what you are talking about. It was incredible. The anchovies with fennel and lemon - fantastic...not too fishy. The octopus and prawn stew was hot and I loved that it was actually spicy! My Moroccan tuna with cherry couscous was a hit with the whole table. We ordered several other dishes and they were all out of this world. Our server did not miss a beat. She was putting down new plates as soon as one was emptied. And always ready to ask if we needed refill on our cocktails. Impressive, given how busy the place was. You will likely have to wait for a table here but so what? Take your bad self upstairs to Secret Society, get yourself a fantastic cocktail and get ready for Toro Bravo to wow you.
(5)
Vivian L.
If there's anywhere my family has to make a stop during our trips to Portland, it's Toro Bravo. Better tapas than what we've had on 2 separate trips to Spain and extremely knowledgable wait staff. Amazing. "What's harissa?" "It's a Tunisian chili sauce, it's really good" Basinga
(5)
Matty B.
I recently spent a week in PDX on a gastro-tour. Toro Bravo was on my list, and having spent a fair amount of time traveling in Spain I was pretty excited. However, my excitement dissipated quickly... 1. Every dish we had was WAY WAY WAY too rich to be anything near Spanish. The romesco sauce was like mayonnaise. Why do that? We ate so much less than we would if it wasn't such an unnecessary fat-fest. 2. Complete lack of understanding of the simplicity that makes Spanish food Spanish food. Why would you take amazing dishes like celery root and egg and ruin it with a think layer of cheese? Less is so much more. PDX people that are giving this place 5 stars are doing so because they have no frame of reference. It's just average food. We had about 15 dishes between the three of us. If you are in PDX for a foodie adventure skip Toro Bravo. At best this should be called "Spanish-inspired cuisine meets diabetes-inducing comfort food".
(3)
Emily T.
One of the best meals I have ever, ever had. Do the tasting menu! It's so worth the $25 and you will leave full. Since we had a vegetarian in our group, we opted out of the Chef's tasting menu and instead went with our server's selections, so she could throw in some more veggie friendly dishes and ensure that everyone got their moneys worth and left full - very accommodating! An example of some of the deliciousness that we tasted: Squid Ink Pasta Pork chop Bacon Wrapped Dates Salt Cod Fritters Octopus and Prawn Stew Duck Liver Mousse Terrine There were many other things to try, but a week later and I'm daydreaming about the above. The atmosphere, the service and again, the food are amazing. The only thing I'd wish to be different is their no weekend reservation policy. As I had planned my boyfriend's surprise party and we had traveled three hours for this dinner, it would have been nice to have been able to forego the 1.5 hour wait. Regardless, it was worth it. Cannot wait to come back!
(5)
Tim M.
Had a fabulous time. Met there with several couples and had the chef's choices. Wow was that fun. Dishes just keep coming every one unique and fabulous. Honestly I could not tell you what the names of all the dishes we eat but loved the prawns in chili sauce the potatoes were incredible and the bacon wrapped dates were a hit. The servers were fun and always there but not never hovering. Good wine good friends and great meal. I will be back for more!!
(5)
Susanne K.
I went there awhile back...but I'm sure it is still busy as hell. It was very good, tasty exotic food. Very accommodating, hip, classy, and service was totally on point. Drinks were very special. My husband and I were seated in a small room off to the side with two other couples. A very unique arrangement of space and It felt very comfortable. Don't have a single complaint, except for maybe the hour wait. However, that was alleviated by drinking orders made while waiting at the front.
(4)
Fernando A.
The ambiance was lively. The food is good. This is a great place to go to meet up with friends and have some "catch up" time. I wouldn't go here for any sort of romantic date, unless you are already close with the person. It is best to order kind of family style so everyone can try a little of everything. Don't expect to leave completely stuffed, unless you are ready to pay quite a bit. Super tasty food, small portions, it is a tapas place, after all. Go there and enjoy it all.
(4)
Ellie B.
The food here is fantastic and I wish it was in my own city. We went a little early because my friends knew it would be busy and a long wait on a Saturday night. We got drinks at Secret Society next door for about an hour before they called us to let us know the table was ready. I got the radicchio salad with green olive toast and manchego vinaigrette, grilled flat bread with black truffle cheese and arugula, and the harissa stewed butternut squash with crumbled sheep's cheese. All of these things were amazing and I wished I never had to stop eating. I would have loved to try dessert, but we had a show to catch. I will definitely visit this restaurant again when I visit!
(5)
Jessica C.
I definitely give Toro Bravo 5 stars. The wait was a little bit of a pain (1-2 hours at peak dinner time) but we just went upstairs and had a few drinks and it was 100% worth the wait. We had 4-5 appetizers and the paella and it fed all 3 of us perfectly for under $100, including drinks! The paella was one of my favorite dishes I've ever had but make sure you order it when you first sit as it takes about a half hour to make. Otherwise order a few tapas and drinks and enjoy everything this place has to offer. I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Michael R.
Last night was kind of hit & miss. The paella was really bad, overcooked seafood and undercooked burnt rice. We brought this up to our waitress and they did remove the paella from our bill. The steak coppa was very good although it could've been a little more rare. The scallops were absolutely fantastic! Had a few other items but nothing really sticks out. I do consider this experience to be an "off night" and will definitely return to TB to give them another shot in the future.
(3)
Neal W.
While I was quite satisfied with everything I had, my girlfriend was only so-so about certain dishes. I'm not exactly a picky eater, so I thought this place was incredible! I liked every Tapa I consumed. The Cuban sandwichand burger were among my favorites and for someone with as voracious an appetite as I, I was actually too full to finish! That's a problem I often have with Tapa-style dining: too little food for too much money. Don't get me wrong, I understand that a lot of classy places do smaller portions of richer food, but I need to at least walk away feeling semi-satiated. In this case, I was very satisfied! When I went, I wasn't at all bothered by service or long waits, tho I think I agree with JW that it's not the quietest place. Luckily, we sat outside where the chatter was kept to a minimum! I'm hoping for another visit soon. We'll see if it holds up the second time...
(5)
Annette D.
I have not been to Toro in a couple of years and I am happy to report that it is as good as I remember. Still packed and noisy but the food is great. I always think the portions seem small (even for tapas), but I am always full and satisfied. Tried octopus for the first time and loved it. Favorite was the gratin like celery root dish.
(5)
Alex R.
Toro Bravo is amazing. Totally spectacular food with a huge variety of tastes and flavors. The service is amazing, everything came quickly, and the waiters, hosts, etc were are all professional but never pushy or snooty. This is particularly special when considering how busy the place is all the time. The first time I went, we were in a very large group. Personally, I think this is the best way to do it. You get to try tons of different food this way, and it's a great way to see how broadly skilled the chefs at toro are. Okay, so I tried the french kisses. This is foie gras. Stuffed in a brandy soaked prune. that's insane. Some people are offended by foie gras, and I was a little hesitant . But this was pretty brilliant. I've never had anything like it before, and probably never will again. The squid ink pasta was also unusual but tasty. The scallop was probably the best scallop I've ever had. The Paella was also really amazing. The next time I went, it was with just one other person and we just went for Sandwiches. Sandwiches you say? At Toro Bravo? But they're like Tapas, yeah? Ohhhh my god. The burger was sublime. I'm not totally sure what a romesco sauce is, i think peppers are involved. It works. It was just all so tasty. We also had the BLT. Also, tasty sooooooo tasty. It's just awesome. Try everything you can on the menu. Everything is good.
+: The portions are perfect for sharing and trying multiple dishes in one seating. High five for making brussels sprouts taste so good, yum! -: The wait can get pretty ridiculous so put your name down and grab a drink @ the Secret Society next door. !: Ge
(4)
Alfredo M.
If you're researching Toro Bravo, you'll see all the lofty accolades about the food, ambiance, and overall experience. After my first evening there I can say that you will not be disappointed if you know what you're getting into. First of all the food is phenomenal. You'll enjoy taking your time with these small plates because you'll want to savor every bite. Expertly prepared, diverse, and wonderful. The ambiance is loud, crowded, and part of the dining experience you want if you're choosing to eat here. This is one of the coolest restaurants in Portland and as such a lot of people want to eat here. They don't take reservations, so the wait is part of the experience and you should expect it. Take the attitude that they're heightening your anticipation for what will be a great meal and memory for you and your friends/loved ones. The good news is that they give you an estimate on your wait, take your cell phone number (not a buzzer), and then you're free to do whatever you want. There's a great bar - Secret Society - next door, but that too can get crowded quickly. If it does, check out the African bar/restaurant on the corner. It's got all you want to pass the time along with friendly service. Back to Toro Bravo though. This place can give you one of the great dining experiences you can have in Portland if you make an entire evening of it. Don't show up at 6 and have movie plans at 8. Show up with a couple friends (probably not a group of 10), do your duty and wait (preferably with cocktails somewhere in the neighborhood), then when you get seated, get comfortable, order a bottle of wine and order 3-4 plates to share and talk about with your table. Rinse and repeat...and when the bill comes, just remind yourself of how truly enjoyable your evening was.
(5)
Jenet S.
This place is awesome! We had to wait about 20 minutes but they said they could call you if you wanted to come back. But we decided to wait & have a drink. The only thing is that it was awkward standing & drinking in the corner at a high top table. Plus you share it with others if they come in. Also it would've been nice to have been seated at an actual table instead of the bar (there were a few empty ones that could've been cleaned off quickly). Bartender was nice & attentive as well as the people running food out. Sangria was a lil blah, no fruit just very dry than I would've liked. The food was beyond excellent though! We choose to both do the 30$ chef pick it was A LOT of food. Bacon wrapped dates were our favorite as well as the duck liver mousse was amazzzzzing! They kept bringing out food left & right. I didn't like the spicy sausage that came with the pita bread & French fries though, it was way too spicey. Had to bring the choppa steak home cause there was so much food! Anyways you won't be disappointed coming here.
(4)
Jeff M.
For most restaurants, when the hostess says "It's about a1 1/2 to 2 hour wait." We say, "Thanks, anyway." We stayed for Toro Bravo. Two reasons to stay: The Secret Society & the food. Continue to read review at: bit.ly/ogRO0U
(5)
Ben J.
I went there for their annual party and had never been before. It was packed, too packed, but was still a ton of fun and I definitely want to go back on a regular night. Food was delicious.
(4)
isael s.
Long wait, but worth it. Go hungry as there so much to sample. Ask for the popular dishes and you won't go wrong.
(4)
Amy J.
Another favorite of ours, this place is worth the wait (just go upstairs to The Secret Society for some great cocktails). GREAT food-- and we have tried most of the menu, but love that it constantly changes. Good wine list too-- the bartender has never steered us wrong. Finally, we love that- even with a large group- the bill is never as high as we think it will be. We leave completely full and having paid less than what we would elsewhere. Just a note, we have tried the chef's special where the food is pre-selected and advise against this as it is just too much food. Trust your judgement or just point to things on the menu- everything is excellent.
(5)
Michelle F.
My boyfriend and I are from Eugene and have wanted to try this place for a while but it's always very busy. We decided to sign-up and wait the estimated 15-25 minutes but they were able to seat us much more quickly than that. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and we didn't have to wait very long to place an order even though the place was packed. The food was delicious and the service was fantastic. After reading the reviews I tried the butternut squash and sheep's cheese- so friggin good! We shared Steve's cheese board which was very good as well as the potatoes bravas which could be a meal unto themselves. He had the house bacon and manchego burger cooked perfectly. Normally we don't, but we made room for churros with dark chocolate dipping sauce for dessert, yum! The noise level was much higher then we like but the food made it worth it. It's very refreshing to go to a place where the staff and chefs seem to care and don't compromise on quality considering the volume of customers they serve, We will definitely be going back!
(5)
Laura H.
So far I've only been to Toro Bravo twice in my lifetime, and both times were stellar! Menu is awesome, so much to choose from! The wine list- spectacular. Great service, even though they were super busy! Piella Toro is bomb. Loved the lamb. Polenta was delish! Wish the restaurant was bigger, and that you could make reservations for small parties.
(5)
kelly s.
I'm being generous- seriously generous, I wanted to leave a 2, but it seemed a little harsh. I like a lot of the idea to this, but it's just overblown, and wait-a-rific. I realize they can hardly be to blame for the gratuitous over population, but I have to say, I have waited more than an hour for a meal, on several occasions, and many of those times I later felt delighted that I'd done it- I didn't feel that way after the Bull - CONCLUSION: -Good but not wait-worthy
(3)
Jason L.
This place is to die for. I really, really love it. I've been there about 4x and every time is perfect. I've only had one plate that I wasn't a big fan of but other than that I'm totally down. Whenever the server asks what I'd like I always want to respond with "one of everything." This is a great place for tapas. Order 2-3 small plates/person, share them and love your night. I seriously challenge you to find something you don't like EXCEPT for the salted cod. It's too salty. The drinks are also awesome. I don't love the sangria but that's because I don't love sangria. The rest of their cocktails are great though. The service is good and the atmosphere is nice and lively. If you're going on a busy night I'd suggest getting there at 5 when they open. They don't take reservations and this place fills up.
(5)
Mia D.
Although there aren't a lot of options for Vegetarians, the food here is good. The restaurant seems very crowded, long wait, so I'm sure they get many repeat customers because it's a cute place and the atmosphere is cozy. The Sangria is delicious, patatas bravas good, the homemade crisp with the cheese board was a great touch and the service was good. I would definitely go again, but because I'm a vegetarian, probably a better lunch place than dinner for the lack of offerings.
(4)
Georgie K.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Some times too crowded and the too it place to be, but the food is divine. They cook up a delicious Brussels sprout dish, have a great salads, the perfect arugula flat bread dish and have the best burger in town. Many people do not know that, but it is true. Excellent cocktails and the service is pretty good. A place to try, but go early on a Tuesday night so you don't have to wait to get seated.
(4)
Stephanie D.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Portland, if not in the entire United States. It's been 9 months since eating at Toro Bravo and I still talk about it all. the. freaking. time. Every time I eat pate: "It's good but it doesn't compare to the chicken liver mousse at TORO BRAVO." Every time I eat scallops: "They're OK, but not as amazing as the scallops in romesco sauce that I ate at TORO BRAVO". My husband, who was not lucky enough to accompany me on my last jaunt home to the United States is super, super jealous that he missed out on this. So yes, I can wax some goddamn lyrical lyrics about the chicken liver mousse. I also had a salad, which had some pecorino cheese and some apples and at the time struck me as being just about the best salad I'd ever eaten. The fried green tomatoes served with a tart and creamy tartar sauce was one of the most decadent and moreish dishes I've had in a very long time. I could go on and on. I've eaten in Barcelona and this was as good as anything I've eaten in that famed city of tapas. This is definitely tapas with many American elements (fried green tomatoes anyone?) and I find it pretty inspired. The thing that really elevates Toro Bravo above the pack for me is the price: Admittedly it is fairly pricey for Portland, but it is very, very reasonable when compared to other cities: The same meal would be triple the price in New York, Paris, or Sydney. I simply cannot afford to eat at a restaurant of this quality in Australia, where I currently live. Thank goodness I have tickets back home to Portland in December: My husband will have something to be jealous about again.
(5)
Annie T.
One of my most fav spots, they do sangria right here. Had a cornucopia of different tapas but my favorite would have to be one of two entrees we got--squid ink pasta with anchovy sauce, hazelnuts and duck yolk.
(5)
Amanda M.
Very happy to stumble into Toro Bravo on Halloween night - no waiting no queue, awesome start. My friend I had two tapas, one salami plate, one sauteed brussel sprouts and one full pan of paella, all top notch!! I especially liked the sauteed bruseel sprouts, very well done and seasoned. Paella is the highlight, the crown jewel! Very good Spanish rice, king shrimps, mussels and chicken thigh on the top - all seasoned to its best, all heavenly taste. No matter what you are trying to get, always get the paella, and it is by far the best paella I've ever had. Our waitress was specially sweet, didn't get her name but she was very adorable and attentive! ALL 5 STAR EXPERIENCE!
(5)
Kristina P.
Such a great restaurant. I was extremely pleased with everything my girlfriend and I ordered. We got there about 2 hours after opening and were told our wait for 2 was an hour and a half, however, outside seating is first come first serve and we were lucky enough to grab a table right away. Since in was chilly outside we ordered a pitcher of sangria and warmed up in no time. Service was prompt and food was brought to us timely. It was just an awesome experience. Can't wait to go back when we visit Portland again.
(4)
Ken S.
Amazing! Go here, spendy, but so good. Burger, Sheri Mushroom Toast, Pork Rillette, Bacon Wrapped Dates... oh my god! Go here, you must.
(5)
Jess P.
Toro Bravo was recommended to me by a Portland local, as it was a very short walk from my hotel. There was no wait to sit in the chairs at the bar (which looked like a sushi bar) because we went on a Thursday night. The chairs are REALLY heavy! Anyway. :) I was immediately impressed by the menu; everything looks good and creative, as is seemingly the norm with the food in Portland's restaurants. My boyfriend and I had hiked all day on hardly any food and had humungous appetites so our mouths were watering at all the varied selections. We decided to go with the $30 pp chef's choice option, which the very nice and enthusiastic waitress told us would be about 8 dishes from different parts of the menu for us to share. They only have two beers on draft; I got one of each. The first was an Oregon original - Good Life IPA, which was pretty good. The second one starts with an E and is a Barcelona beer (can't remember the name) and I liked it better than the first one; it was very light and kind of sweet and reminiscent of champagne. Yum. They brought out some bread and butter first and then started out bringing out the dishes at a perfect pace at first - then they started bringing them out too quickly, but we just left the back-up of one or two dishes there and took our time. This is what the chef chose for us: 1. Bacon-wrapped dates. We got two of them and they were just delicious. Sticky and sweet and crunchy with an almond in the center. Mmm! 2. A chilled bowl of salad; mixed greens, artichokes, hazelnuts and chopped egg. Nothing fancy, but very good and I love to start out a meal with a good salad. 3. Duck liver pate with spicy mustard and sweet pickles. I was surprised that they would serve something this crazy for the chef's choice, but my boyfriend loved it. Personally, I'm not a big fan of liver pate, but I ate some anyway. It has a good taste, something about liver just grosses me out, though. It was served with both crunchy and soft bread. 4. Green onions with some kind of orange sauce. This dish kind of sucked. It was hard to cut up the onions and the sauce was kind of bland. I don't like to eat onions by themselves like that, either. We ate a few bites and were ready to move on. 5. Spicy jumbo shrimp. There were REALLY good! We got one each, but I could have eaten more! The spice was coming from red pepper flakes or something - hard to tell. But delish! 6. Eggplant with lamb ragu. This was very tasty. Reminded me of eggplant parmesan but much better. I'm not sure what a ragu is exactly, but it was very flavorful. :) 7. Glazed carrots with red pepper relish. Exactly how it sounds. Tasted wonderful! 8. Ham-wrapped chicken served in some kind of light tomato sauce. This was one was probably my favorite. It had been cooked slowly so it was really tender and super flavorful. I know I'm going to crave this when I get home! Mmm! Then we got dessert - baked strawberries and rhubarb with vanilla ice cream, which was AWESOME. Another scoop of ice cream would have been nice; we were sort of fighting over it. :) So we spend about $100 including tip, which is to be expected for the amount of food we consumed, plus the drinks and everything. Some of the chef's choice items are not ones that I would have picked, so next time (if there is a next time) I think I will just pick my own stuff. I'm not sure if it would have been more expensive or the same in terms of prices, but there are definitely some things on the menu that I wanted to try that I didn't get to.
(4)
David N.
The majority of my meals on this trip were quick. Grabbed in and moved on. However, on every trip I try to have at least one sit down dinner. For this particular trip we decided to do Tapas as our sit down dinner. It was a place that my friend had never tried but had bookmarked for quite some time. Most of the trip he was bringing me to some of his favs but I figured it was nice to allow him to reach outside and find some new favorites. We came pretty late on a Saturday night, but they were still open until 11 pm, which I heard is rare for most restaurants in Portland. Upon entering we were seated on the tables attached to the open kitchen. It was a very cool spot because you could see all of the action happening before your eyes. The meal began with Marinated Sheep's Cheese with rose petal harissa & mint. The cheese was very rich. The next dish was the Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey. DAMN! This thing was probably one of my favorites of the whole night. The sweet and salty just blended so well together. As far as our bigger dishes went: We had the Braised Lamb, Apricots & Coriander with house made noodles. The lamb was so tender! We also had the Drunken Pork with avocado salad. This was my least favorite dish. I just don't think the avocado added to the pork and the contrast in flavor didn't do anything for me. The biggest dish and most filling was the Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels. The chicken was grilled perfectly and the giant shrimp were a nice touch. We ended our meal with the Caramel Panna Cotta. I felt it was a little heavy on the caramel but the cream part was very smooth. The service was on point! The dishes arrived one after another with very little lag. They brought us a carafe of water which always remained full.
(5)
Kaycee C.
Potato bravo was one of our favorite dishes along with the copa steak. We were a bit disappointed with the squid ink pasta because the red bell peppers overpowered the pasta dish. I think it was supposed to balance the saltiness of the anchovy. Unfortunately, it left it unbalanced in overall flavor. The octopus with tomato sauce was very good but overpriced relative to its taste. Sangria was okay but the bartender's mood for that night was amazing! The drink had sherry, gin, lemon juice, bitter and something with black licorice. So good!
(4)
Sara H.
The items I like on the menu are decreasing and the prices keep rising. Not a great combo.... service is always great and I love the olive oil cake...if it weren't for that I'd probably give it 3 stars, it's no longer on my go to list when hungry or showing someone new to town around
(4)
Judy P.
The Verdict: "Well worth the wait." We were told it would take 2 hrs before we could be seated for dinner on a hustling and bustling Saturday night. Fortunately it turned out to only be an hour's wait...underpromising and over delivering worked for them here. Once we got seated, service was very fast and attentive. We ordered a good mix of tapas: bacon-wrapped dates, scallops, brussel sprouts, a dark green leafy dish over yummy crusty bread, and seafood paella (my all time favorite Spanish dish). We also had plenty of sangria to go around (and it wasn't watered down). Every dish was delectable and left me wanting more...literally. The music was lounge-y and at times even upbeat like a club. The lighting is dim and the place was packed. So much so, that we had to share a long table with another group of people. It was a fun night with all the right elements. Would I Recommend It? Yes, Yes, Yes!
(5)
S Luc S.
I feel like I'm telling on the popular kid and no one will believe me. Now, I had been looking forward to going to Toro Bravo for a few weeks as it was my choice for my birthday dinner. Reservations were made (you need 7 people...up from 6 last year), and we were quasi promptly seated. First off, my friends and I were cracking up at the music that was played. Who would've thunk that Jay-Z and Eminem were the prime musical selection for the dining process. A friend asked the waitress if the music could be turned down as we couldn't hear each other speak. The waitress was attentive and responsive. She checked in on our table throughout the duration of our stay and was kind enough to mark the menu for gluten free options as one person at the table has an intolerance. Also, the beverages were delicious. That is where everything remarkable ended. Okay, onto the disappointments. The food. Aside from the brussels sprout with sherry cream and pancetta, everything else was surprisingly average. As tasty as the brussels sprouts were, for the amount charged and the amount served, there is a helluva discrepancy. I also had the bacon wrapped date with warmed honey. I found the almond inside to be a nice surprise and gave depth to the texture of it, but the bacon flavor was lost (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE) amid the sweetness of the date. The warm honey had, what I think was paprika sprinkled on top and it was just a sugar overload. I was excited to have the potatoes bravas, but the flavor fell flat. The potatoes tasted rewarmed and I wish they had an egg on it at least like Tasty & Sons. My main plate was the Fideo verde with chorize verde, artichokes, nettles, asparagus and chopped almonds. Holy grease slick Batman! Everyone at my table could've received a hot oil hair treatment from the amount of the slick liquid that was settled on the plate of that dish. Beautifully presented, blandly prepared. If there were flavors to be distinguished, my taste buds could not pick it up. The artichokes we grayish and tasted canned. The chorizo also was lacking in flavor. To complete the meal, I had the caramel panna cotta. After eating away the layer of caramel, the actual panna cotta flavor was muted and the vanilla bean, though they were on the bottom of the cup, the did not add to the dish. Finally, after the meal was complete and everything totaled and paid for, the waitress came back to point out there was a shortage among the total. Everyone divided it up and all was settled....until I received a phone call about two hours later saying that the bill was still short and they had my credit card on hand. Moments later, another call came through to say that they realized everything had been handled and taken care of. I was super excited to go to Toro Bravo. The five star reviews. The crowds that always fill the space and the bodies nestled around the tables,the dark, intimate setting. All makings for a wonderful experience. People have raved about it since it first opened its doors. I believed the hype. I wanted to take my mother here as a part of her yearly visit to Pdx where we take Portland by gastronomical storm. However, I don't think I could introduce my mother to such scene that gave me a culinary experience like I was at an Olive Garden Redux.
(2)
Sherry S.
Got here right at 530 and they had already filled up as they opened at 5. Our guess is folks were waiting outside before they opened. Packed! She said 1.5 hour wait... say what.. We did not believe her plus we were not starving and only 3 tables waiting when we showed up.. It took about 45 minutes.. not too bad and well worth it. We felt a little underdressed but nonetheless we were busy trying to interpret the food items on the menu while we waited. The wait person suggested we each find 2 plates so we did and it was plenty of food! My daughter who is at the age where she is willing to try new food but is still a little weirded out by what the heck the items were. She went to task on her phone and googled the dictionary to find out. She got the pasta romanesco and the creamed chanterelles on toast. Both were just melt in your mouth full on. Good choices on her part. We then ordered the ink squid pasta, the spicy octopus and prawn stew, the moroccan tuna with dried cherry couscous and the Basque piperade with duck egg not to be outdone by the daughter. Oh ya and while we waited we decided to try the french kisses which are sweet dates stuffed with fois gras as a tease. All these different mixtures of flavors and how they complemented each other and went so well was amazing. They brought out the food slowly enough that we could really just take our time and enjoy the essence of each tapa plate. Very sensual and luxuriating. The folks waiting on the tables, to the hostess, to even the cooks back there cooking up a storm were wonderfully charming. I'd personally would give this a 5 star if the space did not feel so crowded. They need a bigger place because everyone is digging them! Ambience for how wonderful the food is, and how you should just indulge in, should maybe match a little bit by having a more relaxing atmosphere.. but still a blast just the same. We had never been here and it was a special occasion so it was a very fun adventure for us.
(4)
Vi B.
A very cool ambiance, and non-stop #1 hits playing on the speakers to jam to. The food was considered high-end (and pretty durn good). However, my experience here wasn't stellar, as getting a table was apparently nearly impossible- even though the hostess had assured my friend to show up without a reservation (as there would be "plenty of empty tables), the restaurant must have had an unexpected influx of customers because upon showing up my friends were all forced to wait hours to get a table (I arrived later to a group of grumpy and hungry buddies). The service, I'll say, was mediocre, and the prices were exorbitant. I might go back for a drink at the bar, but probably not for a meal.
(3)
Matt R.
By far the best meal we've had in Portland. Fried fresh anchovies, fois stuffed figs, fried rabbit...... you get the picture- all exotic and all wonderful. Very tasty cocktails and very affordable (small plates are the best). Two of us ate and drank like kings and the tab was $72. Cannot wait to come back to Toro Bravo.
(5)
Kurt U.
Food and service....awesome. Would recommend. Definitely want to go back. Bacon Wrapped Dates!!! We got three orders.
(4)
Lori K.
Came here on a saturday night around 7:15pm.... no visible line or lingering people waiting to be seated. Must be a good sign... WRONG! We walked in just to find out the wait was 2.5-3 hours. So, no one was sticking around, because they had enough time to go run errands, or go home for a nap! Luckily they agreed to call us when it was our turn, so we put our name down, and headed off to wait... After 1.5 hours, we got called early. Guess not everyone could hang that long. After being seated at the bar, we looked over the menu, got some recommendations from the bartender, and ordered our first round of tapas. Here's what we ended up getting: - Harira moroccan lamb & lentil stew with house buttermilk cheese: My favorite dish of the night! This hearty stew was flavorful and very satisfying. We ordered the half-size, which I regretted as soon as I took my first bite. Next time full-size! - Oxtail Croquettes with chili mayonnaise: Pretty good, but not sure it was worth $15 for 3 croquettes. - House Smoked Coppa Steak with potatoes, olives, onions & salbitxada: Very good steak! Loved the smoky flavor and sauce! The half-order is still a pretty generous portion, and it's just $9! Totally worth it! - Octopus a la plancha - The bartender promised that this one was going to change the way we think about eating octopus. I had only had octopus once before, and it wasn't the greatest. After eating this, I can definitely say, it's all about the preparation. The texture was perfect, and tasted great with the slice of potato. - Brussels sprouts with bacon sherry cream: I was a little underwhelmed with this dish. I love brussels sprouts, but this dish was just a little bitter. Really nice atmosphere... would be great for dates or groups. Overall, I was pretty impressed with the pricing. We both ate well and left very full and satisfied for just under $60. If I'm ever back in the area, I'd love to come back to try other items on the menu. If you plan to give Toro Bravo a try, do come early to avoid the ridiculous wait.
(4)
Yanira A.
This place is a must! Food was delicious! Atmosphere was perfect for intimate date night. Everyone was super friendly. Drinks were awesome as well!
(5)
Sarah R.
Had a wonderful experience here on a trip to Portland! Took a little while to trek here from our downtown hotel, but was definitely worth it. My friend and I had to wait about 15 minutes for a seat at the bar on a weekday night and had a nice time waiting on their beautiful patio with some wine. Our meal was fantastic! We quickly made friends with the (very cute) bartender who recommended the tasting menu and wine. We were so glad we did this: It was great having the chef choose an array of dishes for us, and for only $30! Gave us time to schmooze with the nice couple next to us and enjoy our great wine. Every dish was delicious and they accommodated our dietary needs without hesitation. A trek up to Salt & Straw completed a great meal! Would recommend this restaurant to any Portland locals or tourists.
(5)
Jennifer B.
No esta bien. With such great reviews I had so much hope but it didn't do it for me. The wait was 1.5 hours and luckily they will call you so you can roam around and find a drink while you wait. They don't take reservations for parties under 7. The house red wine was just okay. We tried almost everything the nice waitress recommended - bacon wrapped dates (barely any bacon, don't like the smokiness), octopus (not back), duck liver terrine (nothing special), and lamb chop (burnt and dry). If we were blown away we were going to order more. We weren't so that was it. The music was hip hop and the decorations were modern and had no Spanish theme. I guess with a packed house no need to make a better Spanish ambiance.
(2)
Frances M.
Yum time indeed. We went because we had a gift certificate & I love Spanish food. We got there on a very rainy night at 4:35 pm & basically did a stakeout on the place until people showed & then we got out to wait before they opened. We tried on a Saturday night the week before & was told it would take 2 hours so we said eff that & came on a wet Sunday. Ordering was easy & our waitress answered our questions. Then the food started coming in piecemeal which is typical for Spanish restaurants. 1st the bacon wrapped dates came & those bites were sweet, creamy, tangy with a lovely nut crunch in the middle. Next was the chard & pepper gratin. A celebration of texture & flavor in that dish. We ordered a large salt cod fritters & got a small. The mistake was corrected with a whole order of the large! The mayo is crazy good with those things. Even cold & soggy the next day the fritters had great flavor. My only improvement would be to make the filling more meaty (in the fish sense of course) and a bit less mushy. The patatas bravas were my least favorite item. Though they had some crispness, the flavor was mild & sweeter than I care for. Also they came with the same mayo that had been served with the fritters so it was mayo overkill by that point. The star of the evening was the bacon manchego burger. Dear lawd that was one of the finest burgers in PDX ever. The bacon we asked for crisp so it had a lovely deep crunch as it combined with the tangy earthy cheese and the quality beef. Even the brioche bun was top notch. On that burger I could distinctly taste each element of the burger, yet enjoy the sumptuousness of the combined flavors. For desert we had the light olive oil cake that came with roasted apples and whipped cream. A nice way to end the meal. If you skip the drinks you can eat a really big meal for around $40 which makes Toro Bravo not only delicious but a great date night meal for two. Woot!
(5)
D L.
Was it worth the wait? Probably not. Some hits, mostly meh. Friday night 9pm, table for 5 = 1 hour wait. Was kinda expecting it already so... wasn't too surprised about that, but still a little taken aback since it *was* 9pm. Anyway... we were seated at 10pm, drink orders taken and immediately overwhelmed by the menu. So we went with the $30/person chef's choice. Hits: Bacon wrapped dates. Radicchio salad with green olive tapenade. Bread with butter and olive oil (seriously... the olive oil was good) Oxtail croquettes Good to meh: Salt cod fritters Terrine with house mustard Roasted chicken with mustard greens Mediocre: Stewed spring squash with cheese (a boring mushy squash stew) Roasted egg plant w lamb ragu (a mushy eggplant with "bolognese") In summary, the food was overall good and I would like to try the rest of the menu. But since the first impression was just "good", I don't know if I'm willing to wait an hour to give Toro Bravo another shot.
(3)
Joshua D.
I was absolutely impressed. I visited on a whim when my aunt came to town and someone told her Toro Bravo was one of those must-try-when-in-PDX kind of places. Ergo, why not. The food was exquisite, and the serving staff was incredible. Anyone who has attained the level of deuchebaggery necessary to hate on such people has definitely never worked in a high-stress food service environment. The atmosphere was a bit loud, and I accidentally stood in line for the bar next door for twenty minutes, but hey, I got a laugh out of it. I loved the variety of the menu. Portland has an overload of casual restaurants, which I feel this might technically slip into, but the level of class sustained by their menu is heads above. Will definitely be back, seems like a really fun date spot.
This place is so freaking busy! 45 minutes to 1 hour wait. Must be good! Update: this place was awesome! Highly recommend if you're in Portland. Service is incredible, food incredible, totally worthy of the wait!
(5)
Ryan B.
After being a voluntary vegetarian for approximately 8 months, I decided to end my meat embargo at none other than Toro Bravo. Six months later, I still haven't regretted it for a minute. I was finally seated after a 90 minute wait, during which I went next door at Secret society and drank absinthe for the first time. I ordered the bacon wrapped date, which I can't remember (and the reason for which I can't remember will soon be explained). For the main course, I ordered the House Bacon & Manchego Burger. Now, I would like to preface the following comment with this qualifying statement: It could be entirely possible that my review of this burger is based on it being the first time I'd eaten meat in 8 months. Okay, with that out of the way, I say with full confidence: The House Bacon & Manchego Burger is probably the best burger I've ever eaten in my life. I've had all the hidden burgers Portland has had to offer (Skyline, Foster Burger, Killer Burger, Little Big Burger, Helvetia Tavern, Mike's Drive In, etc, etc, etc.) The HBMB is, by far, better than anything I've had at any of those other places. It was so thick and juicy, it's quite possible that Sir-Mix-A-Lot's famous song was actually about this burger. The manchego was sharp and complimented the juicy beef perfectly, and the bacon was... well, you can never go wrong with bacon. The romesco was slightly sweet and complimented the meats and cheeses with perfection. Honestly, the rest of the night was a blur. I was pretty much burger wasted. Who cares. All I remember is the burger.
(5)
The I.
I would give this place a good review but I can't. A 40 min wait at 9:30 pm on a thursday ....... Come on. And the host tells me they don't do take out. Wtf? What restaurant doesn't do take out ? My question to toro bravo is , what do they do if a customer wants the rest of their meal packed up ? With no take out policy, are u forced to finish your plate? = fail
(1)
Wilson K.
We came to Toro Bravo based on the reviews. We had the Chanterelles, paella, drunken pork, and Grilled moorish lamb chops. The flavors for all the dishes was extremely unique. However, everything was overly salty. If the chefs toned down the salt a notch, I would give this place 5 stars despite the 1.5 hour wait.
This place lived up to everything I have heard about it. For me, what really pushes it over the edge to 5 stars was the quality of service we were given. Servers were attentive but didn't hover and were very friendly. I went with my grandmother who has a pork allergy. When she mentioned the allergy the server took it upon herself to grab a menu and mark the entire thing with dishes that were safe for her to eat. She could have just let her ask about each dish she was interested in, but she was proactive in providing great service, which I found to be a real testament to the quality of the establishment. We tried so many dishes (as you all should!) that this review could be a mile long. I will definitely say that everything that we ordered was delectable. From the chicken liver pate (generous portion) to the sweet potato with harissa cheese (our favorite) to the eggplant with lamb ragu, everything we tried was great. This is definitely a cool place to have a fun meal and expand your culinary horizon. l would come back in a heartbeat to try another 10 things from the menu. I also like that it is located right next door to Trigger, where you can get a killer dessert sundae once you finish your gourmet dinner at Toro!
(5)
Leslie W.
The food is innovative, delicious, and flavorful but it is highly salted and fatty and that is the only reason (besides the usual hour-long wait) I don't go more often. For me, the high salt and fat do take it down a notch from a 5 star to a 4 star restaurant, but Toro Bravo is so tasty it is worth the occasional splurge (money and calories) Service is great, though the orders come out rather randomly, so you might not get the thing you want the most until the end. One very nice thing they do here is allow you to order a few items, rethink your plan, and order a few more (repeat as necessary). It's a great place to share dishes with friends. You'll want at least 4 people at the table so you can try bites of 10-12 small plates. You sometimes wish they would change out the service plates so that the sauces and flavors of the courses could stand on their own, but you can also lick your plate between courses if you don't like putting the new food over what's left of the old. Some of my current favorites are: Pimientos de Padrons Potatoes Bravas Harira morrocan lamb & lentil stew with house buttermilk cheese Harissa Stewed Spring Squash with sheep's cheese House Smoked Coppa Steak* with confit potatoes, cracked olives,
(4)
Pam S.
Food was amazing. Group of 6 out of towners on a very crowded night-before-Thanksgiving. Paella was crazy flavorful, dates were a tad sweet but heavenly, loved the brussel spouts (I know, right?), radicchio salad, polenta, spicy shrimp. Pork rillette (omg!) was a huge home run. Finished with a nice sherry & chocolate almonds. Easy to see why this is a popular spot...look forward to coming back some day.
(5)
Abdulaziz A.
We were there for the first time ever which is really worths going one again . The food were distinguished and just cooked with great flavor . Just go and experience it . The service was excellent .
(4)
Suki S.
The hostess took my name down, told my mother and I that it was at least an hour wait. Then as I was waiting by the door, she seated a group of 3 as soon as they got there without a reservation after we were waiting for half an hour. Clearly, this restaurant is selective in their customers. No restaurant is worth being treated like that.
(1)
Doni W.
I was completely blown away by this place, not just because the food was so exceptional, but because the service was also outstanding. We were a party of seven on a Friday night, and for this walk-in restaurant (no reservations on weekends!), we knew this was risky and came prepared to wait. We put our name on the list around 7pm, and were told it would be about 2 1/2 hours before we could eat. Honestly, I didn't believe them, because I'd recently dined at Ox and was told the wait would be an hour, only to be seated after 20 minutes. Anyway, our party of seven headed upstairs to Secret Society for drinks and enough appetizers to keep us from eating our arms. This is a GREAT place to wait for your table at Toro Bravo. Great service, and loved the cocktail menu. Turns out, they weren't lying and we were seated at Toro Bravo close to 10pm. Again, we knew we'd wait and we were happy with our Sazeracs and Moscow Mules upstairs, so we weren't upset at all about the wait. When we walked in, we were immediately greeted with three complimentary appetizers and many apologize and thanks for being so patient and waiting so long. Point One: LOVED the way they thanked us for our patience and greeted us warmly with free snacks! We sat down around our table, met our server who was so nice and so knowledgable, and made a great wine recommendation for the table. Oh, and happily corked the bottle we brought with us (I think the corkage fee is $10). HIGHLY recommend: the $30 chef's choice tasting menu. This is PLENTY of food and you truly get the best of the menu without having to make any decisions yourselves, AND they bring out enough for everyone, so there's no worries about who orders and shares what, and how many of each thing to order for the group. They just know. We thought we were done and were all happily satisfied, when they brought out two more appetizers. SO MUCH FOOD. Notable food (though keep in mind, this changes daily and is seasonal, so it might be different when you're there!: salt cod fritters, house salami plate, stewed butternut squash with sheep's cheese. This was seriously the best dining experience ever because -- again -- the food is awesome, but the service just nailed it for us.
(5)
Jeff C.
Personally, I wasn't overly impressed with Toro Bravo, unfortunately. It's not that it was bad, because it was good, but I defintiely didn't leave there amazed, and for the price...you damn well should be. We ordered a handful of tapas, probably 6, and only really cared for two of them. Perhaps they were authentic for me? The one I did like was delicious though, some type of prime rib/steak dish with a mustard sauce, it saved the day. They don't take reservations for parties less than 7, so we waited an hour & a half next door at some little bar where I polished off a pair of Rainier talls. Toro was a cool place inside, I liked the setup and decor, but it was a little too dark inside for me, hard to see your food. The casa-rita was actually really good (I'm a sucker for a spicy margarita), once I finally received it 20 mins later, but not for $11. If there was one shining star it was ther desserts. I had some mini apple rhubarb pie/cobbler thing with vanilla ice cream, and it was amazing! I won't be going back, nor would I probably recommend it to anyone. For the price, there are just too many better options in PDX.
(2)
Holly L.
Pleasantly surprised by Toro Bravo. Between my roommate and I, we ordered the Thyme for the Bee's Knees (a yummy gin cocktail), a cup of the Harira Moroccan lamb and lentil stew w/ house buttermilk, a bowl of the octopus and prawn stew, a side of the marinated sheep's cheese with rose petal harissa and mint, and topped everything off with the caramel panna cotta and olive oil cake with blood orange. The entire meal only came out to be $43 and we were stuffed! Everything we ate was delicious. My ONLY negative critique, and this is because I don't want Toro Bravo's ego to get in the way of itself, is that my octopus/prawn stew was a little salty. But only ever so slightly. Service was great. Mood was wonderful. Food was delicious. I will definitely be returning to Toro Bravo.
(5)
Jenny K.
I wanted to like to this place. We were visiting from NYC and I had done extensive research on restaurants in Portland. Toro Bravo had such great reviews from CH and Yelp. Arrived around 6pm, asked for a table for 2, and was told there'd be a 45min-1hr wait. The hostess took our cell # down and said she'd call us once a table opened up, cool. We walked around the neighborhood and ended up next door at Secret Society for drinks while we waited (great, Moscow Mule, btw). Restaurant called 45min later and we were seated immediately once we arrived. We ordered: -Portugese sodas - good non-typical soda -Bacon wrapped dates - good, but pretty standard. It's a difficult dish to ruin. -Cod fritters - great and went well with the aioli -Meatballs - salty. Drank alot of soda to wash that down. -Seared scallops - good but nothing to write home about. -Paella Toro - SO SALTY. Nice texture but that's it. Tried eating more of the rice but that too was incredibly salty. I'm now running out of soda and I'm only 4 bites into the paella. We probably ate only 1/4 of the Paella between the 2 of us before we gave up. Our waitress asked if we wanted to wrap the leftovers to bring home...even if we had a microwave at the hotel to heat it up the next day, I still would say no. The actual restaurant itself is very bustling and seems like a nice place for a date or a small tapas meal amongst friends. The prices are more than reasonable and our bill was surprisingly cheap.
(3)
Bec B.
Came her for my bday dinner tonite. The service was excellent. The food was good. but some reason, I was expecting something more, exordinary. I absolutely love their sister restaurant, Tasty N Son. Perhaps, my expectation was too high at Toro Bravo, but I didn't leave the restaurant completely satisfied and craving for more.
(4)
Stephanie S.
One of the best meals I've ever had! The seasonal empanada with boar and buttermilk cheese was amazing, the hand-cut pasta was to die for. The small plates are my idea of heaven because I like to try a little if everything. The French Kiss- foi gras stuffed in a prune- was divine. Can't wait to go back!! We sat at the chef's bar and got to watch then work their magic. If you like to cook I highly recommend that!
(5)
Tom D.
After my bad experience last time, I went back to Toro again recently, on a Wednesday, and I am happy to say that Toro Bravo has reverted to the form I had come to love, awesome. We were seated right away, perhaps because of the Tasty and Alder opening about a week before??? For whatever reason, it was great. We sat at the bar, and decided to go with the tasting menu, because I love the tasting menu at Toro, and it was what they had screwed up the previous visit so it was great to see that it came out just right. The bartender was a great guy, we chatted with the people on either side of us at the bar, and the food was delicious. On an aside, one thing I love about Portland is that we were talking to the middle age, prosperous looking, kids at Jesuit people on one side, and then on the other side talking with the young couple with dreads who were there for the first time and wanted some tips on what to get. Bravo!
(5)
Sung L.
This place is super busy so the tapas experience is never going to be the way I would like. When having small plates, I would like to order a couple of items, then order a couple of other items, etc. If you tried that approach at Toro Bravo, you'd be waiting a long long time in between plates. Oh well, guess we'll have to order all the plates at once. Food was good enough to alter the game plan. Manchego Burger rates a 5 star Harissa Stewed Spring Squash - 3 Salt Cod Fritters - 2 Molten Chocolate Cake - 4 Lemon Curd Crepes - 5 Churros - 1 Service - 4 Atmosphere - 4
(4)
Cindy K.
We went there for the first time last week and really liked most of our food. I read some reviews before hand to help me with deciding on what to order. I ordered the paella and was really disappointed. The butter clams were barely cooked and the mussels tasted really bad. I'm not sure if it was just a bad batch, but I had to spit out the mussels. Other than that though, everything else was excellent. The drunken pork and flat bread were my favorites!
(4)
James S.
BEST BURGER IN TOWN, HANDS DOWN* *i've never had Metrovino's, so i can't speak to it. but i have had EVERY other burger in town over the past two years
(5)
Phil N.
It surprises me how well Toro has stood up to the test of time. Toro is my favorite restaurant in Portland and is my measuring stick in which I compare other fine dining restaurants to. They are able to create an atmosphere unlike any I've dined at.... It's part adventurous, romantic, and the energy this place exudes is contagious. I've yet to have a bad meal.... There are so many standouts to list but this place is a guaranteed foodgasm. My favorites are french kiss, bacon wrapped dates, salt cod fritters, potatoes bravas, scallops with or coppa steak with romesco, spinach, and the asparagus.... Oh my the asparagus. The burger is among the best in town but I feel like I'm wasting precious stomach real estate by having a burger at such a nice place. Service is attentive and strong. Servers have sincerely asked if I enjoyed a particular item and in the two instances that didn't live up to my expectations they comped the item with without my suggestion. Service like that will keep me as a loyal customer.
(5)
A C.
One of my favorite restaurants in Portland!! I wish one day I could come in and order every single item on the menu, yes, including their wines and desserts....that's what I consider heaven but for now I will continue to be in purgatory and just try a few items on the menu every time I go in. I haven't tried anything that I haven't like. I agree that most of the time you have to wait to be seated but to me its worth the wait, I usually just order a bottle of wine as soon as I get there. Did I mentioned that they have a great wine selection? They do. I would not consider this restaurant to be authentic Spanish cuisine but their menu items and flavors does reflect a true inspiration and love to Spanish cuisine. Their Spanish tortilla is as close as you are gonna get to Spain in Portland. Also good service.
(5)
Mr. B.
Yum! Three tapas items to share was plenty, and the prices were fair based on the size too. The service was great also! Came to Toro Bravo on a packed weeknight, but they found a spot rather quickly. The ambiance in the restaurant was great: fine dining servers, dim lighting, and light background music of 1990s rap, aka Biggie Smalls.
(5)
Kalli B.
When friends come from out of town, I always tell them to check out Toro Bravo. So far, no one has been disappointed and neither have I. The food here is exceptional tapas-style decadence. I recommend the bacon-wrapped dates. Trust me. I seriously dream of them. The service is laid back yet professional, which I like. Last time I was there, the server recommended a really yummy wine. The ambiance is intimate and trendy with a romantic vibe. Timeless. The only downside is that there is usually an hour wait. If this is the case, I recommend going next door to the little mexican food place and having an appetizer. I really can't recommend Toro Bravo enough.
(5)
Kerbey H.
Get the chefs selection then order hazelnut ice cream with sherry. Great food and great experience. Place is loud so not a romantic spot.
(5)
Sam Y.
HOLY MOLY SOOOOO DELICIOUS! We just moved to Portland at the first of the year (2013) and we are trying as many restaurants as we can since Portland is such a foodie town. After walking by Toro Bravo, I really wanted to try it, we had a friend in town and its right down the street from our new place so decided to go for it. I see what people are talking about with the wait, I would hate to try and go on a Friday or Saturday night. We went on a Tuesday and it was packed, we had to wait about 15-20min for a table but we just stood at this bar thing and ordered a pitcher of Sangria (very much worth the $16)! After we were seated the food came pretty quickly. We shared a lot of stuff, Tapas are my favorite:) Recommendations: Appetizers: Marinated Sheep's cheese Griddle bacon wrapped dates (they have a little nut in the middle... its so yummy) Tapas: Brussels sprouts w bacon sherry cream Salt cod fritters w aioli Empanada w chorizo caramelized onions & fried olives Entrees: Braised pork and collard greens w potato dumplings Harissa stewed butternut squash w Sheep's cheese 3 people, two pitchers of sangria and all this food... $95.. Worth it.
(5)
John L.
My wife and I sent there Thursday night at 6pm and it was already packed. 30 minute wait. It went by rather quickly as we studied the menu deciding what to order. We ended up sitting right in front of the kitchen. They do a fantastic job with such a small kitchen. I thought almost everything was well done and well executed. I did like some things better than others. The radicchio salad with vinaigrette was good but I liked the one at Tasty and Sons slightly better. 4 stars. The salt cod fritters were salty but good. I liked the saltiness, my wife didn't care for it as much. 3 stars. The potato bravas had good flavors. Never had potatoes like that before. Liked the aioli or whatever was on it. 4 stars. The flatbread with truffle cheese and arugula was fantastic! 5 stars! The empanada was good. The sauce that came with it had a lot of layers. 4 stars. The lemon crepe was really good. The whipped cream was so light and not sweet. The lemon curd was awesome. 5 stars! The chocolate lava cake was not good. The only disappointment of the night. There was no lava, it was overcooked, and even the flavors were just so-so. 2 stars The service was very good, 4 stars. Overall I liked Tasty and Sons slightly better but I will definitely be back because overall I enjoyed it very much and there is so much more on the menu too try out.
(4)
Katie D.
Bring on the tapas!! My party of three came on Sunday, St Patrick's day at 4:45pm. We were the second party in line - ten minutes later the line was down the sidewalk probably 30 deep. We were seated at opening and dove into the menu. Many fresh and local options ranging from vegetarian to carnivorous. I started with the Flor de Caña cocktail which was refreshing. We ordered the bacon-wrapped dates after all the positive reviews and they lived up to it, yummy! Then we moved onto tapas and tried the grilled shrimp (three huge shrimps!), the empanada (one large one to share) and a cup of harira (lentil stew). All very tasty! For the larger dishes we tried the meatballs (delicious sauce), the drunken pork (great flavor) and the jamon wrapped chicken with vegetables (probably our favorite dish). Finally we had to try a sampling of desserts: the almond ice cream with a shot of espresso (creamy and energetic after another cocktail :) haha), the molten lava chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream (rich and decadent), and the strawberry rhubarb crisp with ice cream (like grandma made). Our service was excellent. Our server answered all our questions, provided recommendations and ensured we had everything we needed. Surprisingly with all this ordered, our tab was just over $100. I call that two and a half hours well spent!
(5)
RJ H.
I don't know, y'all... Seems like a lot of smoke and mirrors if you ask me, especially given the fair amount of "buzz" surrounding this restaurant. Friendly, but extremely slow and spotty service. The fried green tomatoes were nothing to write home about. We sent ours back -- and I never send anything back. Ditto that for the paella. Drinks took forever. Menu is expansive, but a bit overwhelming. Of what our group had, I felt like it was a matter of quantity over quality. Not the mind-blowing experience I was expecting.
(3)
Sammie H.
Over cooked, over thought - A girlfriend and I got the Chef's choice, all the squash dishes were greasy and soggy, and the chicken was dry... Not a bad price point for food if it were executed better, but $9 for a 3oz drink? It's a busy place and the vibe is nice, I just know of too many other places that have it better.
(3)
Star S.
I've lived in Vancouver all of my life and frequently go to Portland for food and entertainment. My boyfriend has lived here for about 6 years and is originally from Phoenix. It should go without saying that I'm usually the one who takes HIM to new places. However, he had been telling me about this "delicious tapas" place that he loves to go to. We decided to go one night last month. I've been to the Wonder Ballroom for concerts many times, but never knew what restaurant was right next door. Imagine my surprise when my boyfriend told me it was the tapas place! I wasn't all that hungry but thought it'd be fun to go anyway. We walked in at about 815 on a Wednesday night and the restaurant was about 2/3 full. We asked to be seated right next to the kitchen so we could watch them cook/prepare. We were handed the menus and I was impressed with the selection! (which can change nightly) So many things to choose from, and I'm not a super foodie, so many things I had no idea what they were! I started simply with just some bread and butter. I decided to defer to my boyfriend otherwise since he knew what he liked there. We ordered the flatbread with arugula, cheese and truffle oil; the scallops, the drunken pork, and the steak. Everything was so delicious, but I was blown away by the pork. The best bite of pork I've ever had! We loved the flat bread and the steak was pretty good too. My date says that the scallops at Toro Bravo are the best he's ever had anywhere. He also had a glass of pear brandy. Super strong but super delicious. We ended the night with dessert. He had olive oil cake, which I thought sounded soooo strange. I tried the Hazelnut ice cream with sherry. Both were excellent and I think we made great choices! The staff recommended the churros or the lava cake, so we'll have to try those next time. I was also excited to see a companion breakfast place in Tasty and Sons, as breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Can't wait to try that next!
(5)
Marcel K.
3 words: bacon wrapped dates. 1 word: awesome. It's a small venue, but the outside seating is great in the summer evening. Our group had about 10 dishes and none of them were less than great. Wow. The staff was very friendly and accommodating.
(5)
Lauren G.
Toro Bravo is still Gorham's best restaurant. I took my boyfriend here Friday night. Luckily the 60-90 minute wait was only 45 minutes. We sat at the bar, which is actually one of my favorite places to sit. All the food was perfect. God, I love this place.
(5)
Xtina R.
Reservations: Unfortunately they do not accept phone reservations so you have to physically come in to put in your name & number, so with that being said it is best to stop by a couple hours before you intend to eat. Otherwise, you will be annoyed and upset about the lengthy wait. Food reviews: our party of four chose the chef menu and personally we think this was the best choice price wise since we were served an abundance of food that was quite delicious and savory. The food came out so fast that we got full rather quickly. The two dishes that come to mind that were my favorite are: Salt Cod Fritters with aioli, & Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette.
(5)
Patrick S.
Oh how you people are going to hate me after this review, if you don't already hate me that is. Three stars for "A-OK" Yup... Oh yeah now I have to tell you why no five stars for one of the darling child's of the Portland foodie scene. I forgot to read the fine print before dining here. It states very clearly on their website: "Toro Bravo is a Spanish inspired tapas restaurant." Note the word "inspired" between the words Spanish and Tapas. Aha! Well it wasn't a total wash, I had fun with friends I went with but we are a lively bunch to begin with and we did bring a little of our own fun to start. However the drinks were definitely conducive to good times. I liked what I drank only I don't really know what it was because the server never knew what was what when it came to the table. A Great drink which is poorly executed (or served) is still a great drink, but when you go to order the same drink twice and something else complete shows up it becomes this weird game of pin the tail on the drink menu. The food was fine. The biggest disappointment I would say is that I was expecting light Spanish Tapas dishes and what we got instead were very HEAVY non-Spanish larger than Tapas dishes. Remember this review is all about me and my experience. I was hoping for some light tastings full of flavor and instead I got heavily creamed and overly fattened larger than normal tapas dishes that didn't really have the simple flavors of what I have come to expect from Spanish food and the Tapas style of eating. Speaking for myself Tapas eating is all about small plates of light food that is big on flavor and big glasses of drink that is light and fruity(sangria preferred) and to have fun with it but it won't bankrupt you into your next paycheck and that is not what Toro Bravo has to offer. Of course the food is inventive and quite varied and I found myself making the "MMMMMM" at least once. It's not to say that their food is no good it is to say that that Toro Bravo is "Inspired" by Spanish Tapas restaurants but nothing at all like a Spanish Tapas restaurant. Salud
(3)
Laura L.
outstanding service for a busy, noisy Tuesday night. Thankfully we got in before 6pm - by 6:30 there was a line outside the door. The servers were so paitient, stopping several times as we figured out what to order. They even noticed a dropped fork and replaced it right away. The spicy prawn and octopus stew was a standout . Really complex mix of flavors. The marinated sheep's milk cheese left me wondering what was in it? lemon? tarragon? It was great! Also had a Pims and cider cocktail which tasted a lot like grown-up fizzy apple cider. So good all around can't wait to go back
(5)
Scott M.
Strongly recommended - great fun, great food. So many options ... we heeded the warnings of getting here early and were one of the first few people in the door at 5pm. Service was insanely fast and we didn't feel like the food took any time at all to arrive (despite the full house). Our favorites were the grilled flatbread, squid ink pasta, octopus (on potato slices). The drunken pork was also tasty and the griddled shrimp were cooked perfectly (although we would have liked some more spiciness from the chilies). The only thing that I didn't really enjoy was the French Kiss, just didn't have the flavor that I was looking for. The wine-by-the-glass pours were a bit on the small side but the Rioja was tasty nonetheless.
(5)
Tet W.
This is a great place for some tasty Spanish tapas! I love the decor of this small restaurant. Candle light, dim lights, dark walls and dark wooden tables and chairs. It's a romantic place but the noise level can get quite loud as the crowds come in early. My friend and I got there about 20 minutes early and it worked out great. This place gets really busy really fast so I highly advise getting hear at least 10 minutes early to assure yourself seating when the open. If you come around 6pm or later, be prepared to wait at least an hour if not longer. Anyway we were seated immediately and our waitress was wonderful. Our food was ordered promptly and the tapas came out as quickly as we ordered them. We ordered 9 different items: 1. House cured chorizo and manchengo with country bread. The variety of meats on this plate was great and accompanied with the country bread was awesome. I wish the bread was grilled or toasted, but nonetheless the plate was good. 4 stars! 2. Fried shrimp and potatoes. This was not on their online menu but overall it was good. It came with this cajun mayonnaise over the top of the shrimp and potatoes. The potatoes were very dry and the shrimp a bit small and the dish a bit messy. Overall I give this 3 stars. 3. Grilled flatbread with black truffle cheese and arugula. If you love fresh arugula, you'll love this tapa. This is a very light and refreshing tapa and the truffle cheese just accented the dish nicely. 4 stars! 4. Fried Green Tomatoes with pickled mayonnaise. My friend never had fried green tomatoes and neither did I so we decided to give it a try. I have to say, this one was a disappointment. I couldn't taste the tomato and all I really could taste was the pickled mayonnaise. I wouldn't order this tapa again. 2 stars. 5. Fava beans with house cured coppa and Manchengo. This tapa was great and full of flavor. It wasn't overpowering and I love the fact that this dish was light unlike some of their other dishes. Sometimes you need to balance out the rich flavors. This is one tapa I highly recommend. 5 stars! 6. Braised Lamb, apricots, and coriander with house made noodles. The lamb was fork tender and the sauce was light and tasty. I highly recommend trying this dish especially if you love lamb! 5 stars! 7. Paella Toro with chicken, shrimp, mussels, chorizo, and clams. This was the star of the night. This dish was full of flavor, the rice soft, the clams and mussels were moist, the chicken was grilled but moist in the middle. This was the perfect dish. I highly recommend this dish of all tapas we tried. A solid 5 stars! 8. Churros and chocolate. Now who doesn't love churros! This was a great dessert and I highly recommend this dessert. The chocolate wasn't too thick which made this dessert light. 4 stars. 9. Almond ice cream with a shot of expresso. The almond ice cream was perfect but they put a bit too much expresso. Overall a great dessert as well. 4 stars. Overall I highly recommend Toro Bravo for a great dinner out with friends and family.
(4)
Carlin S.
I came here about a year ago and thought it was one of the best tapas meals I'd had in my life, so was really excited to head back this trip to Portland. This time, I don't know, it just wasn't quite as great. It was still good, but not as all-around fabulous. Not sure why. The food was all fine, some of it really delicious, and some of it just so-so. Maybe it's resting on its reputation? Or maybe we just came during a season when certain produce that made our last meal here so fabulous wasn't available? Not sure, but not sure I'd be rushing back here next time I"m in PDX with all the other fabulous food available in this town.
(4)
AK T.
I'm in love with Toro Bravo. Truthfully I've only been to two tapas places in Portland (the other I wasn't so crazy about...Navarre) but this place is awesome. Wonderful atmosphere - dimly lit, cozy, intimate. Great place for a date night. It's always pretty crowded whenever I've gone, but you give the host your phone number and they will give you a call when your table is ready (brilliant). I always head next door to Secret Society for amazing drinks. It's a nice way to start the evening off right. I HIGHLY recommend the Patatas Bravas and the bacon-wrapped dates (of course). Pretty much everything is amazing. I have never been disappointed by anything they bring to the table (very tiny table). They definitely do tapas right. Also you must try the Sangria, and the Spanish cider is SO unique and delicious!
(5)
Drew W.
delicious! fun! spendy!!
(4)
Aaron H.
Do the tasting menu. Trust me. I can't believe I lived in Portland for five years and waited until I moved away to try Toro Bravo. Go now. Stop reading this and go. It'll be salty and wonderful and good.
(5)
Ashley F.
If you can make it through the long wait then you are in for some delicious food! My boyfriend and I went for our date night on a Saturday night around 8pm and waited a little over an hour. We went to the Secret Society and had a drink while we waited, that was a really great place too :) I was surprised to see such a large amazing menu and very cheaply priced! We got the Marinated Olives & Pickled Vegetables as an appetizer. We both love olives and they were good. The pickled veggies were just OK. The first tapa that we got was the Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula. This was amazing. You must get it! We also got the Baked Polenta with roast beef, peppers & onions. This was my favorite. It was so rich in flavor. We intended to order more but after this we were already full! I'm excited to go back and try other things on the menu!
(5)
Frank L.
Toro Bravo blew my mind! I had heard that it was good...it's not just good...it's F'ING AWESOME! We went early on a Saturday. Golden Girls 5:00! Thank God we did. The entire restaurant was filled by 5:05! The food is absolutely amazing. You have an opportunity to try so many different items. Usually that scares me...I think they can't do anything well, so they just do a bunch of crap. Not the case here. Every single item we tried was amazing. We had a Leek sumpin, shantrelle mushrooms on griddled bread, potatoes, bacon wrapped dates and finished the meal with a big paella and grilled rock fish. We then had to have a little carmel panna cotta for desert. I have told so many people about this place since we went and now I'll tell all of you...GO! Try It! If you're dissapointed with something, it's fine...it was only $5 and you can try something else! Oh...and they have amazing cocktails! Go! Lemme know what cha think! F
(5)
Rebecca C.
A bit loud. Everything was pretty good (scallop, radicchio, chard) but nothing mind blowing.
(3)
Kim M.
Nice atmosphere. Fantastic food. Would absolutely recommend and would eat here again in a heartbeat.
(5)
Krista G.
I finally got a chance to try this place and my plan worked without a wait..YEAH!! We got there at 4:45 on Saturday and we did make it into the first round of seating. The look of the place is open and communal and I love how the kitchen is too. Everyone working here was so attentive and sweet. Our waitress was wonderful at helping describe some of the flavors and textures of the food and drinks. We started with the sauteed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins, this was so fabulous...the raisins were the perfect touch. Next was the sauteed brussel sprouts with bacon cream sherry, another small dish big on flavor. They also separated the sprouts and they were lighter and able to absorb all of the delicious sauce. Onto the potatos bravos...crunchy outside yummy inside served with a tomato sauce and cheese. Now for some protein :) The seared scallops were perfection on a plate, seared beautifully they melted in your mouth. The seared tuna in a bed of couscous with cherry's was also super tasty. The jamon wrapped chicken was my least favorite, but the empanadas stuffed with pork was the last part of our selection and it was amazing. The cocktail I enjoyed most of the evening was a blood orange concoction and it was both super sexy and super amazing. What queens feast is complete without dessert. We agreed on the carmel panna cotta and the churros with drinking chocolate. The churros were just alright but that panna cotta was worth every calorie times three. I must also commend everyone working, hustling in that kitchen. You guys and gal rocked it!!!!
(5)
JW R.
Toro Bravo, Spanish for "loud restaurant". Tapas, Spanish for "bad kitchen coordination" "Okay, JW", I'm sure you're all thinking by now. "We all know you've got professional kitchen experience, Jesuchristo why don't you just talk about the food for $%&*! sake!" To which I respond, "Shut it, this is my ^&*(@! review and I'll talk about what I want!" So, the food was pretty good. At least, the burger was pretty good. It's one of the absurdly tall burgers, but not so much you wish you had a hydraulic press or an unhinging jaw. I detected a hint of something like Balsamic vinegar either in the meat or on the bun. It's got some funky (but not foot-y) cheese on it and pieces of bacon that were cooked enough that they weren't crunchy. But it doesn't come with fries. WTF? They don't even have fries on the freaking menu. The waitress recommended the potatos brava, which seem to be Eurotrash jojos. They also had the same Balsamic-y note that was honestly overwhelming combined with the burger. Ya know what they weren't? French fries. Big fail for that Toro Bravo. Also, one of the messiest burgers I've ever eaten. If you don't have the grip strength to contain a burger from the side, I recommend rubber gloves and something sleeveless. Aside from that, the service was slow and detectably snotty, the background noise was deafening, the communal tables were packed too close together and yes their kitchen seems incapable of bringing everything out at once. We got the potatos, then the burgers, then Brandon got her chicken dish well after the burgers were a memory. Who the hell takes so long to cook a freaking chicken breast? Is this the way it's served in Spain? Am I IN SPAIN? Thought so. Shut it, you.
The burger is amazing and one of the best in Portland. I also love to get the scallops. The restaurant is generally dark and quite loud and expect a long wait. There is a bar above the restaurant you can go to hang out while you wait to be called.
(5)
Gina S.
I think its safe to say for dinner at Toro Bravo there will be a wait. I haven't been here for dinner and not waited for a table, having said this...no biggee most portland hot spots have an hour + wait. The eats are good but with many great tapas spots it makes reviewing Toro Bravo's competition stiff. Tapas can be spendy when in my little opinion.. you do it right and try many plates. Each plate needs to be FIERCE. I feel the plates are good but not FIERCE. The last time I had dinner there, a friend recommenced we do the tasting menu. Again, it was good but not FIERCE. The first 3 plates were carb loaded fillers and not a lot of FLAVOR FIERCENESS, are you sensing a trend here...GOOD FOOD but not FLAVOR FIERCE FOOD. The Paella, it's GOOD but not FLAVOR FIERCE. So you ask, what is FIERCE about Toro Bravo? THE SANGRIA!! SooO delish.
(3)
Rachel M.
One of the best Portland restaurant experiences I've ever had. I went for my friend's birthday with a reservation for 9, which they cheerfully accommodated. We had a group of half vegetarians and half non-vegetarians, so we sat at different ends of the table, which I would definitely recommend for mixed dietary groups. It helped a lot with sharing! Anyway, our delightful waitress circled all the vegetarian dishes on the menu and brought out different wines for us to try so we could pick a bottle for the table. We ended up with a delicious red that paired very well with the meal. As for the food: every dish I tried here was delicious. My favorite ended up being the braised torpedo onions with salbitxada sauce, though I would also highly recommend the fresh pasta and the harissa stewed butternut squash. In terms of price, Toro Bravo is really what you make of it. You can order a little or a lot, and drinks definitely take the bill up. My party of 9 ended up with bills between $20-45 per person including tip, depending on number of drinks. However, one of my friends came here and spent $80 just on herself once. That's the great thing about tapas, though, they're all pretty reasonably priced for what you get, and you can just mix and match! I was actually expecting the dishes to be a lot smaller than they were. Our vegetarian group of 5 got the braised onions, fresh pasta, butternut squash, roasted cauliflower, and chanterelles, and we had plenty of food and enough to share with the "meat" side of the table. I can't believe it took me this long to get over to Toro Bravo. Great place for a small or large group (though reservations are highly recommended), friendly and attentive service, and overall just a nice place to hang out.
(5)
Rachel R.
Such a knockout. It's a shame they don't let you eat, sit around for three hours to digest, and then do it all again. Here are the highlights of what were ordered: - Octopus a la plancha "becerrita" Octopus, aoli, potato and tomato on crispy bread - the best tapas I've had. - Chorizo + manchego with country bread Top quality. The cheese was addictive, although the champagne jelly was a little out of place. - Spicy squid ink pasta with hazelnuts, anchovy syrup, and egg yolk Absolutely incredible, so memorable we've recreated the recipe at home. - Caramel panna cotta This was actually regular panna cotta with an inch of thick caramel on top, pretty much unlike any dessert of this nature I'd ever tasted. I'd order all of these again in a heartbeat. The only dish we didn't enjoy was the spicy prawn and octopus stew, because it was primarily stewed vegetables with a few pieces of meat on top. Otherwise, everything was fantastic and we'll definitely be back here.
(5)
Ryan L.
Yes, the line outside this place means something. And yes, it is that good. I love me some tapas (but my wallet generally ends up taking more of a beating afterwards). Those offered here are creative, for sure, and mostly mouth watering. A couple were "good" ... but those were the exceptions, as the rule was mostly "great." Service was excellent, but a tad rushed. It made for a little less-than-relaxing dining experience ... especially when there's a line up at the door looking in at you with "Would you hurry up, damnit" looks in their eyes.
(4)
Martin S.
Can I really tell you anything you don't know about Toro Bravo. That the food here is excellent? You already know this. And the libations are quite nice? You must know that. It can take a while for a walk up to be seated? Yes, yes and yes. Now, I was having a great time here with my son, niece, her hub and my sons girl. Doing drinks and nibbles waiting for our table. After quite some time the hostess informed us that there was a mix up and people were not leaving as soon as expected so our table would take a bit longer. Not that big a deal. We walked in and this is a busy place and we were able to munch on a few starters. The octopus being my favorite. We were seated after quite some wait and just about full and were only going to do maybe a couple more things when out of the kitchen plate after plate of things we hadn't ordered, delicious things we hadn't ordered arrived. They had felt so bad for our long wait they comped us three plates. Now, when things go wrong I kind of expect something from a restaurant of high regard to show they care about their customers. A drink or an amuse. This was way above the call. Hats off to you Toro Bravo and your staff. I really appreciate the extra care. Thank you.
(5)
Cindy Y.
Great dinner! We visited Toro Bravo during our stay in Portland. I have to echo what another review said - the meal was not "FIERCE", but good. Pretty reasonably priced. We got the tasting menu and got to sample a lot of the dishes! Everything was tasty and well done, but nothing special. The flavors were good, but not super interesting. Chicken was kind of dry. Saturday evening, the two of us got there at 4:30 PM to wait in line. We were probably 15 people in front of us. Get there by 4:45 PM and you'll be fine. We did get seats at the bar so we could see the chefs prepare the food. That was fun. I can see how this place gets great reviews. We had a great time.
(4)
Laura N.
Oh -- so thhiiiisss is what all the hot fuss was about. I get it. And now the fussie becomes the fusser -- as I will be talking about this meal for an obnoxiously long time. ("yeah yeah Laura, Toro Blahvo...get over it. We live in Albuquerque...) Anyway - it was that good. As in, fly here from Albuquerque good. The service was spot on, and the restaurant was a-buzz with patrons touting huge grins of sangria stained lips. Tapas whizzed by our table in rapid progression, and I would have happily sampled a quick bite of each before they reached their final destination. In fact, my stomach and I have had a slight falling out as he (yes, my stomach is personified as a man named Ernesto) did not come through for me tonight: "Full? Really? And tonight of all nights? That's it. You're totally getting downgraded from "in a relationship" to "it's complicated" on my facebook page. It's that serious. Anyway, to sum things up, visions of Toro's tapas will forever replace sugar-plums in my personal "Night before Christmas" fantasies. Ok. Every fantasy. Let's be honest.
(5)
Kenny P.
I found this restaurant through googling the term "Best Burger in Portland, Oregon". We decided to give it a try. The Service It was a very busy restaurant. Prepared to be ignored. Not because they want to, just because it was really really busy. We got a pretty good service. We did not have to wait for so long because we were in small group (only 3 of us). Overall, it was pretty good. The food The food was what we came for. We only ordered two things. - Drunken pork with avocado salad: this dish was delicious. The pork was tasteful and very delicate. The avocado added kick to the taste - House Bacon and Manchengo Burger: the bun was crispy and perfect. The meat itself was not bad and the sauce was delicious. We really enjoyed this meal The location It was located in small neighborhood where they do not have dedicated parking lot. You have to park on the street and it will be quite a headache if you go there during busy time The Atmosphere It was like tapas bar and quite noisy. But it was a good place to have a good hear and burger !
(4)
Mackenzie J.
Brace yourself! This place was packed. The inside was do dark I could not see and it was extremely loud. Thankfully we got a little two top outside so we could hear ourselves think, lol. The server was very sweet, she heard my husband wrong about what he wanted to drink but we ended up getting a free I.P.A. out of it. I ordered braised beef and noodles, and an arugula salad that had peaches, fried potatoes, and an herb-lemon vinaigrette. The salad was to die for. I went back home after our trip and recreated it in my kitchen because I loved it so much. Who ever would have thought fried potatoes on a salad? Are other dishes were also so delicious. It seemed like everyone in Portland is doing pulled pork now, but I was still impressed with how good theirs was. The price is very decent. This is definitely in my top five places to eat in Portland.
(5)
Lauren K.
The place is really unassuming from the outside so I was pleasantly surprised by the inside. There are two chandeliers hanging by the windows, some cool modern art on the walls, and a great wooden bar to eat at that also lines the kitchen area. We showed up around 545pm on a Sunday and the place was nearly packed though we had no problem getting a seat. In fact, we were sat at the kitchen bar. The chefs don't really interact with you but you can see how busy they are! Those guys did not rest once during the entire meal! My friend and I are lactards so we asked about dairy free options. The waitress actually marked up the menu for us so we could see which items were dairy free. Even though that cut out about half the menu, we still had plenty of great options. I don't remember every dish we had (and can't look it up since they don't post their daily-rotating menu) but here's what I can call off: Spinach drizzled in olive oil with pine nuts and raisins Smoked pork with shredded/cooked apricot and spicy mustard Octopus and Prawn Stew in a jalapeno red sauce Spicy pork sausage with flatbread and thin french fries Eggplant topped with rabbit ragu Bacon wrapped pork(?) with avocado mash (this was probably the best of the bunch) We had a total of 7 dishes between the two of us (which was probably one too many). Everything was delicious. This seems like the kind of place where you just can't go wrong. Plus, it's really affordable!
(5)
Ron E.
Best meal in PDX, hands down. Despite arriving a solid 30 minutes before the doors even opened (and utilizing Portland's amazing mass transit system) the line was at least 20-25 people deep. When we checked in, we had the option of sitting at a table, at the bar or at the chefs bar. We opted for the kitchen view at the chefs bar and we weren't dissapointed by the ticket rush that followed, partly due to our own meal. Hustle and bustle ensued with no falter. Near flawless. My fiancee and I went with the tasting menu. Eight courses, all chefs choice. Pimientos de Padrons were a great beginning to the meal, not at all spicy and well seasoned with salt, perfectly paired with beer. Salt Cod Fritters with aioli were a hit, lord I could've had 10 servings of that. Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse was amazeballs, we only needed a few extra slices of bread to polish it off. Churros and Chocolate smashed the ones at Disneyland without flinching. Such a solid meal for a mere $30 per person. A stupid bargain if you ask me. The menu is so extensive, you'd be hard-pressed to try everything you want in just one visit. Go with a group and go H.A.M. Kudos to the wait staff, my glasses of water and beer never went below half empty without a courteous inquiry as to whether more was needed. While it is in East Portland, it's nothing a bus ride and a few steps can't solve. Worth the $2 and change to ride over the water. Don't be lazy, make the trip.
(5)
L R.
I cannot express enough how much I enjoyed my experience here. My husband and I took a trip to Portland and I researched the top restaurants in the area and Toro Bravo was on several lists. We ended up doing the chef menu which is where they give you small portions of 8 dishes, which ends up being a lot of great tasting food well worth the price ($30/person). I loved this because they brought dishes that I would never have thought of ordering otherwise and they were all fantastic! The place was well decorated and the staff was very friendly. The tables are a little close together, but unless the adjacent table is being loud, it's not really a big deal. I got here early (around 4:45 and they open at 5) because I had read that they can fill up very quickly and they indeed do. There was quite a line formed outside by the time 5 actually rolled around and the tables filled up quickly. It's best to get there really early, otherwise you could be waiting for a while. I think it is definitely worth the wait though!
(5)
Allie R.
When I come here, I always bring girlfriends (so we can order a bunch of things and share) and I always get here when it opens (so I know I can get a table). And I always, always love it. I don't even know where to begin with my favorite things from the menu. The oxtail croquettes and radicchio salad are MUSTS; the paella, the grilled flatbread, the grilled asparagus... The drunken pork and braised lamb are excellent also. I would probably eat anything the server recommended or brought me. It's all so, so good.
(5)
Jessica N.
Damn - don't let the name of the dish frighten you, but the Squid Ink Pasta was de-li-ci-ous! Though served family style as all their main dishes are... I kept it to myself, all to myself! Top it all w/ a glass of sangria on the side, probably a bacon wrapped date or two, & you have a meal fit for a queen. However, did you know that although dead - mussels can still jump?! The open kitchen is quite awesome to watch the hustling & bustling behind the scenes, but it comes w/ its cons. As we watched the Paella to be plated - a mussel fell out on the server top and then was thrown in w/ the rest of the virgin mussels; virgin being they went from cooked to serve w/o a detour. It was a good dish though. 13/14 people of my party enjoyed their meals, but was the two-hour wait worth it? I think NOT. However, what gets to me is the service (I can understand that they are doing their jobs for the most part), but damn - something is lacking here! What is it? I think its ownership not of yourself, but who you are representing as a whole (the restaurant). I had called Wednesday looking for a reservation Sunday at 8-830PM, whomever I spoke to said it wasn't available and I could have a reservation at 5PM. HOWEVER, the confidence of this woman on the phone relayed the message that if I were come in Sunday around 800PM the wait wouldn't be long, possibly 30 min. maybe an hour... She would be able to seat us, no problem. BUT here comes Sunday and it's two-hours?! Was I angry? No. Was I upset? Yes. Again, they are doing their job - but I heard NO apology on behalf of whomever I spoke to on Wednesday (lack of ownership), but heard more excuses than anything. Sure, the hostess said she'll do her best to seat us and we could stand in the corner w/ drinks and apps awaiting our table(s) - here's the kicker - we could get fitted in an hour instead. An hour? SURE, we'll stay, so an alternative plan isn't necessary, but we weren't seated until 1.5 hours after our arrival. Just tell me, tell anyone that we're SOL of getting seated and we'll take our business elsewhere instead of planting hope the wait wouldn't be forever. Maybe we could've went to the bar next door and indulge ourselves in drinks to forget about the wait, but we didn't as there was "hope" for an "hour" wait. I'm sure our large party may have agitated the workers, but it didn't reflect upon them as sorely as the hostess. As the tables were being arranged, a friend of our party came to her to tell her that our party had increased a person and as my friend walked away... The hostess shakes her head in disapproval, which upsets me because the demeanor reflects poorly upon the customer service. UGH, you either fake it or don't show any emotion - that's just how customer service is because satisfaction is important and I sure wasn't satisfied. Our group of 14 was separated into three different tables midst of the restaurant. Maximum those tables could have is six per - I don't see how seven would be so difficult? So note to all, is this place good for groups? Eh, I guess - if it's less than 12. If more than 12, you get the headshake of disapproval! Dun, dun, dun! After the meal, we were asked if dessert was wanted, which our table declined, and here comes the check quickly after. We realize that we didn't ask for a special token on behalf of the birthday celebrant's 25th birthday, so we ask three minutes after receiving the check and the kitchen was closed. THAT QUICKLY?! The table next to us had a special token for their birthday from TB, why not us? Was this a ploy to get rid of us even quicker? For the most part service was okkaaayyyy, but make your reservations and DO NOT trust their estimation of time or their confidence. However, food was quite good!
(3)
Vinh N.
Knocked out Rioja in Denver as the best food I have eaten this year in my travels. Good prices and every dish served was excellent, from the coppa steak (which tasted like a smoky prime rib) to the vegetables to the cheeses. However, I can not give a higher rating because I had to make two trips to experience the food. The first time I was with a group (4 total) with two people that used wheelchairs. Toro Bravo's front entrance is not wheelchair accessible with a front step and a high door threshold. The hostess assured us that there was an accessible back entrance for the wheelchairs to enter. Given that the restaurant started around 2007, the renovation of the existing space prior to moving in may not have been compliant with the ADA. After an hour wait outside, the hostess tried to put us at a table in the backroom which could not accommodate one wheelchair much less two due to the layout. We were told it would be another 30 minute wait. This extra wait could have been avoided by prioritising the limited existing wheelchair accessible tables to our group. By this point my friends wanted to leave so we did. I returned to the restaurant with another friend the next day. I mentioned the wheelchair barriers, and his wife (who uses a wheelchair) decided not to come out with us. We had no issues with being seated promptly this time.
(3)
Emily T.
Great Tapas! Be patient and you will be rewarded. Our favorite dishes of the night were octopus a la plancha and the paella. The menus is pretty expansive for a tapas restaurant so it can be a hard decision. In my opinion though, you can't go wrong. We will definitely be back. Head upstairs to The Secret Society for an amazing cocktail while you wait.
(4)
Jason G.
I think my spanish is rusty, I didn't remember that Toro Bravo meant " A lot of salty bland food" until it was too late... **Let me start this by saying that my girlfriend spent the entire night throwing up after eating this meal. I was able to enjoy more of the sangria, but because she was driving she could not. ** (she asked me to add those asterix to help emphasize that point. This place is not deserving of the rating it has received.) After reading the reviews, we showed up nice and early (at 5pm) and were lucky enough to at least be seated right away, but barely. It fills up pretty quick, but that is covered in a lot of other reviews, so we'll just get to the meal. Because this place was so highly rated here, we gave them a chance. We ordered 7 plates, sangria, and desert. Not one of the dishes would entice me to return. To keep it short and sweet - Chicken Empenada = Salty and dry, Flat bread = WOW salty, Polenta = actually not salty, but nothing special, Tuna couscous = flavorless, Raab = very plain and easy to forget, Chorizo / Manchego = again, forgetable, and then because everything had been pretty bad we asked the waitress to wow us and bring us the best thing on the menu. It happened to also be the most expensive, which would have been fine, if it had lived up the billing. It was a steak dish with a bad sauce, tough texture, and HORRIBLE olives. Easily one of the worst cuts of meat we've ever had, not fitting a place that is supposed to be one of the best in PDX. The service. as expressed elsewhere, was not good. The waitstaff was not cheerful, helpful, and they tried to rush us out of there. I only emphasized the salt in two of the dishes above, but it literally dehydrated us to the point of feeling hungover the next day. Go somewhere, anywhere else.
(1)
Dorene S.
I talked 5 other people to go with me to Toro Bravo for the $25 Chef Tasting (actually, they had no clue what they were going to be doing till they got there). We all had a blast. Every plate was easily divisable or already divided for the table. One of the items that really stood out for me was the sherry liver mousse. We thought there were a bit too many dishes with bread (eg. pita, toast, more flatbread) but the quality of all was good, so we left the restaurant extremely full. The wait is usually long, so remember to make reservations and go early! We went on a weekday so it wasn't as bad. KPI (Key Performance Indicators) ratings (1-5, 5 - best): Quality: 4 Delivery/Service: 4 Cost: 4
(4)
D M.
Not worth all the hype. Great food. Long wait. Was told about an hour and a half wait ended up just a bit under an hour for a group of 6 on a Friday evening. Immediately we were hit with extreme heat and no air flowing. They could use an air conditioner or something. We were educated they brought out their food family style and sharing was highly recommended. What that really meant was let's get all the food out and the check so we can seat the next group, which was obvious. We just waited an hour to be seated the least you could do is not make people feel rushed. Maybe that's the real reason behind the smaller portions. The squid ink pasta was tasty though a bit salty. The drunken pork was great as well and the flatbread was also a hit. But again what's with the small portions and price? Maybe I'm nit sophisticated enough to appreciate it but the place is more hype than anything. I'm glad I did try it though. Need to give it another go most likely.
(4)
Irene W.
Referred to this place by a local. Communal and individual tables available. Highlights: Wait: 40 minutes, but time went fast. Ordered a few drinks (which were tasy) and examined the menu to kill time. Agave cobbler: a little strong for my taste. There was supposed to be st. Germaine, but blueberry flavor overpowered it. French kiss: my bite of foie gras tasted like steel (maybe not so fresh?), but the other bites at the table thought it was tasty. Best dishes: griddled shrimp with chile, squid ink fideo, fried potato salad with arugula & peaches, grilled flat bread, and duck liver terrine. Oxtail croquettes: good textures but a little salty Manchego & paprika fritters: needed more manchego flavor, but salsa roja was delish Chard & pepper gratin: a little salty and favors were too robust (is that possible?) Empanada: a little bland but not horrible Roasted eggplant and lamb ragu: eggplant was very tender. Just nothing to write home about. Caramel panna cotta was amazing. Especiallu the panna cotta part. Lemon curd crepe wasn't bad. The lemon curd reminded me of London. Service: server was very attentive and friendly.
(4)
In B.
Food and service was good but their squid ink pasta was wayyy too salty for us..
(3)
Bonnie L.
My visits to Portland are not complete without a meal at Toro Bravo. Everything is always a feast for the eyes and soul. Went this time on a week day and there was no wait which was heaven. Drinks, tapas, everything was exquisite. Already looking forward to next time.
(5)
Paul S.
Good Bloody Marys to accompany great food! This was my third time at Toro Bravo and I have to say that it is now at the top of my lists for favorite places in Portland. I think this would be the place that I would take out of town guest to eat at. The tapas style is great for sharing and the atmosphere is energetic and alive. Manchego Burger was one of my favs as well as the butternut squash . Great place to dine!
(5)
Marissa H.
Why isn't Chef here nominated for a James Beard Award? This food is frickin' good! Came in here ~8pm on a Monday night. Got sat at the "chef's table" - essentially a lower version of a bar but in front of the kitchen (which is super tiny) so you can watch the action. My dining companion & I ended up naming the various line cooks according to their mustache length! (Those darn cocktails....) Food: Steve's Cheese Board - Steve is a local cheesemonger & knows his stuff. 5 different kinds of sheep & cow milk cheese served with 1 large date & a few slices of sweetish torta (like the Olive Oil Torta Whole Foods samples). Only 1 was so-so, the rest were really good & tasty. Charred Bread with Fromage Blanc & Nettles - BIG WINNER! 2 big pieces of bread char-grilled and slathered w/ fromage blanc (more cheese!) & sauteed (maybe steamed?) nettles. A different take on pesto - a much better version, of course! She got Oxtail Croquettes & thought they were great. I got Sauteed Spinach w/ golden raisins & pinenuts. It was standard, nothing over the top & something I can do at home (it was the only dish I wasn't completely satisfied with). Also the Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash w/ Sheep's Cheese (see a common thread here?!) It was killer, absolutely killer! The small version was the perfect size since I had already eaten so many other things. The squash was cooked to an al dente consistency & the cheese was extraordinary. Yum. With all that (drinks, apps, tapas but no dessert, didn't have room) it was ~$32 per person. So cheap! And fantastic! Guess it's better it's still a "local" hot spot....it's still affordable!
(5)
Lesley R.
Been there once. It was too chaotic for my OWN personal taste. I guess the food is good. But, to be completely fair to Toro Bravo? You are probably better off listening to others in taste department as 1.) I compare everything to my husband's cooking which is stiff competition and 2.) I'd rather be a tube worm who simply absorbs my food so my time can be spent doing more important things with my time than eating. However, what I can offer is my assessment of the environment. Note that I try to be fair by explaining any extreme situations. If you like to try new things I guess this is a good place. Just be ready to stand in line. And if your guest of honor is an hour late? It will be hard to sit in the little alley seating area until she does get there. And....it is very loud. I felt like I was in the way because I could not order til our friend got there....even though I finally went ahead and did just that as I was starving. *The staff did not make me feel I was in the way*.....it was just that the place was super packed....and here we were trying to stall for time. I could not even tell the waitress what was going on because I did not know where the hell our friend was and only she could answer about the table, etc. If it was just me and my husband waiting for her? We would have left and come back when our friend got there. But, our other friends were already on their way with cocktails so we were stuck. I had some sort of burger in the meantime (It was good, but don't much remember except that it was "presented" in an unusual way) and had little room to eat because we were in that alley way thing. I was also the only one eating at that point. My husband could not even be there with me for half of the evening because there was no room for all of us so he and one friend other sat outside. God, how I wish I had simply stolen a bloody chair and sat with them, the guys, instead of talking about women's shit which is often times pathetic. (I swear, I am really not this terrible this was just so totally NOT my idea. And I do not want to talk about why my hair is curly or hear that others wish they could have curly hair. WTFE.) The staff did not seem organized. Someone would come, ask us if we wanted something....we would answer....then turn back to talk to friends. Then someone *different* would come on over and ask us if we wanted something, but it was hard to hear because the place was PACKED. Then we would explain that we already explained to another person 5 seconds before. I think the wait staff wanted to us to leave....otherwise why come over to us constantly? Do people like to be interrupted constantly? Does it make them feel important? Is this an intrinsic vs. extrinsic kind of place? By this time, I was annoyed at my friend, cramped and constantly interrupted by people we could not hear. Our friend finally arrived over an hour late. So NOW we could finally request a table. Now we all waited. Some more. Then we moved to a big table that we shared with another family. Odd, but they were nice so I guess it worked out. We had countless different kinds of foods that I could not possibly remember. I could not even hear what most of them were and I passed on most of it. I like to know what I am eating, so if I could not hear what it was? It is not that important to me. Sometimes I could hear it was and many of those were a bit too far out for me, so I passed on those. It was so chaotic no one even noticed that I rarely ate any of it. I was probably on my 3rd glass of red wine by then. (Maybe I need to eat before I leave the house, then order a cabernet when I arrive ANY place my friends suggest. Raccoon Lodge? Burgerville? Americanized Mexican?) By the time we all sat at a big table? I was just happy 1.) to have a glass of red 2.) when people stopped trying to talk to me because I could not hear them anyway. I ate an hour before, remember. Note: I am not against noise so long as I can hear my friends but 50 different appetizers in 2 hours is NOT that kind of a place. I understand the chaos NOW in hindsight. Because these are all appetizers they keep coming every five minutes. So there is always someone there. My idea of sheer hell. If you are an extrinsic? You might like it fine. I would only go back w/ Deaf friends so I could hear their hands. I am exhausted just thinking about this place. I will be staying home next time. In fact, the next time my late "birthday girl" friend wanted to go out? They did. Without me. The Portlandia episode on just this place was a dream compared to my experience, Why is it that my friends either want Burgerville or loud places like this? We have given up on taking restaurant advice from friends. It has been a 100% failure rate. My husband would say the same thing so it is not just me. Now we go out on our own to find places, or maybe listen to some of you. I was happy when it was over.
(2)
Lisa D.
LOVE this place and have recommended this to many friends. Amazing wine list! The food is fun, fresh and eclectic. Always enjoy visiting TB and it's been a consistent big hit with out of town friends that I've taken here.
(5)
Annette V.
There's quite a wait for this place, but the food is delicious so you may say that it's rightfully so. Everything I had that night was amazing, with my favorites being the duck liver mousse and the squid ink pasta with crab. OMG, last meal on earth worthy. I'd come here all the time if I had an unlimited budget and if the wait wasn't so long. Reservations would be appreciated!!! Definitely a Portland gem.
(4)
John M.
The GF and I had stopped by previously, only to be told there was a 2 hour wait (this was around 5:30 on a Saturday). Given that experience, we got to TB promptly at 5:00 (Maybe 5 minutes before they opened), only to see nearly 30 folks already in line wating to get in. Nevertheless, we were able to get right in (we sat at the bar), which turned out to be a good place to be, as we got to watch one of the more impressive bartenders I've seen in some time. My guess is that TB is pretty much slammed from opening bell onward, and of course everyone tended to order drinks as soon as they were seated. So the bartender literally had her hair on fire the first 30 minutes we were at the bar, but she handled the storm professionally and with aplomb. She also was taking food orders, and although there was a sizeable crowd, she never lost her cool or her patience. Both the GF and I agreed that the bartender here was an absolute gem. As for food, we went with the tapas options here, ordering roughly 6 different small plate dishes. While everything was very good, I was waiting for something to really wow me, the way we've been wowed by a number of dishes we've ordered at the sister restaurant over on the West Side (Tasty N Alder). We ordered the prawns, the duck terrine, the raddichio salad, the fried empenada, the potatoes bravas and a double order of the bacon wrapped dates, and then shared the lemon crepes for dessert. Again, everything was very, very good, but I was waiting for that moment when I would try something and think "OK. Now I understand why folks stand in line to get in this place." That moment never came, though it may simply be that we had unduly high expectations (everyone we spoke to raved about this place). Oh well, we had a very nice time here, and if it wasn't such a hassle getting a seat or table here, I could see coming again. However, it's undeniably a hassle trying to get in this place, and I confess I was a bit unhappy with the pace of our meal. As I mentioned above, TB is pretty much slammed the minute you walk in the door, and so there's something of a frenetic pace to dining here. The staff, although quite good, seem like they're always in a non-stop rush to take your order, get your food to you, and hopefully out the door ASAP. You can't really blame them for that (given how many folks are typically on the wait list, waiting to get a table or spot at the bar), but it was the one element of dining here that I would find fault with. In short, this is a very good restaurant, but there are PLENTY of very good restaurants in Portland, and many allow for a more leisurely pace then what we encountered at TB. So I'm not really sure we need to come back here again any time soon (I thiink we've concluded that we're Tasty N Alder people).
(4)
Irene H.
Had a really nice dinner here. Food was delicious and very well priced.
(5)
John R.
One of the best restaurants in Portland and maybe the best place to go with a group and share. Spanish tortilla, squid ink pasta, and coppa steak are all must haves. As is the radicchio salad with olive (crack!) toast and the grilled flat bread with truffle cheese and arugula. Place never skimps on seasoning. Try as many items as you can and order more than you think you need. Just be sure to skip the desserts and avoid that weird closet table/ booth they have.
(5)
Mindy G.
LOVE this place! Must haves: Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey, Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette, Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula, & Drunken Pork with avocado salad!!
(5)
Doug B.
Tasty n Sons gave birth to a tapas wielding restaurant that delights at every turn. This night the delicious twists included noodles "10 con 10" with bacon & sea urchin; empanada with braised beef, kumquat & chilies; meatballs with tomato-almond sauce & english peas; and a couple octopus dishes that wrapped themselves tightly around our tastebuds. Run don't walk to Toro Bravo. Bravo to it all!
(5)
Niusha S.
I left Toro Bravo on a joyous note. The paella was good, although a little overdone; while being pleasantly smokey, it was a little burnt crusted on the bottom. The squid ink pasta with hazelnuts and egg yolk was delectable with a nice kick of spice. The grilled lamb chops with chorizo and potatoes were good, alas nothing amazing. The thing is you never know how much of a taste you'll get; the portions are unpredictable, and some are more worth the price tag than others. I would give this place four, four and a half stars, but memory of their octopus is what won't let me rate them any less than five. We tried both their Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" it was I think, and their grilled octopus with dill, and they were both the best octopus I've had. If I had to choose, I would say the grilled octopus tentacle with dill and piquillo peppers stole the show. Next favorite, was the duck liver mousse. It was smooth and I really do hope it wasn't foie gras or a force fed duck. If that's what I inhumanely ordered for myself, I can shamefully say I understand what the hype is all about.
(5)
Kelly H.
Hands down, the absolutely best restaurant we visited while in Portland (and I tell you we went to the best!)! Luckily we were seated right away, although we did arrive at 5:30pm on a Tuesday night. Our waitress was so accommodating and helpful and downright cheerful. The radicchio salad was like mana from heaven for me, the portion size was huge and the olive crostini blew my mind. I drool just thinking about it. The duck pate, a must, and the grilled flat bread is absolutely perfect with fresh greens atop truffled cheese. My god I've gone to heaven!
(5)
Celeste D.
I ate so much I thought I was literally going to throw up when I left. So there's that.
(5)
Sarah T.
We were so excited to bring our guests here and even anticipated the 2 hour wait. However, having all of the menu items we ordered delivered in the first 15 minutes we were there made dinner seemed rushed and very awkward. I understand that you are a very busy restaurant and that turning tables is important- be that as it may, I gave you 2 hours of my time waiting- the least you can do is let me taste your delicious food and wait to shove the dessert menu in my face until AFTER I am finished eating my dinner.
(2)
Alissa K.
I want to put a ring on this restaurant and marry it.
(5)
Malena D.
Fan-freaking-tastic. I had a great experience at Toro Bravo. We arrived without a reservation and were seated in the "waiting area." The waiting area is an odd little alcove that seems hidden, but has a decent view of the bar area. The hostess was friendly and we were seated shortly after receiving our first (of many) cocktails. Now I must take a moment to describe the cocktail I ordered. PDX Yelpers may not know me, but my LA brethren know I'm a professional drinker. I was extremely impressed by the complexity of flavors and balance achieved in a glass at Toro Bravo. There was orange and clove and I would happily fly to Portland right now just to get one. It is a rare and beautiful moment when a cocktail is not overly sweet, alcoholic or monotone. Now that I have established the prowess of the bartenders at Toro Bravo I have to applaud the food. We ordered French Kisses (Foie stuffed dates), fried anchovies, salt cod fritters, and a few dishes I cannot remember. The French Kisses were so good we immediately ordered 2 more as soon as we gobbled them up. If you like foie (and who doesn't?) then do your self a favor and order a French Kiss. The salt cod fritters were good albeit a bit too salty. Now I *know* salt cod is salty, but I think the cod could have been soaked (or soaked longer) to remove some of the excess salt, or maybe the kitchen could forgo the salting of the fritters once out of the fry-o-later. Yes they were salty, but dammit they were still good and spurred me on to order more great drinks! I enjoyed all of the food and thought the service was personable and professional. I appreciate a knowledgeable waitron and think Toro Bravo could benefit from educating their staff a bit more thoroughly. I thought the prices were very reasonable, but maybe that's the LA/SF mentality. In short we had a great time and next time I'm up in Portland I'll return to Toro Bravo.
(4)
Kamille Gino C.
Really delicious food and served in tasteful portions. A little pricey but surely worth the $$. Loved their Scallops and Steak!
(4)
Leon A.
Just like the inspiration for this post, I'll keep this short and sweet. The caramel panna cotta absolutely fantastic!! you must save room for dessert. Then wash it down with the olive oil cake :) -the happy fat kid inside of me
(4)
Joe S.
All I can say is Panna Cotta! It was THE best dessert I've had anywhere. The rest of the meal was good but nothing to remember about. Service was great. My only complaint was that their air conditioning system was weak. We were there on a very hot day, and it was freaking hot inside. Very uncomfortable to eat while you're sweating like Niagara Falls.
(4)
Philip O.
Astounding. Octopus a la plancha "Beceritta", salt cod fritters with aioli, empanada with tomato-braised pork & spring vegetables, and noodles '10 Con 10' with bacon & sea urchin were the highlights.
(5)
Janna B.
The food is DELICIOUS. You may just have to wait for a table for a bit in order to enjoy said food. We went on a Friday night, right at 7pm, so I knew to anticipate a long wait, but had no idea it would be around an hour and a half; I'm too optimistic, I guess. Having worked in the restaurant industry for some time, I am patient with these things, but some of my guests were less so, and I'm making this comment more on their behalf than my own. Nevertheless, I think they have a good selection of wines and delicious cocktails. I love the bacon-wrapped date, and tried a seasonal braised lamb dish with apricots and coriander which was savory and slightly spicy. For the price, I expected a bit more generous a portion, but lamb tends to be more expensive. This was my second time visiting Toro Bravo, and I will definitely be back, just at a more sensible time.
(4)
J. Kirsten E.
Awesome. Went in at 9 on a Sat night but only had to wait 20 mins to get two seats at the bar. Which is unusual. We went there ready to wait because we had been wanting to go for a long time. It was better than the reviews even led us to believe. The restaurant is small and very loud but for food this good I would be willing to wait an hour to eat in the landfill. For real people- if this is not a 5 yelp star then I dont know what is. I typically am aversive to things w/ suctions and tentacled but the octopus was good, salt cold fritters-great, cantrelles- phenomenal.
(5)
Beth W.
One Star For Lack of Humanism. The owner sees me, Beth Willie, standing on crutches and does not offer Beth a chair. What the hell? Get off your phone and get me chair. You are the owner. I'm standing like this for 45 minutes. By the time we sat down I was so drained and pained that I couldn't even enjoy myself. Very disappointed.
(1)
Kirk F.
Great food, get a little experimental with your choices. The wife and I had an awesome meal. We ordered several different items scallops, smoked steak, Steve's cheese plate and the cod fritters. Holy shit they were all awesome!!! Only drag wa having to sit out side an the initial wait for service. Drinks were also on point. And everything was surprisingly well priced. We will definitely be back soon!!!
(4)
Aloysia E.
Great Atmosphere...Great wine list. and the food. The squid ink pasta AMAZING..great cheese board. Great wait staff.
(5)
Madeleine F.
Duck liver terrine was the saving grace of the tapas we had. Fried anchovies plate had 4 anchovies on it and based on my experience, what they served were more like small mackerel. Squid ala plancha had an overpowering tomato sauce, was meh. I've had better food and service. I didn't even wait the 1.5 hour to eat, I had service at the bar seating area. The noise level was on the loud side. Service was mediocre, and I don't enjoy flailing around to get my server's attention just so I can pay and leave already.
(3)
Eeeeestar T.
Everything they say about this place is true. My girlfriends and I indulged in the chef's tasting menu, and it was an overwhelmingly delicious and filling parade of some of the best Spanish tapas to be found on the West Coast. At the conclusion of our meal, I had a total food baby...appropriately christened Benecio del Toro Bravo.
(5)
Fred S.
Ok. If you do not know what you are getting into here, you might have a complaint, but really you should have done some research. But griping about no reservations, noise, or space at Toro Bravo would be a little like complaining that it took longer than 1/2 hour to eat at Ringside steakhouse. These are parts of the restaurant that make it what it is. Waiting at least 45 min for a table should not be a shock for one of the most popular restaurants in town that doesnt take reservations.......not rocket science. Also, this place is lively and loud, so if you want a quiet meal STAY HOME. I have eaten here 5 times and it has been great every time. So much variety and it allows you to have a lot of fun with the menu. The more exotic, the better. Dont come here to order the meat & chesse plate, instead go for the octopus stew or the brandy-soaked prunes stuffed with fois gras. Bacon wrapped dates are a nice starter. The chard with egg on top was also excellent. Service was friendly and promt as well. There is the opportunity to order bigger items, but i much prefer to try 8-10 smaller items and share with you table. There are some good vegitarian items, but this place is very meat-centric and offers carnivores 20+ options of things to order, from steak to octopus to pork to duck etc. etc. My wife and I like to eat here and can usually get out paying less than $75 (including some drinks) although it would be real easy to go over $100 for a couple as well.
(5)
Ben B.
Absolutely incredible, a stand out experience in every sense. Every dish was amazing - memorable ones were the grilled steak, lamb harrissa, north african sausage and the grilled pork - epic! The wine was equally great (we had the house monastrell for only $23/bottle) Service was equally good! The best tapas dining experience yet
(5)
Sasha R.
I had a rockin' meal here recently with a deal friend and fellow foodie that consisted totally of appetizers and was had exclusively in the bar. We had such amazing food, that kept on coming out and we continued to be wowed. I am sure it gets super busy here, and it's hard to be seated etc, so it may be nice to visit this spot on a "quiet" night, but............ it was so much fun to see a bustling restaurant full of magical food, it's almost worth it to go for the drama. One thing is for sure, you will certainly enjoy!!!
(5)
Rick S.
I went here a few times since my original review and the quality of the food really isn't what it used to be. Many of the dishes were over-salted and quite difficult to eat due to the salt levels. I will no longer wait for a table here. Too many other good places to eat and check out in Portland!!!
(2)
Martin C.
I go to Portland, Oregon about 2 to 3 times a year. Toro Bravo is definitely on my "go to" list every time now. The atmosphere is fun and engaging, service is excellent, and the food is divine. (If they ever offer the "Pimientos de Padron" again, get them. Wow!).
(5)
Harriet L.
I will wait for you Toro Bravo and I will wait a long time. I always do. The waits here can be very long since TB is soooo popular. They truly do make the best bacon wrapped dates I have ever had. How can they make something so simple so unusually good? Chicken liver pate is so so. Coppa steak is an incredible deal. Sangria is the best. A little goes a long way. Thank you Toro Bravo. And thanks to Secret Society for making those waits a little nicer.
(4)
Emily M.
Since my guest was visiting from the East Coast, we went at an early dinner time. The place was already busy, but there were a scant few tables available and we were seated immediately. We accepted our server's recommendations on almost all of our selections, including the bottle of wine which was a Spanish wine meant for Tapas cuisine... I can't remember the name but it was very unusual tasting and very good. I always appreciate when servers can make honest, helpful, heartfelt recommendations. Our food was phenomenal. We savored every single plate. No questions asked. My favorite was probably the scallops. But then I love scallops! What was really unique about this meal? I even loved foods I would ordinarily shy away from, like the foie gras-stuffed prunes and the suckling pig. I'm so glad we went with her recommendations. It was stuff I would never order, yet loved. If I had to make a criticism here, I would point out that our table got a little unruly with leftover plates from dishes we'd already finished. A slightly more attentive/formal bussing system would have elevated the experience, but then, the dining room was very busy so it's understandable. The atmosphere is quite noisy, but then, we were having such a wonderful time that it didn't detract from the experience in the least.
(5)
Emily W.
Mmm, in my (brief) time in Portland this has been the best place I have eaten so far. The first thing I noticed was the ambience, which I loooved! It seemed to be all about the food, with the open kitchen, long family-style tables and simple, rustic decor. From the start, I thought the service was great - we had a party of 10 (all ages up to about 70..) and as a waitress, I know that can be a little trying, especially with tapas where you're ordering so many different plates. She was great though, perfectly helpful and she knew when to check in and when to let us chill and enjoy the wonderful food. I split a bottle of the dry spanish cider with one other person and it was a really good accompaniment to the food!! Now on to the food... yumm.. I can't remember everything we got, but some highlights were the duck liver terrine with cider mustard, seared scallops with a ridiculously smooth and creamy romesco, super tender braised lamb with coriander, apricots, and thick tagliatelle noodles, and the house-made north african lamb sausages which were bursting with juiciness and north african spices. Dessert went along with the whole theme of "awesome". I really liked the olive oil cake with stewed strawberries on top - not too sweet, just right. One kind of remarkable thing was that I didn't add salt or pepper to anything all night..to me, that is the mark of a damn good chef. Or perhaps the mark of someone who would make a good personal chef. To me. The position is open if Toro Bravo's chef would like to prepare my 3 square daily..
(5)
Mel J.
Amazing. The menu looked interesting, so some friends and I headed over. Once we were on the 30-45 minute waiting list (at almost 10 pm) we thought about doing something else, but decided to stay. I am so glad we did! The menu was full of things I had never heard of, and food combinations I would not have considered. Still, feeling adventuresome, everyone picked a couple of things that sounded good and we did a family style dinner. I was amazed again and again. I don't like meat pate at all (and they have several), but otherwise everything was incredible. We had one very tasty dish after another. The waitress even recommended the pork to us because they brought in and carved up a pig yesterday and still had some excellent cuts left. It was remarkably flavorful, as were all of the meat dishes we had. Overall, the waitress' recommendations were probably the best things we had. The bacon-wrapped dates were quite good, as was the flatbread (with various toppings). It was much more interesting than it sounded from the menu. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Marianne S.
Mmmm Toro Bravo. This is one of my favorite places to eat in Portland. It's fun to go with a group so that you can order and sample a variety of tapas. The quality and taste of the dishes range from really good to amazing. The music is fun and the atmosphere is nice. A great place to go for special occasions!
(5)
Liz S.
This place was SO good. We ordered about 7-8 different dishes and they were ALL fantastic (I tried each one). We went on a Saturday night and it was totally packed, so we won't be doing that again. I prefer a place where I can eat in peace and enjoy my food/company rather than feeling rushed to give my table to all the people waiting outside. We'll be going back, but probably mid-week.
(4)
Ryan T.
Our first night in Portland, we ventured out of our "asian-food" comfort zone and tried Toro Bravo. The street parking was a breeze. When we walked in, the restaurant was crowded. We were seated at a long table, in the middle of two different parties. I thought we would feel uncomforable, but it wasn't bad at all. The conversations were able to stay within the different groups. We ordered a bunch of small dishes, called tapas. We had everything from duck liver paste, scallops, black truffle cheese over flatbread to bacon-wrapped chicken breast, and caramel pina cotta. They were all delish! Come check this restaurant and you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Nickole C.
Some nights I dream about the squid ink pasta and how delicious it was! This place is great...food is amazing, some of the best in P-Town. Go with as big of a group as you can so you can taste lots and lots of stuff. It's Tapas but the portions are good and we passed plates around with 6 and everyone had a good sampling. Favorites of our group where the torta, squid ink pasta, and the steak!
(5)
Alex G.
What can I say about Toro Bravo? Been here twice and our second trip actually managed to improve on the stellar first one. Starting off with the staff, the hostess is friendly and courteous, a rare find for a place where tables are in high demand and waits can be long -- no reservations here. We have grabbed a drink at Secret Society before dinner on both occasions and the hostess is happy to come find you up there when the wait is long. By the way, great cocktails at SS, but that is a different review. This past trip (on Sunday), the wait was very short and we were seated after only a 10 minute wait. The wait staff was nice and knowledgeable. When we had questions about ingredients of a few of our selections, they were happy to answer them and even pulled out a moleskin with very complete notes on the dishes in question. It is good to see wait staff that enjoy and believe in the food they serve and avoid being pretentious about it. Now the food. My wife - a vegetarian - remembers the menu being a little more veg-friendly on our previous trip. There were ample veg options this time, just not a surprisingly high number of them! For some reason, the food was exceptional this time. The only things I recall from our first trip was the eggplant with lamb ragu, papas bravas and churros con chocolate for desert, but that was a while ago. They were delicious and well-cooked. Highlights of this past trip was the Duck liver mousse terrine (holy cow -- AMAZING), the tuna with cous cous and the scallops. The bacon-wrapped dates ended up serving as a fantastic desert, just delicious. Portions are actually quite generous, much more so than most high-quality tapas joints. I have yet to leave hungry! All in all, a truly excellent place and probably my favorite restaurant in Portland so far -- we've only been here a few months. It is a great place to take out-of-town guests to show off Portland's burgeoning food scene. And honestly, I don't think you can beat TB in terms of value for a fancy night out. We had a fantastic meal, sharing 7 or so dishes amongst 3 people, a pitcher of sangria and a bit of desert. We got out of there full and happy for under $100 including gratuity. Can't wait to return!
(5)
Al M.
Amazing tapas, great ambience, nice selection of spanish wines. we must have tried almost every dish on the menu and each one was amazing. especially liked the paella.
(5)
Miss H.
Our first real meal in Portland and I was super excited to try this place. The menu is long and I wanted to try so many different things. I think we ended up ordering 6-7 different things and overall the food wasn't very good at all. It was either overdressed, too salty, or overbattered and fried and you couldn't taste anything but the batter. The only highlights were the scallop since it was cooked well (but how hard is that?) and the churro (light, crisp, not too sweet and an amazing orange choco dipping sauce - yum). In my book, I shouldn't be giving 5 stars for a well cooked scallop or for one dessert item.
(2)
Doenene L.
Well worth the wait, just get there before the 5PM opening time, also skip the weekends to grab the best seats. Yes the French kisses were delicious, I recommend throwing caution to the wind and get the set menu. I love the surprises and sampling items you might not normally order. Great for couples and small get-togethers.
(4)
Kelly M.
Toro Bravo far exceeded my expectations. This newish tapas bar snuggled up next to the Wonder Ballroom is classy and refined, and their menu even more so. Having spent a good chunk of time in Espana myself, and I can attest to the fact that this place is autentica. The menu boasts longtime Spanish favorites and must-haves like tortilla espanola (spanish omelet) and patatas bravas. The pimiento-manchego fritters are amazing, as well as the marinated sheep's cheese. If you're also vegetarian, give them a head's up. Just like in Spain, they might sneak jamon into any given dish, so let them know you'd like to skip it. Toro Bravo carved out a place in my heart as one of my new favorite restaurants in Portland. Among this city's best.
(5)
Steven M.
Great Tapas Bar, sad that they don't take reservations for parties of fewer than 7 people, but the wait truly didn't bother us that much, if anything it made it an authentically foodie place! Everything we had on the menu was amazing, except for the salted cod cheeks - those were just ok I think they were deep fried too long. Service was great as well! Would definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Nichole S.
I lived in Spain the tapas are good I wouldn't wait an hour for a table but the meal I had was very good I like the sangria and I am a true snob when it comes to sangria the waitstaff are machines and it was really nice to watch them weave in and out effortlessly try it if you dont mind waiting
(3)
Chad B.
Absolutely fantastic ! Have not had such a great meal in such a long time. Would defineatly go back. I waited 45 minutes for a table but there is a nice bar next door and they'll call you when your table is ready so the wait became a non issue. Staff was very friendly and responsive. Great place to bring a date or group of friends. Two thumbs up !
(5)
Michael M.
Finally checked out this spot recently and they definitely kill the food and drinks. Loved everything we ordered. I wouldn't recommend it if you are on a schedule (particularly on a Fri/Sat night) but otherwise you'll leave Toro Bravo happy.
(4)
Jonny R.
best dining experience ever! The menu was so expansive I didn't know where to start, so we did the correct thing, the chefs taster menu. The hour that followed engorged my taste buds with 7 or 8 plates of amazingness! im just gonna say the sweetbreads and the chicken ham thing were unbelieveable! If you have the cash its top 3 in portland! I cant stop telling everybody about it! Only drawback is you can wait near 2 hours to be seated, but we showed up 15 minutes before closing and were seated soon after....
(5)
Abby M.
What I remember? Salty meats and a chili margarita, not to mention a "hot chocolate" with Madeleine's that was like sipping liquid love. I went last year for my birthday, and although the wait was unbelievable (we arrived at 6, and were sat at 9, but it was a Saturday night and during the peak of their hype) we watched Charlize Theron walk in while we waited (not kidding, we confirmed that it was her) and the hostess had enough ethnics not to bump her ahead of us. In fact, she turned her away. For that, and the hot chocolate, I will go back.
(3)
Chelsee N.
WOW this place was amazing! We arrived at 5:10PM on a Saturday and the place was stuffed to the brim, so we put our name down and the nice hostess took our cell number to call us when our table was ready. It was perfect because we just went up stairs to Secret Society for some drinks before hand. I'm glad we had to wait because I was good and hungry for all the amazing, delish, best tapas...maybe best meal I've ever had. Went with 5 girlfriends and we shared everything which was just perfect. The Sangria was also really yummy...not too sweet! There isn't one thing we got that we didn't love...the bacon wrapped dates were probably my fave. Oh and the scallops were PERFECTION. They melted in your mouth. Also highly recommend the desserts too. We got some sort of hazlenut ice cream that had a shot of sherry poured over. Ok my mouth is watering just thinking of this dinner!
(5)
Lisa T.
One of my top 5 all time favorite restaurants!
(5)
Bori G.
Don't go here if you're looking for good customer service. I have worked in the food service industry now for 5 years altogether and have never treated anyone as poorly as Toro Bravo treated my friend and I. We went there on a Wednesday evening note- we have not seen each other in 5 years and were having dinner to catch up. Initially when we got there we were well received and given good service.. we thanked the server (who happens to also be the manager) everytime she came around to check on us.. We ordered a bottle of wine and spent over $100 at the restaurant.-with a 20% tip Apparently we lost track of time while catching up over dinner and over extended our stay.. As the server came around towards the end 4 different times to say "thank you-have a good night" which I'd also have to point out on the 4th time she thanked us and grabbed my glass of wine I just barely finished... The 5th time another girl came over layed her hands over the take-out boxes we had sitting on our table and said "hello ladies- how was your dinner, I see that you have to-go boxes" I finally asked if she was trying to kick us out? she replied "no of course not.. I just wanted to check on you" We were basically escorted out... And all they had to do is ask us to move over to the bar if they needed to seat other customers.. When we came back to complain and explain to the manager that we did not have a good experience she curtly told us that we stayed longer than the 1.5 hours customers usually stay for.. and pointed out that we stayed 3 hours.. From my understanding--- It doesn't not matter.. I am a paying customer.. I came here to dine and enjoy a meal and catch up with a friend.. I wasn't aware that there was a timer ticking on how long I can stay at the restaurant.. She then finally gave us a $50 gift certificate to apologize after the fact... I can honestly say that the only time I will go back there is to use up the gift certificate. The food was good but not enough to make me go back.. Andina is much better and has way better customer service.
(1)
Vive l.
This is a great place to take a date, tapas are imaginative and priced right. Interesting, intelligent servers. Recommended.
(4)
Mallory B.
Overpriced for the amount of food you receive. This is a problem with most tapas places, but the hype around the quality of the food makes it an especially bitter pill to swallow. First, some really positive notes: nice atmosphere, very good service. Some noteworthy food items: the French "Kisses," the butternut squash with sheep's cheese, and the Basque wine Txakolina. But when you are ordering tapas plates to share, you want there to be enough to share: so three butternut squash dumplings with our braised lamb ($14)? Three grilled shrimp with chilies ($9)? And unfortunately, those shrimp were overdone, as was the Moroccan tuna. You don't really want to pay $12 for a small skewer of overcooked tuna on a little bed of couscous. Same with the polenta ($8): polenta is boiled cornmeal, and not that expensive. Surely we could receive a little more polenta alongside our roast beef, peppers, and onions. All this would be fine if we had left the place stuffed full of decent food for around $20 a person. But with everyone choosing a plate to pass, four additional plates to sample, and everyone choosing either a drink or dessert (but not both), we could have eaten more, but still shelled out $30 each. A disappointment, and Yelp should note that it isn't at all in the $$ category, because you need multiple plates to fill your belly.
(2)
Kathryn S.
I was really into Toro Bravo at first, but the last two times I've been there the food has been so salty that it is almost inedible. I think everything is well conceived, but lay off the salt, jeez. I'd like to taste my steak. I also noticed on this recent trip that the clientele may be onto them and their over-salting. While I used to have to wait for a table, we got one in 10 minutes at 7:30 pm on a Friday and by 8:30 there was no one waiting at all. Also, I thought it was funny that they actually had salt on the table. What the hell would I need that for? My boyfriend and I went through two carafes of water trying to wash all the salt down. I will not be returning unless they start calling themselves 'Low Sodium Toro Bravo'.
(1)
Megan L.
Amazing atmosphere! The food is incredibly flavorful and worth the wait ( be prepared for up to an hour on weekends). Skip the sangria-- super watered down. The best dish was the jamon wrapped chicken in our opinion! Oh and definitely try the BBQ corn-- very unique!
(4)
Tom T.
This place is great. So many choices and everything is just so tasty. Well I guess i don't know that EVERYTHING is tasty, but everything I've had here is just great from the cocktails to the food. Come here with some friends and just order as much as you can and pass it around. place is usually pretty pack though and you really can taste why.
(5)
J G.
Consistently the best eatery in Portland, in our experience. If only all the restaurants were like this. (The only problem is getting a place to sit without waiting an hour.)
(5)
jake c.
Everything about this experience was freakin great. As there is inevitably a healthy wait to be seated, the hostess graciously routed us upstairs to The Secret Society (they are in cahoots through their common landlord I understand) for a pre-drink. The wait was a little longer than estimated but the drinks were flowing upstairs and the hostess called my cell phone when our table was ready. From the moment we were seated until we left we had an amazing time. We sat at the front community table and nibbled on the beautiful Ox Tail Croquettes while sipping perfectly unique cocktails and meeting new friends from San Fransisco who were all satiated from their meal. We schmoozed while spooning delicately blended squash with goat cheese and aaahed at the perfectly cooked chantrelle mushroom on bread. It was a glorious food evening which I will not soon forget.
(5)
Sam A.
Wonderful.
(5)
Elizabeth E.
Mnom...mnom...mnom... Delicious snackages, delightful server, cocktails extraordinaire. I don't think I could really add anything to the other 220 reviews so just go and see for yourself what all the fuss is about. Tapas = good!
(4)
John M.
Tried to make a reservation for 10 people a week in advance. Was told we would have to show up 2 hours in advance to confirm. What a shame when you get so busy your customers have come 2 hours early to check in and them come back later to dine.
(1)
A B.
I went to Toro Bravo for a date and although the company wasn't the best the restaurant more than made up for it! It's so much fun to order so many different dishes, all a new experience in flavor. Toro bravo is one of the MOST incredible places I've been... drinks, food and dessert were orgasmic.
(5)
scott l.
One of the tops on my list. Have loved it every time I've been.
(5)
Abe I.
So having returned from 2 months traveling around (and consequently) eating in Espana I was eager to try this Spanish tapas restaurant. It was not what I expected in terms of Spanish cuisine, although I will admit to eating on a budget and so there was much in the way of cured meat and old cheese... still, this was different, yet good. I had the croquettes and manchego fritters which were so good, but not good for you, but who cares. Then a salad that was awesome and a coppa steak which was to die for. All in all it was good, but a warning to vegetarians as the menu is 80% meat based.
(4)
Nan K.
I have come back here at least a dozen times. This is bar none one of the best restaurants in Portland. The best for tapas from the delicious pimento aioli on the tortilla Espanol to the freshly made churros with the thick chocolate sauce. Plus the wait staff is quite friendly and welcoming. This is a favorite restaurant for special occasions or even when we just want damn good food. Tonight we tried the mushrooms on toast and I was treated to the best preparation of chantrelle mushrooms I've ever had. Bad service earlier at Clyde Common nearly ruined our evening. We decided to wash it away by coming to Toro B and the didn't disappoint.
(5)
Charles B.
Hunted down Toro Bravo on the advice of a good friend, while vacationing. SO glad and thankful for the advice!! We started with the pickle plate. I should also mention that we sat up front at the bar, where you can watch the Chef's in action. The pickles were awesome and each olive, pickle, carrot etc, had a different brine. Lovely! Everyone talks and writes about the bacon wrapped dates. And well, so am I. The magic is in the BACON! The date is cooked all to hell so that it disintegrates in your mouth. The almond in the middle is a welcome texture counterpoint. To keep things simple, we ordered everything that had BACON in it. The BLT, the pork, the burger. All wonderful, all with that same incredible smokehouse BACON!! Desert was the Olive Oil cake with strawberry caramel. Sounds strange, tastes SO INCREDIBLE. The texture of the cake is satin smooth and the strawberries are in a luscious caramel of its own juices. Now, the Sangria. I couldn't decide if I wanted red or white so, I told the waitress to mix them. She stared at me in confusion. 'Are you sure?' she said. Perhaps a no-no in some circles, Sangria is a beautiful mix anyway, the more the merrier. And let me tell you, 3 of these had me feeling JUST RIGHT. I pass the good word on to all Yelpers...BRAVO, Toro Bravo.
(5)
Nikki K.
oustanding tapas. everything we had was great. i cant stop thinking about the delicately lemon churro with chocolate we had at the end
(5)
t a.
Oh my, the fideos at Toro Bravo changed my life. The Coppa steak is the best bang for your buck in all of portland. Cocktails are great. This is my go to in portland whenever I have guest in town. Thank you Toro for all your amazingness!
(5)
Steven J.
this place is always great been there 4 times always leave very happy.
(5)
Olive T.
I brought a guest in from L.A. and it was a great experience. We all agreed that every dish was perfectly prepared. Family style is the best way to eat here, get a bunch of dishes and try everything. Wine selection was good. Our server Cheryl, was very helpful and knew the menu really well.
(5)
Dee H.
This place definitely deserves the fantastic reviews it gets. Every dish we had was spectacular. My girlfriend and I both got some kind of peach martini and every time we sipped it our eyes bulged and we said OMG that's so good. We tried a good 8 or so dishes and complete perfection. The servers and hostess were wonderful which I hear is an anomaly for Portland. I HIGHLY recommend this place!
(5)
Dan N.
Some good friends had been talking up Toro Bravo for a while to us, and after a while of trying to coordinate empty spots in our calendars, finally settled on a date and time that worked for everyone. So off to dinner we went. Saturday night, 5:30pm. Arrived to a 90-minute wait. Putting our names on the list, we decided to take a walk for a while, and returned at the appointed time. HELPFUL HINT: Arrive substantially earlier than you plan to eat, and plan to wait a while or walk around the neighborhood. By the time we got seated (around 7:00pm) the wait for new arrivals had increased to 2-2.5 hours. No reservations here--you have to physically show up and put your name on the list. BUT: It's worth it. We ordered probably eight or nine different tapas items, including bacon-wrapped figs, salt cod fritters with aioli, grilled flat bread, duck liver mousse terrine, seared cauliflower, and the smoked pork rilletes. We also ordered a large "racion" of Drunken Pork. Now, I've been out for tapas several times to several different places. My general experience is that the portions are small and expensive for what you get. Face it, tapas is the sushi of Europe. Two bites, eight bucks. It's just the way it is. No one should go out for tapas believing they'll be happily full for $12, so set your expectations accordingly. That said, this was top-quality food. Everything I ate was unique and flavorful, including things I didn't expect to like such as the Duck Liver Mousse which was absolutely fantastic, rich, creamy--liver like none I've ever tasted. Even my "liver, eew!" wife liked it, and THAT'S saying something! Drinks were quite nice as well. Their Sangria is the best I've had. Service was excellent, attentive, kept the glasses full and the plates coming and going. Excellent, if expensive, meal, and we would absolutely recommend dining here.
(4)
Blaine P.
We had a quite fantastic meal a couple of weeks ago, truly outstanding really. The service was attentive and the menu diverse in the way that Mr. Gorham's restaurants tend to be. We ordered the Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse, and while it came with only a few small pieces of bread, our server quickly and preemptively brought more. It was rich and salty and quite flavorful. Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" followed and was out of this world as well. For our mains we paired the Brussels Sprouts with bacon sherry cream with Grilled Moorish Lamb Chops with warm potato & chorizo salad (large size means four) and the House Smoked Coppa Steak. Everything was cooked perfectly and arrived at a nice pace for sharing. We did have the molten chocolate cake, which will executed perfectly, seemed rather pedestrian after what was otherwise a quite playful and fun meal. I was intrigued by the option for a chef's tasting menu at a fixed price and I plan on ordering as such the next trip, which I am looking forward to.
(5)
Ken W.
I've been here a few times. I'm a burger lover. This is hands down the best burger I've had in Portland so far. The meat was cooked perfectly, and I get the burger every time I come. I'm not sure how good their other food is, but, I'm too hesitant to pass up the burger! The last time I was here I did find a yucky surprise crawling on the inside...but I was well compensated for the creepy crawly and the food is so good I'd still come back here.
(4)
John H.
So I was just a business traveler with several others looking to find a decent place for a large party in Portland...got a couple of recommendations, checked yelp, and made a decision. Toro Bravo here we come! They took a reservation for 12 on relatively short notice (not an easy thing to accommodate), had our table ready the minute we got there, and could not have been more accommodating from a service standpoint. Everything they put in front of us was excellent. I distinctly remember the lamb, scallops, meat balls, noodles, and charcuterie plate. That is not to say the rest wasn't great (it was), but those items stick in my mind as being exceptional. The classic cocktails were wonderful, the atmosphere was exceptional, and needless to say (though I'll say it anyway) the entire experience was nothing but first class!
(5)
Clare L.
We have always had such great experiences at Toro Bravo in both their delicious food, and in their great service. It's definitely become our go to for our anniversaries, and for any other times we are lucky enough to get a sitter. If you are bold, trying the chef's choice is a really fun way to get outside of things you might normally order. We never knew how much we loved terrine or liver mousse until we tried it here. Their drinks are fantastic, and desserts are amazing too.
(5)
Pearl V.
We chose Toro Bravo for our second night in Portland. We are fans of being able to try a variety of food in one sitting, so naturally, tapas it was! Be prepared to wait a little while for your table. The restaurant is on the smaller side, very intimate and quaint. I liked the decor in there; it exudes coziness and warmth (IMO). We put our names down and waited outside on some benches for about 15-20 minutes until the hostess called us in. The bar ended up freeing up first, so we sat there. We were at the end of the bar, closest to the open kitchen in the rear. It's like a front row seat to the magic show! LOL. Since we sat at the bar, the bartender, Mindy, doubled as our server and took our drink and food orders. She was a sweetheart. We tried: Fried Green Tomatoes with Pickle Mayonnaise $8 Roasted Eggplant with Lamb Ragu $13 House Smoked Coppa Steak $9 and Paella Toro with Chorizo, Chicken & Seafood $19 Service was great. The kitchen has the timing of food down to a science. Right when we finished one plate, the next one came out for us. Everything was excellent and flavorful. One regret though, we were stuffed to the max by the time we left, we didn't even have room for dessert. Definitely recommend checking out if you visit Portland!
(5)
Jonathan P.
When we travel to Portland this the place to go. Great tapas, good energy. Cocktails are spot on. Bacon wrapped dates, some of the best I have had.
(5)
Emma E.
The atmosphere of Toro Bravo is quite nice. The service is decent but a bit on the slow side, and the food is neither disappointing nor exciting. The menu descriptions are more exciting and promising than the flavors that hit your taste buds and tickle your nose. We enjoyed our evening here, but given all the very tasty food Portland has to offer we decided not to come back.
Not much i need to say here. Everything is delicious.
(5)
Akshata R.
Ah, here a vegetarian's gotta search a little bit for meatless tapas. But when you do find 'em (go ahead, ask the friendly staff as well), it's completely worth the wait for a table. Tastefully presented with attention to detail, the plates are little islands of great taste. The desserts were surprising VERY good. Chocolate churros anyone?! The almond ice cream with a shot of espresso was flavour heaven. Great food, good ambiance and a quick staff.
(4)
Sean K.
Waited about an hour and half to get two kitchen-side seats for me and my girlfriend. Well there is secret society bar right next door - literally next door upstairs - so we went there to get few drinks and chill. Great place, make sure to visit. For Toro Bravo, make sure to get Paella. This was my first time here and I asked what's the thing to get here. Consensus answer: paella. It is to die for and the portion is ginormous. Tastes oh-so-good, you will want to order seconds if your stomach allows. This place will be loud so if you are looking for a quiet, romantic date, this place won't do it. But you can always eat here and go to secret society next door. Go eat paella here. You won't regret it.
(5)
Gene B.
Toro Bravo is a small neighborhood Spanish restaurant in Northeast Portland and it's so good that you wish it were in your neighborhood. Hell, I'd settle for in my town! Even after almost 6 years the lines are long here, as they are at Tasty n Sons and as I am sure that they are at Tasty n Alder, but they will take your cell phone number and there's a sports bar just down the corner, so plan accordingly and you'll be fine. After two G &T's I got the call in about 45 mins and to be perfectly honest that's about average for a lot of the better restaurants in Portland. The menu is pretty extensive and is dominated by small plates, as you'd expect from a Spanish restaurant, but the best deal has to be the Tasting Menu for $30, which is an absolute steal! We started the meal with a salad compose of Groundwork's Greens, grapefruit, onion, almonds, blue cheese and tarragon with a sherry vinaigrette, then had Bacon-wrapped Dates stuffed with macrona almonds, the silkiest Duck Liver Mousse Terrine that I have ever had, Salt Cod Fritters with aioli, Braised Salsify in a Bacon Cream Sauce (first time that I've had it, pretty tasty!), Roasted Eggplant layered with Lamb Ragu, Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with Sheep's Cheese was my favorite of the evening and, finally, Braised Chicken with Tomatoes,Onions and Peppers, It was a lot of food, a lot of great food and I understand the long lines - this place is terrific!
(4)
Claudine V.
Two adjectives for this place.... OUTSTANDING and PHENOMENAL... These are the two BEST words I can think of to describe this place. The food will BLOW your mind like it BLEW ours. We ordered almost everything that looked great in the menu and every single bite was DELICIOUS!!! Charceturie- Great appetizer to share. The french kiss (dried prunes with foie gras) and the sausage and honey on top of small toast are my favorites in this sampler House Smoked Coppa Steak - A MUST ORDER. This dish is so flavorful and tender , it will just melt in your mouth. Creamed Chanterelles on toast - super delicious if you love Chanterelles Scallops- tender and melts in your mouth Churros- tastes exactly what I had in Cozumel. Absolutely amazing. Boar sausage with squid ink pasta- Delicious and filling. SANGRIA- yummy and lovely Bottle of MADERA - superb! Our server, Candace was AWESOME and provided EXCELLENT service. She gave us recommendations that really hit the SPOT. The hostess was really helpful as well because if it wasn't for her we could have left if she didn't suggest for us to wait in the bar next door while we wait for her phone call that our table is ready. I was about to leave and got discouraged when I heard that we have to wait for 1.5 hours , when she grabbed me and suggested to wait in the bar next door and to give my number to her. Now that is what you call SERVICE!!! I would definitely come back to this place again and again everytime I'm visiting PORTLAND. TORO BRAVO..... BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Kay C.
Was here from out of town and saw this had good reviews and was close to where we stayed. We decided to get a pitcher of sangria and sprung for the $30 tasting menu per person. It was a ton of food for sure and it was nice to try a bit of everything. However, maybe it was what they gave me but nothing really stood out for me. The best dish was probably the drunken pork. Overall all the food was fine and tasted decent but I think I was expecting more after reading the reviews. The sangria was just so so too. However, I did love the ambiance of the place and we sat in the little alcove and it was lovely.
(3)
Larissa G.
This place was amazing! The best tapas I've had to say the least. Service was great given the smaller atmosphere, they took care of us right away taking our drink order before we even got a table... Try their house margarita, it's semi spicy which adds a unique twist. Anyways, the bacon wrapped dates... GET THEM. As well as the drunken Pork, to die for. We also shared the corn which I have to say is the best corn I've ever devoured, the skirt steak which was charred to perfection with great flavor, and the meatballs which made me feel like I was back home at my mother in laws for spaghetti. Loved the atmosphere, it was cute and cozy, and the servers never let our table get to full with dishes. Must try if your in portland, you can thank me later. (:
(5)
Nicholas D.
Amazing tapas selection and good prices. The must haves are the paella, bacon wrapped dates, diablo pasta, and arugula flat bread. Rockfish was okay. Cheese plate was good and I understand the recommendations come from a local cheese aficionado, This place is a must go if you are in Portland as the scene is also on point. The only negative thing was that they ran out of several menu items, so I recommend to get an earlier than later reservation.
(5)
Claire H.
Firstly... The food is awesome. The vibe is stunning.... If you can get in. For a birthday we were a group of 6 and they allowed no reservations. We got there at 5:30pm and were told to wait 45 mins-1 hour on the crowded side walk. After the main meal our waitress got really shirty. While we were drinking coffee and having desserts, we asked for a glass of water. She made it seem like a huge effort. She spilled water in one of us, banged the glass on the table and told us we needed to make a move so the next guests could take our table. At 10pm. When there were plenty of other open tables. The food is out of this world. The rest makes the wait and bad service not worth it.
(3)
Tamara S.
Love love love Toro Bravo. Every single dish we had was fantastic, fresh, true to the season and oh so flavorful. I would LOVE to go back. Only catch? No reservations :( And the line every time we try is ridiculously long. And there's really no where to wait and have a drink (the tiny room dedicated to this is always full). I understand that they are small and just don't do the reservation thing. But for me and my family, that just doesn't work out. But again, great place and great food. If you've got the time to wait, check it out!
(4)
J J.
This place rocks! My wife is so incredibly picky and never happy with anywhere we choose to eat, however, here she loved everything we ordered and could not stop talking about it. I was very impressed as well and especially enjoyed the large griddled prawns. Will definitely be back when I'm in town again.
(5)
Massimo F.
I went 3 times. I like it. Place looks nice. Nice location. Space for parking. Often too crowded. Service is on the average, but the care about the customer. Drink selection is good. Menu selection is plenty of options. Food is very well done and good tasting. It's nothing striking, but consistently good. Recommended for a casual dinner with a good friend, not recommended if intimacy is needed.
(4)
Sara C.
Wonderful food for reasonable prices. We had the bacon wrapped dates, potatoes bravas, salty cod fritters, chorizo/manchego plate, pasta with peppers and cheese, black truffle omelet, and the lamb and lentil stew. We topped it off with the olive oil cake. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the cod fritters, but my husband enjoyed them. I thought they tasted like frozen fish sticks. Everything else was delicious, especially the omelet and pasta. I would also recommend the olive oil cake. Service was excellent and the restaurant is very nice. This place is very dimly lit and the tables are close together which may bother some people. I should add we came in on a Monday night right after 5 and were seated immediately. It got crowded quick but if you want to avoid wait times and lines try coming in early on a weeknight.
(4)
Susan C.
Probably one of my top choices in Portland for a fun and delicious dining experience. Quality of food is excellent and worth the wait. Be prepared for a more loud and happening scene.... And quite a wait! Secret society upstairs is a quiet bar to wait. Don't forgot to order the scallops and paella! Memorable!
(5)
Virginia V.
My bf and I got the 30 dollar set meal....or shall I say meals. ..OMG we had a little bit of everything! The best meal hands down in portland! This place is tapas style but this $30 meal was totally satisfying. ...and flavors were unbelievably delicious!
(5)
Warren C.
Like this place needs another review..... I still had to do it and put my .02 cents in. What an amazing place. From the bacon wrapped dates to the salt cod fritters. We were all over the place tonight. It was my first time here and I wanted to try as much as I could. Came here tonight with a few friends and experienced the taster menu. On top of that we also ordered. the french kiss, pork empanada, sauteed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins, sauteed brussel sprouts, and the salt cod fritters. I will say everything was amazing this evening. Some of the memorable dishes tonight were the duck liver mouse terrine, drunken pork, baked polenta, braised salsify, salt cod fritters, and the total highlight of the evening was the house smoked coppa steak. If you've never been here before and don't know where to begin I would definitely recommend the taster menu if you are in a group of four or more. Total with a bottle of wine, and a few drinks came out to only $253. I feel pretty inexpensive considering the taster menu was only $30 a person. Without a doubt I will be back for more. The ambience, food, and atmosphere is so very enchanting. Thank you Toro Bravo, I will be back again soon.
(5)
A. L.
This place is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! All our dishes were great. We ordered the following dishes: griddled bacon wrapped dates, grilled corn with cilantro pesto, empanadas, grilled flat bread, squid ink pasta, paella toro Service was great too.
(5)
Paulina K.
This was the BEST meal Prince Charming and I had on our road trip from LA to Canada -- better than any other restaurant we visited in Northern Cali, Seattle, Portland or Vancouver (and we were trying the absolute standouts in each city!) Actually, this may be the best restaurant of all time for us, a couple that has traveled extensively all over the world! Each seemingly simple dish we tried was bursting with flavor and had a little twist. The location was perfect (dim, rustic, comfortable), the service top notch, it is open late, and the prices are decent for such quality and attention! What we ordered: - Cheese Board Ordering a cheese plate at an unfamiliar restaurant can be hit and miss: you run the risk of getting a very small selection or quantity of cheeses, often overpriced. However, at $10 the cheese board at Toro Bravo was a bargain: the cheeses were phenomenal local treasures, there was just the right amount and selection for 2 people, and the sides were very nice. - Marinated Olives and Pickled Vegetables. This may sound standard or unexciting, but as a Russian girl I know good pickles! My grandma always canned her own pickles back in the day. The pickles at Toro Bravo were better than my Russian grandma's pickles, which is saying a lot! Adding cloves to the pickling process was an unexpected touch of culinary brilliance and innovation, kudos to the mastermind at Toro Bravo who came up with that! - Red Onions (Caramelized?) The Toro Bravo menu changes daily, and I couldn't find this appetizer on their current online version, so I hope I got the name right. Again, it was a seemingly simple dish... but what a punch! Who knew that cooked onions could be so delectable, so tart, juicy and savory? - Octopus a la Plancha This is one of Prince Charming's favorite dishes, and he said Toro Bravo's version was out of this world, probably the best he's ever had, even compared to the Octopus he had in Spain, where this dish originates from! - Sauteed Chanterelles with Griddled Bread I was lucky enough to be passing through this region during Chanterelle season! Back home in LA, they are among the most expensive mushrooms; restaurants often claim dishes are made with Chanterelles on the menu, but in reality the Chanterelles are mixed in with less expensive mushrooms. Not so at Toro Bravo! For $10 I got a dish with more than a generous amount of exclusively Chanterelle mushrooms, in a fantastic mushroom sauce, on the most heavenly toasty bread I have ever had! Again, I was reminded of my grandma, who used to make "griddled" toast (on a frying pan). This was better than even her toast! I didn't think that anything could ever come close to my grandma's fried toast, which was my favorite childhood snack, let alone surpass it! My only complaint is that Toro Bravo was one of our very first stops, which set an unbeatable standard of dining for the rest of our trip! No other restaurant could live up to this level of culinary delight and perfection, let alone at these prices! When are you coming to LA, oh Holy Grail of restaurants?!
(5)
P. B.
Spanish tapas are one of my favorite cuisines, and this place did not disappoint. The vegetarians and non-vegetarians at our table all RAVED about the chanterelles. We even ordered a second dish, they were so amazing. Also awesome: patatas bravas, sheep's cheese, brussels sprouts, scallops. The flatbread was a good comfort food but nothing to write home about, along with the croquettes. Don't forget to get a carafe of sangria!
(5)
Christina K.
The food here is bomb! There's a long wait but it's worth it. If you ever go to Portland definitely check this place out.
(5)
Tyler A.
Let's face it. Tapas is pretty mediocre in most places in America. And Toro Bravo, well, it's no different. But it's excellent for Portland. The vibe is awesome, it's always packed. The food is overly salty, staff is friendly, you see the poor cooks sweating their balls/tits off, and once you're actually seated, the food is pretty damn fast. Thanks Chefs for the Sweat~! We always have a good time here and eat way more than we need. It's a solid place that I bring guests to (though as of late, we're always going to Tabla), but if we were to do comparative tastings, this place would be a 2 star joint in NYC. And downright forgettable if in Spain. But PDX ain't NYC and really far from Spain so I gotta rate it accordingly. I am a fan of this place, I would say that some of the tapas at Ciao Vito might be better than here but the ambiance there blows. So there you go. I recommend that you go, it will tied you over until you can get your bum to Tia Pol in NY or even to Spain.
(4)
Enza P.
This is hands down the best Latin American food I have ever had. Since they don't take reservations unless you have a party of 7, we put our name on the wait list and hung out at a bar nearby until they called us. The wait was literally 2 hours, but I can honestly say it was worth it. Once we came in to be seated, the hostess thanked us for waiting and walked us over to our seats. We were sat right where the chefs were cooking so we were really pleased. Dinner and a show! We received a free order of their Braised Torpedo Onions with Salbitxada. Oh my goodness this SO DELICIOUS. That salbitxada sauce was just so flavorful, it was amazing. Especially when you eat it with their braised onions, it's just an explosion of flavor! We ended up ordering: -Sangrias $7 each -Salt Cod Fritters with aioli $4 -Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" $8 -Meatballs with tomato-almond sauce & english peas $8 -Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels $19 We left so stuffed and so happy. I really loved everything I had but my favorite has to be the Braised Torpedo Onions with Salbitxada and the Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams, and mussels. I loved that all the tapas were unique, affordable, and delicious. I also liked that the paella was $19. Some places charge you per person or give you a gigantic paella and you become so full you can't enjoy any of the tapas. I really loved the portion sizes here. Overall, I enjoyed the service, loved the food, and really wish that this restaurant was in California!
(5)
D B.
I am no one's idea of a tapas expert, so my selection of dishes might have been a little off base in some ways. For that reason my rating would be 4.5, but like I said, that's probably my error. I know a tiny bit more about Spanish wines than tapas, but I am smart enough to ask, and everyone at TB is wonderfully attentive. The first bottle of wine was outstanding! One in our party wrote the name down, but I haven't stopped to get the name from her. For some bizarre reason I recall the local distributor is called DIVINE. So here's what ya do: 1) order every wine Toro Bravo handles out of DIVINE distributors, taste 'em all, and let me know what I liked. 2) go with someone who knows what to order, then tell me that part too. Oh, and go EARLY as Toro Bravo still has enough buzz to be slammed busy.
(5)
Adrian Robert H.
I'd rate 40% More miss than hit. ***short review Came here for dinner Jun '11 Food here isn't bad, I just think it's inconsistent. Our salad was great. Dishes like their lamb sausage were pretty good. Paella was forgettable. Boquorones (similar to sardines) dish was disappointing. Price isn't too expensive, but I don't think the value is there considering the quality of cooking is so-so and the quantity of meats and seafood is skimped on. Service is below average. Pacing is fast, but disorganized. Ambiance isn't my favorite. Seating space is more cramped, especially if you plan to order several dishes to share. Noise levels a bit on the loud side. No reservation policy somewhat inconveniencing. Had to wait 40 mins for a table on a weeknight @ 6. ***detailed review Came here for dinner with my gf as an early dinner. As far as I know, no reservations are taken. Nobody answered the phone just to give us estimate of wait times. When we arrived @ 6pm, we were told the wait was 30-45 mins. We got our table in 30 mins, which was fine but still a bit of time waster as opposed to just taking reservations. I don't mind waiting, but at least answer the phone so we can know what to expect. Tables here are a bit small, so it's not easy to share several dishes 'family style' without moving stuff around a lot. Food here was very much hit and miss, with less hits. One dish was outstanding. Some dishes were good. Others weren't memorable, if not poorly executed. Although portion sizes are generally large, most of it was very starchy, and I felt the place tended to skimp on meat and seafood. It isn't an expensive place to dine, but the value I feel is difficult to justify. We started with their salad; 'Singing Pig Greens, with green asparagus, chopped egg & hazelnuts' ($8). This is a pretty generous portion of salad served in large mixing bowl (seems to a popular presentation style in Portland). This was the best dish of the evening. Flavors of the hazelnuts and and asparagus are predominant, blended in well with the fresh greens and the chopped boiled eggs. This is a conservative, but nonetheless effective dish. Next we had their 'Boquerones with toasted bread & piperade' ($7) (similar to sardines). This was similar to a bruschetta type of dish. Thin slivers of boquerones are placed on top of a very large spread of tomato-like spread that has something which resembles red peppers and piperade. The spread was just too much. There was too much of it and the flavors were quite overwhelmed by the heavy red pepper spread. The 'toast' used was very hard and difficult to bite into. We ended up removing 3/4 of the spread, and eating the fish without the toast. I also felt that while the overall size of the dish was generous, much of the fish seemed to be skimped on. truly horrid dish & worst tapa I've had to date. 'Harira moroccan lamb & lentil stew' ($4) was ok. Lamb here is chopped to more into mince, and mixed in with the lentils. Lentils are most prominent in flavor. This came with a bit of flat-bread that was nice. Temperature was close to lukewarm. It was a tasty dish, but not especially good. Larger chunks of lamb may have worked better. 'North African Sausages with french fries, harissa & sour cream ($8)' was good dish. This was essentially, to me at least, a Merguez sausage. Quite tasty and a tad citrus-like in flavor. It was not as oily or spicy as the sausage is usually prepared. The fries were nice. A thinner cut and not too greasy or over-seasoned. The harissa sauce, also not too spicy, was a nice dip for the fries. 'Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels' ($19) was our final dish. This was so-so. On the plus side, the chicken leg was cooked nicely with a pronounced char. The shrimp, only two, were were juicy and fresh. clams were okay. Mussels, only two, were not that fresh. It seemed to me the amount of seafood and chicken were a tad on the skimpy side. Chrorizo was broken up into mince and spread throughout the rice. They were a bit too salty for my palate. Also making a strong predominance in flavor was the red peppers and a citrus flavor, maybe from the lemon. The flavor combination just did not work for me. Also for the first time in Portland, I felt this was an overpriced dish. Probably one of my least favorite Paella ever. Service seemed a bit disorganized. We had to flag down someone for everything and even that wasn't always easy. Pacing of the foods was too quick and seemed out of place. It was a bit chaotic. This is one of my least favorite, and I feel one of the more over-rated Portland restaurants (next to Mother's Bistro & Broder). Admittedly I had high expectations to due my appreciation of 'Tasty & Sons' brunch, but it's just hard to excuse so many pitfalls. It just didn't do anything for me. Very average.
(2)
Vincci L.
AMAZING! Our first official dinner of our Portland Feasting trip, and I'm so glad we made it to this place, despite a terrifying cab ride. (Read my Green Cab review.) We got there at around 9pm, so we were able to get a table for the 4 of us right away. We were still a bit shaken up from the ride, but our wonderful server arrived and started us off with water and a warm welcome. We all got cocktails (they have lots of great choices), and inquired about the Chef's Tasting Menu. She also gave us some recommendations on plates that she liked. It took a while for us to decide, but we were never rushed, and encouraged that we take our time. Our plates: Bacon wrapped date with honey. So simple, soo delicious. Almost like a dessert; a great start to any meal. Tortilla Espanola with nettles: my first time trying nettles, and it has a texture like spinach, and a sweet nature like kale. Like a mini pizza, so good! Octopus a la Plancha 'Bercerrita': little bite size pieces of octopus on mini crostini bread. Lots of flavour, tender octopus pieces. Loved it. Sauteed Brussel sprouts with bacon sherry cream: this is veggies taken to a whole new level. Brussel sprouts infused with bacon chuncks. I'm speechless. Squash dumplings with eight pepper braised lamb: Another amazing dish. The dumplings soaked up all the sauce and juice from the tender lamb, and the eight pepper balanced out the sweetness of the squash perfectly. And to end off the night equally well: Almond ice cream with a shot of espresso. This came in a bowl, with two scoops of almond ice cream, and then a shot of hot espresso poured over. There's video footage of me drinking the melted ice cream mixed with the espresso. End of review.
(5)
Ben T.
Wonderful 6th anniversary (ok, a week early) with great friends! Food was imaginative as always and we had amazing wine from places and regions that the world has never considered! Did I mention that my wife amazes me more every day? Well she does! This women rocks my world! Words escape me! I love you Sridevi Kolluri. You complete me!
(5)
Jenn T.
Came here after a few locals recommended it and noticed that it was also associated with the other restaurant tasty n sons. It's the same concept as tasty n sons, with tapas. They have quite the variety of dishes, ranging from seafood, meat, salads, of all different styles. Sorry I'm not sure what we ordered exactly but we got the scallops, lamb stew, potatoes, and a few others I cant quite remember. They were all really good, and well recommended by the staff was well. Everything came out so quickly and we ordered about 4-5 dishes between the 3 of us and it was just enough food. The staff here is excellent! They were nice, friendly and very on top of their menu and drinks. The only downside is that this place is quite popular, and the wait when we got there was 45min-1hr. Luckily we hung around for a drink and got seated within 15-20 minutes! Definitely a great place with yummy food.
(4)
Ashwini T.
Food is excellent but the service is questionable, it is not vegan friendly but had good vegetarian options for appetizers. There was only one vegetarian option for entrees. The waitress was brusque , unfriendly and behaved rushed. If the service was better I would have given it a 4 stars.
Well, off to a rocky start, hostess didn't want to seat us outside because of threatening rain, supposedly....well, we got seats outside and I'm telling you a wonderful, really great meal...the skirt steak and a flatbread and my friend had some pork item.....we left surprisingly satisfied. I highly recommend it for something different and delicious. I didn't feel 100% welcome due to the initial contact with said hostess, but I/we will be back. Thank you Toro.....and Bravo!!
(4)
Ester F.
Toro Bravo is a definitely a restaurant to stop at if you are in PDX. The food is fresh and have all the flavoring of traditional spanish tapas. Our party had It was a perfect way to eat and have light dinner talk; the food always came at a steady rate and was always delivered well timed. The wait to get in is long, but worth it. (However, getting there right when the store opens can help with maybe getting a seat right away though.)
(5)
Tom M.
Food: *** Atmosphere: *** Staff: **** Prices: ** Overall this place was just okay. Out of all the places I ate on my Portland trip, this was my least favorite. I had some pretty high expectations after eating at an amazing Tapas bar last year in Vegas, maybe my expectations were too high. They have a cool atmosphere, trendy/higher end for a Tapas Bar. Really good selection overall, decided to order some bacon wrapped dates, shrimp, empanadas. The food tasted good, but he portion size was small for the price. Spend the same here as many restaurants and left pretty hungry, we actually stopped at HopHouse about half hour later and shared a meal to get full. The drinks were good and the bartender/staff was very nice, but the value overall wasn't very good. There are just too many choices here in Portland to get better bang for your buck.
(3)
Calvin Y.
What is there not to love about Toro Bravo? + Kind and helpful wait staff and chefs + Open kitchen + Delicious tapas In terms of food, everything we had was delicious! Before we get too far and you think we're pigs, the waitress recommends 3-4 small plates per person. + French "Kisses" ($2 each): foie gras stuffed in brandy-soaked prunes. The flavors mixed very well. + Bacon Wrapped Dates ($2 each) : dates wrapped in bacon glazed in honey and stuffed with a crispy almond. + Oxtail Croquettes ($14): these were delicious, but not as much in compared with the other dishes. + Smoked Coppa steak ($14): very tender and flavorful. + Brussel sprouts with Bacon Sherry Cream ($8): the only type of brussel sprout my dinner companion will eat -- brussel sprouts covered in bacon sherry cream. + Flatbread with Truffle Cheese and Arugula ($9): we get to see them slather it in olive oil and sprinkle many clumps of truffle cheese on top. + Sherry chicken liver mousse ($7): great with bread. The pickled vegetables are a great palate cleanser also! We sat down at the bar in their open kitchen and it was amazing to see the chefs whip up dessert after dessert. Such good advertisement -- we just had to get dessert! We ended up getting the Caramel Panna Cotta ($6) and Churro with Chocolate Sauce ($7). The Panna Cotta was very creamy and delicious and the Churros were freshly made and extra crispy.
(5)
Fred F.
We were told they do not take reservations so, we got there early before they open and joined a growing line at the front door. All the tables had been reserved. It seems they DO take reservation for parties of 7 or more. The only seating was at the two counters. Either the bar or near the cook station. Strike 1. We wanted to get the Chef's Choice which is collection of a number of dishes from their menu. It changes every night and for all I know during the night. When we asked what dishes were included in the Chef's Choice that evening, we were told there is no way to know. The server said "even I can't find out". WHAT? A $40 menu item and it is a mystery what you are ordering. Strike 2. The food was OK. Nothing to write home about. Strike 3. I will say the service was excellent and so were the desserts. Hence, two stars instead of one. Despite being swamped because the restaurant fills as soon as they open the doors, the wait staff did a very good job.
(2)
Emily W.
Went on a Monday around 6:45pm. Waited 15 minutes for a table for two, which was great. The hostess was nice, and the server was attentive. It's really silly they don't take reservations, but whatever. Just don't go on a weekend. My problem is with the food, specifically the paella and churros. I LOVE paella. It's maybe in my top 5 favorite foods in the world. I've had paella in Spain. I dream of good paella. This was not good paella. The proteins were overcooked, the rice was scorched in lots of places, and overall it was bland. I'd read so many reviews touting the glory that is Toro Bravo's paella, and was incredibly disappointed. The problem with the churros is that they taste terrible. They're weird, and really lemony, and not at all the fried sticks of deliciousness they're supposed to be. That chocolate is really effing good, though. Not everything was terrible. We had the sauteed brussel sprouts in bacon sherry cream sauce that were wonderful. I would bathe in that sauce if I could. The chanterelle tapas was really great, too. I'd come back and try something else, but I'd never get that paella again. Now I'm sad, back to trying to find a place to eat paella stateside.
(3)
Kathy A.
Just go. The food is fabulous. Great service. Really good wine list. But go early.. We got there after 5 and it was easy seating. We like to sit at the cook's station so we can watch. Makes me wish we live in Portland
(5)
Adam R.
My brother was going on about how this place was one of the places in Portland that he was most excited about. He'd heard about it, he had friends who raved about the food, and he wanted to go there. So we did, but I'll be honest... I just didn't see what people got all excited about. The food there is fine, but not mind altering. I've certainly had better Spanish food. My favorite thing they served was a squid ink pasta that actually was pretty damn good, but I mostly think of that as an Italian dish. The sauce was certainly more Italian than Spanish. The sangria was meh, the patatas bravas were cut too large, and didn't have that little bit of crisp that they should. The cocktails weren't especially good either. I guess if this were my local neighborhood tapas bar, it'd be fine on occasion, but it's not worth going out of your way for.
(3)
Ruby C.
Still Good!!! everything was near perfect!!! hadn't been in in like 3 years so i though it may have gone down Nope! Still Good!!
(5)
Niko X.
Somehow I forgot to review Toro Bravo... it was hands down the highlight of my trip to Portland. Everything I tried was great... the plates are a good size for the price, and the seafood paella was to die for. I have never seen such deliciously large mussels. The sauteed octopus was amazing too. Great ambiance, great wines, great staff, makes me wish I could teleport to Portland to attend this culinary delight right now!
(5)
Tiffany M.
I had been dying to go to Toro Bravo for some time, and after booking a trip to Spain I thought it was time to get my tapas on. After scouring the reviews of other Yelpers (because really, you guys know what's up), we showed up as a party of four right at opening time. We were seated promptly, and from start to finish the service was attentive and courses were well-paced. **I should warn, we visited a couple of months ago so my review is a bit late and some memories may be a bit foggy. WHAT WE ORDERED: -Bacon wrapped dates: I had tried these at Tasty n Sons, and yes, I ordered them again for a reason. Although I must say they were a bit crispier the first time around, but still very good. -Pimentos de padron: These grilled little peppers are one of my favorite Spanish treats, and I loved the chunks of sea salt (this could be a little heavy-handed for some). -Sherry chicken liver mousse: a very generous serving, we had to ask for more bread. It was good, but I would skip it next time. -Seared scallops: DE-LISH! Cooked to perfection. -Drunken pork with avocado: If you like pork and avocado, you will really, really like this dish. -Paella: The clams I could have done without, but otherwise the chicken was moist and flavorful, the shrimp and mussels were plump and juicy, the rice was loaded with saffron. What more can a gal ask for? Next time I will likely go for the tasting menu. This was a very inexpensive meal for what you get, and we all left very satisfied. I have forgotten what we drank as far as adult beverages goes, but they were all tasty (I know, I'm a failure). I will do a review upon my next visit that will be much more detailed!
Out of all the places I ate in Portland, this was my favorite place. I was told this place gets packed and was recommended to arrive early. My group and I arrived at 5:15pm on a Wed and were seated promptly. I don't remember everything we ordered since we shared so many different plates but the two that stood out were: House noodles w/chicken - excellent texture and perfect balance of sauce and noodles Grilled onion w/ chipotle - the very best. So good, I could have licked everything off the plate I wanted to try all of the pork dishes but I could't since my company had dietary restrictions. But everything we ordered was excellent and the service was great. A definite must try!
(5)
Daniel R.
We were well-received, and they offered a phone call for when our table was ready. We were offered very little intimacy however, as the neighbouring table was no more than two inches away. The atmosphere was decent at the restaurant, in line with most contemporary dining experiences. The dishes were, for the price, unsatisfactory. Heavily salted and quite greasy. The clincher, however, was the fact that our table was neglected for over half an hour after I'd asked for a few minutes to decide on what to order next. It wasn't the worst experience I've had, but far from the best.
(2)
Jim A.
Best burger I have ever had. Literally the Toro Bravo burger is absolutely unreal. It is amazing and if I had room for two or three I would pay the money to eat them all at one sitting. Sure the sangria and all the other tapas items are great, but the burger, ooooooh the burger.
(5)
LeAnn E.
Not really a huge fan of this place. Loud, crowded, staff seemed a little annoyed with having to deal with a group. Food is medeocure. Price is WAY to high for what you are getting. 3 people ended up getting sick from a burger. Not recommending this place nor will I be back again. Bummer because it could be such a good place.
(2)
Jewyl A.
Wow... delicious! We sat down and we all started ordering whatever sounded good, and it all was good. It did take 45 minutes to be seated (630 on a friday) but they'll give you a call when the table opens up so you can go upstairs and have a drink at the secret society. We had paella, pork shoulder, choriso and manchego, tuna (wow yum), some kind of steak, spanish tortilla, and more... for 4 of us the bill came to less than $80 (we didn't have drinks there), but I think that's pretty awesome after all that food. Give it a try!
(5)
John P.
One of my three favorite restaurants in Portland. I love the food and energy about Toro Bravo. The wait is tough, but the chile infused casaritas help bide the time. I love everything on the menu. I wish it was a secret...oh well.
(5)
Geoff W.
I have been to many tapas places in Madrid and Barcelona, but this place is even better, most tapas places in the USA give too much food and charge too much,so you don't get to try too many dishes, which is the whole idea of tapas, eat 4-6 plates!! Toro Bravo does it exactly right with extraordinary quality. Figs wrapped in Bacon, Anchovies beautifully done and a mind-twister, an Olive Oil cake with caramel, which was one of the best desserts ever. OK to go by yourself, there's a bar and chef's table, go early to beat the crowds, no resns. This is one of the better restaurants I've eaten in the USA, and I am a major foodie!!
(5)
Tamara M.
Excellent food good portions for tapas. The roast beef with polenta was excellent. The service was great as well. We ate at the bar but there was a line for tables.
(5)
Shana G.
I'm a big Tapas and Sangria fan and this place had some of the best I've ever had!
(5)
akzidenz g.
wow, best spanish restaurant ive been to. ever. (never been to spain tho, so i cant compare.) ordered the paella. was tasty, moist, and flavorful. one of the best paellas ive ever had. also ordered the fried anchovies w fennel and lemon. that was AMAZING. never had anything like it. it sounds gross, but its really awesome. the sangria was delicious too. will be back soon.
(5)
Cam T.
love letter in iambic pentameter bitter-sweet brussel sprouts not like gran-ny's co-vered with silken sherry cream sauce, yum! saute-ed chan-ter-elles on grid-dled bread? chomp. my heart o'erflows with savory lushness you coquette croquette with your spicy zing! ha-ris-sa stewed squash with crum-bled sheep's cheese, can i lick the bowl in pu-blic? erm, no? drunken pork listing o'er my fork, how shall i com-pare thee to a divine sear'd scallop? perfectly brais-ed yet tender within vel-vet-y shell bean stew bathing my tongue. Casa 'Rita your provacative spice has me slav'ring o'er mem'ries of de-light. next time i'll leave room to taste the dess-ert i promise myself, [sigh] sa-ti-at-ed.
(5)
Martine H.
Ok, went back a week later because some friends we had in town wanted to try it out. I must say, it was GREAT! I'm guessing we were there on a bad night the week before? Who knows, but we ordered the empanada again, this time it was beef not chicken. Delish! and the octopus was excellent. We sat outside and had great service. We will be back and I am so glad we gave it another shot!
(4)
Brandi M.
My loving hubbie and I had been wanting to try T.B. for quite some time and did so recently for my birthday. It was good but it wouldn't make my list of city faves as it has for so many others. Perhaps I'm missing something or it could just be possible that Spanish isn't my genre... The atmosphere, service and food were good. Among the many things we ordered, the scallops were my fave.
(3)
S. N.
Another favorite Portland restaurant. Consistently good service and food. Cozy bustling space. Scallops are my favorite. Have been here at least 2 dozen times and have never been disappointed. Will continue to go back again and again.
(5)
Megan R.
The line is typically loooong.. and watch out for nights when the Wonder ballroom is playing a show. But-- the tapas are the most amazing thing ever and well worth the wait. My mouth is watering thinking about it. So Good!
(5)
J S.
I've had some of my best restaurant and food experiences in Portland recently and am always excited to try a new place. But despite the other reviews, Toro Bravo was underwhelming for me. The range of dishes is impressive and conceptually, I think there's no shortage of creativity. But most of the dishes were too salty and the flavors, too overpowering. I certainly don't shy away from intense flavors but I think the food here lacks that unique ability to integrate strong flavors with subtlety. Atmosphere and service were both great. We arrived for a late dinner, about 10pm, so we seemed to miss the requisite long wait. Considering all the other amazing food options in this city, I don't think my experience would warrant a second visit.
(2)
Allen L.
the best spanish restaurant i've been to this side of the atlantic. the paella was suburb, full of flavor, with each component perfectly tasty. the fried anchovies were perfectly seasoned, light and tasty. sangria didn't just taste like wine with fruit in it...it tasted like, well, sangria. i can't wait to return and try the rest of their endless tapas menu. it changes on a daily basis based on the fresh produce of the day.
(5)
Coral C.
Not like this place needs more good press, but headed back there last night for a birthday dinner for my husband. The service was a lot more spot on this time, and the food was just as good as before. Plus we got in with no wait, gotta love it!
(5)
Sam R.
The food is very good with an interesting spin. Great choice of drinks. The food is a strong 4 stars but the service is a 2.5. Atmosphere is a 3 because of the noise level. The only reason I give Toro Bravo a 4 is because of their interesting approach towards food. The service is friendly but doesn't make up for being slow and constantly interrupting. The noise level doesn't make the place good for groups larger than 4. Being a group of 6, I couldn't hear the people at either end. Parking is a pain so be willing to walk a few blocks, but at least it is free. People watching is probably one of the best parts of the place. It's worth going to at least once.
(4)
Nathan V.
Cute place. The choices of tapas was good, I particularly liked the wrapped variety: jamon wrapped chicken breast and grilled bacon wrapped dates with warm honey. The radicchio salad was rad. While we didn't have any problems, I did hear and you'll read in other reviews that the wait can be a long one. If you want, grab a drink upstairs at the Secret Society Ballroom.
(4)
Alana F.
We went here at a former residents urging and we were not disappointed! The girls were rocking the line in the kitchen, the hostess and server were very nice. The food was incredibly good - halibut cheeks, chard with sunny side egg, scallops, asparagus salad and killer flatbread. Great Oregon wine too (of course). There was a 45 min wait, but we knew if we didn't get there right at 5, there would be! They graciously sent us upstairs to the Secret Society for a choice of "speak easy" type old school cocktails. Great place!!
(5)
Rick H.
There is so much to say about the food and drinks here - and most of it has been said. So my advice: TRY THE BURGER! It's the best ever. I confess that, since I discovered it, I have found it hard to order anything else when I go to Toro Bravo. (Except a Death in the Afternoon cocktail.)
(5)
Jonathan G.
I would go back just for the oxtail croquettes.
(5)
Kirun M.
The food here is really interesting and delicious. I pretty much liked everything that was set down in front of me...except for a couple of the cheeses on the cheese plate. Ya can't win 'em all.
(4)
Kara W.
this is my FAVORITE restaurant in Portland! my roommate and i went with the tasting menu and were absolutely delighted with the 8 courses that were put before us! the ambiance is rich with dark reds and browns and you are able to watch the chefs work their magic! Duck Liver Mousse Terrine with morels & house made sidra mustard, Braised Leeks with Salbitxada, Griddled Bacon Wrapped Dates with warm honey, Salt Cod Fritters with aioli, Braised Salsify with lemon, bacon & cream, Potatoes Bravas, Drunken Pork with heirloom shell bean stew (probably one of the BEST things i've ever put in my mouth!), Jamon Wrapped Chicken with pisto manchego, and i added a Lemon Curd Crepe to top it off! my mouth is salivating right now! GO HERE!!
(5)
Catherine C.
Count me another insane fan of Toro Bravo. I've been there lots and have never been disappointed. My Manhattan last night was a m a z i n g! I didn't want it to ever end. The romesco sauce with the sauteed scallops was perfectly nutty and rich. And don't ever skip on the bacon wrapped dates.
(5)
Scoob W.
love this place despite a few hiccups. service was great. we had the pitcher of sangria, radicchio salad, fish fritters, chanterelle mushrooms on toast, monterey squid and brussel sprouts. the portions are pretty generous for tapas. prices reasonable. the standout was the chanterelle mushrooms. seriously yum. the monteray calamari with mussels, spinach and chickpea was a close second was also delicious. the brussels sprouts were delicious but way oversalted and possibibly too bacony (did i just say that?) and too rich with bacon fat. Overall, i love the fresh, simple ingredients served piping hot. would definitely go again. We went at 5:20 pm and got the last 2 spots. when we were done with dinner at least 30 people waiting.
(4)
einah t.
I highly recommend this place. There's this new renowned word that I have discovered. When everything seems perfect, people call it "life changing." Therefore, I would have to say that going to Toro Bravo was life changing for me. It's been two years in a row that I've celebrated my birthday here with my hubby. Great food and great sangria. I love their hazel nut ice cream that comes with sherry Don Px '82. Their dishes comes in tapas (mini dishes). I would try everything. I've always loved their "french kisses", the singing pig salad, their mouse plate, the scallops, butternut squash are my favorites and ofcourse their paella are yummy. I have no complains so far except that you gotta be smart when coming to this place. I'd come before they would even open because their line are crazy long!! so heads up. If you don't like waiting and you get grumpy when hungry then come early. Overall, this is a great place for tapas.
Very good. One of the best things was that we were seated at the bar next to the kitchen and got to watch the organized chaos in the kitchen. Was a blast to watch. The food was pretty good.....I maybe went into this place and it might have suffered from too much hype. Very good food, just not great.
(4)
Amy T.
I've had to wait here for a table for over a half an hour, but I'm still giving it five stars. That says a lot, I think, about the stellar quality of the dishes - every dish - that I've had at Toro Bravo. I guess I'd go with four and a half if I could, but on the other hand, it's not their fault that they're brilliant and everyone wants to go there.
(5)
K B.
Still thinking about the salt cod, olive oil cake, and figs. Go with friends. Order lots of dishes. I went before the place got all the accolades. Well deserved accolades. The service at that time (can't speak for it now since their tables must be packed nonstop) was helpful and efficient.
(5)
John E.
I'm cranky and don't give five stars. But, Mark Bittman the cookbook author and recipe columnist (not reviewer) said it best on his blog after a trip to Portland: One of the best tapas restaurants in the United States. The chef does everything well, his vegetables are amazing.
(5)
Melissa M.
oh my god. could there even be a better restaurant? some of the best food i've ever eaten, consistently. so fun to order from such a varied, interesting, ever-changing-with-what's-in-season menu. great ingredients, many local produce and meat items, exciting and well mixed drinks, pitchers of sangria with fresh fruit floating in them (like raspberries, blueberries, rainier cherries....wow!). of course, it's very loud and busy in the restaurant, and there may be a wait, but that just means you can sit in the cute little narrow side room with your sweetie and have some delicious sangria and maybe a bacon wrapped date covered in warm honey?! let the date extend a little longer, and have some fun being in the vibrant, delicious company that toro bravo is!
(5)
Stephen G.
Our second time to Toro Bravo. Get there early (5 to 5:30) and avoid standing around. Although good, I would have had a less positive opinion had I waited for an hour or two for dinner. We havent had a bad dish-all were flavorful- but the portions are a little uneven. The dishes with big portions were almonds, braised leeks (delicious and rich) and potatoes brava (such a sauce!). For entrees, the paella was wonderful (to the other reviewers, the rice is supposed to be a little burned and crunchy), and the coppa steak was generous and also had a wonderful sauce. The anchovies were also quite tasty. However, disappointments were the empanada (only a single one, and somewhat unmemorable), N African sausages (only 2, although with fries, for $15), and the mushroom toast. The cod fritters also were too small for the price. The chicken and clams was in between, not a disappointment but not too memorable either. The chili prawns (3) lacked heat I also appreciated not being overcharged for coffee, tea ($2 each, unusually inexpensive). The chocolate almonds for dessert are also a very generous portion. The melted chocolate cake is too rich for a single person. My son had a Lions Tail drink-I usually abhor bourbon but that drink was great as well.
(4)
J. N.
Went there tonight for the first time on a date night with my wife. Showed up at 5:30 and was seated immediately. Food was flat out incredible. Spicy fritters, bacon wrapped dates, grilled scallops, minty peas, smoky steak, chocolate cake...it was all really good. Food was served as it was prepared. I'm not a tapas/spain expert or serious food person but I go out to eat and travel pretty often and would now rate Toro Bravo as one of my favorite places in Portland (others - Andina, Ringside, 1st Ave Bento). Flavors were bold and exciting (I like meat) and up there with the best I have had in NY and SF. Dinner for my wife and I was about $75 including mixed drinks and desert which I thought was very reasonable for a Saturday evening out. Will definitely be back. Service was great -- friendly/nice, attentive, good recommendations, but never snooty and never made us feel rushed even though things were really busy by 6:30 (actually surprised by how in control the staff seemed to be). Also....my wife and I aren't exactly trendy or cool (probably condemned to some stereotype by the self-righteous crowd), so when she mentioned Toro Bravo and I read the reviews online, I was concerned about how we would be treated in a relatively new/popular place in a hipster location. Very happy to say no problem -- this is place were everyone should feel comfortable. Said thanks to the owner/chef when we left. He was very gracious which confirmed in my mind that these are good people making great food.
(5)
Liz E.
This funky little place is a little out of downtown (easy drive) but has very good food. I love these tiny neighborhood restaurants. We sat at the little bar that has a view of the VERY small kitchen. Had a good time watching the preparations. They have a nice wine list and great tapas plates. I found it a good way to try lots of different small bites. Try the Charcuteria...very nice.
(5)
Cindy D.
Pros: yummy food, amazing wine list, skilled staff, wonderful atmosphere, cozy waiting area where you can begin your night Cons: too many positives so you might have a bit of a wait for your table. Our Night: We headed to Toro Bravo after my husband read the article in the November issue of Portland Magazine. We arrived around 8pm and had a wait of about 30 minutes. We were pleasantly surprised with the small waiting area on the side of the restaurant. While we waited there we ordered the cheese plate and a couple of glasses of wine. The cheese plate was great--a good assortment of cheeses with a tasty cracker (which I think had some quince paste baked into it). When we moved over to our table we were greeted by a waitress that skillfully guided through our ordering (just the right amount). There was a small confusion with one of our dishes (it was given to the men sitting next to us), but it all worked out in the end (the men actually let us try one of their dishes while we waited for our final dish to arrive). Unfortunately we filled up on the main dishes so there was no room for dessert. I was even more disappointed about this when I read about their churros and chocolate here on yelp. I have yearned for authentic Spanish churros and chocolate ever since I went to Spain for a few weeks over 10 years ago. So my husband and I will return very soon and this time we will be saving room for dessert!
(5)
Nicole A.
If it says empanadas on the menu, then by Jove, there should be at least two empanadas. Plural. Especially for eight dollars. The point being- the hype of this place severely outweighs the reality. After being ignored at the door for what felt like an eternity without a glimmer of acknowledgment, we were seated at the bar, where the bartender gave us prompt but rather cold service. Perhaps being limited to mostly vegetarian picks inhibited the small-plate experience, but most of the delicious sounding selections were simply lacking in flavor. The Singing Pig Greens salad was unremarkable, the Manchego and Paprika Fritters were practically tasteless, and the Sauteed Chanterelles on Griddled Bread smelled like garlicky heaven but tasted like purgatory. Out of the seven dishes we tried, only one was truly scrumptious: the Harissa Stewed Fall Squash with Crumbled Sheep's Cheese, which, to be fair, was almost good enough to warrant seconds. Perhaps it was an off night, but this first impression was a disappointment considering the establishment's stellar reputation.
(2)
Rona m.
This place was so fantastic. Ridiculous wait, but worth it. My favorite was the venison pate. The papas and mushrooms on toast were incredible as well. My new favorite restaurant in Portland!
(5)
Benjamin B.
Hands down, the best tapas I have ever had.
(5)
Mike K.
Absolutely delicious! And quite reasonably priced.
(5)
H M.
From the moment I entered Toro Bravo I could tell I was going to have to accept the fact that I was gonna be treated as if I was on a date the entire time I was there. And I wasn't on a date - I was just with an old friend I hadn't seen in years and yet we were suddenly on an assumed romantic date, shuffled into the most romantic cubbyhole in the joint. Of course that was ridiculously funny to us and made for some good comedy. And of course we had to order some sort of sharing thing that really sealed the date assumption of the three or four hot girls who kept bringing us plate after plate. We felt like gay kings. And of course I had to order a fruit drink that was served UP. There were moments where I felt like we shoulda been spoon feeding each other. And then there were moments where I felt like bolting. And then finally it all stopped and all I can say is, that was a pretty good date. Oh, and the food was pretty decent.
(4)
Derek G.
We arrived on a Friday night at 7:30 and were seated immediately. Street parking was no problem. The room is a bit loud, but cozy and romantic. The food is INCREDIBLE - go for the squid ink paella and the smoked pulled-pork sandwich. The blue cheese stuffed olives were also delicious, although this is coming from someone who has brined their own olives. Don't pass on the churros and chocolate, or the house-made lemoncello. The blackberry pims drink was also superb, and went deliciously with the manchego fritters. 5 thumbs up!
(5)
Kimberley S.
Wanting to get my travel partners excited for an upcoming trip - I searched and searched for an authentic Spanish restaurant in PDX. Boy, it's hard!!!! I didn't want shi-shi, I didn't want trendy, I didn't want what other troglodyte followers find "cool", I wanted REAL good food! And we found it. Next door to the Wonder Ballroom - Toro Brovo (the Brave Bull) provided just what our hearts desired. We got there about 5.30pm on a Thursday evening and it was already a bustle with patrons, but we didn't have to wait at all. As you walk in, the smell of saffron overwhelms every sense and brings you right into a Barcelona sidewalk cafe. We sat down and within minutes had our pitcher of Sangria and a list of "small plates" being prepared in the open kitchen. Our servers were great - informed and happy to help with several suggestions. The only issue we had was the "Blue Cheese stuffed Olives", not enough blue cheese and the olives were on the small side. But I'm sure that the accompaniment - a shot of really smooth gin - helped us to "forget" the downside of that one dish. The best, the grilled chanterelle mushrooms - I found myself licking the plate.... is that rude? And the olive oil was so good; I could have bathed in it. To finish off our dinner, we ordered one Paella Toro between the three of us. Stunning. As we left, the line was beginning to expand onto the sidewalk. Hopefully this place with stay around for a very long while. We love to meet back here to reminisce about our travels.
(4)
jonathan p.
food=love..this place is love=food! tapas=small dish. eat these: bacon-wrapped dates=heaven crab cakes=fresh ocean goodness chorizio & manchego cheese w/ country bread=better than any upscale bread, cheese, and flavor spread than you could imagine potatoes bravas=crispy outside, creamy & delicious inside smoked pork on grilled bread with celery root salad=if food could talk for your mouth, these bites of life will make you thank the chef by hand, and the grand finale!...paella toro... my mouth exploded with positive energy from the brilliantly created seafood greatness of happiness! john & co. thank you my neighbors, my friends food brings people together toro bravo loves people i love you
(5)
Joe S.
The food was really hit or miss. The drunken pork just tasted like smoke, bleh. The paella was average. The summer squash was fantastic. Sangria was above average. I was underwhelmed with the service. All in all i think this place is a bit over-hyped.
(3)
Jean C.
Yup, still great! Took friends from the Bay Area here last week and Portland does not disappoint.
(5)
matt n.
Epic. I was very much impressed with the execution of both food and service. I will be coming back. Stay the line. - Your SF Fan Possee
(4)
Francesca J.
Fantastic. Bravo, Toro Bravo. I really want to eat here every day for the rest of eternity. Ironically, I was craving tapas, which made this even more satisfying. We drooled at the food arriving at the table next to ours and copied their order almost identically, much to our delight. Spicy shrimp and seared scallops with romesco sauce, oh my! And the piece de resistance - - this incredible eggplant with lamb ragu and cheese. I really thought i had died and gone to heaven. Heaven happened to look like a little building off NE Russell, who would have thought? Great food, pretty good prices, a friendly clientele, and awesome service. I will be back. Very very soon.
(5)
Bob S.
This place is crowded for a reason. John Gorham, a veteran of the Portland food scene, now has his own place to do it his way and it ROCKS. It's a fact , PDX is an early food town. On a Thursday night, this place was full at 6:00 PM. I'll bet after 9:30, you could walk in and sit down. I was meeting up with Herself after work so, we were in but there were plenty of people who were going to wait 45 minutes. I'm not going to go through the menu (it's online somewhere, check it out.). But I have to mention a few things. I like to eat low on the food chain, especially fish (Salmon excluded). That means squid, sardines, anchovies, mussels, oysters, mackerel, sea urchins, etc, So when I spot things like grilled sardines at Clyde Commons or grilled anchovies at Toro Bravo, that tells me the Band ain't playing to the crowd. Most Americans won't deal with a bone in fish, especially small fish but, they're missing it. Four grilled whole anchovies with fried lemon and fennel on a spicy sweet red sauce!! It's fish that'll stand up to their reasonably priced Ribera del Dueros/Tempranillos. I love seeing a restaurant like this busy, full, cranking it out to appreciative foodies. Way to go John!
(5)
Melinda A.
wonderful though had a bit of a wait to eat there.
(4)
melissa p.
highlighted in portland monthly as one of 2007's best of... i am sorry to say that i beg to differ. a rude and snippy hostess, less-than-ordinary bar protocol, and a ridiculously long wait time (grossly underestimated by the staff), all culminated into a less-than-stellar experience at this restaurant. first of all, our hostess had promised us a 45 to an hour long wait.. however, we were not seated until an hour and 40 minutes had passed. every time we would check on our status, the wait staff never seemed to have any real idea of what was going on. as well... when we approached the bar to order drinks for the wait, we were reprimanded by the bar staff who claimed that we had to wait for a server to come to us in the foyer to take our orders...why have an exposed and visible bar with customers there if you can't even walk over and order yourself a drink?! well anyways, when we finally did get seated, we perused the menu as were amused at the $1 charge for bread. each individual in our party ordered 2 tapas each...the standout dishes: dates wrapped in bacon with a honey sauce (this was phenomenal, i must admit), the butternut squash puree topped with cheeese was not great- the puree was much too liquidy and not stiff enough for my taste...to be honest, i don't even remember the rest of what we ordered by virtue of the experience being soured by the horrible service...
(2)
Edward J.
As much as people complain about waiting for a table, apparently they misjudged its popularity to its great food. I highly recommend this place for a nice double date or a good parent-visiting place. Its not the best tapa place in town (LOLO's?) but definitely they have the best fritters and salad. They change their menu all the time, so I miss the delicious goat cheese salad (I am not a big cheese fan and this is unique!). Get a good glass of wine and try their two of their appetizer. If you aren't knowledge with Spanish cooking, definitely ask the waitress for recommendations. I hear the cod fritter is the best.
(5)
Ross M.
Really tasty Drunken Pork. Cool decor and nice staff.
(4)
Alex M.
Anyone fond of or familiar with real Spanish food is likely to be disappointed with this expensive, over-hyped restaurant. Everyone else, it seems, should have a great time. The atmosphere is terrific, but dishes like the bland tortilla espanola with a large dollop of mayonnaise, paella prepared in less than 15 minutes (to do it right takes hours) served over-cooked and over seasoned, and the skimpy strips of jamon wrapped (why?) around chicken nuggets, gave this reviewer the sinking feeling that Portland's eager and adventurous eaters were having a fast one pulled on them. Of course there is nothing wrong with reinventing classic dishes and adding creative variations, but the fundamentals should be mastered before expanding into new territory, and most of the variations served at Toro Bravo come in the form of extra sauce, heavy seasoning and sweet, sugary flavors, which is in direct contrast to the elegant simplicity of most Spanish food, particularly tapas. Admittedly, many authentic Spanish dishes are excruciatingly tricky to make well, despite the often simple ingredients, but this is the challenge that the restaurateur accepts when he opens. Glad to see that the concept is a financial successful, with many happy reviewers and customers, but this reviewer is going to keep at least one eye looking out from under the wool.
(2)
Mary D.
I discovered this restaurant through yelp and this is now one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. The food and service was great and I can't wait to come back to try more items on their menu. We had a short wait to be seated, so while we waited we ordered 2 drinks and 2 appetizers. My husband and I had two " French kisses" brandy soaked prunes stuffed with foie gras, followed by two bacon wrapped dates. Both dishes were excellent but when we ordered a second round, we liked the bacon/dates just a little better, and had two more of those. The two mixed drinks we ordered were good and strong, but the name of the cocktails escapes me. After we were seated at the bar we had our second order of bacon wrapped dates. We also ordered pickled veggies with olives and a salad. The harissa stewed summer squash with cheese and mint was excellent. It was yummy and creamy, tasted almost like a curry. We had some glasses of limoncello (delicious) while we waited for our dessert: molten chocolate cake with ice cream. The cake was more pudding like than molten, but it tasted great and was the perfect end to our meal. In regards to atmosphere, we had read other reviews and kind of knew what to expect. If people are looking for a quiet, intimate dining experience they shouldn't expect to find it here. We arrived after 9pm on a Friday night and it was still busy, noisy, and required a brief wait to be seated. I was perfectly happy with the setting and the "wound up energy" of Toro Brava and will be back for more.
(5)
Ross W.
Toro Bravo was completely packed by 6pm on a Monday, and I understand why. The food is great. It is not cheap but worth trying at least once. I would never try Griddled Bacon Wrapped Dates with warm honey, especially at $2 a piece, but it was tasty. We couldn't get enough of Potatoes Bravas although I can't identify the ingredients other than it was delicious. Simple dishes like Grilled Corn with cilantro pesto and Sauteed Spinach with pine nuts & golden raisins were well-prepared. We also enjoyed the Empanada with rabbit confit & potatoes as well as the Seared Scallops with romesco amongst others. The only dish I wasn't crazy about is the Spicy Octopus & Prawn Stew. It was too spicy for me, and you can't really find the prawn. This is a wonderful tapas place where you can be culinarily adventurous with a group of friends.
(4)
J L.
If I could only eat one meal in Portland it would definitely be the squid ink pasta with hazelnuts and anchovy syrup (trust me, just try it!!!) and an order of their grilled flat bread with black truffle cheese and wild arugula. That with a couple of good glasses of wine is just about the most perfect culinary experience I think this fine foodie city has to offer and maybe one of the best in the country. It's worth the wait.
(5)
ali b.
Deliciously amazing food! I still dream of the French Kisses, a must try! Granted it was over an hour wait, but we went up the Secret Society and had a drink and the time flew by. The service was spot on and full of suggestions. A truly wonderful experience!
(5)
Brad C.
Came here for dinner around 7:00 pm on a Wednesday. The wait was only about 15 minutes for a table for four. While waiting for our table to be ready we stood outside and ordered drinks and looked over the menu. I've had tapas a few times and I find that for two people ordering three or four items is usually a safe bet. The four of us picked seven things off the menu to get. I can't even remember all the delious things we ate that night but I do recall a few hightlights. The first dish to come out was the bacon wrapped dates and the fried anchovies. Then came what had to be the highlight of the night which was the ox tail. It was just fabulous. We also ordered some super tasty African sausage. The service for the meal was also great, each dish came out as we were finishing up a plate, so we never had more then three plates on the table at once. Our last choice for the evening and one of the more expensive menu items at $19, was the paella. This paella was great! It was well cooked and wasn't soupy at all. With a drink for each of us the bill was just over $100, not bad especially for the food quality.
(5)
Bay Area F.
I was really disappointed in Toro Bravo because it has gotten great reviews and I love tapas, but it really felt like the theme was butter makes everything better. I don't shy away from butter used appropriately, but almost everything we ate was really, really heavy. I'll start with the positive: * Griddled Bacon Wrapped Dates with warm honey - very tasty, get one if you go to Toro Bravo, but I don't recommend that * Bread with butter & olive oil - ironically, the butter was nothing special, but the olive oil was exceptional - definitely get this ($1) * Moroccan Tuna with dried cherry couscous - pretty good and thankfully not too heavy, but it's probably getting a better rating from me since most everything else was subpar * Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with bacon sherry cream - I liked these, but they were very creamy. If everything else wasn't super heavy, I think I would have liked these more, but paired with heavy dish after heavy dish, the brussels sprouts didn't sing. * Caramel Panna Cotta - pretty good, but a touch too creamy, the caramel sauce was also a little too sweet for my taste Regrettably, our table also ordered: * Manchego & Paprika Fritters - overfried, dry * Sauteed Chanterelles on griddled bread - soaked in butter, no mushroom flavor * Seared Cauliflower - boring, underseasoned * Griddled Shrimp with chilies - bland * Molten Chocolate Cake with vanilla ice cream - dry, boring * Churros & Chocolate - overfried, tasted like they were from a ballpark
(2)
Samantha K.
yes, the wait is crazy long, but there is a quiet little bar upstairs that makes an excellent manhattan. c'mon, who wouldn't wait an hour for some pig on pig crime (suckling pig stuffed with chorizo)? also, it is well priced...dinner for four and several cocktails each = $90.
(5)
Dean R.
Before I was, like, this place is OK but it doesn't really live up to all the hype. Then I went there again and was all like, um, yeah, it does. Deducting a little bit because of some of the bullshit seating -- particularly the coat closet in which they have stuffed three or four more tables including little bullshit "booth" seats which are little triangular pieces of nothing jammed into a corner to stuff even more people in there. I wouldn't have cared, but I was the people that got stuffed. Marcellus Wallace doesn't like getting stuffed by anybody but Mrs. Wallace.
(4)
Sara F.
Ok seriously I'm in love with this place!!! My husband & I were here on a work trip of his & just looked up this place on yelp. AMAZING tapas!! We tried many dishes and were thrilled even more as each delicious dish kept arriving. The sheeps cheese with rose petal harrisa, (harrissa is really difficult to get "right", it has to have a perfect balance between salt & spice in order to taste good and they had it RIGHT!). The cheese was so soft and perfect, I thought it couldn't get any better, but then it did; they added fresh mint on top!! YUMOOOOO!! Then we tried the lamb & white bean stew, just a hint of cinnamon and stewed onion and spices. Then we had the swiss chard with a sunny side egg on top, it just kept getting better! To top off the meal, I had a great cappucinno and we shared rich hazelnut, (the hazelnut was so strong and creamy, it was awesome!), with sherry drizzled on top. I think this was the best tapas experience I've ever had in the US. The world DIVINE sums up this place best!! Amazing food, great service and gorgeous ambience. A wonderful experience overall!!
(5)
Anne B.
Saw all the people waiting all the time... Actually my massage therapist told me it was worth the hype and the money. It was. Sat at the bar, seated in 5 minutes on a Saturday, superquick. Drinks were excellent: Blackberry Prims, Death in the Afternoon, etc. Food was also very good- griddled shrimp- however didn't like taking the shell off. Moroccan Tuna with cherry couscous was also good. Probably the meatballs were the best. Why not 5? Servers seemed harried and hurried. Maybe not avoidable, but not always relaxing to watch.
(4)
Bob M.
great tapas, not too expensive, place kinda small-- but damn, everything i had here was top notch and ive had some great tapas in barcelona
(5)
George C.
We flew in from New York, checked into the hotel and needed a bite. We hit up our fellow Yelpers for something close and Toro Bravo came up highly recommended. We were a touch jet lagged so we took the reviewers advice and decided to show up early for a table. People are streaming in and out of this little hot spot all the time. It has a great vibe, a hip comfortable look, nice music, and friendly people running the place. It has bar seating and an open kitchen which give the place a great energy. Dress is casual but many patrons were dolled up. We started with a couple French Kisses (foie gras stuffed brandied prunes). I mean puh-lease, just amazing. We also had cod fritters (very good-not fishy), chorizo (moist and meaty), octopus (well prepared,presented and tasteeeee), drunken pork with avocado (just yummy), and a beet and onion ring salad (simple and well done). We finished with Cava and a small cheese plate that was spot on. If you're from out of town you should give Toro Bravo a try. If you're a local then you probably already know about this gem. Tapas done with a fresh PDX flair, simple yet interesting wine list and again friendly people. Go early if you want a table right away, but the "Toro" vibe says come later on and enjoy a few bottles with friends.
(4)
Rayleen H.
one word.... crap... 1) the wait was too long 2) no parking 3) LOUD!!! 4) rude server 5) mediocre food.... 6) good drinks, but that is the only good thing I can say! I don't see the hype... I won't be returning...
(1)
E. P.
Yum Yum Yum! Great atmospheric lighting, intimate seating and upscale without feeling too posh to be comfortable. My husband and I went here for our 5th wedding anniversary dinner and were lucky enough to snag a table in the alcove (3 tables in a longish, narrow space). We'd never been out for tapas before so it was an exciting experience and the menu was very interesting. We ordered: radicchio salad, cheese plate, flat bread with truffle oil and arugula, potatoes bravos, and the pork empanada. For dessert it was the molten chocolate cake/ice cream and churros with drinking chocolate. You'll see sheep's cheese in a lot of dishes. Food was coming out one after another will little to no waiting between dishes. We thought everything was delicious and the waitstaff was friendly and attentive, even taking a picture of us when I asked. We would definitely return and would love to dine here with friends. We were a little dressed up, but there was a definite mix with people dressed more casually with no detriment to the atmosphere.
(4)
A M.
Delicious! It was only my second time there, but I think I need to go back more often. Monday night is definitely not as busy as the weekend! Good service, and just great food. Shared the radicchio salad, fladbread with truffle and arugula, and the harissa squash. I normally don't care for squash, but this was really good. It may change my mind on squash -- but only if it is served like that. Yum!
(5)
Pamela B.
First of all, I am not from Portland, and I did not know this place existed until tonight. Thus, there was no hype to overcome and nothing to influence my experience. We came right at 5pm when it opened, so no line. That being said, the food I ate this evening was outstanding. Flavors blended and exploded in my mouth as never before. Braised leeks, aioli potatoes, roast beef with polenta, and hedgehog mushrooms on griddled bread= savory, savory goodness. Portion sizes are generous for tapas, and prices are reasonable for tapas. I live in the Bay Area, and trust me, if a restaurant like this were there, it wouldn't be this affordable or easy to walk into on a Friday night. The service was superb--our waitress helped modify a drink to suit my sweet tooth needs, and willingly canceled a dish upon our request once we realized we had overestimated our appetites. My only regret is that I didn't save room for dessert. Next time.
(5)
Veronica N.
I came here on a Sunday and got seated at the bar because all the tables were occupied. Great staff; everyone is very friendly. I was not disappointed with one dish. I do have to mention that the Coppa Steak and spinach with golden raisins and pine nuts still linger through my mind. The prices here are also very reasonable. Will definitely come back! One of my favs in Portland!!!
(5)
Donald M.
Fantastic!! Expensive but worth every penny. My wife and I took our daughter and son-in-law for dinner. They are both true foodies and everyone thought everything was great. The service can be a little slow but I guess that happens when the place is packed. We will be back.
(4)
Samuel M.
I am all for Chic restaurants that will leave your taste buds soaring with joy! With that being said, I also expect that along with delicious food, I will also receive adequate customer service (or better). Upon my arrival, I politely inquired as to whether or not they could accommodate my wife's eating preferences (She only eats boneless/skinless chicken or turkey). I noted that they had two chicken dishes on their menu that looked promising although they had additional meat/seafood ingredients that she will not eat. When I asked if they could simply remove these ingredients, they said that they could, but that it would "compromise" the integrity of the dish. I took this to mean, Pffft its perfect as is, and if you want to change it, you probably should not get it. This might have slipped under my "don't east there" radar, but it was immediately followed up with the hostess seating us right on top of another couple when there were still plenty other tables in the restaurant unoccupied. Again, I recognize that this is a hip place and tables probably fill up quick, but we were there just after 5 when they open and they could have pretended that intimate dining was a possibility in their establishment even if it was a lil' white lie. Toro, I am sure that you serve up meals that make you go "mmmmmm," but I want you to remember that the best restaurants also have to remember how they got to be considered best (by rewarding their customers with a good experience to pass on to others). Thanks, but no thanks!
(1)
Amy H.
"toro bravo may just be the best meal i've had in my entire life. i'm inebriated though so loop back with me tomorrow to verify." these were my thoughts drunkenly typed into facebook (thank god for spellcheck) as i exited portland's ode to tapas. receiving multiple accolades, including kudos from the likes of mark bittman and an esteemed 27/30 from zagat, toro bravo stays true to simple, rustic fare by crafting small plates with artisanal flair. faced with so many menu choices, my bridal bosom buddy and i decided to throw caution to the wind and order the tasting menu, which featured seven courses of edible ecstacy ranging from (drool) bacon-wrapped/marcona-stuffed dates to caña de oveja on a bed of berries and greens to a smoked pork shoulder sandwich with horseradish slaw....(/drool). interweave some fernet-laced cocktails throughout that story, and the night ended with yours truly cuddled up in the hotel bathtub with a pillow and a bath towel as cover. but getting back to the original question, the morning after revealed that everything's more romantic à la minute, but i'd still feel comfortable keeping toro bravo in my top 5, which ain't shabby when you're up against some three-star michelin boys (and cracker barrel).
(5)
andrew m.
Wow this could have been a fun night but unfortunately this place is run like poorly oiled machine. I called the place at about 5:00 pm to see if they offered corkage. I got no answer 6, yes 6, times over the span of 45 minutes. But I was able to find out that they do not offer reservations through their voicemail not that anyone would answer to take them. We show up to find that the wait is 2 hours. 2 hours and you don't take reservations? The maitre'd salvaged nothing by saying, "We would love it it you waited" Yeah? Where? There's no room to do anything but turn around and leave. I'd in fact love it if you gave me a reason to go through this ever again. I'm sorry but this isn't The French F'in Laundry and even they take reservations. Food trumps all but if you make it impossible to get a chance to try it it boils down to service. So look above Toro Bravo one star is what you get for that.
(1)
Bula W.
My husband and I decided to check the place out at 8pm on a Thursday night. Despite being packed & being told about a 30-minute wait for seats, we were actually seated rapidly (about 2-3 minutes). Ambiance: the lighting is dim which is sufficient for dinner w/ friends or a date; I wouldn't recommend it for families with small/ younger children. It's fairly loud (probably because it was full) so I had a hard time hearing my husband speak, although I may just be hard of hearing. Food/drinks: We shared a pitcher of sangria, finished it but I don't feel any effects. I wonder if there was any alcohol in it whatsoever. The sauteed yellowfoot mushroom on griddled bread is delicious ($7)! Loved that. The whole petrale sole w/ olives, capers, roasted garlic, lemons was average ($10)- honestly my mom makes better fish. The sole's flavor was underwhelming. We also ordered a dish w/ butternut squash w/ crumbled cheese was tasty, despite being a bit oversalted. Our dessert was fabulous- a caramel something. Really delicious with warm sweet caramel on top of the fluffly stuff below. Cost: Our bill was $45+tip. We were stuffed, probably because we snacked before decided to eat out. I felt like it was reasonably priced. Service: The hostess greeted and seated us quickly; the server was helpful in recommending items; food+drinks were served in good intervals. Overall, we would have to try eating hear a couple more times, but at the moment, I do recommend it.
(4)
Sam C.
This place is a dream! Delectable, and yummy! The cocktails were amazing, the bacon wrapped dates were to die for, and the dinner was fantastic! Loved the intimacy and coziness also! Can't wait to go again!
(5)
Ryan S.
This is one of the best tapas style restaurants in Portland, and one of my favorite restaurants overall as well. The best way to experience it is with a group, 4 is a great number because everyone can try a bite of almost all the dishes. If you have 6 or more you can make a reservation which will spare you the lengthy wait you could expect on most nights. Weeknights will be better to get in, but weekends expect at least an hour wait. I went with a large group recently, and was able to try most of the menu items. I had been before and was super impressed with everything I had tried, but because I was with a smaller group I only tried maybe 5-6 items. This time we almost tried it all, and literally everything on the menu was great. I don't think I've ever been to a restaurant where ever single thing on the menu was at such a high level. Drink list is spot on, with a number of great cocktails to choose from and a good wine list as well. There is also the Secret Society above the restaurant that has great drinks if you need a place to drink while you wait for your table.
(5)
Joaquin L.
Toro Bravo is one of those restaurants that has an amazing reputation and can be incredibly difficult to get a reservation at. With such high expectations it can be difficult for a place to live up to the hype. Toro Bravo does just this, serving some fantastic food in a relaxed atmosphere that still feels very special. Great for a date night or an evening with your foodie friends, show up ready for fantastic food because you will be served just that.
(5)
Jenny H.
I always hear this place being compared to Andina so I've wanted to try it for some time. In my opinion, Andina blows this place away so I probably won't be coming back anytime soon. This place is quite popular so you should plan ahead and make a reservation. My party of 4 ended up waiting about 1.5 hrs on a Friday night. Here's what we tried: BREAD WITH BUTTER & OLIVE OIL ($2) : Mm, just okay. I wouldn't order this again. SALT COD FRITTERS ($9):Fried coated fish. Pretty yummy and a nice dish to start off the meal with. POTATOES BRAVAS ($9) : Home fries served with spicy tomato sauce and aioli. I normally love anything with potatoes but I didn't really like the sauce. Other people seemed to enjoy this dish though. SQUID INK PASTA ($13) : Comes in a sauce of anchovy syrup and egg yolk with lots of hazelnuts. This was my favorite dish of the night and I probably could have eaten one dish just by myself. Loved the flavor and slight bit of spice. PAELLA TORO ($21) : Huge serving of paella that came with chicken, chorizo, shirmp, clams, and mussels. There were a lot ingredients mixed into it and they definitely didn't skimp on the seafood. HOUSE SMOKED COPPA STEAK ($17) : Nice juicy piece of steak with a delicious sauce. ALMOND ICE CREAM WITH A SHOT OF ESPRESSO ($6) : Yay Affogato! My favorite dessert to get. I was expecting to like this a lot since I love anything with almond flavor but I thought the ice cream was too creamy and there was too much of it. I prefer more espresso to my ice cream.
(4)
Raia C.
Pros: Server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the food and sherry Food was served quickly after ordering (very little waiting time) Good presentation Great ambience Menu had a good variety, but didn't make you feel bombarded with choices Duck liver terrine was on point! Cons: SALT CENTRAL!!! Don't get me wrong, the food tasted great on the first bite, but after that the salt was overwhelming. Waited an hour to be seated (bad if you're hungry, good because it gives you time to grab a cocktail at the Secret Society Lounge next door) Would I come back here again? Yes. There are other dishes on the menu that sounded amazing and hopefully aren't too salty. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Cass M.
Went here for dinner tonight w my husband and arrived 30min before opening to seal a spot! We got the small charcuteria platter which did not disappoint (came w duck mousse, chorizo, pate, house made pickles, mustard, and bread), paella toro (great except the mussels were slightly under and clams were under), bacon wrapped dates (good but sweeter than I thought they'd be), and I got the chefs choice cocktail which was delicious. The drinks took a bit longer than expected but the place was slammed (they comp'd for the wait time). Overall, I was pleased (again) with their service and food - I would definitely come again.
(4)
Sudeep B.
We tried the New York kiss, basque piperade, fried empanadas, paella toro..and of course the potatoes Bravas..and none of them disappointed! The ambience is awesome and the food even better! In a food heaven like Portland, it is very difficult for a restaurant to have so many positive reviews and this place deserves every bit of them! A must visit!
(5)
Matthew T.
Bravo to Toro Bravo! Great romantic type vibe to this restaurant. I saw several couples here dining and canoodling especially in the more private strip of seating they offer. I've never been to Spain so I can't speak to how faithful these Spanish-influenced tapas were. Overall, I thought the dishes were delicious and very nicely priced. Plus, the service is fantastic and not at all pretentious like you might expect at similar types of restaurants in LA. Great: - Squid Ink Pasta: Nice runny egg yolk was perfect for these noodles. Creamy and delicious. I thought it met the hype. - Coppa Steak: Tasted more like a prime rib but tender and delicious. Good: - Bacon wrapped date: At $2 a pop, it was good and a nice balance of sweet and savory. Pass: - Meatballs w/ tomato almond sauce and peas: recommended by the waitress but ended up being a dud. I'm personally not a fan of tapas but Toro Bravo won me over. A fun night out in Portland for great flavors and good drinks. Bravo!
(4)
Christine W.
I would definitely recommend ordering to share with your party. I went on a Friday evening and the wait was an hour to and hour and a half. Dim lighting to set the mood and it was a little loud - played a great selection of songs. The waiter was nice. We ordered: Bacon wrapped dates smothered in honey - a perfect combination of sweet and savory w an almond in the middle, so please beware all you allergic to nuts! Seared scallops - I'd recommend this. It was perfectly seared so that the scallops, which are half of a hockey puck size, were not squishy or too firm. The romesco sauce that came with it, complimented it well. Chicken wrapped with jamon - did you know jamon means Spanish ham? A thin slice of ham wrapped around a tender piece of chicken Paella - oh boy, I think my favorite dish of all! It is kind of like a seafood jambalaya - the rice was drenched in a savory sauce. I think this is good to share bc it does feel saltier as you eat more, but a good kind of salty :) I'd come back but maybe on an off day so the wait isn't too long.
(4)
Mark A.
Expect the Wait ... But OMG. Oxtail Croquettes, Paella, OMG. I wish they had an option for a Large order of Paella.
(4)
Ryan C.
Disliked immensely despite the Octopus. Why must John Gorham write off every 1 out of every 8 guests by seating them in the old coat closet (to the right just as you walk in). It was impossible to enjoy my meal when seated inches across from someone. Think the tables at St Jacks NW and then trim trim trim. I remember liking something with a beany texture, but the service alongside the ambience rendered it all null. Dishes come out as the kitchen readies them, which is to say that the convenience of the house comes at the expense of your dining experience. Bacon dates, for example, came at the very end after the casseroles. You try to go with it, but your brain overrides you and screams "weird!". MEC follows this same playbook yet somehow the Tasty and Etcs do not. Except at MEC they will remove you if you stay over your allotted two hours. Luckily this restaurateur has deigned to allow a more humane dining experience at his Tasty and Etc. Those, happily, are amazing.
(3)
Laura W.
I'm excited by tapas because you get to taste-test so many different dishes. I enjoy its sister restaurants, Tasty n Sons and Tasty n Alder, but this place wasn't terribly impressive. Food The prices seemed inconsistent for the items, which made me focus more on the inconsistency and racking up of the bill more than the food itself. You'd have to spend a pretty penny to leave satisfied, or else you just need to go in knowing which items to order. The grilled octopus had an amazing texture but $17 seems like a lot for the meager, unshareable portion. The lamb with apricot and coriander was melt in your mouth fantastic, but the portion again was too small to share and too meager for the price. It came with a single pepper as garnish and barely any lamb. The dates and bacon had great reviews, but it had far too much date-to-bacon ratio. It was like eating a big sugar ball. The charturie grande and paella were nice, and fine portions to share, consistent with price. Drinks Cocktails were nice but not unusual or exceptional. Great bartender and great service. Ambiance It is bustling and it's a walk-in place for small groups, so expect a wait. We were ultimately seated in a crowded back area where it was so hot that we had to get up on occasion to take a breath of fresh air. The noise level was too high to enjoy a conversation, and the place is so bustling it felt a little too hectic to enjoy the meal. If I went back, it would be with a group of friends and a small appetite.
(2)
Cezary W.
Interesting variations on Spanish themes using genuine Northwest ingredients. Very desired, long waiting lines. Small portions. The "two dollar" rating is thus deceiving.
(4)
Shani J.
Not sure if we missed something, but the food was really unimpressive. Loved the atmosphere and service, but I've had way better tapas elsewhere.
(3)
David K.
If you're waiting for the long wait at Ox, drop by here while you can because you can grab a sweat or standing table here a bit sooner :) Our group enjoyed some of the tapas here as starters before our meaty meal at Ox. The charcuterie plate and squid ink pasta were my favorite dishes! Also, the potato bravas is simple yet delicious! Service here was awesome as well, we dropped our knives a couple of times due to the lack of space with our party of 5. They literally were there to get us a new knife every time!
(4)
Stephanie K.
If you don't want to wait 2 hours for a table, get here 15 minutes before they open at 5pm. There was a huge line (20+ people) outside the door at 4:55! Crazy. It's a pretty trendy restaurant, and they have an open kitchen (loooove). An extensive menu made for tough decision making #firstworldproblems My favorites: -Potatoes bravas. Slightly crispy with a tangy tomatoey sauce. Mmmmm carbs -Bread with olive oil and butter. Haha...the bread is really good -Squid ink pasta. Prob one of the most unique dishes I've ever had. It comes with a raw egg yolk (mix it in) and anchovy sauce. Yum. We also had the house cured sobrasada -- the meat was pretty oily so it was hard to eat, but I really liked the honey on it! It comes with pickled leeks (I think?), which are to die for!!!!!! Want moar nowwww. Service is also exceptional!
(4)
Lisa E.
I took my sister and her husband here for dinner, and there were some stand outs, and some so-so dishes. I am fairly picky, but this is the place to be honest: The standouts: The terrine de foie gras with toasted challah, the roasted fava beans with Jamon, the braised lamp with egg noodle pasta and the Paella (the Paella was too salty, but just asked them to limit the salt, then salt to taste. Do NOT miss the fried anchovies with crisped slices of lemon and thin onion! (Get two orders, in fact). The rice on the Paella was nicely crispy around the edges and filled with green peas and bits of crispy sausage. This is importants! For a nice dining experience, send someone there around 5:00 to 5:30, and put your name in for a 7 or 8 o'clock reservation... Then, your wait will be just long enough to order a drink and you will be seated pronto! Other wise the wait is silly, and there is no place to sit down. Also, it is very noisy, so do not go on a first date, or with a large table if you want to actually talk. The wines and sherry's were well represented and the sangria was nice.
(4)
Amy H.
I give this place 3.5 stars. We actually walked 1.5 miles from Screen Door to here because we were trying to do two dinners since SOME people were craving the squid ink pasta. It is in a random sorta sketch area and then all of a sudden there is civilization. Exaggerated but it's all good. There is outdoor seating and everyone was mostly indoors but it was soo damn hot in there that we just waited for outdoor seating. We got a pitcher of dranks, corn, and squid ink pasta. That corn was actually delicious! Who knew the highlight of this meal would have been the corn. I recommend cutting the kernals off and mixing all the goodies together. The squid ink was very small and couldnt really taste that yolk on top. Interesting concept but defs not what I imagined or wanted me squid ink to be. Next time I will try again and torture my friends to walk for days to get squid ink. We love squid ink.
(4)
Mindy D.
I wish I had tried Toro Bravo sooner when I lived in PDX, since it has been in my bookmarks for forever. However, better late than never. It was one of the best stops I made during my last visit to Portland. Sunday night and there was no wait for a table for 3. Mr. Host was a hottie and quickly seated us in the middle of the restaurant. Pitcher of sangria to start and then came the tapas. The cod fritters were not fishy at all. They were lightly crispy and soft in the center, and paired well with the tartar sauce. I can't remember the second dish, but it was served in a clay bowl with pork and clams and crostini for dipping. The star of the night was definitely the paella. Generous portion and lots of fresh seafood! I only wish there was more soccarat, the crispy bottom! For the prices, portions, and quality of food, this was an excellent way to end our trip. Most tapas restaurants tend to overcharge for their small portions, but I found Toro Bravo's prices very reasonable! Service was attentive without being overbearing. I'd definitely recommend this place and can't wait to come back myself.
(5)
Devon D.
I had heard nothing but rave reviews of Toro Bravo before I went for dinner last night and I couldn't wait to try it. Needless to say, my expectations were pretty high, especially after eating at Toro's sister restaurant, Tasty & Sons, earlier this week (AMAZING!!!). Unfortunately, Toro Bravo did not, in my opinion, live up to all the hype. There was no hostess anywhere to be seen for several minutes while we stood at the door, getting blasted with cold air every time someone walked in or out. But, when she did arrive she was friendly and we were seated within 15 minutes. In the meantime, we were able to order drinks at their one "waiting" bar table. Our server was super friendly, which I truly appreciate, especially in a town with so many surly servers, but she wasn't able to describe any of the meals beyond "oh, that one is really good!" or "that's one of my favorite dishes." Also, her service was pretty terrible. My friend ordered paella which takes 25 minutes to cook while I looked over the menu, but no one came to take my order anytime in the next half an hour, so I had to order my meal after his had already arrived. The menu was interesting, but the food was sadly, kind of average. I think the expectations I had from all the recommendations and from eating at Tasty & Sons led to my disappointment. Had I not expected this place to blow my mind, I probably would've given it 4 stars. Worth a go, though. :)
(3)
Bill K.
Wonderful paella. Great service and atmosphere. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
CeeCee P.
There was something peculiar about Toro Bravo that left me speechless... Maybe it was the host who looked like she could be a Spanish dancer... or the glowing atmosphere of the restaurant that lured me in... or maybe it was the fact that by the end of the meal, I felt like I hardly ate anything... but felt super full! No wait... come to think of it though, I believe I was enchanted most by the quality of Toro Bravo's food. Everything that we ordered was exquisitely prepared... As my first experience of polenta, I found that Toro Bravo's baked polenta was surprisingly delicious... the flavors of the roast beef, cheese, roasted tomatoes and pesto melded together very smoothly.. The paella, divinely crafted with sweet mussels, smoky chorizo, juicy clams, plump shrimps and tender chicken, was the best I've ever had... need I say more?? The smoked steak was a little less memorable, but was very soft, considering that it was a chuck steak. I'll admit that I'm not a huge fan of burgers.. until I met bacon.. and manchego! Toro Bravo's burger is honestly the best burger I've ever had in my life... EVER!! The medium rare meat was amazing... the sauce was mouth-watering... the pickles were delightfully sweet... the bacon was perfectly cooked and the manchego cheese was just the cherry on top.. yum yum! We ended our evening nicely with the olive oil cake, and don't let the name it scare you off! The texture of the cake reminded me of a dense, moist sponge cake that had a pleasant lemon-y taste to it. I am completely captivated by Toro Bravo, but I'm not speechless enough to say that I will definitely come back! :)
(5)
Anna M.
Consistently good food every time. Everything is rich and heavy, so indulge. I especially love the 90s hip hop music and efforts to keep this place young and hip. I can get down to eating my radicchio salad even though most of the diners (when I look around) seem way older, conservative, and buttoned up.
I will definitely say for Portland Foodies this is more of an average staple type of restaurant. I expected to be wow'd. Everything I had on the menu was great, the server was helpful, and the drinks were just right, but nothing really blew me away. I would say it is worth trying a few times, or bringing a friend from out of town. The homemade noodles were great, squid ink pasta was tasty, potatoes yumm, French Kiss was just Eh, paella GREAT, seared cauliflower just Eh (tasty n sons is better), Oxtail Croquettes yumm, and the couple making out next to us made for an interesting sight. At 8:00 p.m. on a Tuesday we waited 5 minutes.
(4)
Bill E.
Damn, the food here is good! so good! Make a reservation, because they're busy. Been here a few times and have yet to have anything bad... I think I'll go there now!
(5)
W C.
Nice, fun atmosphere and the service is friendly. I'm not a fan of the community seating so it was nice to see that they have traditional seating options. Overall, the food is pretty good. I've been here a couple of times and enjoy coming here. If memory serves me, the oxtail croquet's were slightly on the sweet side and lacked oxtail flavor but otherwise, the other dishes were all pretty good. 3.5-4 stars.
(3)
Hana J.
I came here with a large party of 10 on my graduation night, and every member of my party left in a food-induced-daze, stumbling out of the restaurant wondering if what had just occurred had happened on this planet. After reading some of the other reviews, I can see how our experience might have been different, but from my point of view, there was really almost nothing that could have been changed to make it a better night. The reservations were handled brilliantly, and some of my party were even able to be seated early while they waited for the rest. Each of us ordered the tasting menu, which was essentially the chef sending out whatever he/she wanted to! It was really great, because none of us had any idea what was coming next. Each dish was better than the last! I could really go on and on about the food, but in particular, the Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash, Duck Liver Terrine, and Caramel Panna Cotta were phenomenal. My grandmother even wrote down the name of the wine she had because it was so great. For atmosphere, I'm not sure if I was just not paying attention as I was basking in the glory of being a newly matured fish in the shark-infested waters of the global economy, but I only noticed positive things about their music, funky wallpaper, and trendy bulls everywhere. The only thing that could have been done was a change of plates - after the first three dishes or so the small plates were just too small! That and I'm OCD about my foods touching each other... To end on a high note, this was some of the best food I've had in PDX, and considering the range of characters in my extended family that dined with us, it was amazing that everyone left so content and full. I say BRAVO to Toro Bravo!
(5)
Michelle T.
We were visiting friends in Portland and they took us to Toro Bravo. When I heard the wait was 1.5 hours, I was hesitant to wait that long, but our friends assured us it was worth it. We went for a drink elsewhere while they took our cellphone number and in 90 minutes on the dot our table was ready. The only drawback was how difficult it was to make a decision. Everything we tried was phenomenal. I would have liked to do the chef's tasting menu, but our dining companions didn't want to. I will next time for sure. Because even though we live 2.5 hours north of Portland, we will be back to Toro Bravo.
(5)
Todd B.
Maybe you should start taking reservations for smaller parties. I'm not waiting over an hour when I'm visiting a city because you think you're too cool for them.
(1)
Das K.
Have eaten here many times over the last few years... Lots of reviews here and for good reason. Personally I find this place one of my favorites for a few reasons: 1.) Great service... even when uber crazy they always have the room under control. 2.) Sitting at the chef's bar is a very cool show, watching everything being made and figuring out what you want to try is awesome. 3.) The food... almost everything is bombastic. Somethings are a miss, but just an ever so slight miss. The place is almost always packed, and even when they open there is a crowd growing 10 minutes before. If you haven't tried it you should... great with a group or with two, or probably even with one at the bar.
(5)
Naomi D.
After waiting for an hour, my tummy was ready to partake of some delicious food...and Toro Bravo did not let me down! My husband and I shared a couple dishes and they were all super yummy. Well, that was until we received our Paella. But let me start off with the good stuff... We ate and enjoyed: - a grilled flat bread with truffle cheese topped with arugula (totally yum!) - bacon wrapped dates with honey (delicious, but needing a little acidity/tartness....maybe some goat cheese?) - homemade pasta with pepper cream sauce (homemade pasta...need I say more?) -crepes with lemon curd and cream (smooth, creamy and perfectly tart!) We ate and tried to enjoy: - the Paella...(The flavor was complex and developed, but was heavily salted and had burnt areas. Perhaps the stock/broth had reduced too much and/or is was simply overcooked. But the saltiness had me downing water and left me disappointed.) Yet Toro Bravo still redeemed itself with the lemon curd crepes and truffle cheese flat bread! My mouth is starting to water just thinking about it... So, Toro Bravo I will give you are hefty pat on the back...but will save a true bravo for the perfect Paella the next time around.
(4)
Massarra F.
I still have dreams of Toro Bravo. Why oh why can't we have places like this in San Diego???? If you are into tapas and trying different things on menus, this is definitely a place to check out. My friend and I went here, after she saw some recommendations for it on, what do you know....YELP! We must have gotten there at the right time, because we were seated immediately (it was probably 7pm on a Saturday night), but we noticed it got very busy after we arrived. Let me just tell you, we had a VERY hard time deciding what to order because everything sounded amazing. After a few recommendations from our friendly waitress, we decided to order the Seared Scallops with romesco, Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette, House Smoked Coppa Steak with olive oil poached potatoes, chopped olives & salbitxada , Harissa Stewed Summer Squash with crumbled sheep's cheese & mint, and because of a mistake in the kitchen there was an extra order of some sort of fava bean (I think) dish. I have to say, I wasn't a big fan of the last dish, but everything else was wonderful! Even the large pitcher of Sangria we ordered was refreshing! Let's just say we walked out of there very satisfied, probably bit fuller than we should have been. But I guess that's what you would expect of a tourist, deciding that the best way to explore Portland is to eat her way through the city...
(5)
Adam B.
Just do it! A friend recommended this place as a his favorite restaurant in Portland and I can see why. We were a group of four and each of us ordered about 2 tapas to share, all of which were amazing. The scallops seemed to be the group favorite but it was tough to decide. I regret not trying the Moroccan Tuna but now we have a reason to go back; that along with the house made limoncello. This is a fun dining experience and some of the most savory dishes I've had in a long time.
(5)
Adam T.
Man, this place is consistantly great! I've been here on 5 separate occasions with different company as well as by myself and it has never let me down. They are great at getting you a seat. Even if you have to wait for a few, you can warm up with one of their delicious hand-crafted cocktails. The food is the real gem. In all honesty, every dish I've had here is amazing. From the salted almonds to the dates to the basque piperade, it's a hit. Do yourself a favor and get here!
(5)
Safford B.
We came here on a recent trip to Portland, and were pleased with what Toro Bravo had to offer. It was a busy night, so we sat at the bar with a good view of everything coming out of the kitchen. I wish we had come with more people so that we could have ordered a more diverse set of things to try! Here is the rundown of what we had to order: White Sangria (3/5) - We thought the sangria lacked a little punch (no pun intended), both in terms of flavor and alcohol. Fried Green Tomatoes (3/5) - Good quality green tomatoes, fried to perfection. Not the highlight of the night, though. Bacon-Wrapped Dates (4/5) - This is a must-order. The honey glaze is what sets these dates apart from similar preparations at other restaurants. Manchego & Paprika Fritters (4/5) - We typically only order one fried tapa, but ended up with two this time. If we had to choose, we'd pick the fritters over the fried green tomatoes, because the flavor profile seemed more developed. Paella Toro (5/5) - This dish was the winner, and is the reason that we will come back to Toro Bravo when we return to Portland. The seafood was cooked to perfection, and chicken was tender, the chorizo had the right amount of spice, and the rice was amazingly flavored. We found ourselves scraping the bottom of the pan to get all of the crispy, caramelized rice after the rest of the paella was long gone.
(4)
Robert C.
You have to go here it is excelent. all the food is excelent.
(5)
Grace C.
I was looking forward to trying this place with my friend but as soon as we walked in the rudest waitress in the world greeted us at the door. I was basically trying to sign us up for a table when a girl came over and said: "No, no, no...that is not how we do it here" in the most condescending tone. She then grabbed the pencil I was holding and angrily erased my name and the couple's name in front of me. She did not even bother to explain or make eye contact. She continued to ignore us and pretended to look for the hostess. Apparently, they had a hostess assigned to do that for us but how the f*ck should we know? It was my first time there and the hostess was MIA. What I do know is that is NOT how you treat customers. What a horrible b*tch! If you are miserable with your job and don't have any people skills then don't work in a restaurant!! I've never experienced such bad treatment. We decided to walk out and take our business somewhere else.
(1)
Mike J.
Amazing! Had a large group, did the Chefs Tasting menu and enjoyed two hours of culinary bliss! Stop reading this review and go!
(5)
Alison P.
Yes, they certainly do live up to the hype with phenom tapas and libations. Scoring a table in the "nook" makes for easier and cozier conversation than the main dining room.
(4)
Adam A.
Top tier food: no where in Portland that I have been is better. Also, great drinks, fun staff, overall, a must try. Yes, there is an insane wait. Come before you get hungry, put your name on the list, and go upstairs for a drink at Secret Society. I went with a group of 8 people at prime time on a Friday night and they had us seated within an hour. The do take reservations, but not for Friday or Saturday.
(5)
Anna S.
Ahhhhh, finally I got to try this place! The food is just magical. I was with a group of 5 and we tried so many things... Favorites? The tender scallops, the creamy chanterelles on griddled bread, and oh my god the caramel panna cotta! (OMGTCPC!) And OMG the ahi! The drunken pork! The squash dumplings! Ohhhh, the griddled shrimp with chiles... I even loved things I normally dislike, such as dates (but these were BACON-WRAPPED dates!) and lamb (and I had some lamb chop, braised lamb, and lamb bacon there... that's right, I said LAMB BACON!). And sausage! Wow, the chorizo (in the paella) and the North African Sausages - so rich. But you don't have to be so rich to eat here. As you can tell, we kinda went nuts ordering - 3-4 plates each, MANY beers, a bottle of cava, and 3 desserts... totally $50 each (before tip). Totally reasonable for the beautiful, gorgeous food. The only thing that disappointed me was the paella - it was a good dish but not as great as the others. It's the first time I've had paella though, so maybe I just don't care for the dish? I always thought I'd love it though... so will have to try it elsewhere. But as much as we gorged, I feel I have only scratched the surface of their exquisite menu. I'll be back... and back... and back!
(5)
Jodi S.
If it were not for Yelp, I would have never found this gem. I was in Portland for only a few nights on a short vacation and really wanted to eat out at the best rated places in town. Some friends I hadn't seen in years and I headed over to Toro Bravo for tapas and drinks. It lived up to every expectation I had. When we got there, the place was poppin' and we squeezed into the waiting alcove and ordered a couple of drinks while looking over the menu. Not more than 15 minutes passed and the servers immediately moved us when a comfortable table opened up. All the dishes we ordered were amaaazing. I especially loved the bacon wrapped dates, duck liver mousse terrine, and harissa stewed butternut squash. Delish! The dishes came in steadily so we didn't have to wait long in between each one. Remember that Pinchos, Tapas, Paellas are normally in smaller portions so keep your portion expectations realistic. The ambience was great and I really loved the decor, modern artsy and refined. Toro Bravo was one of the highlights of my trip (gee, that makes me sound a little less than exciting.) But really, a definite must when in Portland!
(5)
Desmond S.
Great ambiance. Great food. Great time. I really enjoyed this place. The two dishes ordered were the Paella Toro and the Moorish Lamb Chops. Personally, I felt the chorizo flavor was a bit strong in the Paella but I still loved every mouthful. Careful! Skillet is hot. The Moorish Lamb Chops were just about perfect. Not over done and almost no gaminess in the Lamb. The potatoes were cooked soft which I liked and the GF didn't. I ordered another dish (rabbit hash) which they were out so our waiter comp'd us a free salad because of it. Very nice. Very nice spot. Highly recommend to stop by if you are in the Portland area.
(5)
Tani S.
Wow, I thought I knew tapas. For years growing up in Chicago, we would go to one of the best spots there (Cafe Babareeba) and then when we lived in Boston we visited Jose Andreas' Jaleo in DC... but nothing compared to our experience tonight at Toro Bravo. And then to receive a bill at half the price I was expecting to pay... I'm quite shocked and can't wait to go back! As we've started to become accustomed to in our six months in Portland, we showed up twenty minutes before the restaurant opened to see a line. Similar to us, there were other families with children. I think it's a great spot to go with kids as long as you're there early. (I would feel half guilty going later since our three year old's presence would ruin a bit of the romantic atmosphere of some couples we saw on dates as we were exiting). We really enjoyed the charcuterie board (my husband hadn't expected to love the liver mousse so much), salt cod fritters (our preschooler loved them so much we ordered a second plate of them), and potatoes brava. Our favorite dish was the very rare house smoked coppa steak and its sweet accompaniment of salbitxada, I wanted to lick the plate clean. The one dish we could have skipped was the north african sausage with fries, it was only ok. Such a wonderful cozy space... definitely looking forward to heading back soon.
(5)
Nobody M.
Judging by how crowded it was, I expected a bit more. Perhaps we ordered all the wrong things? Eggplant Sharecroppers Lamb Chops Olive Oil Cake Polenta Salt Cod Fritters Don't get me wrong--nothing was bad. It's just that nothing was incredible, either.
(3)
Trevor J.
Went to Toro Bravo for our 3 year anniversary, but sat at the bar due to the 1 hour wait (understandably for a Saturday night). We still had a great time and would recommend the restaurant to anyone in Portland. Also, props to our bartender Mindy for her help with our wine selection.
(5)
Anton Z.
Prepare for the unexpected! The menu is fantastic and well balanced, but with some amazing twists and turns. We went here because the tapas place we'd been to before couldn't take us, and I'm so glad they couldn't! We elected to do the "Chefs Tasting", which for about $25 gave us eight different tapas in addition to bread with great olive oil and butter. The tapas are all from the menu, so it gave us a balanced selection of things we wouldn't have thought of. Manchego with chorizo and sherry jam was a fun pairing, but the sherry jam was almost overpowering, so don't use too much. This came alongside the dates with bacon and honey, which had a smoky flavor from the Spanish paprika (one hint - there is an almond inside the date...it's not the pit!). Raddichio salad with an olive tapenade was refreshing and bright, but the pimento de padrones blew us away! These salted and roasted peppers were finger food that inspired us to make them at home. The chili grilled shrimp we're hard to eat but still good, and the grilled corn with cilantro pesto was a surprising match. We'd never done the cilantro pesto thing, and it was a nice balance with the sweetness of the corn. The jamon wrapped chicken was savory and salty, with manchego giving it an additional dimension. Finally, the drunken pork with avocado salad was competent, though it lost some of the flavor because it came after the heavy hitting chicken. Overall, such a great, well priced tasting. Definitely somewhere we'll come back to when we visit Portland again.
(4)
Lisa T.
I preface this by saying that I have zero sympathy for those who complain about the wait at Toro. I went most recently on a Monday night, around 8:30 and yes, the husband and I waited for at least 30 minutes for a table. On a Monday! But I am a smart girl, so I knew it was coming. And they do everything possible to make it, if not enjoyable, a bearable wait. The server immediately came over and asked us for drink orders as we waited, and recommend some small plates we could enjoy while at the waiting area. When first round was gone, she was johnny-on-the-spot for getting the next round. The husband and I used our time effectively for planning out our meal strategy. We are natural meal-sharers, often switching plates mid-meal, so Toro Bravo is our kind of groove. The plates come out staggered, never more than two at time for couples, and everything is meant to be split. Heaven. I had recently been introduced to pork rillettes at Beast and having loved them, we decided to give Toro's version a try. Holy warm pork and orange marmalade happiness. It was rich and warm and lovely. The fat content of the rillete contrasted really well with the not sweet marmalade's acidity. Rillette is often served cold, but I really enjoyed their piping hot version. The lamb with chorizo was lovely, and as always the coppa steak was our favorite. There is something vaguely bacon-y in the taste of the meat and it is a substantial addition to the meal, more than enough for two to share. One day, I will think far enough ahead to leave room for dessert, but alas, this was not that day.
(5)
Jessica B.
I have been here three different times, and each time it is great. The first time i went, i picked random things off their tapas list, but the last two times i have opted for the chef's choice. SUCH A GOOD choice! they just roll out plate after plate. I get to try things i wouldn't pick off the list, and it's a great price. I have never had anything i didn't love. They also have great mixed drinks, and their staff is great at what they do. On my last visit, i was there with someone younger than me, the hostess looked right at him and asked if everyone in our party was over 21? Oh yes, i'm just a craddle robber..............thanks for asking, and isn't he pretty?
(5)
Dipanjan B.
Food was delicious. We had Moroccan lamb, steak, cod fritters, spicy sausage for dinner and ended with molten chocolate cake. Everything was awesome. Will visit again.
(5)
Kristen G.
Toro Bravo is really great! Had the braised pork with avocado salad, gazpacho and meatballs. Everything was top notch. We had a two hour wait, but we just headed over to Secret Society for a couple of drinks. The wait staff at Toro Bravo was really friendly and helpful. Will definitely go back.
(4)
Amber L.
One of the best restaurants in Portland! Extremely delicious. I've tried to go here twice without success because I was unwilling to do the 2.5 + hour wait. Went about 30 minutes after opening on a week night, and there was no wait right for 2 people. Here are the highlights! Creme Brulee Panna Cotta- One of the most incredible desserts of all time. I found myself fantasizing about this dessert for a good week. Brussel Sprouts- Immensely delicious. If you like this, I'd recommend the brussel sprouts from Saucebox. Other favorites: Paella Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse Bacon Wrapped Dates Potatos Bravas
(5)
Kim S.
This place was terrible. I give this place zero stars because they ruined a great night with their poor service and lack of friendliness. The service was horrible--We had two drinks before arriving at the restaurant and they waited over an hour because they deemed us 'too drunk'...after talking to us for moments.. So our waitress failed to bring us drinks for over an hour after we ordered them. After our food arrived, I had to go to the manager inside to get a water refill my water after it was empty for over 20 minutes- at 10 PM, toro bravo was less than busy.. When complaining to the manager about the service and trying to explain the situation, the manager became defensive instead of understanding or even just listening to the problem we had. This was absolutely the worst dining experience I have EVER had, and I will neither return, nor recommend this to anyone. The food wasn't even good enough to make up for the terrible service.
(1)
Emily S.
My husband and I were looking to try a new restaurant for our anniversary dinner and since we love Tasty n Sons, we decided to give Toro Bravo a try. We got there right at 5pm so we wouldn't have to wait in line. As with Tasty n Sons, it was fun to try and share lots of different small plates. We enjoyed everything we tried, with the exception of the Potatoes Bravas which we both found to be kind of gross. Our server was great and was helpful with offering recommendations we had trouble making up our minds. We tried so many different dishes but still managed to find room for dessert and thank goodness we did! My caramel panna cotta was amazing and the mister enjoyed his olive oil cake as well. It was a wonderful meal and we will definitely be back!
(4)
Kody L.
A Monday night visit meant there was no wait, though our only option was the bar. Okay by me! Glad to see there was some Dry Soda on the menu -- I'm in love with it! The bacon-wrapped dates are a staple. Get them! Pass on the foie gras-stuffed prunes (French Kisses); they're blah. I thought it was really weird to order one at a tapas restaurant, but I think the bacon burger might be one of the best in town. There's something about their house-cured bacon. Try it! It's filling and only $9. Combined with the halibut, our order was surprisingly cheap -- not that a $20+ meal with drinks is super cheap, but for how much you hear about Toro Bravo and the swanky atmosphere, I was fearing much more. I really think this place is great, but I can't give it five stars. I seriously never crave this place, for some reason. If you know any bacon-addicts, then seriously bring them here.
(4)
Sapna P.
This place is great! We ordered so many tapas I felt like we ordered the entire menu. We enjoyed everything we ordered. Just make sure you arrive a little early because I do not think they take reservations and the place was packed and we waited an hour to be seated.
(5)
Vince B.
Great experince everytime! I always get the chef's choice and I am never dissapointed! One of my favorites. Bacon wrapped dates to die for!
(5)
Tiffany Cheri C.
Pinchos, tapas and chacuterie Oh My! I do crave the bacon wrapped dates and french kiss, but have yet to try anything I didn't like. The more the merrier when dining at this Portland establishment for foodies still in love with small plates. Go hungry and with dining companions who your willing to share with!
(4)
Rob D.
I'm between 3.5 and 4 stars here on my gastronomigasm scale. I didn't dislike anything but then I didn't fall in love with anything. Given the time I've had between last night and this morning to further digest the experience, I now find that the prices are a little bit high. I was hoping to be blown away in the flavor department. It just didn't happen. There was plenty to feast the eyes on. The patrons here really are a full spectrum of what Portland has to offer. The interior of this establishment is well thought out for the space they have to work with, the lighting was great, and the exposed kitchen was entertaining. The staff was lovely and accommodating. The wonderful server that worked with us doctored up a menu to help guide me to dishes that would avoid adverse reaction with my food allergies. If I were to rate the service, they would get five stars. It was loud enough that we could tune out the duke and duchess of douchebag sitting next to us. This has nothing to do with the establishment, but added to our experience. I just hope that couple doesn't procreate. Of all the dishes we sampled, the best was the seared scallop dish. Kudos for having Caldera Pilsner on tap. One of the finest breweries in Oregon and by far the best in Southern Oregon. I will not be headed back here anytime soon. I am happy to say that I have been, but won't be telling friends to run to Toro Bravo.
(3)
Miranda R.
Best in town Salt Cod fritters, I am at the point where I don't even pretend that I could share with my dining companions, I just order one for me and one for everyone else. A little salt heavy, so just be aware, but it's so worth the sodium hangover! No worries about the inevitable wait, that's what Secret Society is for!
(5)
Kate B.
Above and Beyond! It is most telling about a place when you observe how they handle it when something goes wrong. I was visiting home and went here with my parents and husband. We were having a lovely dinner when a problem arose with one of the dishes. We informed the waitress of the issue and she stepped into action. I have never seen a place more apologetic and willing to make up for what was a minor mistake. She informed the kitchen and apologized profusely. Then when we were finished with our dinner, the desserts started coming. She brought an incredible variety of desserts and sherries. When the bill came, neither the dish with an issue not any of the deserts or wines were on the bill. It all seems to be a bit over the top, but in a fantastic way. I made us feel that our business and dining experience was truly important to them. This is definitely the place to go for excellent food and incredible service!
(5)
Tony N.
Yummy, yummy food!! Good service. These guys really understand flavors and preparation! Dishes are small, not cheap but super tasty!
(4)
Phil S.
No reservations and a two hour wait? There weren't that many people in line outside. What gives?
(2)
Monsieur a.
I write this with a heavy heart, folks, but I fear Toro Bravo has entered its twilight. The signs of decline are still subtle but unmistakable. No long lines on a Sunday at 7 pm, despite the maitre d's vaguely self-righteous claim of a 45 min wait that morphed into 10. Dishes that start arriving 4 minutes after the waitress left our table with our order yet are barely warm. Unevenly heated dishes that hint of microwave use. The waiter never thought to inquire how we liked our burger cooked, and it was as done as the Vibram soles under your mountaineering boots. The crowd was down a notch. Indifferent service spouting scripted banter like Safeway checkout clerks. The steak tasted great but was gristly. The same menu and the same dishes we all know and love, but they felt... uninspired. Hopefully it was just a one time thing, but with John Gorham busy opening Tasty n'NNN and being PDX's Wolfgang Puck may I be forgiven for not feeling optimistic? Good thing Ox is around.
(3)
J M.
Can't do 5 stars because I have only been here once! This place was fabulous though...from the staff to the tapas. The service was great. Went with a girlfriend and we sat up at the bar area for tapas and sangria. It was nice to watch the food being prepared. The atmosphere was relaxing and we really enjoyed ourselves. The waitress tended to our needs was sweet and knew when to come and ask us if we needed anything and when to let us just enjoy. Everything we ordered was delicious! The bacon wrapped dates, shrimp dish, nuts, pickled veggies....we tried a few and they were all fab. I will be back for sure with my hubby as we are moving up there next month! I look forward to this being our new fave tapas bar :)
(4)
Eric A.
Consistently good food, friendly staff and a fun atmosphere. The tables are padded with sound-muffling material to keep the raucous atmosphere intimate - big plus!
(4)
Joel K.
Not sure why this was the best rated tapas bar in town. It's tiny, and in a borderline neighborhood. (about 6 years ago a prostitute tried to eagerly sell me her wares here at 3 in the afternoon.) The place was full on a Friday evening which was good but no line out the door. The menu items were highly recommended by our staff. We shared Potatoes Bravas, House Smoked Coppa Steak with confit potatoes & chopped olives & salbitxada, glass of Red 08 Artazuri, Navarra, Harira, moroccan lamb & lentil stew, Tortilla Espanola with nettles. All I'd had to eat that entire day before our brisk 1-hour walk around the waterfront was a banana and a small bag of trail mix so the food should have been sublime. But, to generalize I would say that the flavors were simple, over salty, and dry. I got the feeling that if I googled a few tapas recipes I could outshine them in my home kitchen for half of what we paid. Items may have been canned or previously frozen. Even the flavors that were good just weren't ample enough!
(2)
J W.
Without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Portland. For the price, it IS the best. There are no reservations so make sure you are willing to wait 30 min to an hour, on Friday and Saturday, even longer. But it is worth the wait. The music is great, as is the service. Everyone is really nice and helpful. The food comes out tapas style, which I love. There are so many great plates on the menu. If the wait is too long here, go to Tasty and Sons, the sister restaurant to Toro Bravo. It's equally as delicious, but tends to have less of a wait time for dinner.
(5)
Angie Q.
I'm apparently a fan of places with horns ;) Remember the wait can be quite long esp during busy nights so be sure to leave enough time to wait it out. It's worth it. There's a small seated waiting area where you can dine and drink. It only fits a few, and always seems to be full. I didn't know there was a bar upstairs! Tip: Order sangria while you're waiting. It makes waiting by the breezy door more bearable =) I have a problem when I eat Spanish Tapas. I tend to order too much, and it all is scarfed down too fast. Combine that with wine or sangria and I honestly don't remember most of what I ordered. But let's see.. We started with the duck liver mousse terrine w/morels & house made sidra mustard. It was creamy and delicious on both the pita and crisp bread. Empanada w/braised lamp, harissa & mint. Mmmmmh dumpling goodness! The only dish I thought was mediocre was the baked polenta with roast beef, pepper & onions. Pretty good, but nothing special. We ordered a few more that I don't recall... And of course finished dinner off with molten chocolate cake w/vanilla ice cream and grilled bacon wrapped dates with warm honey. Yes, I do consider bacon wrapped dates with honey a dessert. Who wouldn't? I've got to say the liver and bacon wrapped dates were the shinning stars of my meal. I'm going back this week! Service was impeccable, though they seemed to always be in a hurry.
(4)
Ash. A.
Wow, they have actually managed to make food better than sex. I think a round of applause is in order. I went on a lady date here last night, and although I knew this place was supposed to be good, I was skeptical. We ordered a plethora of tapas. A few of my favorites were oh so amazing leeks(I had no idea leeks could taste so good), the roasted butternut squash with sheep's milk cheese (a must order!) and the sole (which was a large portion and super yummy). We finished off our meal with a boozy, drinkable dessert. All the coffee drinks were great and I don't believe you could go wrong with any of them. So thank you Toro Bravo for the foodgasm. I need a cigarette.
(5)
Kira K.
The bf and I braved the infamous line and were able to get first seating at the bar for dinner at 5pm. Due to our proximity with the barkeep,we ordered two very strong cocktails. It took us a while to get through the menu (it's VERY extensive), and decided on the fried anchovies with fennel and lemon ($7), the spicy octopus and prawn stew ($10) and the house smoked coppa steak with olive oil, poached potatoes, chopped olives, and salbitxada (a Spanish sauce) ($14). Surprisingly, I can honestly say that I'd never order any of these items every again if I were to return here...The anchovies were good but a little too lemony, and the seafood stew was a tad too fishy. I don't know what to make of the coppa steak. It wasn't coppa nor steak...it had the taste and consistency of overcooked pork. Hard to eat. Not a fan. But I did see several other items on the menu that struck my fancy. I'll chalk it up to ordering the wrong thing because everyone else looked so satisfied with their dishes...The one thing that TB had going for it was the atmosphere. This place was poppin'!!
(3)
Betsy S.
This place is a party for your mouth! So many delectable different flavors to try. I highly recommend the tasting menu 'Chef's Choice for the Table', a wonderful selection of exotic flavors. Good date place...
(4)
Julie M.
My Birthday dinner here was truly wonderful, from French Onion Soup, to Seafood, shared bites whose names escape, to oozy-chocolatey dessert. It was a weeknight, and they had most tables full, but on this night, there there was no waiting. Servers were fantastic, happy to see us love trhe food, and suprised me with an after-dinner Birthday treat. Bud and I were on a Pub Crawl that day, so sharing one glass of very good wine here was quite enough. I wanted *nothing* to detract from the experience of the food's robust flavor. KUDO's to the Chefs! Don't feel cheap for ordering Bread with Olive Oil and Wine, we did so we'd have a way to SOP UP EVERY DROP. So now Bud keeps begging for a return, even tho he still hasn't been to Andina, or Colosso, Queen of Sheba, or Ghandi's, or so many other flavorful places; and DangIt, my mission has been to offer introductions to as many wonderful places the Rose City can offer in our first year. The verdict is clear. If you are one of those small town folks who is willing to forgo the wonders of far-flung exploration for repeated gastronomic doses Known Quality, Do Come to Toro Bravo - to settle-in and smile over small plates of perfect happiness.
(5)
Krystin T.
The boy and I were in Portland for a show at the Wonder Ballroom, and I was lucky enough to find Toro Bravo, which was super conveniently-located to everything. Unfortunately, it was pretty packed (it was around 7:30 on a Friday) so there was about a 45-minute wait. We jaunted next door to the Secret Society Lounge to kill some time until Toro Bravo could get us in. Once we got there, we spent awhile going over the menu - too many choices! We decided on six dishes, starting with the manchego and paprika fritters. I was afraid that "paprika" meant they would be spicy, but they weren't at all - although quite tasty! The marinated sheep's cheese came next, and it was probably one of my favorites of the evening. Creamy cheese served with bread and spices. Yum. Next was the tortilla espanola with nettles - I was expecting a flat tortilla, but it was actually the shape of a piece of cake. It tasted a lot like these potato cakes I made in high school for some culture festival, and it was rather tasty as well. I think there was also cheese involved but I don't recall. The boy had ordered the boar rillette, which I didn't eat but was allegedly good enough. The potatoes bravos were HUGE - the dish itself and the amount of food, I mean, not the actual pieces of potato - but good. They were smothered in some sort of sweetish (tomato-based, maybe?) sauce and some kind of white sauce. They were tasty, and there were so many that we took them back to the hotel and they served as my 3 a.m. snack. Our final dish was the radicchio salad, which we could barely finish because we were so full by then. It was exactly what it sounds like, plus a couple pieces of fried bread with olive. All in all, pretty good, but not perfect. My only real complaint - and this is totally not a huge deal - was that once our food starting coming out, it came all at once. There was barely even room for it on the table! But again, that's no huge problem - just sort of frustrating when you are trying to eat your way through one dish and more and more start arriving! Also, we were surprised at how cheap it ended up being! We ordered tons of food, plus one beer each, and it only came to something like $61 total (although I forget if that was before or after the tip). Good deal, good food, good times.
(4)
Darrell M.
I think last night was my third visit to Toro Bravo. And I must say that this is officially my favorite restaurant in Portland. The food combinations are always so creative and I have yet to have anything I don't like here. The favorites on the menu last night were the Squash Dumplings with Lamb and the Manchego Burger. The Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash seems to always be on the menu and is always a standy dish to share. By the way ... don't miss the Bloody Mary here ... another great way to get your veggies in!
(5)
Jon I.
At first glance, the menu items may seem a bit random and arbitrary--as tapas style often tend to be--but my, oh my, once the food arbitrarily hits the table, everything makes sense. We had a large party of 10 so needless to say there was a lot of food ordered and passed around. From cod fritters to the elegant yet humble manchego burger, i don't think one bite I took went without wonderful savor. I won't bore you with the details, just go and taste for yourself this truly unique and tasty tapas experience. btw, it would have gotten 5 stars but the music was very bland compared to my Jamon Wrapped Chicken.
(4)
Jayne T.
I am the first to call it out when a restaurant gets continued buzz and does not deserve it (see my Park Kitchen and BeWon reviews for evidence), but this place is simply wonderful. From the small, simple, intimate dining area to the open kitchen and heavenly food, it offers an amazing dining experience. We arrived exactly at 5 (opening time) on a Friday night, and there was already the infamous line. Just an fyi, the Secret Society bar is right next door to Toro and is a great place to grab a drink while you are waiting for your table (which you will always have to do unless you eat at 5pm like we did...try their Moscow Mule - it's fabulous!). We were seated right away, next to the open kitchen (I got to face the chefs, which I love). The atmosphere is loud enough to maintain a vibrant buzz, but quiet enough so that you can still have a conversation at your table. The menu is tapas style, separated into different sections. It changes all the time based on the Seasons, so check the website for updates if you are looking for something special. I went with a guy, so we ordered one of almost everything, I swear. It was the PERFECT way to really experience the incredible food Toro has to offer. Here is the rundown (I rated these on a scale of 1 to 5): Duck Liver Mousse Terrine with morels & house made sidra mustard: 3 Salt Cod Fritters with aioli: 3 Seared Scallops with romesco: 4 Empanada with chili braised beef & sweet potato: 5 Griddled Bacon Wrapped Dates with warm honey: 5 Moroccan Tuna with dried cherry couscous: 5 Harissa Stewed Fall Squash with crumbled sheep's cheese: 5 Churros & Chocolate: 5 Coffee: 5 It was all amazing, and the coffee and desert was the perfect ending to the meal - rich yet not overpowering. Staff was attentive, and food arrived at a nice pace. Prices are totally reasonable for the fresh ingredients and care with which they are prepared, which is why this place is always packed to the brim. Fun place to go when you can't decide what you want to eat, but you want a bunch of delicious options in one comfortable, convenient place. Highly recommended for a great evening of adventurous dining!
(5)
Jason B.
Duck liver mousse is not generally something I order off a menu. We opted for the chef's tasting platter ($25 per person) and the duck liver mousse and morel mushroom pate came to our table on a wooden cutting board, with bread, freshly made stoneground mustard &. Homemade zucchini pickles. This dish is amazing. My wife wouldn't touch it: it isn't the prettiest food. But, OMG, it was so tasty. I highly reccomend.
(4)
Liz R.
The wait is long, but you can go upstairs to the bar and they'll call your cell when a table is ready, so it's not a big deal as long as you don't mind a couple pre-dinner drinks. For tapas, the dishes were definitely on the large side and everything we had was good. The pasta wasn't mindblowing, but the papas bravas were addictive, so it all evened out. Add a pitcher of delicious sangria and you've got yourself a great dinner with friends.
(4)
Joe K.
I love this place. Toro Bravo is one of those places that you find that is so great, that you want to spread the word but at the same time want to keep it a secret. The place is always packed, and I definitely know why. The food here is spectacular and the atmosphere is comfortable. All kinds of people show up from all age ranges and all ethnicities. There are no reservations for friday and saturday, so get there early and put yourself on the list! I had the Toro Bravo Burger and it was delicious. Perfectly cooked with great seasoning and lovely plating. The complimentary spanish peanuts and sunflower seeds (?) with sea salt is enough to hold you over until your food comes out. The dessert was fantastic. We ordered 3 and all were amazing. If spanish coffees are your thing, I'd highly recommend getting one here. Toro Bravo is one of those places that I love to go. And it's one of those places where you try and figure out when you're gonna come back even before you leave.
(5)
Justin V.
Clearly one of the cities best eateries. High quality, local ingredients, a diverse menu with something for everyone(Vegetarians included). The food here is awesome and well priced. I have nothing but good things to say. The only issue, is getting in. Be prepared to wait. This place is packed most nights but well worth the wait. Go have a drink at Secret Society next door/upstairs and build your appetite. If you have at least an hour wait, head down to Alu wine bar(2-3 blocks north on MLK) for a glass of wine or great cocktail. One of the best things about Toro Bravo is the pricing and diversity of the menu. It allows you to try multiple dishes without breaking the bank. Be adventurous try something you haven't tried, chances are you'll like it. Come with an appetite.
(5)
Chelsea G.
I want to carry this place's babies.
(5)
Paul V.
Come ten minutes before they open if you don't want to wait. Tables are kinda close, so expect to listen to the person next to you. The food is good and comes in timely manner. The wife and I ordered 6 dishes and 3 drinks. The service is 5 Stars. It's like eating Dim Sum but just Spanish food.
(4)
Stephen H.
We did the chef's tasting and it was outstanding
(5)
Paige H.
Two hours is a ridiculous wait time, and normally I wouldn't even consider it, but this is our hosts favorite restaurant, and they were willing to call us when it was our turn. Typical for a tapas restaurant, you either spend too much or leave hungry, but this place did have some redeeming features. First, no staff person was the least bit snotty or pretentious, and every dinner was free to languish at their tables for hours if they so chose. I loved the lighting, the decor, and the seating was cozy but not cramped. The drink menu was great, with lots of creativity and reasonable prices. I had sangria, which was not as sweet as some, but still, delish. The menu is huge and totally varied by season. We had the cuppa steak, and honestly would've preferred the smoked meat to something more tender. We loved the salted cod, and squash dumplings with braised lamb. The crab/chicken fritters were pretty tasty as was the asparagus. I loved the marinated olives that were served with a couple of the dishes. For dessert we has churros and chocolate, perfect for 3. I would definitely go back for fancy occasions or even a girl's night out.
(3)
Catherine F.
O delirious, rapturous, gustatory glee In bite-sized morsels, for him and for me Port-soaked figs and savory terrine Succulent meats and singing greens Crisp anchovies with lemon and leek Warm shell beans with tender pork cheek An earthy red wine our appetite whets With house marmalade and lamb rillettes Tiny salt fish with warm piperade So tangy and rich it was simply unflawed Exquisite scallops with romescu Tender croquettes in an oxtail stew Melt-in-your-mouth dumplings with eight-pepper lamb Delicate squash and deeply-smoked ham The churros with chocolate were lovely, it's true (And the Gallicia cocktail delicious, too) But the molten dark cake cannot be missed And the chocolate almonds topped our list. Warmth and languor and sated repose: We had three golden hours away from our woes. (With apologies to Toro Bravo for some liberties taken with the menu items.) Prose simply wasn't enough.
(5)
Leah D.
Yum! Just as good as tasty and sons! Love the atmosphere too. We got the scallops, shrimp, salted cod fritters, and potatoes braves! All delicious!
(5)
Cricket F.
Party of 5...and we tried just about everything. We followed the waitress' suggestions and kept the the tapas coming. No reservations...so put your name in and head over the the Secret Society for a drink or two while you wait.
(4)
Nestor P.
I decided for Toro Bravo because the reviews however it is an okay restaurant for people who is familiar with Spanish food and a 5 star for people who is not that familiar. The duck terrine was awesome as well as the french kiss, in fact I was so lucky because I ordered the charcuteria table and it had a generous sample of each appetizer and a good portion of the famous duck terrine. Unfortunatley the following dishes were not that good because didn't follow the original recipes and I got trapped in the typical scenario of expectations vs reality. I had the fried anchovies which were normal and I asked for boquerones and those were very bad :( They have Estrella beer (From cataluña) served at the right temperature and a nice atmosphere and servers.
(3)
Paul B.
I've been to a number of tapas (or, sometimes known as "small plates" now) places in my life, including some in Spain. This place... ... is the place I go to now. I arrived around 6:30pm on a Thursday night, and lucked out in getting a seat at the bar. I was dining alone since I was on a work trip, and had no problems sharing a space while eating. The couple next to me were friendly and conversational, which was nice. All the other tables were full in about 15 minutes, and then the lines started. Because they had such a wide variety of dishes, easily 30, I ordered the Chef's Taster menu ($25). You're taking a gamble, sure, but every item on the menu looked either good or something I was willing to take a risk for (duck eggs, for example) - except, perhaps, the foie-gras stuffed prunes. Sure enough, the first item I got was the French "Kisses" (brandy soaked prunes stuffed with foie-gras). I'm not an organ eater, and I'm not too pro on that sort of food, but I gave it a taste. I'm sure people who like foie-gras will enjoy them. Moving on, a much more "safe" salt cod fritters with garlic aioli. Good, and certainly Spanish - otherwise I'd use a different fish. Grilled bacon wrapped dates were fantastic, could have made a dessert out of those! They were drizzled in a molasses honey syrup, which balanced the salty, smokey flavors of the bacon and intensified the sweetness of the date. The sauteed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins I've had many times before; good, but a rather standard dish. Also, the field greens with beets and hazelnuts... I'm sure hazelnuts were chosen for the "Europe"-ness. Good, but nothing to write more about. Next up was the grilled shrimp (prawn, for its size) with chilies. One shrimp/prawn. For $9. I'm pretty sure there would be more if it wasn't on the tasting menu, but normally it was $9. Chili sauce, which tasted like maybe dried ancho or smoked chipotle - or a blend, did an excellent job flavoring the shrimp. Shell was still fully intact, with the legs, which is typical. No head, which I was greatful for - those you get in Spain. Not in Portland. Good! The last item on the service was the House Smoked Coppa Steak, with olive oil poached potatoes (nothing special) and chopped olives & salbitxada. I have no idea what the last item there is, but it tasted sort of like shallots. Worked very well with the olives, for sure, and the steak itself was also well tempered with the smokey flavor and the natural flavor of the meat. That seemed to be a popular item of the evening, as I'd heard many orders of that go through the kitchen from where I was - sitting right next to the order window.
(5)
Henry T.
Wow, I just ate here with my Elite cousin and seeing his review, I'm sure mine will be almost exactly the same. Seating was immediate, which was surprising given the reputation, but we came here right after a Blazer game, hungry and ready to eat. Our table of 4 had never tried foie gras, so we decided the foie gras stuffed prunes. I'm a fan, and I should have tried it in Paris. The prunes were soaked in Brandy, and something gave it a nutty taste. The multiple textures in the dish was amazing, from the chewiness of the prune to the delicate and melt-in-your mouth foie gras. Coppa steak was very good, tender, and great flavor. Paella Toro was awesome, still cooking/hot as it got to our table. We were instructed to let it sit to get the crust at the bottom. I think I'll try their other Paella next time, but it was great. Scallops were perfectly cooked, and the Pork and Beans dish was amazing. I liked how everything was served as soon as they were ready from the kitchen, without having everything coming out at once and being overwhelmed - it made for a great experience. I'm very excited to go back and try the dishes I missed.
(5)
Jonas T.
Great for drinks, but I'm not much of a drinker. I'm all for the food, and everything here was delicious. Come with a big group and order as many dishes as possible, or come with one or two other people and avoid waiting for a seat by sitting at the waiting area where you can still order everything from the regular menu. JONASAPPROVED!
(5)
Amanda P.
this place was fun and packed! We tried a lot of items off the menu and enjoyed everything, my very favorite was the Duck Liver Mousse Terrine, the chicken and clams was amazing too (eating leftovers as I type this review) the cocktails were great, nicely balanced, I had 2 cocktails (sorry not great at remembering the names) one with strawberries (my fav) and one with rhubarb (both very dangerous in a good way:). Service was great! I have only good things to say about this place and can't wait to go back. Even the 45 minute wait was pleasant, we had a couple of drinks and apps in the waiting area, time went by quick.
(5)
Matt M.
My wife and I and another couple decided to make Toro Bravo our dinner destination this past New Years Eve. Knowing we would not be seated right away, we showed up at 7:30 ... to find out it was a 2 hour wait. No problem we said and headed up to the Secret Society bar above the restaurant. Long story short, 2 hours, 15 minutes and multiple vodka sodas later we were seated at our table. We fired off tapas orders like a black jack dealer and a pitcher of sangria. The food (as always) was amazing. We loved everything our table ordered and even managed to save room for churros and chocolate. Even though we waited so long for our table, we were so glad we chose Toro Bravo for a special evening. No risk here on food and well worth the wait. The only thing I would recommend is EXPAND your seating area, more 2 and 4 tops. :) We will be back.
(5)
Andrew P.
Bravo Toro Bravo. This restaurants hits on all cylinders - food, atmosphere and service. We were impressed by the diversity of dishes and flavors. Our favorite was the duck paella which was a modern interpretation of a traditional spanish dish. We were surprised by the minimal cork fee, generous size of dishes and affordable prices. The wait is made tolerable by visiting the hidden society bar upstairs. This retro bar features unique drinks and nice appetizers. Don't worry about missing your table as the hostess will call you on the cell when it's time.
(5)
David B.
Toro Bravo, please take a bow. The food is delicious, the service attentive, the drinks inventive and the setting congenial. Here are a few of the dishes we simply devoured: Manchego and Paprika Fritters with spicy salsa roja 6 Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette 8 Singing Pig Greens with pickled beets hazelnuts & fromage blanc 8 House Smoked Coppa Steak with olive oil poached potatoes chopped olives & salbitxada 16 Seared Cauliflower with olives & salsa verde 7 Moroccan Tuna with dried cherry couscous 12 Churros & Chocolate 7 Baked Apples & Bosc Pears with vanilla ice cream 7 Can't wait to go back for more...
(5)
Castine H.
This place was so cute! We made a list of restaurants for our week-long Portland trip. Many good ones, like Toro Bravo, just didn't make the cut. But, once we were in town, two of BF's friends told us we HAd to go here, so we made some adjustments and hit Toro Bravo on a Monday night. We went on a Monday since they don't take reservations and we figured it would be easiest for us to get in...since we were 4 adults and 2 children. BF and I got there first, and put our name in. If it had only been then two of us, we could've been sat right away. However, since we were 6, we put on our name on the list and the super-nice hostess told us to go upstairs to Secret Society for a drink. The Secret Society bar was perhaps one of the cutest places I've ever seen! It was small...a little bar and about 5 tables around the wall. The room was probably 20' x 20' at absolute most...with red velvet walls and cool decore. Review on that to come. Anyways, we waited a little under an hour for our table, which wasn't a problem since we were happily enjoying drinks upstairs. We were lucky and were sat sort of near the kitchen, and got to see all the hustle and bustle. The place was humming, literally. Very busy, bustling, buzzing, and it all made for great ambiance. Very Spanish. Very fun. Having lived in Barcelona for a short time years ago, I am a bit of a tapas junkie, and often am sadly disappointed in what kind of junk I'm served (especially in LA, but I digress). Anyways, this place, was not one of those halfass places. Everything was great! We started off with the charcuterie plate, pickled vegetables, and bread. All wonderful. Good pates, foie, salami, pickled beets, carrots...all good. We then got a bunch of other stuff: Octopus a la Plancha Becerrita (grilled octopus on aoli and sliced potato); Grilled Spring Onions with salbitxada (so good!); Tortilla Espanola with piperade (not a traditional tortilla de patata, but it was a good slight variation on my favorite); Salt Cod Fritters with aioli (tiny perfect bites and the thick aioli was so indulgent!); Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey (they took the pit out and put an almond in for a perfect surprise crunch); Boquerones with toasted bread & piperade (acutally my least favorite...three pieces of toasted bread and "sauce" with a tinnny marinated anchovy on each...I was expecting fat juicy marinated anchovies like they have in Spain); Baked Polenta with roast beef, peppers, onions; Meatballs with tomato-almond sauce & english peas (some of the best albondigas I've had, and the sauce with peas was so perfect with crispy bread!!!); and Roasted Eggplant & Lamb Ragu with sweet peppers & mahon (totally delicious). Besides the Boquerones, I really was impressed/amazed by every dish. For dessert, we shared the Olive Oil Cake with strawberry caramel, which was good and lemony and almost savory a tad; and the Caramel Panna Cotta, which was one of the most amazing desserts ever. The warm caramel just melted with every single bite. We also got a great bottle of Catalyud wine (for only $24), and a few extra glasses. Our total bill, for 4 adults (the 2 kids really didn't eat anything but bread)...was only $120!!!! For reals?!?!? In LA, that meal would've been easily $200...easily if not more. I totally will come back here!!!
(5)
Nina S.
I LOVE this place. Yes, there is a long wait. It's a bummer they don't do reservations, but I personally find it to be worth the wait. Yes, the plates are small, the prices a bit high. I think that you find that at most up-scale tapas places, and it just kind of comes with the territory. Now the reason to go anyway. I personally think the food here is A-Mazing!! I LOVE it. I seriously die with happiness every time I eat here. I'm also a slow eater, and eat small amounts at each sitting. So while I won't get a massive plate of food, with half of it shoved in a box at the end of the night, I am more than full when I leave! I particularly love the *croquettes*, and ALWAYS get the *almond ice cream with espresso for dessert*. I know that seems a bit simple for a dessert to be obsessed with, but good lord something about that stuff just makes me insanely happy!!!! =) OH! And last time I was there, we got the *creamed chanterelles on toast*... I almost died they were so good!!! I could just eat that for the rest of my life (okay, I might need some almond ice cream with espresso on the side every once in awhile) and be completely content. And I really don't find the prices that bad for the kind of place it is. I have easily spent just as much or much more at other restaurants of a similar caliber and like the food here more. I was expecting to get a bit gouged the first time I went here but it was an anniversary and we decided to just go all out and spend more than usual for a nice night out. I ended up being pleasantly surprised at the bill!! I wasn't ordering blindly, but we didn't have a calculator out for each plate either, we ordered what looked good, and filling within reason, and the bill came out to be very reasonable for the quality of food and lovely, intimate atmosphere. Oh, and it is true that it can be a pretty loud environment which I have to admit has been a bit annoying at times. But overall it has never been so loud that I've felt it's interfered with the total dining experience. Though I suppose the almond ice cream could be drowning out all my other senses. =)
(5)
Charlie K.
Always good.. Service was pleasant and attentive..One dish that I feel was a miss is the squid ink pasta.. Clyde Common nails it.. Torro's take on it is confusing and a bit too spicy, overpowering the ink. But once again, Bravo.
(4)
Liz H.
This is THE place to go when you want to be happy! Its a smorgasbord of small plates of Spanish/Moroccan food and flavors. So in my opinion, you dont get much better than that! I have been here 4 times now and I will come back again and again. My favorite dishes are the Coppa Steak, Paprika fritters, and Squash with Harissa. The dessert dish NOT to miss is the Chocolate Molten Cake! (yes- it does sound good- AND is!!) I have become obsessed with Red wines from Spain- and only Spain. So my heart is so happy here with their selections!! You have to have the Tempranillo! My only criticism is that the rest of Portland has discovered this place and its ALWAYS busy- even on a Monday night! So get here early or prepare to wait. Hold Up! Why am I reviewing this place?? To promote it to the public so they can come here and make me wait! Uh oh! Umm... Strike my review, I dont recommend this place! its No Bueno- Really-You wouldnt like it! its TOO GOOD- Go Somewhere else- SERIOUSLY!! Let me eat and eat to my hearts content ! Ok??
(5)
Stephy S.
Full-bodied wine. Full little plates. And a seat practically in the kitchen which gives you a peep at the hot menz cookin up tasty treats. Ummmmm, can I get a 4 star please? Yes, this was a yummy dinner and I was very afraid that I wasn't going to be able to fully enjoy it since I was a sicky magoo and had been living on soup and grapefruit juice for the last week, but alas, my palate held true to the ways I've taught it and was able to enjoy each and every dish we sampled. We started with the scallops which were good, but about 8 seconds overcooked. I can't hate though, since those little buggers are hard to get perfect. They were still super deelish though, I just prefer them a tad undercooked. We then moved on to the Eggplant dish with the lamb ragu. Oh to the yes, this was a tasty one. But then the mother of all things munchable arrived and that was the drunken pork (you know I just had to order it for the name!). It was a tantalizing pork tenderloin wrapped in..... Wait for it.... Wait for it... BACON!! Weeeeeee! Yep, pork wrapped in pork. Good times! I would definitely come back here again and try more of their small plate goodies along with some more of that wine. Win-win.
(4)
Chris L.
We totally lucked out. Took a cab over to Toro, walked in to find they had a 45 minute wait but just so happened to have a spot for two at the bar! Perfect! With a pitcher of sangria at hand, we ordered a wide variety of tapas and some paella to make it a really yummy and memorable night. The food was great and the atmosphere was fun. The food was great and this quickly became one of our favorites in Portland, even besting one of our favorite tapas eats in Seattle! Highly recommended.
(5)
tara s.
Came here with colleagues in town for a conference. We had an excellent experience - food was stellar, waitstaff were nice - helped us pick some killer wines. Why not 5 stars? There were complaints about the music (I could not hear it, but reports were that it was "strange"). Desserts did not meet the standard of the rest of the meal But really this place is great and worth a trip
(4)
Anne R.
I've been here twice, the only downside is the wait. First time I went on a friday at 9 or so, waited 1.5 hours for a table. Remember getting the flank steak and a green been dish both of which were delicious. Went back this saturday, waited an hour or so after putting our name on the list around 6 pm. We got the spinach, brussel sprouts, empanadas, flank steak, molton chocolate cake, and the chantrelles mushroom grilled bread. The veggies were all excellent and the highlights. The empanadas were the only thing not really that great. The mushrooms and bread was the best thing I've eaten maybe even in the past year. They were incredible. This remains one of my favorite portland places.
(5)
Becky N.
I love spanish style Tapas!! We ordered a ton of dishes, but the highlights of the night were the empanadas and brussel sprouts! These were the best brussel sprouts i've ever tasted. It had bacon in it with a sherry reduction. The only bad thing about this place is that they don't accept reservations and it's always crowded. We ended up having to wait an hour and a half for our table, and it was worth the wait. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! There is something for everyone, so you really can't go wrong here.
(5)
Jay C.
"i speak for the [waiting process] for the [waiting process] has no tongues." the food is excellent and speaks for itself. if you are a party of 7 or more, then you are in luck. you can call and make a rezzie and will not be subjected to the wait list. [sundays - thursdays only.] if you are a party of 6 or less, you are SOL...until now. here are some tips regarding the wait list: 1. the early bird gets the worm; go as early as possible to avoid a long wait...i'm talking right when then open if not earlier. 2. note: if you just put yourself on the wait list and are facing the kitchen, do not despair. look behind your right-hand shoulder. there is a stand-up table with no chairs. you are welcome to wait there and order cocktails and food if there is space for you. mind you, some people DO NOT like to share. this means that when there are two couples standing and waiting, and they do not move over for your party of three. what you have to do is simply SQUEEZE in with nice-ities. as you carefully move their drinks and plates to make room for yourself say something nice like, "i love your shirt! can i wear it?" if you snooze, you lose! 3. and, if you are EVIL, you can always make a rezzie for 7 and lie, "oh my goodness! the other 4 people missed their flight." [or something to that effect. then again, i believe in karma, so i would never do this. does thinking it count?] we arrived on a tuesday. one would think that a monday or tuesday would be sluggish, right? WRONG! we walked in at about 615 pm - they open at 500 pm - and we were 10 or 12 on the list. [the lady controlling the reservations book closes it immediately after jotting secret notes in the red leather-ish journal. it's very clandestine.] due to my extensive restaurant experience, i studied the area. there were 3 parties of 7 or more seated. [four other tables had 2-4 people. the bar and kitchen-view seating was also occupied.] two other tables sat vacant for almost 45 minutes because the restaurant was waiting to "turn" the smaller tables into large parties. this meant that the restaurant peeps were PRAYING that the adjacent table of 2 would leave ASAP in order to accommodate a larger group...times two. [hope this makes sense.] so an empty table could sit, not accruing ANY income for the restaurant because of the large party demand. whatever works, but as an quasi-entrepreneur, i frown upon that. what this means to joe-party-of-6-or-less, the larger groups take precedence over your walk-in party. this explains why, though we were seemingly early, we had to wait after ALL the other walk-ins thinking that they were early, were seated. we ALL SUCKED WIND behind the large reservations. [at this point, if the walk-ins were smart, they would - in fact - make a reservation for a group of 7, and then stand outside the restaurant hawking the other remaining seats for their table in order to secure seats without waiting. hmmmm...i may be on to something here.] so there you have it! a few magical suggestions on how to strategize your seating at toro bravo! ole!
(5)
Lindsay W.
WOW! My boyfriend and I were very impressed. We were delighted by everything we ate- fresh, quality ingredients. Service was outstanding. Will definitely be returning next time we are in town.
(5)
Wayne O.
We don't really like waiting in long lines so decided to show up late on a Saturday night. We were promptly seated at a bar fronting the open kitchen. We started with a great fried anchovy dish that included deep fried lemons. We followed that with the butter lettuce salad with radish and bacon. I loved the tarragon dominant Green Goddess-like dressing. The octopus and prawn stew was surprisingly spicy - the way we like it. The sweet pepper, onions and tomatoes made thick broth that was far greater than the sum of its parts. We also ordered the boquerones and by the time we got to the pork shoulder sandwich we were stuffed. The cocktails were great, too. The service was fantastic. I don't know how a place as slammed as this is, with customers ordering a million dishes manages to time the arrival of each dish perfectly. The cooks are a marvel to watch. The waitresses are knowledgeable, efficient and work with grace under fire. This place is a gem!
(5)
rachel p.
i think i was expecting these tapas to be a little more unique based on reading about toro bravo in a couple different magazines. but despite that, what we had was very tasty, really well prepared, and pretty classic. my favorites where the warm calamari with beans and the scallops with romesco sauce. you have to have the right touch with seafood, and they did. both were tender and just a touch briny. i love what the shell beans and chorizo did for the calamari, giving it a nice earthiness. the scallops were fresh enough to stand on their own and the mild romesco was a nice counterpart--adding just a hint of interest but not overwhelming their delicate flavor. we all really liked the steak with blue cheese. nicely cooked and super flavorful. the salt cod fritters were yum, but maybe just because i love salt cod. i like it better not fried, but i'll take it this way too. you can skip the squash dumplings with the lamb ragu. the ragu is overly salty and the lamb doesn't come through. the bacon wrapped dates are always a favorite of mine but at $2 each they're kind of ripping you off. you can easily make a whole tray of these at home for $10. also the north african sausages with fries were nothing special. what they do well here they do really well, so next time, i might ask the waitress to lead my choices more. we did have a nice bottle of sherry and a really nice bottle of wine with her help though, and she spaced our food out nicely so we could really take our time. the room is lively and bustling. a little like a great tapas joint in spain, and the decor is clean and simple. you will wait, but go next door to the very cool secret society lounge for a nice cocktail. it will ease the pain.
(4)
Cameron Y.
Food was generally a bit too salty and prices seemed too high for tapas.
(3)
Ben K.
I wish I could be more descriptive about everything that was great about this place but I'm simply not that talented of a writer. I've been waiting to try it for a long time and I'm only sorry I waited so long. Exceeded every expectation I had. Head upstairs to Secret Society for a drink if there's a wait. FANTASTIC service. Simply put, this is tied with Beast as the best restaurant in Portland.
(5)
Mark L.
Toro Bravo might have fallen victim to too much hype. Seems every magazine in Portland has called it one of the best. I've had better (Navarre), but I'll reserve complete judgment until I return. I went on a weeknight, which made it easy to get a seat (reservations are only made for parties of seven or more). It's located in the north east right next to the Wonder Ballroom, where rock 'n' roll and fine-dining collide. Our meal was good, but I expected to be blown away. I did like the griddled shrimp with chilies ($9), but the standard potatoes bravas ($7) were just OK. Now, I didn't want to go there, but I'm going there. I lived in San Sebastian, in the heart of Spain's Basque Country, for a year. It is not quite the same--probably a good thing considering Spaniards usually leave tapas sitting on the counter for hours at a time. If that happened in America, the place would be condemned in two whips of una cola de toro. The prices are reasonable if you stick with the basics (four plates of tapas and two beers for around $40). The atmosphere is cozy and I like the fact that Toro Bravo keeps with Spanish tradition by having parties sit together at long tables. I'd like to return and try the Paella Toro ($19), and the squid ink pasta ($12). Perhaps then I can say it is one of the best.
(3)
Eric t.
Went to Toro Bravo after a blazers game, awesome restaurant, thankfully we didn't have to wait long. Bread with butter & olive oil- Pretty basic, just a filler. But the olive oil seemed fruit infused somehow and had a very nice taste to it. Marinated Sheep's Cheese with rose petal harissa and mint- One of my favorites. Sheeps milk and it tasted a bit lemon-y like in meyer lemon...but you spread it on the bread, it was really fucking good. Plums stuffed with Foie Gras- One bite sized morsel, it was 2 bucks but the combo of the foie gras and the plum made for a nice nutty taste and texture. Salt Cod Fritters with aioli- Great flavor, a bit too salty for my tastes (and most people's). Perhaps that's the traditional preparation. House Smoked Coppa Steak with olive oil poached potatoes chopped olives & salbitxada- Pretty good, not as outstanding as some of the other selections though. But its amazing what they do with such an inexpensive cut of meat. I had to add some salt (they had a scooper with salt on the table) however to it. Seared Scallops with romesco- Scallops were perfectly cooked and pretty huge. Paella Toro- Awesome. Would order again. I would want to try the Fideos next time though. Molten Chocolate Cake with vanilla ice cream- Pretty basic, spilled some on my new blazers shirt I bought....but liked the filling...I think they used condensed milk with the chocolate which was good. Bacon wrapped pork with beans- one of the better dishes of the night in fact. I wasn't expecting much from this to be honest, but the combo together was good. looks like my bro reviewed above. oops. haha. oh well.
(5)
Meggles C.
wonderful! I was in town for a conference and this gem was in walking distance of my hotel. Loved the atmosphere, service, and food. Very attentive staff:) Food was top notch! only small downside was it was very loud inside...but in a way it contributed to the atmosphere.
(4)
Annie M.
After several dinners at Toro Bravo, I feel qualified to say "It is fabulous!" We try to go early, so we don't have such a long wait. We also sit at the bar by the cooks' station so we can watch. The grilled scallops with romesco sauce are exquisite. The empanadas have a light, flakey, rich pastry with shredded pork inside. The leeks with a nutty sauce were a revelation. Loved the burger, but it could have fed 4 people. Octopus a la plancha is my spouse's favorite, sitting atop a potato slice with a smear of aioli. Ice cream finished with donPX sherry is sublime. As good as anything I've had in Spain. Be warned that it's a busy, noisy place - a good place for a group or a first date (lots to talk about).
(5)
Olivia T.
I rarely give one star for my reviews, but the service at the famous Toro Bravo was just BAD with capital letters. My friend and I came here for my birthday dinner on Saturday night. We got there at 7:45 pm. The first nice hostess told me that it will be 45 minutes to 1 hour wait. I said no problem. She said we can wait at the bar upstairs. So we went to bar upstairs. We chit chatted and about 8:50 pm we still didn't get any call from the restaurant. We came back downstairs and it was a different hostess there. I asked her politely how much longer until our turn. She said in snippy tone "Well it's still going to be a while. There's quite few people in front of you." I asked her irritated "How long is a while?" She looked at her watch "Well an hour ago, the other hostess told you it's going to be 45 minutes to 1 hour waiting time." I said " Yes that's an hour ago and we waited for an hour already." She looked at her book again and said "Probably it's going to be another half an hour." We didn't want to wait for another "Possibly" half an hour. I'm sure the food there is great, I think they need to train their hostess to be a better hostess.
(1)
Adam C.
We wanted to do the chef's choice tasting menu but couldn't due to a food allergy. No worries...the waitress was excited (really excited) to choose for us with the allergy in mind. In a word--awesome. The food is great, the style is great, the service is great. Only downside is a long wait to be seated and the double-edged sword of no reservations for fewer than 7 people.
(5)
Staci F.
a friend told us to go here on our trip to portland and he told us it will be the best meal you have in portland. He was pretty much right. So we took a bus to the other side of the city and got dropped off in this random little neighborhood surrounded with houses. anyways, there it was a tiny block in the midst of these houses with a music venue and toro bravo. The wait was 2 hours long!! how crazy!! for this tony little restaurant. Luckily, it was self seating outside and the weather was nice so we happened to snag a table right away. we figured with a two hour wait, this place had to be worth it. It was. We order the salted cod fritters, bacon covered dates, this wonderful naan truffle cheese bread topped with arugala, and paella. for dessert we ordered almond ice-cream and churros. AMAZING! Absolutley check this place out. you will be glad you did. But maybe try and make reservations.
(5)
Kevin L.
Great menu, so much to choose from.
(4)
Linnea M.
I went here a couple of weeks ago on a Thursday night with a group of 6. We waited for a little while in the little side room, and we were seated relatively soon(maybe 20 minutes). The wine list was great-I was happy to see one of my favorite biodynamic OR wineries on the list(Cowhorn). Very reasonable prices too. Though it's a great place and would also be good for a date, it was fun to go with a group so we could try lots of things. They are pretty generous with the portions. I would say the "pinchos" on the menu are about the size of true tapas in Spain. Anyway, the food! We ordered 10 things off the menu. The marinated sheep cheese, tortilla de patata, blue stuffed olives, radicchio salad, squash with goat cheese, scallops, lamb rillette, piperade...there were so many I can't recall them all. Everything was fantastic, down to the caramel pannacotta and olive oil cake we had for dessert. They have a very interesting list of dessert cocktails too-we tried the vanilla vodka with an espresso dipped lemon slice-they worked really well together, as wierd as it sounds. Great atmosphere and great food. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Alex W.
I just ate at Toro Bravo for the 3rd time and I feel it deserves a review. Before I start, I will warn you to be prepared to hang out for up to an hour or more to get a table. Not a bad thing, as there are 2 cool bars on each side of the place. Just be prepared to wait. Toro has great, attentive service and excellent wines at affordable prices. But the real reason to go here are the tapas. Each time I have discovered something new. The Bacon wrapped dates are my favorite (order more, you will eat them very fast) and the squash/cheese dip is another favorite. I would advise to order a few dishes every 10-15 minutes. You won't regret it.
(5)
Laura G.
Don't come here if you don't want to wait more than an hour . . . para una sabrosa deliciosa cena! or for you english speakers, a flavorful delicious dinner! Yes it can be a bit loud but you can tell they are aware of that, note the foam sound absorbers under the tables. Try the pork sandwich, try the butternut squash, and definitely spend the money for a bottle of wine to wash it all down with.
(4)
James C.
I love this place small cozy friendly, bustling, excellent tapas style food, this is the type of restaurant Portland does best and this is one of the best examples of that type of restaurant! Go with friends and family leave the kids at home cause the place is always packed to the brim
(5)
Masanori T.
Tucked away in a residential suburb of Portland, this is an excellent restaurant with a very extensive tapas menu, and a very lively atmosphere. Enjoy the bustling kitchen serving amazing food; my favorites were squid ink pasta, paella, to name a couple. I also seem to recall trying some blood sausage type of a dish which was delectable, but I don't see that in the menu; apparently they change the menu regularly to make sure they're serving you whatever's in season which is a very good sign :o)
(5)
Julia S.
We wanted paella in Portland & ended up here. Actually I was here when they opened and kept it in mind for future tapas, but didn't get back until a few weeks ago. Overall experience: long wait for a table, good sangria, OK service, overpriced dishes, most unusual version of paella I've ever tasted (not a good thing.) The details: First the long wait. We went on a Wednesday night and though it looked like seats might be available, we were told it would be a 45 minute wait. Okay, we were up for it. Turns out there's a little closet of a waiting area where you can order pretty much everything off the menu (except the one thing we came for - the paella). We enjoyed our first dishes - the french "kisses," cheese board, bread, and sangria. But that waiting space is awkward and a bit uncomfortable for more than 2-3 people (we had 4). Still, better than nothing I guess. Once we were seated at a real table, we dove into ordering our paella and the server recommended we augment with a few more dishes. At her suggestion, we ordered the oxtails and brussel sprouts as well. The latter was delicious, but the oxtails were a huge disappointment. Tiny, overpriced, and over-flavored. Finally, the paella. Okay, so I have standards when it comes to paella as having been to Spain on several occasions, but what we got was hardly paella. Perhaps, that's why they call it Paella Toro as it's their own twist on paella. And a twist it was - tasted more like jambalaya than paella. Aside from the seafood and meat, the best part of paella is the delicate, saffron rice. Though Toro's version over treated theirs with spices, making it more "dirty rice" than the beautiful, bright yellow version most paella consumers are accustomed. Next time I want tapas, I'm going back to Navarre. And if I want paella, I'm making it myself.
(2)
Doc O.
Fantastic meal. Worth the wait!
(5)
Claire T.
We stopped into Toro Bravo before catching a show at the Wonder Ballroom. We had to wait a bit (maybe 20 minutes?), but were happy to sample the sangria and the A to Z Pinot Noir and browse the menu before sitting down to eat. The sangria was perfect--not too sweet and full of yummy fresh blueberries, which I fished out with my fingers to eat after I finished drinking (sorry, Miss Manners!). So many choices but only two stomachs to fill! We settled on the cucumber salad, oxtail croquettes, the torta, and the lamb shank. WOW! Everything was fantastic. The torta came adorned in two sauces; I couldn't decide which one was better. The flavors on the other dishes were intense but worked perfectly. Even though we ordered some of the pricier tapas and had two drinks apiece, our bill wasn't outrageous. I definitely need to come back with more people to try more tapas! We were uncomfortably full by the end of the meal, but isn't that what vacation is all about?
(5)
Helen H.
After a semester abroad in Spain, my school should have given me more credit hours for eating tapas than for my "film class" and "language classes!" That being said, Toro Bravo met my expectations and exceeded them. One of my favorite Spanish classics, Tortilla Espanola, was as flavorful and yummy as the best I've had in Spain. I also highly reccommend the chard and egg, singing pig greens, paprika fritters, and polenta and roast beef. You really can't go wrong. UNLESS you skip the churros and chocolate. If you skip the churros and chocolate, you would receive an "F" in my Tapas 101 Class for Advanced Eaters. An F.
(5)
Ed B.
I just had one of the top-5 meals of my life at Toro Bravo last night. A group of five of us were in the mood for tapas and decided to check this place out. They don't take reservations for parties of less than seven (!), so we took our chances on a Thursday night. When we arrived, we were told the wait would be over an hour, which for me would usually be a deal-breaker. But it was great company and no one was starving yet, so we decided to amble upstairs to the Secret Society bar and have a drink while we waited for our table. Much to our pleasure, we received the call in less than 30 minutes that our table was ready. The menu was full of so many unusual and mouthwatering options that it was at first difficult to decide what to order. Our charming server suggested that 2-3 plates per person would be about the right amount, which helped immensely in making decisions. So each person in our group chose two items they wanted to try, and happily we all wanted different things. It's sooo fun to eat with other foodies that enjoy trying new things! The plates began arriving to our table quickly after ordering, but in a somewhat random order and at different times, which allowed everyone to have time to sample and share from the plates. And the food! Oh, lordy... this was one of the most moan-inducing meals I've had in years. Every single dish was scrumptious and perfectly prepared. Personal favorites included the salted cod fritters, which were somehow creamy inside, yet light and wonderfully crispy; the sherry chicken liver mousse (though we ran out of bread for this dish); grilled Romano beans with roasted garlic and fried jamon (the best green beans I've ever tasted); the North African sausages with harissa; and the squid ink pasta, served with a raw yolk in the center and nearly too beautiful to eat. The pasta was rich, velvety, mildly briny, and perfectly complemented with roasted hazelnuts. I think I counted at least 15 utterances of "oh my god" as our group noshed through the dishes. And to cap it off, we all shared a single exquisite dish of hazelnut ice cream with a deep, hearty sherry (from 1982!) poured over it. Absolute bliss. The restaurant is a little bit noisy and the tables are communal, but no one in our group minded this. The servers were excellent, the food arrived in a constant parade, and the Spanish wine lubed our palates and our conversation. A fantastic night, and a new favorite restaurant for me.
(5)
Linda M.
My husband and I had dinner here for our anniversary. After narrowing down what we wanted, we ended up trying 7 items from the menu. The highlights were the griddled bacon wrapped dates and house smoked coppa steak, although everything was just incredible. We also tried the olive oil cake and it was delightful. It was dense and more like a pound cake, the olive oil was very subtle, if noticeable at all - very good! The staff was very friendly and helpful with selecting items and each item arrived promptly. I highly recommend this place if you are in the Portland area.
(5)
Kris W.
Loud, service isn't attentive, tables (especially two-tops) are really close together, and food is good but not a good value for the prices. Mercat a la Planxa it is not. It's small; they don't take many reservations; and again, it's really noisy. That said, if you want an early dinner, it's worth trying at least once. The chantrelles on toast were good one evening, too salty the next; the radicchio salad has been consistently good on all visits. The octopus stew had a whopping ONE piece of octopus in it and a whole lot of tomato sauce. The tortilla is quite good. Cocktails can be tasty, but some are misses, so order cautiously. Staff tends to stand around chatting to each other rather than attend to tables.
(3)
Carol W.
Over rated. If it had been as good as some of the delirious reviewers said, I would go again & maybe not even gripe about the wait. It just isn't a nice dining experience. First there's the wait. Long, long wait. The tables are crammed so close you couldn't get in or out without hitting someone. The wait staff almost argued with me when I said that they didn't have much for vegetarians. Then the actual food, well, just not great. Some was good but most was just plain mediocre. By the end of the meal, I was tired of seeing huge globs of aioli on every plate that came out. I'm would not be exaggerating to say that there was easily 1/3 to even 1/2 cup of the stuff with some of the small plates. No wonder people like the food. If you drown it in aioli, it is bound to taste good. A little boring but very tasty for someone who really, really craves a good aioli fix. No delirium here. Just not impressed.
(3)
Melody H.
Unique and amazing tapas! My bf and I came here on our last night in Portland because a local recommended it. The restaurant doesn't take reservations unless you have 7+ people...so we had to wait. There was a waiting area w/ tables so we sat there and waited, which was nice. We enjoyed drinks and a cheese platter w/ 5 different cheeses. The cheeses were good, but a little too much for only 2 people. For our meal, we ordered the duck liver mousse terrine w/ house made mustard, sauteed spinach w/ pine nuts and golden raisins, moroccan tuna w/ dried cherry couscous, and roasted eggplant w/ lamb ragu. They were all delicious, especially the duck liver mousse terrine...it was mouth-watering! I can still taste it. The slice they gave us was huge, which was awesome. I was in heaven. We really wanted to try the french kisses, which are brandy soaked prunes stuffed w/ foie gras, but they ran out! We were sad...maybe next time. To top it all off, service was wonderful and the ambiance was nice. I really enjoyed my experience at Toro Bravo.
(5)
Paul L.
Oh man...this restaurant truly does live up to the hype. I have never experienced a single bad dish at this place. I could tell you about the sublime scallops, the tender coppa steak, the immaculate charcuterie plate, the insanely spicy octopus stew...but I'll leave that to the blowhards over at Bon Appetit. The food here is simply amazing. Yes, there can be long waits for a table but there's always the upstairs bar that makes the best Manhattan you will ever taste. Definitely a pricey night out but worth your time and hard earned cash.
(5)
Jes P.
This is absolutely, without a doubt, one of my favorite places in town. I attempted to go to Toro Bravo when it first opened late last summer and was seriously disappointed. I waited with the group of six I was with for a really long time and never got seated. We were left to fend for ourselves- no food and no drink after the one pitcher of sangria we managed to get our mitts on. Ultimately, we left and ate someplace else. HOWEVER, I recently ventured back with friends and we were seated immediately and the food, drink, dessert and service were all to die for! I am a huge fan of tapas and small plates because you are able to eat such a variety of food, and every single thing we ordered here was over the top delicious! And my favorite part- churros and chocolate- OMG. I went back this past weekend and my joy was reaffirmed. There was an hour wait for 2 of us, but we found a seat in the tiny, little closet-like waiting area and found out we could just order and eat in there. So, we did. 2 pitchers of Sangria, a paella, endless tapas and churros and chocolate later we couldn't have been happier. I am so happy I gave this place a second chance- it more than deserves it!
(5)
Liz W.
Could be the best place for small-plates that I've eaten so far! I had been hearing about this place for years; and finally made it in there on a Sunday night at around 9, so there was no line/no wait! Sat at the bar, and had great service from the bartender as well. I will definitely be back, although next time I may go in earlier in the evening; because I did feel rushed a bit to order my food since they wanted to get outta there at a decent time, I'm sure. But hey; the food is so good, I still give it the full 5-star rating.
(5)
Sarah S.
Hello center of Portland urban hipsters. Does every server here have huge arm tattoos? Are all the cooks behind the counter under 25? Did 3 out of 5 patrons arrive here on bicycle? In any case, it was one of the best meals of my life. I have a hard time giving any restaurant the full five stars, but I came close with Toro Bravo. Perhaps it was the 1.5 hour wait in the mediocre bar two doors down that we had to endure, but we were all STARVING when they finally called our table at Toro Bravo. We ate every bite put in front of us. I thought the prices were good, and I liked the inventive dished prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients. Flavors were unique and well done. My favorite dish of the night was a fried egg on top of swiss chard. Oh, and the churro. I would have liked to see a few more veg friendly options on the menu, but, it is what it is. The serving staff was friendly and attentive.
(4)
Cali L.
I was a little skeptical when I heard that the words "amazing" and "tapas." Now I am a believer. I don't think there could possibly be a better combination than sangria, delicious fried everything (heavenly salt cod fritters! Crunchy anchovies! Seasonal squash blossoms!) and old friends. The vibe was great. Next time I'd love to sit closer to the kitchen so I can see how they push out so many different plates! I can't wait for my next visit!
(5)
Kitty P.
All I can say is Ox Tails Croquettes and Olive Oil Cake. If you asked me a year ago if those words would marquise through my brain 24-7, but seriously. Yes. Oh, and "Don't be too cool to eat dinner at like 5 pm on a Tuesday cause it will be spankin' busy by 5:30 and you'll be thrilled to have a chair."
(5)
Patrick C.
Ah, Toro Bravo. Among my group of friends I am able to claim to have discovered you, and continue to be a big fan. Your food, excellent. Service staff, ditto. Wine selection, great. Love the decor, the vibe, everything. Why a 4 star then, you ask? Good question. I feel like an old guy for saying this, but it's a little too loud inside. It's obvious why: big, plain walls with little covering them, it's a square space, and the ceilings are tall. Sound is going to carry. But it's the only thing keeping you from a 5 star in my book. Everything else has been said. If you haven't been here, get here soon, you're missing a great restaurant. PS~ The heads up from other reviewers on the Secret Society is spot-on. Love that place.
(4)
Jason D.
i cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. The chef's tasting menu is always a favorite and inexpensive.
(5)
Ian R.
This is the place to take all your pseudo-vegetarian friends to test their mettle. Anyone who can make it through the hour-plus wait and their meal watching Toro Bravo's mouth watering meat dishes flow out of the kitchen without partaking has will power beyond anything I can conceive. Yeah, there are some tasty veggie options, but passing up John Gorham's brilliantly-conceived meat dishes like the smoked coppa steak and the suckling pig would be akin to visiting Portland and skipping Powell's. The menu is always changing bits and pieces but I can honestly say that in six visits I've only had one bad dish (fried egg). Go early, go hungry and go with a big group for your best chance to score a table and taste all the amazing offerings.
(5)
Chris B.
Bacon wrapped dates are amazing and start your meal off. Radicchio salad and paella are favorites.
(4)
C M.
Blows my mind, every time. Just ask your server what you should eat and drink and sit back and enjoy the ride. Seriously. Best food in Portland. Just be prepared to wait for a seat.
(5)
Red G.
Went here recently. I now totally get it. We had to wait about 15 minutes, but drank some sangria, chatted with others -- when we were seated, we were comped for our wait with a fried anchovy and potato dish (pssst, I would've ordered it anyway, so score one for me...) The menu has tons of variety, with something for everyone. Vegetarian, different meats, hot, cold. The chef takes tapas to the right level -- not too far from its Spanish authenticity, but with a twist that makes sometimes-too-bland-ordinary-tapas fun to rediscover. The staff was friendly, the vibe was buzzing and the prices were very reasonable -- not what I was exepecting from one of the most talked-about restaurants in PDX. Simply awesome -- definitely one of the BEST restaurants in Portland.
(5)
Garrett W.
This place already has enough reviews, but thought I might highlight it for people I know. Really great dishes here. Everything is a beautiful creation with incredible textures and flavor. The setting is really intimate with the bustle of the kitchen in the background. Definitely come early to grab a seat!
(5)
Jessie D.
Went for an early lunch with co-workers. Great food look forward to going again to try other items on their menu. The chocolate doughnut is a must!!
(5)
Emee P.
Portland needs more casual dining that actually has GOOD food, and Toro Bravo fills the bill. Styled after the delicious "pub grub" of Spain, there is a two-page menu that changes often. Highlights for me were: bacon-wrapped dates, coppa steak, duck rilletes, and the pot de creme. Woo hoo! And it only set two people back $75, and that was with several glasses of wine included. Hooray! We only waited about 20 minutes, and that was at 7:30 on a Wednesday night. The servers were happy to start bringing us drinks and tapas in the small waiting area, so the wait wasn't painful. Something I have to mention: I hate when other people review the customers of a place. That's so lame. A restaurant review should really be about the food and service. (Both are great at Toro Bravo.) They have no control who comes in to dine.
(5)
Preston P.
We arrived around 5:30 pm on a Saturday and the place was already packed. It is a small space with tables close together. Great place to bring a group of friends. They do a great job at staggering the arrival of plates. We never felt rushed. Apparently the menu often changes. Loved the bacon wrapped dates and "French kisses" (foie gras stuffed dates). Would also recommend the salt cod fritters and grilled flat bread with truffle oil. Yum! Everything was fantastic.
(5)
Elizabeth B.
Went with my ma and pa and sig oth for Pappy's day...we waited only 30 minutes at 8:00 PM on a Sunday. We were seated in the very center of the hiply decorated locale. The place was buzzing with excitement and sangria-drinking patrons. I found myself telling my parents about how awesome Spain is, and about how you can get ripped off by tapas joints in Barcelona. Then we ordered sangria, more winey than sweet, which I prefer. And we began our meal with pinchos (smallest plates). Toasted almonds, Steve's cheese plate, and bacon wrapped dates which were all excellent choices, before we moved on to the richer tapas. Next came a superb Spanish tortilla, which was better than any other tortilla I'd ever eaten, including the one my brother's pop-in-law makes, and he was raised in MADRID. Then, omigod, the peas with mint were to die for and I almost did. The salted cod was a little too salty, although I loved the textures. Chicken wrapped in pancetta was again one of the best dishes I've had, and the paella Toro (with chorizo and seafood galore) made me want to weep openly. It was, all told, a dining experience that I do not ever want to leave in the annals of forgotten meals. Service is Euro-style, with happy looking smiling servers who take turns dropping off tapas and checking in with courtesy. Commies! And I will say that the night of the meal I had one of the best dreams I've ever had, proving that Toro Bravo is indeed mystical.
"Woohoo! As good as it gets!" This place has impeccable service and absolutely delicious food!! We were quoted about a 20 minute wait when we first arrived. Once the wait became a little longer than expected, the hostess apologized and presented each of us a cocktail and an appetizer to share. Once the table became ready, we were promptly seated and waited upon. Being first timers, we ordered just about everything on the menu. Every dish was scrumptious, but the dish that deserved the most credit, was the Grilled Moorish Lamb Chops with warm potato & chorizo salad. I would definitely order that time and time again! Anyone who orders this is guaranteed not to be disappointed. Hands down, this is the best tapas restaurant in Portland; I give them 150% for customer service and food!
(5)
MJ L.
I just have to say this. I have eaten (and cooked) at some of the finest restaurants in this country. EAT HERE! Flawless Food. PS. If you think the lamb is gamey it means you don't like lamb, That's how it's supposed to taste. Lamb that doesn't taste like that was raised specifically not to taste very much like lamb (just for folks like you). This is not an insult to you Sarah B. It's just a fact.
(5)
Sarah K.
This place is fantastic with a bit of caution. There are a few things you need to know...there are no reservations for small parties which means if you want to eat before 7:30-8pm, you need to arrive before 5pm and stand in line while the staff sets up. There is always an early line and if you want the first seating, this is the only way to do it. Otherwise, they'll take your name, hand you a pager and you end up in a bar upstairs until they buzz you. If you have nothing but time on your hands, it's not a big deal. The food is worth the wait. One of the cons about this place is the noise level. It's a small room and the noise bounces, then there's the loud music. There are a few seats in the house that will accommodate a private conversation but most of them require leaning over and hollering to your partner. Not quiet and romantic....loud and bustling. The waitstaff tends to work together so you won't make an intimate relationship with your server. They're just trying to get the job done well and turn a table. I've never had anything bad at this place. Some I like more than others, but never bad, and certainly nothing that's ever made me sick (as mentioned in another review). Plan on spending a cool $100 for food and wine for two people. I will go back to this place.
(4)
George M.
Best tapas I've ever had!!
(5)
Emily P.
Great place to hang out. Go early or late - or you'll be waiting for a table for at least a glass or two of wine. And, you'll need to be nice to the hostess if it's busy...she can get a little short with you. All of the dishes are excellent - and it's awesome to get a variety and share. I would definitely recommend it for dinner.
(4)
judith p.
Believe the Hype. It is that good. Go there with a group of at least three so you can get a good variety. Be willing to spend some dough. Ask the waiters for suggestions. The servings are small so expect that. . .Just small bites of bliss. Final Verdict: YES! Must try at least once. But--leave the vegetarians and lactose intolerant at home.
(5)
Lisa C.
I have been here twice and both times had a lot of fun. It definitely gets a 5 for ambience and at least a 4 for food, but I agree with some others that the service is a 3- average. This seems to be a theme with some Portland restaurants. The food is amazing and the service leaves something to be desired. OK, don't think that I am slamming Toro Bravo. I actually love this place. You can get an amazing meal for an amazing price here too. Our group of 4 got 2 pitchers of Sangria, 5 or 6 small plates, a huge pan of Fideos with Rabbit sausage, 2 desserts, and 2 shots of Lemoncello for $120. That is only $30 per person!! How is that even possible?? The food is all amazing. My favorite this last time was the duck and cherry empenada. Or was it the torta? Or was it the gazpacho? Aaah!! I cannot decide!! The Fideos was AMAZING. WOW!! I will never go here without ordering that dish again I can tell you that much. If you are in Portland this is definitely one of the spots to hit.
(4)
James J.
Bit of a wait, but absolutely worth it! Had bacon wrapped dates to start. The pan seared tuna was one of the better things I've ever eaten. Service was friendly. Great atmosphere.
(5)
Becky L.
A really great place but a little pricey. Food is delicious, but again I'm cheap and the tapas are delicious.
(4)
Rick P.
Sometimes the best dining experiences are the least anticipated ones. Our short weekend trip didn't provide us with enough meals in the day to eat to our hearts' content. With the overwhelming array of options and the limited dining opportunities, I had almost passed up Toro Bravo for another one of the many excellent PDX offerings. Spanish tapas didn't exactly scream quintessential Portland, and previous mediocre meals at seemingly similar restaurants left me wary. Good thing I stuck with my choice, as our meal at Toro Bravo was the most memorable one on our trip, hands down. Chef/owner John Gorham pays homage to the Spanish small bites concept with inspired dishes of traditional ingredients and preparations, with a distinctive Portland sensibility. There's a dizzying assortment of dishes, which begs you to bring hordes of friends so you can sample every single item on the menu. Unfortunately that wasn't the case with us, so we had to make due with a smaller selection of tapas. Every item we tried, like the surprisingly simple but delicious radicchio salad (with the amazing green olive toast!), the hearty lamb ribs, the aromatic tuna with couscous, the French kisses (brandy soaked prunes stuffed with foie gras), was mind numbingly good, further supporting the fact that well-prepared rustic, honest food often trumps fussy, pretentious high-end cuisine. Toro Bravo is one of those places that you wouldn't mind flying a few hundred miles for... just for dinner. It's that good. photos at alamodejournals.com/inde…
(5)
Alex K.
It's been awhile since I have visited Toro Bravo but for me that speaks volumes about a place. It did not impress me at all. The food was decent but I am not much for tapas in the first place. The drinks were ok but the price of everything was high. It was indeed loud and the seating is uncomfortable. It also doesn't seem very North East to me having lived in NE Portland for over 15 years. Its just another piece of gentrification trying to be way too cool for a down to Earth area. Call me crazy but I am an office professional and my idea of a good time isn't being balls deep in young urban professionals attempting to out cool one another.
(2)
Sarah B.
In a word: meh. The service was good, but the food was not of the "knock your socks off" quality that I was expecting. All I've heard about Toro Bravo has been positive buzz, so I went in expecting to be wowed. We arrived around 9 pm on a Thursday night, and we only waited about 10 minutes for a table for two. I like the buzzing energy of the place, but it was a little too loud for intimate conversation. This was fine by my date and myself, we were content just blabbing at a higher than average decibel. Our server was quirky and knowledgeable, as were the rest of the employees we encountered. Even though our server suggested 4-5 tapas for two of us, we went with only 3 and an order of bread. Being the cheapskate that I am, paying $1 for bread, butter and oil was rough, but it was worth it. Our menu: Butternut squash dumplings with shredded Lamb shanks--good, but the lamb tasted a little gamey to me. 3 small dumplings and about a handful of lamb. Meatballs--the almond-tomato sauce on these was awesome! Actually, that sauce was my favorite part of the whole meal. The meatballs themselves were a little bland (Patanegra's are wayyyy better), but the sauce made the dish. Smoked Pork Sandwich--good, but I felt totally low brow when all I could think was "damn, this would be good smothered in bbq sauce." The crowd was pretty schmuck-y, but I was in good company, so it didn't matter. I only overheard the words iPhone, wi-fi and First Thursday a few times, so I would rate the crowd a 5 (of 10) on the hoity toit factor. Parking is not the best--think NW 23rd street parking. All in all, I would try another tapas place before venturing back to Toro Bravo.
(3)
Erin W.
The food here is phenomenal. It was entirely worth the long wait, especially because I could pass the hour upstairs over some creative and delicious cocktails at Secret Society. My party of three was called about an hour after putting our names in and told that a space would be available momentarily. My only complaint, is that when we showed up downstairs 10 minutes later (after slugging down the remains of our bevies and settling our tab at S.S.), there was an additional 15 minutes of standing around waiting for our table. Hmm...all was soon forgiven upon the first bite of the meal though. The three of us ordered six savory and two dessert plates and it was absolutely the perfect amount: Potatoes Bravos, Chared Bread w/Nettles & Fromage Blanc, Squid Ink Pasta, leeky goodness, Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with Sheep's Cheese and Sauteed Chard with an Egg for dinner and Olive Oil Cake and Churos with Chocolate Dipping Sauce (honeslty, the churos plate was the only underwhelming item in the meal). Service was good. Oh, and don't forget about that sangria...yum...... As for atmosphere, the fabric wall panels need some updating. The place is very noisy, so they are good for acoustics I suppose, but the busy print seems out of place and distracting. Other measures to keep the noise down would be appreciated but who really cares when the food is so good. I wish Toro Bravo had a cousin to settle into my neighborhood in Seattle!!
(5)
Illyanna M.
I was beginning to think that the city of Portland had some unspoken contractual agreement with Toro Bravo. Not only did Portland's WW (their version of SF Weekly/Guardian) 2007 restaurant of the year award go to TB, in their 18-years of publication, a single chef has never won that award twice, until the chef behind TB opened another establishment, Tasty N Sons. Three years later, TB is still getting play in every Pacific Northwest publication, tour book and on the recommendation lists of the several Portlanders that suggested TB to us. We finally gave in and accepted our destiny. It was time to go to Toro Bravo. Standing outside in Portland's notorious cool autumn weather, we waited 15 minutes to be seated inside of the intimate and warm dining room that seems to flow right into the open kitchen. Here you can watch the cooks bustle down the line and play the guessing game if that's your plate standing at the pass. Don't think just because TB has a burger on their menu that they aren't a major contender in the food game, after all, it's a Manchego and bacon burger with romesco sauce and pickled veggies for only $9. Their plates are between $1 (bread, butter and olive oil) to $15 (oxtail croquettes). We started with the patatas bravas - boiled in brine, slightly fried pieces of potato with creamy and soft interiors, covered in a flavorful tomato sauce and served with aioli. Codfish croquttes - creamy cod puree shaped into quenelles and deep fried to produce a natural crunchy exterior and a light interior, served with an aioli. Fried green tomatoes - acidic, sweet and vibrant small tomato slices lightly breaded with a cornmeal crust. And finally, we finished with charred octopus tentacles and rock shrimp served inside of a fiery hell stew broth. With drinks, $40. Inside it's loud, energetic and adventurous like a young personality. It's cozy like your grandmother's hug. It's familiar and comfortable like old friends at a neighborhood bar. And although it's Spanish tapas, it's an accurate representation of Portland with its accepting to the different and knowledgeable of quality gastronomy. Just ask the couple we sat next to that overheard our conversation about Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal and jumped right in without apology, the woman had been there! Sorry I didn't provide photos, my little "camera that could," just couldn't take good photos in this dark restaurant. Stupid Vivitar.
(5)
Lille P.
Although the wait is ALWAYS long, thank your lucky stars that Secret Society Ballroom is right upstairs, and the dear, sweet hostess at TB will call you when your table is ready! Or, if it's not too busy, and you're lucky enough to snag a table with standing room only, have an amazing glass of wine with the awesome bacon-wrapped dates and prepare yourself for excellence. I love ordering dozens of small plates to share with a big group of people: there's bound to be something you will fall in love with. The suckling pig was our absolute favorite for a long time (I don't think it's on the menu anymore) but you really can't go wrong with this place.
(5)
T H.
I love Tapas My recipe for the perfect summer evening is sitting on the patio at Jaleo in Bethesda sipping Sangria and savoring tapas. As a result, I was very excited to learn of Toro Bravo and vowed to check it out next time we were in town for a show at the Wonder Ballroom. The restaurant was very busy when we arrived, but we were seated immediately. The waitress helped us fight 2 lovely Spanish wines to pair w/ our food. The food itself ranged from sublime to awful. We swooned over the crispy green cauliflower but couldn't gag down shredded beef and polenta dish. One of my all time favorites, patatas bravas also disappointed. The experience warrants 3 stars because the wine, service and cauliflower balance out the disappointments. Given the stellar ratings from other Yelpers, we'll give the place a second try in case we just hit them on a bad night.
(3)
J M.
Over priced. Not that thrilled with the food over experience. Not worth the hype.
(2)
J R.
Been to Toro Bravo just twice, but each time has been an absolute pleasure. The hostess was very kind to call my cell phone and prompt us when our table was ready and our waitress was nice enough to suggest plates that would adhere to my friend's pork free diet. I would recommend the tasting plates to a couple enjoying a nice intimate date, but be certain to ask the waitress what is on the line-up for the chef's special. Arrive before the restaurant opens, or later in the evening to ensure seating or a short wait. I suggest Toro Bravo for dates or catch-up dinners with friends. I cannot wait for my next dinning experience at Toro Bravo!
(5)
Josh W.
Awesome food, great atmosphere. Expected a wait, but we were seated immediately.
(5)
Robin C.
We have decided to start trying at least one new restaurant a month with friends. This was our first and a total winner. The scallops were killer, just a little crispy edge but not over cooked and the sauce was heavenly. The burger was excellent probably the best I've had in Portland or anywhere for that matter. The Potatoes Bravas were another winner. The Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese and arugula was another of my favorites. My husband was all about the Griddled Shrimp with Chilies, we also tried the BLT. The only dishes I was dissappointed in was the Manchego & Paprika Fritters and Corn on the Cob which was dry and tough. I recommend going with a group of friends that way you might have enough room for something on the sweets menu.
(4)
Kristine H.
Yum yum! Fun and delicious environment for the food connoisseur. Share little family style meals and get a taste of Spain.
(5)
Bora K.
As 2009 draws to a close, I've been thinking about the best meals I've had this year and without a doubt, hands down, my birthday dinner at Toro Bravo had to be my favorite, Portland itself has some of the most amazing food and restaurants I've experienced throughout my travels and there was something about Toro Bravo that really did it for me. It's not a fancy or even really well known restaurant outside of where it is but there was a dimension to the food that made it simply some of the best I've had in a long, long time. We ordered quite a few dishes to share between two people and my only complaint was that I couldn't finish everything because I got so full from gorging too quickly. We had the Radicchio salad with Green Olive Toast and Manchego Vinaigrette (I am OBSESSED with this salad. It is so so good, I could sit there and eat bowl after bowl...), Catalan Tomato Rubbed Bread (how could something as simple as grilled bread rubbed with a tomato make you want to sing?), Fried Anchovies with Fennel and Lemon (those crispy fried pieces of fennel and lemon slices did a good job balancing out the richness of the oily fish), Grilled Lamb Ribs with Cucumber Salad (If you are not a fan of lamb, I promise these ribs will make you a convert), Moroccan Tuna with Dried Cherry Cous Cous (I hate to use the word 'Umami' but that is the only word that comes to mind when trying to convey the depth of flavor this dish had. It was abso-freaking-lutely delicious), Chicken and Clams Cataplana with Tomato and Jamon (the chicken and clams were so succulent and juicy and the ham gave everything a great saltiness), Brandy Soaked Prunes stuffed with Foie Gras called "French Kisses" (pure decadence) and for dessert Caramel Panna Cotta (the caramel sauce was rich and luscious with perfectly balanced flavors of burnt sugar). I am sad, actually sad, that Toro Bravo is in Portland and not Los Angeles because as I sit here writing all of this, the desire to go back and have that very same meal is making me want to weep. I guess I'll just have to look back at the photos taken of our meal alamodejournals.com/inde… and dream about the day I'll go back to eat there again.
(5)
Don B.
Bravo, Toro, Bravo! I stepped into Toro Bravo off of the still-in-gentrification-process N. Russell St. It was surprisingly quiet for 9:45pm on a Saturday night. I felt like I was stepping into a San Francisco open-kitchen restaurant (they seem to be all the rage down there). High ceilings, wide open space, kitchen in the back, bar to the left, tables crammed in everywhere (all full), and the nice white-noise-esque cacophony of happy dining sounds. Not too loud, but enough to exude a nice vibrant glow. We were advised it would be a few minutes for a table, and ushered over to a stand-up table in an entryway nook, where a ninja-style server appeared from thin air and took our drink and Pinchos order: an Old Fashioned, a rosemary-gin martini, and sangria. The sangria was very authentic, not too sweet, nice and dry. Just like Espana. The martini was quite nice (slightly floral), and the Old Fashioned was amazing. We got our pinchos immediately - salted roasted almonds and the pickled veggies. The almonds were a perfect little snack while waiting, and the veggies were very tasty, although they loaded the little dish with olives and only had a few beets, sweet dill slices and onions. Should have called it pickled olives instead. The pickled onions were the best part. Need more! We were seated within about 10 minutes at most. I guess careful planning pays off when you want to visit a place with an otherwise oppressive wait. They provided us with the menu while we were waiting so we had ample time to peruse the litany of tapas offerings. Most of them looked quite authentic. There were three of us and we ordered three tapas dishes each (ok, I ordered four, I can't lie): The grilled chantrelles on toast, squid ink pasta with caramelized onion and egg yolk, white anchovies on crostini, salt cod fritters, ox-tail croquettes, butternut squash with braised lamb, grilled romanesco with olives, scallops with romesco sauce and fresh fennel, clam and chorizo stew, patatas bravas, aaaaand I can't remember the last one (I guess it didn't leave that much of a lasting impression). We eagerly awaited the arrival of the vast array of food that was on its way. The wonderful thing about tapas is that they come out when they are ready, so you get to eat slowly, savoring a morsel here, and a tidbit there, until all of a sudden you realize there are 10 empty plates in front of you and you are REALLY full. First to arrive was the grilled chantrelles in an herbed cream sauce on toast. This was one of the best dishes of the night. Creamy, mushroomy, nice and complex, but light. A whole plate would be too rich, but a tapa-sized portion (or maybe 2 next time) was perfect. I lost track of the order in which the rest arrived. I will say that many were good, pretty damn good in fact, but a tad off-balance, or a tad salty. Some were so sublime that even though I would want to try so many new items the next time I return, I will be hard pressed not to order them again. The squid ink pasta was amazing. The yolk comes in the middle of the pile, and you break it and mix it up with the pasta, caramelized onion, peppers, and hazelnuts. It's a slightly spicy, slightly salty, yolky pile of black-noodle heaven. I could seriously eat a whole plate of this stuff. The scallops were so perfectly balanced, with a creamy but not overbearing romesco sauce balanced nicely with the fresh fennel. $13 for 2 scallops seems steep, but the one bite I had was so superb I would order it again. That ended up being the fav of the night for all three of us. The salt cod fritters were very salty (as far as I am concerned, that's how they are supposed to be), and paired with aioli. Tasty. The oxtail croquettes were good, a little sweet, with a hint of clove. Very north-African influenced. The butternut squash and lamb (braised in a red sauce, maybe a tad bit of harissa) combo was ok, but the two would have been better off served separately. The squash was quite good on its own, as was the lamb. They just did not pair well. The clam and chorizo stew was divine, a creamy chowdery type deal with chunks of the sausage and whole clams floating in it. Only downside was that the chorizo was not quite fatty enough. The grilled romanesco was quite good if eaten without the accompanying olives (too salty). The romanesco picked up just the perfect amount of saltiness and flavor on its own. The anchovies were good (a very traditional Spanish dish), but they used too much tomato sauce. The patatas bravas (fried potato wedges with harissa ketchup and aioli) were so very good. That would make a wonderful late-drunken-night snack. 5-stars = too much for this place, they need to be a tad more careful with their experimentation and pairings here. That said, I am excited to return and try out more of these delicious tapas. Great service, good-to-amazing authentic food, fun way to eat. Bravo, Toro!
(4)
Susan N.
I was a little worried when we drove up because it looked a bit trendy...but man I'm glad we went in. The food brought back incredible memories of Spain, especially the Spanish Tortilla. I am a tapas girl and a bit of a traditionalist, so it was nice to enjoy fresh ingredients put together as you would find in Spain.
(4)
Mac M.
I love this place. Great food, fun atmosphere and great drinks. A trendy must stop. Even great stop before a Blaze game. Beware though because the place gets packed and you might have to wait outside in line to get a place to sit. Bar seating is fun because of how busy the kitchen and bar are and you get front row to all the action.
(5)
Shane K.
Great atmosphere, large and varied selection on the menu and great drinks. This is a great place to go with a group of friends and/or for a special occasion.
(4)
Mike C.
Maybe I didn't drink the TB Kool-Aid....or perhaps I made some poor menu choices. The onion soup was ordinary at best. The delicate polenta was overwhelmed with the addition of beef and gooey cheese. For toppers, the brussels sprouts were swimming in bacon grease. A so-so selection of beer, and I'm wondering why there are raves here. I may try TB again, but not in the near future... Tried Andina, and found it to be vastly superior...
(2)
Kiwi B.
A friend and I went to Portland last weekend mostly to eat and hang out. This place had been recommended to me on Fodor's travel forum but our dinner plans were for Montage where old Seattle-ite friend works. Well, we drove by Montage, saw prom kids out front, decided we didn't want to eat with a bunch of prom kids and called 411 to find out how to get here. Can I thank those prom kids? This was my favorite meal in Portland and high up there in general. I only wish my belly was bigger so I could've ordered more. I barely fit what we got as it was...
(5)
Dyey L.
BRAVO, Toro Bravo!! Definitely one of the few best restaurants I've ever been. Discovered it when Willamette Weekly mentioned its Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse as one of top 25 items to try in Portland. It didn't disappoint, actually it's just the beginning. My wife and I ordered some Fresh Spanish Anchovies fried with fennel & lemon and wow!, it hit the spot. Something in this dish made an impression on me, it was the deep fried slice of lemon and the sauce. Awesomeness! The paella was another thing of beauty. They serve it in the pan where it's cooked so you get all the flavors you just can't help but scrape it down to the last grain. The drinks are great as well. We brought our friends there and each of us got a different drink so we got a sip of each. It's all good but still my favorite is the negroni, perfect blend of sweet and bitter. Make sure to save room for dessert too, they've got some good selection. I would definitely go there just for these: hazelnut ice cream with sherry (mmm... hazelnut), and almond ice cream with espresso (mmm... espresso), what else could be better! Our goal there is to try everything in the menu but it's kind of hard because we always get our default favorites mentioned above. I guess that's why we keep coming back.
(5)
Uncle G.
If you are looking for the best food experience in Portland, I suggest eating here! We keep coming back because everything we try is delicious, and often unexpected. The pricing is extremely reasonable, and the quality is always superb. Our recent favorite dish is the smoked pork rilletes with homemade marmalade...
(5)
Brian H.
Snotty service but good food. You decide if it's worth the wait.
(2)
Jo T.
This place was good in so many levels. Food was spot on. Service was very welcoming. This place is definitely on my all time favorite place. A destination restaurant.
(5)
Brian M.
When I first arrived they told us that it would be a 1.5~2 hour wait for 6 of us. There was NO WAY that any food is worth 1.5~2 hour wait....but something happened and they were able to get us in like in 30 minutes. Despite what I said above...this comes pretty damn close to worth waiting 2 hours for. I'd say if its an hour wait....its definitely worth it. The food was EXCELLENT. The drinks were good. We tried several items including the Pig greens, marinated sheeps cheese, some sort of cheese fritters, the meatballs, butternut squash, mushrooms, and the smoked steak. The mushrooms were the bomb...cooked in a creamy sauce served on toasted bread. The steak was good as well. The meatballs themselves were underwhelming...but the sauce with bread is awesome. The only dish I wasn't really happy with was the pig greens as its just a salad. The cheese fritters were OK. For dessert we had the churos and chocolate...which were nice but I can't say were awesome. My girlfriend had the lemon curd crepes...which I thought were excellent. I'm definitely heading back but with a smaller group.
(4)
Kristina L.
Good place to go with a group. There's so much good stuff on their menu, you'll want to try everything! Tappas are so flavorful, they're bursting with flavor with every bite! I enjoyed every single tappas we tried though my favorite was the oxtail croquettes, very tender & juicy!
(5)
Tommy H.
FANTASTIC! The only thing that I would have to say is that the lag to get a table can be long & it is a little loud...but that's okay you are not there to talk. You are there for delicious tappas, my friend.
(4)
Erin A.
So, i am always hesitant to RAVE about a place for fear of anyone walking in anywhere with super high expectations. Can't help it this time....i kinda found food nirvana last night. I'm gonna go ahead and say this place just has really good food, not stellar, EXCEPT for the burger. We started off with a salad, the potatoes and 2 bacon wrapped dates. The salad was delicious, with a slight hint of mint to make it yummy. Totally similar to stuff we make at home but with a twist. The potatoes were good, but doubt i'd order them again, just wasn't that into them. The bacon wrapped dates...omg, YUM! Just wish we woulda saved for dessert :-) We then had the flat bread with black truffle cheese and arugula...the bread had been on the grill and had that nummy charred taste, the combo of arugula, truffle oil and cheese was awesome. We then had difficulty deciding what big item to get, so many sounded good but we were really getting full. We finally decided we just had to try the burger, based in part on Yelp reviews my bf had already read. I feel pretty confident in saying i am burger expert or pretty darn close...i tried to be a vegetarian and the only meat i missed was burgers :-) The Burger was ridiculously, awesomely, amazingly delicious! Thank gawd we chose to split one...it was so rich, and the manchego cheese was rich, and oh so messy with the bootom bun drenched in romesco ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ro… ). This burger is in my top 3 list for "last meal". Looking around, it was clear lots of other people were really enjoying every bite, and the place was packed with a lot of people outside. I highly recommend this joint! Head upstairs before or after and enjoy a yummy drink at Secret Society...and girls, check out that bathroom!
(5)
Lauren G.
Dios Mio! You don't even know how amazing this restaurant is, do you? You don't even know! Maybe you know...they've been getting a ton of press lately. One of them dang weeklies voted them best restaurant of 2007. Yeah bud. I went to dinner here on a Friday with my familia and it was fantastic. I'm under the impression that it's pretty much busy here all the time, and they don't do reservations, as far as I know, so plan ahead. We got there right at 5, when they opened and by 6, the waiting area was overflowing. My sis came here on a Wednesday night around 7 and there was an hour wait. There IS a tiny little drink area for those waiting. Would you allow me to talk about the food? I have eaten some amazing meals in this city, but even a week later I'm still kind of reeling from this one. I haven't been to Spain (but I kinda like the music) and I haven't really jumped aboard the Tapas train for some reason, but I think I'm qualified to know what tastes really delicious when I eat it. I'll indulge you with a smattering of some of the best tastes: -Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with sheep's cheese. Amazing. Really well-prepared, and the strong cheese was amazing with the rich squash. -Roasted Eggplant with Lamb ragu. Whoa bud, this is tops. So rich and hearty. -Chicken and Pork Croquettes- warm little fried bundles of deliciousness (basically). -Meatballs- ooooh the meatballs. I mean they're meatballs. Very delicious balls of meat with an amazing tomato sauce. I also had the Sangria which was quite satisfactory and NOTE: You must try the chocolate almonds for dessert. Seems kinda boring, right? Oh no no, they're perfection. Roasted, salty, sweet, thin chocolate layer, powered sugar. Served chilled. You might not think you want dessert, but you do. So yeah, I loved it. The menu's definitely meat-heavy, the chef/owner used to own Viande meats, so bro knows a meat product. But the veggie dishes are also tops, and I heard I should have tried the salads as well. You need to go here. Toro Bravo is getting all this press with good reason.
(5)
Pat G.
I have to say that this is one of my current favorite Portland restaurants. I'm tempted to downgrade just a little for slightly dismissive waitstaff, but they're always pretty busy, so I'll cut them some slack. Everything I've had there has been good. Good drinks. Good chow. Nice ambiance. What to order? Hmm... sangria and a big pile of food. You'll be glad you did. Note, though, that this happy review does not apply to the lousy bar they send you to... the Secret Society, I think. It's upstairs. It's boring, expensive, and has a lousy drink selection. Skip that if they suggest it.
(5)
Marki V.
| | | | C Every time I see Toro Bravo on Yelp, I want to go and | |_ O-/ | | O check it out. But I never did. | | |_ | | | R | | \ \ \ | | P What's stopping me ....? | | /.//. | | O | |======| | R The ridiculously long wait that's mentioned in all | | | | A the reviews. | |======| | T | | | | E Even with all the yelping at work I may even get a | |======| | promotion and get to move up in the corporate | | | | L ladder. But I just don't think I will get a table at Toro | |======| | A Brovo within a reasonable time. Thats just my luck. | | | | D | |======| | D FIVE STARS FOR ALL THE | | | | E HYPE & | | | | R ANTICIPATION
(5)
Jules N.
My boyfriend took me here and I must say, I fell in love. The food is delicious, the staff was wonderful, the atmosphere is great - I have nothing bad to say. I'm going to visit Portland in a week so I know where we're going to eat :)
(5)
Garrett P.
I was worried about eating here as a vegetarian, but I found plenty of perfect dishes that made me happy. The marinated sheep's cheese was my highlight, and the Potatoes Bravas had a texture I had never experienced before, moist and soft, with a crisp layer just a little inside.
(5)
Bluespire D.
The waitstaff here tolerated my niece like a champ. They stuck us in a spot where we could break glassware with a minimum of annoyance to other diners, which we always appreciate. The food was mostly awesome, only a few plates were mediocre, nothing was bad. I love the small portions and some of the pricing was great, but there were a few plates where I didn't feel like I got much for my $9.
(4)
Meaghan H.
All of the food was excellent! I really enjoy sharing the small plates and getting a variety of food. Everything we ordered was excellently prepared and the ideas were all original. Be prepared to wait a while for a table but it is definitely worth it. If you can sit at the bar, it is an amazing show to watch the chefs work!
(5)
Mon C.
maybe i'm a little spoiled living in SF with its healthy number of fantastic tapas restaurants. but considering this restaurant is in portland, it's not that bad. the plates are decently priced and sized, and somewhat original.. but a number of them were a tad too salty for my taste. their redeeming plate had to be the 'French Kiss', brandy soaked prunes stuffed with foie gras - fanfreakingtabulous! 2/6 good plates = 3 stars
(3)
Michelle K.
Amazingly delicious! I went early on in the week, maybe a Wednesday around 6 pm. There was only room at the bar facing the kitchen, which is great -- not only do you get to see the action and food prep, but since it's a loud place it was much easier to converse with my dinner mate! The food comes here VERY quickly. I don't recommend ordering more than 2 things at a time because you can become backlogged with dishes, and everything is so rich that it's a shame to rush through it. The portions of mousse are INCREDIBLY decadent. I also recommend the anchovy fritters. YUM! Corkage is $10.
(5)
Lenka B.
I would like to go back to Toro Bravo one of these days so that I can hopefully have the amazing experience that everyone else seems to be having. When I went, I was not too impressed with any of my food and I felt like I was paying a penny per salt grain. All of my food I felt was way too salty and over priced. Though I will say that my server was top notch.
(2)
Brandy S.
Went here before my first trip to Spain - first thing is first after all, food! Lovely food to share on a cold fall evening. The wait can be long, but if you don't mind sitting next to strangers, you can usually squeeze in. I must say that the food here was just as good (or better) than the food in Spain (definitely less mayo at Toro Bravo).
(4)
Sherman S.
Awesome! A place to visit when in Portland!
(4)
Joseph H.
we tried 7 different dishes than we had last time, all were amazing. Even non-foodie friends were captivated to speechless moments of reverie. Clams, scallops, lamb sausage, radicchio, and churro for dessert. Life doesn't get much better.
(5)
James M.
My wife and I decided to eat here for our Anniversary Dinner while we were visiting Portland last week. It was surprisingly good and very reasonable on the wallet. We sampled a few Tapas, shared a bowl of soup and then I devoured the entire Paella Toro all by myself. This dish can serve 4, best eaten by 1. A very cool place.
(4)
Jake S.
Went here last night for Anniversary dinner right after work at 5:30. Not our typical time to go out for dinner, but we got a table right away and the place was filled up within the hour....amazing for a Tuesday night - they are doing a nice business. Food was absolutely delicious. All of the staff was attentive and down to earth. Kind of how the entire place felt - filled with quality and thoughtfulness. Among the highlights of our order, we had the olive plate (so many types of olives - very fun for your mouth), Bacon wrapped dates, the arugula and blood orange salad (very nice compliment to order mid-way as a lot of the dishes are salty so the blood oranges get your sweet up a bit), the chicken liver mousse (I could shamelessly eat it with a spoon). There are so many great things on this menu it's difficult to choose. I'll say my favorite dish of the eve was the squash dumplings with lamb ragu. Wow! every bite here was fantastic. If you haven't been - try heading there a bit early and on a weeknight if you can and want to avoid a wait.
(5)
mundovore m.
My husband and I met at Toro Bravo when it was actually called Millions - a venue (non-venue) run by some kids in a band called Sleetmute Nightmute (maybe I have the spelling wrong). Regardless, I booked my husband's band and we met and then of course moved in and got married. When we went back the next time it was Toro Bravo and of course we had to go. Hard to believe this little pocket in Portland grew up so fast. We were first enchanted by the decor, by the intelligence of the chefs, owners, and wait staff. Then we were impressed by how all the time I'd traveled in Spain I'd never found a tapas bar that even closely resembled this place (but that was before the internet, so maybe I should try again). We always get everything family style, and share amongst our table of family and friends so close they may as well be family. We shuffle about the salad, the little roasted nuts served as an appetizer, the incredible bits of steak, the stuff peppers - everything here is outstanding. Personal favorites include: anything with the salt cod (bacala), the large Basque style sardines, anything with the manchego, and the clams dish. We love even having to wait upstairs sometimes in the old Disjecta bedrooms (which is now a bar) for our table. Thanks Toro Bravo! I hope you never take reservations!!
(5)
Reney O.
Toro Bravo definitely gave me some good vibes right at its doorstep. I love a welcoming and happy wait staff, they only makes my new food venture all the better. We got here around 6 on a Friday, and I thought they'd be completely packed judging from how full it looked from the outside looking in, BUT they've got soooooooooo much seating that we didn't even have to wait to be seated. I guess that's what amazed me a little bit, for a restaurant that is not too big, they know how to fit in the maximum amount of tables and chairs! Very smart, I like it! So the food: tapas were tasty, and the main dishes were a little overcooked. Specifically the paella we ordered was definitely on the drier side, and the meat was a bit chalky. Disappointed? Yes. But the tapas we ordered beforehand were so damn good that next time we'd probably just stick to the appetizers. "Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with crumbled sheeps cheese," yes that's a mouthful to say for an appetizer item, but I can tell you it tasted fantastic and is well worth the effort to say. Some of the appetizer descriptions may make your nose crinkle and wonder 'how does that work?' but judging from the lip-smacking I've heard and the contented smiles I've seen from other tapas eaters, Toro Bravo knows what they're doing with their curious concoctions.
(4)
J L.
Great dining experience. The food was delicious and the service was fast. Our server was a little on the rude side, but that doesn't warrant docking a full start. This may be my favorite sit-down restaurant in PDX so far.
(5)
Matt B.
I'm visiting my parents over Xmas break and they took me here. Mindblowingly good food, great service, really great wine. We got there maybe ten minutes after they opened and the only seats available were at the bar. It's always busy and for good reason. I'm seriously considering kidnapping the chef and taking him back to Los Angeles with me.
(5)
Fei C.
Went there on a weeknight and it was packed and about 1/2 hr wait. Didn't mind cos they had nice sitting area outside to wait and have a couple drinks. Still can't get the food outta my mind. Every dish had different tastes and depths of flavor. My favs ranked from best: Charcuterie board, scallops with Romesco, squid ink noodles with yolk, spicy octopus stew, meatballs, greens with summer berries. All this food was only for 2; and yeah we finished it all but a couple meatballs (only cos we wanted to save it for the kids). A lot of food with drinks and final bill with tip was only $75. Service from hostess to waitress was nice and tentative. Can say, this is now my fav restaurant in PDX. 5 stars because every dish was a hit and nothing lackluster at all. Not only is food sublime but atmosphere was really enjoyable and relaxing. Really a nice place to go with friends and unwind after hard day and enjoy a bottle of wine and great food. No pretentious service or food. They actually thanked us for coming...unheard of in Portland!!!
(5)
Kevin B.
Everything we had was great. However, if you wait two and a half hours to eat, even Popeye's Chicken will taste like a gourmet extravaganza. Enough has been written about the food here by reviews more willing to delve into the flavor profiles. And a lot of the culinary worship of Toro Bravo is deserved. I'm not saying don't drink the Kool-Aid, I'm just saying take a good, hard look at how you were made to prostrate yourself in order to drink it. What the hell is wrong with reservations? So much nicer than waiting in a Soviet breadline. Not that I've got anything against socialism mind you, I just prefer not to pay exorbitant amounts of money in order to experience the joys of working a communal farm. I think that this is, in essence, a high status move on the part of Toro Bravo. I'm guessing that they love people waiting for their food. The longer the better because it helps spread the impression that they're rare and precious. I suspect that they are offloading what was traditionally one of the risks and perils of the restaurant business on the backs of their audience. The problem with reservations is that people make them but don't always show up for them. Which can leave a restaurant holding tables for ghosts when perfectly willing customers sit at the door looking at spaces they could occupy. I get it. But why should I have to pay for that with my time? My hourly rate is more than the cost of the meal. But at the very least, it would be nice if Toro Bravo could build some efficiency into their system. Turn tables a little faster. Give slightly more accurate time estimates (ours were off by an hour.) Or show a little more gratitude towards your customers in the form of being extra nice and maybe, just maybe, a little apologetic about the wait time. I know that humility makes food taste worse but it goes a long way to repairing a damaged relationship. Three stars for the food. Two negative stars for the absurd wait time.
(3)
Stephano G.
The only tapas restaurant that I like better than this one is Navare. I'm sure that any more info that I can give you has probably already been touched on here. Basically, if you are still reading the 270 some odd reviews, you really need to just pick yourself up and go there. After all, what on earth or the reviews going to tell you? This is a well documented phenomenon, not a hole-in-the-wall gin joint.
(4)
Daddy O.
It sounds to me like Rob D. and I had a similar dining experience here. We didn't particularly fall in love with anything, but nothing was really barf-inducing terrible either. The meal was more or less unremarkable...I'm wavering between 2.5 and 3 stars but too many things went wrong to really give TB the benefit of the doubt. I guess you could say there was plenty of "meh" to go around. So here's how it played out: We arrived on Friday evening in a timely fashion, just before the mad lines began to form. While we waited 15 minutes for our table, we ordered drinks. The pilsner. So so beer, again nothing special. We decided to go splitsies because that's what you do with tapas, and besides, I'm fairly cheap in my jew-ness, even before the recession. Atmosphere inside was warm and spacious. Inviting and friendly. it felt almost like we were in a tavern in some other country. I liked the fact that there was shared seating. Before I continue though, one comment. Prices = ouch. We ordered the following dishes: Pheasant Pate. Squid Ink Pasta. Chantrelle Toast. Patatas Bravas. The pate was tasty, but the portion was rather small for the price, and didn't come with enough accoutrement (bread, mustard, greens). Chantrelle toast was slightly burnt, and the flavor of the mushroom sauce was so rich, it was almost overwhelming, even though it was fairly tasty. Ultimately it felt again like we were (over) paying $8 for a piece of toast with mushroom gravy on it. I didn't have any of the squid ink pasta as the thought of anchovy sauce is stomach-turning to me so I can't comment on that. Perhaps the biggest let-down of the meal was the Paella. Our $19 dish was over-spiced, and wasn't really paella at all, but soggy rice with some chorizo bits mixed in and a few pieces of shellfish and crustacean casually sprinkled on top. Anyone who knows their paella will surely understand that the best part of the whole dish is supposed to be the crispy rice that forms a crust along the edges of the pan. Ours had no such crush, and the chorizo was so finely ground you didn't really even get a sense of it in the dish. Patatas Bravas were a waste of $7. They were soggy, tasted like they'd been doused in ketchup, and entirely too thick. Taking a bite of them was like taking a bite of a fresh baked potato with absolutely no seasoning. We didn't even touch the dish. This leads me to service, which, maybe it's just me, but when you see that your table hasn't touched a dish, you ask them how it was, or if they want to take it to go. Our server did neither, and instead just cleared the whole table...so we didn't get the opportunity to make a complaint about the dish or ask for something else, get it removed from the bill, or even, God forbid, take it home to feed to the dog, cat (insert pet here), whatever. Boo. Anyway, we wouldn't come back, with all of the other great dining options in this town.
(2)
Mike W.
It took me long enough to finally get out to Toro Bravo. Many friends have raved about this gem of a tapas restaurant in PDX. The wait for the table was 45 minutes (table for 2), so we went upstairs and had drinks before being seated. (be prepared to wait) The food was absolutely amazing. My friend ordered (a bit too much food) - but no complaints! Every dish was simply amazing. This is a must for any foodie in Portland.
(5)
A G.
For burger fans: "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" Damn, I'm literally drooling just thinking about it. Mmmm... burger-liscious. Ooo! And their tapas are great, too.
(5)
Richard N.
We had to wait around 45 min, but it was soooo worth it, plus we grabbed drinks at the bar next door upstairs which is very cool. But this review is all about Toro Bravo. From the minute we sat down our waitress was attentive, personal, and just damn cool. She gave us suggestions and made us feel comfortable. The food: We started off with the charcuterie plate, solid! Great cured meats. Then we had the brussel sprouts with a cream bacon sauce. The sprouts were tender and seasoned well, the sauce was savory, I dont really even like sprouts. We then had smelts with an aioli sauce. The smelts were lightly fried and scrumptious, I could eat those all night. The finale was the paella. The rice was cooked perfectly and the dish was seasoned perfectly. Each bite mixed with meat and seafood and rice melted in my mouth. This was truly one of the best dining experiences I have had, and by far the best tapas I've been to in the states. If you are any where near the State of Oregon you must go!
(5)
Paul G.
Had a fantastic meal here last Friday. My friend and I were told we had a 30-40 minute wait but it ended up only being 15 minutes - nice! We opted for the $25/per person chef's tasting menu. It was a great deal and plenty of food - about 6-7 dishes. The highlight was the copa steak. Even though they were busy i found the service to be friendly and attentive.
(5)
Thilo W.
I don't get the negative reviews of this place, we had another superb meal here last night. Yes, yes, two days before I was heard to say, "F%#@ this place - if they have an hour and a half wait on a Sunday then I'm never coming back!" Sorry Toro Bravo, please accept my apology. This time the wait was a manageable 45 min AND Secret Society had a table open , so no biggie. Yes, it was loud and crowded, but the food was, again, fantastic. We had the fried anchovies, the tortilla, the oxtail croquettes (great, but a bit pricey at $14 for 3), the salsify (had never even heard of this stuff before (root veggie), but it was very good), the chantrelle toast (rich and delicious), and the lamb with squash dumplings. Overall, the food was very good as before and our server was efficient, friendly, and knew her wine. Loved it and will return.
(5)
C T.
A good place to go with a few friends so you can sample a good variety of options from the menu. We got here before 5:30 p.m. to avoid a wait and were rewarded. We did have to share a long table with another group, but this was no problem for us. We enjoyed swapping recommendations on the menu. The server will tell you that s/he suggests about two dishes per person. We went a bit beyond that average. Most dishes are well prepared, not over- or under-seasoned -- of note on our visit were the empanada, Spanish anchovies, coppa steak, braised lamb, and polenta. The service on our visit was well-paced; we had enough time between orders to enjoy what was on the table, but our server made sure to stop by regularly enough in case we wanted to order more. All in all, a relaxing evening, even if a bit expensive. With a bottle of wine, we ended up paying about $50 per person.
(4)
Tony E.
Would definitely recommend on all fronts. Service: Great! Even had to wait a bit, but was seated outside on a smaller pub table. Started receiving drinks right away and even food at that point. Once we received a table inside (approx 15-20 mins) one of the many servers helped us in and we finished up inside. On average we probably had a server come up to us throughout the evening every 5-7 minutes just to check on us, refill water, drinks, etc. Very appreciated. Food: Very good. We had the 1) Spinach with Raisins, 2) Octopus and Prawn soup, 3) Oxtail , 4) Pork Shoulder, 5) Cubano. Number 3-5 were super good, with #1 being a tad small and #2 just not being that good. Overall though, extremely pleased and very full (maybe order 3-4 plates next time?) Atmosphere: Echoing everyone else on the review, very well done place. We were seated in a nook with 3 others tables, each table able to sit 4 comfortably. Having just 2 of us, we loved the seating. Overall, Toro Bravo is a great place to visit. We were out of town from Seattle and loved the vibe. It's a place you can step into casually (and not feel looked down upon for street wear) or feel free to dress up and bring a date! You'll be so wrapped up in the good looking/tasting food, prompt service, and dim lighting, you won't look up from your plate! :)
(4)
Sara D.
A little pricey but really great food. I feel like we tried most of the menu and everything was taste-bud pleasing. Worth a trip!
(4)
Karen H.
Toro Bravo was spectacular. The bacon wrapped dates were spot on and the paella was amazing...it blew my mind. The shrimp with chilis really hit the spot with just the right amount of heat. Strawberry rhubarb cobbler was great. Next trip to Portland, this will be on our list for sure!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Erin E.
Finally made it over to Toro Bravo for the first time. We enjoyed our meal, but as we always find, it's all about knowing how to order. We had the following five dishes, in order of deliciousness: Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with sheep's cheese Grilled Asparagus with fried jamon, olives & preserved lemon (without ham) Fresh Pasta with pimenton dulce & manchego Potatoes Bravas The Grilled Flat Bread was unbelievable! Soft, chewy bread that absolutely soaks in the truffle cheese. The Butternut Squash was warm and creamy. I wasn't particularly wowed with either the Asparagus or Pasta - I found the pasta to be really oily and lacking a little flavor. The least favorite for both of us was the Potatoes Bravas - I would not order this again. Potatoes themselves were on the dry side, without great flavor and the aioli on top just didn't do it for us. There were additional vegetarian items on the menu, so it's definitely do-able for those of us who don't eat meat. I'd come back, but I would adjust my order a bit. We also found that the five dishes (ordering the small size where applicable) was too much food for the two of us. The service was very friendly and helpful, and this place has a cool atmosphere.
(4)Kelly H.
First night dinner... came here... was expecting a lot with the high yelp reviews. I was pretty excited to come here since it's tapas... and I love tapas!! Had the: Sautéed Chanterelles with cream & sherry on griddled bread Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula Duck Liver Mousse Terrine with morels & house made sidra mustard Spicy Octopus & Prawn Stew House Smoked Coppa Steak* with confit potatoes, chopped olives, caramelized onions & salbitxada the steak was not bad... everything else was just average to me... not really blow my mind. during dinner, i'm talking to my friends that are from portland about the food culture here... their comment was that portland people eat to survive... not like SF people who are foodies... i was hoping that it was not true... but the couple of days i spent in portland, sorta proved that it may be... the food can be SO much better in portland... it has potential... toro Bravo and its sister company tasty and sons really stand out in portland compared to the rest... but compare to what I have in my city... they're just average.
(3)Christopher B.
I don't know what to think of this place. I wanted to walk about being really WOWED but instead I was merely satisfied. I thought all the dishes were good- some were creative. There wasn't one single thing we ordered that would really make me want to come back. I thought for what we got it was a bit overpriced as well. In terms of the atmosphere, it's LOUD and tight. Normally there is a long wait but they putting us in a holding table where we basically face a wall. The hostess came 10 min later to ask us if we'd like to stay or move to the dining area. She was visibly disappointed when we wanted to move. I mean, who on earth would want to stare at a wall 3 ft away all night? The duck liver mousse was really the hit of the night. I wasn't too crazy for the date covered by bacon (I've had it other places). We had some other dishes as well- all were good but nothing fantastic.
(4)Jen K.
I find it impossible to review Toro Bravo without comparing it to two other high end tapas places in town, Navarre and Andina. Consider them the three sisters if you will, although Toro Bravo is really a masculine place. Two are loud: Toro Bravo and Andina Only one takes reservations: Andina Two have won the Oregonian's Restaurant of the Year award: Navarre (2009) and Andina (2005). But don't cry for Toro Bravo since they regularly receive high praise from The Oregonian and Portland Monthly. Two have outstanding service: Toro Bravo and Andina. The difference is that at Andina I feel like family and at Toro Bravo I feel like an honored guest. Location: Navarre and Andina are in the middle of vibrant neighborhoods. Toro Bravo is more of a destination since there are only a few other places around. Chef John Gorham runs a tight ship and it is a pleasure to sit by the kitchen and watch the staff work. This is, in fact, my favorite pastime at any restaurant. There are two seating areas right by the kitchen that I always choose. The first has you face the chefs, but you sit lower so you can't really see the action, only their focused expressions and interaction. There are also four seats to the side where you get a better view of their knife play. Toro Bravo is a sexy space and one of its secret weapons is their proximity to Secret Society lounge for a fabulous one-two punch. My experience with their wait staff has been excellent. Since the menu changes regularly to reflect seasonal ingredients, I won't bother mentioning particular dishes. When I first went with my little list of Yelp suggestions almost none were on the menu. I highly encourage you to have a conversation with your server to see what they recommend on a given day. My second favorite activity in restaurants. Just put yourself in their capable hands. Even though Navarre is all the rage right now, it is my least favorite of the three. I'm partial to Andina, but Toro Bravo is also high on my list.
(4)Ketty G.
Best paella valenciana. I hope they open a branch in California. Service is awesome, great ambience.
(5)Polly P.
I heard so much good things about this restaurant that I just have to check it out myself. Finally, I did go with a friend. And I LOVE it!!! We ordered a variety of tapas and a bottle of wine. Everything that I tasted were delicious and flavorful. The restaurant is not really spacious and it was crowded the night I was there. But, I would definitely go back for the food.
(4)b s.
It was Saturday night and the place was packed. It's a cute space, looks inviting and warm. There's lots of food with bacon- so honestly how can you wrong. After debating what to get, we started with French Kisses- 'nuff said. I don't think i was capable of conversation for about 5 minutes afterwards. There was a flurry of food in between and we ended with Almonds and chocolate. It was ordered simply because someone else said it was amazing- i almost passed on it because honestly, it sounds so plain and dull. I was wrong. These were so amazing that they be had to be taken away because I couldn't bear to leave a single one behind. Will go eat here again. Although next time, sticking with the olive oil and bread, not the butter.
(5)Nuria C.
We arrived to Toro Bravo on Friday, October 21st. We were told there was a 30-40 minute so we went upstairs for drinks at Secret Society. Once up there after 40 minutes, they called us to let us know that we could sit at two open spots at the bar. We declined and preferred a table. Upon sitting and having plenty of time to review the menu (server didn't greet us for almost 10 minutes), we were approached with the simple question of "are you ready to order?" Of course we were, so I ordered everything and asked a question about a beer. The food came out fairly quickly and in good order. First, we got the Bacalao fritters, which were great. I'm of Spanish heritage and think their alioli is quite good, but they obviously don't use raw egg. That's fine because it tasted good. Next, we had the pan-seared Calamari. This was my favorite, and the roasted red pepper on top totally made it. For dinner, we shared a Paella Toro. This was truly spectacular. The socorrat was great and crispy, not burned. The rice was cooked perfectly. They over did it on the chorizo as Spaniards don't eat a lot of spicy food. Nevertheless, everything culinary was GREAT. I can't give this restaurant 5 stars for one reason: our server. After having only spoken less than 3 minutes of words to us and having to ask several runners/other servers for things we wanted, we gave her a mediocre tip - 13%. (Now, be warned that I was a fine-dining server for 6 years. I hardly ever tip poorly even when service is poor, but I've learned better than that. I now know that poor-to-mediocre service does not require my generosity.) 13% was about two bucks away from a normal 15% tip. HOWEVER, my server approached me as I was putting on my coat and asked me if my poor tip was a reflection of her service. I told her the service was ok. With an extremely fake smile, she told me to have a good night. Now, I know she asked about the tip in the nicest way she could approach me, but the overall fact that she asked about her tip put me off (and remember, I have served at some really nice restaurants). I know, that no matter how much you want to, you should not criticize a guests' tip. It leaves a sour taste in their mouth and makes a wonder about what servers realistically expect. Do you EXPECT 15% just for showing up to the table? There are steps of service, sense of urgency and product knowledge that allllll go into receiving 15-20%. You don't just get a tip for showing up. Not only that, we didn't leave on a positive note, which sort of killed our night. Gratuity is for service, not for the price of the bill. I knocked out two stars. First impressions last a lifetime.
(3)Alena C.
My BF and I came to Toro Bravo at 6pm on a Friday. We didn't have to wait at all, and got a great table. Our serve came over right away and got our drink order, and she came back just as quickley with those drinks. My BF can't handle his dairy, so our server was more than patient recommending dishes that would suit his baby belly, or dishes that can be made dairy free. We ordered the Bacon Burger, the Spicy octapus and prawn soup and the scallops, along with the bread and oil. Everything was great! The burger was fantastic! He ALWAYS orders burgers, and he said it was hands down the best he has had. I really liked the scallops. They are very easy to overcook, but they were done just right! The spicy soup was really good too. They were NOT kidding about the spicy! And I beleive the bread is from a local bakery, and it was soo good. We both had a glass of wine, and a really good dinner for $40.00. We will be back.
(5)Carrie C.
Went in after Omsi after dark on wednesday. arrived around 9 - no wait. An hour before close, but they still served us the tasting menu. Thank you! It was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Portland. Our out of town guests and my husband and I enjoyed every bite. We had: (tasting menu) -bacon wrapped dates -radicchio salad -bread with butter and olive oil -house cured chorizo and manchego (came with some sort of liquor jelly.) -glazed carrots -griddled shrimp with chilies (these were HUGE) -baked polenta -roasted eggplant and lamb ragu -house smoked coppa steak We also ordered 4 "french kisses" Everything was absolutely delicious. $30 for the tasting menu is a steal in my opinion. There was PLENTY of food for 4 people, and we were more than satisfied at the end of our meal. The steak came last, and we were so full before we dug into that dish. We finished it anyway because it was one of the most delicious steaks I've ever had. The smoke flavor really came through. We also had some house red, and old rasputin. We received really good service. Thanks Toro Bravo!
(5)Mitch M.
Wow! What a difference a year makes! I LOVED my first and second visit, but it's a whole different ball game now. Met up with the GF and friend after work on Thursday. I was stuck in traffic, running a few minutes late, and just before I got there the hostess threatened to kick my two dining partners (who had already been seated) out when they mentioned that they were waiting for a third to arrive before ordering. It went downhill from there. We were there for two hours, and dropped nearly two hundred dollars. The entire time there was no continuity in service - seemingly random people coming by to take orders and deliver food. The problem was, everyone one was curt to the point of being rude. It was no busier than it had been my first visit, but the attitude was horrible. Like Shutup and give me your money and get out. A far cry from our previous experiences. We intended to order a bit, drink a bit, order some more, drink some more, which is what the concept of a tapas bar is supposed to be, but the wait staff was clearly irritated when we wouldn't order everything all at once. And three times I had to stop someone from clearing plates with food we hadn't finished yet. We had been there for perhaps 1.5 hours, spending plenty of money. I had a nearly full drink in front of me, as did my dining partners, and we still had some food left. Suddenly, one of our waitresses came by and shoved desert menus in front of us, gave us a sour look, and asked us to wrap it up. To top it all off, each and every item we ordered was at best bland and mediocre, at worst awful. We all left feeling ripped off. I will say, they still have a fine margarita though. I used to love this place. But I think it's another case of success ruining a good thing. Moving on to better things.
(2)Ninihada C.
Consistently, Toro wows me. We've been here multiple times and have always had a great dining experience. The food, tapas style, is so great because you get to try lots of different options. I always like that the menu changes for variety. The wait on weekends can be long, but if you arrive early you might be OK or go with a group of 7 or more you can get a reservation.
(5)Amber S.
One of the best meals I've ever had. We arrived on a Sunday, about 15 minutes before opening and we were the first through the door. Service was excellent throughout the meal. Once we ordered the plates came out at the perfect pace. French Kiss-meh, was surprised it was served so cold. Was just there for me. Didn't make much of an impression. Salt Cod Fritters- These smelled so good that it seemed a shame to put them in my mouth. The aroma was amazing. I'm glad I did eat them because they were divine, and the garlic aioli was absolutely delicious. Chicken Liver Mousse-I didn't realize that I like liver. I have never liked liver before, regardless of how it's been served to me. This was the best dish we had at Toro Bravo. It was amazing. We will return specifically for this item. Bacon Wrapped Dates-Holy Diabetes! Really delicious little treat but SWEET! Brussels Sprouts-Prepared in a cream/sherry sauce. Oh my lord. I love Brussels sprouts and this is easily the best BS dish I've ever had. I must figure out this recipe. Empanada-I didn't find this all that wonderful. I thought it was a bit dry. GF thought this was one of the better things she tried though so who knows? I also got a Lamb stew with lentils-It was alright, but it seemed out of place with this meal. I probably wouldn't order it again. Had the Caramel Pana Cotta for dessert. Yum. So delicious. We were able to watch food coming out of the window all night and there are many, many other dishes that I'm going to have to return to try. Everything looked incredible. The price wasn't outlandish. We didn't get alcohol and our bill was an even $60. Fantastic price, considering the quality of the experience. Five Stars.
(5)Becca R.
First of all, thank you to all of the reviewers who recommended showing up at 5:30 to snag a table. I arrived at 5:35, and the wait was already at 75 minutes. Which was totally fine, as I was well aware that this was common, and the food would be worth every second of waiting. (PS by 6, there was a 3 hour wait. So GET THERE EARLY). Or, maybe don't go on a nice Saturday? hehe. By the time my friends and I were seated, we were so stoked for food that we may or may not have ordered about half of the menu. Our waitress was great at giving us suggestions and guiding us, and recommending when we had definitely ordered enough food. My favorite dish is tied between the potatoes bravas and the burger. Holy cow, like, really. I had read that their burger was one of the best in the city, and I think it gets overlooked by such a substantial menu, but OMG you NEED to try this burger. We ordered two desserts, and one was taking awhile. Not that we minded, but the kitchen staff is friggen amazing and sent out a complimentary caramel panna cotta, which was sensational. We had the olive oil cake (my first olive oil cake!!!) and it was a scrumptious first impression. Toro Bravo, I dream about you. One day, I know I will be back.
(5)Daniel P.
There's a reason this hot spot is packed: All the plates, A to oxtail, are stacked-- Like when Papi backed Manny, A sure hit--call the nanny, And go NOW. Even spinach is jacked.
(5)Wendy S.
Went to have dinner there with my friend for her birthday this Thursday. I was blown away that the place still had a 90 minute wait on a Thursday evening at 8pm. I thought wow - they swure are doing well. It was my first time there so expected to be very impressed given everything I have heard. Well we were able to grab a little table outside while we waited and we could have eatten out there but in about 20 minutes we were told we could sit inside so even though the wait was supposed to be 90 mins it was far less. We sat at the bar and our waittress was wonderful. Attentive and helpful. We share the bacon wrapped date with stuffed almond - yum! I ordered the friend anchovies on a recommendation from the waitress but honestly, I would never oder that again. I love anchovies but there were tough and very very fishy. We shared the grilled corn, the spinach with raisins and pine nuts (pure ecstacy) and the smoked steak which was amazing! I would defintiely go back to this place. Yum yum
(4)Vanessa M.
My first meal in Portland and it was excellent. Unfortunately the wait was so long that I was starved and completely forgot to take pictures. If you know me, thats just unheard of. The menu was quite extensive and we were sure we were going to order from both sides of the menu but we ordered approx 5 things from the 1st side and 2 cocktails.. we never made it to the 2nd side...such a shame. Other than the wait, the service is fast friendly and the food is exceptional. Great first meal in Portland! I will be back to try the 2nd side!
(4)Bertrand R.
I was underwhelmed by this restaurant. I liked the vibe - the restaurant was well designed, had nice ambiance and good waiters. I liked the menu - the dishes sounded good. All of the dishes we ordered were good or okay but nothing was particularly amazing. Not what I expected from one of the highest rated restaurants in Portland. I think the roasted peanuts and pumpkin seeds they had sitting on the table were the highlight of the night - they were really amazing. (I am just reading this review over right now and drooling thinking about those) The cheese plate was also quite memorable and had a nice mix. It also came with a nice banana crisp bread and a date (I will have to remember to include dates in my next cheese events). I also liked how the waitress only told us what kind of animal each cheese came from - I just wish she had said it slower so we could follow what she was saying.
(3)Luna J.
Wait...Wait... the new thing for great restaurants... Toro Bravo its a great place. Small dishes... Tapas very tasty that you just want more and more... The bartenders need to be a bit more friendly but nothing but to say about this place! Love it!!!
(4)Amber P.
Super friendly service at the bar. Just the right amount of attention, and the spacing between items arriving was perfect. The $11 Strawberry Mountain burger was juicy and flavorful. The burger was very salty, but I have to say the frizzled cheese was a nice touch.
(4)Wanugee N.
This is a great Tapas place in Portland! Quant neighborhood feel, large open window storefront with community tables and a rear eating bar, with the open kitchen right behind where all the fantastic little Tapa plates come out quickly! First, the 4 of us started by sitting in the waiting area, which is a long narrow, 3 foot wide space with little cabaret like tables nail down, for drinks. Cozy and intimate as we salivated over the tapas menu. The drinks menu was great too! After trying a Bravo Manhattan (Bulleit Bourbon, Carpano Antica Vermouth, Angostura bitters, toschi cherry, up, 9) and a Toro Martini (Medoyeff Vodka, Mansanilla Sherry rinse, salted almond, up, 9) we all agreed that the best drink was the Red Pepper Delicious (Aviation Gin, sweet red peppers, mint, lime, up $9) After being seated on a community table seating about 10, we ordered, with great attention from our server, who was helpful and great with timing. We ordered 13 things, and split them all between us. 1. Toasted Almonds with Sea Salt (2) 2. Pickled Vegetables and Marinated Olives (3) 3. Fried Anchovies with Fennel and Lemon (7) 4. Pimentos de Padrons (6) 5. Griddled Bacon Wrapped Dates with warm honey (2/each) 6. Duck Liver Mousse Terrine with Morels & House made sidra mustard (7) 7. Seared Scallops with Romesco sauce (13) 8. Spicy Octopus and Prawn Stew (10) 9. Smoked Pork Shoulder Sandwich with Aioli & Heirloom Tomato (8) 10. Roasted Eggplant w/Lamb Ragu, Sweet Peppers & Mahon (10) 11. Smoked Pork Rillettes with Marmalade and Toast (7) 12. Oxtail Croquettes with Spice Roasted Chili Mayonnaise (14) 13. Braised Torpedo Onions with Salbitxada (4) Desserts were Churros with Chocolate dipping sauce; Almond Ice Cream with hot Espresso poured over it, and large coffees. There wasn't a bad dish on the list! All winners, and such a fun way to eat with friends! They also have a tapas tasting menu for $25/person, a good wine list including 10 Sherries, Beer, and Sangria. Great food, great service, great fun! Best Tapas I have had in a long, long time! Ole! (See pics)
(5)Felicia W.
My absolute favorite restaurant in Portland! Yes, I've had tapas in Spain and yes, these are different, but in my humble foodie opinion, they are much better than the vast majority of tapas we ate in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Sit at the bar for excellent service and be adventurous: try the tasting menu! Also, this is one of those long meal kinds of places, so sit back and enjoy it.
(5)Kirsten S.
Oh man. Delicious! I was very pleased with the overall experience. The Potatoes Bravo were SO GOOD. They're fried potatoes coated with tomato sauce and served with house made aioli. That tomato sauce is a thing of glory. It has the kind of developed savory flavor that only an expert who really took their time can create. My fiance got the squid ink pasta and it was really good. The drinks we fantastic. And best of all, I think the pricing is very reasonable considering the quality. Fun to sit at the bar by the cooks and watch them prepare the food. It's important to either get there right when they open, or be ready to wait. They get very crowded very fast and don't take reservations. Worth the extra planning, though!
(5)Brian L.
Came here on the strength of all the reviews...just didn't live up to them. The help was very nice, hostess was kind, bartender kind. The food just didn't hit the spot for me. I ordered the cheese fritters, which were fried cheese balls. They were ok, nothing special. But the main entree (which is what I was super excited for) was the Toro paella. I love me some good paella! But this paella was subpar. The rice needed more saffron, and should've been a bit drier. The shells on the mussels were cracking and got into the paella (not a huge issue, but it wasn't a plus). Overall, the flavor of the paella just didn't hit the spot. The price of it wasn't bad though ($16) and was spot on good pricing (didn't feel like I was being raped). Overall, it was a nice place, but the food just wouldn't make me think about going again. Although, I would go back to try other items, due to all the high reviews.
(3)jear b.
Amazing. I thought I was going to be let down after all the hype I heard about this place but was not let down at all. Can't wait to go back. Wonderful experience.
(5)Troy S.
I just wasn't a huge fan of Tora Bravo. The fact that I didn't make a reservation and it was my GF's birthday (which I, cough... forgot) may have been a contributing factor... I just didn't think the few dishes we had were as good as tapas I have had in the past. The fried green tomatoes were too heavily breaded and covered in a thick mayo-like sauce that really didn't agree with my tastebuds. The olive and pickled veggies were unimpressive. The service, however, was spot on. Although the place was packed they seated us outside immediately. It was a perfect night out so I think I enjoyed this more than I would have the very noisy inside seating. This place is very small, and I was really hoping for the more intimate environment that we had outside. Trying to recover from a forgotten birthday, one must really rely on your listening skills to manuever the sinking ship back to safe waters. I would like to try Toro again, but maybe for happy hour next time.
(4)Kristine T.
Our first meal in Portland was a great experience. The atmosphere is bustling so if you're looking for a romantic spot, this probably isn't the best idea. Cocktails are very good, food is very, very good. Some things were a little heavy handed on the salt, but most of Spanish food is, in my opinion. Their paella and tortilla are authentic and the closest I've tasted to what my host mom made in Sevilla, in what feels like a lifetime ago. Would have given 5 stars if it wasn't such a frenetic energy in here. Yes, you're a great dining spot, but it doesn't mean tables have to be on top of each other and staff are practically running by every couple seconds. It almost gave me the feeling like we (diners) were in their way.
(4)Julie T.
Had several standout dishes including the calamari, the blood orange salad, the brussells sprouts, the dates stuffed with fois gras, the octopus, the nettles on grilled bread, and the caramel panna cotta. All delish. But, I believe I enjoy Toro more than Tasty because there are lighter, seafood based dishes as opposed to pork with pork gravy and a side of bacon. Yum yum in the tum tum. Great glass of tempranillo wine as well! Yay, Toro Bravo!
(5)T M.
I really don't see what is so sweet about this place. I was visiting Portland for the weekend and Yelp + numerous food blogs described this restaurant as one of Portland's best. And so, I readily braved the two hour wait for a table for two. The food really was just ok. I ordered a lot, and wasn't really blown away by anything - charcuterie plate: blah - squid ink pasta: interesting, nice local touch with the hazelnut garnish - octopus a la plancha: this was really tasty. it's tough to go wrong with griddled octopus - grilled asparagus: fine, tasty. - dates wrapped in bacon: the bacon used was really lean, bordering on cheap tasting. this dish was cool in the U.K. in like what, 1997? - eggplant and lamb ragout: boooooring. tasted pretty much like lasagna - drunken pork: this is pork brined in gin / juniper garnish and wrapped in bacon. this dish was bordering on inedible, and clear reminder why juniper's only practical use is cutting the taste of spirits In any event, I think I'm approaching this review from the standpoint that tapas are pretty lame, so if you love tapas (like actually love them, not just love them because everyone else does and it's the cool thing to do) you may consider trying this place. My advice would be to save yourself the wait, however, and head to Little Bird or some other cool place in town.
(2)Chris B.
I must say...... There is really nothing better on PDX. I have been here many times and never had a bad meal/tapa. There is nothing but great local goodness with a Spanish twist. The coppa steak is awesome and the squash with sheep's milk cheese are always winners. I take all my friends and family here on their visits to Portland. This is one of Portland's best.
(5)Rachel Jo-yu C.
It's alright, the service is nice and fast, didn't wait for too long at 6ish on Friday. However, the food is simply ok, not impressive. The sangria is definitely not worth 7 dollars. The bread was half burned, and the taste of the dishes are not well-balanced as i would expect one of the most popular restaurants in PDX would manage. I have been here twice and not feel motivated enough to go back again.
(3)Ian H.
I know, I know... yet ANOTHER 5 star review for Toro Bravo. What can I say? After 4 visits and not even a twinge of disappointment in so much as a spoonful of food, I can safely say that these guys set my gold standard for Portland cuisine. I have been to dozens of other restaurants in this city that are rated just as high here on yelp, and none of them come even close in quality! John Gorham is the MAN! He is now opening his 4th restaurant/bar in this town (Tasty n Alder) and that's no small feat. You can't argue with success like that. If I could work for any cook in Oregon, this is the guy. So, go to Toro, or Tasty and see for yourself. The food will not disappoint.
(5)Jan B.
YUMMMMMMMM Tapas! We had a great evening, plate after plate. Some highlights: Grilled Octopus with piquillo peppers, very savory! Squid Ink Pasta with hazelnuts and a sauce of egg yolk, very interesting flavor. I could have had a second plate. We shared 8 plates with four of us and enjoyed wine from The Canary Islands. The service was spot on and the GM stopped by to check on our satisfaction. I would highly recommend Toro Bravo.
(5)Holy-foo' X.
"This club has got to be, The most pretentious thing...." ---Finger 11, 'Paralyzer' Toro Bravo opens for business @ 5pm, or right about the time folks in "Spain" Spain are finishing Siesta, but then Toro Bravo lapses into "one of these kids, is doin' his own thing" by closing down at 10pm sharp, ie, exactly when the joints start jumping-- in "Spain" Spain, and don't stop till 4am..! You can't exactly make the argument that there's no market here for late night diners, either, considering the on-going success of late-night independents like Higgins or Montage, as well as all-night chains (Shari's, IHOP etc). Setting aside the hours of operation conundrum,Toro Bravo also does not offer carry out, like its sister restaurant Tasty 'n' Sons. This is un malo chiste for any runners w/los Toros de San Fermin festival in Pamplona, ni los peregrinos del Camino de Santiago tampoco, chulos! The menu selection at the Boastful Bull is way fancier than anything I had the moolah for as an exchange student (and later, pilgrim traveler del Camino) in Spain. Spanish cuisine is of course highly variable regionally, and TB reflects it, though it seems to favor dishes in the northern lands, both of pais Basco and the distinctly French-flavored Pyriennes. Dealer's choice, what can you say? I've checked el Toro's changing menu many times, and I've yet to see Gazpacho, or pulpo, or pajaritos fritos, or even the ensaladas con pechuga, or those lovely tater omelets my host mamacita frequently made for me. Maybe these are considered lowbrow wares not worthy of the aristocracy and this is the fanciful appeal of the place to the burgeoning Bridgetown aristocratic and quasi-aristocratic strata.... In sum, Toro Bravo misses the mark rather substantially when it comes to Spanish fare, which frequently is nothing beyond a baguette, perhaps a little cheese, olive oil and Jamon! The Spaniards love them some Jamo'n! Toro Bravo fails precisely b/c they are a big hit here for the very crowd to which they aim, and no higher---- Los Presumidos.
(2)Stacy G.
Divine. We went about 20 minutes before they opened on a Sunday and already a line was formed out of the door. Uh oh I thought... another just opened spot people line up to go to just because its trendy. Boy was I wrong. It didn't open a few weeks ago... it opened YEARS ago! People still line up to eat there. And for good reason. I had a taste of almost one of everything on the menu and it was all wonderful. Best part about it was the portion size was actually decent. I've been to many tapas places where the food size was tiny but this was enough to feed everyone in our party. We went with friends. So its good for smaller groups and definitely good for couples. Everyone was very nice and gave good food recommendations. The drinks were good. A bit too good. 3 drinks later I wished they were a bit less tasty! So good work Toro Bravo! I can't wait to come back here and would recommend to even my foodiest of friends.
(5)Mallory T.
Its nearly impossible to live up to all the hype. I was expecting to be blown away, perhaps we didn't order the right things. I went with 2 girlfriends on a Saturday and waited for an hour upstairs at Secret Society (loved it!). They called us when our table was ready and we were seated in their open dining area. My dining partners took the reins and did the ordering since they had been there before. Apart from the bacon wrapped dates and sangria, everything else was pretty forgettable. I think I'll try again on a weeknight and make some of my own ordering decisions.
(3)Raynaldo M.
I hate being shut out. My first attempt to eat at Toro Bravo was a lesson in poor planning. I knew they were a very popular place(thats why I wanted to eat there). I arrived at 6:30pm. End of story. If you try to go there after 5:30pm expect to wait a while. We were quoted 2 hours for a party of four. Live and learn. On my second attempt we were well prepared.We arrived at 4:45pm. Not a soul there before us, figures. The staff was having a pre-war meeting and they spotted us outside eagerly awaiting our first meal here. 5pm on the dot someone came out and welcomed us in. We opted for the side room/closet table. Cozy middle table in there. Claustophobic if you get the other two. I ordered a rum neat to start things off and Julia had a awesome specialty coctail that I can't remember the name of. Our server started to take our order but again we were well prepared. "Chefs Choice Tasting Menu please". If you go there, just get it. $30 is money well spent. They have a $10 corkage fee. Pretty cheap so we brought a nice 06' Rioja. Spanish restaurant, of course a Spanish wine. What am I a farmer? I may have missed a course. There were a lot of them. 1st Course:Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette Julia loved it. Me, eh. Not TB's fault I don't like radicchio. 2nd Couse:Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey. Sweet lord. Very tasty. 3rd Course:Duck Liver Mousse Terrine with morels & house made sidra mustard Not what I would of ordered, but I really liked it. Liver is not popular to many. Probably because not every one has had it here 1st. 4th Course:Chorizo & Manchego with country bread Of course we liked it. 5th Course:Braised Salsify with lemon bacon cream I will have this every time I walk into TB! Very rich, very delicious. 6th Course:Baked Polenta with roast beef, peppers, onions So yummy, but I'm starting to slow down. How many courses are they gonna bring out? 7th Course!North African Sausages with fries, harissa & house buttermilk cheese .I got nothin. I'm full. Great dish, I think. 8th Course: Drunken Pork with fresh shell bean stew O.K actually I'm not sure that this is what we had, but is as close as I can match up to the online menu. I have a picture and a fuzzy memory. 9th Course: Churros & Chocolate These went perfectly with our esspresso and cappuccino which we needed to keep awake after the marathon eating event. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu! Well done Toro Bravo.
(5)Michael K.
way over priced for the food... I expected a lot from this place. However, their customer service was good
(3)Michael C.
Best tapas restaurant I have ever eaten in save a few really cool ones in Spain many years ago. Service is top flight, the food is excellent and the atmosphere is lively without being overpowering. Fried anchovies are incredible, I could have scoffed down the whole plate on my own. Do not pass on the dates wrapped in bacon; they are so good. We finished the meal off with the paella which was terrific. Since this is a restaurant where you would expect a heavy emphasis on wines I was not expecting much when I ordered my usual martini. Surprised me with this one. These guys are A+ by my martini standard, cold, clear and dry.
(4)Nate C.
Any restaurant with a line out the door on a Wednesday night at 9:30 has to be worth the wait, right? RIGHT. Toro Bravo is to me what a cake is to a fat kid: probably can't eat it all but I am damn well going to try! EVERYTHING on the menu sounds amazing - even though you may not know what some of those things are. But do not fear, as a person in our group noted, the plates are sized well enough that if someone on the table isn't loving a dish, it's over within a couple of bites anyway. Although, mostly you will find yourselves arguing over who gets to lick the plates clean. At 61 items, the menu will cater to any eater (yes, I actually counted the number of offerings that night). Highlights: Smoked Pork Rillettes - emphasis on the SMOKE. The pork itself is so finely shredded it melts like butter. Paired with a smear of house-marmalade and you are off to a good start Bacon wrapped dates - Sweet and salty never had it so good. The crisp bacon envelopes a warm date that has been lightly sweetened with a touch of honey. Torpedo onions with salbitxada - simple, simple, simple. Sauteed torpedos with a loving heap of salbitxada. Nutty, spicy, fragrant, sweet melting onions...simple pleasures. Aioli - accompaniment to many dishes but worth highlighting. Garlicy, sweet, creamy, bright, a perfect eating partner. Panna cotta with caramel - heaven. Suggestion: order in flights or you may end up with a pretty crowded table. The dishes come out quickly and the service is anything but slow which makes for a few rounds of ordering a breeze. Go get you some before the line gets too long!
(5)Stephanie W.
Best tapas bar I've ever been to! I had a wonderful mushroom toast, roasted cauliflower, lemon crepes and champagne. And of course the bacon wrapped date! Sat at the bar as I was dining alone and the bartender was a doll! Chatted me up and took care of me. Also met some nice locals. Would love to go back next time I'm in town!
(5)David H.
Toro Bravo has the best Tapas I have had since the last time I was in Madrid (and they may even be better). Everyone says that this place is one of the best restaurants in Portland - and it is. The service is beyond exceptional, the wine list is excellent and reasonable, and the food... well, the food is the whole reason to come. Yes, you are going to wait an hour or two to get seated. Yes, you may end up sharing a table with a bunch of people you don't know. And yes, they are going to be out of the empanadas by the time you get seated and ready to order. It doesn't matter. Toro Bravo is amazing, and you will never be disappointed. To pass the time you would otherwise be spending waiting outside for your opportunity to dine, do yourself a solid and walk upstairs to the Secret Society for a couple of cocktails. That two hour wait will feel like five minutes. PS to Toro Bravo - When you are running out of empanadas every single night, it's a good indication that you should prepare more before you open for dinner. I have been out of luck three times in a row...
(5)Steven M.
Went here with my brother while visiting from NYC. Great food. Will definitely be back next time I visit.
(4)A F.
Amazing food. Highly recommended.
(5)Abdul F.
Let me keep it simple for you. The staff is okay. Could be a bit more friendly, but they know their stuff. The flavor of every dish is absolutely incredible. I have ordered a few appetizers that were disappointing, but every single entree is perfect. The environment is dim and classy, and it's loud enough that nobody is listening to you but definitely easy to carry a conversation with those around you. Why 2 stars? Portion sizes! The portion sizes are absurd. I feel like I have to order 4, maybe 5 entrees and spend $100 on myself to have a decent meal. I barely get my palette wet with how ridiculously small these portions are. After trying the place twice, with 4 different entrees and 8 different appetizers (also with absurdly small portion sizes--is this a free sample from Costco?) I will never be going back.
(2)Jim W.
Wow ...this place is great. I would suggest the chef's plate and have him whip of what ever they want. Come with an open mind and you will have tasty things fill your belly. I suspect your order is based on what others are ordering in the restaurant but sometimes its just what you need to open your mind to new things. I enjoyed everything I ate and will update my review later with more details. Great place for a date, to talk, or just hang out. I am coming back again and bringing more friends.
(5)Kate T.
Amazing! Go hungry (you certainly will be after the loooooong wait) and go with at least 4 people, so you can try more things! We took 6 adventurous eaters, voted on what to order, shared everything and had a wonderful time. Many thanks to Amber, who must have the most hectic hostess job ever, and still maintains a pleasant attitude. The rest of the waitstaff were all hardworking and knowledgeable. When we had questions about the food, they could rattle off all the ingredients in every dish, very impressive. What a great culinary adventure to enjoy with friends! You must try: Bacon Wrapped Dates, Squid Ink Pasta and the Brussels Sprouts
(5)Sareena N.
Our first visit to Toro Bravo was 5 stars. Our second was four mainly due to the surly bartender/server working the bar area we sat at. If you can, sit at the bar area by the kitchen, it's very cool to watch them work. Personal faves: Coppa Steak-Amazing, please don't go to TB without trying it. Moroccan Tuna-delicious, well seasoned. Hedgehog mushrooms on toast-mouthgasm for real. Caramel panna cotta-OMG yum. As for children, I think it's a fine place for older well-behaved children. Toddlers, not so much.
(4)Richie W.
Four of us shared 12 amazing dishes that exploded with great flavor! The place bustles with action and great service. It's not a place for a quiet meal. There is a lot of noise. But it is the noise of people having a good time. Try this place, it's well worth the wait in line!
(5)Marie Y.
The food here is worth ANY wait. Always crowded, but as soon as you take a bite, you'll know why. I know Portlanders are always raving about various restaurants, but there's a reason this place has hundreds of 5 star reviews. As soon as you come here, you will be sad you didn't do it sooner. While you're waiting, stop by the Secret Society lounge nearby for a drink.
(5)Darryl R.
First thing, I am not from Portland and was visiting on business with my wife. We have eaten Spanish tapas in many restaurants in New York and Chicago and all over the country, and appreciate flavorful good cuisine. This was one of the worst Spanish tapas restaurants we have ever been in. Maybe it was an off night for the chef, but most of the dishes lacked texture and the flavors were off. The only dish of 6 that we liked was the calamari and white beans (a dish not on their website menu). For example, the Octopus a la Plancha sat on a potato that was way too overcooked - the overall dish was bland and mushy. The empanada was OK but it was mostly flaky dough with little filling and the flavor were off - we certainly had better elsewhere. The Baked Polenta had a cheese crust on top that was as tough as leather - it took 2 mins to cut with a knife. The polenta itself was bland. The squash dumplings with lamb, the dumpling were mushy not firm and barely tasted of squash - although the lamb was excellent. The Spicy Merguez Sausage and Flatbread was so bad to just look at we sent it back - it was french fries with mayonaise and what looked like a link of breakfast sausage on flatbread. The waitress was no help in selecting dishes. The number of healthy (non-mayo, non-cream sauce) or vegetarian dishes was very limited. For example, we might have tried the sauteed brussel sprouts but it came with with a sherry cream sauce. This may have been an off-night for the chef, or we got the wrong dishes, or it could be the best Portland has to offer, but if you travel the country and love Spanish tapas, I would avoid this place. The only good thing was the restaurant took off the bill all of the dishes we complained about - not just the one we sent back, so we didn't have to pay much for a bad experience. Note: limited street parking only.
(2)Christina H.
great for small groups, the food was outstanding. I would highly recommend heading upstairs to the secret society before dining, the restaurant will call you when your table is ready. It can be a little loud and cramped at times
(4)Phil N.
This is the restaurant that turned me into a foodie....the restaurant in which I use as a benchmark to compare other restaurants. The most underrated aspect of this restaurant is how consistent the kitchen is. Nothing that this kitchen puts out is bad....everything is good to great. Portland is so lucky to have an upscale restaurant that puts out high quality foodgasmic food at roughly 25-30 (it's easy to get carried away and spend 60 after drinks) per diner. It's restaurant would easily cost twice as much in other cities. My favs Bacon wrapped date French kisses Grilled asparagus Anything with romesco (scallops or burger) Moorish lamb chops Salt cod fritters
(5)Kim G.
I was very nervous when we first walked in because this place is a mad house on Saturday night. We were lucky enough to get a side table tucked behind a partial wall. The table was surprisingly secluded for a such a busy restaurant. My general rule of thumb is to never show up to a tapas restaurant hungry, if you do you will pay the piper. The rule does not apply to Toro Bravo. We did the tasting menu and it was so much good food. The dinner was pretty good, but I thought that the baked polenta had a lot going on, maybe too much. My only quality complaint is that on the smoked steak one piece had a fair amount of fat and grissle. Overall I would go back again, but probably not Fri/Sat.
(4)Marissa T.
Tonight was amazing. Being a very popular restaurant in town and the last night of Feast Portland; I was sure we were going to have to wait. We were seated at the bar (which is where we wanted to be) and probably the best seat in the house! Kyle was bartending and made our night out the best in a long time! I'm a glutard (gluten-free) so I had to ask if the chef's choice would be possible. Kyle said no, but if we would like he could pair some stuff for us. We took the offer, and so glad we did. At first we thought he was going to give us some options, but no he just ordered and brought out. Heaven, I tell you! Everything was so delicious and the atmosphere vibrant. If you can have this opportunity I highly suggest doing it. Kyle was a great bartender and server, can't wait to go back and have him guide us again to an amazing dinner.
(5)Linda W.
Although it was very busy when we went, the waitstaff was very eager to please. The food that we had was very good and some of the other items looked . . . interesting. The drinks were great (get something that is usually served with a cherry; you'll be surprised). We will definitely return and bring friends (and make a reservation)
(4)Julie C.
We arrived on Monday night at around 6pm, and we were seated right away, in the alcove. I would recommend requesting "alcove" seating if you have a small group and you want to keep it intimate. We ordered the Chefs Choice tasting. The food started to arrive right away and everything was delicious . We were served at least 8 different dishes. My favorites were the radicchio salad, the south African spice sausage, and the date wrapped in bacon. The service was great as well,
(4)Kristin K.
Wow. I was totally blown away. Let's jump right in, shall we? The waitress recommended the Sautéed Chanterelles with the sherry cream sauce. I thought that sounded kind of boring, and therefore I deserve a slap in the face. It was the best dish I had (aside from the churros and chocolate--that holds a special place in my heart). Coppa steak was also excellent and their Romesco sauce (which was served under scallops) rivals anything I've had in Spain. Get ALL the things!
(5)John L.
Excellent food, although I knew not what the items on the menu were. This Spanish cuisine was foreign in more ways than one to me. It was recommended to us and luckily we had help ordering from the menu of Tapas. Each dish was quite exotic and delicious. Also quite a good selection on the drinks menu. If you go, take someone with you who knows how and what to order or just ask your waiter to explain. You will not be disappointed.
(4)P A.
Best tapas place in Portland. The food was top notch and the service was excellent. The flavors are a fantastic mix of traditional Spanish and nueva cusina. Each yummy bite sized dish which left you wanting more! Some of the memorable dishes... Bacon wrapped dates with warm honey - Incredibly flavorful little packages but I wish the portion was a tiny bit bigger especially if you're splitting it tapas style. Octopus a la plancha - delicious, well grilled Paella toro - good flavor, nice portion! Also a shoutout to the complimentary roasted nuts.. warm, herbed and slightly greasy. So satisfying for hungry diners :)
(5)Grace L.
YUM! I'm so glad we chose to come here for dinner while we were in town. We were quickly seated on a Saturday night at the bar and ordered a bunch of different dishes. The most notable ones are: Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" Seared Scallops. romesco Iberico Skirt Steak. px sherry glaze Caramel Panna Cotta Service was quick and friendly too!
(5)Phil L.
The place rocked, good food, good scene. I must say that all of our dishes were very solid. And Ryan did a great job taking care of us.
(5)Zachary S.
I don't understand tapas. It's small appetizers on large plates, presented nicely to overcharge you. I get Toro Bravo. From the asparagus to the charcuterie to the pig ear, each dish was artful and flavorful. I thought I was spending a lot, but 6 dishes and 1.5 drinks got me out of there for $30; that's a deal. I see why Portland is gentrifying. I went here on a swing through Portland and Seattle, the focus of which was eating food. This restaurant was my favorite.
(5)Barbara P.
Travis our waiter was great & good looking! Brazilian Kiss and also the Bacon wrapped Dates were tasty. Chorizo and Molten Mahone cheese Empanadas were also very good. Seared Scallops were the best!! I highly recommend that choice. We topped that off with a fabulous dessert...molten chocolate cake with olive oil ice cream...homemade by Toro Bravo. Great experience...just don't be in a hurry to eat...it took about an hour wait to get in!
(5)Sabrina L.
I feel like once again, I let high expectations ruin my experience. It was more 3.5 star experience. It was our first dinner in PDX & highly anticipated! We got their early (15 minutes before opening) since we were told there could be a wait & they don't take reservations. We were the second party to be seated. We ordered: *The server highly recommend the Barcelona "kiss" but my friend tried it and thought it was just okay. *Cheese board: good and reasonably priced. *Iberico skirt steak: good flavor but over salted & overcooked. *Griddled prawns: great flavor but again over salted. grilled corn with cilantro pesto: delicious! * Squid ink Fideo with rabbit chorizo: great flavors & super rich but some of the pasta was too crunchy from being too close to the heating element & therefore inedible. * For dessert, cheese ice cream (like cheesecake!) with local Marion berries & caramel sauce. A super delicious dessert that was (surprise) almost more salty than you'd expect from a dessert but in a good balanced way. Overall: Everything was over salted but flavorful. And the same meal in LA would have cost way more!
(4)Matt T.
We ended up waiting about an hour and a half to be seated on a Saturday night. Fortunately we were able to take refuge upstairs at a neighbor business to have some drinks during the long wait. Was the wait worth it? Definitely. We were seated along the bar seats surrounding the kitchen. Watching the kitchen staff was very entertaining and the line chef nearest to us was very friendly and treated us to a number of awesome samples and tips for our visit to Portland. Between the two of us, we ordered six items including dessert. Lets just say we were both very satisfied and totally stuffed by the end of the meal! -Charcuteria Board: a tasty selection of cured meats and liver preparations. -Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula: so brilliantly simple yet so good. The flat bread is tossed straight on the grill. -Salt Cod Fritters with aioli: a must try! So rich and satisfying with a slight hint of salt cod. -House Bacon & Manchego Burger with romesco & pickled vegetables: an great burger at a tapas restaurant? Believe it. -House Smoked Coppa Steak with olive oil poached potatoes, chopped olives & salbitxada: rich prime rib meats salty, smokey goodness. Not for those on a low-sodium diet! -Olive Oil Cake with stewed blueberries: recommended by both the chef and our waitress, it didn't disappoint. Great texture and flavor without being heavy. I'm not sure how some can complain about the price. For all this food and a cocktail our tab only came to about $70. By all accounts a bargain in my book (living in the SF Bay Area might skew my standards a bit I suppose).
(5)Mal C.
According to their website, the menu changes daily, but we loved what we had and left stuffed beyond belief. Our wait time was approximately 45 minutes which was also what they had estimated. We waited next door and had some drinks at the Secret Society. What we ordered: Grilled flat bread with black truffle cheese & arugula: our favorite of the night! Olives and pickled veggies: the veggies were sweet - so if you're not into sweet pickled things, maybe select something else Cheese board: good selection House Smoked Coppa Steak: nice hints of bacon flavor and olive/carmelized onion on top Pitcher of sangria: standard - not anything to write home about Chard with sunnyside up egg: was served close to end which made the texture difficult to eat as we were already full Seared Scallops: Ditto Churros and chocolate: it was okay - not like the food carts in California Apples and rhubarb crisp: this was very yummy Coffee: massive cups All totaled under $100! Can't wait to go back and try more! Ambiance: we sat in a little nook off the main dining room and had our own private bench so we could sit next to each other and eat. Two tables flanked us. Nice atmosphere - like all of the wood they have and the chalkboard wall with the menu. Nicely lit. Music needs improvement - we think they were repeating the same hip hop song over and over again - though it was pretty quiet.
(5)Julio G.
Overall, very good food and nice cool location. The food was a little extra salty for me and I think that is the thing that kept them from achieving a 5 star billing. Also the wait is sort of nuts.
(4)Feuy S.
The older I get, the less inclined I am to celebrate my birthday with unhealthy amounts of alcohol. I wanted to be nice to my liver this year and decided to just have dinner with friends. I called two weeks ahead to get reservations for a large party. Since Toro Bravo is a small restaurant, the only time they were able to accommodate us was right when they opened at 5pm. Gina, the hostess I spoke to a few times was really accommodating to my ever changing number of people in my group. It went from 15 to 25 to 20 and finally settled on reservations for a party of 22. The service was fantastic, despite having to deal with such a large party. It wasn't too quick like I felt they were trying to rush us out of there. The time that elapsed between the waitress coming to check up on us and bringing out our plates and drinks was perfect... just enough time to leave us alone to enjoy each other's company, but not long enough where we felt like she forgot about us. The food was fantastic. With a party of 22, we were able to try almost everything on the menu. My favorites were the charcuteria board with a great fois gras. Their Cubano sandwich was very comforting... toasted, crunchy and cheesy. I also loved their pasta with lamb. The lamb seemed like it was stewed for hours and was so soft and tender. The pasta was fresh and delicious. I'm not a big dessert fan, but I did enjoy their olive oil cake. It didn't think it tasted like olive oil. Instead, it was more of a very light and airy cake that wasn't too sweet. I also really enjoyed their churros. It wasn't overloaded with sugar and cinnamon, so it wasn't too sweet. However, if sweet is what you want, it does come with melted milk chocolate for you to dip your churros. Toro Bravo does change their menu regularly, so I will definitely come back to try new items. If you would like to see some mouth-watering pictures of our meal at Toro Bravo, visit Liz T.'s page for some food porn.
(5)Paul A.
Toro Bravo, mmmm, the brave bull. Yep. That applies. Brave to be so cold, bordering on hostile to me, the innocent patron who goes out of his way to be endearing because he has to please everyone. Like other reviewers have noted: 1. Wait is long. 2. Drinks are good. 3. Atmosphere is energetic (code word for loud but I like the vibe.) 4. Food is mostly amazing but there are some real losers in the mix. 5. Server was just mean. I don't know how else to say it. 6. Pressure to leave by server was intense. Here is the best part. I was with a friend and we had one drink. Seriously. One cocktail. When we ordered another, our server refused. I have been going out a long time and this has never happened. (There are probably a few times it SHOULD have happened.) This was not one of them. I thought she was kidding. When I arrived home, I called the restaurant. I asked to speak to the server whose name now escapes me. I told her I appreciated her concern and wanted to let her know I had made it home safely. Sure, this is a little passive aggressive but it felt right at the time. One day, I hope she will go into Powell's and when she is about to buy a few books, the clerk will say, "Oh no. Umm, ma'am, I think you've had enough books today." Want small plates and no pretension? Go to Navarre.
(2)Cedric J.
This is one of my wife's favourite restaurants. Simply put: there is a lot of buzz about it for a reason. I'm going to keep it short because I'm not adding much here. Food: 5 (fantastic, just about everything) Atmosphere: 4 (gorgeous, clean) Service: 3 (not stellar, not lacking. C'mon, 3 is good, people!) Value: 2 (4 if you just get food) Sustainability: 4 (They really do try to buy local, just look at their website) Toro Bravo is a great place that has pretty much been busy since it started. It is not a function of location, location, location, but rather it is its own destination. Take tapas, the Spanish bar food, and then kick it up a Portland notch (because the food here is awesome), pair it with great drinks and a gorgeous atmosphere (with a bit of snoot, I must say) and you have Toro Bravo. Everything I've eaten here, and I've been many times, is nothing short of spectacular. Salt cod, chorizo, shrimp--all of it is just stunning. They go seasonal, so it isn't like I have some favourites on the menu: every time I go it is a new experience (which keeps me coming back). The drinks are good, but a bit overpriced. I've been able to walk out of there for under 40$ if I skip drinks; with drinks, double it. The elephant in the room is that there are 50 people waiting in the room--it is almost always busy, so you generally have to wait. That is, once you find a place to park (with the Wonder Ballroom next door and the church parking lot being stingy about their spots-that-they-never-use-but-for-Sunday, it is a bear to park in that 'hood). I believe they don't take reservations as well, so don't come already ready to eat the arm off your partner, because you may be mistaken for a zombie by the time you're seated. That said, go by bike and give yourself an hour until you're going to be starved. Then you will have a good time; it is worth the wait.
(4)Shirley W.
After that fateful night and the day after with the porcelain throne, I vowed to myself never to return to the places that I had ate at during that day. I went to 2 places, Sonics and Toro Bravo and had horrible food poisoning that left me weak and dehydrated. Fast forward to 1 year later, I managed to stay away from Sonics but I couldn't avoid the latter. The second chance I gave to the restaurant was well worth it. After that meal, I made a huge mistake in blaming Toro Bravo for my horrible experience and now I want to return back for more! Everything was wonderful, the paella deserved the 25 minute wait with the abundant flavors in each bite. The charcuterie board was a good appetizer to start out with. The foie gras just melted in my mouth and the pate was delicious. Long story short, I'm sorry Toro Bravo for not giving you a second chance earlier!
(4)Willow J.
We have been to Toro Bravo twice and both times the food and drinks were amazing. We love getting all the little plates so that we can try a little taste of everything. They seem to time each scrumptious little plate perfectly so they are bringing you a new taste as soon as you have finished the last. Small plates still add up to very full bellies! The place is always extremely full, there is always a wait, but luckily the Secret Society is just upstairs with delicious cocktails and great staff used to people waiting for tables at Toro Bravo. Not a place to go for quiet or romance, but with people that are fun to talk with that love good food it is a must!
(5)Michelle C.
After hearing positive comments about Toro Bravo, my boyfriend and I were truly looking forward to celebrating my birthday at this restaurant. For first impressions, the the ambience is appealing, space being limited and quaint, we opted to grab a drink next door while we waited for our table. The wait time was not anything ridiculous considering it was a Saturday evening (about 30-45 min), however, after being called for our table we realized the table we had waited close to an hour for, was a table lack thereof: we were seated next to the kitchen within a couple feet of the servers' pick-up window for all outgoing dishes. On any other visit this would not have been such a letdown, however we requested a nice table for our celebratory evening. The hostess was nice enough to mark gluten free options on our menu for us, making the ordering process hassle-free. Considering we had never eaten here before, we were curious about portion sizes and how many tapas to order. Oddly our waitress seemed annoyed when we asked this. We ended up ordering the sautéed spinach and wrapped dates (both were very appetizing) along with some Spanish red wine. The raciones we ordered didn't take long to arrive either. Once the entrees arrived we were hoping to order another glass of wine, however, our waitress had disappeared since taking our order and never even checked in throughout the entirely of the meal. While we still had some food on our plates she asked if she could clear our plates several times, we definitely were clued into her attempt to move us along in order to bring another batch of customers to this "table." Considering the food was good, the atmosphere was welcoming (when not next to the kitchen), and service was lacking, we may not be able to justify a reason to revisit. Plenty of other good eats in Portland.
(2)Leanna T.
Was Toro Bravo worth our almost-two-hour wait? Not really. Honestly, the food was hit-or-miss: salt cod fritters, hit; cold and weird foie gras "French kisses," miss. Spicy octopus and prawn stew, hit; inedibly salty Brussels sprouts, miss. You get the idea. Not to mention the fact that they called my cell phone to tell us our table would be ready in ten minutes (we were next-door-upstairs having a drink), and when we arrived in the restaurant ten minutes later, we had to wait another half hour to be seated. Clearly they'd called us because they only THOUGHT the seated party was leaving. Not the biggest deal on Earth -- I'm not an impatient person -- but it didn't exactly add to the experience. Maybe we just ordered some ill-advised stuff, but honestly, I'd say this place is worth the unbelievable wait only if you know exactly what you're doing -- that is, what you're ordering. Otherwise, it's a pretty neat place: cool decor, friendly staff, and right below a pretty good bar where you can, with booze, dull the pain of the fact that you're waiting the approximate length of a Harry Potter movie to pay -- let's face it -- a lot of money for inconsistent food.
(3)Matt S.
Dang. Just dang. My wife and I are visiting Portland and stopped in to Toro Bravo tonight and had an incredible meal. We did the tasting menu, which at $30 is a STEAL! We live on Long Island, where a meal like this would cost easily three times as much as the $30 per head that this meal cost us tonight. So, where do I begin? They brought us the Radicchio salad (pretty good), dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped in bacon (which alone are worth considering moving to Portland for), the duck liver, salt cod fritters, grilled romano beans (amazingly good), corn with cilantro pesto (oh my), baked polenta, and chicken and clams cataplana (A.MAZ.ING.). I loved how the chef sent us out a variety of dishes that we probably never would have picked for ourselves, but were fantastic. The romano beans and corn we never would have ordered, but they were quite good and fit together perfectly with the rest of the meal. This was quite the experience... I just wish we could convince these guys to set up shop in New York... or else we will have to move to Portland.
(5)Frank Lee F.
I have had several exceptional meals here. The combination of great spirits, both in the glass and from the folks working here, and the delicious smells wafting from the kitchen while I try not to lick my plate... well it's made for wonderful dining. For me, tonight's feast culminated in hedgehog mushrooms on griddled bread - and I knew I was eating my dessert before dessert (we also managed to share lemon curd crepes, which were excellent). The following summation is for adults only, though Toro Bravo appears friendly to families as well: Upon leaving this fine establishment I turned to my smiling date and said "I think I just came in my pants"...
(4)Ariane S.
LOVE this place! Brings me back to Spain...cheaper than a flight too. 1/2 the amazing menu is gluten-free! Savored Tortilla Española, Papas Bravas, Seared Scallops, Caramel Panna Cotta, & Red Sangria. ¡Qué delicioso!
(5)Pooja B.
A 90 minute wait and no reservations taken-so yes,be ready to wait. But the food was amazing,
(4)Anthony V.
I ordered the $30 tasting menu with a ginger beer. One of the best dinners I've had in my life. I definitely recommend this place and I can't wait to come back to Portland and have an orgasmic dinner again!
(5)Bryan S.
This place is great. I give them four stars only because their reservation (or lack thereof) system is a drag. They're on the other side of town for me, and I've called and been told "we can seat you right away" and get there for a 45-60 minute wait more than once. That's my only real complaint. They really need to take reservations. The food is great. I've never had a bad meal there, and I've had plenty. I would recommend something, but it's all pretty good. The drinks are a bit pricey and not that interesting, but they're OK. The food generally makes up for them.
(4)Todd M.
Wow. My wife and I have been wanting to come since they opened, but have been put off by the long wait times and our too-infrequent date nights. We finally sucked it up last thurs for a date night extraordinaire!! Showed up at 730, was told there was a 30-45 min wait (natch), so we gave them our number and said we'd be upstairs at secret society( another long standing member of the date night list- which was pretty good as well- see separate review ) After about 35 mins or so waiting upstairs, a server comes up and called our name, and said they couldn't get through - how great is that? Most places that busy would have just moved on to the next name. Sat down and boy did the awesomeness begin! Outstanding service!!! Literally the best we've experienced in 8 yrs in Puddletown. Super attentive, quick to respond, very knowledgeable about their food and wine, and unobstrusive and not overly chatty. Dishes were recommended, brought at just the right spacing between courses, and cleared at the just the right time. Take note Portland Servers. You should aspire to the level of service we recieved here.. The food was awesome.. I won't go into too much detail, but I'll just mention the "life changing onions". Grilled spring onions with a spanish salbitxada sauce... holy freaking moly!!! out of the 10 or 12 different dishes we tried, this one was our favorite and we ordered two of them.. I was trying to not stuff myself for some Post datenight lovin', otherwise I could have eaten two or three more plates myself. Just go now. That's it. Suck up the wait, have a drink outside if it's nice, or upstairs if it's not. If you don't like your meal, call me and I'll come finish it for you.
(5)Joanna R.
We ended our 3-day Portland food fest at Toro Bravo and it was amazing. We got there early and it was a good thing because people start lining up about 15 mins before the restaurant opened for dinner. Cute/cozy place with great service and great sangria. Favorites included....flatbread with arugula and truffle cheese, fried manchego with paprika, duck liver, baked polenta and salted cod. It was all amazing.
(5)Kristen M.
SHARING IS CARING! With tapas, you are sharing your appetizer dishes. I LOVED their tapas! It was actually my first time having tapas and I was amazed by the engrossing flavors in the small - large plates. I had the Duck Chorizo Empanadas and Bacon wrapped dates drizzled in honey upon barbecue sauce. As for dessert, I had the Caramel Panna Cotta which was dead on delicious. It was not too sweet or too bland. It was just right. I was able to mooch some food from friends and loved the Paella (takes about 25 mins to make - so be aware of the waiting period), some pate and bread & olive oil, flat bread, duck & egg noodles. Too much stuff to try! The list is endless. Desserts were all so lovely as well. If you like pound cake, definitely try the Olive Oil Cake. But the panna cotta was my favorite at heart. The ambiance is unique and very well decorated. The restaurant gives a rustic feeling. Parking is on the street and if you are going there for a large crowd, do make reservations and come early. I did not think the service was bad at all. They were very helpful and was able to address every need required. Water was always filled for us and plates cleaned up promptly. My first experience for tapas was memorable and I will be definitely coming back for more. I like you Toro Bravo!
(4)Cathy S.
Yesterday was our anniversary and we were excited to try Toro Bravo after reading lots of reviews and hearing how great it was from people we knew. We arrived early, sat outside on the stools for 15-20 minutes, and easily got a table when they opened at 5 pm. The line behind us though was loooong. For those of us arriving early, it was also nice to park on the street without paying. The menu said parking was also available across the street at the library. Service was fantastic, to the extent my husband said, "When did they bring me this Diet Coke?" When we asked, the server had helpful ideas of which tapas to order. We had been looking at their menu online, but took some of her suggestions as well. The bacon-wrapped dates were fantastic and very rich. My husband said he could only eat one and I was thinking they should bring a few more! The scallops had great flavor, but I was chewing grit in every bite. I've had scallops without grit that were purchased from a grocery store, so I was really surprised. The romesco sauce that came with them was fantastic and I definitely scraped it ALL onto my plate! The drunken pork with avocado salad was four chunks of pork sitting on a large dollop of chunky guacamole. The pork tasted fine and had those nice crunchy bits on it, but there was no evidence of exposure to alcohol! The chunky guacamole we could make in 5 minutes at home. For $13, we felt cheated. The squash blossoms were covered in a breading that took away from the uniqueness I was expecting from the dish. The squash blossom was indiscernible, so it was basically breaded sheep's cheese with mojo picon sauce (red pepper, spices - yes, I had to Google "mojo picon"). The North African sausages were flavorful and very spicy, and the harissa (Wikipedia-Tunisian hot chili) sauce they came with was also unique and tasty. It came with two 4-inch sausages, and a small glass dish with sour cream with a spoonful of the sauce. Besides the dates, my husband's favorite item was the bread and butter. Kind of a bummer when, between the bread and the sausages, our favorite foods weren't actually produced at the restaurant. On the other hand, the burgers we kept seeing carried by our table looked great, so we would have ordered that if we had known a little sooner. Oh well! Last year for our anniversary, we went to Andina, a restaurant in the Pearl District also known for tapas, and enjoyed every flavor and nuance of texture. Next year, I'm not sure I will remember where we went, except for the fact that I actually wrote my first review. While we won't be going back to Toro Bravo, maybe I could drive by and get a bag of bacon-wrapped dates to go!
(2)Emilie S.
Yup, it's that good. The charcuterie platter is probably a good place to start if you've never been or are having trouble making up your mind. Among my favorites- Brussels sprouts with bacon sherry cream, sherry chicken liver mousse, Spanish anchovies fried with fennel and lemon, seared cauliflower, scallops with romesco, any of their mushroom dishes... I recommend focusing on their tapas and charcuterie- this is their really strength. Supposedly their desserts are great, though I have never made it that far. $10 corkage fee-- but their wine list is pretty great and not too spendy.
(5)Ben F.
After living in Spain for 3.5 years, this is the only Spanish restaurant in Portland that meets my criteria. Love the menu choices, nice to see them do some fusion with NW ingredients, and they definitely have the best sherry selection in town. The pate is to die for.
(5)Melissa L.
We went here to celebrate buying our first house (OK, being under contract to buy it, anyway...) and it was a celebratory dinner indeed. We sat at the bar, and had great service from the barmaid. The service in general was top-notch. They really seem to have their system worked out, as we never had to wait for anything, and given the size of the space, it could be a total clusterf*ck. We started with the pickled veggies & olives, and the bacon-wrapped dates. We were stoked to find pickled beets among these. The dates were super rich, so we were glad we'd only ordered one each. We also ordered the charcuterie board, which had a couple of unexpected items, like a sherry gelee, but also the best crostini I've ever had. They were crunchy, olive-oily, and a bit peppery. I could have eaten these slices like potato chips. And they gladly refilled the crostini, which was a nice (and dangerous) surprise. Then we had the braised lamb with egg noodles. This lamb was melt-in-your-mouth awesomeness, and the egg noodles had a nice texture too. The hangar steak plate was also cooked perfection, with a pepper sauce and fresh green salad. The last plate was the drunken pork. It wasn't clear what sort of booze they had marinated the pork in, but it was bacon-wrapped and came atop a bed of "avocado salad", which just looked & tasted like a thinner version of guacamole to me. We could have ordered more, but it was just perfect. We've eaten tapas in other cities, and while Toro Bravo's are not strictly authentic, (for example, you cannot order Serrano ham (jamon) as a plate in and of itself, they only have it as a wrapping or accent for some other ingredient) everything they served was delicious. I actually liked that they used some local /seasonal ingredients, like in the baked strawberries & rhubarb dessert we ordered. We can't wait to bring our visiting San Franciscan friends here, as this restaurant would hold its own in any city in America.
(5)Kelsey H.
My dad and I went last night before a Blazer game and loved it. This was my 3rd or 4th time here and it did not disappoint yet again. We got there a few mins after they opened (5pm) and they were already almost full. That's a good sign the place is good. We were seated right away. We shared a bunch of plates, all yummy: - Chicken, butifarra, truffle butter, manchego- OMG I have been craving it since. Soooo yummy. Its almost like a pasta cheese sauce it comes in- maybe like a cannelloni/enchilada mixture. The filling is so delicious, it's a chicken and butifarra blend, so good! I want more! - Coppa Steak- great sauce on top - Meatballs - pretty typical but still good - Flatbread with truffle butter and arugula- nice and refreshing - Bacon wrapped dates- like candy SOOO good - Salt Cod Fritters- these are my fav. Little breaded goodness, Aioli with them is to die for. We had wine and had nice neighbors sitting next to us which is always nice. Our server was attentive and nice. She was patient with our million orders. Great spot for before Blazer games since its so close. No freeways or bridges to cross so hardly any traffic. I will be back!
(5)Ed T.
Tapas joint that lives up to the hype. Expect to wait an hour or more, but you can head back to your car and play a Candy Crush-type game until they call you. I have to give credit for the papas bravas - the only one close enough to the original found in Spain. It's just lightly fried potatoes with a tomato sauce, but it's hard to explain unless you've had it prepared correctly. My lovely wife really likes the bacon-wrapped dates ($2 each), but I found it just a little too sweet for my tastes. I did, however, really enjoy the drunken pork with avocado salad (read: guacamole); it was so tender and flavorful, and I was regretting not ordering more. Don't make my mistake and get the half portion (which is two pieces) - the full order of four isn't nearly enough. The meatballs were a nice appetizer but nothing particularly special about them. The burger is good but not extraordinary - but it is probably the best value on the menu to make up for the tiny portions of everything else you order. One complaint is that it's way too dark in there. I like to see my food and the person I'm eating with, not to mention needing light for my Yelp photos. But overall, good job and kudos to the chef. This meal made us change our plans and go to their other restaurant, Tasty n Sons, which was also very good. Bonus points for the tiny bowl of delightfully salty sunflower seeds and nuts.
(4)Jake W.
Went on a Wednesday night. Good atmosphere and vibe, friendly hostess and servers. Waited a bit to get a beer while waiting for a table, although the service was pleasant. My girlfriend (a chef) and I ordered bacalao croquettes with aioli for starters, which was great. The aioli was definitely on point! We ordered the squid ink pasta with dungeness crab and preserved lemon, as well as the octopus with romesco and fried kalamata olives. The pasta and crab dish was fantastic! Great flavors and well-priced for the portion ($23). Filled my girlfriend and I up and provided lunch the next day! It was one of the more memorable dishes either of us have eaten at a restaurant in a while. The octopus dish, on the other hand, was a bit disappointing ($17), as it was was not prepared well. Did not taste seasoned, which is not necessarily bad in all cases due to its delicate nature, however the romesco sauce lacked a 'wow' factor and the fried kalamata olives did not provide the needed texture. Overall, a good place and we shall return some day to explore more of the menu.
(4)Victoria C.
A solid four stars! My fiancé and I shared the potato bravas, the fried potato salad, the paella, and a pitcher of the sangria. Everything was great, but the paella could have had more of a crisp on the bottom of the rice for that expected crunch and chewiness I craved; great flavor though. And I left sufficiently buzzed after two glasses of the sangria. Come early or wait awhile. This places gets packed and doesn't take reservations.
(4)chelsea a.
You simply can't go wrong when eating here. Order anything, it's all amazing. Watching the folks in the kitchen is my favorite. It's a tiny open kitchen with many people bustling around. It's like watching magic!
(4)Robert B.
Toro Bravo restaurant, what can I say other than, amazing! Toro Bravo presents Spanish-inspired tapas cuisine, which makes eating there so much fun. Tapas, if you didn't know, means the menu consists of appetizers, finger foods or small savory plates and what I like to call "delicious culinary artistry." The traditional Spanish plates are classic but made with local produce and meats from around the Portland and greater Oregon area. Inside you will find a narrow chalkboard that is fifteen feet high with a list of all the names of the farms that provide the local produce being used that day. Wow! I'm all in. John Gorham chef-owner of Toro Bravo restaurant opened this little gem in 2007 and in his opening year was named Chef of the Year by Portland Monthly and Restaurant of the Year by Willamette Week. Wow! John's training and experience is extensive with restaurants in Virginia, San Francisco, Spain and Portland which culminate in his dishes. Fantastic! Let's talk food! Visit Toro Bravo with the intent of sampling many dishes in one sitting. The variety is extensive with over fifty incredible dishes on the menu giving the diner an opportunity to be absorbed in the tapas experience. Pincho means small snack and tapas means the same but with a graduation in portion size and complexity. The restaurant's Charcuteria is a combination of meat plates, mousse, and pate. Outstanding! Last but not least is Racions which means portion, with the amount more like that of an entrée for one, but in this case still provides plenty to be shared. Love it! I have had at least twelve dishes at Toro Bravo and plan on trying them all. I could not recommend this restaurant more highly. Thank you Toro Bravo for the great memories, great food and being a part of my culinary community! P.S. Just a heads up: Toro Bravo does not take reservations on Friday and Saturday but will take reservations for seven or more Sunday through Thursday. Also, you should check out Secret Society which is just next door but upstairs from Toro bravo. See my Yelp! on the Secret Society.
(5)Ross B.
Superb tapas. Long wait on a Saturday night, but there's a great bar upstairs where you can pass the time. Service was excellent, maybe a little slow but they were packed. Plus the food was so good I'm inclined not to care if my water needed refilling. I'd recommend the oxtail croquettes and squid ink faedo above all else, but the foie gras terrine and scallops with romesco were also superb and should not be missed. Honestly didn't have a bite that wasn't tasty and cooked perfectly. Just sit down and order whatever jumps out at you, no chance you'll be disappointed.
(5)Meg C.
Best tapas in PDX. Although Andina has higher accolades and a bigger price tag, I'd go so far as saying Toro is better (in my opinion). Love eating here before a show at wonder ballroom across the street, or showing friends some good eats. Been a handful of times and every dish ordered has been full of fun flavors and presented nicely. Service and timing of plates is spot on, which is refreshing. Chef's tasting menu highly recommended. Hard to go wrong with the bacon wrapped dates, oxtail croquettes, octopus and brussel sprouts. Only downside is the wait...which means going next door to prohibition themed Secret Society and having some pre-dinner lovely cocktails.
(5)John K.
Just a quick update that a follow-up visit was just as good as the first. The Chef's Choice option continues to offer a terrific variety of flavors, spread out nicely, and portioned for as many people as you have in your party - so there's no trying to split a tapas dish with 4 items among 6 people. Of any place in Portland, this is the one I consider worth the wait for a table. My only quibble continues to be the sound system - loud enough to occasionally intrude on having a conversation, while being mostly just a dull, thumping noise that does not enhance the atmosphere.
(5)Jessica S.
Great experience tonight. The food was wonderful, especially the butternut squash and fried pork belly. It was so good we decided to buy their cookbook. Service was friendly. We'll definitely be back. Added bonus: we got a complementary dessert. Cheese ice cream and huckleberry sauce, amazing! Starters at the standing table before seating: Fried pork belly on crustin, only complaint, not enough on my plate. Ash leaks Both amazing Starters at the table: Bacon wrapped dates. Seriously amazing Main courses: Smoked coppa steak Herissa butternut squash, favorite of the night The squash was so good we ended up buying the cookbook just to have the recipe. After looking through it we've decided it is the best cookbook ever!
(5)Rachel C.
Experienced this swanky restaurant before a concert at Wonder Ballroom. The open kitchen definitely provides an intriguing entertainment with an over all ambiance of fine quality that every up and coming Portland restaurant strives for with out the usual stuffiness or lackluster. The Spanish fusion menu was unique and divers. Although that night, the meatball dish was heavy with salt. It made me think of jazzed up Ragu sauce, but paired with the most delicious, tender meatballs. So it puts me on the fence. We finished the meal with their molten chocolate lava cake. This was to die for. Don't pass on dessert, it would be a grave mistake. Service was impeccable. I was almost convinced that the waitress was hovering in a corner watching our every move, the service was timed so well. Overall, Toro Bravo helped enhance a wonderful date night out and should definitely be given a thought when planning your next adventure out.
(4)Christine M.
all i can say is the $40 tasting menu is DEFINITELY WORTH IT. I have never been so full from a tasting menu IN MY LIFE! everything looked so small and yet filling. yummy too of course. course after course just kept coming. very nice atmosphere and had a great dinner. glad we waited to try it!
(5)Jenny S.
FLAVORFUL TAPAS to share w/ a group! the more the merrier! put your number down & they'll call you when the table is ready so you can go grab drinks next door! the yummy pitcher of red SANGRIA was perfect for our group to share ---Complimentary peanuts and sunflower seeds while you're ordering! ---Scallops: Mm served w/ a great sauce. ---Grilled Octopus: perfectly cooked but DID NOT pair well w/ the dill ---Coppa steak; also good & followed their trend of having a yummy sauce accompainment ---Oxtail croquettes: A FIRST for me & very delicious! i loved the light breading ---Bacon wrapped dates: too sweet for me... these are ordered individually ---Squid ink pasta: a bit overrated, but not bad I could see myself coming back to try their whole menu if i was a local!
(4)A B.
Wow...just wow. Go here. Do it. Do it now.
(5)Tina M.
Came here on a Tuesday night and we were able to be seated immediately. The restaurant was very busy which is always a good sign. It's very dark inside with an intimate setting. Since the food is served tapas style, we all chose a dish for the table to share. We got the grilled octopus, seared scallops with romesco sauce, a baked fish dish (I can't remember the name of the fish) and paella toro. The scallops were delicious and the paella had a nice spicy kick to it. Both of these dishes I would order again. The grilled octopus was alright. It just didn't taste like octopus...it was actually kind of weird since the texture was so soft, actually tasted kinda like chicken. The baked fish dish is probably the only one that I wouldn't order again. The fish itself was cooked well but had no flavor unless you ate it with the skin. The skin had a ton of flavor and was very good. The reason why I wouldn't order it again is because of all the bones. We took out the main backbone of the fish but there were so so so many tiny bones throughout the fish that I couldn't even enjoy eating it because I was too busy fishing out bones from my teeth. Overall the experience was great.
(4)Haley V.
Probably the best dining experience I have had in Portland so far. It's the perfect place for a special occasion and a must try for any "foodie". The wine and service were also fantastic!
(5)Monica N.
I had the radicchio salad, Moorish lamb chops, meatballs, paella and caramel panna cotta and it was all amazing. Best meal in Portland
(5)Jordan M.
We ate here when visiting from out of town. We all went for the chef's tasting menu for $30/person and weren't disappointed. The food was amazing, unique, prices were quite reasonable and ambience was fun. We would have appreciated a little more elbow room while eating, but ended up befriending the group who shared a table with our group - so it was fun. This is a great spot for a couple, or small group. They don't except reservations and are popular, so anticipate waiting or going next door for a drink while you wait.
(5)Kevin K.
Second in line on Friday at 4:40 lets you choose your seat. Opt for the edge of the bar, which will give you elbow room and a good view of the densely packed tables. The line filled 2/3 of the loud restaurant at 5:15. By 5:30 Toro Bravo is warm, chatty, and has a wait. Once sat, the line places its drinks all at the same time, slamming the bar. We delayed choosing our poison and had to wait, so order your first drink immediately. The bartender knew his stuff and provided excellent recommendations. The complex if muddled Brazilian cocktail was refreshing though served too cold. We dug into the tasty bar snacks as we dissected the menu, plotting a multi-stage journey across standard favorites and unexpected inventiveness.Toro Bravo's menu is a slam dunk, displaying fixe price creations while delivering high-end quality at inexpensive prices. It's a must if in PDX, as evidenced by the line. Food-nerd details below _______________________________ The $2 spherical olive is a no brainer, more show than flavor but refreshing and unique. Take advantage of it not being part of a tasting menu and stretch your boundaries, in fact it's straight up stunning that a (great) place like Toro has this on the a la carte menu. The boozy french kiss was as rich as it read but unfortunately less harmonious, the funky foie and sugary prune at odds. By contrast, the nettles and fromage was at once bright, rich, and earthy all atop the light bread with perfect char. The olives were a surprise with the colorful asparagus, the acid balancing wonderfully even if the asparagus was overcooked. The coppa steak was done perfectly if arguably needing salt. The olives' acid offsetting the mustard and earthiness of the coppa. The small dish was more than enough. Despite so many hits already, the home run at Toro is the incredibly woody bacon wrapped date, the salt and sugar balanced perfectly. We ordered another to end the meal. At $2 ea, why not ten?
(4)Skye B.
great little spot for some interesting and tasty tapas in an intimate setting. Went with my good friend and sat in the alcove - it's Prob best to sit there on a date but sat there anyway and it was easier to chat and catch up. Lovely little restaurant with a great vibe.
(5)Rebecca V.
Man, I love this place. When my parents came to visit, we went here twice. The staff is super sweet. The food and wine is delicious. The décor is perfect. I'm not even a tapas person, but this place has me sold. I highly recommend any of the liver pâtés - duck, pork, chicken. But everything is delicious. You can't go wrong. And there are gluten free options. But eat the pâtés with a spoon if you can't do bread. Worth it.
(5)Josie H.
This is one of Portlands most famous tapas place, with a ridiculous wait time. We got there at 5:30 ( 30 minutes after they were opened, and were told it was a 1.5-2 hours wait). However we managed to grab a table outside ( it was a first come first serve basis, it wasn't too cold) and ordered our food. the price was decent, we ordered 6 dishes, the empanadas ( which were phenomenal), cheese pasta, drunken pork, scallops and something else. Overall the price wasn't bad for the food, but we were definitely satisfied.
(4)Ann S.
So it actually pains me to write this review. I've dined here many times since they opened, and thought it would be a great place to take an out of town guest, who also happens to be a top chef in San Francisco, on her recent visit to Portland. We arrived a little bit after they opened on a Friday evening and were seated promptly, which was nice. The three us ordered the pitcher of sangria and the chef's choice, thinking that it would be a great sampling to wow our friend, and it would be nice to chat over courses. Never have I felt so rushed by a restaurant in all my life. Let me stress though, that this was THIS occasion only, past visits have been delightful. But not this visit. This visit our courses were brought out with barely enough time to even serve ourselves from the prior course. Sitting three people to a two person table is fine, until you try to crowd three courses, plates and drinks, and them come out with the fourth and look annoyed because there is no room. The table next to us had also ordered the chef's choice, but were three courses in when we sat down, yet somehow our table caught up with them. When we were done with the meal the server cleared most of the table, fine, thank you, however she also took our napkins and water pitcher and dropped of the check without asking if we wanted dessert, which we did. (Dessert was FANTASTIC, the caramel sauced panna cotta is soooo good.) When she brought dessert and I pointed out that we had no silverware, napkins, or water, she huffed away and brought us replacements. (Also would have ordered coffee, but it was never offered and I didn't want to annoy her more than we apparently already were.) We weren't trying to stay 3 hours, we weren't trying to stay, 2, but we did want to have a dinner at a restaurant that wasn't trying to kick us out after 30 minutes. And when we're paying $50/person I don't think that's too much to ask. Poor form TB, poor form.
(2)Gabe G.
I had this place on my list of spots to go for a while finally made it there. Only reason I am marking them down a star is for not allowing reservations. Our wait was about an hour but luckily there was a bar around the corner we hung out at. Every dish was great even the salad which I usually don't care for. The octopus came with a sauce that was to die for. It had been years since I had Paella so I ordered it. It too was amazing. The service was good as was the atmosphere. Definitely recommend this spot.
(4)Monica W.
If there is a 2+ hr wait, you know it's gotta be good! We were eager to wait for a table but decided to go for the first come first serve tables outside and since it was a nice day outside, we thought it'd be a good idea. Luckily, we were able to snag a seat within 30 mins. I HIGHLY recommend getting the salt cod fritters and the black truffle cheese flat bread. These were the best dishes I ever had. I'm already wanting to go back to Portland just for these dishes! The next few days, my friends and I constantly raved about these and wish we ordered more.
(5)Christina Q.
The last time we wanted to try this place was half a year ago and was told we'd have to wait 2.5 hours for a table of 4. No thanks. My husband and I finally got to try this place the day after Thanksgiving 2014. They open at 5 pm and we got there at 4:30 pm.. That was our kind of "door buster friday" 'cause we were so darn excited for this place. At 4:45 pm there was already a nice short line forming just right behind us. Great atmosphere with very attentive waiters. Everything looked really tasty on the menu and we ordered 9 plates. YUP that's right. We wanted VARIETY! Boy, everything was just OH so delicious. We finished everything except for the paella because we got too full. Unfortunately we didn't make any room for dessert. One of my favorites was the Duck Liver Mousse Terrine - perfectly prepped and it just melted in my mouth. I'm so glad Oregon serves Duck Liver aka Foie gras and in case you do not know, it's banned in the State of California. Here's what we ordered listed - from our most favorite - least favorite Octopus a la Plancha, Duck Liver Mousse Terrine, Meatballs, Seared Scallops, Paella Toro, Braised Beef Cheeks, House smoked Coppa Steak, Grilled Moorish Lamb Chop, Grilled Pork Ribs. The last two grilled dishes lacked flavor. And...4 cocktails. Wish the tables can be at least 2 ft apart from each other. We were literally less than a foot apart from the other person seated next to us. Overall, we had a fabulous experience and we will definitely return to try the other dishes listed on menu.
(5)Anthony B.
Toro Bravo has been one of my favorite spots in Portland and is always high on my list of recommendations. The wait has gotten absurdly long. But it's still worth it. Like my dad always used to ask "Are you hungry now? Well good you'll be hungry later." Infinite wisdom. The restaurant is beautiful. It definitely tends toward dark and romantic. The hustle and bustle of the restaurant isn't overpowering and lends to the intimate conversation. I've only ever been seated at the bar which is fine for me since I always enjoy getting to watch a professional at work. The service has always been tremendous. The front of the house always tries to give realistic expectations of wait times and handles the droves of hungry patrons with a smile. Last time I was here we were about to order empanadas as the kitchen 86'd them. Our serve came running back apologizing. We said it was no biggie and ordered some octopus instead. A few minutes later she came back with a delicious salad, compliments of the house! The food here on the whole has been excellent. However every time I've been here there has been at least one dish that has blown me away or introduced me to some amazing new cooking trend. My first visit it was green beans in a tomato sauce with jambon. I was so hesitant to order it (come on it's green beans), but it was the highlight of our night. On my most recent trip the Brussels Sprouts with bacon sherry cream were a revelation! Sherry cream! Such a wonderful idea, creamy and salty from the bacon cut with the delicious sherry. Also the Chanterelle mushrooms on toast were absurdly good. Possibly the best thing I ate that vacation. Their cocktails were good but nothing stood out. It's hard for them to be the focus when you are here for the food.
(5)Traci s.
Best meal I have had in a very long time. Lived up to every expectation. And although very crowded, the vibe was awesome!
(5)Gad F.
They know the secret! Small quantities of varied foods that keep the palate interested and attentive. It is the over-eating secret of buffets...or so I am told. The food is fun, the noise/crowded level is high and the prices are quite reasonable. Honestly, I do not remember the service over the noise/crowded level so it must have been fine. It is difficult to figure out what the various dishes are if you get the fixed menu since the din is so high. That is a parlor game and interesting all by itself. Definitely worth trying.
(4)Sophia C.
Finally! I have gone to Toro Bravo! I got there a little before 5pm to avoid the long wait. My eyes popped like this when I saw their menu: O.O *drool...* I had such problems on deciding what to get because everything sounded amazing. So I opted to do their Chef's Choice option with my boyfriend so that I could sample as many dishes as possible for a reasonable price. Their menu constantly changes, but everything was quite good with diverse flavors and textures. The dishes that stood out: their bacon-wrapped dates with maple syrup (of course), braised leeks with a creamy almond sauce, and drunken pork with avocado sauce, which was a glorified guacamole with roasted red bell peppers. Not mention that the service was good here, not snooty like a good portion of other places in Portland. Hell yes! i must go here again soon!
(5)Holly C.
My fiancé and I had the chef's choice. We were glad we did. Everything they sent was good. They sent us the following: *Grilled Green Onions: When they first arrived I was a bit disappointed because they were just green onions with sauce. Looks are deceiving because the green onions with the sauce were great. The sauce was very robust. I couldn't put my finger on what exactly was in it. *Bacon Wrapped Dates: I was looking forward to these. I had heard great reviews. The date is stuffed with almond, wrapped in bacon, and served with a honey sauce. These are sweet and could be a dessert. *Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette: This was our least favorite dish. It was good if you like the bitterness of the radicchio. The dressing was good. *Grilled raab with breadcrumbs: Neither my fiancé nor I had ever had any type of raab. This was good and we ate the whole thing. If you are not too keen on green vegetables I would pass on this one. *Sautéed Spinach with pine nuts & golden raisins: Another great vegetable dish. The flavor on the spinach went great with the golden raisins. I was surprised how good the cooked spinach was as it is easy to ruin/ *House Cured Chorizo & Manchego with country bread: This was also served sherry jelly. I don't care for sherry but my fiancé liked it. The chorizo was nicely sliced and tasted great. *Bread and Butter: Just a typical bread and butter. The bread was good. *Jamon Wrapped Chicken with piste manchego: This was chicken topped with a tomato sauce. The sauce had peppers and zucchini in it with a little kick. *Oxtail Croquettes: These were served with green onion and some white cream. It wasn't sour cream, maybe a creme fraiche. This was my fiancé's favorite dish. *Shrimp of some sort: It was marinated in a spicy red rub. Mmm good! We also ordered the French Kiss, Caramel Panna Cotta, Molten Lava Cake. French kiss is the foie gras stuffed prune. Really good. I was nervous about it, but will order again in the future. The Panna Cotta was great. No complaints there. The Molten Lava Cake was just okay. The middle was good but the outside was a bit dry. As for atmosphere: It is loud which I don't mind. We sat at the bar. Be prepared to sit close to strangers. I enjoy other people so this wasn't a problem for me. You won't want to talk about anything too personal. We sat at the bar. The bartender was great. Also this is a tapas place. Things come out in random order. Plates are meant to be shared. So it you are not willing to share with your dinner partner I wouldn't suggest this place for you.
(5)Travis J.
The food here was amazing. I stopped in here for dinner on a business trip and the food blew us away . we got there just before it opened and the place filled up in about 15 minutes and stayed filled the whole time we in there.
(5)Conrad C.
I was actually inclined to give this place 3 stars, and Wifey wanted to do 3.5. When trying to think of the reasons, however, I couldn't really think of many. The tasting ended before we thought it would, and the last dish of the tasting was by far the weakest, so perhaps the end of our meal just soured us on Toro Bravo more than it should. Almost every dish was really good, so I think 4 stars is more accurate. We each got a cocktail. Wifey, being on her caipirinha kick for the past few months, ordered one and enjoyed it. I got the Flor de Cana Fix, which seemed to be quite popular (we sat at the bar and saw almost every cocktail being made), and was good. Anyway, as alluded to above, we both got the tasting menu. The best dishes were the bacon-wrapped dates, the polenta, and the duck liver mousse terrine. Wifey isn't even a fan of liver and she liked it. I'm not sure I've ever had leeks at a restaurant before, but the braised leeks were good. The oxtail croquettes seemed a tad bit overcooked but were tasty. The last and worst dish was the drunken pork in bean stew. I'm not really sure what it was supposed to be, but it was salty and didn't have much of flavor. The other dishes in the tasting with the griddled shrimp, bread with olive oil (not sure why the latter dish was part of the tasting menu), and raddichio salad (pretty good). We got there about 4:55pm and were seated when it opened. As I mentioned above, we were seated at the bar (not by choice but we didn't mind). I thought this was a bit odd since there were small-tops open, and the place didn't fill up for at least 30-45 minutes.
(4)Chandler L.
Can't say enough about this place!!! Probably my favorite restaurant ever. Great drinks, food, service, couldn't have been better!! The menu changes so I'm not even going to tell you what to get, but everything I had was amazing (minus the cheese board, I'd skip that). Basically you can't go wrong here!
(5)Jeff D.
I went there to meet a girl for a second date. I got there a half hour earlier than my date, so I could get us a table. I was told I would not be allowed to sit until ten minutes before she arrived. So I went and sat at the bar. I was poked in the back and told that the bar is for dining customers only. I said I was here to dine and my date would be here in ten minutes. I would have to wait outside where they could serve me a drink. I asked the drink waitress if they served people who were dining alone. She explained that they were so busy, that it was more efficient for them to not allow people to just have a drink at the bar while waiting. When my date arrived, seated two couples who had just got there, even though I had put my name in on the list before them. The food was OK. Some thing were better than others, but some of them had a weird taste. The gazpacho and the octopus were good, but not great. The service was good once we were seated. All in all, if they have to be rude to make the most money, they should probably raise their prices and treat people with more respect.
(2)Andy B.
I went here early today and there was no wait, although when we were getting ready to leave, the place got packed. It went from a cozy atmosphere to being so obnoxiously loud that I had to yell to my dining companion to be heard. Sadly, I fail to see why the place is so incredibly popular with the lackluster food. It's a shame because I really wanted to like this place. I tried four different tapas. The coppa steak was all right but only after scrapping off the sauce it was topped with. The apricot lamb left an unpleasant aftertaste in my mouth. The North African sausage was very bland apart from the spicy sauce they topped it with that I didn't enjoy. However, the spinach, probably the cheapest thing we got, was excellent. The service was great and the waiter was especially helpful in explaining the various dishes. Thumbs up to that. So in my opinion, the food is overpriced for its quality. While there's a large variety, I'm not anxious to come back to try again because of the loud dining area and the wait times other reviewers have experienced because I usually don't eat dinner as early as I did today.
(3)Ron T.
I thought we almost won the lottery but alas, we just got seated immediately inside Toro. The wait staff is efficient and courteous though she must be having a moment when she forgot my friend's order of beer. Other than that, the food was tasty. We started with foie gras wrapped in prunes. It was marvelous and weird at the same time. We've ordered several pinchos and tapas. Just to try it out and there was never a dish that disappointed us. They were all tasty and conversation worthy. I think that's why it took us almost two hours eating all of it. Chew and discuss like a specimen. Things that stood out of the table: The nuts- too hard. I feel like chewing on a pistachio but shell. The Paella Toro- the best paella I have in PDX. The cod fritters- on the salty side but it was still good. The Marinated Sheep's Cheese with rose petal harissa and mint - is so good you have to try this lemony cheese. Put a period in your dining experience with a dessert wine and a slice of Molten Chocolate cake. The experience will leave a big smile in your face.
(5)Rachael L.
Brought a vendor here for dinner and I was not disappointed! I can't even remember everything we had, but for sure I remember: salt cod fritters, polenta, frisee salad, and panna cotta. Everything on the table was mouthwatering. The physical size of the tables is somewhat limiting (we had a lot of plates on the table a few times) but I loved our dinner there. New date night spot for sure.
(5)Jacob G.
My oft-delayed Toro Bravo review! I only started it, oh, THREE months ago. Anyways, I have to give this place 3 stars based on the Potatoes Bravas alone. I had them at their sister restaurant Tasty n Sons before but they're the same delicious potatoes (though the eggs they put on them makes them a bit better at Tasty). Then there's the burger. One of the best in town- possibly THE best in town but I did find one that rivals it (that's for another review). It's topped with house-made bacon, manchego cheese, pickles (I don't usually like 'em on burgers but these pickles are awesome), and romesco. The only faults with the burger is that it's messy and there's a ton of other delicious-sounding dishes to choose from. Damn, I want this burger now.
(5)Josh B.
The food and drinks and Toro Bravo are awesome. Epic. Worthy of 5 stars. However, going to eat here on most occasions is a nightmare. We tried to get a table for 2 (anywhere in the restaurant) and we were told it would take an hour and 45 minutes. Having to wait almost 2 hours, before you can sit down is ridiculous. Most times there is not even enough room to wait inside the restaurant, so you can either go some place else and or wait it out outside. Sometimes I will be want to go and eat here but I divert as I get discoursed by the long wait. -1 Star for the typical wait that is so long I have to make sure I don't leave the house an an empty stomach. Don't get me wrong though, everything else is quality.
(4)Leo W.
My roommate and wanted to try something new, so we went to Toro Bravo on a Tuesday evening. The decor is really nice inside, and it has a great, warm feeling to it. The menu is really well done and pretty expansive - definitely a place where you can spend time playing the "I'll try... THAT" game. I had sheep cheese for the first time in my life and it was incredible. The desserts were just as delightful as the main course. The drinks were tasty, and the service was efficient and friendly. I will be returning!
(5)Rachel R.
Great food, a bit pricy and had a crazy long wait when I went. Luckily there is a bar upstairs and around the corner to keep you busy until a table opens. Loved the bacon wrapped dates, the crab and pork croquettes were out of this world, also the calamari was top notch.
(4)Bob C.
Now I know what all of the hype is about. Toro Bravo is a first rate Tapas bar, and it deserves it. An extremely creative menu with something for everyone. That can include kids, if they're WELL behaved, and just a bit adventursome in their eating habits. My teenaged daughter enjoyed her meal very much. And to say that I did would be an understatement. We went for the "Chef's Choice for the Table" and I was very happy I did. Delicious little surprises kept coming and coming, and we got what we felt was a great representation of the Toro Bravo fare. I highly suggest it. By the way, the staff was attentive, friendly and pleasant.
(5)Karen M.
Check it-Mark Bittman (the "Bitten" guy from the NY Times) basically calls Toro Bravo the best tapas in North America bitten.blogs.nytimes.com…
(5)James A.
I would like to give it a four star rating for the good cuisine and excellent servers but I also would like to give it a one star for the RUDE and UN-HELPFULL phone service. How can you have such opposite experiences I don't know. Even some of the more crowded and trendy spots around town like Tasty and Sons, Screen Door, ect that have huge crowds and insane wait times have very courteous and patient people up front that manage the seating as well as screen all the restaurant calls. TORO BRAVO CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTS IN ALL ASPECTS! Thanks!
(2)Shauna B.
My husband and I visited Toro Bravo for a shared birthday dinner after a long Yelp search for the best tapas in the Northwest. The menu at Toro Bravo was, by far, the most enticing and made our decision easy. My husband is vegetarian, but he usually makes some wiggle room in his customary diet for tapas, and we both love the array of flavors served up on "small plates." The food was, for the most part, fantastic. We loved the Butternut Squash, the fried Shrimp, the salad with beets...we even tried the anchovies in fennel on the premise that those at Toro Bravo would be as good as any we were ever likely to encounter. We ordered our very favorite Tapas treat--the Octopus a la Plancha, and just wish that it had been served as a racione instead of as a pincho; we love it so much. Unfortunately, our dinner experience was soured a little by the quality of service which, in our case, was fairly non-existent. We told our server when we sat down that it was our birthday dinner and we were planning to treat ourselves to a feast; however we had a hard time getting her attention whenever we were ready to order more. Instead of fresh dishes, we were left with empty glasses and dirty plates. We tried getting her attention with eye contact, and finally resorted to calling out "excuse me" as she passed by. Our server didn't hear us, but luckily another one did. She stepped in and saw to it that the finished plates were swept away, our drinks were refreshed, and that our server would come by to take our order for more food. All was well in the end, but for a meal in this price range, I don't think it should have come to that. Disappointing, too, given that she knew it was a special occasion dinner for us. Wish we could have tipped our rescuer instead of our assigned server. All in all, we'd go there again. I think the restaurant is quite good overall, we just got unlucky with service on that night.
(3)Jennifer Z.
Woh woh. That's the sound of my disappointment at Toro Bravo. No offense to those who love it, but I don't think they know Spanish food--or real tapas for that matter. I really wanted to like it. I really wanted to find a place that would save me the $800 ticket to Sevilla for true Spanish tapas brought to my table and whisked away when I'm done, leaving me to drink in the sangria and conversation and atmosphere. I did not find it here.
(1)Debbie L.
Toro Bravo was such a sweet surprise. We were told to check it out and we did for my 50th birthday. It was crowded but that was good. They told us to go up and have a drink at the Secret Society which is an amazing place too! At Toro Bravo, we were seated a the chef's bar which is the best place as far as I am concerned. We had been to Tasty n Sons as well and love this style of cooking and the seating arrangement. I had a salad with beats and squash in it. Had a few other things too but the salad was amazing and fun to watch the chef's make it. We can't wait to go back!
(5)Windy S.
I've been here twice and the first time was stellar. Other than the long wait (which wasn't bad since we just went over to the bar next door), the overall experience was great. We basically let the waitress choose a few of her favorite plates and went with it! The food was flavorful and creative. We went back a second time and brought some friends with us and this time each plate was hit-or-miss. The sangria was pretty good. The atmosphere is pretty loud. But a great place for tapas.
(3)RB W.
As someone who travels to France and Spain every summer for work, I feel I have the right to declare that this place takes some of the best ingredients and methods from the Iberian peninsula, adds only-in-American fresh-as-hell organic ingredients and a little brash creativity (damn you and your stuffy culinary rules Europe!) with amazing results. Anyone who knows good European food, likes innovative New American food, but is sick of idiotic 'creative' Americana things like fruit-infused vinaigrette, pulled-pork sliders, and cedar-plank salmon, will love Toro Bravo. I don't have much to say about the actual dishes, since they are well-covered by other 340 reviewers, except that a prune stuffed with fois gras and sprinkled with fluer de sel is a very good idea. Daaayum.
(5)Neil W.
Man, I don't know if I'm not eating at the right places, but after about 8 visits to this wonderful establishment, I cannot think of any way to rate it anything other than 5 stars. Food Service Drinks all perfect, doesn't get any better.
(5)Parantap R.
The place is nice and has a brilliant menu, but not really a drop-in place without reservations...Not that big a fan of the hour long wait to get a table...didn't mind the cocktails while waiting though :) The food more than made up for the wait. Exquisite food...for me it was an excellent introduction to a wide variety of Spanish food though some of my friends did say they'd had better. Loved the different tapas and paella and the wines.
(4)Micha V.
May I just say that I LOVE TORO BRAVO! Loved it! Everything we ordered from the drinks to the food were delicious! The ambience is trendy and hip, but still feels cozy and open. The service is good and friendly, but can sometimes be a little slow because they can get really busy. Also, it takes a while to be seated, so either order a drink or RSVP if you can. Now, to get down to why we're all here: the FOOD. We ordered more than what I've included here, because we came hungry and had to wait almost 20 minutes before being seated (no RSVP and a good drink, so no hard feelings), but here are some of the highlights of our meal (From the menu, so prices included as a bonus!): *Toasted Almonds with sea salt 2 ***French "Kiss" brandy soaked prune stuffed with foie gras 2 ea (x4=$8) **Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse 7 ***Empanada with roasted chicken, raisins & almonds 8 **Squid Ink Pasta with hazelnuts, anchovy syrup & egg yolk 12 ***Grilled Moorish Lamb Chops with warm potato & chorizo salad 10/20 **Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels 19 (not a huge fan of paella - I know, Im weird. Everyone else thought it was wonderful though, so don't base your choice on my judgement for it). And - ***Sherry-bacon cream braised brussel sprouts (sadly not on the menu from what I can see - too bad, they were my favourite thing we ordered!) Dessert: ***Olive Oil Cake with rhubarb caramel 6 Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with this menu. Even things with one star were still incredible and would likely be ordered again. Do not miss Toro Bravo! It is a GOOD restaurant and an exceptional value. I think our total bill was $20 a person with everything and we ordered WAY more than what I added there. For me, having recently returned from Spain, eating here was a real treat and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Buford C.
Having been to a ton of Tapas bars around the world, Toro Bravo sits in the low end. Their food is OK, some things have complete lack of consideration while others do deliver a traditional Spanish flair. A cold potato pie slice, slathered with Mayo, and Harissa sauce (like a half cup of mayo) it was gross. Their croquettes were all right, but extremely greasy, the best plate we had did not come from the stove, Chorizo, Manchego and bread was the best we had. Cocktails were fine, the typical fancy PDX cocktail list, with fancy cocktail prices. Having 35 cocktails on the menu and one beer on tap seemed a little out of balance. What really bugged me about this place is that from the moment we sat down, they wanted us to leave. We were asked if we were ready for our check no fewer than 6 times, and we were there for two hours. People kept trying to clear half finished plates, and push us out. This would NEVER happen in Spain. 2 people, $126, about half the food was worth it. Not going back. I'll be headed to Colosso instead, where I know they want my business and do not plant a foot in your butt before you sit down.
(2)Amy S.
Be prepared to wait for a table. We had to wait around 15 minutes so we had a cocktail and ordered an appetizer a the "wait bar" since the real bar seats are part of the host seating. Total bull. Once we did get a table they stuck us in a nook that faced a wall. I swear they "nook" used to be a closet. There was only enough room for a bench on one side of the table that we had to slide into. The food made up for eing completely separated from the other diners. Tons of items to choose from and they were all great. My only wish is that there were a few more spicy items on the menu, as there is only one or two.
(4)Chad S.
Easily one of the best restaurants in a city of great restaurants. That is all.
(5)Grace B.
I went to Toro Bravo with my boyfriend for a combination Fat Tuesday, Valentine's Day, and Anniversary. We had a lot of celebrating to do so we ordered four tapas, one dessert, and a pitcher of Sangria. (we took it slow with all that food!) The 25 minute wait went by quickly with our drinks, and the waiting area was comfortable and secluded. The servers were friendly and the atmosphere was warm--plus, there was a chalkboard listing the farms and bakeries and such the ingredients came from. So awesome! Toro Bravo ruled for a date, it was fun sharing food and the menu had lots of tasty vegetarian options, including stuff my non-vege bf was happy with. Hands down the best food I've had in Portland. Perfect and delicious. (especially the butternut squash and sheep's cheese. mmm.)
(5)Steve H.
Don't miss the bacon-wrapped date, Spanish tortilla (NOT Mexican- this one's like a potato-egg soufflé) or the olive oil cake! Awesome! Best food I've had in a while, and the variety and consistently excellent quality will keep me coming back to try more.
(5)Lorri E.
My first review on Yelp has to be my newest Fave, Toro Bravo. First, not only is it conveniently located in my neighborhood (like you care, but I do--I can friggin walk home!), but seriously folks--the food?? It is so good, and so unique that I am simply amazed and delighted each and every time I go. Delicious! Yes, there is a wait at times--the place is new and VERY popular--so there is a wait for a reason. Just plan ahead so you aren't disappointed, and this will be a non-issue for you--and it is worth it! Yes, there are plenty of good places to eat in Portland, and yes there are other great tapas places--but when I go out to dine what I am looking for is the whole experience, and they nail it! Good enough for me! Excellent, creative menu options, good wine and drinkies, a warm, loud , celebratory and fun environment, and GREAT caring service--yeah, they can be a bit spotty in the heat of things (might deliver a stack of dishes at once or forget one here and there), but Chef John actually pays attention to what is going out of the kitchen and that personal attention and caring really shows. Give a local chef and his crew some credit, and much deserved kudos--this place ROCKS. I love Toro Bravo! Yeah!
(5)Wen-Chi Y.
We went back for our anniversary again... LOVELY!! Still can't get over those "kisses." It is definitely on my last meal list... A pitcher of Sangria, Kisses, squid ink pasta. pork chop, greens, and etc. we even went for the churros. While I got yucked out by the hersey's chocolate sauce, I do take note that they don't seem to have a pastry chef on side.. so I didn't take points off bc of it. Definitely a must try place! They are back on my good list...
(4)Sara G.
This is the best restaurant I have been to in Portland. They don't need my review, but another 5-star should balance out any 2 or 3 stars. I hate to belittle others' opinions (who am I kidding?) but I have to think that anyone who doesn't at least like this place is just plain finicky or looking to disagree with the majority. I have never ordered a bad plate. Some things are executed more to my taste than others, but overall every single tapa is made as well as it can be made. I especially love the singing pigs salad, the croquettes, and the charred greens. You do have to be thoughtful when ordering because you could easily make an unhealthy/fry heavy meal if you don't think about it, but that's kind of on the diner be smart and eat your veggies! The best things in life are worth waiting for but don't come here if you are not okay with waiting an hour at a time when no other restaurant would have a wait.
(5)Amanda S.
thought the tapas were ok...the service was rushed and inatttentive... a little disappointing as i had high expectations from the raving reviews... my dining partners and i had: radicchio salad with green olive toast with manchego viaigrette...my favorite of the night...very similar to the radicchio salad at tasty n sons except without the olive toast... torilla espanola with amaranth fried spanish anchovies with fennel and lemon octopus a la plancha boquerones with toasted bread and piperade french kiss (brandy soaked prune stuffed with foie gras) squid ink pasta also ordered the meatballs and spicy octopus and prawn stew...which our server totally forgot about until reminded at the very end of our meal...by that time, we didn't want it... caramel panna cotta (gratis)...i guess they felt bad...
(3)Jerome D.
We ate there on a Friday night. The 2 of us showed up around 8.30pm but still had to wait a 1h. We got seated at the bar which was fine but would have definitely preferred a table at that point. I love tapas and enjoyed every bite of the 5 tapas we ordered. Food is definitely great and there are lots of options on the menu. The place was very noisy though. The waitress could not even hear my order and a couple, obviously starting dating, next us had some trouble to communicate. Thus, I would recommend this place for friends, family and couples but not for dates. The restaurant atmosphere is nice, food is great, but I am not completely convinced that this place deserves the hour wait though. Food is 4-5, service is 3, restaurant 4, and overall experience was A-ok. I might just have to go back and try again.
(3)Lindsay F.
I LOVE all the small plates here. My guy and I have been wanting to try this place since it was listed on the top 10 of Portland burgers by WW a few years ago but could never get it. We were going to a show that night next door so we were sure to get there well before they opened to ensure we'd get a seat and not an hour wait. We tried many different dishes including the charcuteria plate, braised onions, the bacon wrapped date, the salt cod fritters, bread and olive oil and of course the burger. Not many of the dishes "wowed" me per se, but I loved the process and I thought the prices were good for trying as much as we did. The burger WAS very tasty but didn't make my personal top 3. Overall, the service, ambiance and price of experimenting is what lends my 4 stars to Toro Bravo. I can't wait to go back and try the chef's choice!!
(4)Chris P.
This is the best restaurant in Portland. As much as it pains this French wine salesman to declare a Spanish restaurant the best in town, this is a special place where everything coming out of the kitchen is thoughtfully prepared and scrumptious, without showmanship or pretense. These people don't miss. If a batter hits six home runs in six at bats, anything less than 5 stars makes no sense. If I go back and am disappointed, I will recant. You can order anything here. My frames of reference are places like Piperade in SF, Cesar in Berkeley, and Zuzu in Napa. Toro Bravo is better than all three, with the added benefit of going home full for your $100. For 3 people. Including drinks. The somber hand of a perfectionist is at work in this kitchen. The servers did a fantastic job too. Keep up the great work. It's 2010 and you are earning every penny.
(5)Ian A.
From past experiences, Toro Bravo is the best Spanish cuisine that Portland has to offer. A couple of nights ago however, decided to go my American route (which is rare) and did the burger. I was a wee bit nervous, burger comes out, I dig in, and I was thoroughly joyed! With burgers, it is all about ratio and the bun or meat not overpowering the other and it was perfect! For a Spanish restaurant to have such a great burger, that makes me give them 5 stars!
(5)Alice J.
I was invited out for a friends birthday and he raved that this place was so great. It had so many great reviews so I was looking forward to it. I arrived first & was told it'd be a 2 hour wait. By the time we were seated I was starving. They have peanuts on the table, no complimentary bread or anything. I am a vegetarian & the menu heavily favored meaty dishes. The birthday boy wanted to go with the chefs choice tasting menu, which means you don't know what you might get @ the food is served family style. I mentioned to the waitress that I was vegetarian & she said they'd have some veggy options. When the food finally arrived there was a few veggy options but when you're passing it around to share with 5 other people you basically get like 1 small bite of asparagus, a bite of potatoes, 2 bites of salad, and 1/2 a piece of toasted bread with cheese and sautéed nettles which was very bitter. The rest was all meat dishes. I left starving. The food was not good. I don't understand what the hype is about. I thought dessert would make up for the bad dinner but the bread pudding tasted like a bitter orange rind. The seating is packed so tight you barely have room to move & it was so loud it was hard to have a conversation. I wouldn't return here.
(1)Leah T.
line was already stacking up before the doors opened at 5, so we were happy to get there early. Food was wonderful, as was service. Nothing disappointed
(4)Bucky M.
Tapas place. duck liver pate - 5 stars. The pate was awesome. The mustard it came with, also awesome. The bread, just average. empanada with pork - 3 stars. decent, but nothing that stood out.
(4)J M.
Secret to not waiting - show up at opening hour. We sat at the chef's bar and watched all the delicious food being prepared. Was a great experience. We ordered several dishes to share and all the dishes were really good. My faves were the salt cod and octopus. I wanted to try more of the meat dishes but was not dining with a meat lover so I am looking forward to another trip with more meat loving friends. I love dining in Portland - better quality and value for money than Seattle.
(5)Kimberly F.
toro bravo was probably one of my favorite meals while in portland. first of all, i love tapas. something about the small dishes and variety of food makes my dining experience so satisfying. we had gone to screen door earlier that day and still felt full, so only ordered a few things off the menu, but everything we got was good. - arugula salad with blood oranges. simple as it should be. - brussel sprouts. one thing i wish was different about this dish is the way it was prepared. i wish the brussel sprouts were kept either whole or halved, instead the whole brussel sprout was deconstructed. it was still delicious, but i prefer my sprouts to be in tact. - seared scallops. perfectly done. i also found out that the head chef was actually a chef at chez panisse in berkeley, so that was pretty cool. many of the other things on the menu sounded delicious. i'd definitely hit up toro bravo again when in portland.
(5)Steph C.
I'm a huge fan of John Gorham. I've gone a couple times with a big group, so have had almost everything on the menu. Would definitely recommend the "Chef's tasting" which is really excellent value for $25 for 8 different small plates. A huge fan of the braised lamb, bacon-wrapped dates, basque pipperade, north african sausages, roasted eggplant. As with all good places in Portland- it's really difficult to get a table here. They don't take resos except for groups above 6 (worth rounding up friends to secure a table)- otherwise I've wait upwards of an hour to eat here.
(5)Luke M.
We only tried this place based on the reviews..... and the majority are spot on! This place is simply fantastic. We live in New York.... if you could do this quality of Spanish food here for the same price there would be queues around the block trying to get in.... and let's be fair it's not far off it in Portland either (which by the way is a fantastic town - we loved it!) Suffice to say we tried a lot of the popular dishes mentioned in other very positive reviews and everything we had was amazing. We waddled out of this place with nothing but great memories of wonderful food, great wine, good service and top value for money. If you're in Portland give it a go.
(5)Uli B.
I tried to go to Toro so much that I would be fed up with it and I failed. The standby's like the french kisses, radicchio salad, squid ink pasta and roasted eggplant & lamb ragu are as amazing as the plenty a-new items on the menu which change frequently and build a nice surprise factor. I suggest coming here with friends. That way you can order everything and share. And if you have a party of 7 or more you can make a reservation which is definitely good for weekends. But don't sweat the wait. Just go next door to the Secret Society for a drink. It's a small but oh so charming bar that deserves it's own 5 stars.
(5)Alicia F.
"Is the food worth a two hour wait?"- Stepdad "Just wait and see"- Me 2 hrs later "Wow, I would have waited twice as long"- Stepdad (mouth full of food, trying to flag down the waitress to order more plates) "Told you"- Me Simply, the best meal I've ever had, you must try the margarita, and the service has always been amazing.
(5)Colleen W.
My boyfriend and I like to pretend to be foodies and we loved exploring the menu here. It was my birthday, so we went a little overboard. I'm pretty sure I'll spend next week in confession. We arrived three minutes to open (5PM) on A Saturday night. I highly suggest you get there early as well. There was a full house waiting for the doors to open. We were promptly seated at a table, almost rubbing elbows with the table next to us. Yep, they're that close together...a little too close for comfort (I like my space bubble) but we were soon lost in the menu and forgot about it. We ordered... Tomato rubbed bread: a little too soggy/salty for me. We'll order the grand central baguette and olive oil next time. Bacon wrapped dates: Surprise, there's an almond inside! I thought the honey drizzle added way to much sweetness to an already rich and almost sickeningly sweet treat. I don't think we'll get these again. Grilled corn with a cilantro pesto: Can you really go wrong when it's in season? So sweet and delicious. The pesto was a bit salty...best used sparingly. Empanada: soft, flaky crust + savory filling = the perfect hot pocket. Fried Green Tomatoes with "pickle sauce": They came out way too black (over-fried) so the server brought us new ones. She comp'd the dish AND brought us two more complimentary bacon wrapped dates AND an additional complimentary dish: seared scallops in romesco. Although this was more of an apology than the two of us could handle, we greatly appreciated their efforts to make things right. BLT: such a simple, perfect sandwich with thick house cured bacon and ripe heirloom tomatoes. Seared scallops in romesco: perfect sear on the scallops and thick, delicious, peppery romesco sauce. The fact that they were free made them taste even better. Smoked Coppa Steak: flavorful is an understatement. What an incredible, rich, buttery steak! I'd definitely suggest this place for a date, but if you want to explore more of the menu without the gluttony, go with a group. The waitresses bust their asses here! They earn their tips, for sure. They're flying around the rooms bringing different tapas to table. Our waitress was particularly informative and was really good about clearing plates out of the way and bringing new ones (key for a tapas place with small tables) in a timely manner (good spacing between dishes). Next time, we'll sit up next to the kitchen so we can watch the chefs in action.
(4)Liz T.
Tapas are generally considered small plates. Toro Bravo's tapas are anything but small. We came with a group of 22 people and nothing that we ordered was a disappointment. The staff was prompt, and the food was delicious. I got to take a bit of a friend's Potatoes Bravas and wish that I had ordered some for myself. The paella was sizzling and scrumptious. And to top off the perfect dinner, they had the best panna cotta I have ever tried. Perfectly light, creamy and smooth, topped with a decadent layer of caramel on top. I can't wait to come back here so I can try everything else on the menu!
(4)Art A.
Wow, tapas done excellently! I can't even name all the dishes we had.. and drinks.. for 4 for $100! Insane. Shortbread, steak, open face BLT, empanadas, and the shrimp dish were definitely some of the highlights. The space is awesome, the open kitchen is amazing, the speakeasy upstairs is the bomb (yea, i said it!) and the service is on point! I will definitely be back when I return to Portland!
(5)Wanjiku K.
Went on a whim with 2 girlfriends, really liked the vibe inside and the service was really good. I ordered the Bread with butter/olive oil for $1 for starters, then got the Chorizo & Manchego with country bread and Seared Scallops with romesco, and they were both divine. My friends ordered the Smoked Pork Rillettes with orange marmalade (good), Empanada with duck chorizo, apple and confit potatoes (so-so), Moroccan Tuna (good) with dried cherry couscous. For drinks they got the Lemoncello Classic $8, which she really enjoyed and the To Your Health (Pimms No 1, apple, Isastegi dry cider) $8 and they both raved about them. All and all, great night, good food, fairly crowded for a Tuesday night will definately revisit if I'm back in Portland soon. Parking was easy and free on the street and they took AMEX, my two favorite things.
(4)Nisha D.
After two years of living in Portland, I'm leaving for California, and found Toro Bravo to be a fitting end to the wide range of culinary experiences I've had in this fantastic city. Why? IT WAS FOODIE NIRVANA. Sexy space? Check. Next-door bar to kill/enjoy the hour before we were seated? Check. Timely, efficient, personal service? Check. And the food, oh the food... We ordered the Tortilla Espanola, Grilled Flatbread, Manchego Fritters, and Grilled Corn. I know the menu changes, but the grilled corn with the cilantro pesto was so ridiculously yummy that I've been Googling "cilantro pesto" the last two days in the hopes of remaking it at home. And trust me, I eat out, I don't cook, so that's saying something. The service is also worth calling out--our waitress patiently listed some of the popular vegetarian items and explained each dish as it came out. I also enjoyed the fact that she came out with one dish at a time, so the three of us could really share the experience of one thing. Dessert was a slight disappointment, but I'll fault my taste buds for that. The caramel panna cotta was excellent, but the chocolate and churros were not sweet enough. But that could be my Taco Bell churro upbringing--a friend that traveled to Spain said that the churros were exactly like the ones you found there. Toro Bravo is no secret in Portland, and it definitely lives up to the hype.
(5)Mark C.
This place was disappointing. The rice in the paella toro was under cooked and hard in the middle. The shrimp over cooked and rubbery. The chicken and chorizo was good but this dish was a huge let down. Worst Paella I ever had. The best thing was the bacon wrapped dates. But how can you make a dish bad when you add smoked bacon. $8.00 empanda that's baked with a pie like dough that crumbles like a scone. Not my idea of a empanda. Ended with churros and chocolate. Dough on churros make with a cookie/cake like dough. If you have had real churros before you know it's made with a doughnut type dough and fried till golden brown. Like one picture said screw the churros and drink the chocolate. I would not recommend this place to anyone. And I was truly hoping for a great dinning experience with all the hipe.
(1)Paris O.
After putting this place off for a 'less busy' time, my gf and I decided to just do it. We arrived at 6pm on a Monday night. The place was packed. We were fortuante to only wait about 10 minutes. After being greeted by the hostess, we were set in the window to wait, review the menu, and order a drink. A server approached us promptly for our drink order. As we stood and took in our surroundings, I was actaully a little turned of with how loud the music was; only becasue the place is very busy, buzzing with patrons, and an open kitchen (love). We were sat very quickly at the open kitchen, bar style seats. We were really thrilled to be seated with full viewing of the kitchen. As a wanna be foodie, I couldn't stop wondering what everything was that they were preparing; many things were unrecognizable in their raw state. Glancing at the menu, we quickly realized it's not as 'mexican' inspired as the menu, reviews, and other literature states. Yes, they have empanadas, chiles in many dishes, and sangria...but it wasn't very Spanish, if you will. We ordered the asparagus first, this was phenomenal, our favorite of the whole evening. The LAYERS of flavor were just amazing. We also had the grilled shrimp (huge but very little flavor), the scallops (huge, the romesco was good), the empanada (good, but little flavor), and the lemon curd crepes (soooo delicious). We would definitely want to go back to Toro Bravo, to try new dishes. The menu is dated, so it must change everyday. I know that it seems as though some of the food was rated flavorless, but overall, it was great service, good food, and an overall great experience.
(4)Ada T.
I absolutely adored my dinner at Toro Bravo. My boyfriend and I came late (past 9PM?) on a Thursday night, and the restaurant was still packed. Luckily, we got seated quite quickly at a sort of counter area, which was cool because we were able to observe the kitchen in action. I loved how long the menu was, such a contrast from the very brief menus that are so in vogue these days. Almost everything sounded worth ordering, but we settled on chorizo & manchego with country bread, potatoes bravas, empanada, jamon wrapped chicken with manchego. It all tasted great. The potatoes bravas were less crispy than the ones I've had previously due to the heavy use of tomato sauce, but tasted perfect. I wanted to just shovel forkful after forkful into my mouth -- classy, I know. The jamon wrapped chicken with manchego didn't have much other description so I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was very moist and delicious. For dessert, we ordered Churros & Chocolate...how could that be anything but great? My boyfriend really liked the dipping chocolate the churros came with and even drank the remainder straight. Atmosphere was good: dim and noisy. Also of note: this place is hard to get to without a car. But it's worth it! The total was a mere $50 (inc. a drink for my boyfriend), which I think is fantastic value for a memorable meal. If Toro Bravo were in the California Bay Area, I would be there all the time.
(5)Pat C.
Great meal. Paella was wonderful. They continue to turn out delicious food year after year.
(5)Courtney M.
My expercience at Toro Bravo was great. I felt as if we had the best table in the house - tucked away to the right of entrance-in that little area with three tables. Seperated from main dining area without feeling secluded. We were sent here by bartender of sister restaurant, Tasty N Sons. We wanted to go upstairs and have a couple of drinks at The Secret Society while waiting for a table but they both open at 5 and there was no wait around this time -Spanish Kisses "spherical olives" - interesting and fun to try - molecularly modified weird science! -Best brussels sprouts we've ever had-sautéed with bacon and sherry cream, fat free I'm sure -Flat bread with black truffle cheese and arugula-I'm getting this again and so should you! Tried first by itself then topped with stewed butternut squash which turned it into a delicious new dish which wouldn't be a bad idea to put on menu... -House Smoked Coppa Steak was so good I tore it apart before I could snap a photo -Lamb Chops with potato & chorizo-my date doesn't care for lamb but this dish was an exception to her preference! -Griddled Prawns & Seared Scallops were my favorite along with flat bread - let these photos do the talking here: yelp.com/biz_photos/toro… yelp.com/biz_photos/toro… Had molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Would repeat this choice! Our server took great care of us. I will be back to try everything else! The only reason not 5 star is because the Casa Rita margaritas were not drinkable. We both expressed this to staff. I felt either an offer should have been extended to take back for doctoring or telling a manager to have them removed from our tab if that's what they usually taste like would have been appropriate. The two full drinks sat on our table the entire 2 1/2 hrs we were there. I'll be back to hopefully give you 5 stars Toro Bravo!
(4)Michael C.
Toro Bravo did almost everything right, but I probably won't be back. My wife and I got the tasting menu, which was about 10 courses (and not bad at all price-wise for $40 each). Most of the dishes were interesting, and they certainly gave us more than enough food -- we were both quite full by the end. Everything was high quality and seemed thoughtfully prepared. That said, a few issues: - At one point they brought out I believe 4 dishes at once -- not sure if it was an accident or if they were all designed to be eaten together, but it seemed just a little odd - The steak was served as the final course when we were both already almost full, so that seemed like a poor choice unless that's the traditional / authentic Spanish way of doing it - Most importantly, while it was all good and quality food, nothing really stood out to us as excellent. The meal was certainly fine, but we were hoping for something just a little more (especially compared to Tasty n Alder). Of course, neither of us has had a lot of Spanish food before, so it could certainly just be personal preference
(4)Rosie P.
Excellent, memorable dinner. Came here with a party of 3 as recommended by a friend. At 6:30 on a Sunday night we were told it'd be a 1.5-2 hour wait. We went upstairs to Secret Society Lounge for a cocktail and a bite to hold us over. At 7:45 they called that our table was ready! We had a hard time deciding what to order since the entire menu was so appealing. We settled on the house made chorizo with manchego, the meatballs, chicken & bacon banderilla, seared cauliflower and the shaved Brussels sprouts. There wasn't a bite left of anything- we practically licked our plates. So incredibly tasty! The cocktails and wine were great too. Really special and unique. I will definitely come back here next time I'm in Portland!
(5)Randi W.
First impression: parking here is awful. Particularly when it's dark, and when there's a concert going on at a place nearby. Streets are narrow, and there's not a specific/clear parking lot. Plan to circle several blocks many times and then just give up and walk several blocks more than you had planned. Hope for the best, plan for the worst, ya know? We arrived at Toro Bravo at 9 p.m. on a Thursday hoping to see a few extra tables, but arrived to a packed place and were quoted a 45 minute wait. It was late and we had driven all the way out for the purpose of trying out this place, so we waited. There was a counter-top next to the door that we were able to get a drinks delivered to, so we ordered a bottle of cava to split. While the bottle was en route, we were told that everyone in front of us had cancelled (!) and we would get a table immediately. There was some breakdown in communication and the drinks were left to us at bar, leading to a strange deal where we carried the glasses, tab and bottle to the table ourselves... a little awkward. The menu was familiar to me since I lived in Spain for a time, but it was pretty overwhelming to the people I was with. They were out of tortilla when we arrived, which was incredibly disappointing for a Spanish place. Since it's traditionally just potatoes and eggs, it seemed a strange thing to run out of, but this was likely since they were out of the nettles (though that seemed quite strange too). On top of that, the room was dark, noisy and tightly packed. It was a little hard to read the menu, and for us to hear the waitress speaking from across the table. The food didn't transport me back to Spain, but it was pretty alright. The prawns came with legs and shell attached, which we probably wouldn't have bitten straight into if we could've seen it clearly. The hand cut noodles were tender, but the vodka cream sauce wasn't as flavorful as I was expecting. The dates were excellent, and the asparagus was solid. Overall, I'd say I had a nice time, but I can't say it would cut to the front of my list of restaurants to try again.
(3)Andy K.
I found this place from Yelp and it didn't disappoint. Foods are so good and Sangria is very tasty. Love the open kitchen atmosphere. Also desserts are awesome.
(5)Donna H.
In Portland for business and had someone I'm working with recommend Torro Bravo. I am so glad they did! I was dining alone, so I was seated in front of the kitchen. I arrived about 6 pm on a weeknight, there was no wait, but as I left the dining room was full. Great view of food prep. Brooks, my server did a fantastic job recommending items. I started with a glass of red wine and the grilled asparagus. They were tender, warm and perfectly prepared. A bit peppery for my liking but great (with little jambon - ham - slices fried. Then came the empanada. WOW!!! I live in Florida, so we know empanadas. These were the flakies outside with a warm and gooy inside. YUMMY. Then came House Smoked Coppa Steak with confit potatoes, cracked olives, caramelized onions and salbitxada (can't tell you what that is, but it was a great topping for the beef). As Brooks said, it was like a little bit of prime rib. Amazing. Lastly - churros with traditional cinnamon/sugar coating and a chocolate sauce for dipping/spreading. A great ending for the evening. I would certainly go back again. The meal was paced well, no long waits and was super tasty. No wonder it is on the list of Portland's best often.
(4)Dianne W.
This place is so good! We sat down, took one look at the menu and ordered the Chef's Choice. They brought out so much delicious food! It was incredible! We also got a pitcher of sangria which was also very tasty. You can't go wrong!
(5)Robert G.
The fried anchovies are exactly what you would taste in Spain. The fried lemon wedges are a marvelous companion to the dish. The cod fritters are deliciously Spanish. Depending on the time of desalination they flavor changes. They desalinated them more than I like but still wonderful. I don't like the glob of mayonnaise garlic they come in. The grilled asparagus is lovely. The grilled octopus is perfectly grilled and fresh. The tangy sauce takes away from the flavor of the octopus.
(4)Miz C.
i love eating like this. small plates for maximum variety. although a bit spendy, not as bad as i thought it would be (about $60 for me and my hungry boyfriend, but we skipped getting any drinks) we tried 6 plates, which was a good amount for us, i was stuffed : salt cod fritters, seared cauliflower (which was romanesco broccoli with olives), delicata squash with lamb ragu (my personal favorite of the night), grilled flat bread, butter braised turnips (my least favorite) and griddled prawns (messy to eat). i would definitely go back to try more things.
(4)Maureen H.
This was the best dining experience of my life. My friend and I couldn't really do the tasting menu since I am a vegetarian and he is not. But since we expressed interest in this, the wonderful server offered to select a number of his favorite tapas for our table. Every bite of our food was delicious, and I loved the surprise of not knowing what to expect next as each dish arrived at our table. Additionally, we sat over in the little nook which I kind of loved. Other people have mentioned disliking that area, but I enjoyed the cozy little space. Everything from the gorgeous interior to the food and service is exceptional. I can't recommend this place enough. I have a new favorite restaurant, and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Kristin B.
I had a romantic, beautifully delicious dinner here during my visit to PDX. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I ate, specifically the squid, the sexiest scallops I've ever savored and most of all...it was my first time trying squid ink pasta and...I love it! Muy bien
(5)Patama W.
I like the open kitchen. The restaurant is nice atmosphere. Our waitress is very nice and friendly. Food is very tasty and highly recommendation.
(5)Thor N.
Im not even going to waste your time with a long review. Simply this. You like food? Cool. You need to eat here. Get the tasting menu and be prepared to leave uncomfortably full but ready to eat more. Great restaurant. Great staff. Great experience.
(5)Lydia L.
Delicious! We had an hour wait for a table on a Saturday, but it was well worth it. Iberico Skirt Steak: superb and buttery French Kiss: delicious; it's a cold dish of foie gras stuffed brandy-soaked prune New York Kiss: dreamy stuff Fried Spanish Anchovies: very good; just a hint of batter for a dish of four anchovies, fennel, thin lemon slices Grilled Octopus: delicious and pleasantly crispy in the right way, and not in the least rubbery, and the basil "caviar" was just the right accent for the dish Cheese Board: not too big or heavy with a refreshing small array of 4 cheeses, cracker, and bread Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date: yes, it's sweet, but pleasantly so when taken in among the other dishes; I could've licked the plate afterwards Churros and Dipping Chocolate for dessert: what's all the hype about churros you've heard about? Try it here and you'll find out. Three yummy 8-10" long skinny crispy churros to dip in a little cup in of not-too-sweet chocolate. Can't go wrong with that.
(5)Natalya L.
The food here is some of the best I have ever tried. The appetizers were so delicious. They just need bigger portions.
(4)Patricia G.
The bacon wrapped dates are way too salty, the chilly shrimp was flavorless and too salty, drunken pork salty, and paella was not salty, but the shrimp was over cooked. The service was excellent!
(1)H M.
Ever have one of those experiences where you're so full but can't stop eating because the food is out of this world? Yep, that's Toro Bravo. A Spanish tapas restaurant with a wildly creative menu. This little gem completely exceeded all of my expectations. Everything was top notch, from the service to the ambiance to the food. I was tempted to order the "Chef's Choice", but for my first time here, I wanted to play it a little safe and select what appealed to me the most. Some highlights: Sauteed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins - Never in a million years would I have thought that these ingredients go well together. Glad I followed the waiter's recommendation on this one. Seared scallops romesco - I'm aware that romesco sauce and seafood are a classic pairing. But this dish? Oh my! Tortilla Espanola - Rich and flavorful. Slightly potato heavy, but still kick-ass. Potatos Bravas - Must. Order. This. These spuds will knock your socks off. Churros and Chocolate - This dessert is reason alone to visit TB. The churros have an equal measure of sugar and cinnamon for the right amount of sweetness. I am not ashamed to admit that I drank the dipping chocolate after I finished my churros =D. Come early, come hungry my friends.
(5)Matt Z.
Stop reading this and just go there. Get ready to have your taste buds blown to Beaverton but make reservations otherwise you'll be waiting freaking an hour 45.
(5)Suie C.
Um, Toro Bravo is hands down my favorite restaurant in Portland. It's been on my to-try list for a while and we finally got the chance to try it out the last time we were down there. I've heard that it can get quite busy here, but we had no problems getting seated around 6pm on a Sunday night. Most of the tables are communal, but our table of 4 sat at the end of a communal table so it didn't seem like we were really sharing w/ strangers. Now, the FOOD. AMAZING. We were a bit overly excited and order quite a bit. We had the paella, the squid ink fiedo w/ boar sausage and half a dungeness crab, the drunken pork w/ avocado salad, chicken liver mousse, a beef tapas, and some rioja to go w/ it. Everything was delicious and the portions for the main dishes (paella, and fiedo) were quite generous. Some overall favorites included the tapa dish w/ beef, I forgot what it was called but our waitress recommended it and its basically chunks of marinate beef grilled to perfection. The paella was very flavorful and the drunken pork was quite tasty. I loved everything we had. The squid ink fiedo went well w/ the fresh crab on top and I appreciated that we were provided extra baugette for the mousse w/o asking. Our server was friendly, knowledgable, and pleasant. I LOVE this restaurant. If I lived in Portland, this would probably be my go-to dinner spot, girls night spot, wine spot, etc. Price-wise, very reasonable. I think our bill came to just a bit over $100 for all that food plus 3 glasses of wine. No tax in Oregon!
(5)Kat D.
The food is good but overrated and overpriced. The portions are ridiculously small ...except on the wine, which is standard. The demographic or the target market is for consumers who like to think they are foodies and have too much to spend. There are no extraordinary dishes (that I've had). It seems like you have to order a dozen things to get a full meal, and in the end you're left with a hefty bill ...and quite possibly still hungry. Come on, being in Portland, you can find exceptional meals at a much lower cost. The only reason this place exists is because of people who don't know anything about great food. People who have either never heard of tapas or just think this place is cool because it's always crowded. Service was really good but food for its value was REALLY lacking.
(3)Sam H.
Food was good not out of this world. We showed up 45 minutes after they opened and since they don't take reservations the wait time was going to be 1.5 hours. We decided to put our name in and head to another place told them we would be back in 2 hours. We were called and told they were ready, we headed back after the two hours and they made us wait another 35 minutes before we sat down and even then it was community seating with a bunch of strangers which I don't mind but some might. I really wanted the food to be spectacular to make up for the time and wait, it was good not kind blowing, by the time we ate I was just ready for the tab and wanted to get out of there. Good not Great!
(3)Wayne D.
Visited TB and had a wonderful evening with new friends. The food was great, small portions but that's the style of this place. About 5 - 10 minutes from downtown Portland, easy cab ride. Oh remember to make a reservation. Give it a try!
(5)Amiee H.
Wow, can you believe there's already a HUGE line of people, standing in the rain, waiting for it to open for dinner at 4:45pm when it doesn't open until 5:00pm?? And can you believe that I was one of those people that stood there in the rain?? So given the line, the rain, and the hype, I was expecting AMAZING food. And it sure delivered and a hefty price! Food: I had the grilled asparagus which were so tasty! I think half of the great taste came from the freshness of the asparagus. We also ordered the Paella, which ended up being DELIcIOUS!!! My only criticism was that it was a little TOO salty. The rest of the dishes for some reason escape my memory, but everything tasted pretty good, I don't remember not really like any of the dishes we ordered. Ambiance: This felt a "dress up and go on a fancy date night" kind of place or "dress up for a girls' nice out" or "dress up and celebrate"...but the key word is DRESS UP. It's definitely feels like a fancy, upscale, romantic, candle light, blow a hole in your wallet type of place. Service: Great service! Very friendly and attentive! Price: Really puts a dent in your wallet. Especially if you want to leave with a full belly. Overall: I liked the food, the dining experience was great, but I don't know if it's worth standing in the rain and/or waiting with a mob of people for the place to open. The food wasn't THAT amazing for me to do that again. Maybe if I was REALLY craving Paella again, but otherwise, no.
(4)Connor B.
Wow what a fun spot! Had about an hour and a half wait to get a table, which should be expected. There are a few bars around to kill the time, which are all very fun (the upstairs bar next-door is very cool). Once seated, the energetic ambiance and exciting menu made for an amazing dinner. The beer list and drink menus are great. Some highlights from the dinner were the charcuterie board, empanada, and every item with pork. Regardless of the wait time, this spot is very much worth it. The staff is very friendly and knows that once seated, you want to spend quite a bit of time enjoying yourself, so there is no rush to leave. Great place!
(4)Mario C.
I dined at Toro Bravo on a Monday evening. The wait was about 1 hour for table for 2, which apparently was a slow day. The place was packed, but I didn't find the noise level enough to take away from the ambiance, which was very Spanish themed. The drink I had was the sangria, which was a bit watered down and lacking fresh fruit. Now on to the food: Griddled bacon wrapped dates- impossible for anything wrapped in bacon to no be superb, so no points for this one Iberico skirt steak- very flavorful and delicious Octopus a la plancha-pretty tasty but not memorable. Squid ink pasta- this here was the highlight of the meal. Extremely flavorful and alone worth the price of admission. So many fresh flavors! Churros and chocolate- meh I'm not a fan of dark chocolate and the churros were a little too thin, which doesn't really allow you to taste the dough. Very disappointing, especially since this is a staple of Spanish dessert. While I'd wholly recommend the squid ink, I feel that toro bravo fails on the true Spanish staples, although the guest next to me raved about the paella so perhaps I'll try that next time. Where this place really shines is the "authentic" Spanish experience via the ambiance and the array of dishes which are all very flavorful and beautiful to look at before devouring.
(4)Ser Z.
Hate to burst their bubble but this place is not really a 4.5 stars place. Again, depends on the number and variety of restaurants you've visited in the past. I have to say we had a bit of a disappointing experience too. We got there and asked for a table for 6. We were told the wait would be 2.5 hours and were invited to wait if we wanted to and we were suggested a great place, right next door, to have drinks in the meantime. We did check out that place, the Secret Society, it was great. We were also told, not to worry that it was getting late, we would be served just fine and we would not be rushed out. Fine. So, 2.5 hours later, after a few drinks upstairs, we finally get called in. We go in, we get our table and we try to order. Well... I would believe that any self respectable Spanish place would have jamon on their menu... Well, not this place. Ok. We all decide what we want and the waiter come by. Right as we get ready to order he grabs a menu and lets us know what their out of. Screw this, they were out of pretty much every item we wanted... so yeah, 2.5 hour wait for a list of what they were out of. Not happy. The food we did get was ok. The squid ink pasta was really good, the fresh pasta dish we got, a mistake order, was actually good too. Our friends got a meats plate that, normally would have had that jamon i mentioned, it was mediocre at best... gotta wonder if some stuff was left out because they ran out of it or it was simply mediocre. We also had a paella... which my friends, who have relatives in Spain, and lived there for a month, said it was nowhere close to what a traditional spanish paella should be. All in all... a lively place to hang out at but certainly not worthy of the hyped up 4.5 stars.
(3)Megan G.
Went here last night for my friends birthday dinner. We got the Chef's Choice Tasting Menu. There were 4 of us in our party but the 4th person was going to be very late. Usually they say that the whole table has to get the tasting menu but they let our friend who came late order other food while we ate all the amazing food that came out. 10-12 tapas came out. It was hard to keep track. They kept on coming! Everything tasted amazing. From the deconstructed olive, the caviar, duck liver pate and the asparagus greens salad (there were many more things that came out) everything was amazing.
(5)Tom T.
Two of us had: --Squid Ink Fideo with rabbit sausage, tomatoes, corn & tarragon $20 --Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels $21 --(3) Grilled Prawns with chilies $12 --(and something else that I can't remember) Everything tasted good to me, but it was a bit too spicy for my wife. We went at 5:00 PM and had a table immediately. Don't expect an intimate setting as the place packs out quickly and you will soon have neighbors. On balance, this place is fine, but nothing out of the ordinary. I would just assume to go eat elsewhere.
(3)Hannah J.
This restaurant is an experience. The food is delicious and our waitress was super helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. There are so many interesting dishes here to try. You might have to wait awhile to be seated, but it is worth it for the quality of food. Try going on a weeknight and you wont have to wait as long.
(5)Long N.
Just wanted to start off that I don't really yelp too much in terms of giving reviews for restaurants but when you come to Toro Bravo, you kind of have to. I came here to Portland for my graduation trip with my family and girlfriend. We decided to try something different and went with tapas. We waited for 2 hours for our seat and it was definitely worth it. For those who do not know what tapas styled dining is, it's basically eating a variety of appetizers or snacks. We ordered so many dishes from the: duck liver moose terrine, salt cod fritters, fresh pasta with morels, empanadas with chorizo, the grilled moorish lamb chops, and a couple of more. Each dish that came out would "top" the flavor from the previous dish. The staff & chefs do an awesome job of combining the different bold flavors & a huge variety of ingredients. Not only are they quick, each dish is tasty with great presentation. They really go out of their way for customer service as well. A small portion of the lamb looked undercooked to me and I just asked to see if this was normal. I wasn't expecting anything because I have not really eaten lamb in the past. I had told the waiter I was just curious. The chef decided to remake the entire dish for us. Definitely blew my mind they would go this far to fix a dish that is suppose to be eaten slightly raw or show some pink. Bottom line, try this place out. You won't regret it!
(5)Nancy L.
Just go. Expect to wait, half the city will be there, but don't let that stop you. This place is a must for all foodies.
(5)Lauren C.
We went to Toro Bravo on a Monday night at 5:45 and it was packed! Didn't have to wait for a seat though, and chose to sit at the bar/kitchen area so we could watch the chefs in action. Noise level wasn't so loud that I couldn't hear what my husband was saying, which was appreciated. Our server was fantastic, recommended a great bottle of wine to us and was there when we needed him to be. We splurged on the kobe beef (45.00 for a palm sized piece of meat) and it was, hands down, the best beef we have ever had. Melts in your mouth, perfectly cooked and seasoned. I would highly recommend, it was worth every penny. The other stand-out meal was the squid ink pasta. Its a perfectly sized portion to share or have as an entree to yourself. Tastes spectacular. We had the groundwork greens - a lightly dressed salad with lots of berries and nuts. Very refreshing and light. We also got the charcuterie board (lots of liver mousse) which was delicious and the drunken pork - which was just ok. Apparently the empanada is a best seller there - they were all out by the time we ordered at 6pm. Overall, would highly recommend. Everything was cooked to perfection and perfectly seasoned. Wine list was excellent. Portions were great for tapas style. Would go back soon if we lived in the area.
(5)John C.
This place was delicious! If you like real authentic Spanish food then this is your place. Friendly staff and great price. Perfect date place.
(5)Tman S.
Had a amazing feast with great company at this fine Spanish restaurant. From apps to main course. Perfect service and vibe. I fell in love. top that eaters.
(5)Ophelia Y.
Y'know, I expected a lot from this place, and it was good, but it wasn't great. I came here for a friend's birthday and we got the tasting menu. It was good and filling, but definitely not quite what I was expecting. The first part that kind of shocked me is that they didn't have any accommodations for GF people. I'm not GF, but there was someone in our party who was, and maybe keeping rice crackers, or even extra greens on hand to sample the pate would have been nice. The cod fritters and steak were our highlights--the anchovies and I think it was the chicken liver or duck liver mousse, not so much (and I DO like anchovies). I don't get what the hype is about, but maybe I'll have to come back and try something else besides the tasting menu!
(3)Donna S.
Place was recommended by our server at a nearby hotel. Read the Yelp reviews, so we were prepared for a long wait. Having done Portland sight-seeing on foot, we did not think we could endure standing in a long line for an hour. Fortunately, the hostess directed us to Secret Society Bar located upstairs and next door as a place to wait until our table was ready. (Great little bar, great drink, and feet were grateful!) Yes, the place is crowded and a bit frenetic. We were seated at the bar where we watched three young efficient chefs in a tiny space perform what looked like a bit of culinary choreography. Every motion was practiced and elegant. So the food: we ordered tapas style to try a variety of dishes. The bacon wrapped fig is to die for. Smokey, salty, sweet and I surreptitiously licked the plate to get every last drop of honey sauce. The fresh pasta was light but flavorful, perfectly cooked. Flatbread was done to perfection with a topping of fresh greens. Dessert: lemon curd crepes and churro with chocolate were the perfect ending to a perfect meal. We ordered potato bravo and didn't finish it. When our server, Sarah, noticed, she asked if there was anything wrong with the dish. I mentioned it was a bit salty for my taste, but not terrible. When we got our check, the charge for this item had been removed. Impressive extra gesture, considering I had not actually complained. Overall, highly recommended. Not often a wait that long is worth the inconvenience (I'm talking to you, Voodoo Doughnuts), but this is one of those times. If your feet aren't up to the stress, consider sipping a cocktail next door.
(5)Vanessa M.
I absolutey love this place! I even have teh cookbook and make things out of it from time to time. The tapas are perfectly portioned and really amazing. I really like a lot of things on the menu but some of the things I always order are: bacon wrapped dates, harrisa butternut squash, radicchio salad, fresh pasta, grilled flat bread...seriously everything is just so amazingly delicious! I always sit at the chef's table and watch those guys take on the dinner rush every time! The secret to avoid the wait is to get there 15 mins before the doors open or about 40mins into the first seating!
(5)Marlana S.
My friends and I decided to try Toro Bravo before going to a show at the Secret Society above the restaurant. We got there on a Friday night at around 7:15 and were told that it was a 30-45 minute wait for four people. We were fine with that, as we were expecting a long wait on a Friday night. We wish they took reservations though, would have made the night a lot smoother. We went upstairs to the Secret Society for a drink and the hostess called me when our table was ready (the hostess was very friendly!). We quickly went downstairs, very excited for our dinner. We were given the menus, which are two sided and very extensive. My friend and I got out our phones to google some of the menu items, as when we asked the waitress for help, she used a lot of very "foodie" terms that we still didn't understand. It was fun to go through all of the dishes and try to decide which things we wanted to try...it took awhile! When we were ready to order, the waitress explained to us that the food is done tapas style and that the food comes out when it is ready, and it's meant to be shared. She seemed a little exasperated with us, as if we should have known this before dining there. We quickly scrambled to figure out what we were going to order after finding this out. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates for the table. They were good, but the Sapphire hotels are better and not as expensive. My friend and I ordered the empanadas. I found it ok, but a little dry and not very flavorful. The grilled flatbread with arugula was delicious. My husband ordered the ribs with clams and they were very good, he had no complaints and everyone had to sample it. We waited the longest for my friend's six ounce "large" steak. It came out about 15 minutes after the rest of our food, He didn't share, but it looked great. Overall, it was a good experience. I think that my expectations were very high after reading reviews. I wish that they took reservations, as we were late to the show upstairs because our dinner was so much later than we expected. If we go back to the secret society for a show, we may visit again, but I don't think we will feel like going back on it's own.
(3)Gio A.
went here last night for the first time with my wife and two friends. i was blown away!!! every dish was perfection...quite possibly the best meal, dining experience I've ever had ANYWHERE! BRAVO!
(5)Doug V.
We've been here a few times. It was fantastic each time. The place is popular, put your name in and go upstairs to the Secret Society for a drink. They'll call you when you get a table, which could be an hour. Worth the wait. I can't recall all the things we tried but the paella was wonderful, and the charcuterie board was just amazing. I recall that there was a steak that was good, and lots of other plates that were just delightful. The waiter was good w/o being overly involved. Love this place.
(5)Jessica W.
A little overrated .. especially with their prices for their small portioned tapas .. there were a couple items that were very yummy .. like the paella .. that was yum .. although bf said the seafood was very fishy .. in particular the clams. I ordered the steak .. which was not good .. .. the empanada was good .. but overpriced .. 1 empanada for idk $9? 10? i forget ... the flatbread was probably the best .. but mainly b/c I LOVE truffle anything.. we had some other items but don't remember .. as they weren't that memorable. They do get really packed .. but if you go a little later they seem to clear out pretty early. I think we came at 9 or 930 .. don't remember and it was pretty empty.
(3)Neil W.
I will wait for a long time for this food. They do it right here. The quality and service are outstanding. The food is well made and it is priced and portioned appropriately. Toro Bravo encourages you to try new things and if you don't like it you didn't break the bank or your appetite. Every bite we took transported us back to Spain. The twists they put on a few dishes may not be true Spain, but that is Spanish food. They twist traditional and try new things, except salads those are lousy and I am glad Spanish salads are not on the menu. The salad, Butter lettuce in particular, was outstanding. It was served in a big chilled glass bowl. It was laced with smoky lardons and lightly dressed (my wife tried the pork and she doesn't eat pork). The flat bread was a pleasant hit. It reminded use of these pressed truffled cheese sandwiches from Barcelona. The Padron peppers were amazing. You need to get these; they are not too hot (you might get one). The duck egg with peppers was unusual and delicious. The drunken pork was tender and moist. It had a boozy bite that paired well with the avocado salad. The Patas Bravas were delicious. We never found this dish prepared exactly the same in Spain, but this was a good mix of the best that we did find. We ended with the churros y chocolate. The chocolate was perfect, but the churros were a bit doughy in the middle. They were still good. I would not change a thing about our meal, it was almost perfect.
(5)Kevin M.
Amazing food, intimate atmosphere, combined with great service. This place is ideal to bring your loved one, or a date you want to impress, without going broke. Prices are quite reasonable and the quality of the meals is on the "Nirvana" level. I had the little gem lettuce salad, the sautéed Spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins, with the Seared scallops. I hit that heaven like level of happiness tonight with this meal. Wow! Can't wait to bring my wife here. Only negative is parking outside is very limited and everyone in Portland apparently knows how great the food is here. I arrived at 10PM and couldn't believe I was seated immediately considering there was a party of 20 people outside waiting to be seated. The service is top notch. I had 3 different servers check on me. This is my second visit and my first was also amazing.
(5)Katherine F.
Expensive food, yet very cheap service. I don't mind paying the price for excellent food. In fact we went specifically to spend a fair amount on our dining experience. Unfortunately our party was refused the option of the tasting menu due to one of us who needed a separate dish because of food allergies. The server made no attempt to remedy the situation. Set the tone for a disappointing evening.
(1)Greg P.
Ordered a bunch of stuff and everything was amazing! The only issue is we went when it was 100 out and there was no ac and pretty miserable
(5)Christina A.
I love this place! I've been twice and done the tasting menu both times. Everything I've had has been absolutely wonderful- especially the bacon wrapped dates and live terrine. The service is fantastic and the atmosphere is lovely- especially if you are able to sit in one of the small booth tables that are mostly closed off from the rest of the dining area. I don't think I could go here without ordering at LEAST 6-7 dishes so the tasting menu makes sense. Then you can add other plates if you missed one of your favorites!
(5)Kathleen T.
One of the most memorable parts of this visit was that we came 15 minutes before they opened for dinner service and there was a good line going to the corner of the building already! We came here on a Sunday night; don't take your time coming here; they definitely fill up fast and when they seat everyone, the kitchen and staff have to hit the ground running! Service here was pretty good. There were long periods of time when our waitress wouldn't be there, but there were times when she would be there too much, but I guess it's because they are serving all people at the same exact time, so it's difficult to go from table to table consistently. We were seated and served a bottle of water (which is nice, so you don't have to keep asking for refills for your tap), and a little bowl of some peanuts and seeds. The menu itself is pretty extensive; you can tell that it keeps changing, based on the ingredients available. We started with an Octopus starter (there was a price for a half-portion and a whole-portion. We opted for the half). I can't remember exactly what went into this besides 3 pieces of thick-cut octopus tentacles (so tender and succulent!) on top of potato rounds and drizzled with olive oil. There were other elements to this dish, but it escapes me. I remember this was the perfect started to our meal. The tastes were spot-on and it was cooked perfectly. Then, we ordered a noodle dish; It was made with hand-cut noodles. This dish wasn't too memorable for me. I asked Jess W. what was in this, and we think it was something vegetarian. I remember the noodles seemed a little over-cooked for me, but the dish was decent. Our last main course was a squid ink fideo with dungeness crab and boar sausage, which was just amazing. This last dish was fairly large; we ended up taking some home for the next day, which surprisingly was still really delicious. There is tons of boar sausage, which is spiced beautifully and gave the fideo a nice contrast in texture and a good amount of dungeness crab legs. The crab was also very tasty. I would definitely order this again, but their menu seems to have so many other good options! We finished with hazelnut ice cream topped with sherry. I don't even think I need to describe the perfection that is already listed in the title. Overall, I liked our experience at Toro Bravo. We had a weird seat off to the little side room, but right at the entrance, so we basically watched the entire restaurant operate and all the diners eating from our seats (dinner AND a show!). Some of the dishes were not too memorable, but for the most part, when they WERE memorable, they were a solid ten stars!! :)
(4)Archie R.
Amazing food , service and ambience . It is as good as it gets ! Potato Brava:- yummy.. .potatoes can be this tasty ? It had crisp potatoes with a wonderful sauce. Tortilla Espanola, Fresh pasta and gazpacho were so delicious.
(5)Eric S.
Everything was delicious but the butternut squash was probably my favorite. Wonderful deserts too. We all shared everything and were very satisfied.
(5)Neona R.
Have I never really reviewed this place before? I've been coming here since they first opened. I don't know if this will count for much, considering how many stellar reviews they already have, but it's my two cents. When they first opened they were knocking it out of the ball park. I thought the food and service was outstanding. In the last three years I've thought both have declined. Food was too salty, dishes I had had previously be transcendent had become mediocre, servers seemed preoccupied; all of this occurred on my last couple of visits. But tonight, at 5pm on a Wednesday, I went in for the first time in almost two years. Let me say almost every dish we had was delicious. Especially the beet salad and house made pasta. The house charcuterie was fantastic as well. Service was a little distant and corporate. There was a certain something missing. But the food was damn good, and it was $80 for three people to leave satisfied and stuffed. Overall I would say this is still great food for a great price. I'm probably only able to complain because I live in Portland and I'm fucking food spoiled.
(4)J T.
What can you say about this place that hasn't already been said a million times? Toro Bravo is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. Consistently delicious food, drinks and great atmosphere. Favorite date spot. The only downside is the long wait and inability to make a reservation.
(5)Momo B.
NO BULL Before Tasty n Alder and Tasty N Sons. it all started from this corner shop. This is my second attempt to dine here. Last Saturday there was a mob outside waiting to get in even when it was way past 9:30pm. This time on a MNF late evening I not only found a parking spot in front of the restaurant, but I got seated in less than 15 minutes. So, Yu-go chauffeur gets high marks for doing a super job. The wooden block tables are larger making it seem as though one had a little more privacy and the service is with a smile. Our greeter was named "Harmony" and our very pretty and adorable server was Janikka. Here I didn't need my flashlight to read the menu. As hectic as it was crowd and noise, they both made us feel at ease. As busy as it was, Janikka tended to us as if we were her only table. We stayed away from any beef and keep our focus on ham hocks, pork, lamb and finished up with a hot dessert topped with ice cream. From beginning to end it was a complete, fulfilling and uniquely Portland dining experience at it's finest. Told Janikka that we preferred Toro Bravo over the other fancier two sibling restaurants. That made her smile like an angel from heaven. Our epicurean tour of Portland is soon coming to a conclusion and this evening earned the explanation mark of why Portland is the Pacific Northwest's epicenter of creative and incredible dining. HERE'S A BRAVO TO TORO BRAVO
(5)Kat R.
Yes, there was a 2.5 hour wait. And, yes, I waited. I had to see what Toro Bravo was all about... Even though I'm the THE most impatient person alive. Luckily after an hour and 45, they called us in. We had the Sangria, paella, potatoes bravas, bacon wrapped dates, cheese plate, and the butternut squash. Everything was incredible, though the portions were very small and ended up not really being enough for the four of us. The butternut squash was one of the best things I've ever taste, as were the potatoes bravas.... I'd suggest coming here on a week day to avoid the wait...
(4)Ana B.
Every time someone asks me " Where should I go for dinner?", Toro Bravo is my immediately answer. Of course there are some exceptions like those who don't want to wait, or who are on a budget. Toro Bravo is for those looking for a dining experience and are willing to shell out some skrilla. Along with my recommendation I normally throw in a " Whatever you do get the paella! Seriously...you want me to text that to you so you remember". That rice...it's just hard to get a good spanish rice and this nails it. Throw in some seafood featuring mega shrimp prawns and chorizo and boom - day dream haunting paella. I have tried a number of tapas all of which orbit my paella which I consider the crown jewel. Hand cut noodle with chorizo, empanadas, drunken pork! I could go on and on. It's all heavenly. My pants could be on the brink of busting open and when they ask " Would you like to see a dessert menu?" the only answer is an emphatic "YES!". The carmel panna cotta is decadent, I don't even like panna cotta! The carmel is just so rich and goes nice with the creamy texture. Chocolate Molten Lave Cake is a dream. I once sat at the bar and watched them make this. I fell into a trance like state watching these be created and the chocolate aroma wafting over me. Don't. skip. dessert. Toro Bravo remains unparalleled for me when it comes to Spanish food here in the PDX. Bravo to you, a thousand times over.
(5)Gary L.
I'm not really an adventurous foods type person, but I have to say that this was a really great experience. Memorables are the Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey, Drunken Pork, Paella Toro, and a lamb/noodle dish...finishing dinner off with the molten chocolate cake and almond ice cream with a shot of espresso. The waitresses were super nice and you could tell they really enjoy working there and take great pride in the food they serve.
(5)Laura L.
I used to love this place, but it has gone down hill. My scallops had bits of sand and there were very few on the plate. Instead of expanding, maybe they should focus on maintaining the high quality of food they use to have.
(2)Kristi C.
I absolutely and whole heartedly LOVE tapas. What is more fun than bites of this, tastes of that? And this place wins a spot on my coveted "I Loved It" list. Reading in numerous sources that Portland is known for it's vibrant food scene, Toro Bravo proved it for me. I didn't mind the 1 1/2 hour wait, who minds that with good company and a gin & tonic? Super friendly and attentive service, I also loved the energetic vibe and the background music too. Everything was delicious, but we had our faves. Paella, #1. I've only had it a few times and in my opinion, enjoyed it better than the version I had in Spain. The rice had a nice chew to it and was flavor packed. We also thought the Bacon Wrapped Dates, Griddled Shrimp with Chilies, Drunken Pork with Avocado Salad and Salt Cod Fritters with delicious, each in their own unique ways. Dessert? Well of course! The Olive Oil Cake with strawberry caramel, cake was very cake and well if you've read any of my past reviews, I love caramel so of course this as a hit with me. I saved room for a couple bites of the Baked Strawberry, Cherry & Rhubarb with Vanilla Ice Cream, being passed around the table and enjoyed that too.
(5)Hank C.
Ok. This place is amazing, the food, staff, restaurant etc. In most likelihood and in my experience it indeed is the BEST restaurant in Portland. But....and I had to take away TWO stars for this. The no reservation policy in absolutely horrible. Now I understand food culture, and the idea of waiting and all that and how reservations could make it actually more difficult to get a table. But the policy they have here is so bizarre, instead of taking reservations, they put your name on a list and tell you they will call you when something is available. And I get oh 15- 20 minutes but they had our wait time listed for over 3 HOURS. I had invited relatives who were visiting from the east coast to come meet us here at 6:30 for dinner. Imagining a half hour or so wait, for a party of four, my friend and I arrived at 6 to get on the list. When we got there the hostess told us we'd probably be seated around 9:30. It was pretty embarrassing to have to reveal to my relatives that we wouldnt be dining for three hours past our intended time. Yes they say go to the Secret Society. But guess what that place becomes super crowded as well with their normal patrons plus all the added extra flow from Toro. So we end up going to the sports bar down the street first, which was loud and crazy. Wholly unacceptable for spending time with family you hardly see. Then we made into Secret Society when the sports bar was too crazy. Took us about 35 mins to get a drink there and we had to drink them in the waiting area for the bar. Mind you everyone is hungry, and moderately annoyed at this point. We finally get called and it 45mins earlier than she had said, so we have to chug the 2nd round of drinks we just ordered. The hostess said enough people had given up so we got in earlier. I'm wondering how many other folks had to go through this experience or how many nights were ruined where folks just wanted to have a decent bite and a little red, and instead were forced to wait hours and hours to even be seated. The food here is beyond excellent. But for the love of God man, start taking RESERVATIONS!!!
(3)Smelly C.
Busy, busy, busy. Open for dinner seven nights a week serving tapas. It's a dim place. Noisy just because it's a busy restaurant. Open kitchen. Full bar. The menu is overwhelming.. So many to choose from but a Tasting Menu is available in which the chef will make you whatever he wants. $30 per person. That's the route we went on and plates came out at the same time or one after another.. We always had something to eat.. We probably had stuff we wouldn't have ordered and that's all well and good.. It's a good deal. There were a few items we wanted to try that didn't happen to be any of the plates that came to us. But that's okay.. everything was still good and we could have ordered what didn't come in our Tasting Menu but there was still dessert to be had.. We went for a couple different desserts and if Olive Cake is available.. I highly recommend it. Cocktails were good. Service was good. It's a nice place to hang out and eat but then you kinda feel bad that people are waiting for a table.. That was us waiting once upon a time.
(3)Isley T.
Others TRY to be it, none seem to meet the quality, service, or style. Truly a portland gem. The variety on the menu for tapas (and drinks!) is amazing. It can get crowded and the wait long, but just go up to The Secret Society and have a drink after you put your name on the list. The servers were SPOT in and knew their menu, had GREAT recommendations, and were able to put you at ease with a sense of humor and knowledge about ALL the dishes. Had the duck pate, griddled bacon wrapped dates, duck mousse, and drunken pork with avocado salad. Nothing like this in portland that is so good yet so well priced! Worth the wait and experience. We've been there so many times. Don't be shy when ordering to ask the server for advice or what they recommend.
(5)Dylan M.
Reviews are for sure as good as the food was on our visit. But what stood out to me most was the customer service from the hostess, runners, and especially the waitress. Went to dinner with two friends and their 2 yr old boy and my boy and my 9 month old and they were awesome keeping us informed of our wait for table and setting it up with high chairs, and then getting us drinks while we waited. My wife is on a dairy & egg free diet and the waitress knew what everything on the menu was made of and helped us pick our dishes to accommodate. And throughout the meal staff was on top of keeping our waters filled, checking in on our meal and everything else. Fantastic service. Only reason not 5 star was pretty expensive and food per plate was not as much as I'd hope... But everything was absolutely delicious though.
(4)Alexa P.
I was in Portland for work and after researching the area for restaurants within walking distance from our hotel we decided on this place. On a Saturday evening this place was packed - the only seating available was outside on small bar style tables. We shared a pitcher of white sangria which was surprisingly strong and the bread plate - the olive oil that came with the bread plate was delicious, I could've lapped it up with a spoon. To start we had the bacon wrapped dates which were scrumptious though a little overpriced in my opinion. I had the squid ink pasta for my main course and while it was tasty I wasn't too fond of the hazelnuts and red peppers. I felt like the hazelnuts were an after thought and didn't really lend anything to the dish.
(3)Minh-Thao N.
A nice little place with really good food. The portions aren't large by any means, so I would suggest buying an entree or two. When I went, I was sharing with two other friends so it was a nice experience tasting everything. There were candles on the tables, and it wasn't too noisy or too quiet either.
(4)Sherine G.
Long wait, extremely cramped dining space, and unremarkable food. Partner and I shared the griddled prawns, potatos bravas, the iberia skirt steak, grilled pork ribs, coppa steak, and the paella. Overall, somewhat of a letdown. Not worth the money, won't be returning.
(2)Hunter S.
Best food in town, and Portland is a foodie town... and I dislike tapas. This place is the best food in town.
(5)Andrew D.
I seriously love this place. What I don't love is the wait, which can be absolutely crazy. I've come here three times, and everytime time the wait has been at least 2 hrs. But no worries it is worth it. I just went for my birthday last weekend, and we loved just about everything. We Had: -Chard & Pepper Gratin with alamonds, this was a simple and delicious dish. It was a bit heavy but split among four people it is good. -Salt Cod Fritters, slightly disappointing it has a unique texture that I do not care much for. -Pan Seared Petrale Sole with garlic, lemon, olives & calabrian chilies, yum. A decent piece of dish pan seared on both sides, it was moist, and the olives were a perfectly salty touch. It was very refreshing to have this dish after heavier dishes. -Drunken Pork w Avocado Salad the pork is cooked perfectly, it was tender and juicy. Amazing. I have gotten this every time i've come here. -Grilled Octopus with piquillo peppers & dill, I love grilled octopus so I may be biased, it was cooked perfectly not chewy whatsoever. -Braised Lamb, Apricots & Coriander with house made noodle MY FAVORITE DISH. I could write a song about this dish because it is so amazing. The lamb is obviously cooked and seasoned perfectly and the noodles have the perfect amount of chewiness. I just wish this dish came in a bigger portion! -Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels, this dish was decent. The first time it came out the kitchen accidently burned it, so they took it back and made a new one for us which was delicious! I can't remember what drinks everyone had, but my austrian soda with blood orange was delicious! Again a great place to come, and bring out of towners. Definitely coming back here again!
(5)Nikki F.
Great waitstaff. Super friendly. Enjoyed the bacon wrapped dates, the brussel sprouts were dreamy, and the chorizo cabbage soup was delicious. Worth the wait. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Stina L.
amazing. simply amazing. I've been here several times now and every single time it's been amazing food, atmosphere and service. even if the wait time is a bit long, the host has always been really gracious and its been no problem waiting it out up at secret society. i would highly recommend the paella toro and potatoes bravas. oh and the blistered padron peppers when they're in season!
(5)Elizabeth J.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. What more could you want? Went here to celebrate my boyfriends birthday. We shared about 4-5 small dishes. The food was amazing. The highlights were the flatbread (LOVED IT!), bacon wrapped dates, salad. I've been to Spain a couple times and this place definitely reminds me of it. The casual yet classy dinning, the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, yet the slow, enjoy your company dinning. This place also offers great prices. None of the tapas were overly prices. Great place to go with serval people so you can share more plates. Love this place!
(5)Claire G.
All I could think when we approached the front door of Toro Bravo was "Good lord that's an awful lot of people in a small space". My partner has been wanting to try this place for a very long time, and is a huge fan of Tasty and Sons. I myself love the food there, but have a hard time with the general attitude I've picked up on the three times we've been there. I'm going to try them again though and really focus on the food before reviewing them because I've been too narrow about the wait and demeanor. Anyway, Toro Bravo- I was worried it might have the same feel to it, but it simply didn't. Tonight is Weds night, and happens to be our nine year anniversary, so we wanted to have a very special dinner. Unfortunately, Toro Bravo doesn't do reservations unless you're a party of seven or more, so we had to just show up and take our chances. It was packed, even at 8pm on a Weds, but the demeanor of this place (unlike Tasty) is much like the demeanor of Screen Door- quick and friendly. Immediate acknowledgement and even at their fullest, giving as may options as possible- we were told we could sit at the bar, the chef's counter, or this small table next to another couple. We were thrilled to have a choice given that it was so busy. We sat next to the poor couple who then had to endure the flash of our camera phone as my partner caught all of the marvelous food on our table. I've been leery of tapas for some time now, mostly because I was raised as the super-sized American who enjoys quantity as much as quality. My views are slowly changing (along with my views of health in general) and quantity is no longer the most important factor for me. So, with that new point of view, let me tell you that the quality of the food at Toro is among the best I've ever had. The missus was dying to try Paella, whereas I am not a big fan of rice based dishes. I went in just shooting in the dark- the menu had so many things we wanted to try that I wasn't worried about having to love the paella, however I DID love the paella! Even the rice was seasoned and cooked so beautifully that I actually could have loved rice! We also ordered the Potatoes Bravas, Lamb Harira, Prawns with Chili, and Coppa Steak. I absolutely could have the potatoes bravas as my last meal. They are a mysterious item to order at first- everything on this menu is, kind of. They're perfectly cooked potatoes with a wonderfully acidic and light tomato based sauce, topped with some wonderful garlic aioli. The blend of flavors just explodes. My partner thought they were good too, but she was more taken by the prawns and paella. ABOUT the prawns and paella: holy crap! Perfect, succulent prawns, both in the prawn order and in the paella. Chicken never stands out to me in restaurants (sometimes it's a bit too vanilla for me unless I'm going for good ol' broasted chicken) but the chicken in the paella was amazing. Now to my "aha" moment. I found my perfect favorite dish here. A dish that stands out not only at Toro Bravo but among many of my very favorite places- the Coppa Steak. I'm beginning to feel really stupid, wondering how I DIDN'T already adorn my steaks with sautéed sweet onions, grainy mustard, and olives/tapenade. The combination of a perfectly tender steak cooked to perfection, an earthy mustard, a sweet onion, and a salty olive, is damned near spiritual. This place is loud because it's packed. You'll get used to it because the food will make you forget all about that. I came skeptical, but now I cannot wait to go back. The prices aren't as terrifying as they might appear, so enjoy a new, wonderful experience.
(5)Julie K.
This. Place. Is. AMAZING. Everything from the service, cocktails, food, and ambiance is brilliantly awesome. I was already a huge tapas fan, but Toro Bravo's unique Spanish tapas-style has blown me away. Came in on a Sunday night and was told that the wait would be about an hour. They don't take reservations on the weekends and the wait time is a bit long, but tough it out a little at the tables outside where you can enjoy some cocktails and small appetizers. Thankfully, they took us in after thirty minutes and sat us at the bar. The restaurant is a little tight and there's not too much space to walk around. You can definitely hear what the next table is talking about, but who really cares when you're there for the food anyways? And bonus points for the hostess, bartender, and servers for being very friendly and accommodating! Our party of two ordered Bread with butter&olive oil (had to ease the hunger pains while waiting), Paella Toro, and the Drunken Pork with avocado salad. The paella was big enough to feed 4 people and was so delicious. It had a hint of spiciness and the seafood was fresh. I highlyhighlyhighly recommend the drunken pork. The pork melted in my mouth and had the perfect texture, and the avocado salad with the meat is truly a match made in heaven. So damn good! I was making inappropriate noises while eating and the couple next to me watched me eat it for a good minute. They asked if it was "that good." I just silently nodded with my eyes slightly rolling to the back of my head and they ordered the exact same thing (you're welcome). Dim lighting sets the perfect mood for a date night, so bring your special someone and share a magical tapas experience.
(5)Toni D.
Just ate here for the first time and left so pleased! My husband and I showed up during a busy time so we sat at the bar. The bar tender was absolutely phenomenal and is the best server I have had in recent years. His recommendations were spot on and even though it was busy he spent time with us to help select the perfect meal. My husband had the bacon wrapped chicken, I had the buttered and cheese noodles and then we got a bread plate and potatoes to share. We ended our meal with the molten chocolate cake. I am a notorious picky eater and enjoyed everything we had. Just go already!
(4)Frank G.
Very Nice, food and cheese plates are very good, service is also great.
(4)High S.
Still good. Still a long line. Worth the wait if you're craving what they serve. Unlike other places with lines (Por Que No on Mississippi, etc.) you won't feel rushed to finish once you're inside. They do Tasty and Alder, Tasty and Sons and they do them all well. The dishes are delicious and worth the price. Whether or not they're worth the wait depends on your patience, obviously.
(4)Mark M.
Okay. Toro Bravo is a fun place to go with friends, family, significant others and business parties. The atmosphere is lively and casually stylish. The service is excellent and the food is delicious. So you ask; why the only three stars? Along with delicious or great food there must be value. I have given fives stars for cheap eats best of class, and the extraordinary, and only if I felt the price charge was a value. Toro Bravo food again is very good and the service is excellent. The value for the food is weak. It is overpriced for the portion size wit the unde3standing that these are small plates. There are so many other places to go in Portland. If I was entertaining I would consider Toro Bravo.
(3)Marissa T.
mmmmmmmmm goood. The sis was in town and I wanted to Drag her around to the hottest Hypest places. This place totally meets up to all the hype. The parking is a little bit of a bore, but we scored. The interior is all twinkly lighted. Due to no reservations, we decided to go late and hope the hype for the night had died down. It did. We were immediately seated in the cutest little alcove table. Our little spot was very intimate and relaxing. SO CUTE. The service was great. We were encouraged to each order two tapas per person due to their size. We totally were like "we think one is fine". ONE is not FINE. YA gotta order at least two people. We all ended up ordering three tapas and a dessert. Every plate is VERY flavorful. The server was very helpful in selecting my wines. I had a French Granache and an Oregon one. My sister and her boyfriend from California were VERY impressed. We all agreed it was our favorite place of the weekend. Every thing was perfect.
(4)Karen K.
This is still one of our absolute favorite Portland restaurants. We've brought many friends here from out of the town and they've all been thoroughly impressed. The service is stellar, the food is excellent, and the prices are very reasonable. It can get pretty crowded during peak dining hours but the experience is well worth the wait.
(5)Ruth N.
Amazing Spanish food!! Everything we had was delicious--- the grilled corn, the greens salad, the paella, and the squid ink pasta. We were stuffed and very happy. Service was accommodating as well.
(5)Roman S.
love Toro Bravo. i go here on special occasions and pretty much always get the tasting menu special which comes with 7 or so dishes for two people. the food is 100% amazing 5 stars blah blah however, there are a few things that knock it down a star given the overall experience. it's buz-y (small and popular place), and tables are small and inconvenient for tapas. is it worth going to? yes - go there at least once
(4)Hollina U.
Hands-down, my absolute favorite restaurant in Portland! I went with five friends and we ordered seven dishes or so, and at least 5 were stand out dishes, and the other two were still pretty good too! The paella is amazing, along with the clam and chicken dish... and the olive oil cake is good too! This is the restaurant I always recommend to friends visiting Portland!
(5)Robby R.
When friends/family come to town.. this is where I take them out for dinner. It allows everyone to try out a number of menu items and the drinks are fantastic. I am a vegetarian and they have a decent number of options for me. Be sure to checkout the potatoes bravas, the radicchio salad, and the cheese plate.
(5)Barbara F.
No complaints. Ambiance was very nice with terrific service. Very friendly. Squid Ink Pasta was delicious as well as adventurous. The Coppa steak was cooked to perfection. Overall a lovely evening. Wait was an hour on a Wednesday but went by quickly over drinks and good conversation. Highly recommended.
(5)Laurie A.
I guess I just don't get it. I have been here three times now and it just never works for me. I keep going back because the people of Portland just rave about it (and because Toro's little sister, Tasty on Alder, is so freaking delicious!). Maybe we are just ordering the wrong things (my boyfriend likes to pick the weirdest sounding thing on the menu and order it. It does not often turn out well). There is a strong chance I will go back because I feel like eventually I will have that "WOW... THIS IS WHY EVERYONE LOVES IT HERE" moment. But in the meantime...... I don't get it. Here are some tips for those of you who have never been here and plan on going" (A)They do not take reservations and there is almost ALWAYS a wait. (B)Don't let the wait throw you..... there is an awesome little spot upstairs called the Secret Society that makes amazing Moscow Mules. Spend your hour long wait up there! (C)Seating is very European. Expect to be up close and personal with the strangers sitting around you. (D)Parking. Oh the parking. It is Portland after all. Good luck to you on that adventure. Side note: The potato bravos taste EXACTLY like the potato locos that Taco Bell used to have on their menu.
(3)Parada O.
During our visit to Portland earlier this year, the hubby, a friend, and I went to Toro Bravo for a pre-game dinner before walking over to the Rose Garden to see the Trailblazers play the Warriors. We didn't have a reservation but were seated immediately (the place was nearly full even though it was a Wednesday night). Toro Bravo offers tapas or small plates in a casual and lively ambiance. We ordered a ton of dishes, and we were a couple of happy diners. Our favorites include the chicken & chorizo empanada, marinated sheep's cheese with rose petal harissa & mint, salt cod fritters, and, of course, bacon-wrapped dates. I think their menu changes seasonally, but some dishes like the dates are mainstays. A selective wine list and delicious cocktails complete the dining experience. If we had Toro Bravo in San Diego, I would go there all the time. Seriously. Bravo, Toro Bravo!
(4)Pam R.
Food was outstanding, waiter was good. Not sure whether it was the kitchen or the food runners but our dinner was delivered randomly over an hour and a half + period of time on a Thursday night.
(3)Allison R.
Damn, i forgot to review Toro Bravo! How did that happen? The sad part is, I dont even remember all the food my group ordered, I just remember it being pretty damn good. A couple items that stuck out for me was the flatbread with black truffle cheese and arugula, as well as the bacon wrapped dates (So simple, but so bomb). The Paella looked off the freakin' hook and the next time I go, I will be ordering that. I did notice an issue with the people waiting to be seated though. The wait was almost 2 hours long and that was about 30 minutes after the resturaunt opened their doors! Lucky for us, we were standing in line like the other foodies prior to opening so we got right in and seated.
(5)stacey k.
Love love love. I have been here 3 or 4 times and have enjoyed every morsel. This last trip I was with a table of 8. Some meat eaters some not. Olives and pickled vegetables, beet salad, scallops, potatoes bravas (least interesting), ribs, cheese plate. Everything fantastic. A nice wine menu. Definitely will be back.
(5)Brittany F.
We arrived around 10:30pm for a late dinner on Saturday night. There was no wait and we sat at the chefs counter and ordered immediately. We started with the octopus a la plancha, which was my favorite dish of the night. A thick slice of potato came with a incredibly tender piece of octopus as well as a bit of sauce. The oxtail croquettes were not to my liking. They were fatty and I'll take chicken croquettes any day over these. The harissa stewed spring squash was a nice, lighter dish. The sheep's cheese was melted on top and everything is better with cheese. Squid ink pasta with an egg yolk, hazelnuts and anchovy syrup was one of the most unique pasta preparations I've had. The sauce was basically the yolk, and stewed onions and peppers. It was sweet and the hazelnuts gave a great textural component. I didn't even notice the anchovy syrup, and that is a good thing as I am not a fan of anchovies. When the bill came, I noticed they had removed the oxtail croquettes, which was so kind and unexpected. Prices were reasonable, service great and the food came out quickly. Overall, it was good food in a nice setting. I'd prefer to come in a group of four so that I could try more of the menu.
(4)Alyssa C.
Update to my previous review - I came back here to try the burger. This place is definitely becoming one of my favorite spots in all of PDX. I'm a little bit of a burger snob, and this place's burger just definitely made my top 5 in Portland. Bacon! Manchego! Juicy deliciousness! This place never fails to impress, offering delicious food, great service, and really affordable for the amazing food you get. We also shared a radicchio salad which was phenomenal. This place can do no wrong in my book!
(5)Karina G.
Unique, bold and mouth watering concoctions. Pairings are simply amazing. Must grab dinner if you visit Portland.
(5)Kayla D.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Portland. Perfect portions and exquisite complex flavors in every dish. I love this place and would highly recommend it to anyone! Just be prepared if you're going on a Friday or Saturday night, there will be a lengthy weight. It's well worth it!
(5)Greg S.
I have been dining @ Toro Bravo for years and find the food and service top notch. Toro gets better for me with every visit.
(5)Kaleb F.
Ya its good brah
(5)Jskilicious S.
Lots of interesting food choices, and good service. Try the burger. It was the best of what we tried!
(4)Nara K.
There was a bit of a wait as we waited for a table but there was a table you could stand by and the host helped us get started on drinks as we waited. The cocktails were pretty good but I felt my Jameson on the rocks was a bit watered down (as soon as it arrived) than I was used to. Once seated, we had the squid ink pasta, paella and drunken pork. Everything tasted great and nothing bad to say about service.
(4)Karen C.
Simply love this place. We haven't had a dish we didn't love. We particularly love the octopus and squid ink pasta dishes, but really everything is wonderful. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Jenny D.
Overrated. Expect 1-2 hr wait on the weekend. Wouldn't say the wait was worth it. Let's start w the pros - Baked apple and pears - the dessert that made it to the top of the list. Made me want to change the 3 to a 3.5. Perfect amount of cinnamon. Sour, sweet, and salty. Lightly crisped. Totally hit the spot. Atmosphere is amazing. Very cozy and romantic. Service was friendly and chill but they still kept it professional. Grilled Flat bread (10) - soft inside and crispy outside topped with a cheese and arugula. Seared Scallops (18) - well balanced w this orange sauce and pickled cabbage thing. Something to try but I wouldn't die if you didn't. The cons - Pricy Popular w only disappointments - Paella Toro (21) - chicken (not moist, bland, and charred), chorizo, shrimp (lacked juiciness), clams (fishy), & mussels (extreme ocean taste) What's in-between and didn't make it to the list? Griddles bacon wrapped date with warm honey (2) - came w two sweet dates ;P and bacon was not salty. Sweet and salty taste not achieved. Salad - started w an R and original from their cookbook. Nothing special. Can't say I would come back or miss this place. However the dessert might have rescued this place...
(3)Joel R.
"Hi, so good to see you!" exclaimed the hostess, as she welcomed the party that arrived immediately after us. "Will this be a party of four?". "Well, no. We're actually separate parties". Awkward silence. And so began our generally forgettable meal at Toro Bravo. We sat at the bar, opting out of table service. The bartender was friendly, but mostly occupied by the regulars seated next to us. Drinks were good but not exceptional, with standard pricing (nine bucks for a cocktail). The food was hit-or-miss. The best thing we had was a charcuterie plate, which speaks for good taste but says nothing about the kitchen. I opted for the fideo as my main dish, tempted by the promise of spring vegetables. The bartender warned me that the dish was enormous, and indeed it was. But enormous isn't a substitute for good and I was disappointed to find that the fideo wasn't really "elevated" in any way. Not many vegetables either, mostly just pasta filler. To be fair, fideo is often mediocre so I should have known better. That said, I expected a little more from this place, and combined with the off (and slow) service, I can't really say that I'll give them another shot.
(2)Kailyn G.
Came for dinner at the recommendation of a friend. We came around 5:30pm on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Ended up waiting a little over an hour. So I would say, expect a wait no matter what. FOOD: Chef's tasting menu - they told us 6-8 dishes of whatever the chef was feeling. We got bread, duck mousse terrine, bacon wrapped dates, scallops, salt cod fritters, clams/chicken, spring squash, eggplant with lamb ragu. It was a huge amount of food and all of it tasty. There's no reason you shouldn't do the tasting menu. ENVIRONMENT: Cute restaurant. Not too big. Pretty dark - espeically given that it was a sunny day. Pretty packed and definitely pretty loud. We sat at the bar near the chefs - which was pretty cool. SERVICE: Plus points for one of the waitresses greet us when we walked in and let us know the hostess will help us in a minute. I hate having to wait around for a hostess without knowing what to do. Other than that - service was very efficient but not terribly friendly. With the restaurant being full - it seemed as though the wait staff was rushing around trying to get all the dishes out.
(4)Wendy Y.
Saying food here is solid would be an understatement. Exactly how solid? By the end of the meal if your eating speed is the same as how you started with no signs of slowing down, (not because you need more food) this is how good it is. My partner and I were lucky to be "early", shortly after they just opened for dinner (5pm). We were given the choice to sit inside or outside. We opted for a tiny bar table with two tiny bar stools outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. We ordered a Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse ($9) and Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels ($19). Our liver mousse arrived first. It was served in a ramekin with coarse salt and pepper sprinkled on top. It was smooth with balanced deep flavors of liver and sherry. There were slices of fresh bread, crostini, and pickled beets & onions. We (more like I) asked for more fresh bread to mop up every last smear of mousse I could find. It was amazingly good and I couldn't stop smiling. Half way through the liver mousse our Paella arrived. It was served in a shallow cast iron skillet. The yellow rice was glowing in my face and the opened shellfish was so plump and juicy as if they are saying "eat me, eat me now, put me in your mouth". Men stepped on the Moon. Toro Bravo created THE Paella. It was perfection. The rice was al dente, and soaked with flavors of the fresh seafood. The two headless jumbo prawns were again, cooked to perfection. The chicken placed in the middle of the Paella was succulent and perfectly seasoned. Every bite was like gentle sex, with every bite, every stroke, you just want the moment to last forever. I was moaning and groaning inside. After emptying the skillet and licking off any residual grease, I sat there, still in disbelief that I just ate the best Paella of my life. My partner and I ordered a baked apples and pear with vanilla ice cream ($7). It was light; a good end to a memorable meal that'll last as long as I shall live.
(5)Missy C.
Good food but not worth the 2 hour wait or the price. Can't call in for reservations.
(3)Steven K.
Must visit place if you're ever in Portland. Good luck getting a table.
(5)Giggly C.
What? I didn't r review this yet?Been here 6+ times. Great food. Long long long lines. Fav cheese plate, corn, paella, inksquid pasta, dates.... Always disappointed in sangria.
(4)Violet B.
we recently dined here to celebrate my husbands birthday. on the plus side, we were seated promptly, and after ordering, our dishes were delivered soon. our first impression after entering the restaurant, was the extremely noisy atmosphere. we found it necessary to resort to almost yelling to carry on a conversation and to order our meals. in addition the table adjacent to ours was so close, we felt like we were at the same table. but above all else, a positive dining experience was impossible due to the excessive noise level (from all patrons being forced to converse as we were - LOUDLY).
(1)Sudipto G.
Wow.. simply wow.. the sheer variety of cuisine portland has to offer makes it one of the culinary capitals of the US. Toro Bravo just continues that tradition.. incredible tapas place on the east side... had around 10-12 dishes and most of them were mindblowingly good.. just go and give this place a try you will not be disappointed!
(5)Tianyi S.
Food: 3 stars Value: 5 stars Average: 4 stars I was super excited to eat at a Portland Top 20, and was, on most levels, not disappointed. The service was sweet, the wait (on a Friday night, at 6:30pm) was nonexistent, and the ambiance (outdoors, on a warm, summer evening) was vibrant, yet relaxed. The food was good as well- finely constructed and generously portioned... but not mind blowing. In ordering the tasting menu, I sensed that the chefs often take the easy way out in preparing foods that are user/palate friendly- basically, hard to screw up. Not that this is a bad thing, since everything is finely prepared (and certainly worth the price) but I would rather pay more to be wowed. I don't want to go out for a dinner of dishes I could handily prepare at home... which is what crossed my mind while I dined on bread with olive oil and butter, bacon-wrapped dates, radicchio salad with tapenade rubbed toast and vinaigrette, griddled prawns, and roasted eggplant with lamb ragu. The greatest difficulty in making those dishes would be procuring ingredients as high-quality as those used at Toro Bravo. Still, a few of the more impressive dishes lingered on my mind: the French Kiss (brandy-soaked prunes stuffed with foie gras and sprinkled with sea salt), the duck liver mousse terrine (even if the silky fullness mostly came from the addition of tons. and tons. and tons. of butter) the harissa stewed summer squash with sheep's cheese and mint... and the winner of the night- braised green beans with jamon, tomato and creme fraiche butter. I LOVED this dish. Acidic, salty, rich, savory and full- I would come back just for this. The only underwhelming dish was the jamon-wrapped chicken with pisto manchego, which broke the Cardinal Chicken Rule of being dry. As Toro Bravo is constantly touted as one of the best restaurants in Portland, I think it could afford to be more experimental and gutsy. Even the French Kiss feels conservative- as good as it is, I imagine that the hardest part in making it is procuring the foie at a good price. Or maybe I just won't order the tasting menu the next time I drop in. The tasting menu is a deal, but the fried Spanish anchovies with fennel and lemon, the grilled octopus, and the squid ink pasta with hazelnuts and anchovy syrup & egg yolk all sound more like my jam.
(4)Samantha T.
Stopped in for tapas and drinks before heading elsewhere for dinner. Impressed instantly by amazing decor and seated immediately. Took a bit too long for our table to be visited and drinks to arrive, but the bacon wrapped dates were amazing, as was the Brussels sprouts salad. Will definitely return for more samplings of the menu.
(4)N B.
Went here the other night for the first time. It was around 6:00pm on a Friday night and it was super busy. There were two of us and they quoted us 1 1/2 hours until we would be able to be sat. Although, we did not want to wait, we did end up sticking it out ( What do you expect the wait would be on a Friday night at 6) They did mention to us that if you see an outdoor table open it is first come first serve. An hour goes by and we ended up snagging an outside table but the table tops were so small we just decided to have a drink and wait it out for the table we requested inside. We sat at the bar top, we ordered.. sheep cheese- it was awesome marinated olives and pickled veggies- little small for 4 bucks. potato bravas - eh' not for me, kind of tasted very ketchup- ie. GRILLED CORN- AMAZING. you totally have to get it if you go to Toro Bravo Paella Toro- it was really good, great saffron- nutty flavor. All around great, if you don't mind the wait. :)
(4)Tiffany C.
Not impressed, and seriously disappointed. I came with two friends on a Tuesday night around 8 and the place had about 2-3 groups waiting ahead of us. No big deal - I expected as much from reading the reviews, but the hostess definitely gave us the impression that the wait would be 15 minutes at most. We ended up waiting probably for at least half an hour, and the entrance is pretty cramped. Not really the fault of the restaurant necessarily but it was already setting up for a lousy mood. They ended up seating us in one of the side rooms which were a bit more intimate but I didn't really like the set-up- we were facing outward to the main room and all seated on the same side, which was a little awkward. We ordered: - the famed bacon-wrapped dates (too sweet! whyyy?) - truffle cheese arugula flatbread (yum) - grilled asparagus with jamon (salt salt and more salt. oh and chilis) - squid ink pasta with hazelnuts (spicy and not very appetizing to be honest... it's a weird combination of additions) The only highlight for me was the flatbread, which is saying something considering this place is supposed to specialize in the tapas and Latin-American themed dishes. Everything we ordered made my mouth either pucker from the salt or lemon and was way too heavy on the flavorings, overwhelming the dishes. This was also our last night in Portland, which made me quite sad to send off the trip this way, but we made up for it by going home and eating Saint Cupcakes Galore, which assuaged some of that disappointment pretty well, if I say so myself.
(2)Kerri L.
A large group of the friends and I dropped in after being shooed out of an Ethiopian restaurant down the street due to a wedding reception about to take place. We were hungry and the night was still young. Somebody said "Toro Bravo," and we were off like a shot for the short walk to a restaurant new to all of us. By some miracle, they had room for us, and we were ushered right to our table, which was large and had benches. I'm not always crazy about benches because they can be uncomfortable, but these benches were quite large, looked like they'd been hewn out of some massive tree, and were super comfortable for the 3-4 hours we were there. I'm still scratching my head about getting in so quick, but hells bells who am I to question a miracle. Just seize the moment and run with it, which we did. After a round of cocktails, we did take quite a bit of time perusing the menu and making our choices. I had the cheese plate, some bread, and some olives along with bacon-wrapped dates. The bacon-wrapped dates grabbed the rest of the group's attention, so plenty more of those were ordered. What else can I say but smoky salty sweetness? A friend who doesn't even like dates ordered more after she got a very slim slice from my bacon-wrapped date. We all shared bites from each other's plates, which is so much fun, and I tasted some of the best steak I've ever sampled (cannot remember the name of this tasty dish), and was amazed at all the other food. It was noisy, but you know that's what makes it fun, and my group certainly added to the noise level in there. The decor is dark, romantic, rustic, and draws you right in. The staff is excellent, bend down to really listen (due to noise level) to your questions, and are very knowledgeable and friendly. So, if you want a truly excellent experience and something quite different than anything else you've experienced, I say get thee over to Toro Bravo.
(5)Brianna A.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Portland, whether i am with a group of friends or just looking for a casual place to grab food they accommodate! Be prepared to wait, especially on the weekends, this place is very popular but be assured the wait is worth your while. *** If you dont want to wait for a table then you probably shouldnt go out to eat on the weekends in Portland.*** Plus, you can go next door to the Secret Society and grab drinks while you wait, not many restaurants can offer that! If you are coming here for the first time I recommend the tasting menu. Its ONLY $30, I have yet to come across a tasting menu that is as inexpensive and delicious! Keep up the great work! :)
(4)Ann J.
Brought a group of seven here. Service was impeccable. Casual but upscale. All dishes were fresh, well prepared, well seasoned and served hot. Great for sharing as a group. Exceptional place for sharing Recommend the empanadas and copa steak for the meat eaters and potatoes bravos and flatbread for others.
(4)Johanna L.
Toro-Bravo is a much-hyped restaurant in Portland that deserves all the praise that it gets. Definitely a must-do for any visiting friends and family. I highly recommend the Chef's Tasting Menu... according to our bartender, it varies nightly and also somewhat from table to table. At $30 per person, there's no way you'd be able to try as many things for as good as a deal as this. Best part is that it's all a surprise and you'll try things you might not have thought to order yourself. Here's what came with ours last Saturday night: 1) Radicchio Salad with Manchego Viniagrette and green olive toast. Huge serving of deliciously crisp and flavorful salad to start. I was worried the portions would be small, but when this huge bowl of salad came out (for 2 people) I was put at ease. The raddichio was crisp, perfectly dressed, and the little crouton with olive tapenade was a very tasty bite. 2) Bread with butter and olive oil. A very nice little snack to have, nice fresh bread, soft butter, and tasty olive oil... perfect because the other starter that came was... 3) Duck Liver pate with stone ground mustard and house pickles from their charcuterie selection. Oh My God. This was maybe the best thing we had all night. I like pate but I'm not usually ALL about it, although I've had many different kinds at different places around town. This pate was silky, rich, buttery, flavorful... perfect. We ate every last bite, smearing it on the crostini and bread it came with on the board, as well as the additional bread that had come before. Amazing. 4) Oxtail croquettes - mmmm croquettes. These were excellent. The oxtail was so tender and flavorful inside.. it had a delicious sauce on it and was crispy and hot. 5) Salt cod fritters with aoli - another croquette dish, very similar to the traditional croquettes I had in Madrid a few years ago. Creamy, not too fishy... the sauce was delicious. Very crispy. 6) Roasted eggplant and lamb ragu - this one came out HOT! It was so good though, the eggplant was cooked perfectly with bubbly melty cheese and perfect lamb crumbles all throughout. It was built kind of like a little personal pizza, with the roasted piece of eggplant on the bottom with the lamb and cheese mixture baked on top. 7) Harrisa Stewed butternut squash with sheep's cheese... mmm another delicious baked dish, this time perfectly baked butternut squash in a savory sauce with sheeps cheese baked on top..... mmmmmmmm 8) The final dish: Laughing Stock ham (I think) with potatoes and green onion. Ok, this was good, delicious tender ham with traditional potatoes (there might have been horseradish in them) and the green onion. However, I thought it was a very odd and basic ending to what had been a fantastic meal with unusual and thoughtfully flavored preparations. This was a very traditional ham-potato-braised onion dish that was largely forgettable and ordinary. We ate it all of course, it was very good, but I just didn't think it belonged there and would have loved a more spanish-themed seafood or unusual type of meat. But that's just me. We were perfectly full after this meal (it was two of us) but we decided to try two desserts, the olive oil cake and the lemon crepes. Both were very good, the olive oil cake was delicately flavored and moist and not too sweet. The lemon crepes were better - the lemon curd was very flavorful and citrusy and the edges of the crepes were crispy. However, there really wasn't anything special about these desserts and I will pass next time. We had two cocktails which were delicious but again, nothing to write home about. We split a pitcher of sangria as well and I was a bit disappointed in this... the drink itself was good but the best part of a sangria is generally the alcohol-soaked fruit.. or just any fruit... I got maybe 2 pieces of orange in mine. For a spanish-inspired restaurant you'd think they would want this drink to shine. Sangria, to me, is like a bloody mary.... when done well they can be very special and even a signature, but if not done carefully, why bother? Regardless, the service, atmosphere, and food was amazing, and it is my new favorite restaurant in town. You can definitely get away with $30 per person if you forgo the drinks and desserts, and this has to be the best value in town for what you get, especially with the quality and consistency of what you get. A++++++++++
(5)liz s.
In town for Friday night, solo and cabbed to Toro Bravo for a late dinner. They were able to seat me in 20 minutes. They sat me at the kitchen counter - perfect for solo dinners who may feel conspicuous at a table by themselves. You'll quickly run up your tab but the great service and food make it worth it. If you have just one opportunity for a local meal and don't want to chance it, eat here. Sherry - There's a nice selection of sherry, including a cream for those of us who prefer a sweeter cherry. Bacon-wrapped dates - Better than the usual renditions at other tapas restaurants. French kiss - Foie gras shoved into a brandy soaked prune. I like none of those things separately but together they are delicious. Salt cod fritters - Compliments of the chef. Nice touch for a solo diner. Tasty. Paella - Yes I did! It's a big portion, enough for two after several small plates. Delicious. I ate the meat and seafood, leaving most of the rice to-go. Olive oil cake - Not many desserts box up nicely, but this did. I got this to-go. Not overly sweet. Very good. I'm inspired to make this myself.
(4)Nicole C.
This place came highly recommended by several people, but I had a not so pleasant experience. First off, we got there on a Friday night approximately fifteen minutes before the restaurant opened, and there was a huge line. I suppose this made me think that we were at a really wonderful restaurant since so many people were in line before us. Thankfully, we were seated before all the tables filled up. Service was good. The waitress was very friendly and upbeat. However, the food was not to my liking whatsoever. We ordered the tasting menu, which came with ten dishes (the waitress said that they give at least eight dishes but that the number can vary depending on the night) that the chefs picked out. Normally, I don't do tasting menus unless I know what's coming my way, but I took a chance. ... And I'll never make that mistake again. It's as though the chefs just sent us random dishes rather than really thinking about what would go with what in a certain order. The meat to vegetable ratio was terrible. We got two meat dishes (both of which I really didn't like), and the rest were vegetable dishes. And it's not just that. It's that the flavors of the dishes didn't go with each other at all. One had strong Indian spices, and the next was rather Spanish. I will not be returning.
(1)Carrie R.
This place is amazing. We were tucked away in a dark comfy corner surrounded by the hum of happy eaters. We tried multiple dishes like the: ~grilled bacon wrapped dates with honey (a genius combination of flavors) ~octopus a la plancha (salty & nice) ~grilled porcini mushrooms with cherries ~empanada ~drunken pork (salty, sweet & crunchy) ~oxtail Then for dessert we tried the churros and chocolate. It sounds like a lot of food however the portions were small but priced well. We left satisfied and wanting more! This is a must-do when in Portland!
(5)M W.
I am not usually a big Spanish cuisine person, but this place was pretty nice. The potatoes, corn, bacon wrapped dates, and butter leaf salad were all delicious. Dessert selection was not that exciting, in my opinion, though the rest of the party enjoyed it. Arrived before the crowd, and it definitely got a little claustrophobic and rushed once the hoards of people arrived.
(3)Shannon C.
Fantastic food. Come hungry and try as much as you can! Went there on a Monday night with a friend and there was no wait for us (party of 2). We ordered a lot of different dishes, my favorites were the Scallops and the Duck Eggs, but everything we tried was great! Finished it off with a molten chocolate cake, not the best I've had but still good. Definitely a place I will go back to!
(5)Suzanna K.
Hands down the only place in Portland that you can always count on to impress, as long as you're willing to wait (in one of the many bars in either direction next door). Please goodness get something with steak in it.
(5)Will T.
Chef's tasting menu is decided by the chef; no one has a clue what you will get except the chef. We decided to go with this option (only if you are willing to eat anything or don't have any dietary constraints). Unfortunately, the two items that I don't enjoy eating were served: eggplant and squash. Yeah, I didn't enjoy those items. Other items were decent but not anything will wow you. There's no deal with the chef tasting so if you're up to picking your food, it comes out to the same. I would have to say it's a but overrated. Food is decent but would I wait 1 hr+, no. Worth a try but wouldn't be a repeat customer here. Come at 5pm. On a Saturday I came at 5:15 and it was already packed. Heard that people line up before 5pm. BUT if there's a long wait, the Nike factory store is just around the corner with pretty good deals. They also take down your number and will call you. Do note that they only give you 5 mins so you will probably need to put on your newly minted shoes that you just brought to run back.
(3)WineRocks I.
Wow! I think every body that consider's themselves hip and moves to Portland needs to eat here to officially be indoctrinated. Seriously, I know food, and I know how great the food is in Portland. The food here IS good, but priced accordingly if you lived in NYC or LA. The portions are ridiculously small for the price (I'm not referring to the tapas). This place is always packed with a hip crowd. But that just makes me sad for all the amazing places to eat in this town that don't get their props... Their wine list is mediocre and WAY overpriced. Que Pena!
(3)Destry W.
The only thing wrong with this place is the wait. OMG tried the drunken pork last night. It was awesome ! With a little avocado salad - don't think I've ever had a dish paired so well.
(5)Jessica G.
DELICIOUS! Great service and great food. Two unforgettable dishes were the Radicchio Salad and the Pork & Clams.
(4)Liv A.
It had been a while since we went out for tapas, so bf and I decided to go to Toro Bravo for dinner. We yelped it ahead of time and found out that they didn't take resies unless you have a party of 6 or more. We decided that we'd just go there when they open (5pm). Right when we got there, we noticed that there was already a line forming outside.... probably 40 people deep. Wow, it must be good if all these Portlandians are lining up for the tapas. It only took about 15 minutes for us to get inside and seated. There were no more small tables so we sat at a community table. There were many of those in there. The lighting was dim and romantic. Most of the patrons were couples and friendly sharing the tables. Service was prompt and the waitresses were bustling around checking on everyone. They had an interesting cocktail list. Bf had the Toro Martini and that thing was strong! I took a small sip and Wowzers! I'm sure bf thought I was looking like a super model after he finished that drink. I had a Spanish red that was recommended by the waitress, which I enjoyed. The menu was extensive but we settled on the following small plates: Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" - a little disappointing bc we had this tapa somewhere else that was much better. I didn't care much for the tomato sauce and creme fraiche on top....would have preferred the octopus with some EVOO. Sautéed Calamari with white beans & parsley - one of the best dishes of the night. This is how I liked calamari best - sauteed instead of being breaded and fried. This dish was very light and delicate. The white beans were yummy too. Griddled Shrimp with chilies - just OK. 3 shrimp for $10 seemed a little bit on the skimpy side. The shrimp were grilled in shell and cooked perfectly with a little char, but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. I've made grilled shrimp just as good on the bbq at home. Drunken Pork with fresh shell bean stew - just OK too. The pork was too charred. House Smoked Coppa Steak with potatoes, olives, onions & salbitxada - another top dish! We got the half order but the slab of steak was a pretty big piece. The steak was cooked perfectly and the fingerling potatoes were a great compliment. Harira moroccan lamb & lentil stew with house buttermilk cheese - yum-o!! We also got a half order which was plenty for two people. The lamb stew was filled with meat and also came with a small pita flatbread. The lamb was not gamey at all and so so good. There were definitely dishes that we liked more than others. I'd give 3.5 stars but rounding up this time because our overall experience was a good one. We were pretty full and didn't get a chance to try any of the desserts. Our tab was only about $75 after tip. Again, loving Oregon for not having taxes! Great find for a date night in Portland!
(4)Ivonne S.
Asking to put a sauce on the side (which I do not consider a "substitution") is almost a personal affront to the not very friendly waitress who declined to even ask the chef about it. All I wanted was no bacon sauce on my Brussels sprouts as the menu offers very few dishes without either lamb, pork or beef. Scallops were too salty. On top of it all, there was a waitress who kept hitting the back of my chair every time she went by even though she had about three feet clearance. She never apologized. Toro Bravo used to be good but now is overrated.
(1)catrina F.
This is the best tapa restaurant we've been to and we've done our fair share of traveling
(4)Sean W.
Food was great. We tried first to go around the corner to OX since we're from out of time, but we couldn't wait 45 mins for a table since we were flying out that night. Heard or Toro Bravo also from "PDX Eater 38" and saw that it was in the same neighborhood. We got there just in time and didn't have to wait. The food was great! It was seasoned well, and the service was quick and friendly. The ambiance was fun and energetic. The experienced wowed my aunt, and that is no easy task. Thanks for the amazing time and I will be sure to stop in next time I am in PDX for fun or family.
(4)Amy B.
With all the hype we knew we would need to eventually make our over and give it a shot. Toro Bravo did not disappoint. I had gone on and read a tip of showing up early on a Wednesday. We did that and there was not a wait at all. We even got to choose where we wanted to sit, so we choose the counter by the chefs so we could watch what was happening and ask questions. They were all awesome back there. Thanks for your help. We ordered a ton of stuff and I liked that even the larger dishes came with small portions. That was nice because we kept ordering smalls of everything so we could try more things. My only disappointment was the burger. It was so incredibly salty I could barely eat it. I was later told it was the sauce they used, if that's true, I'm still disappointed. I was really hoping for a good burger from them since I had read about it.
(4)Stevo S.
The good: phenomenal food. The squid ink pasta, scallops, grilled octopus all amazing dishes. The bad: the wait! Got there 45 mins after opening and were quoted a 2.5 hour wait. After 3 hours we were seated at the end of the bar, next to where the food runners and bus station is, facing their coffee machine. I would have rather waited another 15 mins for a real table and was completely put off that after that wait this wasn't offered to us. Would I go back? No time soon. Maybe if I was hungry at 4pm (yes, an hour before opening), on a cold and rainy Tuesday when I wouldn't have to suffer the wait.
(3)Ali S.
You must try both the bacon wrapped date and the french kiss. The latter is a little more contingent on your feelings about prunes, but both were absolutely scrumptious! The harira was fine. Full disclosure, I'm not sure how any lentil dish can be anything more than fine. If you're a big fan of lentils, then you might love this dish because the flavors were subtle. The lamb's presence was a little underwhelming. Steve's cheese plate had three goat cheese, one sheep's cheese, and one cow/sheep cheese when we had it. If you hate goat cheese like me, then you should probably ask how many you will be getting before you order it. I was pretty disappointed that the cow cheese was completely absent, but everyone else at the table loved the selection. To my dismay, sheep's cheese reminds me way too much like goat cheese. This would have been helpful to know since I was a bit of a n00b. The 3 people at my table who were lucky enough to try the charred octopus said it was the best octopus they have ever had. Unfortunately, there were only 3 pieces. Next time. Caramel panna cotta is INCREDIBLE. I'm not even a custard person, but this was delicious! Don't hesitate for a second when the server asks about dessert. You must try this.
(4)Amy W.
Divine, simply put. If you go there, do the chefs choice and bartenders choice tasting menus. It blew my mind. This is my favorite place to eat out in Portland!
(5)Charly S.
Not quite as good as it could be. The little nook is still terribly drafty in the corners, but on the plus side they have added some photos to the adjacent wall. Service is average to fair. The cocktails are quite good, some interesting combinations. The sangria is watery and lacks fruitful flavour. The paella has gone down hill. Despite asking for it to be crisp on the bottom, the paella ended up more the consistency of risotto, soggy. Paella is generally cooked so all the lovely flavours merge and create an amazing dish, but even the chicken was an afterthought, grilled and thrown on top. The flavour was just not quite right.... tasted more like what I would imagine rice-a-roni tastes like.
(2)David Y.
For a Sunday night, our wait wasn't too bad at 5 p.m. I shared the paella (sp) with my wife and it was a nice serving size. The waiter offered complementary pasta with cheese for the children in our party since there was not really anything on the menu for them. The reason for the 4 stars is that the menu seems a little limiting although the service here was great. They do maximize their table space though in that we had a longer table with some space at the end, and they seated another party there. Overall, it was a great experience though.
(4)Mauricio P.
About one month ago I moved to Portland. My mom came to visit around that time in hopes to spend some time with me and with my two year old (her only grandson) during the week of her 50th birthday. I had heard the menu here was good so I decided to take my mother here and have a good time. When we were finally seated we ordered some appetizers and a glass of wine. not long after the food arrived, my mom began to feel "strange" and appeared paler by the minute. Soon after that, she actually passed out with some blood pressure issue or blood sugar issue. This had never happened before and fortunately she recovered quickly. This of course had nothing to do with the quality of the food, I must say, the food was great and of excellent quality. However, I was dealing with my mom's health issue while having my two year old witness the whole thing. 911 was called, they arrived quickly and came in with some monitors and such to evaluate the situation. When my mom began feeling ill, I had asked for the check and before the EMT's arrived I had paid in full with a generous tip. About 15 minutes after the EMT arrived on the scene, in the middle of a test being administered, the lovely hostess came in and asked: "is there anyway you guys could move this outside? It's kinda bad for business..." I had no idea how to respond to that trying to care for my mom and my two year old in the middle of all the commotion, but the EMT that was treating my mother paused for a second and with a very puzzled look asked his colleague: "Did that just happened??". The other EMT had no answer. We left after being given a box with only 1 of the three dishes we ordered that had not arrived at the table. After it all was under control, outside of Toro Bravo now, I finally realized how outrageous that request was. We were not taking any more time at the table than if we had actually stayed to eat, I had tipped them very nicely for their trouble, I did not get all my food, and then they try to ask us to leave when my mom is literally unable to get up. The food, however, great. I just wished they had not treated us so badly and with such disrespect. I really hope that if you go to Toro Bravo, you get better treatment than this. Simply for the ridiculous kind of service that I got there, I have to give it 1 very sad star.
(1)Lara L.
Great food! Great service! The server even marked the menu for me to let me know what I could safely eat Gluten Free. Be ready for a wait any day of the week, but there's wonderful bars nearby and upstairs to have a drink in.
(5)Jean M.
This is one of my favorite spots in Portland. I was away for awhile, but they still dish it out. The small plates are well priced and each one amazes. My favorite is the bacon wrapped roasted dates in a honey sauce. Great sangria too.
(5)heather d.
I crave this place, just wish it wasn't such a jaunt for me to get there! My "must-haves" are the bacon wrapped dates (so rich and sweet, almost like a dessert!), the tomato rubbed bread (although $5 is a tad steep for two pieces of bread), and the seared scallops (they are always cooked perfectly and the romesco sauce is delicious). I really like the white sangria, and was bummed to find out they take it off the menu after labor day -- is this like not wearing white shoes?? I would agree with other reviews that the wait can be long and the noise level is high, but it is worth dealing with for such yummy, and fun, food. Service is always excellent and friendly. This is a good place to take out of town guests, just try to keep it to 4 people for easier seating.
(5)Sarah R.
I was recently in town for a concert at the Wonder Ballroom, did some Yelping and found out that Toro Bravo was next door to the venue, so my husband and I decided to give it a shot. First of all, we must have lucked out or something because there was no wait for a table and it was a Friday evening. (I think we got there around 6 pm.) It did totally fill up while we were there, though. I love tapas, and this place did not disappoint. Everything that we had was SO GOOD. We each had a cocktail, which were fun and tasty, and started with the cheese plate, which had 5 different kinds of cheese. Then we ordered 4 tapas, which was totally plenty of food and really filled us up. We had: * Tortilla Espanola (my favorite, SO good) * Spicy Octopus and Prawn stew (the best octopus I've ever had!) * flatbread with cheese and arugula * pork empanada We also got a pitcher of sangria, which was tasty. In sum, I'm actually really sad that this restaurant is not in San Francisco. If it was, I'd go here all the time.
(5)Liz A.
I've been here a number of times. I always try something new. I love their bacon wrapped dates....perfect combination of meat and sweet. Their drinks are pretty tasty, their dishes are unique, I love the fact that they have an open kitchen so you can see the chefs cooking...it does get rather packed, so I would recommend calling for a reservation, or getting in before 6pm. The bar next to it is GREAT! It's called the Secret Society...it has an old time feeling to it.
(4)Art V. B.
Craving potatoes bravas at night? This is the place to go. Where they actually originated. This tapas place is the best I've been in this country by far. Its menu has a mix of traditional tapas and more innovative ones. Its wine list is short but smart. The Rioja that I had in my last visit was excellent. Service is very friendly and it caters well to vegetarians.
(5)Deborah C.
I just had a mouth-gasm! Duck liver to die for and a daily menu? What more could a girl need? Great service and a 45 min wait turned into only 30. We came on a Tuesday and there was a wait at 6pm.
(5)Jessica D.
This place was recommended to us by several people. We ate here on a Monday night and still had to wait an hour - guess that tells you how popular it is! Great food and service - we asked our waiter to bring us a few items he recommended. Bacon wrapped dates, the bacon caesar and smoky delicious hamburger were awesome. Their sangria is tasty too!
(5)Parker P.
Great food...imaginative and unique...definitely worth the wait. The scallops, grilled flat bread and asparagus are must trys! It was very very busy and a bit loud, but we really enjoyed our visit. The guys and gals cooking these dishes are super busy!!!! End your meal with the churros and chocolate!!!!!!
(5)John C.
Best with vegetables in town. We take a bottle of wine, have five outstanding dishes, paid $42. Really. $42. Insane. Worth the wait.
(5)Violet B.
Loved it!! Wish I could try everything in one night!!! There menu is seriously overwhelming, but in a good way. Also I didn't know what a lot of things were it would be nice if they had more descriptions. My fav was the steak for sure, so tender and juicy. Also the squid and prawns were on point. Im sure there is not one thing here that is not delicious. We finished with the olive oil cake,SOOOO good! The bill was a bit high, but worth it for sure. Can't wait to return!
(5)Phil T.
2nd time here, first time amazing, some flaws the second time around, but still amazing. Had the chef pick our menu for $25, which netted 11 dishes and the overall opinion that it was worthy of a feast. My highlights were: Duck liver mousse terrine: served with stone ground mustard and pickles. Impressive flavor and richess, mousse perfectly fatty. Braised salsify with lemon, bacon and cream: So tender and perfect. Lemon cream sauce not tart but savory. Bacon FTW. Lowlights: Prunes with fois gras: It was better my first time here. The second time gave an impression that the fois gras was not as fresh and something just went off 1/2 way through chewing. Spanish ham panini: Maybe this is a traditional dish in Spain but it was so boring. Felt like I just microwaved a ham sandwich. Maybe if the tomato or mushrooms brought more to the table. All I got was ham and so so panini bread. Service was professional as always and Secret Society next door making waiting for a table a joy especially with a group of people. Will have to try a 2-3 person meal next time.
(4)J B.
So, call me biased seeing as tha tI just moved from San Francisco not too long ago, but this place seems suuuuper cheap for the amount of food and the flavors involved. The drinks were good, and the tapas style dining is the bomb. Seems a little snooty when you first show up but they are actually really nice there. Be prepared for a line, and pop into the Secret Society for a drink while you wait (Toro wil call you when your tabel is ready).
(5)Joe B.
Why am I about to write a great review that's only going to make the wait longer next time? Sigh.. My wife and I stood/sat at a small table outside TB last night waiting to enjoy one of the best meals in memory. Sipping on a spicy tequila cocktail and munching on charred bread covered in goat cheese and nettles, we people-watched as crowds flowed into neighboring auditoriums before getting sat at the entertaining chef's counter. 5 reasons why TB gets 5 starts, despite a 1.5 hour wait and no input on where to sit once the wait has ended: 1. Charred bread covered in goat cheese and nettles 2. TB let's you enjoy smart cocktails and any item on the menu outside during your wait. 3. Sitting at the chef's counter - I would recommend taking some meth to keep up with the chef's movements, but that may decrease appetite 4. Everything on the menu 5. Our server was clearly busy, but not too cluttered to keep track of us and offer great service. I look forward to many more meals here.
(5)Sherry Y.
Good food, possibly great depending on what you order. I wandered by once before but the wait was too long. I went tonight at 7:30, still a small wait, but worth it. The servers were busy, so I felt everyone was slightly ignored, but whenever we asked regarding a menu item, our server was very informative. Great food, long waits, loud/crowded atmosphere (our table was literally one inch from touching the table next to us). Already planning my next visit.
(4)Marc W.
I really enjoy Spanish tapas, and I love doing a Chef's Tasting Menu when available... add to this a really comfortable fun environment and Toro Bravo is fantastic!! We did select the tasting menu. Courses were delivered in a comfortably but timely manner, quantity of food was good - we weren't overly stuffed half way through the menu, but by the end, we were all very full. Of course, the selections were varied and wonderful. I can't say any one or two things were my favorites.. they were all so yummy.. the one that stands out was the eggplant with ragu. The menu had so many exciting options, I'll have to go back for additional visits just to try some of the other things. We also shared a couple pitchers of the white sangria.. fruity but not overly sweet ; pleasant. I will recommend this to my friends seeking eating out recommendations. They won't be disappointed.
(5)Chrissie B.
I have never had spanish food before!! ITS SO GOOD!!! The papas are AMAZING! Like classy tater tots! There are alot of things on the menu that I have never heard of, but I'll be back to try more as soon as my man brings me!
(4)Venerable V.
I was taken here for my birthday this past weekend after putting off coming here for so long. Typically, it's been the wait that's deterred me but not on my birthday. I was prepared. We put our name down and went upstairs to the Secret Society Lounge, which I loved. Small, softly-lit, Billie Holiday on, attentive bartenders...the hour went by in no time. When we returned, we were sat and were surprised at how quick the food arrived. The portions were larger than we had figured for tapas and actually left feeling painfully full. I don't think I had eaten so much food in months so I'm glad it was yummy Toro Bravo-ness making me uncomfortable rather than, say, Taco Bell. I will absolutely return. Hands down, it is one of the better meals I've had in a long, long time. My favorite dish out of all was the scallops - those were probably the best I"ve EVER had.
(5)Robert H.
Food is good, drinks are creative. But we had to leave after 30 minutes. The noise level is literally migraine-inducing. Poor acoustics (not unusual in restaurants these days) but also blaring music
(2)T Z.
I have never been disappointed and almost always elevated at this amazing place. The service is always friendly and efficient, the food always inspiring. It's tough to get in most of the time, which is a bummer, but if you go early and on weeknights you can often get seats at the chefs table (really fun to watch everything being made) or the bar. Always ask what's new and seasonal - last night we had a delicious zarzuela (Catalan seafood stew) that was brand new on the menu and totally divine.
(5)Ryan H.
Wow! Amazing! Every dish was unique and worthy of approving "mmmmmmms". With Tapas you can order many small dishes and share. The atmosphere is simple, yet refined. Everyone seemed to be having a good time working there. I will definitely be taking my out-of-town friends here.
(5)Ali U.
Diners are forced to go back at least 4 times to experience the entire menu and given the menu changes regularly this can become a continual quest. A quest I am ready to take! After reading the reviews online, last night I experienced Toro Bravo for myself and it was phenomenal! A coworker and I started with the grilled bacon wrapped dates; always a good choice, but Toro takes it to a new level with thick bacon and a sweet, smokey honey. The in-house pickled vegetables are brilliantly sweet and sour (yes I just referred to pickled veggies as brilliant, they are that good). I've tried a lot of anchovies and hated all of them, I even gagged while eating fresh caught anchovies in Italy. But I promised my coworker I would try them if he ordered; so I reluctantly ate a fried anchovy with fennel. The anchovy was surprisingly unoffending and I even mildly enjoyed it. Given my hatred for anchovies, this says a lot. The duck liver sherry mousse terrine and Swiss chard Manchego gratin were fabulously flavorful and generously portioned. Finally, the 8 pepper lamb and squash dumplings provided the perfect balance of spice and sweet; just as my tongue started to burn from the spice, the creaminess of the dumpling beautifully soothed the flame. To top it all off the wait staff was fabulous. Our server was incredibly knowledgable about everything on the menu and gave me a great lesson on sherry.
(5)Jessi H.
I like many other people, have mixed feelings on this place. My husband and I went to Toro Bravo on our anniversary. We waited about 50 min. to get seated. Our seats were near the kitchen. The set up was more "bar like" than fine dining. We had two other people sitting next to us and I could hear everything they were talking about since we only had a small space between us. All night I kept bumping elbows with the guy. This is not my idea of a romantic dinner. The food was good. My favorite dish was the lamb dumplings. The service was good but not great. I can't really say anything bad because overall it was ok. I was wishing for a little more. If I got invited to go back I would go... but it won't be my go-to place. I would say everyone should at least try it for themselves because it had some very unique aspects.
(2)Keely B.
Great ingredients prepared beautifully. Yummy. Everything we had was delish and the atmosphere was fun and casual, but still special. There was a bit of a wait, which was a challenge with a small child in tow, but crisis averted with a bit of sunshine and a few laps around the block.
(5)Sce P.
Amazing food, great service. I'd recommend going as a party of four. The small plates are perfect portions for sharing with a group of four and getting a variety of them. The only thing I would ding them on is dessert. I was hoping the churros would be chewier.
(4)Nattie X.
Holy moly, 2.5 hours wait on a Saturday night! We put our names down and got back in the car to drive across the river to the Pearl District. Ran a few errands and surely 2 hours later received a text saying our table was ready. Now that's a wait. Second time here and the food was as good as I remembered it to be. It's just a good staple for spanish tapas. Lively ambiance with plate after plates of delicious tapas. -1 star for the insane wait time
(4)Christine N.
It's a very romantic, dimly lit, and intimate space. Keep in mind, however, that you may be seated at a communal table with multiple parties. Steve's Cheese Board: Overall, it was decent. One cheese in particular was extremely potent and it reminded me of the durian fruit, which many people aren't used to. Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey: The flavors were too imbalanced. It was overwhelmingly sweet. Oxtail croquetted with chili mayo: This dish was extremely hyped- not worth it. Roasted eggplant and lamb ragu: It was on the mushy side.
(3)Tina C.
Amazing tapas yet affordable! Loved the grilled corn and the short rib croquettes! A must if it's your first time. The only dish I would recommend avoiding would be charcuterie. Will definitely be back the next time I am in Portland.
(5)Sarah H.
Tips: 1. Make reservations (Or, hope to get lucky like we did----Thursday night there was an hour wait for inside but we were able to sit outside with no wait.) 2. Order rounds and be prepared to share. They're small plates and are served family-style. 3. Be prepared to google to see what the menu items are. Unless you're brave (unlike me) and just order the first thing that jumps out at you. 4. Be ready for excellent seasonal food. Warnings: 1. Unless you have an unending appetite and bank account, you won't be able to try everything in one go, which means you have to return. 2. It is really, really loud inside. 3. A possibly homeless woman may or may not walk up to your table and ask you if you have leftovers.
(5)Clarice O.
I love tapas. They are just the perfect size for me if I were dining alone yet if I have company, a few plates and I get a taste of everything I find interesting. I leave sated without feeling overly guilty. For a grownup dinner, my friends and I went to Toro Bravo. Having heard that they get really busy, we opted to dine at around 6 PM to beat the crowd. And I think it was perfect since when we left, there really was a crowd waiting to get in. The space is quaint, cozy and beautiful. It is dark and mysterious...sexy, even. It is just my kind of spot! Although perhaps an additional half a foot of space between tables would be nice, but I may be nitpicking here as I never truly felt claustrophobic while we were dining. It could get a bit awkward, though, if one had to get up. We ordered a pitcher of sangria to go with a variety of tapas. It was delicious, albeit a bit too strong for me. Now, I am a lightweight so do not let this deter you, but half a glass and I was already in my happy place. This may be a plus for most people, but for my fellow lightweights, do keep this in mind. Now to the tapas. They were absolutely delicious! We split 6 plates between us, but the most memorable were the squid ink pasta, short rib and clam cataplana, and the grilled asparagus (with fried jamon, Calabrian chiles, preserved lemon and cracked olives). The squid ink, which would probably turn off non-adventurous diner, tasted subtly of sea and was just truly delicious with the homemade pasta. The clam was also very delicious and we found ourselves fighting over the broth which we mopped with the bread with which it came. On this, though, we wished they provided more bread because two pieces were simply not enough to enjoy that broth.... As for the asparagus, Toro Bravo's is probably one of my most favorites as all the accoutrements made for a fabulous explosion of flavors with every bite. For dessert, we had the churro with chocolate dip. It sound so simple yet it was simply divine. The chocolate was velvety and more rich than sweet, and the churro was a beautiful texture. One order to split between three people, and it worked, which was really surprising to me as I usually eat a lot of sweets. When I go back to Portland, Toro Bravo would most definitely one of the places I would go back to. They serve simply delicious tapas.
(4)Vania K.
Nomnomnom... It's no secret that Toro Bravo is delicious, you'll always find a full house here. We came here early Saturday evening for dinner and were told there was a 2-hour wait for a table for 4. But alas, we are Seattleites and we think the weather is nice enough to hang around outside when it's cloudy and a breezy 65-degree. We ended up hanging out at the tall tables outside, where they serve full food menu. There was no chair (why was there no chair?), so it was nothing like the cozy atmosphere inside, but that didn't take away from the experience. Service was excellent, friendly and attentive even though we were outside. Our food came out promptly and our drinks were never empty. Everything we ordered was delicious, flavorful, and different, but my favorite was a toss up between the squid ink pasta and the jamon wrapped chicken... Or the bacon and manchego burger. Damn, there were just so many tasty things! Drinks were good, especially if you like bitters, but not very strong. Final thought: Don't miss the squid ink pasta!
(5)Stephanie C.
Delicious but small portions! Would highly recommend ordering the paella & a couple small dishes to share. The service was good & the staff friendly. We waited about an hour for a table for four on a Friday night. We wrote down our name & went to The Secret Society next door to wait for our table. They took our phone number, but we ended up walking back around the time our table was ready. One of the waitresses came outside to ask if we wanted to order drinks & tapas while we were waiting for our table to get ready. For appeteasers (since the portions were so small they were a tease) we ordered: - Griddled Prawns (3 pieces of jumbo shrimp) -- good, but pricey - Empanada (1 piece) -- cheesy & meaty.. Surprisingly delicious but also a bit pricey All the entrees were quite small, except the paella. We ordered: - Lamb Chops (4 pieces) -- very small, but delicious - Drunken Pork (4 pieces) -- also small, but very tasty - Squid Ink Pasta -- a bit salty, but good. I thought the anchovy syrup taste would be more prominent, but it wasn't, which was nice. - Toro Paella -- good portion to share & delicious! A little salty, but overall, my favorite dish.
(4)Elaine N.
Small plates they said... My girlfriends eat tiny meals to keep their itty bitty waist, therefore tapas at Toro Bravo came into mind. We ordered: - Steve's Cheese Plate = can't go wrong with cheese and duck liver mousse. Muy delicioso! - Sautéed Brussels Sprouts = with bacon and sherry cream. On the mushy side. I did not care for. - Meatballs = with tomato sauce and english peas. Certainly not the worst, but definitely not the best. - Squash Dumplings = three small pieces of dumplings covered in braised lamb. Underwhelmed. - Paella Toro = solid dish of the night. Beat everything else except that duck liver mousse. No reservation, first come first served. I do not like. Food was decent at most. Being spoil in the Bay Area with many tapas, I became a snob when it comes to tapas. Lo siento! Service was a hit or miss that night. Oh well, I don't mind.
(3)Ayumi W.
Paella was delicious and tasty. Definitely a must. The mussels practically melted in your mouth and had no sand crunch! The chicken was so flavorful and probably one of the best chicken I've had. The only thing I would change is less oil. It's very oily! The octopus wasn't rubbery at all nor chewy. I'd order the bacon wrapped dates again but not so sure about the spinach. I wish they didn't douse everything with so much oil! You just can't keep eating when everything is so oily and heavy. The wait for two wasn't bad (we got seats right when we got there) although the table they gave us was awkwardly on the side facing the restaurant.
(4)William H.
Been here twice now. I think everyone has given this place a good review, so I will just provide the highlights of what to get and not get. Get: Anything with octopus Panna Cotta Flat Bread - so plain, but surprisingly good. Don't get: Ashed Leeks Radicchio salad - maybe different type of cheese and doesn't include the olive tapenade, but just go to Tasty N Sons for their version at happy hour--it's half the price. That said, if you need some veggies, get it.
(5)Kailes B.
As my aunt would say, holy buckets. This place really does live up to its hype completely as far as food, service and atmosphere goes. We came on a Tuesday night around 8:30pm for Jeffrey's birthday and the place was full, but luckily there was one two top open :D Our servers name was Brooks, super friendly, knowledgable, and attentive. Those are the three things I look for in a good server and he nailed it. Not to mention all of the staff from the host, busser and servers assistant (even though essentially all of them were aka support staff) were just as friendly and attentive as Brooks. The atmopshere here was rockin. Cozy and intimate space with an open kitchen, full bar and even some more private tables off to the side.....kind of literally in the wall. Let talk food now. If you know Spain, you know tapas. Tapas are NOT big dishes, essentially th culture is to have small savory bites with lots of variety meant to be eaten with good company for hours into the night. Toro Bravo provides exactly that, with a menu that is nothing short of amazing. I wanted to get the foie dish and randomly I felt the spinach with pine nuts and raisins sounded good but my date thinks foie is too rich and spinach is boring. Sad face. Alas, we got all the other dishes I wanted so I was pretty happy; pork skirt steak (holy butter and perfect sear), scallops (cooked perfectly), braised pork (? I think thats what it was, was like glorified porky meatloaf), flatbread (perfect chew, cheesy and TRUFFLES). Last but not least we got two desserts - cause duh. Churros with dark chocolate and the olive oil cake. Churros were tasty! I was going a little crazy on the chocolate and the second time it spilled down my face I gave up because Jeffrey was getting embarassed. Olive oil cake had a nice berry compote on it that gave it a tart zing for the rich almost pound cake like flavor. All in all, check Toro Bravo out if you want some great food, awesome experience and just plain and simple want to experience some of what the Portland eating scene has to offer. Thanks to the chef and staff for an amazing birthday meal!
(5)Cathy C.
First time at a tapas restaurant so I didn't know what to expect. We had a party of four and split 4 appetizers and several other dishes and desserts. Every dish is specially prepared and has exquisite flavor. Hard to pick my favorite, but I especially liked two dishes: the seared scallops and the rabbit sausage dish. Red sangria was wonderful. Told the wait would be 3 hrs so we went upstairs to The Secret Society: another gem in Portland! We were having a great time upstairs and then we were seated downstairs within an hour!
(5)Jason T.
I had doubts about the tastiness and overall quality of Toro Bravo's dishes when I was here half a year ago. Some of them were good; some were okay; some were mediocre. But on my last visit, Toro Bravo proved itself in the face of six hungry eaters and showed us what great tapas tasted like. My party ordered a considerable amount of food, and they were all great. I highly recommend the following: - Skirt steak - so good we had two! - Grilled octopus - not to be confused with the other octopus dish - Potatoes Bravas - must-have for any occasion - Paella - very large, with lots of meat and buttery goodness - Brussel sprouts with bacon - you gotta have at least some veggies right? - Dessert: Almond ice cream with wine Despite the high costs of most dishes, I believe Toro Bravo is an opportunity that should not be missed. Hands down, Toro Bravo serves up better food than Tasty N Alder. Note: Reservations only available for parties of 7 or more.
(5)Jen F.
I made my first trip to Portland in 2010, and I came across Toro Bravo by chance. However, being a forever lover of Spanish cuisine, I couldn't resist checking it out. I remember indulging in foie gras stuffed prunes (their "french kiss") and caramel panna cotta (with plenty of wine of course), and having fond memories of it. It's really hard to find a good Spanish style restaurant, so when they're good, they tend to leave an impression. I knew I would have to come back to this place. However, it's not easy convincing your friends to drop money on a fancy tapas place when you're visiting from out of state, especially when they could be chugging down $3 cocktails and tots someplace else in Portland (which is a lovely experience in itself, of course) and feel more Portland-y by doing so. But, five years later, I made it my mission to check out this place again, and I'm sure glad I did. It still has the cozy yet classy atmosphere, ample menu offerings, delicious bites, and friendly service that I remember. This time I got the tasting menu ($40 per person) and this is what I was served: Kisses (I interpret these as fancy pintxos): -Spanish Kiss "Spherical Olives" (described to me as a reconstructed olive...which, while cool, essentially tastes like an oily liquid version of an olive) -Barcelona Kiss (manchego stuffed cracker thing - tasty) Pintxos (bites) -Bread, Butter & Olive Oil (standard fare...wasn't digging the breadsticks) -Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date w/ warm honey (always a delicious classic) -Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" (very tasty for a pintxo - a great savory bite) Salad: -Beet Salad with microgreens and some kind of cheese (tasty, but simple) Charcuterie: -Duck Liver Mousse Terrine (delicious...a definite recommendation!) Tapas (small plates/snacks): -Grilled Asparagus w/ fried jamon, preserved lemon, olives, and chilies (it's grilled asparagus - it is what it is) -Seared Cauliflower w/ cracked olives and salsa verde (tasty in a this-cauliflower-is-tasty kind of way) Raciones (portions): -Oxtail Croquesttes w/ chili mayonnaise (tasty in a meat-and-potatoes kind of way...the mayonnaise had a nice kick to it) -Seared scallops w/ fennel and romesco (delicious - the scallops were perfect) -House smoked Coppa Steak w/ confit potatoes, cracked olives, caramelized onions, salbitxada (AKA delicious sauce) Sweets: -Chocolate covered almonds If you love Spanish food and family style eating, I definitely recommend this spot. It is well-executed and a great experience. Arrive hungry and leave stuffed, as these tiny plates are rich and indulgent. Be warned, though, that this place is pretty much walk-in only (unless you have a really large group I think), and seating is limited. I'd recommend coming early so that you can relax and enjoy yourself without the wait. I'd give it 5 stars if they would add a great crema catalana or flan to their menu. While the caramel panna cotta is delicious, it's still not quite the same.
(4)Hans M.
Only eaten here once but the food was fantastic. Look forward to trying more items on the menu when I visit Portland next.
(5)Kyle S.
I'm not sure what can be written about this place that has not already been said. I personally love tapas style dining. You get to taste so many different plates with completely different personalities. Keep in mind the tables are for parties of 4 or more, so if it's you and your honey on a date anticipate sitting at "the bar". We did not particularly care as it was not too crowded and plenty of space to fit all the dishes! Not being known for being the most decisive people in the world we both ordered the tasting menu. $40/per person got us our fill of pieces ranging from a wonderful asparagus salad and duck pate, to bacon wrapped dates, super tasty pork ribs, and lamb. Having done the tasting menu, I can safely say that we will return to try the many things that we did not have the opportunity (nor the room in our stomachs) to try. Come hungry with an open mind and cleansed pallet and you will have a wonderful time!
(5)Elisa H.
Came here after reading the hype about this place from yelp reviews. We were visiting from LA and decided to try it out on our last day (Sunday) in Portland. Reservations are only for parties of 6 or more and since it was just 2 of us, we were quoted a 90 minute wait. To our surprise, 30 minutes later we got a call and our table was ready. The ambience of the restaurant was great, which got me really excited. We ordered squid ink pasta, seared scallops, drunken pork, and the smoked copa steak. First of all, can I just start by saying that the food was absolutely horrendous?! The concept behind the food was up to par but whoever they had in the kitchen that day is a complete FAIL! Our seared scallops were cold and tasted like it had been sitting on the counter for who knows how long. The wine taste from the drunken pork was too overwhelming, not to mention it was ALSO cold. And the copa steak was the only thing that was tolerable to our taste but of course, it was cold too. If I could give zero stars to the food, I would. The 2 are for our server. She was very attentive and comped the seared scallops after telling her it was cold. We didn't feel the need to complain about the rest of our dishes. We walked out of the restaurant in sad disappointment. A few hours later, my girlfriend complained of having an upset stomach. And sure enough, she began throwing up that night. We had a flight to return to LA early the next morning, and she was vomiting the entire flight home. On a brighter note, at least this happened at the end of our trip or it would have ruined a perfectly good weekend getaway!
(2)Melani B.
this place does not need my help in the review department, but I want to go on record saying how much I enjoyed some of the dishes we had the other night--we got the tasting menu ($40 per person) and it included some awesome things which are not on the regular menu--my favorites were the roasted pepper gratin with manchego and the grilled padron peppers. Hooray for tasting-menu awesomeness!
(4)Brian G.
This was absolutely delightful. We sat at the bar, which I would recommend doing 100%. You get to talk to the chefs to see what they recommend and see all of the delicious plates they make. The Octopus was amazing, and I would highly recommend getting it. The chefs also surprised us with a free desert so that we could try it. The service was impeccable.
(5)Athena L.
I LOVE Toro Bravo! Came here on a Sunday night last weekend and it was ridiculously crowded.. which I've noticed is pretty typical for a great restaurant in Portland. Most places here don't take reservations. We waited for 2 hours at the next door lounge (Secret Lounge Society) and they gave us a call when our table was ready. We got the tasting menu because there is SO much to choose from and it turned out to be a good amount of food for a tasting menu. There were about 10 dishes (from what I remember) and these aren't your usual tapas sized portions! Radicchio Salad- Simple, yet so good. I love salad and I love vinaigrette. It's topped with a few slices of mini toast with chopped green olives. Bacon Wrapped Date- It was replaced with an almond inside! I actually really enjoyed this, but I wouldn't have eaten more than one date. The bacon and the almond inside evened out the sweetness of the date. Pretty interesting, must try! Duck Liver Mousse Terrine- Probably one of my favorite dishes. It came with some hot mustard, pickles, and olives. So delicious, not too salty. A defnite MUST TRY! Grilled Octopus- My second favorite dish! This serving was more like your tapas dish. They were bite sized pieces of toasts topped with a small piece of grilled octopus, topped with tomato, chilies, and olives. Seared Scallops- I've never had such a huge scallop served in a restaurant before! Another bite sized portion. Simple, but other than the size, it was not memorable. Stewed Butternut Squash- Okay, so I've never really had butternut squash ever in my life... but this totally changed my mind. This dish ties for favorite at Toro Bravo. It was SO good with the sheep's cheese! Definitely surprised me because it just looks like mush. Haha House Smoked Coppa Steak- Cooked medium/medium well. Tender, just the way I like it... but I couldn't eat more than a few bites. This portion was pretty generous for a tapas dish. The seasoning was a little too salty for my taste. Roasted Delicata Squash & Lamb Ragu- Yummy. I love lamb! For those who can't stand lamb because of its distinct taste, you can't really tell in this dish. :) Sauteed Spinach- Okay, seriously. How does something SO simple like sauteed spinch with pine nuts... taste SO good?! Definitely going to cook my spinach with pine nuts from now on. Game changer. This place is a definite must try when you're in Portland! Be prepared to wait though :)
(4)Andrew W.
Fair warning: there is a pretty long wait. The host kindly suggested Secret Society Lounge next door while we waited, and that place is pretty great in its own right. But eventually we found ourselves a seat. The restaurant is crowded and it takes too long to get a seat, but the moment I had my first bite of my first "kiss," I knew there was no where else I'd rather be than in the awkward corner of a crowded bar counter at one of the best tapas restaurants around. In other words, the food is really good. We tried all the "kisses," I think they're dishes designed to be delivered in a single bite, and I was really happy by the nice balance of textures and flavor in each of them. You could tell that the chef was putting some actual thought into each one. We also had the Octopus a la Plancha, House Smoked Coppa Steak, Drunken Pork, and the Oxtail Croquettes. Everything tasted great, was well prepared, and lent themselves to the 5 star-rating that I really believe this place deserves. If I had any complaint it would be that the menu was a little large and just about everything looked interesting. It forces me to have to make the 2.5 hour drive from Seattle again so I can try all the fun things in the menu.
(5)Kelly C.
EXCELLENT dinner here last Saturday. Going out for Tapas for a double date ended up being a great idea and all 4 of us were so glad! Since they don't take reservations, we showed up at 6pm on a Saturday and were quoted a 2 hour wait. We had drinks upstairs at Secret Society Lounge and our table came up after only 90 minutes. I had the Sangria here at Toro Bravo and really liked it. We ordered 3-4 plates each and the food came out randomly. Here's a few that I remember: Grilled Octopus. tomato. calabrian chilies. fried olives. capers == The other 3 LOVED this octopus. I don't eat seafood, so I can't really say. Sautéed Brussels Sprouts. bacon. sherry cream == YUM Empanada. chorizo. potatoes. mahon. piment basquaise crème fraîche == Good, but not the best ever. Roasted Delicata Squash & Lamb Ragu. sweet peppers. mahon == Very Good. I'm a big fan of squash and lamb; both of these were well prepared. House Smoked Coppa Steak. confit potatoes. cracked olives. caramelized onions. salbitxada* == Excellent! All 4 of us really enjoyed this one Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash. sheep's cheese == Came out last and was the perfect end to our meal. The cheese was just rich enough that this was like dessert. All 4 of us liked this one as well. Wonderful service here and I can see why they are so popular. The waitress was very knowledgeable on the menu and answered all of our questions.I would definitely want to come back if I lived in Portland. One funny thing was that the music was kinda random. Started off as some worldbeat music that you would expect in a tapas restaurant and then shifted into late 90s rap (Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg). One of the other tables was singing & dancing along... Made for entertaining people watching. Thanks for the great night, Toro Bravo!
(5)Jacqueline T.
I'll try to keep this review short and sweet. Their service was super attentive, quick and friendly. But their time estimation it pretty horrible. We got there around 7:30, and wanted to see how long the wait would be for a table. They estimated 1hour to 1and a half. We were pretty tired, and decided since it was small tapas, we could eat standing up in the waiting/bar area. half way through our meal, a lot of tables cleared out (I assumed there were reservations for those other tables? but reservations weren't allowed), but our waitress then quickly told us that a table has been cleared for us, and checked to see if we wanted to move. We had a loooottt of tapas on our stand up table already, and thought it wasn't worth moving, as we were almost finished. I looked at the clock, and it was only 34 minutes prior to us checking in. Ohwell.. we got to try the place out, but I expected better timing estimation. Now on to the tapas: I would consider the sizes of their tapas, a lot smaller than other tapas. We ordered quite a bit, but sharing with a group of 5, meant that everyone could get just one single bite (one spoon or one forking) of each dish. with the exception of the Paella, which we were able to get about 3/4 spoons for each person. For their size of their tapas.. the price was not worth it. Also, the taste of all the tapas were mediocre at best. Maybe I ordered alllllll the wrong things. Paella tastes better at a paella restaurant. So I was quite disappointed. Ambiance was nice, but super dark. So couldn't really take much food pics.
(3)Yannie S.
To be honest, I didn't really expect much when my cousin decided to come here for dinner. I know the Mexican food in Portland is nothing compared to California, but this was Spanish... Anyway, we came around 7pm on Sunday and the wait was about 30 mins. Our group ordered: 1. Radicchio salad - a little bitter but it was still appetizing. We really needed some veggies in our system from all the grubbing in Seattle/Portland. 2. Salt Cod Fritters- VERY delicious. 3. Potatoes Bravas - decent. tasted like potatoes infused with some kind of tomato sauce 4. Meatballs - they were good but can be overlooked. 5. Oxtail croquettes - one of my favorites here. the croquettes were tasty. The oxtail was something else. very tender and melted in your mouth. 6. Paella - another favorite, loaded with flavor and mussles, clams, chorizo. However, chicken was a little too charred for my taste. Skipped dessert cause this was enough food for 4. Another added plus for this restaurant was that it was extremely affordable! Normally I feel like a tapas joint can add up and be pretty expensive, but this was very reasonably priced. The servers were also very attentive and service was great! Overall, I would definitely come back for their oxtail, and paella!!!
(4)Sarah C.
An affordable-ish must eat place for tapas in Portland. If you really have the money, then hit up Andina. You really have to plan accordingly if you plan to dine here. We arrived around 6pm on a Saturday evening. It was an hour wait. You can put down your number and they can call you. They'll either suggest the secret society next door or some other bar. We didn't want to do that so we just waited by the door and ordered a sangria to share. The sangria is tasty and strong. I feel like most people end up eating their meal at the waiting area. This party of 7/8 waited for 2 hours for their table. A lot of people dropped in, realized the wait, and left. Come during the weekday if you really want to eat here. It is a small place that serves tapas; can't go too fast. Paella Toro. chicken. chorizo. shrimp. clams. mussels - I think this is my first time eating Paella. It is very homely and comes with a boat load of rice. My boyfriend can eat a lot so we were able to finish with two other tapas but if you are two females or two people with average appetites just order this and possibly one other tapa. We enjoyed it. Grilled Flat Bread. black truffle cheese & arugula - This was amazingly good. My favorite out of the three tapas we ordered. It is filled with flavor. If you like garlic bread you will definitely love this. Also comes with a large bed of arugula on top. Made me happy since we didn't order a veggie dish. House Smoked Coppa Steak with potatoes, olives, onions & salbitxada - You can order this in two sizes. We opted for the smaller one since its just the two of us and we wanted to try more items. You would think its kind of dumb to order a steak at a tapas place but the sauce it came with was to die for. The steak was tender. I actually though the side items were the gem of the dish. Caramel Panna Cotta - This looked extremely boring when it was dropped onto our table. It was caramel colored and it was in a caramel colored bowl. Um... But man was it tasty. If you are into salted caramel sprinkle some maldon sea salt that is found on your table onto the dessert. It is heavenly bliss. Kind of like the salt and straw delight. Two unisex restrooms in the back. The restaurant itself is dim and has a romantic feel to it. The seats are really close to one another and it can get a bit loud. Also it is uber stuffy up in there so beware.
(4)Astha M.
I had heard a lot about Toro Bravo and decided to try their food. My overall experience is the tapas taste and size is not worth the money. Everything what at least we ordered was mediocre. Nothing stood out for us to rave about. Canalone catalan was the biggest disappointment. It lacked flavor and was too bland. Stewed butternut squash and burger were two best tasting dishes. The burger was not your usual burger. It had a different but good flavor to it which I think people must try. Bacon wrapped dates were too sweet for our taste and they lacked the smokiness of bacon. The money we paid for a tapas with 3 griddles prawns wasn't worth it. Salt cod fritters simply tasted like mashed up fish was batter fried and they had no other added flavor. They had a good ambience and nicely dressed people with a good service but I wouldn't go back when Portland has so much more to offer in terms of food.
(3)Joel T.
I'm a huge fan of Toro Bravo. This is my go to top of the line tapas restaurant. Go on a weeknight that isn't Thursday or Friday to avoid the 2.5 hour wait. You'll still have to wait but at least you won't starve to death before sitting down. Also parties of 6 or more can make reservations. I'd highly recommend going in a group of that size also so that you can try a dozen different dishes. You'll be happy you did. Everything I've had here has been amazing with the exception of the potatoes bravas. Though I have yet to be excited by them at other restaurants as well so it may just be the nature of the dish. Get one of everything and pass it around! If you do have to wait, you can always go to Secret Society above the restaurant or Bunk Bar next door to have drinks beforehand. Don't get too sloshy though or you won't remember exactly how much you loved the food.
(5)Bee C.
We had to wait a bit since we didn't have a reservation. But the waitress was awesome for telling us we could get started with dinner at the open standing tables and could transfer to a table once one was available. We opted to take the shared standing table and start our order. Everything was delicious. We wanted to order seconds of everything we ordered but were afraid to miss out on trying everything else. Everything on the Charcuteria Board was delicious and we wanted to spread the Duck Liver Mousse on everything. The Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" was tender, delicious. The price was super reasonable including drinks. We enjoyed the food so much we were trying to figure out how to fit in another meal here in our 2 day stay. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Alex T.
This places comes highly recommended by some local friends we have. We decided to stop in at 530 since they don't take reservations. Luckily we got a bar/kitchen top with out having to wait. The party of four in front had to wait 1.5-2 hours. We had a pitcher of sangria which was tasty and not too strong for a brandy based sangria. The food and dessert was exceptional! A foodie must some would say but I was a little let down by the slow service. I don't feel it's right to have to wave the waitress every time I need something. A little more attention would have gotten 5 stars. Still great food don't pass it up.
(4)Nicole B.
Was looking for a place to take my mom out for her birthday. Toro Bravo, was definitely on the list. We walked up to the establishment, around 9pm. The place was packed, but luckily no line. Initially, I wasn't too impressed. We weren't acknowledged for a few minutes. Granted, it was busy. I like it when, someone, anyone says "hey, we're super busy at the moment, but we'll be right with you". We were then greeted, and told it would be a few minutes to have a table set up for us. It was a communal table, which I didn't mind, seeing as there were four of us, and four of another party. Our server, was fantastic. Even though, every seat at Toro Bravo, had been taken, she was very on top of everything. We started off with drinks, and a few french kisses and duck liver mousse. I would definitely order the duck liver mousse again. It was creamy and complemented the accompaniments. We then ordered a few items, and shared everything. We ordered: squid ink pasta, grilled moorish lamb chops, coppa steak and the paella. Everything we had ordered was exceptionally delectable. The highlights:grilled moorish lamb and the paella. The moorish lamb, had great flavor; tender and succulent. The paella, which we were told would be a 25 minute wait, was a myriad of flavors. Citrus, tomatoes, shrimp, mussels, chicken etc. Unfortunately, there was no room for dessert. A great restaurant, that is congruent with the hype. Worth checking out.
(4)Ling Tzu W.
The food was nothing but delicious at this Tapas restaurant opened by Chef John Gorham. I had been to one other Chef Gorham's restaurant, Tasty and Alder, so the expectation was very high when it comes to food and service. The tapas that we ordered was tasty most of the time, but there are just couple of dishes that we ordered were not up to our expectations. Maybe it was a little bit too high. The two dishes that were mostly memorable was the skirt steak and the bacon wrapped dates. They were amazing. The service on the night we went seemed a little bit off. We weren't getting consistent service and after an 1.5 hr wait for a seat for 2, we were expecting a little bit more service, i.e taking our order in a timely fashion and not forgetting to refill our water cups?! This is one of those places that I would visit at least once for the food to see if you actually like it but the service needs a little bit of work so they don't have off nights.
(3)Jasper J.
A fantastic experience here every time. This is what food is like when done right! Every dish has its own unique flavor profile with tremendous depth. Personally, I enjoyed the fritters, anchovies, prawns, potatoes bravo, squid ink pasta, scallops (just perfectly done), meatballs, lamb chops, and duck liver terrine. The only "meh" was the paella. Very talented chef. Great prices for fine dining food quality without the fluff. You can expect to pay more than twice as much in San Francisco for the same food experience. Come here. You will not regret it. Start the evening right by grabbing a drink upstairs at the Secret Society while waiting for your table downstairs at Toro Bravo.
(5)Chris K.
What a great experience this was. Definitely go here. The service was excellent and the food was quite tasty. The pretty servers all work together and take people's names and seat them and then take their food and drink orders. No single server stays with you. They checked on me every few minutes and were quick to get what I ordered back to me despite it being very busy on a Saturday night. I ordered sautéed carrots and the spicy griddled shrimp. The carrots were small but good and the shrimp were piping hot and very sauced. You have to peel the shells but it's worth the work. I ended up moving over to the bar when a seat opened up and ordered the lamb chops. Excellent choice. They were tender and flavorful. My two glasses of Spanish red wine complimented everything very well. I wish I lived in Portland to stop back by here more often. It's worth the long wait for a table and parking two blocks away.
(5)Dan W.
I am so stuffed i am in a food coma. With so many different options on the menu the tasting menu is a good way to try a handful of things. If your like me and enjoy variety, it's an awesome way to try a good amount of dishes. They fed me 7 very well portioned dishes. Here is what they served me: Olive burst is the places take on gastronomy. Suppose to be just like an olive but I didn't get it. Was still good, just not as olivey as I thought it would be. Griddled bacon wrapped date. Perfect mix of bacon and date with a sweet honey glaze. Salt cod fritter. House made salted cod. A little too salty for my taste. Groundwork greens. Seasonal salad with super fresh tomatoes and cucumbers and a light oil based salad dressing with blue cheese. Scallops over blood sausage mixed with rice. Great combination. Grilled torpedo onions with salbitxada. This was my favorite. The salbitxada dressing on the grilled onions was very good. Grilled Moorish lamb chops over potatoes and chorizo. This was ok, but the chops were a bit thin, whereas I woulda preferred a thicker cut to get more of the meat flavor. All in all, great value and a very unique menu. The service was also awesome and the atmosphere was cool
(4)Ivana W.
I got the white wine sangria. It was deliciously made with a pear brandy and had a citrusy taste but the glass was only half filled... The braised lamb was exquisite!! The pasta is a great complement to the lamb. We also got the paella. It was tasty but salty. We're glad we tried this place during our trip to Portland!
(4)Cortney R.
I'll make this short and sweet - food was great! Amazing flavors and textures. Loved it, but my experience was marred by the 3 hour wait! We were told 2 hours which was tolerable because of the bar upstairs, but then we kept getting told "soon, you're next". By that time, we may have actually been the last table seated and even the staff was tired. Very professional but still clearly ready to go home. I would go again, just plan to arrive at 5 and wait 90mins.
(3)Megan P.
My list of restaurants to try in Portland was rather daunting, but I am so glad that I was able to try Toro Bravo! We arrived on a Friday night around 6 and were given an hour wait time. Not a problem, as we went over to Secret Society next door (see my Yelp review!). They take your phone number and notify you when your table is ready. The servers are helpful and willing to answer any questions you may have about menu items. Or if you can't decide, like my friends and I, just order everything! Although a slight exaggeration, we did order a large array of tapas to share including the marinated sheep's cheese with harissa, grilled corn with cilantro pesto, grilled flatbread with black truffle cheese and arugula, and Steve's cheese board. My friends ordered a few meat dishes to share and they seemed to enjoy them as well. My favorites by far were the grilled flatbread and a side of sautéed spinach with golden raisins and pine nuts, but I'll discuss each dish in turn: 1. Marinated Sheep's Cheese with Harissa- served with crostini, the sheep's cheese comes in little balls and is soaked in harissa. I love this spicy north african paste, and it works perfectly the mild and creamy sheep's cheese 2. Grilled Corn with Cilantro Pesto- it is hard to beat charred, sweet corn lathered in herbaceous pesto 3. Grilled Flatbread with Black Truffle and Arugula- OMG. I loved this dish. The combination was perfection and the flatbread was thick, similar to pita. There was a generous portion of greens atop the creamy cheese with hints of truffle 4. Sautéed spinach- it can be hard to properly sauté spinach and find the balance between overcooked and soggy and not quite done. Toro Bravo mastered it without overdoing the oil and the pine nuts and raisins added the finishing touch Now I seriously want to go back after ruminating over each dish again!
(4)Janet J.
First of all, I have to say I am not from Portland so I am not sure what is the food standard for Portland, but this is what I think as a LA person! Wait - still a wait at 9pm on a Saturday night, I waited for about 20 mins and got seated at the bar. Service - excellent! and the food came out super fast even though it was a busy night! Food - we ordered the Duck Liver Terrine and Paella Toro, both are amazing, they make their own pickles and mustard for the duck liver. Also ordered, the Bacon Wrapped Date since a lot of Yelpers recommended, but not a fan of it, it is way too sweet for me. Price - super reasonable considered how good the quality of the food is! Extremely satisfied!
(5)Roger M.
As good as it gets. Expect scrumptious dishes prepared and plated presentations. Expect snappy service. Expect a line waiting at the front door when it opens. Met our Expect-taste-in's! Tapas, diverse selection. Liked bacon wrap figs with warm honey appetizer. Liked fried squash blossoms stuffed with sheep cheese and mojo pico. Liked eggplant in lamb ragu with sweet peppers.
(4)Elizabeth F.
Such a fun place for a date night! Great small plates.
(5)Liz R.
Walked in and were seated right away despite it being very busy. The service is a bit slow but its worth the wait for the savory meal. Plan to order multiple items from the menu to make a meal and we were told by the employees that this place is designed with the idea of sharing the food amongst yourselves so there aren't traditional "entrees".
(5)Doug B.
First of all, this is not a review of the food as the food was fantastic; this is a review about having the final tip amount changed and increased by our server. In the US the credit card payment is still paper based (not pin based) so whatever the server decides to submit as a final total is based upon the honour system. We visited Toro Bravo on the 15th of June and had a great meal sitting at the bar. We enjoyed our meal and left a 20% tip, but when we saw the transaction (minus exchange rate, and verified by our bank), the amount had increased by another 13% for an amended tip amount of 33%. My wife being an accountant saw the discrepancy when reconciling our vacation receipts and we called our bank who verified the amended amount of the tip. Thank goodness our credit card company verified and has rectified, and credited our account back, but what happens if we were not so diligent? Looking at our copy of the receipt it would be very hard to make this type of mistake as the writing is clear, the amount happened to come to a round number, so barring some very thick fingers, I am unclear of how this could happen. This has left a bad impression of Toro Bravo, and will not be going back or recommending this place to our friends. My recommendation is to watch the receipt if paying by credit card....
(1)Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: While I had recognized the name and certainly remembered the logo, it wasn't until my older sister's friend from her undergraduate days at Lewis & Clark College took me there that I realized I was at their sister restaurant on a previous trip to Portland! Type of cuisine: A Spanish inspired tapas restaurant. Ambiance: Flamenco in the air, the deep red walls and simple decor with dim lighting truly bring out the ambiance of a Spanish establishment set in the heart of NE Portland. Candles everywhere. The kitchen open, allowing the staff to see the happiness on the faces of dining patrons, the slightly too loud music and the white noise murmurings of neighboring diners lets you know that you are enjoying a meal among locals who consider Toro Bravo a favorite in Portland eateries. What I ordered: My dining companion and I shared a handful of selections including two of the Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey ($2 each) from the Pinchos menu, as well as the Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" ($9) from the same menu. From the tapas, we enjoyed the Grilled Raab with calabrian chilies & breadcrumbs ($8), Griddled Prawns with chilies ($12), and a small order of the Potatoes Bravas ($5). With food that good, I simply had to take something home for my hard-working husband, and chose from the Raciones menu, which offered larger portions, including the House Bacon & Manchego Burger with romesco & pickled vegetables ($12). What I loved: Of the tapas in our mix, it is truly difficult to select one over the other; each providing hearty, tangy, robust flavors that forced one to slowly, diligently savor each morsel. The burger, devoured upon being seen, a perfect mix of thick-cut manchego cheese, melted onto layer after layer of thick-cut, crisped to perfection bacon, and juicy, tender, medium ground beef. Open wide. Why I loved it: I love learning about local favorites from some of my local favorites, and Toro Bravo is no exception to the tried and true being among the best. From popularity to ambiance, from music to food, they deliver. Cost: High ($8 - $21 for no sides dinner entrees)
(5)Lisa H.
Try the chef's tasting menu! That's my best advice. Other than that... Save up some $$$ so you can go here and spend. I have always had great service here. On my most recent visit it was very busy and we were impressed with the speed, precision and quality of food the kitchen put out. Everything on the menu sounds delicious so I had no idea how to choose. With the tasting menu, you get a little plate of many many dishes. I think we got 11 or 12 tastes. I enjoyed them all. I have enjoyed my meal each time I visit. I have gone for snacks and drinks as well as full meals. Recently, on a whim with a friend we thought we would drop on by and that's when we tried the tasting menu. If you haven't been here before and you can't decide what to get, just do the tasting menu. It's worth it!
(5)Victoria E.
Portland, like Boston, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, Cape Cod, and Salt Lake City, evoked memories of the past, some pleasant, some not. I am not particularly fond of revisiting past and retracing the path I had taken, though in the recent years, past paths seem to have found me. I have resolved to come to terms with all. It was under such sentimentality, I arrived in Portland. Toro Bravo, voted one of the best restaurants in Portland, rumored to have a two hour wait. Staff, super friendly and helpful. Told me it's really more like an half an hour because I arrived just in time before the big mob showed up. Five minutes into it, I asked if there was somewhere to walk about (did not seem to be such a place), and they informed me a cancelation just happened (she literately just got off the call) and they could seat me, if I'd like at the counter. Score. I love counter dining. I get much more attention from the waitstaff / bartender and food seemed to taste better when you are eating at the bar. Grilled squid, splendid. drunken pork was deliciously drunk, paella had an excellent chicken addition, salt cod fritters were decadently dunked in mayo, you wish that you did not order it because you could eat 20 of them! Churros with chocolate sauce for dipping to cap the evening. Fanciful drinks to boot. This is one of the four restaurants owned by John Gorham. I want to know what kind of person is he, because this is simply great and I know that MEC (Mediterranean Exploration Company) just got opened in Pearl district and is already generating equal amount of buzz. Food is 4.5, but coming from San Francisco and New York vantage point of view, value, boy, let's talk about value. It's half of the price you'd expect to pay here. If you eat here three times it just paid for your airline ticket. Think about it. Do not delay. Virgin is having a sale of $59 one way for January from SFO to PDX. Fly with me.
(5)Tim F.
Burger: 8/9 Squid Ink Pasta: 6/10 (it's good but it's just decent pasta with black food coloring..well, that's what it seems) Paella: 4/10 Roasted leaks: 9/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 I'd go to tasty n sons and alder before this place but it's definitely a place to try if you're in portland..they have other things on the menu that I haven't tried but I know they'd be good
(3)Paul V.
Amazing. Just amazing. Everything about this experience was about as good as you could expect. Service, food, ambiance... this is the perfect dining experience that everyone should experience at least once. Toro Bravo is firmly planted atop my Portland eateries. I can't wait to come back here. Everything was delicious. I highly recommend the Squid Ink Pasta, the empanadas, and the sobrasada. I did enjoy the Salt Cod Fritters, but I probably would hold off on getting them again in order to try the other flavors. John Gorham is a magician and I'm curious to see what he has cooking up over at Tasty n sons/alder. I trust him implicitly. They have Underberg, so order a whole bunch of stuff and don't worry about feeling too full afterward. Just enjoy the ride. The service was excellent. For how busy the restaurant was, our waitress was attentive and friendly for the entire duration. The host was nice and had a good sense of humor and great attitude even though he was juggling dozens of hungry and antsy patrons. He was also accurate in his estimation of how long it would take to get a seat, which is always appreciated. They really have a great supporting staff here. If I had one complaint about Toro Bravo, it's that the wait time to get a seat is a bit too long in my opinion. It was about 100 minute wait to get a table for 2. Fortunately, there are several other establishments in the area to get a drink and kill some time. They recommend Secret Society, which is a speakeasy type place right near the restaurant entrance. We tried to go there, but there were several people waiting in the lobby for a table there too. Don't fret if that happens to you, just walk around the neighborhood and you'll come across something in no time. All complaints aside, this place is marvelous. If you have a discerning palate, you absolutely must eat here at least once in your life. You're going to wait, but at the end of the day, it's totally worth it.
(5)Charles H.
If you want a great food experience at a cheap price then this is the place. To much good to list. Everything we ate was amazing. The drinks were new and exciting. The service was great. i recommend you order the chef's choice for $40 per person. It may sound expensive but you will get 15 different servings of amazing food. I had a similar experience at the Willows Inn on Lummi Island, WA except the meal was $300 a person.
(5)Jennifer H.
WOW, what can I say that hasn't been said. This place lives up to the hype. There were five in our party. We went family style, sharing everything... our server was super helpful with plate selections and since it was out first time in we were appreciative of her patience and knowledge. Everything she suggested was mouthwateringly good. Brussels Sprouts with bacon sherry cream, Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula, House Smoked Coppa Steak* with potatoes, olives, onions & salbitxada, Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with sheep's cheese just to name a few. And dessert... Churros & Chocolate and Cheese ice cream and huckleberry sauce. We had very adventurous eaters and very unadventurous eaters and there was something for everyone (some things sound a little more foofoo than they actually are). I can't wait to go back and can say with full "Elite" status authority this place has earned it's stats!
(5)Loon E.
There is almost always a long wait to get seated here, but it is worth it! And I don't even like tapas generally. The hostess will usually send you upstairs to the bar to get a drink while waiting or you can just wander about the street and have a few cigarettes. Regardless, just wait! It's generally pretty dark and crowded in here. Service can be amiss, but just sit at the bar and you'll get your drinks quick and the bartenders here are pretty good in general. The food here is rock solid. Be prepared that a lot of the items on the menu will not be available the later you arrive though. Even salads will be gone! The one time we were craving a late night salad and they were out! LOL. Everybody loves the bacon wrapped dates and they are good, but they are far from the best item here. Off memory and looking at the few pics I have, the pate was really good and the flatbread was also nicely charred (I've always enjoyed the flatbreads here). The crispy fritters were bad and only memorable in that aspect. The menu is extensive, so before you know it, you'll have ordered a ton of small things to try. It can get expensive here, but is well worth it!
(5)Tyler C.
I've been trying to go here for almost two years now. Every attempt thus far has been abandoned due to my lack of patience or unwillingness to wait 2+ hours to be seated. I love tasty & son so really wanted the toro experience. Tonight my boyfriend & I walked in and were seated immediately while the group of four in front of us was told they'd be waiting 35 minutes for a table. Sucks to have friends :-) Our waitress was very nice and the whole staff attentive. Our water carafe was never empty, we never felt left alone but weren't smothered. Perfect service! Let me say that we have both spent significant time in Spain & Latin America so it is possible we have unreasonable expectations of our tapas? I ordered the "to your health" drink and my boyfriend had the basque kiss. Both were just ok. They were both a tad bland and seemed to be lacking the key ingredient of booze. $9 I want a stiff delicious drink. For dinner the dishes were in order: tortilla espanola, patatas bravas, brussles sprouts & calamari. Tortilla - not bad. The sauces really great and true spanish flavor. It was a tad potato heavy. I'd recommend a touch more egg and flavor. Patatas - not as good as the tortilla. We both thought they were lacking flavor. But in general decent. Brussles - I love this dish at tasty but something at toro was off. Maybe they were over cooked. They were a bit bland and the burnt flavor was too much. Close. Calamari - I would defiantly not recommend this dish. Bland, lacks flavor, chewy, underwhelming. Was very disappointed with this. In short... I may give this place another shot but in general was disappointed. Think tasty & son is my choice for dining on Williams when I decide to venture out of the pearl.
(3)Therese N.
Since I love Toro Bravo's sister restaurant, Tasty N Sons, it was only natural that I try Toro Bravo. Same concept of small plates but they are Spanish Tapas. I especially love the seafood paella! It takes a while to come out but so worth the wait. I couldn't work up the nerve to order the squid ink dish...maybe someday. I especially love their molten chocolate cake: made with very good chocolate. This place gets super busy so expect a long wait.
(5)Gillian W.
Was in here last weekend after an event and I'm not sure why I am reviewing this place as I really didn't eat anything. Was here for drinks and that was it. Came in with DH and his buddy, there were two seats at the bar and and three of us. My DH wanted to sit at the bar, but the bartender told us there wasn't enough seats and said sorry we can't seat you at the bar, my DH said he would stand up, she still said no so we took up a table that was for 4. Fine by me I guess. I had my vodka on the rocks and DH and friend had beer. Wasn't impressed with the staff in this place, but I hear it has good food, I may update this review if I decide to go back for the food, but gathering the first treatment from staff- not a good impression. Not sure what the reasoning behind us not being able to be at the bar.. but eh what do I know?
(3)Neal L.
Like they said on Portlandia, "Tapas: they're small plates but they cost as much as normal ones." I don't like doing tapas only because the bill is always a math clusterfu*k with a number of people with different attitudes towards money. It's really best when someone just takes out the whole group, which happens...almost never. This place had some amazing, amazing food and brilliantly creative dishes. When squash steals the show, you know there's talent in the kitchen. The food comes out fast, too. Not a big beer list, but my favorite German beer was in the mix, and I think a wheat beer is good for not staying with the palate when trying to taste complex foods. The charcuterie left a little to be desired but good for the most part, but every other dish was knocked out of the park. I'd love to come back.
(4)Jim T.
REALLY nice early dinner. Sat outside at a sidewalk table with the pooch. Good choice because the inside isn't air conditioned and it was HOT and STUFFY inside! It got busy fast but service was great with everybody sharing the load and meeting customer needs. Had several small plates, all were good. Well worth the stop.
(5)DAVID G S.
a great time!!!!!!!!! I would recommend this to a group of three or four,share a bunch of stuff,explore.... I absolutely loved it.
(5)Rebecca C.
Certain dishes are amazing, and certain are just ok. I am not sure that this place is worth the hour and a half wait, but the staff is really friendly and tries to be helpful since they know you've been waiting forever. The food we had was good. Not the best i've ever eaten, but certainly in the top bracket. I loved the cheese board and the fried potatoes. I also loved the bacon wrapped dates (although really, how do you mess that up?). The asparagus was amazing and spicy and just an excellent dish. The meatballs are meh. That was my friend's order (men and their meat). The dessert was a mixed bag. The churros were ok, but frankly I prefer the kind found on the street at disneyland. These were too plain. The Caramel Panna Cotta was beyond amazing and we fought over the last few bites. All in all, a good place if you have an evening to kill, but make sure you understand you'll be there for hours on end.
(4)Ashok R.
Yesterday we went to Toro Bravo for my wife's birthday. It was our first visit. I should say almost everything we ordered was tasking awesome. From the dates wrapped in bacon :-), the Tapas, Braised Lamb apricot and coriander, smoked steak. Even the desert the churro and chocolate and a pound cake. the only issue for me was that the portion sizes, i wasn't sure if they are dinner portion or an appetizer. My order of Pan seared halibut cheeks were about 25% of a small plate. The chicken was by far the biggest portion sized dinner. I saw the burgers were about normal sized. But the first visit wasn't disappointing or anything, even after an hour wait it wasn't bad. There was another restaurant right next door, where we snacked an order of french fries and some wings. That was splendid too. It was a great evening nevertheless. ROY lived up to the expectations.!
(4)Hungry H.
We waited about 1.5 hours at 8pm on a Friday night.. was it worth it? mmm prob. not. would definitely eat here but only if the wait was less than 30 mins. Don't get me wrong the food wasn't bad, but at the same time it was nothing to write home about.. heres what we had throughout the course of the night Good: - Paella toro (a must) - bacon wrapped dates - House Smoked Coppa Steak with potatoes, olives, onions & salbitxada - almond ice cream with espresso ( a must, you'll thank me later!) Ok: - drunken pork w/avocado salad Bad: - squid ink pasta w/hazelnuts (far too salty for my taste) - potatoes bravas (um, if you like them mushy and sweet) - salt cod fritters (TOO salty, ridiculously small) - churros w/chocolate (didn't even touch the chocolate, churros were nothing special, just overpriced - had better at Costco.) TIP for travelers: yet another hyped up place, didn't think it was worth the wait. Still had a good time with my party, but if I were to do it again definitely would not wait that long...
(3)Faye F.
My friend and I came here dinner time, but we made sure to arrive a little early since we heard the wait can be long. Seated right away and the servers were great. The food was amazing! Had the seafood paella and I loved it! I loved the little kick it gave and the huge portions of seafood (mussels, clams, shrimp!). My friend had the grilled flatbread, potatoes brava, and the hairira moroccan lamb stew. The potatoes brava were delicious! I don't think I've had anything like that before. If you ever get a chance to come up here, TRY THIS PLACE! Service was pretty good and food comes out as it's done. They have these mixed nuts on the table and those were good too.
(4)Monica A.
Went here once and thought it was okay. I didn't write a review because I was hoping the next time would be better. Unfortunately-- it is still just "okay" for me so here's the review: Be patient as the wait time can be atrocious- but if you can find a spot at the bar, it's not so bad. I like to watch my sodium intake and this place is definitely not low on salt. All of our dishes tasted over salted and left us pretty thirsty. The first time I went with some friends, we ordered more than half the menu. This last time, I was able to try the other dishes hoping for less salt but they all seemed salty. I do like the variety of plates and decor, but otherwise-- overrated.
(3)K T.
This is my suggestion!!!! If it's hot in Portland, wait until it's cool! The place is packed and when it is hot outside, the restaurant is really warm even tho they have a quasi air conditioned space. Go on a week day nite, early, or wait an hour and a half til you can be seated! Our server was excellent and helpful. Everything we ordered was great; however, as other people have said, the portions are really small! We were a party of four and we ordered 4 entrees plus other goodies. The eggplant with the lamb ragout was outrageously delicious, but we could have ordered 4 of them. We didn't realize it would be one slice of eggplant. We ordered the empanada for $9 and there was one!!! So now we know! And another suggestion that someone else made! For dessert, we ordered the date wrapped in bacon and stuffed with something that I can't remember, and honey was drizzled over the top! It was the icing on the cake! Perfect but different kind of dessert, but we all loved it! By the way, the date is under appetizers! Have fun and be prepared for a long leisurely dinner!
(4)Lilia C.
Came with a group of 6 on a Saturday so we played it smart and arrived 15 minutes before they opened. We got a table immediately and service was excellent for our entire visit. The food was good overall, some dishes were great and others were average. My entire group enjoyed sharing so we all got to try plenty. The portions were larger than I expected so it made it easy to share.
(4)Brad H.
Amazing, if waiting to get in or trying to get out isn't a problem for you, this is my vote for best Tapas place in town.
(4)Kohlrabi P.
perfect
(5)Sarah K.
This is my go-to for solid upscale dinner in North Portland. The service is always attentive & professional. A big screw-up on the food or drinks here wouldn't even count as a mistake at most other restaurants. I don't know if it's because the owner has 3 restaurants now, or what, but I've noticed that the menu has been really static the last couple years or so. It would be great to see more mixing it up. Hence the 1 star deduction. Still, an excellent restaurant.
(4)S T.
I just absolutely love Toro Bravo. They have exquisite cuisine and a supremely friendly and attentive staff. Not only the best scallops and pasta I have ever had, but also the best burger in Portland. The price is well worth the quality of food and the wonderful atmosphere. One of my favorite restaurants in town!
(5)K C.
Da Shiz. Thoroughly impressed by the combinations of flavors. I came here with my dad and we were blown away by how cool this place is. The wait for us on a Monday night was about 35 minutes, which we spent walking around the area (we are not natives of Portland) and investigating the Nike store. After getting the exciting call, we were seated in the alcove area: a dimly lit, mod/intimate version of the family booths in apple bees or some fam diner. This was a nice area though, and while we wanted to explore more, we were primarily here to eat. And that we did.
(5)Vanessa G.
Amazing food and service! We were visiting from out of town and my friend who is a chef recommended Toro Bravo as his top restaurant to eat at in Portland. I'm not familiar with Spanish wine so the server recommended some wines comparable to a Cab and Sauvignon Blanc. Everyone suggested to try the chefs choice off the menu. There are so many tapas to choose from that I liked the idea of have a set tasting from the staff. Bacon wrapped dates, a goose and moose patay, cabbage parmesan salad, salted fried peppers, fried oxtail, scallops that were cooked perfectly, deconstructed olives that popped in your mouth, fried cod, and for the last part a steak that was like dessert. I've worked in the restaurant industry for 11 years and every aspect of this dinning experience was perfect. Tables are close together because it doesn't have a large dining room, but for me that makes it more intimate. Will definitely recommended this place to anyone who enters the Portland city limits.
(5)Ashley L.
Good, but not incredible or particularly memorable. Came for dinner, arrived roughly half an hour before opening time to avoid a long wait. Great place to go with a group of friends so you can order a lot of small plates and share. We had the following: - (Bacon Wrapped Dates) Sweet and crispy, but fairly standard. - (Salt Cod Fritters w/aioli) Excellent texture. Paired nicely with the aioli to counterbalance the saltiness. - (Grilled Flat Bread) Topped with black truffle cheese and lots of fresh arugula. Light and tasty. - (Steve's Cheese Board) Steve really knows his stuff, and this does not disappoint. Includes 5 different cheeses. - (Drunken Pork w/avocado salad) Chunks of pork atop avocado. I could have done without this one. - (Paella Toro) Extremely rich and flavorful but so heavily salted. Grab a cocktail from The Secret Society upstairs while you're waiting!
(3)J N.
I'm a pretty hard grader, but this is an excellent Portland restaurant. The food and service last night was fantastic. We had the bacon wrapped dates, chicken liver mousse, favas and lomo, and the paella. All excellent, and more than enough for two. Portion sizes were generous--the favas and lomo was a bit small, but it was a great dish and paired well with the other heavier choices. Regarding the wait--it's a VERY popular place with no reservations except for large groups, so plan your strategy. Put your name and cell number in and stroll the neighborhood or go next door for a drink. This place needs to be on your list. We'll definitely be back to try out more of the menu.
(5)Gil E.
Best restaurant in Portland. Get there early, order one of everything, bring friends, order red wine.
(5)Tam Q.
Expect the 2 hour wait on a Saturday night....Good thing for the bar next door. Despite the long wait, the food came out very quickly...so I'm guessing this is just a place where people like to sit, chit-chat and enjoy their yummy tapas. We decided to order the Tasting Menu since everything sounded delicious. I can't recall all the plates...but they were all sooo good! I would definitely come here again...only lost a star for the super long wait.
(4)Brendan M.
Does Toro Bravo -need- another 5 star review? I'm sure they don't need it, though it couldn't hurt either. However, yesterday I experienced service there that it would be criminal not to describe. I am currently following a restricted diet that makes it very difficult to eat most places. In addition to needing to avoid all grains including rice and corn (not just gluten) and all dairy, I need to essentially avoid sugar that isn't naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables (specifically disaccharides, if there are any docs or biochems in the house). So when I go to a restaurant, I often have to have conversations with the staff that go beyond what many are used to, even in Portland where many places are increasingly conscious of the increasing demands of people following restrictive diets. Sadly I didn't get my servers name, but she exceeded all expectations by taking my menu from me, going to talk to several other servers and chefs, and coming back with an annotated menu showing me precisely what I was able to get. The chefs were also adept in preparing dishes that usually contain dairy without it. I ate Seared Cauliflower. Sauteed Spinach, and Seared Scallops (all of which were specifically ordered to not contain dairy), as well as Padron Peppers and the House Smoked Coppa Steak, which were safe as is. My stomach is often quite sensitive to even small amounts of these ingredients that I am avoiding, and I'm happy to say that not only was the food I was able to get extremely delicious, but also I left feeling fully satisfied and without a hint of any reactions that I sometimes experience in other restaurants despite similar efforts. I already knew Toro Bravo was a great restaurant from having been there several times, but now I feel that it is truly an excellent one.
(5)Sergio H.
Really just an amazing meal, all great authentic ingredients from sobrasada to Basque cider, delicious. No dish felt as if it lacked attention. The wait was not bad at all and having a glass of wine upstairs was the right idea while waiting.
(5)Tamara C.
Observation: We marveled at how a seemingly small kitchen can produce the enormous variety on the menu so seamlessly. So impressed. Bravo. Between the four of us we must have ordered their amazing salad about four times over. I wish I could remember the name. Just ask for the amazing salad and they should know what you are talking about. It was incredible. The anchovies with fennel and lemon - fantastic...not too fishy. The octopus and prawn stew was hot and I loved that it was actually spicy! My Moroccan tuna with cherry couscous was a hit with the whole table. We ordered several other dishes and they were all out of this world. Our server did not miss a beat. She was putting down new plates as soon as one was emptied. And always ready to ask if we needed refill on our cocktails. Impressive, given how busy the place was. You will likely have to wait for a table here but so what? Take your bad self upstairs to Secret Society, get yourself a fantastic cocktail and get ready for Toro Bravo to wow you.
(5)Vivian L.
If there's anywhere my family has to make a stop during our trips to Portland, it's Toro Bravo. Better tapas than what we've had on 2 separate trips to Spain and extremely knowledgable wait staff. Amazing. "What's harissa?" "It's a Tunisian chili sauce, it's really good" Basinga
(5)Matty B.
I recently spent a week in PDX on a gastro-tour. Toro Bravo was on my list, and having spent a fair amount of time traveling in Spain I was pretty excited. However, my excitement dissipated quickly... 1. Every dish we had was WAY WAY WAY too rich to be anything near Spanish. The romesco sauce was like mayonnaise. Why do that? We ate so much less than we would if it wasn't such an unnecessary fat-fest. 2. Complete lack of understanding of the simplicity that makes Spanish food Spanish food. Why would you take amazing dishes like celery root and egg and ruin it with a think layer of cheese? Less is so much more. PDX people that are giving this place 5 stars are doing so because they have no frame of reference. It's just average food. We had about 15 dishes between the three of us. If you are in PDX for a foodie adventure skip Toro Bravo. At best this should be called "Spanish-inspired cuisine meets diabetes-inducing comfort food".
(3)Emily T.
One of the best meals I have ever, ever had. Do the tasting menu! It's so worth the $25 and you will leave full. Since we had a vegetarian in our group, we opted out of the Chef's tasting menu and instead went with our server's selections, so she could throw in some more veggie friendly dishes and ensure that everyone got their moneys worth and left full - very accommodating! An example of some of the deliciousness that we tasted: Squid Ink Pasta Pork chop Bacon Wrapped Dates Salt Cod Fritters Octopus and Prawn Stew Duck Liver Mousse Terrine There were many other things to try, but a week later and I'm daydreaming about the above. The atmosphere, the service and again, the food are amazing. The only thing I'd wish to be different is their no weekend reservation policy. As I had planned my boyfriend's surprise party and we had traveled three hours for this dinner, it would have been nice to have been able to forego the 1.5 hour wait. Regardless, it was worth it. Cannot wait to come back!
(5)Tim M.
Had a fabulous time. Met there with several couples and had the chef's choices. Wow was that fun. Dishes just keep coming every one unique and fabulous. Honestly I could not tell you what the names of all the dishes we eat but loved the prawns in chili sauce the potatoes were incredible and the bacon wrapped dates were a hit. The servers were fun and always there but not never hovering. Good wine good friends and great meal. I will be back for more!!
(5)Susanne K.
I went there awhile back...but I'm sure it is still busy as hell. It was very good, tasty exotic food. Very accommodating, hip, classy, and service was totally on point. Drinks were very special. My husband and I were seated in a small room off to the side with two other couples. A very unique arrangement of space and It felt very comfortable. Don't have a single complaint, except for maybe the hour wait. However, that was alleviated by drinking orders made while waiting at the front.
(4)Fernando A.
The ambiance was lively. The food is good. This is a great place to go to meet up with friends and have some "catch up" time. I wouldn't go here for any sort of romantic date, unless you are already close with the person. It is best to order kind of family style so everyone can try a little of everything. Don't expect to leave completely stuffed, unless you are ready to pay quite a bit. Super tasty food, small portions, it is a tapas place, after all. Go there and enjoy it all.
(4)Ellie B.
The food here is fantastic and I wish it was in my own city. We went a little early because my friends knew it would be busy and a long wait on a Saturday night. We got drinks at Secret Society next door for about an hour before they called us to let us know the table was ready. I got the radicchio salad with green olive toast and manchego vinaigrette, grilled flat bread with black truffle cheese and arugula, and the harissa stewed butternut squash with crumbled sheep's cheese. All of these things were amazing and I wished I never had to stop eating. I would have loved to try dessert, but we had a show to catch. I will definitely visit this restaurant again when I visit!
(5)Jessica C.
I definitely give Toro Bravo 5 stars. The wait was a little bit of a pain (1-2 hours at peak dinner time) but we just went upstairs and had a few drinks and it was 100% worth the wait. We had 4-5 appetizers and the paella and it fed all 3 of us perfectly for under $100, including drinks! The paella was one of my favorite dishes I've ever had but make sure you order it when you first sit as it takes about a half hour to make. Otherwise order a few tapas and drinks and enjoy everything this place has to offer. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Michael R.
Last night was kind of hit & miss. The paella was really bad, overcooked seafood and undercooked burnt rice. We brought this up to our waitress and they did remove the paella from our bill. The steak coppa was very good although it could've been a little more rare. The scallops were absolutely fantastic! Had a few other items but nothing really sticks out. I do consider this experience to be an "off night" and will definitely return to TB to give them another shot in the future.
(3)Neal W.
While I was quite satisfied with everything I had, my girlfriend was only so-so about certain dishes. I'm not exactly a picky eater, so I thought this place was incredible! I liked every Tapa I consumed. The Cuban sandwichand burger were among my favorites and for someone with as voracious an appetite as I, I was actually too full to finish! That's a problem I often have with Tapa-style dining: too little food for too much money. Don't get me wrong, I understand that a lot of classy places do smaller portions of richer food, but I need to at least walk away feeling semi-satiated. In this case, I was very satisfied! When I went, I wasn't at all bothered by service or long waits, tho I think I agree with JW that it's not the quietest place. Luckily, we sat outside where the chatter was kept to a minimum! I'm hoping for another visit soon. We'll see if it holds up the second time...
(5)Annette D.
I have not been to Toro in a couple of years and I am happy to report that it is as good as I remember. Still packed and noisy but the food is great. I always think the portions seem small (even for tapas), but I am always full and satisfied. Tried octopus for the first time and loved it. Favorite was the gratin like celery root dish.
(5)Alex R.
Toro Bravo is amazing. Totally spectacular food with a huge variety of tastes and flavors. The service is amazing, everything came quickly, and the waiters, hosts, etc were are all professional but never pushy or snooty. This is particularly special when considering how busy the place is all the time. The first time I went, we were in a very large group. Personally, I think this is the best way to do it. You get to try tons of different food this way, and it's a great way to see how broadly skilled the chefs at toro are. Okay, so I tried the french kisses. This is foie gras. Stuffed in a brandy soaked prune. that's insane. Some people are offended by foie gras, and I was a little hesitant . But this was pretty brilliant. I've never had anything like it before, and probably never will again. The squid ink pasta was also unusual but tasty. The scallop was probably the best scallop I've ever had. The Paella was also really amazing. The next time I went, it was with just one other person and we just went for Sandwiches. Sandwiches you say? At Toro Bravo? But they're like Tapas, yeah? Ohhhh my god. The burger was sublime. I'm not totally sure what a romesco sauce is, i think peppers are involved. It works. It was just all so tasty. We also had the BLT. Also, tasty sooooooo tasty. It's just awesome. Try everything you can on the menu. Everything is good.
(5)Rosetta S.
GET THE CARAMEL PANNA COTTA! We arrived at 5, perfect time to get a seat without any wait. I told the waitress I was a vegetarian and she marked on the menu everything that was, or could be made vegetarian, and also mentioned leeks, with peanuty sauce that wasn't on the menu. I had that, and it was like heaven in my mouth. The flavors were an excellent contrast, the leeks were perfectly cooked, and the sauce was phenomenal. We also had the cheeseboard which had 6 different raw cheeses, and this awesome fennel cracker. I then shared the Marinated Sheep's Cheese with rose petal harissa & mint. The cheese melted in my mouth, and was deliciously tangy and creamy. The Sautéed Hedgehog Mushrooms with cream & sherry on griddled bread was amazing. The mushrooms were well cooked, creamy and rich, with perfect mix of textures and flavors. I was afraid with the small portions I would leave hungry, but found myself almost too full to have dessert. We had the Lemon Curd Crepes, which were delicious, but pretty run of the mill, the Olive Oil Cake with rhubarb compote, the contrast of sweet and tart with savory was delicious. The Caramel Panna Cotta which was the best thing I've ever eaten. Super rich, and creamy and perfect in every single way. The Almond Ice Cream with a shot of espresso was a perfect balance between sweet and bitter. The service was super friendly, very helpful, happy to recommend items, and kept our drinks replenished. Despite being very busy our food came out in a very timely manner. I'm already planning when I will be back.
(5)H O.
+: The portions are perfect for sharing and trying multiple dishes in one seating. High five for making brussels sprouts taste so good, yum! -: The wait can get pretty ridiculous so put your name down and grab a drink @ the Secret Society next door. !: Ge
(4)Alfredo M.
If you're researching Toro Bravo, you'll see all the lofty accolades about the food, ambiance, and overall experience. After my first evening there I can say that you will not be disappointed if you know what you're getting into. First of all the food is phenomenal. You'll enjoy taking your time with these small plates because you'll want to savor every bite. Expertly prepared, diverse, and wonderful. The ambiance is loud, crowded, and part of the dining experience you want if you're choosing to eat here. This is one of the coolest restaurants in Portland and as such a lot of people want to eat here. They don't take reservations, so the wait is part of the experience and you should expect it. Take the attitude that they're heightening your anticipation for what will be a great meal and memory for you and your friends/loved ones. The good news is that they give you an estimate on your wait, take your cell phone number (not a buzzer), and then you're free to do whatever you want. There's a great bar - Secret Society - next door, but that too can get crowded quickly. If it does, check out the African bar/restaurant on the corner. It's got all you want to pass the time along with friendly service. Back to Toro Bravo though. This place can give you one of the great dining experiences you can have in Portland if you make an entire evening of it. Don't show up at 6 and have movie plans at 8. Show up with a couple friends (probably not a group of 10), do your duty and wait (preferably with cocktails somewhere in the neighborhood), then when you get seated, get comfortable, order a bottle of wine and order 3-4 plates to share and talk about with your table. Rinse and repeat...and when the bill comes, just remind yourself of how truly enjoyable your evening was.
(5)Jenet S.
This place is awesome! We had to wait about 20 minutes but they said they could call you if you wanted to come back. But we decided to wait & have a drink. The only thing is that it was awkward standing & drinking in the corner at a high top table. Plus you share it with others if they come in. Also it would've been nice to have been seated at an actual table instead of the bar (there were a few empty ones that could've been cleaned off quickly). Bartender was nice & attentive as well as the people running food out. Sangria was a lil blah, no fruit just very dry than I would've liked. The food was beyond excellent though! We choose to both do the 30$ chef pick it was A LOT of food. Bacon wrapped dates were our favorite as well as the duck liver mousse was amazzzzzing! They kept bringing out food left & right. I didn't like the spicy sausage that came with the pita bread & French fries though, it was way too spicey. Had to bring the choppa steak home cause there was so much food! Anyways you won't be disappointed coming here.
(4)Jeff M.
For most restaurants, when the hostess says "It's about a1 1/2 to 2 hour wait." We say, "Thanks, anyway." We stayed for Toro Bravo. Two reasons to stay: The Secret Society & the food. Continue to read review at: bit.ly/ogRO0U
(5)Ben J.
I went there for their annual party and had never been before. It was packed, too packed, but was still a ton of fun and I definitely want to go back on a regular night. Food was delicious.
(4)isael s.
Long wait, but worth it. Go hungry as there so much to sample. Ask for the popular dishes and you won't go wrong.
(4)Amy J.
Another favorite of ours, this place is worth the wait (just go upstairs to The Secret Society for some great cocktails). GREAT food-- and we have tried most of the menu, but love that it constantly changes. Good wine list too-- the bartender has never steered us wrong. Finally, we love that- even with a large group- the bill is never as high as we think it will be. We leave completely full and having paid less than what we would elsewhere. Just a note, we have tried the chef's special where the food is pre-selected and advise against this as it is just too much food. Trust your judgement or just point to things on the menu- everything is excellent.
(5)Michelle F.
My boyfriend and I are from Eugene and have wanted to try this place for a while but it's always very busy. We decided to sign-up and wait the estimated 15-25 minutes but they were able to seat us much more quickly than that. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and we didn't have to wait very long to place an order even though the place was packed. The food was delicious and the service was fantastic. After reading the reviews I tried the butternut squash and sheep's cheese- so friggin good! We shared Steve's cheese board which was very good as well as the potatoes bravas which could be a meal unto themselves. He had the house bacon and manchego burger cooked perfectly. Normally we don't, but we made room for churros with dark chocolate dipping sauce for dessert, yum! The noise level was much higher then we like but the food made it worth it. It's very refreshing to go to a place where the staff and chefs seem to care and don't compromise on quality considering the volume of customers they serve, We will definitely be going back!
(5)Laura H.
So far I've only been to Toro Bravo twice in my lifetime, and both times were stellar! Menu is awesome, so much to choose from! The wine list- spectacular. Great service, even though they were super busy! Piella Toro is bomb. Loved the lamb. Polenta was delish! Wish the restaurant was bigger, and that you could make reservations for small parties.
(5)kelly s.
I'm being generous- seriously generous, I wanted to leave a 2, but it seemed a little harsh. I like a lot of the idea to this, but it's just overblown, and wait-a-rific. I realize they can hardly be to blame for the gratuitous over population, but I have to say, I have waited more than an hour for a meal, on several occasions, and many of those times I later felt delighted that I'd done it- I didn't feel that way after the Bull - CONCLUSION: -Good but not wait-worthy
(3)Jason L.
This place is to die for. I really, really love it. I've been there about 4x and every time is perfect. I've only had one plate that I wasn't a big fan of but other than that I'm totally down. Whenever the server asks what I'd like I always want to respond with "one of everything." This is a great place for tapas. Order 2-3 small plates/person, share them and love your night. I seriously challenge you to find something you don't like EXCEPT for the salted cod. It's too salty. The drinks are also awesome. I don't love the sangria but that's because I don't love sangria. The rest of their cocktails are great though. The service is good and the atmosphere is nice and lively. If you're going on a busy night I'd suggest getting there at 5 when they open. They don't take reservations and this place fills up.
(5)Mia D.
Although there aren't a lot of options for Vegetarians, the food here is good. The restaurant seems very crowded, long wait, so I'm sure they get many repeat customers because it's a cute place and the atmosphere is cozy. The Sangria is delicious, patatas bravas good, the homemade crisp with the cheese board was a great touch and the service was good. I would definitely go again, but because I'm a vegetarian, probably a better lunch place than dinner for the lack of offerings.
(4)Georgie K.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Some times too crowded and the too it place to be, but the food is divine. They cook up a delicious Brussels sprout dish, have a great salads, the perfect arugula flat bread dish and have the best burger in town. Many people do not know that, but it is true. Excellent cocktails and the service is pretty good. A place to try, but go early on a Tuesday night so you don't have to wait to get seated.
(4)Stephanie D.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Portland, if not in the entire United States. It's been 9 months since eating at Toro Bravo and I still talk about it all. the. freaking. time. Every time I eat pate: "It's good but it doesn't compare to the chicken liver mousse at TORO BRAVO." Every time I eat scallops: "They're OK, but not as amazing as the scallops in romesco sauce that I ate at TORO BRAVO". My husband, who was not lucky enough to accompany me on my last jaunt home to the United States is super, super jealous that he missed out on this. So yes, I can wax some goddamn lyrical lyrics about the chicken liver mousse. I also had a salad, which had some pecorino cheese and some apples and at the time struck me as being just about the best salad I'd ever eaten. The fried green tomatoes served with a tart and creamy tartar sauce was one of the most decadent and moreish dishes I've had in a very long time. I could go on and on. I've eaten in Barcelona and this was as good as anything I've eaten in that famed city of tapas. This is definitely tapas with many American elements (fried green tomatoes anyone?) and I find it pretty inspired. The thing that really elevates Toro Bravo above the pack for me is the price: Admittedly it is fairly pricey for Portland, but it is very, very reasonable when compared to other cities: The same meal would be triple the price in New York, Paris, or Sydney. I simply cannot afford to eat at a restaurant of this quality in Australia, where I currently live. Thank goodness I have tickets back home to Portland in December: My husband will have something to be jealous about again.
(5)Annie T.
One of my most fav spots, they do sangria right here. Had a cornucopia of different tapas but my favorite would have to be one of two entrees we got--squid ink pasta with anchovy sauce, hazelnuts and duck yolk.
(5)Amanda M.
Very happy to stumble into Toro Bravo on Halloween night - no waiting no queue, awesome start. My friend I had two tapas, one salami plate, one sauteed brussel sprouts and one full pan of paella, all top notch!! I especially liked the sauteed bruseel sprouts, very well done and seasoned. Paella is the highlight, the crown jewel! Very good Spanish rice, king shrimps, mussels and chicken thigh on the top - all seasoned to its best, all heavenly taste. No matter what you are trying to get, always get the paella, and it is by far the best paella I've ever had. Our waitress was specially sweet, didn't get her name but she was very adorable and attentive! ALL 5 STAR EXPERIENCE!
(5)Kristina P.
Such a great restaurant. I was extremely pleased with everything my girlfriend and I ordered. We got there about 2 hours after opening and were told our wait for 2 was an hour and a half, however, outside seating is first come first serve and we were lucky enough to grab a table right away. Since in was chilly outside we ordered a pitcher of sangria and warmed up in no time. Service was prompt and food was brought to us timely. It was just an awesome experience. Can't wait to go back when we visit Portland again.
(4)Ken S.
Amazing! Go here, spendy, but so good. Burger, Sheri Mushroom Toast, Pork Rillette, Bacon Wrapped Dates... oh my god! Go here, you must.
(5)Jess P.
Toro Bravo was recommended to me by a Portland local, as it was a very short walk from my hotel. There was no wait to sit in the chairs at the bar (which looked like a sushi bar) because we went on a Thursday night. The chairs are REALLY heavy! Anyway. :) I was immediately impressed by the menu; everything looks good and creative, as is seemingly the norm with the food in Portland's restaurants. My boyfriend and I had hiked all day on hardly any food and had humungous appetites so our mouths were watering at all the varied selections. We decided to go with the $30 pp chef's choice option, which the very nice and enthusiastic waitress told us would be about 8 dishes from different parts of the menu for us to share. They only have two beers on draft; I got one of each. The first was an Oregon original - Good Life IPA, which was pretty good. The second one starts with an E and is a Barcelona beer (can't remember the name) and I liked it better than the first one; it was very light and kind of sweet and reminiscent of champagne. Yum. They brought out some bread and butter first and then started out bringing out the dishes at a perfect pace at first - then they started bringing them out too quickly, but we just left the back-up of one or two dishes there and took our time. This is what the chef chose for us: 1. Bacon-wrapped dates. We got two of them and they were just delicious. Sticky and sweet and crunchy with an almond in the center. Mmm! 2. A chilled bowl of salad; mixed greens, artichokes, hazelnuts and chopped egg. Nothing fancy, but very good and I love to start out a meal with a good salad. 3. Duck liver pate with spicy mustard and sweet pickles. I was surprised that they would serve something this crazy for the chef's choice, but my boyfriend loved it. Personally, I'm not a big fan of liver pate, but I ate some anyway. It has a good taste, something about liver just grosses me out, though. It was served with both crunchy and soft bread. 4. Green onions with some kind of orange sauce. This dish kind of sucked. It was hard to cut up the onions and the sauce was kind of bland. I don't like to eat onions by themselves like that, either. We ate a few bites and were ready to move on. 5. Spicy jumbo shrimp. There were REALLY good! We got one each, but I could have eaten more! The spice was coming from red pepper flakes or something - hard to tell. But delish! 6. Eggplant with lamb ragu. This was very tasty. Reminded me of eggplant parmesan but much better. I'm not sure what a ragu is exactly, but it was very flavorful. :) 7. Glazed carrots with red pepper relish. Exactly how it sounds. Tasted wonderful! 8. Ham-wrapped chicken served in some kind of light tomato sauce. This was one was probably my favorite. It had been cooked slowly so it was really tender and super flavorful. I know I'm going to crave this when I get home! Mmm! Then we got dessert - baked strawberries and rhubarb with vanilla ice cream, which was AWESOME. Another scoop of ice cream would have been nice; we were sort of fighting over it. :) So we spend about $100 including tip, which is to be expected for the amount of food we consumed, plus the drinks and everything. Some of the chef's choice items are not ones that I would have picked, so next time (if there is a next time) I think I will just pick my own stuff. I'm not sure if it would have been more expensive or the same in terms of prices, but there are definitely some things on the menu that I wanted to try that I didn't get to.
(4)David N.
The majority of my meals on this trip were quick. Grabbed in and moved on. However, on every trip I try to have at least one sit down dinner. For this particular trip we decided to do Tapas as our sit down dinner. It was a place that my friend had never tried but had bookmarked for quite some time. Most of the trip he was bringing me to some of his favs but I figured it was nice to allow him to reach outside and find some new favorites. We came pretty late on a Saturday night, but they were still open until 11 pm, which I heard is rare for most restaurants in Portland. Upon entering we were seated on the tables attached to the open kitchen. It was a very cool spot because you could see all of the action happening before your eyes. The meal began with Marinated Sheep's Cheese with rose petal harissa & mint. The cheese was very rich. The next dish was the Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey. DAMN! This thing was probably one of my favorites of the whole night. The sweet and salty just blended so well together. As far as our bigger dishes went: We had the Braised Lamb, Apricots & Coriander with house made noodles. The lamb was so tender! We also had the Drunken Pork with avocado salad. This was my least favorite dish. I just don't think the avocado added to the pork and the contrast in flavor didn't do anything for me. The biggest dish and most filling was the Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels. The chicken was grilled perfectly and the giant shrimp were a nice touch. We ended our meal with the Caramel Panna Cotta. I felt it was a little heavy on the caramel but the cream part was very smooth. The service was on point! The dishes arrived one after another with very little lag. They brought us a carafe of water which always remained full.
(5)Kaycee C.
Potato bravo was one of our favorite dishes along with the copa steak. We were a bit disappointed with the squid ink pasta because the red bell peppers overpowered the pasta dish. I think it was supposed to balance the saltiness of the anchovy. Unfortunately, it left it unbalanced in overall flavor. The octopus with tomato sauce was very good but overpriced relative to its taste. Sangria was okay but the bartender's mood for that night was amazing! The drink had sherry, gin, lemon juice, bitter and something with black licorice. So good!
(4)Sara H.
The items I like on the menu are decreasing and the prices keep rising. Not a great combo.... service is always great and I love the olive oil cake...if it weren't for that I'd probably give it 3 stars, it's no longer on my go to list when hungry or showing someone new to town around
(4)Judy P.
The Verdict: "Well worth the wait." We were told it would take 2 hrs before we could be seated for dinner on a hustling and bustling Saturday night. Fortunately it turned out to only be an hour's wait...underpromising and over delivering worked for them here. Once we got seated, service was very fast and attentive. We ordered a good mix of tapas: bacon-wrapped dates, scallops, brussel sprouts, a dark green leafy dish over yummy crusty bread, and seafood paella (my all time favorite Spanish dish). We also had plenty of sangria to go around (and it wasn't watered down). Every dish was delectable and left me wanting more...literally. The music was lounge-y and at times even upbeat like a club. The lighting is dim and the place was packed. So much so, that we had to share a long table with another group of people. It was a fun night with all the right elements. Would I Recommend It? Yes, Yes, Yes!
(5)S Luc S.
I feel like I'm telling on the popular kid and no one will believe me. Now, I had been looking forward to going to Toro Bravo for a few weeks as it was my choice for my birthday dinner. Reservations were made (you need 7 people...up from 6 last year), and we were quasi promptly seated. First off, my friends and I were cracking up at the music that was played. Who would've thunk that Jay-Z and Eminem were the prime musical selection for the dining process. A friend asked the waitress if the music could be turned down as we couldn't hear each other speak. The waitress was attentive and responsive. She checked in on our table throughout the duration of our stay and was kind enough to mark the menu for gluten free options as one person at the table has an intolerance. Also, the beverages were delicious. That is where everything remarkable ended. Okay, onto the disappointments. The food. Aside from the brussels sprout with sherry cream and pancetta, everything else was surprisingly average. As tasty as the brussels sprouts were, for the amount charged and the amount served, there is a helluva discrepancy. I also had the bacon wrapped date with warmed honey. I found the almond inside to be a nice surprise and gave depth to the texture of it, but the bacon flavor was lost (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE) amid the sweetness of the date. The warm honey had, what I think was paprika sprinkled on top and it was just a sugar overload. I was excited to have the potatoes bravas, but the flavor fell flat. The potatoes tasted rewarmed and I wish they had an egg on it at least like Tasty & Sons. My main plate was the Fideo verde with chorize verde, artichokes, nettles, asparagus and chopped almonds. Holy grease slick Batman! Everyone at my table could've received a hot oil hair treatment from the amount of the slick liquid that was settled on the plate of that dish. Beautifully presented, blandly prepared. If there were flavors to be distinguished, my taste buds could not pick it up. The artichokes we grayish and tasted canned. The chorizo also was lacking in flavor. To complete the meal, I had the caramel panna cotta. After eating away the layer of caramel, the actual panna cotta flavor was muted and the vanilla bean, though they were on the bottom of the cup, the did not add to the dish. Finally, after the meal was complete and everything totaled and paid for, the waitress came back to point out there was a shortage among the total. Everyone divided it up and all was settled....until I received a phone call about two hours later saying that the bill was still short and they had my credit card on hand. Moments later, another call came through to say that they realized everything had been handled and taken care of. I was super excited to go to Toro Bravo. The five star reviews. The crowds that always fill the space and the bodies nestled around the tables,the dark, intimate setting. All makings for a wonderful experience. People have raved about it since it first opened its doors. I believed the hype. I wanted to take my mother here as a part of her yearly visit to Pdx where we take Portland by gastronomical storm. However, I don't think I could introduce my mother to such scene that gave me a culinary experience like I was at an Olive Garden Redux.
(2)Sherry S.
Got here right at 530 and they had already filled up as they opened at 5. Our guess is folks were waiting outside before they opened. Packed! She said 1.5 hour wait... say what.. We did not believe her plus we were not starving and only 3 tables waiting when we showed up.. It took about 45 minutes.. not too bad and well worth it. We felt a little underdressed but nonetheless we were busy trying to interpret the food items on the menu while we waited. The wait person suggested we each find 2 plates so we did and it was plenty of food! My daughter who is at the age where she is willing to try new food but is still a little weirded out by what the heck the items were. She went to task on her phone and googled the dictionary to find out. She got the pasta romanesco and the creamed chanterelles on toast. Both were just melt in your mouth full on. Good choices on her part. We then ordered the ink squid pasta, the spicy octopus and prawn stew, the moroccan tuna with dried cherry couscous and the Basque piperade with duck egg not to be outdone by the daughter. Oh ya and while we waited we decided to try the french kisses which are sweet dates stuffed with fois gras as a tease. All these different mixtures of flavors and how they complemented each other and went so well was amazing. They brought out the food slowly enough that we could really just take our time and enjoy the essence of each tapa plate. Very sensual and luxuriating. The folks waiting on the tables, to the hostess, to even the cooks back there cooking up a storm were wonderfully charming. I'd personally would give this a 5 star if the space did not feel so crowded. They need a bigger place because everyone is digging them! Ambience for how wonderful the food is, and how you should just indulge in, should maybe match a little bit by having a more relaxing atmosphere.. but still a blast just the same. We had never been here and it was a special occasion so it was a very fun adventure for us.
(4)Vi B.
A very cool ambiance, and non-stop #1 hits playing on the speakers to jam to. The food was considered high-end (and pretty durn good). However, my experience here wasn't stellar, as getting a table was apparently nearly impossible- even though the hostess had assured my friend to show up without a reservation (as there would be "plenty of empty tables), the restaurant must have had an unexpected influx of customers because upon showing up my friends were all forced to wait hours to get a table (I arrived later to a group of grumpy and hungry buddies). The service, I'll say, was mediocre, and the prices were exorbitant. I might go back for a drink at the bar, but probably not for a meal.
(3)Matt R.
By far the best meal we've had in Portland. Fried fresh anchovies, fois stuffed figs, fried rabbit...... you get the picture- all exotic and all wonderful. Very tasty cocktails and very affordable (small plates are the best). Two of us ate and drank like kings and the tab was $72. Cannot wait to come back to Toro Bravo.
(5)Kurt U.
Food and service....awesome. Would recommend. Definitely want to go back. Bacon Wrapped Dates!!! We got three orders.
(4)Lori K.
Came here on a saturday night around 7:15pm.... no visible line or lingering people waiting to be seated. Must be a good sign... WRONG! We walked in just to find out the wait was 2.5-3 hours. So, no one was sticking around, because they had enough time to go run errands, or go home for a nap! Luckily they agreed to call us when it was our turn, so we put our name down, and headed off to wait... After 1.5 hours, we got called early. Guess not everyone could hang that long. After being seated at the bar, we looked over the menu, got some recommendations from the bartender, and ordered our first round of tapas. Here's what we ended up getting: - Harira moroccan lamb & lentil stew with house buttermilk cheese: My favorite dish of the night! This hearty stew was flavorful and very satisfying. We ordered the half-size, which I regretted as soon as I took my first bite. Next time full-size! - Oxtail Croquettes with chili mayonnaise: Pretty good, but not sure it was worth $15 for 3 croquettes. - House Smoked Coppa Steak with potatoes, olives, onions & salbitxada: Very good steak! Loved the smoky flavor and sauce! The half-order is still a pretty generous portion, and it's just $9! Totally worth it! - Octopus a la plancha - The bartender promised that this one was going to change the way we think about eating octopus. I had only had octopus once before, and it wasn't the greatest. After eating this, I can definitely say, it's all about the preparation. The texture was perfect, and tasted great with the slice of potato. - Brussels sprouts with bacon sherry cream: I was a little underwhelmed with this dish. I love brussels sprouts, but this dish was just a little bitter. Really nice atmosphere... would be great for dates or groups. Overall, I was pretty impressed with the pricing. We both ate well and left very full and satisfied for just under $60. If I'm ever back in the area, I'd love to come back to try other items on the menu. If you plan to give Toro Bravo a try, do come early to avoid the ridiculous wait.
(4)Yanira A.
This place is a must! Food was delicious! Atmosphere was perfect for intimate date night. Everyone was super friendly. Drinks were awesome as well!
(5)Sarah R.
Had a wonderful experience here on a trip to Portland! Took a little while to trek here from our downtown hotel, but was definitely worth it. My friend and I had to wait about 15 minutes for a seat at the bar on a weekday night and had a nice time waiting on their beautiful patio with some wine. Our meal was fantastic! We quickly made friends with the (very cute) bartender who recommended the tasting menu and wine. We were so glad we did this: It was great having the chef choose an array of dishes for us, and for only $30! Gave us time to schmooze with the nice couple next to us and enjoy our great wine. Every dish was delicious and they accommodated our dietary needs without hesitation. A trek up to Salt & Straw completed a great meal! Would recommend this restaurant to any Portland locals or tourists.
(5)Jennifer B.
No esta bien. With such great reviews I had so much hope but it didn't do it for me. The wait was 1.5 hours and luckily they will call you so you can roam around and find a drink while you wait. They don't take reservations for parties under 7. The house red wine was just okay. We tried almost everything the nice waitress recommended - bacon wrapped dates (barely any bacon, don't like the smokiness), octopus (not back), duck liver terrine (nothing special), and lamb chop (burnt and dry). If we were blown away we were going to order more. We weren't so that was it. The music was hip hop and the decorations were modern and had no Spanish theme. I guess with a packed house no need to make a better Spanish ambiance.
(2)Frances M.
Yum time indeed. We went because we had a gift certificate & I love Spanish food. We got there on a very rainy night at 4:35 pm & basically did a stakeout on the place until people showed & then we got out to wait before they opened. We tried on a Saturday night the week before & was told it would take 2 hours so we said eff that & came on a wet Sunday. Ordering was easy & our waitress answered our questions. Then the food started coming in piecemeal which is typical for Spanish restaurants. 1st the bacon wrapped dates came & those bites were sweet, creamy, tangy with a lovely nut crunch in the middle. Next was the chard & pepper gratin. A celebration of texture & flavor in that dish. We ordered a large salt cod fritters & got a small. The mistake was corrected with a whole order of the large! The mayo is crazy good with those things. Even cold & soggy the next day the fritters had great flavor. My only improvement would be to make the filling more meaty (in the fish sense of course) and a bit less mushy. The patatas bravas were my least favorite item. Though they had some crispness, the flavor was mild & sweeter than I care for. Also they came with the same mayo that had been served with the fritters so it was mayo overkill by that point. The star of the evening was the bacon manchego burger. Dear lawd that was one of the finest burgers in PDX ever. The bacon we asked for crisp so it had a lovely deep crunch as it combined with the tangy earthy cheese and the quality beef. Even the brioche bun was top notch. On that burger I could distinctly taste each element of the burger, yet enjoy the sumptuousness of the combined flavors. For desert we had the light olive oil cake that came with roasted apples and whipped cream. A nice way to end the meal. If you skip the drinks you can eat a really big meal for around $40 which makes Toro Bravo not only delicious but a great date night meal for two. Woot!
(5)D L.
Was it worth the wait? Probably not. Some hits, mostly meh. Friday night 9pm, table for 5 = 1 hour wait. Was kinda expecting it already so... wasn't too surprised about that, but still a little taken aback since it *was* 9pm. Anyway... we were seated at 10pm, drink orders taken and immediately overwhelmed by the menu. So we went with the $30/person chef's choice. Hits: Bacon wrapped dates. Radicchio salad with green olive tapenade. Bread with butter and olive oil (seriously... the olive oil was good) Oxtail croquettes Good to meh: Salt cod fritters Terrine with house mustard Roasted chicken with mustard greens Mediocre: Stewed spring squash with cheese (a boring mushy squash stew) Roasted egg plant w lamb ragu (a mushy eggplant with "bolognese") In summary, the food was overall good and I would like to try the rest of the menu. But since the first impression was just "good", I don't know if I'm willing to wait an hour to give Toro Bravo another shot.
(3)Joshua D.
I was absolutely impressed. I visited on a whim when my aunt came to town and someone told her Toro Bravo was one of those must-try-when-in-PDX kind of places. Ergo, why not. The food was exquisite, and the serving staff was incredible. Anyone who has attained the level of deuchebaggery necessary to hate on such people has definitely never worked in a high-stress food service environment. The atmosphere was a bit loud, and I accidentally stood in line for the bar next door for twenty minutes, but hey, I got a laugh out of it. I loved the variety of the menu. Portland has an overload of casual restaurants, which I feel this might technically slip into, but the level of class sustained by their menu is heads above. Will definitely be back, seems like a really fun date spot.
(5)Marna G.
The only reason this place doesn't get five stars is that you can't make a reservation, and standing cramped like sardines for 90+ minutes for a table just plain sucks. However, once your seated the party begins. Some people don't care for the noise at Toro Bravo. Me, it doesn't bug me at all, in fact, it adds to the festivities. From the moment we sat down to the moment we paid our check, regardless of how many people were in line at the door they didn't rush us one bit. And I love that. We did the Chef's menu, which was a big deal for me because I generally don't like others selecting what I am going to place in my mouth. But, the rest of the table wanted to go with the Chef's menu, and I was a sport and we did it and I am glad we did. The cost wasn't terrible, it was only 30 dollars a person which included 8 dishes which I felt was a good value. The roasted peanuts and pumpkins seeds at the table upon sitting a delish! My favorite thing on the menu "Bacon Wrapped Dates" I could eat a meal of those. You should try the following: Steve's Cheese Board - the mix is great. Groundwork's Greens with hazelnuts, chopped egg & asparagus - a great combo and a great way to start the evening. Salt Cod Fritters with aioli - AWESOMENESS IN YOUR MOUTH PEOPLE! Griddled Shrimp with chilies - delectable. Sautéed Spinach with pine nuts & golden raisins - I don't like spinach but I loved this. Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with bacon sherry cream - normally you couldn't pry my mouth open to allow a Brussels Sprout to pass over my lips, but these were just incredible. God did I just say that about Brussels Sprouts??? Baked Polenta with roast beef, peppers, onions - This was probably worth the entire wait and trip. The Polenta melted in your mouth. Just fabulous. Roasted Eggplant & Lamb Ragu with sweet peppers & mahon - I wasn't too sure about trying this but so glad I did. Just so hearty and lovely. Okay so I wasn't going to have dessert but I had heard many many many amazing things about the Caramel Panna Cotta -- that is was just one of the best desserts in all of Portland. So we ordered one for the table and all shared. I have to say - It was almost better than sex and I have had some pretty great sex in my life. Nuff said. This place is totally worth waiting 90 minutes to sit down. You can go next door and have a drink, they will call you on your cell phone. Or you can stand crammed like sardines, hope everyone showered and have a glass of sangria while you wait at the little stand up bar. Love love love this place.
(4)Joyce F.
This place is so freaking busy! 45 minutes to 1 hour wait. Must be good! Update: this place was awesome! Highly recommend if you're in Portland. Service is incredible, food incredible, totally worthy of the wait!
(5)Ryan B.
After being a voluntary vegetarian for approximately 8 months, I decided to end my meat embargo at none other than Toro Bravo. Six months later, I still haven't regretted it for a minute. I was finally seated after a 90 minute wait, during which I went next door at Secret society and drank absinthe for the first time. I ordered the bacon wrapped date, which I can't remember (and the reason for which I can't remember will soon be explained). For the main course, I ordered the House Bacon & Manchego Burger. Now, I would like to preface the following comment with this qualifying statement: It could be entirely possible that my review of this burger is based on it being the first time I'd eaten meat in 8 months. Okay, with that out of the way, I say with full confidence: The House Bacon & Manchego Burger is probably the best burger I've ever eaten in my life. I've had all the hidden burgers Portland has had to offer (Skyline, Foster Burger, Killer Burger, Little Big Burger, Helvetia Tavern, Mike's Drive In, etc, etc, etc.) The HBMB is, by far, better than anything I've had at any of those other places. It was so thick and juicy, it's quite possible that Sir-Mix-A-Lot's famous song was actually about this burger. The manchego was sharp and complimented the juicy beef perfectly, and the bacon was... well, you can never go wrong with bacon. The romesco was slightly sweet and complimented the meats and cheeses with perfection. Honestly, the rest of the night was a blur. I was pretty much burger wasted. Who cares. All I remember is the burger.
(5)The I.
I would give this place a good review but I can't. A 40 min wait at 9:30 pm on a thursday ....... Come on. And the host tells me they don't do take out. Wtf? What restaurant doesn't do take out ? My question to toro bravo is , what do they do if a customer wants the rest of their meal packed up ? With no take out policy, are u forced to finish your plate? = fail
(1)Wilson K.
We came to Toro Bravo based on the reviews. We had the Chanterelles, paella, drunken pork, and Grilled moorish lamb chops. The flavors for all the dishes was extremely unique. However, everything was overly salty. If the chefs toned down the salt a notch, I would give this place 5 stars despite the 1.5 hour wait.
(4)Erin C.
Amazing experience. An hour wait on a Friday night; but you could leave your cell and go walk/drive around. The hostess' estimate wait time was spot on. The aroma of foods upon walking in right off the back was mouth-watering amazing thanks to the open kitchen. The ambiance is also nice with red walls, shelves and shelves of wines, little touch of the bulls (toros) here and there and candle lights. Perfect little spot for a date or small group gather. We ordered quite a bit of vege tapas... Potatoes Bravas, Sautéed Spinach, Grilled Asparagus, Roasted Eggplant and Brussels Sprouts ... every dish was flavored with distinctly different spices and tastes; and every dish was amazing. They change their menus quite often with seasonal vege/fruits, so even if you're a regular, you may get some surprises on some days. For dessert, Almond Ice Cream with a shot of espresso was heavenly. They poured the fresh shot of espresso on the ice cream right when it's served at the table. hmm... They also give pretty decent amount for tapas. I recommend going with a small group of friends to share tapas so you can try more of them!! I definitely want to return to try more dishes!
(5)Jeremy J.
This place lived up to everything I have heard about it. For me, what really pushes it over the edge to 5 stars was the quality of service we were given. Servers were attentive but didn't hover and were very friendly. I went with my grandmother who has a pork allergy. When she mentioned the allergy the server took it upon herself to grab a menu and mark the entire thing with dishes that were safe for her to eat. She could have just let her ask about each dish she was interested in, but she was proactive in providing great service, which I found to be a real testament to the quality of the establishment. We tried so many dishes (as you all should!) that this review could be a mile long. I will definitely say that everything that we ordered was delectable. From the chicken liver pate (generous portion) to the sweet potato with harissa cheese (our favorite) to the eggplant with lamb ragu, everything we tried was great. This is definitely a cool place to have a fun meal and expand your culinary horizon. l would come back in a heartbeat to try another 10 things from the menu. I also like that it is located right next door to Trigger, where you can get a killer dessert sundae once you finish your gourmet dinner at Toro!
(5)Leslie W.
The food is innovative, delicious, and flavorful but it is highly salted and fatty and that is the only reason (besides the usual hour-long wait) I don't go more often. For me, the high salt and fat do take it down a notch from a 5 star to a 4 star restaurant, but Toro Bravo is so tasty it is worth the occasional splurge (money and calories) Service is great, though the orders come out rather randomly, so you might not get the thing you want the most until the end. One very nice thing they do here is allow you to order a few items, rethink your plan, and order a few more (repeat as necessary). It's a great place to share dishes with friends. You'll want at least 4 people at the table so you can try bites of 10-12 small plates. You sometimes wish they would change out the service plates so that the sauces and flavors of the courses could stand on their own, but you can also lick your plate between courses if you don't like putting the new food over what's left of the old. Some of my current favorites are: Pimientos de Padrons Potatoes Bravas Harira morrocan lamb & lentil stew with house buttermilk cheese Harissa Stewed Spring Squash with sheep's cheese House Smoked Coppa Steak* with confit potatoes, cracked olives,
(4)Pam S.
Food was amazing. Group of 6 out of towners on a very crowded night-before-Thanksgiving. Paella was crazy flavorful, dates were a tad sweet but heavenly, loved the brussel spouts (I know, right?), radicchio salad, polenta, spicy shrimp. Pork rillette (omg!) was a huge home run. Finished with a nice sherry & chocolate almonds. Easy to see why this is a popular spot...look forward to coming back some day.
(5)Abdulaziz A.
We were there for the first time ever which is really worths going one again . The food were distinguished and just cooked with great flavor . Just go and experience it . The service was excellent .
(4)Suki S.
The hostess took my name down, told my mother and I that it was at least an hour wait. Then as I was waiting by the door, she seated a group of 3 as soon as they got there without a reservation after we were waiting for half an hour. Clearly, this restaurant is selective in their customers. No restaurant is worth being treated like that.
(1)Doni W.
I was completely blown away by this place, not just because the food was so exceptional, but because the service was also outstanding. We were a party of seven on a Friday night, and for this walk-in restaurant (no reservations on weekends!), we knew this was risky and came prepared to wait. We put our name on the list around 7pm, and were told it would be about 2 1/2 hours before we could eat. Honestly, I didn't believe them, because I'd recently dined at Ox and was told the wait would be an hour, only to be seated after 20 minutes. Anyway, our party of seven headed upstairs to Secret Society for drinks and enough appetizers to keep us from eating our arms. This is a GREAT place to wait for your table at Toro Bravo. Great service, and loved the cocktail menu. Turns out, they weren't lying and we were seated at Toro Bravo close to 10pm. Again, we knew we'd wait and we were happy with our Sazeracs and Moscow Mules upstairs, so we weren't upset at all about the wait. When we walked in, we were immediately greeted with three complimentary appetizers and many apologize and thanks for being so patient and waiting so long. Point One: LOVED the way they thanked us for our patience and greeted us warmly with free snacks! We sat down around our table, met our server who was so nice and so knowledgable, and made a great wine recommendation for the table. Oh, and happily corked the bottle we brought with us (I think the corkage fee is $10). HIGHLY recommend: the $30 chef's choice tasting menu. This is PLENTY of food and you truly get the best of the menu without having to make any decisions yourselves, AND they bring out enough for everyone, so there's no worries about who orders and shares what, and how many of each thing to order for the group. They just know. We thought we were done and were all happily satisfied, when they brought out two more appetizers. SO MUCH FOOD. Notable food (though keep in mind, this changes daily and is seasonal, so it might be different when you're there!: salt cod fritters, house salami plate, stewed butternut squash with sheep's cheese. This was seriously the best dining experience ever because -- again -- the food is awesome, but the service just nailed it for us.
(5)Jeff C.
Personally, I wasn't overly impressed with Toro Bravo, unfortunately. It's not that it was bad, because it was good, but I defintiely didn't leave there amazed, and for the price...you damn well should be. We ordered a handful of tapas, probably 6, and only really cared for two of them. Perhaps they were authentic for me? The one I did like was delicious though, some type of prime rib/steak dish with a mustard sauce, it saved the day. They don't take reservations for parties less than 7, so we waited an hour & a half next door at some little bar where I polished off a pair of Rainier talls. Toro was a cool place inside, I liked the setup and decor, but it was a little too dark inside for me, hard to see your food. The casa-rita was actually really good (I'm a sucker for a spicy margarita), once I finally received it 20 mins later, but not for $11. If there was one shining star it was ther desserts. I had some mini apple rhubarb pie/cobbler thing with vanilla ice cream, and it was amazing! I won't be going back, nor would I probably recommend it to anyone. For the price, there are just too many better options in PDX.
(2)Holly L.
Pleasantly surprised by Toro Bravo. Between my roommate and I, we ordered the Thyme for the Bee's Knees (a yummy gin cocktail), a cup of the Harira Moroccan lamb and lentil stew w/ house buttermilk, a bowl of the octopus and prawn stew, a side of the marinated sheep's cheese with rose petal harissa and mint, and topped everything off with the caramel panna cotta and olive oil cake with blood orange. The entire meal only came out to be $43 and we were stuffed! Everything we ate was delicious. My ONLY negative critique, and this is because I don't want Toro Bravo's ego to get in the way of itself, is that my octopus/prawn stew was a little salty. But only ever so slightly. Service was great. Mood was wonderful. Food was delicious. I will definitely be returning to Toro Bravo.
(5)Jenny K.
I wanted to like to this place. We were visiting from NYC and I had done extensive research on restaurants in Portland. Toro Bravo had such great reviews from CH and Yelp. Arrived around 6pm, asked for a table for 2, and was told there'd be a 45min-1hr wait. The hostess took our cell # down and said she'd call us once a table opened up, cool. We walked around the neighborhood and ended up next door at Secret Society for drinks while we waited (great, Moscow Mule, btw). Restaurant called 45min later and we were seated immediately once we arrived. We ordered: -Portugese sodas - good non-typical soda -Bacon wrapped dates - good, but pretty standard. It's a difficult dish to ruin. -Cod fritters - great and went well with the aioli -Meatballs - salty. Drank alot of soda to wash that down. -Seared scallops - good but nothing to write home about. -Paella Toro - SO SALTY. Nice texture but that's it. Tried eating more of the rice but that too was incredibly salty. I'm now running out of soda and I'm only 4 bites into the paella. We probably ate only 1/4 of the Paella between the 2 of us before we gave up. Our waitress asked if we wanted to wrap the leftovers to bring home...even if we had a microwave at the hotel to heat it up the next day, I still would say no. The actual restaurant itself is very bustling and seems like a nice place for a date or a small tapas meal amongst friends. The prices are more than reasonable and our bill was surprisingly cheap.
(3)Bec B.
Came her for my bday dinner tonite. The service was excellent. The food was good. but some reason, I was expecting something more, exordinary. I absolutely love their sister restaurant, Tasty N Son. Perhaps, my expectation was too high at Toro Bravo, but I didn't leave the restaurant completely satisfied and craving for more.
(4)Stephanie S.
One of the best meals I've ever had! The seasonal empanada with boar and buttermilk cheese was amazing, the hand-cut pasta was to die for. The small plates are my idea of heaven because I like to try a little if everything. The French Kiss- foi gras stuffed in a prune- was divine. Can't wait to go back!! We sat at the chef's bar and got to watch then work their magic. If you like to cook I highly recommend that!
(5)Tom D.
After my bad experience last time, I went back to Toro again recently, on a Wednesday, and I am happy to say that Toro Bravo has reverted to the form I had come to love, awesome. We were seated right away, perhaps because of the Tasty and Alder opening about a week before??? For whatever reason, it was great. We sat at the bar, and decided to go with the tasting menu, because I love the tasting menu at Toro, and it was what they had screwed up the previous visit so it was great to see that it came out just right. The bartender was a great guy, we chatted with the people on either side of us at the bar, and the food was delicious. On an aside, one thing I love about Portland is that we were talking to the middle age, prosperous looking, kids at Jesuit people on one side, and then on the other side talking with the young couple with dreads who were there for the first time and wanted some tips on what to get. Bravo!
(5)Sung L.
This place is super busy so the tapas experience is never going to be the way I would like. When having small plates, I would like to order a couple of items, then order a couple of other items, etc. If you tried that approach at Toro Bravo, you'd be waiting a long long time in between plates. Oh well, guess we'll have to order all the plates at once. Food was good enough to alter the game plan. Manchego Burger rates a 5 star Harissa Stewed Spring Squash - 3 Salt Cod Fritters - 2 Molten Chocolate Cake - 4 Lemon Curd Crepes - 5 Churros - 1 Service - 4 Atmosphere - 4
(4)Cindy K.
We went there for the first time last week and really liked most of our food. I read some reviews before hand to help me with deciding on what to order. I ordered the paella and was really disappointed. The butter clams were barely cooked and the mussels tasted really bad. I'm not sure if it was just a bad batch, but I had to spit out the mussels. Other than that though, everything else was excellent. The drunken pork and flat bread were my favorites!
(4)James S.
BEST BURGER IN TOWN, HANDS DOWN* *i've never had Metrovino's, so i can't speak to it. but i have had EVERY other burger in town over the past two years
(5)Phil N.
It surprises me how well Toro has stood up to the test of time. Toro is my favorite restaurant in Portland and is my measuring stick in which I compare other fine dining restaurants to. They are able to create an atmosphere unlike any I've dined at.... It's part adventurous, romantic, and the energy this place exudes is contagious. I've yet to have a bad meal.... There are so many standouts to list but this place is a guaranteed foodgasm. My favorites are french kiss, bacon wrapped dates, salt cod fritters, potatoes bravas, scallops with or coppa steak with romesco, spinach, and the asparagus.... Oh my the asparagus. The burger is among the best in town but I feel like I'm wasting precious stomach real estate by having a burger at such a nice place. Service is attentive and strong. Servers have sincerely asked if I enjoyed a particular item and in the two instances that didn't live up to my expectations they comped the item with without my suggestion. Service like that will keep me as a loyal customer.
(5)A C.
One of my favorite restaurants in Portland!! I wish one day I could come in and order every single item on the menu, yes, including their wines and desserts....that's what I consider heaven but for now I will continue to be in purgatory and just try a few items on the menu every time I go in. I haven't tried anything that I haven't like. I agree that most of the time you have to wait to be seated but to me its worth the wait, I usually just order a bottle of wine as soon as I get there. Did I mentioned that they have a great wine selection? They do. I would not consider this restaurant to be authentic Spanish cuisine but their menu items and flavors does reflect a true inspiration and love to Spanish cuisine. Their Spanish tortilla is as close as you are gonna get to Spain in Portland. Also good service.
(5)Mr. B.
Yum! Three tapas items to share was plenty, and the prices were fair based on the size too. The service was great also! Came to Toro Bravo on a packed weeknight, but they found a spot rather quickly. The ambiance in the restaurant was great: fine dining servers, dim lighting, and light background music of 1990s rap, aka Biggie Smalls.
(5)Kalli B.
When friends come from out of town, I always tell them to check out Toro Bravo. So far, no one has been disappointed and neither have I. The food here is exceptional tapas-style decadence. I recommend the bacon-wrapped dates. Trust me. I seriously dream of them. The service is laid back yet professional, which I like. Last time I was there, the server recommended a really yummy wine. The ambiance is intimate and trendy with a romantic vibe. Timeless. The only downside is that there is usually an hour wait. If this is the case, I recommend going next door to the little mexican food place and having an appetizer. I really can't recommend Toro Bravo enough.
(5)Kerbey H.
Get the chefs selection then order hazelnut ice cream with sherry. Great food and great experience. Place is loud so not a romantic spot.
(5)Sam Y.
HOLY MOLY SOOOOO DELICIOUS! We just moved to Portland at the first of the year (2013) and we are trying as many restaurants as we can since Portland is such a foodie town. After walking by Toro Bravo, I really wanted to try it, we had a friend in town and its right down the street from our new place so decided to go for it. I see what people are talking about with the wait, I would hate to try and go on a Friday or Saturday night. We went on a Tuesday and it was packed, we had to wait about 15-20min for a table but we just stood at this bar thing and ordered a pitcher of Sangria (very much worth the $16)! After we were seated the food came pretty quickly. We shared a lot of stuff, Tapas are my favorite:) Recommendations: Appetizers: Marinated Sheep's cheese Griddle bacon wrapped dates (they have a little nut in the middle... its so yummy) Tapas: Brussels sprouts w bacon sherry cream Salt cod fritters w aioli Empanada w chorizo caramelized onions & fried olives Entrees: Braised pork and collard greens w potato dumplings Harissa stewed butternut squash w Sheep's cheese 3 people, two pitchers of sangria and all this food... $95.. Worth it.
(5)John L.
My wife and I sent there Thursday night at 6pm and it was already packed. 30 minute wait. It went by rather quickly as we studied the menu deciding what to order. We ended up sitting right in front of the kitchen. They do a fantastic job with such a small kitchen. I thought almost everything was well done and well executed. I did like some things better than others. The radicchio salad with vinaigrette was good but I liked the one at Tasty and Sons slightly better. 4 stars. The salt cod fritters were salty but good. I liked the saltiness, my wife didn't care for it as much. 3 stars. The potato bravas had good flavors. Never had potatoes like that before. Liked the aioli or whatever was on it. 4 stars. The flatbread with truffle cheese and arugula was fantastic! 5 stars! The empanada was good. The sauce that came with it had a lot of layers. 4 stars. The lemon crepe was really good. The whipped cream was so light and not sweet. The lemon curd was awesome. 5 stars! The chocolate lava cake was not good. The only disappointment of the night. There was no lava, it was overcooked, and even the flavors were just so-so. 2 stars The service was very good, 4 stars. Overall I liked Tasty and Sons slightly better but I will definitely be back because overall I enjoyed it very much and there is so much more on the menu too try out.
(4)Katie D.
Bring on the tapas!! My party of three came on Sunday, St Patrick's day at 4:45pm. We were the second party in line - ten minutes later the line was down the sidewalk probably 30 deep. We were seated at opening and dove into the menu. Many fresh and local options ranging from vegetarian to carnivorous. I started with the Flor de Caña cocktail which was refreshing. We ordered the bacon-wrapped dates after all the positive reviews and they lived up to it, yummy! Then we moved onto tapas and tried the grilled shrimp (three huge shrimps!), the empanada (one large one to share) and a cup of harira (lentil stew). All very tasty! For the larger dishes we tried the meatballs (delicious sauce), the drunken pork (great flavor) and the jamon wrapped chicken with vegetables (probably our favorite dish). Finally we had to try a sampling of desserts: the almond ice cream with a shot of espresso (creamy and energetic after another cocktail :) haha), the molten lava chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream (rich and decadent), and the strawberry rhubarb crisp with ice cream (like grandma made). Our service was excellent. Our server answered all our questions, provided recommendations and ensured we had everything we needed. Surprisingly with all this ordered, our tab was just over $100. I call that two and a half hours well spent!
(5)RJ H.
I don't know, y'all... Seems like a lot of smoke and mirrors if you ask me, especially given the fair amount of "buzz" surrounding this restaurant. Friendly, but extremely slow and spotty service. The fried green tomatoes were nothing to write home about. We sent ours back -- and I never send anything back. Ditto that for the paella. Drinks took forever. Menu is expansive, but a bit overwhelming. Of what our group had, I felt like it was a matter of quantity over quality. Not the mind-blowing experience I was expecting.
(3)Sammie H.
Over cooked, over thought - A girlfriend and I got the Chef's choice, all the squash dishes were greasy and soggy, and the chicken was dry... Not a bad price point for food if it were executed better, but $9 for a 3oz drink? It's a busy place and the vibe is nice, I just know of too many other places that have it better.
(3)Star S.
I've lived in Vancouver all of my life and frequently go to Portland for food and entertainment. My boyfriend has lived here for about 6 years and is originally from Phoenix. It should go without saying that I'm usually the one who takes HIM to new places. However, he had been telling me about this "delicious tapas" place that he loves to go to. We decided to go one night last month. I've been to the Wonder Ballroom for concerts many times, but never knew what restaurant was right next door. Imagine my surprise when my boyfriend told me it was the tapas place! I wasn't all that hungry but thought it'd be fun to go anyway. We walked in at about 815 on a Wednesday night and the restaurant was about 2/3 full. We asked to be seated right next to the kitchen so we could watch them cook/prepare. We were handed the menus and I was impressed with the selection! (which can change nightly) So many things to choose from, and I'm not a super foodie, so many things I had no idea what they were! I started simply with just some bread and butter. I decided to defer to my boyfriend otherwise since he knew what he liked there. We ordered the flatbread with arugula, cheese and truffle oil; the scallops, the drunken pork, and the steak. Everything was so delicious, but I was blown away by the pork. The best bite of pork I've ever had! We loved the flat bread and the steak was pretty good too. My date says that the scallops at Toro Bravo are the best he's ever had anywhere. He also had a glass of pear brandy. Super strong but super delicious. We ended the night with dessert. He had olive oil cake, which I thought sounded soooo strange. I tried the Hazelnut ice cream with sherry. Both were excellent and I think we made great choices! The staff recommended the churros or the lava cake, so we'll have to try those next time. I was also excited to see a companion breakfast place in Tasty and Sons, as breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Can't wait to try that next!
(5)Marcel K.
3 words: bacon wrapped dates. 1 word: awesome. It's a small venue, but the outside seating is great in the summer evening. Our group had about 10 dishes and none of them were less than great. Wow. The staff was very friendly and accommodating.
(5)Lauren G.
Toro Bravo is still Gorham's best restaurant. I took my boyfriend here Friday night. Luckily the 60-90 minute wait was only 45 minutes. We sat at the bar, which is actually one of my favorite places to sit. All the food was perfect. God, I love this place.
(5)Xtina R.
Reservations: Unfortunately they do not accept phone reservations so you have to physically come in to put in your name & number, so with that being said it is best to stop by a couple hours before you intend to eat. Otherwise, you will be annoyed and upset about the lengthy wait. Food reviews: our party of four chose the chef menu and personally we think this was the best choice price wise since we were served an abundance of food that was quite delicious and savory. The food came out so fast that we got full rather quickly. The two dishes that come to mind that were my favorite are: Salt Cod Fritters with aioli, & Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette.
(5)Patrick S.
Oh how you people are going to hate me after this review, if you don't already hate me that is. Three stars for "A-OK" Yup... Oh yeah now I have to tell you why no five stars for one of the darling child's of the Portland foodie scene. I forgot to read the fine print before dining here. It states very clearly on their website: "Toro Bravo is a Spanish inspired tapas restaurant." Note the word "inspired" between the words Spanish and Tapas. Aha! Well it wasn't a total wash, I had fun with friends I went with but we are a lively bunch to begin with and we did bring a little of our own fun to start. However the drinks were definitely conducive to good times. I liked what I drank only I don't really know what it was because the server never knew what was what when it came to the table. A Great drink which is poorly executed (or served) is still a great drink, but when you go to order the same drink twice and something else complete shows up it becomes this weird game of pin the tail on the drink menu. The food was fine. The biggest disappointment I would say is that I was expecting light Spanish Tapas dishes and what we got instead were very HEAVY non-Spanish larger than Tapas dishes. Remember this review is all about me and my experience. I was hoping for some light tastings full of flavor and instead I got heavily creamed and overly fattened larger than normal tapas dishes that didn't really have the simple flavors of what I have come to expect from Spanish food and the Tapas style of eating. Speaking for myself Tapas eating is all about small plates of light food that is big on flavor and big glasses of drink that is light and fruity(sangria preferred) and to have fun with it but it won't bankrupt you into your next paycheck and that is not what Toro Bravo has to offer. Of course the food is inventive and quite varied and I found myself making the "MMMMMM" at least once. It's not to say that their food is no good it is to say that that Toro Bravo is "Inspired" by Spanish Tapas restaurants but nothing at all like a Spanish Tapas restaurant. Salud
(3)Laura L.
outstanding service for a busy, noisy Tuesday night. Thankfully we got in before 6pm - by 6:30 there was a line outside the door. The servers were so paitient, stopping several times as we figured out what to order. They even noticed a dropped fork and replaced it right away. The spicy prawn and octopus stew was a standout . Really complex mix of flavors. The marinated sheep's milk cheese left me wondering what was in it? lemon? tarragon? It was great! Also had a Pims and cider cocktail which tasted a lot like grown-up fizzy apple cider. So good all around can't wait to go back
(5)Scott M.
Strongly recommended - great fun, great food. So many options ... we heeded the warnings of getting here early and were one of the first few people in the door at 5pm. Service was insanely fast and we didn't feel like the food took any time at all to arrive (despite the full house). Our favorites were the grilled flatbread, squid ink pasta, octopus (on potato slices). The drunken pork was also tasty and the griddled shrimp were cooked perfectly (although we would have liked some more spiciness from the chilies). The only thing that I didn't really enjoy was the French Kiss, just didn't have the flavor that I was looking for. The wine-by-the-glass pours were a bit on the small side but the Rioja was tasty nonetheless.
(5)Tet W.
This is a great place for some tasty Spanish tapas! I love the decor of this small restaurant. Candle light, dim lights, dark walls and dark wooden tables and chairs. It's a romantic place but the noise level can get quite loud as the crowds come in early. My friend and I got there about 20 minutes early and it worked out great. This place gets really busy really fast so I highly advise getting hear at least 10 minutes early to assure yourself seating when the open. If you come around 6pm or later, be prepared to wait at least an hour if not longer. Anyway we were seated immediately and our waitress was wonderful. Our food was ordered promptly and the tapas came out as quickly as we ordered them. We ordered 9 different items: 1. House cured chorizo and manchengo with country bread. The variety of meats on this plate was great and accompanied with the country bread was awesome. I wish the bread was grilled or toasted, but nonetheless the plate was good. 4 stars! 2. Fried shrimp and potatoes. This was not on their online menu but overall it was good. It came with this cajun mayonnaise over the top of the shrimp and potatoes. The potatoes were very dry and the shrimp a bit small and the dish a bit messy. Overall I give this 3 stars. 3. Grilled flatbread with black truffle cheese and arugula. If you love fresh arugula, you'll love this tapa. This is a very light and refreshing tapa and the truffle cheese just accented the dish nicely. 4 stars! 4. Fried Green Tomatoes with pickled mayonnaise. My friend never had fried green tomatoes and neither did I so we decided to give it a try. I have to say, this one was a disappointment. I couldn't taste the tomato and all I really could taste was the pickled mayonnaise. I wouldn't order this tapa again. 2 stars. 5. Fava beans with house cured coppa and Manchengo. This tapa was great and full of flavor. It wasn't overpowering and I love the fact that this dish was light unlike some of their other dishes. Sometimes you need to balance out the rich flavors. This is one tapa I highly recommend. 5 stars! 6. Braised Lamb, apricots, and coriander with house made noodles. The lamb was fork tender and the sauce was light and tasty. I highly recommend trying this dish especially if you love lamb! 5 stars! 7. Paella Toro with chicken, shrimp, mussels, chorizo, and clams. This was the star of the night. This dish was full of flavor, the rice soft, the clams and mussels were moist, the chicken was grilled but moist in the middle. This was the perfect dish. I highly recommend this dish of all tapas we tried. A solid 5 stars! 8. Churros and chocolate. Now who doesn't love churros! This was a great dessert and I highly recommend this dessert. The chocolate wasn't too thick which made this dessert light. 4 stars. 9. Almond ice cream with a shot of expresso. The almond ice cream was perfect but they put a bit too much expresso. Overall a great dessert as well. 4 stars. Overall I highly recommend Toro Bravo for a great dinner out with friends and family.
(4)Carlin S.
I came here about a year ago and thought it was one of the best tapas meals I'd had in my life, so was really excited to head back this trip to Portland. This time, I don't know, it just wasn't quite as great. It was still good, but not as all-around fabulous. Not sure why. The food was all fine, some of it really delicious, and some of it just so-so. Maybe it's resting on its reputation? Or maybe we just came during a season when certain produce that made our last meal here so fabulous wasn't available? Not sure, but not sure I'd be rushing back here next time I"m in PDX with all the other fabulous food available in this town.
(4)AK T.
I'm in love with Toro Bravo. Truthfully I've only been to two tapas places in Portland (the other I wasn't so crazy about...Navarre) but this place is awesome. Wonderful atmosphere - dimly lit, cozy, intimate. Great place for a date night. It's always pretty crowded whenever I've gone, but you give the host your phone number and they will give you a call when your table is ready (brilliant). I always head next door to Secret Society for amazing drinks. It's a nice way to start the evening off right. I HIGHLY recommend the Patatas Bravas and the bacon-wrapped dates (of course). Pretty much everything is amazing. I have never been disappointed by anything they bring to the table (very tiny table). They definitely do tapas right. Also you must try the Sangria, and the Spanish cider is SO unique and delicious!
(5)Drew W.
delicious! fun! spendy!!
(4)Aaron H.
Do the tasting menu. Trust me. I can't believe I lived in Portland for five years and waited until I moved away to try Toro Bravo. Go now. Stop reading this and go. It'll be salty and wonderful and good.
(5)Ashley F.
If you can make it through the long wait then you are in for some delicious food! My boyfriend and I went for our date night on a Saturday night around 8pm and waited a little over an hour. We went to the Secret Society and had a drink while we waited, that was a really great place too :) I was surprised to see such a large amazing menu and very cheaply priced! We got the Marinated Olives & Pickled Vegetables as an appetizer. We both love olives and they were good. The pickled veggies were just OK. The first tapa that we got was the Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula. This was amazing. You must get it! We also got the Baked Polenta with roast beef, peppers & onions. This was my favorite. It was so rich in flavor. We intended to order more but after this we were already full! I'm excited to go back and try other things on the menu!
(5)Frank L.
Toro Bravo blew my mind! I had heard that it was good...it's not just good...it's F'ING AWESOME! We went early on a Saturday. Golden Girls 5:00! Thank God we did. The entire restaurant was filled by 5:05! The food is absolutely amazing. You have an opportunity to try so many different items. Usually that scares me...I think they can't do anything well, so they just do a bunch of crap. Not the case here. Every single item we tried was amazing. We had a Leek sumpin, shantrelle mushrooms on griddled bread, potatoes, bacon wrapped dates and finished the meal with a big paella and grilled rock fish. We then had to have a little carmel panna cotta for desert. I have told so many people about this place since we went and now I'll tell all of you...GO! Try It! If you're dissapointed with something, it's fine...it was only $5 and you can try something else! Oh...and they have amazing cocktails! Go! Lemme know what cha think! F
(5)Rebecca C.
A bit loud. Everything was pretty good (scallop, radicchio, chard) but nothing mind blowing.
(3)Kim M.
Nice atmosphere. Fantastic food. Would absolutely recommend and would eat here again in a heartbeat.
(5)Krista G.
I finally got a chance to try this place and my plan worked without a wait..YEAH!! We got there at 4:45 on Saturday and we did make it into the first round of seating. The look of the place is open and communal and I love how the kitchen is too. Everyone working here was so attentive and sweet. Our waitress was wonderful at helping describe some of the flavors and textures of the food and drinks. We started with the sauteed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins, this was so fabulous...the raisins were the perfect touch. Next was the sauteed brussel sprouts with bacon cream sherry, another small dish big on flavor. They also separated the sprouts and they were lighter and able to absorb all of the delicious sauce. Onto the potatos bravos...crunchy outside yummy inside served with a tomato sauce and cheese. Now for some protein :) The seared scallops were perfection on a plate, seared beautifully they melted in your mouth. The seared tuna in a bed of couscous with cherry's was also super tasty. The jamon wrapped chicken was my least favorite, but the empanadas stuffed with pork was the last part of our selection and it was amazing. The cocktail I enjoyed most of the evening was a blood orange concoction and it was both super sexy and super amazing. What queens feast is complete without dessert. We agreed on the carmel panna cotta and the churros with drinking chocolate. The churros were just alright but that panna cotta was worth every calorie times three. I must also commend everyone working, hustling in that kitchen. You guys and gal rocked it!!!!
(5)JW R.
Toro Bravo, Spanish for "loud restaurant". Tapas, Spanish for "bad kitchen coordination" "Okay, JW", I'm sure you're all thinking by now. "We all know you've got professional kitchen experience, Jesuchristo why don't you just talk about the food for $%&*! sake!" To which I respond, "Shut it, this is my ^&*(@! review and I'll talk about what I want!" So, the food was pretty good. At least, the burger was pretty good. It's one of the absurdly tall burgers, but not so much you wish you had a hydraulic press or an unhinging jaw. I detected a hint of something like Balsamic vinegar either in the meat or on the bun. It's got some funky (but not foot-y) cheese on it and pieces of bacon that were cooked enough that they weren't crunchy. But it doesn't come with fries. WTF? They don't even have fries on the freaking menu. The waitress recommended the potatos brava, which seem to be Eurotrash jojos. They also had the same Balsamic-y note that was honestly overwhelming combined with the burger. Ya know what they weren't? French fries. Big fail for that Toro Bravo. Also, one of the messiest burgers I've ever eaten. If you don't have the grip strength to contain a burger from the side, I recommend rubber gloves and something sleeveless. Aside from that, the service was slow and detectably snotty, the background noise was deafening, the communal tables were packed too close together and yes their kitchen seems incapable of bringing everything out at once. We got the potatos, then the burgers, then Brandon got her chicken dish well after the burgers were a memory. Who the hell takes so long to cook a freaking chicken breast? Is this the way it's served in Spain? Am I IN SPAIN? Thought so. Shut it, you.
(3)Michele R.
We felt like vultures as we stood outside Toro Bravo at 4:40 on a Tuesday afternoon waiting for it to open. But we'd read that a line forms early and if you're not in it for seating at 5:00 when the place opens, it can sometimes be a long wait for a table. Since we had a 2a wake up call at the hotel the next morning, we wanted to snag a table at 5p for an early dinner. Still, we felt ridiculous standing there all by ourselves. So, we walked around the block. When we returned a few minutes later...there they were. Other vultures in a line! At 4:45. On a Tuesday. Go figure. We felt much less ridiculous with company! As our evening unfolded at Toro Bravo, we could see what all the "buzz" is about. Toro Bravo has a great "all people are welcome" vibe, very good food and polished, efficient service. There are enough other reviews here that I'm at a loss to add anything other than our "thumbs up" vote. Shy of five star review, though, for a couple of reasons. First, while cocktails here are good enough (we had a Bravo Manhattan and a Szerac) they were by far not the best we've had. And part of Toro Bravo's allure is as a bar so we were just a tad disappointed. Second, the food, while very good, lacked the sort of "wow" factor we expected. Maybe our expectations were just too high given all we've read here and elsewhere. But, as example, the braised lamb entree with apricots and coriander and home made noodles sounded much more robustly flavored than it was in the dish. The small entree dish. Which leads me to a comment for some of my Yelp friends and acquaintances who weigh big quantity heavily in overall satisfaction. You know who you are. The entrée portions are modest. Even for my hubby and me, lighter eaters and both who would much rather have just a little of something great than a lot of something mediocre, we were surprised at the small portion size. Not that that's a bad thing. But it is a "thing" here. Good value for the quality...two cocktails, two pinxtos (sp) options, one entree, one dessert and coffee came in at $50. We'll go back. Maybe on a Tuesday again to avoid the need to stand in line. Because by the time we left around 6:30 there were still several tables and seats at the chef's counter available.
(4)Beric D.
The burger is amazing and one of the best in Portland. I also love to get the scallops. The restaurant is generally dark and quite loud and expect a long wait. There is a bar above the restaurant you can go to hang out while you wait to be called.
(5)Gina S.
I think its safe to say for dinner at Toro Bravo there will be a wait. I haven't been here for dinner and not waited for a table, having said this...no biggee most portland hot spots have an hour + wait. The eats are good but with many great tapas spots it makes reviewing Toro Bravo's competition stiff. Tapas can be spendy when in my little opinion.. you do it right and try many plates. Each plate needs to be FIERCE. I feel the plates are good but not FIERCE. The last time I had dinner there, a friend recommenced we do the tasting menu. Again, it was good but not FIERCE. The first 3 plates were carb loaded fillers and not a lot of FLAVOR FIERCENESS, are you sensing a trend here...GOOD FOOD but not FLAVOR FIERCE FOOD. The Paella, it's GOOD but not FLAVOR FIERCE. So you ask, what is FIERCE about Toro Bravo? THE SANGRIA!! SooO delish.
(3)Rachel M.
One of the best Portland restaurant experiences I've ever had. I went for my friend's birthday with a reservation for 9, which they cheerfully accommodated. We had a group of half vegetarians and half non-vegetarians, so we sat at different ends of the table, which I would definitely recommend for mixed dietary groups. It helped a lot with sharing! Anyway, our delightful waitress circled all the vegetarian dishes on the menu and brought out different wines for us to try so we could pick a bottle for the table. We ended up with a delicious red that paired very well with the meal. As for the food: every dish I tried here was delicious. My favorite ended up being the braised torpedo onions with salbitxada sauce, though I would also highly recommend the fresh pasta and the harissa stewed butternut squash. In terms of price, Toro Bravo is really what you make of it. You can order a little or a lot, and drinks definitely take the bill up. My party of 9 ended up with bills between $20-45 per person including tip, depending on number of drinks. However, one of my friends came here and spent $80 just on herself once. That's the great thing about tapas, though, they're all pretty reasonably priced for what you get, and you can just mix and match! I was actually expecting the dishes to be a lot smaller than they were. Our vegetarian group of 5 got the braised onions, fresh pasta, butternut squash, roasted cauliflower, and chanterelles, and we had plenty of food and enough to share with the "meat" side of the table. I can't believe it took me this long to get over to Toro Bravo. Great place for a small or large group (though reservations are highly recommended), friendly and attentive service, and overall just a nice place to hang out.
(5)Rachel R.
Such a knockout. It's a shame they don't let you eat, sit around for three hours to digest, and then do it all again. Here are the highlights of what were ordered: - Octopus a la plancha "becerrita" Octopus, aoli, potato and tomato on crispy bread - the best tapas I've had. - Chorizo + manchego with country bread Top quality. The cheese was addictive, although the champagne jelly was a little out of place. - Spicy squid ink pasta with hazelnuts, anchovy syrup, and egg yolk Absolutely incredible, so memorable we've recreated the recipe at home. - Caramel panna cotta This was actually regular panna cotta with an inch of thick caramel on top, pretty much unlike any dessert of this nature I'd ever tasted. I'd order all of these again in a heartbeat. The only dish we didn't enjoy was the spicy prawn and octopus stew, because it was primarily stewed vegetables with a few pieces of meat on top. Otherwise, everything was fantastic and we'll definitely be back here.
(5)Ryan L.
Yes, the line outside this place means something. And yes, it is that good. I love me some tapas (but my wallet generally ends up taking more of a beating afterwards). Those offered here are creative, for sure, and mostly mouth watering. A couple were "good" ... but those were the exceptions, as the rule was mostly "great." Service was excellent, but a tad rushed. It made for a little less-than-relaxing dining experience ... especially when there's a line up at the door looking in at you with "Would you hurry up, damnit" looks in their eyes.
(4)Martin S.
Can I really tell you anything you don't know about Toro Bravo. That the food here is excellent? You already know this. And the libations are quite nice? You must know that. It can take a while for a walk up to be seated? Yes, yes and yes. Now, I was having a great time here with my son, niece, her hub and my sons girl. Doing drinks and nibbles waiting for our table. After quite some time the hostess informed us that there was a mix up and people were not leaving as soon as expected so our table would take a bit longer. Not that big a deal. We walked in and this is a busy place and we were able to munch on a few starters. The octopus being my favorite. We were seated after quite some wait and just about full and were only going to do maybe a couple more things when out of the kitchen plate after plate of things we hadn't ordered, delicious things we hadn't ordered arrived. They had felt so bad for our long wait they comped us three plates. Now, when things go wrong I kind of expect something from a restaurant of high regard to show they care about their customers. A drink or an amuse. This was way above the call. Hats off to you Toro Bravo and your staff. I really appreciate the extra care. Thank you.
(5)Cindy Y.
Great dinner! We visited Toro Bravo during our stay in Portland. I have to echo what another review said - the meal was not "FIERCE", but good. Pretty reasonably priced. We got the tasting menu and got to sample a lot of the dishes! Everything was tasty and well done, but nothing special. The flavors were good, but not super interesting. Chicken was kind of dry. Saturday evening, the two of us got there at 4:30 PM to wait in line. We were probably 15 people in front of us. Get there by 4:45 PM and you'll be fine. We did get seats at the bar so we could see the chefs prepare the food. That was fun. I can see how this place gets great reviews. We had a great time.
(4)Laura N.
Oh -- so thhiiiisss is what all the hot fuss was about. I get it. And now the fussie becomes the fusser -- as I will be talking about this meal for an obnoxiously long time. ("yeah yeah Laura, Toro Blahvo...get over it. We live in Albuquerque...) Anyway - it was that good. As in, fly here from Albuquerque good. The service was spot on, and the restaurant was a-buzz with patrons touting huge grins of sangria stained lips. Tapas whizzed by our table in rapid progression, and I would have happily sampled a quick bite of each before they reached their final destination. In fact, my stomach and I have had a slight falling out as he (yes, my stomach is personified as a man named Ernesto) did not come through for me tonight: "Full? Really? And tonight of all nights? That's it. You're totally getting downgraded from "in a relationship" to "it's complicated" on my facebook page. It's that serious. Anyway, to sum things up, visions of Toro's tapas will forever replace sugar-plums in my personal "Night before Christmas" fantasies. Ok. Every fantasy. Let's be honest.
(5)Kenny P.
I found this restaurant through googling the term "Best Burger in Portland, Oregon". We decided to give it a try. The Service It was a very busy restaurant. Prepared to be ignored. Not because they want to, just because it was really really busy. We got a pretty good service. We did not have to wait for so long because we were in small group (only 3 of us). Overall, it was pretty good. The food The food was what we came for. We only ordered two things. - Drunken pork with avocado salad: this dish was delicious. The pork was tasteful and very delicate. The avocado added kick to the taste - House Bacon and Manchengo Burger: the bun was crispy and perfect. The meat itself was not bad and the sauce was delicious. We really enjoyed this meal The location It was located in small neighborhood where they do not have dedicated parking lot. You have to park on the street and it will be quite a headache if you go there during busy time The Atmosphere It was like tapas bar and quite noisy. But it was a good place to have a good hear and burger !
(4)Mackenzie J.
Brace yourself! This place was packed. The inside was do dark I could not see and it was extremely loud. Thankfully we got a little two top outside so we could hear ourselves think, lol. The server was very sweet, she heard my husband wrong about what he wanted to drink but we ended up getting a free I.P.A. out of it. I ordered braised beef and noodles, and an arugula salad that had peaches, fried potatoes, and an herb-lemon vinaigrette. The salad was to die for. I went back home after our trip and recreated it in my kitchen because I loved it so much. Who ever would have thought fried potatoes on a salad? Are other dishes were also so delicious. It seemed like everyone in Portland is doing pulled pork now, but I was still impressed with how good theirs was. The price is very decent. This is definitely in my top five places to eat in Portland.
(5)Lauren K.
The place is really unassuming from the outside so I was pleasantly surprised by the inside. There are two chandeliers hanging by the windows, some cool modern art on the walls, and a great wooden bar to eat at that also lines the kitchen area. We showed up around 545pm on a Sunday and the place was nearly packed though we had no problem getting a seat. In fact, we were sat at the kitchen bar. The chefs don't really interact with you but you can see how busy they are! Those guys did not rest once during the entire meal! My friend and I are lactards so we asked about dairy free options. The waitress actually marked up the menu for us so we could see which items were dairy free. Even though that cut out about half the menu, we still had plenty of great options. I don't remember every dish we had (and can't look it up since they don't post their daily-rotating menu) but here's what I can call off: Spinach drizzled in olive oil with pine nuts and raisins Smoked pork with shredded/cooked apricot and spicy mustard Octopus and Prawn Stew in a jalapeno red sauce Spicy pork sausage with flatbread and thin french fries Eggplant topped with rabbit ragu Bacon wrapped pork(?) with avocado mash (this was probably the best of the bunch) We had a total of 7 dishes between the two of us (which was probably one too many). Everything was delicious. This seems like the kind of place where you just can't go wrong. Plus, it's really affordable!
(5)Ron E.
Best meal in PDX, hands down. Despite arriving a solid 30 minutes before the doors even opened (and utilizing Portland's amazing mass transit system) the line was at least 20-25 people deep. When we checked in, we had the option of sitting at a table, at the bar or at the chefs bar. We opted for the kitchen view at the chefs bar and we weren't dissapointed by the ticket rush that followed, partly due to our own meal. Hustle and bustle ensued with no falter. Near flawless. My fiancee and I went with the tasting menu. Eight courses, all chefs choice. Pimientos de Padrons were a great beginning to the meal, not at all spicy and well seasoned with salt, perfectly paired with beer. Salt Cod Fritters with aioli were a hit, lord I could've had 10 servings of that. Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse was amazeballs, we only needed a few extra slices of bread to polish it off. Churros and Chocolate smashed the ones at Disneyland without flinching. Such a solid meal for a mere $30 per person. A stupid bargain if you ask me. The menu is so extensive, you'd be hard-pressed to try everything you want in just one visit. Go with a group and go H.A.M. Kudos to the wait staff, my glasses of water and beer never went below half empty without a courteous inquiry as to whether more was needed. While it is in East Portland, it's nothing a bus ride and a few steps can't solve. Worth the $2 and change to ride over the water. Don't be lazy, make the trip.
(5)L R.
I cannot express enough how much I enjoyed my experience here. My husband and I took a trip to Portland and I researched the top restaurants in the area and Toro Bravo was on several lists. We ended up doing the chef menu which is where they give you small portions of 8 dishes, which ends up being a lot of great tasting food well worth the price ($30/person). I loved this because they brought dishes that I would never have thought of ordering otherwise and they were all fantastic! The place was well decorated and the staff was very friendly. The tables are a little close together, but unless the adjacent table is being loud, it's not really a big deal. I got here early (around 4:45 and they open at 5) because I had read that they can fill up very quickly and they indeed do. There was quite a line formed outside by the time 5 actually rolled around and the tables filled up quickly. It's best to get there really early, otherwise you could be waiting for a while. I think it is definitely worth the wait though!
(5)Allie R.
When I come here, I always bring girlfriends (so we can order a bunch of things and share) and I always get here when it opens (so I know I can get a table). And I always, always love it. I don't even know where to begin with my favorite things from the menu. The oxtail croquettes and radicchio salad are MUSTS; the paella, the grilled flatbread, the grilled asparagus... The drunken pork and braised lamb are excellent also. I would probably eat anything the server recommended or brought me. It's all so, so good.
(5)Jessica N.
Damn - don't let the name of the dish frighten you, but the Squid Ink Pasta was de-li-ci-ous! Though served family style as all their main dishes are... I kept it to myself, all to myself! Top it all w/ a glass of sangria on the side, probably a bacon wrapped date or two, & you have a meal fit for a queen. However, did you know that although dead - mussels can still jump?! The open kitchen is quite awesome to watch the hustling & bustling behind the scenes, but it comes w/ its cons. As we watched the Paella to be plated - a mussel fell out on the server top and then was thrown in w/ the rest of the virgin mussels; virgin being they went from cooked to serve w/o a detour. It was a good dish though. 13/14 people of my party enjoyed their meals, but was the two-hour wait worth it? I think NOT. However, what gets to me is the service (I can understand that they are doing their jobs for the most part), but damn - something is lacking here! What is it? I think its ownership not of yourself, but who you are representing as a whole (the restaurant). I had called Wednesday looking for a reservation Sunday at 8-830PM, whomever I spoke to said it wasn't available and I could have a reservation at 5PM. HOWEVER, the confidence of this woman on the phone relayed the message that if I were come in Sunday around 800PM the wait wouldn't be long, possibly 30 min. maybe an hour... She would be able to seat us, no problem. BUT here comes Sunday and it's two-hours?! Was I angry? No. Was I upset? Yes. Again, they are doing their job - but I heard NO apology on behalf of whomever I spoke to on Wednesday (lack of ownership), but heard more excuses than anything. Sure, the hostess said she'll do her best to seat us and we could stand in the corner w/ drinks and apps awaiting our table(s) - here's the kicker - we could get fitted in an hour instead. An hour? SURE, we'll stay, so an alternative plan isn't necessary, but we weren't seated until 1.5 hours after our arrival. Just tell me, tell anyone that we're SOL of getting seated and we'll take our business elsewhere instead of planting hope the wait wouldn't be forever. Maybe we could've went to the bar next door and indulge ourselves in drinks to forget about the wait, but we didn't as there was "hope" for an "hour" wait. I'm sure our large party may have agitated the workers, but it didn't reflect upon them as sorely as the hostess. As the tables were being arranged, a friend of our party came to her to tell her that our party had increased a person and as my friend walked away... The hostess shakes her head in disapproval, which upsets me because the demeanor reflects poorly upon the customer service. UGH, you either fake it or don't show any emotion - that's just how customer service is because satisfaction is important and I sure wasn't satisfied. Our group of 14 was separated into three different tables midst of the restaurant. Maximum those tables could have is six per - I don't see how seven would be so difficult? So note to all, is this place good for groups? Eh, I guess - if it's less than 12. If more than 12, you get the headshake of disapproval! Dun, dun, dun! After the meal, we were asked if dessert was wanted, which our table declined, and here comes the check quickly after. We realize that we didn't ask for a special token on behalf of the birthday celebrant's 25th birthday, so we ask three minutes after receiving the check and the kitchen was closed. THAT QUICKLY?! The table next to us had a special token for their birthday from TB, why not us? Was this a ploy to get rid of us even quicker? For the most part service was okkaaayyyy, but make your reservations and DO NOT trust their estimation of time or their confidence. However, food was quite good!
(3)Vinh N.
Knocked out Rioja in Denver as the best food I have eaten this year in my travels. Good prices and every dish served was excellent, from the coppa steak (which tasted like a smoky prime rib) to the vegetables to the cheeses. However, I can not give a higher rating because I had to make two trips to experience the food. The first time I was with a group (4 total) with two people that used wheelchairs. Toro Bravo's front entrance is not wheelchair accessible with a front step and a high door threshold. The hostess assured us that there was an accessible back entrance for the wheelchairs to enter. Given that the restaurant started around 2007, the renovation of the existing space prior to moving in may not have been compliant with the ADA. After an hour wait outside, the hostess tried to put us at a table in the backroom which could not accommodate one wheelchair much less two due to the layout. We were told it would be another 30 minute wait. This extra wait could have been avoided by prioritising the limited existing wheelchair accessible tables to our group. By this point my friends wanted to leave so we did. I returned to the restaurant with another friend the next day. I mentioned the wheelchair barriers, and his wife (who uses a wheelchair) decided not to come out with us. We had no issues with being seated promptly this time.
(3)Emily T.
Great Tapas! Be patient and you will be rewarded. Our favorite dishes of the night were octopus a la plancha and the paella. The menus is pretty expansive for a tapas restaurant so it can be a hard decision. In my opinion though, you can't go wrong. We will definitely be back. Head upstairs to The Secret Society for an amazing cocktail while you wait.
(4)Jason G.
I think my spanish is rusty, I didn't remember that Toro Bravo meant " A lot of salty bland food" until it was too late... **Let me start this by saying that my girlfriend spent the entire night throwing up after eating this meal. I was able to enjoy more of the sangria, but because she was driving she could not. ** (she asked me to add those asterix to help emphasize that point. This place is not deserving of the rating it has received.) After reading the reviews, we showed up nice and early (at 5pm) and were lucky enough to at least be seated right away, but barely. It fills up pretty quick, but that is covered in a lot of other reviews, so we'll just get to the meal. Because this place was so highly rated here, we gave them a chance. We ordered 7 plates, sangria, and desert. Not one of the dishes would entice me to return. To keep it short and sweet - Chicken Empenada = Salty and dry, Flat bread = WOW salty, Polenta = actually not salty, but nothing special, Tuna couscous = flavorless, Raab = very plain and easy to forget, Chorizo / Manchego = again, forgetable, and then because everything had been pretty bad we asked the waitress to wow us and bring us the best thing on the menu. It happened to also be the most expensive, which would have been fine, if it had lived up the billing. It was a steak dish with a bad sauce, tough texture, and HORRIBLE olives. Easily one of the worst cuts of meat we've ever had, not fitting a place that is supposed to be one of the best in PDX. The service. as expressed elsewhere, was not good. The waitstaff was not cheerful, helpful, and they tried to rush us out of there. I only emphasized the salt in two of the dishes above, but it literally dehydrated us to the point of feeling hungover the next day. Go somewhere, anywhere else.
(1)Dorene S.
I talked 5 other people to go with me to Toro Bravo for the $25 Chef Tasting (actually, they had no clue what they were going to be doing till they got there). We all had a blast. Every plate was easily divisable or already divided for the table. One of the items that really stood out for me was the sherry liver mousse. We thought there were a bit too many dishes with bread (eg. pita, toast, more flatbread) but the quality of all was good, so we left the restaurant extremely full. The wait is usually long, so remember to make reservations and go early! We went on a weekday so it wasn't as bad. KPI (Key Performance Indicators) ratings (1-5, 5 - best): Quality: 4 Delivery/Service: 4 Cost: 4
(4)D M.
Not worth all the hype. Great food. Long wait. Was told about an hour and a half wait ended up just a bit under an hour for a group of 6 on a Friday evening. Immediately we were hit with extreme heat and no air flowing. They could use an air conditioner or something. We were educated they brought out their food family style and sharing was highly recommended. What that really meant was let's get all the food out and the check so we can seat the next group, which was obvious. We just waited an hour to be seated the least you could do is not make people feel rushed. Maybe that's the real reason behind the smaller portions. The squid ink pasta was tasty though a bit salty. The drunken pork was great as well and the flatbread was also a hit. But again what's with the small portions and price? Maybe I'm nit sophisticated enough to appreciate it but the place is more hype than anything. I'm glad I did try it though. Need to give it another go most likely.
(4)Irene W.
Referred to this place by a local. Communal and individual tables available. Highlights: Wait: 40 minutes, but time went fast. Ordered a few drinks (which were tasy) and examined the menu to kill time. Agave cobbler: a little strong for my taste. There was supposed to be st. Germaine, but blueberry flavor overpowered it. French kiss: my bite of foie gras tasted like steel (maybe not so fresh?), but the other bites at the table thought it was tasty. Best dishes: griddled shrimp with chile, squid ink fideo, fried potato salad with arugula & peaches, grilled flat bread, and duck liver terrine. Oxtail croquettes: good textures but a little salty Manchego & paprika fritters: needed more manchego flavor, but salsa roja was delish Chard & pepper gratin: a little salty and favors were too robust (is that possible?) Empanada: a little bland but not horrible Roasted eggplant and lamb ragu: eggplant was very tender. Just nothing to write home about. Caramel panna cotta was amazing. Especiallu the panna cotta part. Lemon curd crepe wasn't bad. The lemon curd reminded me of London. Service: server was very attentive and friendly.
(4)In B.
Food and service was good but their squid ink pasta was wayyy too salty for us..
(3)Bonnie L.
My visits to Portland are not complete without a meal at Toro Bravo. Everything is always a feast for the eyes and soul. Went this time on a week day and there was no wait which was heaven. Drinks, tapas, everything was exquisite. Already looking forward to next time.
(5)Paul S.
Good Bloody Marys to accompany great food! This was my third time at Toro Bravo and I have to say that it is now at the top of my lists for favorite places in Portland. I think this would be the place that I would take out of town guest to eat at. The tapas style is great for sharing and the atmosphere is energetic and alive. Manchego Burger was one of my favs as well as the butternut squash . Great place to dine!
(5)Marissa H.
Why isn't Chef here nominated for a James Beard Award? This food is frickin' good! Came in here ~8pm on a Monday night. Got sat at the "chef's table" - essentially a lower version of a bar but in front of the kitchen (which is super tiny) so you can watch the action. My dining companion & I ended up naming the various line cooks according to their mustache length! (Those darn cocktails....) Food: Steve's Cheese Board - Steve is a local cheesemonger & knows his stuff. 5 different kinds of sheep & cow milk cheese served with 1 large date & a few slices of sweetish torta (like the Olive Oil Torta Whole Foods samples). Only 1 was so-so, the rest were really good & tasty. Charred Bread with Fromage Blanc & Nettles - BIG WINNER! 2 big pieces of bread char-grilled and slathered w/ fromage blanc (more cheese!) & sauteed (maybe steamed?) nettles. A different take on pesto - a much better version, of course! She got Oxtail Croquettes & thought they were great. I got Sauteed Spinach w/ golden raisins & pinenuts. It was standard, nothing over the top & something I can do at home (it was the only dish I wasn't completely satisfied with). Also the Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash w/ Sheep's Cheese (see a common thread here?!) It was killer, absolutely killer! The small version was the perfect size since I had already eaten so many other things. The squash was cooked to an al dente consistency & the cheese was extraordinary. Yum. With all that (drinks, apps, tapas but no dessert, didn't have room) it was ~$32 per person. So cheap! And fantastic! Guess it's better it's still a "local" hot spot....it's still affordable!
(5)Lesley R.
Been there once. It was too chaotic for my OWN personal taste. I guess the food is good. But, to be completely fair to Toro Bravo? You are probably better off listening to others in taste department as 1.) I compare everything to my husband's cooking which is stiff competition and 2.) I'd rather be a tube worm who simply absorbs my food so my time can be spent doing more important things with my time than eating. However, what I can offer is my assessment of the environment. Note that I try to be fair by explaining any extreme situations. If you like to try new things I guess this is a good place. Just be ready to stand in line. And if your guest of honor is an hour late? It will be hard to sit in the little alley seating area until she does get there. And....it is very loud. I felt like I was in the way because I could not order til our friend got there....even though I finally went ahead and did just that as I was starving. *The staff did not make me feel I was in the way*.....it was just that the place was super packed....and here we were trying to stall for time. I could not even tell the waitress what was going on because I did not know where the hell our friend was and only she could answer about the table, etc. If it was just me and my husband waiting for her? We would have left and come back when our friend got there. But, our other friends were already on their way with cocktails so we were stuck. I had some sort of burger in the meantime (It was good, but don't much remember except that it was "presented" in an unusual way) and had little room to eat because we were in that alley way thing. I was also the only one eating at that point. My husband could not even be there with me for half of the evening because there was no room for all of us so he and one friend other sat outside. God, how I wish I had simply stolen a bloody chair and sat with them, the guys, instead of talking about women's shit which is often times pathetic. (I swear, I am really not this terrible this was just so totally NOT my idea. And I do not want to talk about why my hair is curly or hear that others wish they could have curly hair. WTFE.) The staff did not seem organized. Someone would come, ask us if we wanted something....we would answer....then turn back to talk to friends. Then someone *different* would come on over and ask us if we wanted something, but it was hard to hear because the place was PACKED. Then we would explain that we already explained to another person 5 seconds before. I think the wait staff wanted to us to leave....otherwise why come over to us constantly? Do people like to be interrupted constantly? Does it make them feel important? Is this an intrinsic vs. extrinsic kind of place? By this time, I was annoyed at my friend, cramped and constantly interrupted by people we could not hear. Our friend finally arrived over an hour late. So NOW we could finally request a table. Now we all waited. Some more. Then we moved to a big table that we shared with another family. Odd, but they were nice so I guess it worked out. We had countless different kinds of foods that I could not possibly remember. I could not even hear what most of them were and I passed on most of it. I like to know what I am eating, so if I could not hear what it was? It is not that important to me. Sometimes I could hear it was and many of those were a bit too far out for me, so I passed on those. It was so chaotic no one even noticed that I rarely ate any of it. I was probably on my 3rd glass of red wine by then. (Maybe I need to eat before I leave the house, then order a cabernet when I arrive ANY place my friends suggest. Raccoon Lodge? Burgerville? Americanized Mexican?) By the time we all sat at a big table? I was just happy 1.) to have a glass of red 2.) when people stopped trying to talk to me because I could not hear them anyway. I ate an hour before, remember. Note: I am not against noise so long as I can hear my friends but 50 different appetizers in 2 hours is NOT that kind of a place. I understand the chaos NOW in hindsight. Because these are all appetizers they keep coming every five minutes. So there is always someone there. My idea of sheer hell. If you are an extrinsic? You might like it fine. I would only go back w/ Deaf friends so I could hear their hands. I am exhausted just thinking about this place. I will be staying home next time. In fact, the next time my late "birthday girl" friend wanted to go out? They did. Without me. The Portlandia episode on just this place was a dream compared to my experience, Why is it that my friends either want Burgerville or loud places like this? We have given up on taking restaurant advice from friends. It has been a 100% failure rate. My husband would say the same thing so it is not just me. Now we go out on our own to find places, or maybe listen to some of you. I was happy when it was over.
(2)Lisa D.
LOVE this place and have recommended this to many friends. Amazing wine list! The food is fun, fresh and eclectic. Always enjoy visiting TB and it's been a consistent big hit with out of town friends that I've taken here.
(5)Annette V.
There's quite a wait for this place, but the food is delicious so you may say that it's rightfully so. Everything I had that night was amazing, with my favorites being the duck liver mousse and the squid ink pasta with crab. OMG, last meal on earth worthy. I'd come here all the time if I had an unlimited budget and if the wait wasn't so long. Reservations would be appreciated!!! Definitely a Portland gem.
(4)John M.
The GF and I had stopped by previously, only to be told there was a 2 hour wait (this was around 5:30 on a Saturday). Given that experience, we got to TB promptly at 5:00 (Maybe 5 minutes before they opened), only to see nearly 30 folks already in line wating to get in. Nevertheless, we were able to get right in (we sat at the bar), which turned out to be a good place to be, as we got to watch one of the more impressive bartenders I've seen in some time. My guess is that TB is pretty much slammed from opening bell onward, and of course everyone tended to order drinks as soon as they were seated. So the bartender literally had her hair on fire the first 30 minutes we were at the bar, but she handled the storm professionally and with aplomb. She also was taking food orders, and although there was a sizeable crowd, she never lost her cool or her patience. Both the GF and I agreed that the bartender here was an absolute gem. As for food, we went with the tapas options here, ordering roughly 6 different small plate dishes. While everything was very good, I was waiting for something to really wow me, the way we've been wowed by a number of dishes we've ordered at the sister restaurant over on the West Side (Tasty N Alder). We ordered the prawns, the duck terrine, the raddichio salad, the fried empenada, the potatoes bravas and a double order of the bacon wrapped dates, and then shared the lemon crepes for dessert. Again, everything was very, very good, but I was waiting for that moment when I would try something and think "OK. Now I understand why folks stand in line to get in this place." That moment never came, though it may simply be that we had unduly high expectations (everyone we spoke to raved about this place). Oh well, we had a very nice time here, and if it wasn't such a hassle getting a seat or table here, I could see coming again. However, it's undeniably a hassle trying to get in this place, and I confess I was a bit unhappy with the pace of our meal. As I mentioned above, TB is pretty much slammed the minute you walk in the door, and so there's something of a frenetic pace to dining here. The staff, although quite good, seem like they're always in a non-stop rush to take your order, get your food to you, and hopefully out the door ASAP. You can't really blame them for that (given how many folks are typically on the wait list, waiting to get a table or spot at the bar), but it was the one element of dining here that I would find fault with. In short, this is a very good restaurant, but there are PLENTY of very good restaurants in Portland, and many allow for a more leisurely pace then what we encountered at TB. So I'm not really sure we need to come back here again any time soon (I thiink we've concluded that we're Tasty N Alder people).
(4)Irene H.
Had a really nice dinner here. Food was delicious and very well priced.
(5)John R.
One of the best restaurants in Portland and maybe the best place to go with a group and share. Spanish tortilla, squid ink pasta, and coppa steak are all must haves. As is the radicchio salad with olive (crack!) toast and the grilled flat bread with truffle cheese and arugula. Place never skimps on seasoning. Try as many items as you can and order more than you think you need. Just be sure to skip the desserts and avoid that weird closet table/ booth they have.
(5)Mindy G.
LOVE this place! Must haves: Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey, Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette, Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese & arugula, & Drunken Pork with avocado salad!!
(5)Doug B.
Tasty n Sons gave birth to a tapas wielding restaurant that delights at every turn. This night the delicious twists included noodles "10 con 10" with bacon & sea urchin; empanada with braised beef, kumquat & chilies; meatballs with tomato-almond sauce & english peas; and a couple octopus dishes that wrapped themselves tightly around our tastebuds. Run don't walk to Toro Bravo. Bravo to it all!
(5)Niusha S.
I left Toro Bravo on a joyous note. The paella was good, although a little overdone; while being pleasantly smokey, it was a little burnt crusted on the bottom. The squid ink pasta with hazelnuts and egg yolk was delectable with a nice kick of spice. The grilled lamb chops with chorizo and potatoes were good, alas nothing amazing. The thing is you never know how much of a taste you'll get; the portions are unpredictable, and some are more worth the price tag than others. I would give this place four, four and a half stars, but memory of their octopus is what won't let me rate them any less than five. We tried both their Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" it was I think, and their grilled octopus with dill, and they were both the best octopus I've had. If I had to choose, I would say the grilled octopus tentacle with dill and piquillo peppers stole the show. Next favorite, was the duck liver mousse. It was smooth and I really do hope it wasn't foie gras or a force fed duck. If that's what I inhumanely ordered for myself, I can shamefully say I understand what the hype is all about.
(5)Kelly H.
Hands down, the absolutely best restaurant we visited while in Portland (and I tell you we went to the best!)! Luckily we were seated right away, although we did arrive at 5:30pm on a Tuesday night. Our waitress was so accommodating and helpful and downright cheerful. The radicchio salad was like mana from heaven for me, the portion size was huge and the olive crostini blew my mind. I drool just thinking about it. The duck pate, a must, and the grilled flat bread is absolutely perfect with fresh greens atop truffled cheese. My god I've gone to heaven!
(5)Celeste D.
I ate so much I thought I was literally going to throw up when I left. So there's that.
(5)Sarah T.
We were so excited to bring our guests here and even anticipated the 2 hour wait. However, having all of the menu items we ordered delivered in the first 15 minutes we were there made dinner seemed rushed and very awkward. I understand that you are a very busy restaurant and that turning tables is important- be that as it may, I gave you 2 hours of my time waiting- the least you can do is let me taste your delicious food and wait to shove the dessert menu in my face until AFTER I am finished eating my dinner.
(2)Alissa K.
I want to put a ring on this restaurant and marry it.
(5)Malena D.
Fan-freaking-tastic. I had a great experience at Toro Bravo. We arrived without a reservation and were seated in the "waiting area." The waiting area is an odd little alcove that seems hidden, but has a decent view of the bar area. The hostess was friendly and we were seated shortly after receiving our first (of many) cocktails. Now I must take a moment to describe the cocktail I ordered. PDX Yelpers may not know me, but my LA brethren know I'm a professional drinker. I was extremely impressed by the complexity of flavors and balance achieved in a glass at Toro Bravo. There was orange and clove and I would happily fly to Portland right now just to get one. It is a rare and beautiful moment when a cocktail is not overly sweet, alcoholic or monotone. Now that I have established the prowess of the bartenders at Toro Bravo I have to applaud the food. We ordered French Kisses (Foie stuffed dates), fried anchovies, salt cod fritters, and a few dishes I cannot remember. The French Kisses were so good we immediately ordered 2 more as soon as we gobbled them up. If you like foie (and who doesn't?) then do your self a favor and order a French Kiss. The salt cod fritters were good albeit a bit too salty. Now I *know* salt cod is salty, but I think the cod could have been soaked (or soaked longer) to remove some of the excess salt, or maybe the kitchen could forgo the salting of the fritters once out of the fry-o-later. Yes they were salty, but dammit they were still good and spurred me on to order more great drinks! I enjoyed all of the food and thought the service was personable and professional. I appreciate a knowledgeable waitron and think Toro Bravo could benefit from educating their staff a bit more thoroughly. I thought the prices were very reasonable, but maybe that's the LA/SF mentality. In short we had a great time and next time I'm up in Portland I'll return to Toro Bravo.
(4)Kamille Gino C.
Really delicious food and served in tasteful portions. A little pricey but surely worth the $$. Loved their Scallops and Steak!
(4)Leon A.
Just like the inspiration for this post, I'll keep this short and sweet. The caramel panna cotta absolutely fantastic!! you must save room for dessert. Then wash it down with the olive oil cake :) -the happy fat kid inside of me
(4)Joe S.
All I can say is Panna Cotta! It was THE best dessert I've had anywhere. The rest of the meal was good but nothing to remember about. Service was great. My only complaint was that their air conditioning system was weak. We were there on a very hot day, and it was freaking hot inside. Very uncomfortable to eat while you're sweating like Niagara Falls.
(4)Philip O.
Astounding. Octopus a la plancha "Beceritta", salt cod fritters with aioli, empanada with tomato-braised pork & spring vegetables, and noodles '10 Con 10' with bacon & sea urchin were the highlights.
(5)Janna B.
The food is DELICIOUS. You may just have to wait for a table for a bit in order to enjoy said food. We went on a Friday night, right at 7pm, so I knew to anticipate a long wait, but had no idea it would be around an hour and a half; I'm too optimistic, I guess. Having worked in the restaurant industry for some time, I am patient with these things, but some of my guests were less so, and I'm making this comment more on their behalf than my own. Nevertheless, I think they have a good selection of wines and delicious cocktails. I love the bacon-wrapped date, and tried a seasonal braised lamb dish with apricots and coriander which was savory and slightly spicy. For the price, I expected a bit more generous a portion, but lamb tends to be more expensive. This was my second time visiting Toro Bravo, and I will definitely be back, just at a more sensible time.
(4)J. Kirsten E.
Awesome. Went in at 9 on a Sat night but only had to wait 20 mins to get two seats at the bar. Which is unusual. We went there ready to wait because we had been wanting to go for a long time. It was better than the reviews even led us to believe. The restaurant is small and very loud but for food this good I would be willing to wait an hour to eat in the landfill. For real people- if this is not a 5 yelp star then I dont know what is. I typically am aversive to things w/ suctions and tentacled but the octopus was good, salt cold fritters-great, cantrelles- phenomenal.
(5)Beth W.
One Star For Lack of Humanism. The owner sees me, Beth Willie, standing on crutches and does not offer Beth a chair. What the hell? Get off your phone and get me chair. You are the owner. I'm standing like this for 45 minutes. By the time we sat down I was so drained and pained that I couldn't even enjoy myself. Very disappointed.
(1)Kirk F.
Great food, get a little experimental with your choices. The wife and I had an awesome meal. We ordered several different items scallops, smoked steak, Steve's cheese plate and the cod fritters. Holy shit they were all awesome!!! Only drag wa having to sit out side an the initial wait for service. Drinks were also on point. And everything was surprisingly well priced. We will definitely be back soon!!!
(4)Aloysia E.
Great Atmosphere...Great wine list. and the food. The squid ink pasta AMAZING..great cheese board. Great wait staff.
(5)Madeleine F.
Duck liver terrine was the saving grace of the tapas we had. Fried anchovies plate had 4 anchovies on it and based on my experience, what they served were more like small mackerel. Squid ala plancha had an overpowering tomato sauce, was meh. I've had better food and service. I didn't even wait the 1.5 hour to eat, I had service at the bar seating area. The noise level was on the loud side. Service was mediocre, and I don't enjoy flailing around to get my server's attention just so I can pay and leave already.
(3)Eeeeestar T.
Everything they say about this place is true. My girlfriends and I indulged in the chef's tasting menu, and it was an overwhelmingly delicious and filling parade of some of the best Spanish tapas to be found on the West Coast. At the conclusion of our meal, I had a total food baby...appropriately christened Benecio del Toro Bravo.
(5)Fred S.
Ok. If you do not know what you are getting into here, you might have a complaint, but really you should have done some research. But griping about no reservations, noise, or space at Toro Bravo would be a little like complaining that it took longer than 1/2 hour to eat at Ringside steakhouse. These are parts of the restaurant that make it what it is. Waiting at least 45 min for a table should not be a shock for one of the most popular restaurants in town that doesnt take reservations.......not rocket science. Also, this place is lively and loud, so if you want a quiet meal STAY HOME. I have eaten here 5 times and it has been great every time. So much variety and it allows you to have a lot of fun with the menu. The more exotic, the better. Dont come here to order the meat & chesse plate, instead go for the octopus stew or the brandy-soaked prunes stuffed with fois gras. Bacon wrapped dates are a nice starter. The chard with egg on top was also excellent. Service was friendly and promt as well. There is the opportunity to order bigger items, but i much prefer to try 8-10 smaller items and share with you table. There are some good vegitarian items, but this place is very meat-centric and offers carnivores 20+ options of things to order, from steak to octopus to pork to duck etc. etc. My wife and I like to eat here and can usually get out paying less than $75 (including some drinks) although it would be real easy to go over $100 for a couple as well.
(5)Ben B.
Absolutely incredible, a stand out experience in every sense. Every dish was amazing - memorable ones were the grilled steak, lamb harrissa, north african sausage and the grilled pork - epic! The wine was equally great (we had the house monastrell for only $23/bottle) Service was equally good! The best tapas dining experience yet
(5)Sasha R.
I had a rockin' meal here recently with a deal friend and fellow foodie that consisted totally of appetizers and was had exclusively in the bar. We had such amazing food, that kept on coming out and we continued to be wowed. I am sure it gets super busy here, and it's hard to be seated etc, so it may be nice to visit this spot on a "quiet" night, but............ it was so much fun to see a bustling restaurant full of magical food, it's almost worth it to go for the drama. One thing is for sure, you will certainly enjoy!!!
(5)Rick S.
I went here a few times since my original review and the quality of the food really isn't what it used to be. Many of the dishes were over-salted and quite difficult to eat due to the salt levels. I will no longer wait for a table here. Too many other good places to eat and check out in Portland!!!
(2)Martin C.
I go to Portland, Oregon about 2 to 3 times a year. Toro Bravo is definitely on my "go to" list every time now. The atmosphere is fun and engaging, service is excellent, and the food is divine. (If they ever offer the "Pimientos de Padron" again, get them. Wow!).
(5)Harriet L.
I will wait for you Toro Bravo and I will wait a long time. I always do. The waits here can be very long since TB is soooo popular. They truly do make the best bacon wrapped dates I have ever had. How can they make something so simple so unusually good? Chicken liver pate is so so. Coppa steak is an incredible deal. Sangria is the best. A little goes a long way. Thank you Toro Bravo. And thanks to Secret Society for making those waits a little nicer.
(4)Emily M.
Since my guest was visiting from the East Coast, we went at an early dinner time. The place was already busy, but there were a scant few tables available and we were seated immediately. We accepted our server's recommendations on almost all of our selections, including the bottle of wine which was a Spanish wine meant for Tapas cuisine... I can't remember the name but it was very unusual tasting and very good. I always appreciate when servers can make honest, helpful, heartfelt recommendations. Our food was phenomenal. We savored every single plate. No questions asked. My favorite was probably the scallops. But then I love scallops! What was really unique about this meal? I even loved foods I would ordinarily shy away from, like the foie gras-stuffed prunes and the suckling pig. I'm so glad we went with her recommendations. It was stuff I would never order, yet loved. If I had to make a criticism here, I would point out that our table got a little unruly with leftover plates from dishes we'd already finished. A slightly more attentive/formal bussing system would have elevated the experience, but then, the dining room was very busy so it's understandable. The atmosphere is quite noisy, but then, we were having such a wonderful time that it didn't detract from the experience in the least.
(5)Emily W.
Mmm, in my (brief) time in Portland this has been the best place I have eaten so far. The first thing I noticed was the ambience, which I loooved! It seemed to be all about the food, with the open kitchen, long family-style tables and simple, rustic decor. From the start, I thought the service was great - we had a party of 10 (all ages up to about 70..) and as a waitress, I know that can be a little trying, especially with tapas where you're ordering so many different plates. She was great though, perfectly helpful and she knew when to check in and when to let us chill and enjoy the wonderful food. I split a bottle of the dry spanish cider with one other person and it was a really good accompaniment to the food!! Now on to the food... yumm.. I can't remember everything we got, but some highlights were the duck liver terrine with cider mustard, seared scallops with a ridiculously smooth and creamy romesco, super tender braised lamb with coriander, apricots, and thick tagliatelle noodles, and the house-made north african lamb sausages which were bursting with juiciness and north african spices. Dessert went along with the whole theme of "awesome". I really liked the olive oil cake with stewed strawberries on top - not too sweet, just right. One kind of remarkable thing was that I didn't add salt or pepper to anything all night..to me, that is the mark of a damn good chef. Or perhaps the mark of someone who would make a good personal chef. To me. The position is open if Toro Bravo's chef would like to prepare my 3 square daily..
(5)Mel J.
Amazing. The menu looked interesting, so some friends and I headed over. Once we were on the 30-45 minute waiting list (at almost 10 pm) we thought about doing something else, but decided to stay. I am so glad we did! The menu was full of things I had never heard of, and food combinations I would not have considered. Still, feeling adventuresome, everyone picked a couple of things that sounded good and we did a family style dinner. I was amazed again and again. I don't like meat pate at all (and they have several), but otherwise everything was incredible. We had one very tasty dish after another. The waitress even recommended the pork to us because they brought in and carved up a pig yesterday and still had some excellent cuts left. It was remarkably flavorful, as were all of the meat dishes we had. Overall, the waitress' recommendations were probably the best things we had. The bacon-wrapped dates were quite good, as was the flatbread (with various toppings). It was much more interesting than it sounded from the menu. I will definitely be back!
(5)Marianne S.
Mmmm Toro Bravo. This is one of my favorite places to eat in Portland. It's fun to go with a group so that you can order and sample a variety of tapas. The quality and taste of the dishes range from really good to amazing. The music is fun and the atmosphere is nice. A great place to go for special occasions!
(5)Liz S.
This place was SO good. We ordered about 7-8 different dishes and they were ALL fantastic (I tried each one). We went on a Saturday night and it was totally packed, so we won't be doing that again. I prefer a place where I can eat in peace and enjoy my food/company rather than feeling rushed to give my table to all the people waiting outside. We'll be going back, but probably mid-week.
(4)Ryan T.
Our first night in Portland, we ventured out of our "asian-food" comfort zone and tried Toro Bravo. The street parking was a breeze. When we walked in, the restaurant was crowded. We were seated at a long table, in the middle of two different parties. I thought we would feel uncomforable, but it wasn't bad at all. The conversations were able to stay within the different groups. We ordered a bunch of small dishes, called tapas. We had everything from duck liver paste, scallops, black truffle cheese over flatbread to bacon-wrapped chicken breast, and caramel pina cotta. They were all delish! Come check this restaurant and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Nickole C.
Some nights I dream about the squid ink pasta and how delicious it was! This place is great...food is amazing, some of the best in P-Town. Go with as big of a group as you can so you can taste lots and lots of stuff. It's Tapas but the portions are good and we passed plates around with 6 and everyone had a good sampling. Favorites of our group where the torta, squid ink pasta, and the steak!
(5)Alex G.
What can I say about Toro Bravo? Been here twice and our second trip actually managed to improve on the stellar first one. Starting off with the staff, the hostess is friendly and courteous, a rare find for a place where tables are in high demand and waits can be long -- no reservations here. We have grabbed a drink at Secret Society before dinner on both occasions and the hostess is happy to come find you up there when the wait is long. By the way, great cocktails at SS, but that is a different review. This past trip (on Sunday), the wait was very short and we were seated after only a 10 minute wait. The wait staff was nice and knowledgeable. When we had questions about ingredients of a few of our selections, they were happy to answer them and even pulled out a moleskin with very complete notes on the dishes in question. It is good to see wait staff that enjoy and believe in the food they serve and avoid being pretentious about it. Now the food. My wife - a vegetarian - remembers the menu being a little more veg-friendly on our previous trip. There were ample veg options this time, just not a surprisingly high number of them! For some reason, the food was exceptional this time. The only things I recall from our first trip was the eggplant with lamb ragu, papas bravas and churros con chocolate for desert, but that was a while ago. They were delicious and well-cooked. Highlights of this past trip was the Duck liver mousse terrine (holy cow -- AMAZING), the tuna with cous cous and the scallops. The bacon-wrapped dates ended up serving as a fantastic desert, just delicious. Portions are actually quite generous, much more so than most high-quality tapas joints. I have yet to leave hungry! All in all, a truly excellent place and probably my favorite restaurant in Portland so far -- we've only been here a few months. It is a great place to take out-of-town guests to show off Portland's burgeoning food scene. And honestly, I don't think you can beat TB in terms of value for a fancy night out. We had a fantastic meal, sharing 7 or so dishes amongst 3 people, a pitcher of sangria and a bit of desert. We got out of there full and happy for under $100 including gratuity. Can't wait to return!
(5)Al M.
Amazing tapas, great ambience, nice selection of spanish wines. we must have tried almost every dish on the menu and each one was amazing. especially liked the paella.
(5)Miss H.
Our first real meal in Portland and I was super excited to try this place. The menu is long and I wanted to try so many different things. I think we ended up ordering 6-7 different things and overall the food wasn't very good at all. It was either overdressed, too salty, or overbattered and fried and you couldn't taste anything but the batter. The only highlights were the scallop since it was cooked well (but how hard is that?) and the churro (light, crisp, not too sweet and an amazing orange choco dipping sauce - yum). In my book, I shouldn't be giving 5 stars for a well cooked scallop or for one dessert item.
(2)Doenene L.
Well worth the wait, just get there before the 5PM opening time, also skip the weekends to grab the best seats. Yes the French kisses were delicious, I recommend throwing caution to the wind and get the set menu. I love the surprises and sampling items you might not normally order. Great for couples and small get-togethers.
(4)Kelly M.
Toro Bravo far exceeded my expectations. This newish tapas bar snuggled up next to the Wonder Ballroom is classy and refined, and their menu even more so. Having spent a good chunk of time in Espana myself, and I can attest to the fact that this place is autentica. The menu boasts longtime Spanish favorites and must-haves like tortilla espanola (spanish omelet) and patatas bravas. The pimiento-manchego fritters are amazing, as well as the marinated sheep's cheese. If you're also vegetarian, give them a head's up. Just like in Spain, they might sneak jamon into any given dish, so let them know you'd like to skip it. Toro Bravo carved out a place in my heart as one of my new favorite restaurants in Portland. Among this city's best.
(5)Steven M.
Great Tapas Bar, sad that they don't take reservations for parties of fewer than 7 people, but the wait truly didn't bother us that much, if anything it made it an authentically foodie place! Everything we had on the menu was amazing, except for the salted cod cheeks - those were just ok I think they were deep fried too long. Service was great as well! Would definitely recommend this place.
(5)Nichole S.
I lived in Spain the tapas are good I wouldn't wait an hour for a table but the meal I had was very good I like the sangria and I am a true snob when it comes to sangria the waitstaff are machines and it was really nice to watch them weave in and out effortlessly try it if you dont mind waiting
(3)Chad B.
Absolutely fantastic ! Have not had such a great meal in such a long time. Would defineatly go back. I waited 45 minutes for a table but there is a nice bar next door and they'll call you when your table is ready so the wait became a non issue. Staff was very friendly and responsive. Great place to bring a date or group of friends. Two thumbs up !
(5)Michael M.
Finally checked out this spot recently and they definitely kill the food and drinks. Loved everything we ordered. I wouldn't recommend it if you are on a schedule (particularly on a Fri/Sat night) but otherwise you'll leave Toro Bravo happy.
(4)Jonny R.
best dining experience ever! The menu was so expansive I didn't know where to start, so we did the correct thing, the chefs taster menu. The hour that followed engorged my taste buds with 7 or 8 plates of amazingness! im just gonna say the sweetbreads and the chicken ham thing were unbelieveable! If you have the cash its top 3 in portland! I cant stop telling everybody about it! Only drawback is you can wait near 2 hours to be seated, but we showed up 15 minutes before closing and were seated soon after....
(5)Abby M.
What I remember? Salty meats and a chili margarita, not to mention a "hot chocolate" with Madeleine's that was like sipping liquid love. I went last year for my birthday, and although the wait was unbelievable (we arrived at 6, and were sat at 9, but it was a Saturday night and during the peak of their hype) we watched Charlize Theron walk in while we waited (not kidding, we confirmed that it was her) and the hostess had enough ethnics not to bump her ahead of us. In fact, she turned her away. For that, and the hot chocolate, I will go back.
(3)Chelsee N.
WOW this place was amazing! We arrived at 5:10PM on a Saturday and the place was stuffed to the brim, so we put our name down and the nice hostess took our cell number to call us when our table was ready. It was perfect because we just went up stairs to Secret Society for some drinks before hand. I'm glad we had to wait because I was good and hungry for all the amazing, delish, best tapas...maybe best meal I've ever had. Went with 5 girlfriends and we shared everything which was just perfect. The Sangria was also really yummy...not too sweet! There isn't one thing we got that we didn't love...the bacon wrapped dates were probably my fave. Oh and the scallops were PERFECTION. They melted in your mouth. Also highly recommend the desserts too. We got some sort of hazlenut ice cream that had a shot of sherry poured over. Ok my mouth is watering just thinking of this dinner!
(5)Lisa T.
One of my top 5 all time favorite restaurants!
(5)Bori G.
Don't go here if you're looking for good customer service. I have worked in the food service industry now for 5 years altogether and have never treated anyone as poorly as Toro Bravo treated my friend and I. We went there on a Wednesday evening note- we have not seen each other in 5 years and were having dinner to catch up. Initially when we got there we were well received and given good service.. we thanked the server (who happens to also be the manager) everytime she came around to check on us.. We ordered a bottle of wine and spent over $100 at the restaurant.-with a 20% tip Apparently we lost track of time while catching up over dinner and over extended our stay.. As the server came around towards the end 4 different times to say "thank you-have a good night" which I'd also have to point out on the 4th time she thanked us and grabbed my glass of wine I just barely finished... The 5th time another girl came over layed her hands over the take-out boxes we had sitting on our table and said "hello ladies- how was your dinner, I see that you have to-go boxes" I finally asked if she was trying to kick us out? she replied "no of course not.. I just wanted to check on you" We were basically escorted out... And all they had to do is ask us to move over to the bar if they needed to seat other customers.. When we came back to complain and explain to the manager that we did not have a good experience she curtly told us that we stayed longer than the 1.5 hours customers usually stay for.. and pointed out that we stayed 3 hours.. From my understanding--- It doesn't not matter.. I am a paying customer.. I came here to dine and enjoy a meal and catch up with a friend.. I wasn't aware that there was a timer ticking on how long I can stay at the restaurant.. She then finally gave us a $50 gift certificate to apologize after the fact... I can honestly say that the only time I will go back there is to use up the gift certificate. The food was good but not enough to make me go back.. Andina is much better and has way better customer service.
(1)Vive l.
This is a great place to take a date, tapas are imaginative and priced right. Interesting, intelligent servers. Recommended.
(4)Mallory B.
Overpriced for the amount of food you receive. This is a problem with most tapas places, but the hype around the quality of the food makes it an especially bitter pill to swallow. First, some really positive notes: nice atmosphere, very good service. Some noteworthy food items: the French "Kisses," the butternut squash with sheep's cheese, and the Basque wine Txakolina. But when you are ordering tapas plates to share, you want there to be enough to share: so three butternut squash dumplings with our braised lamb ($14)? Three grilled shrimp with chilies ($9)? And unfortunately, those shrimp were overdone, as was the Moroccan tuna. You don't really want to pay $12 for a small skewer of overcooked tuna on a little bed of couscous. Same with the polenta ($8): polenta is boiled cornmeal, and not that expensive. Surely we could receive a little more polenta alongside our roast beef, peppers, and onions. All this would be fine if we had left the place stuffed full of decent food for around $20 a person. But with everyone choosing a plate to pass, four additional plates to sample, and everyone choosing either a drink or dessert (but not both), we could have eaten more, but still shelled out $30 each. A disappointment, and Yelp should note that it isn't at all in the $$ category, because you need multiple plates to fill your belly.
(2)Kathryn S.
I was really into Toro Bravo at first, but the last two times I've been there the food has been so salty that it is almost inedible. I think everything is well conceived, but lay off the salt, jeez. I'd like to taste my steak. I also noticed on this recent trip that the clientele may be onto them and their over-salting. While I used to have to wait for a table, we got one in 10 minutes at 7:30 pm on a Friday and by 8:30 there was no one waiting at all. Also, I thought it was funny that they actually had salt on the table. What the hell would I need that for? My boyfriend and I went through two carafes of water trying to wash all the salt down. I will not be returning unless they start calling themselves 'Low Sodium Toro Bravo'.
(1)Megan L.
Amazing atmosphere! The food is incredibly flavorful and worth the wait ( be prepared for up to an hour on weekends). Skip the sangria-- super watered down. The best dish was the jamon wrapped chicken in our opinion! Oh and definitely try the BBQ corn-- very unique!
(4)Tom T.
This place is great. So many choices and everything is just so tasty. Well I guess i don't know that EVERYTHING is tasty, but everything I've had here is just great from the cocktails to the food. Come here with some friends and just order as much as you can and pass it around. place is usually pretty pack though and you really can taste why.
(5)J G.
Consistently the best eatery in Portland, in our experience. If only all the restaurants were like this. (The only problem is getting a place to sit without waiting an hour.)
(5)jake c.
Everything about this experience was freakin great. As there is inevitably a healthy wait to be seated, the hostess graciously routed us upstairs to The Secret Society (they are in cahoots through their common landlord I understand) for a pre-drink. The wait was a little longer than estimated but the drinks were flowing upstairs and the hostess called my cell phone when our table was ready. From the moment we were seated until we left we had an amazing time. We sat at the front community table and nibbled on the beautiful Ox Tail Croquettes while sipping perfectly unique cocktails and meeting new friends from San Fransisco who were all satiated from their meal. We schmoozed while spooning delicately blended squash with goat cheese and aaahed at the perfectly cooked chantrelle mushroom on bread. It was a glorious food evening which I will not soon forget.
(5)Sam A.
Wonderful.
(5)Elizabeth E.
Mnom...mnom...mnom... Delicious snackages, delightful server, cocktails extraordinaire. I don't think I could really add anything to the other 220 reviews so just go and see for yourself what all the fuss is about. Tapas = good!
(4)John M.
Tried to make a reservation for 10 people a week in advance. Was told we would have to show up 2 hours in advance to confirm. What a shame when you get so busy your customers have come 2 hours early to check in and them come back later to dine.
(1)A B.
I went to Toro Bravo for a date and although the company wasn't the best the restaurant more than made up for it! It's so much fun to order so many different dishes, all a new experience in flavor. Toro bravo is one of the MOST incredible places I've been... drinks, food and dessert were orgasmic.
(5)scott l.
One of the tops on my list. Have loved it every time I've been.
(5)Abe I.
So having returned from 2 months traveling around (and consequently) eating in Espana I was eager to try this Spanish tapas restaurant. It was not what I expected in terms of Spanish cuisine, although I will admit to eating on a budget and so there was much in the way of cured meat and old cheese... still, this was different, yet good. I had the croquettes and manchego fritters which were so good, but not good for you, but who cares. Then a salad that was awesome and a coppa steak which was to die for. All in all it was good, but a warning to vegetarians as the menu is 80% meat based.
(4)Nan K.
I have come back here at least a dozen times. This is bar none one of the best restaurants in Portland. The best for tapas from the delicious pimento aioli on the tortilla Espanol to the freshly made churros with the thick chocolate sauce. Plus the wait staff is quite friendly and welcoming. This is a favorite restaurant for special occasions or even when we just want damn good food. Tonight we tried the mushrooms on toast and I was treated to the best preparation of chantrelle mushrooms I've ever had. Bad service earlier at Clyde Common nearly ruined our evening. We decided to wash it away by coming to Toro B and the didn't disappoint.
(5)Charles B.
Hunted down Toro Bravo on the advice of a good friend, while vacationing. SO glad and thankful for the advice!! We started with the pickle plate. I should also mention that we sat up front at the bar, where you can watch the Chef's in action. The pickles were awesome and each olive, pickle, carrot etc, had a different brine. Lovely! Everyone talks and writes about the bacon wrapped dates. And well, so am I. The magic is in the BACON! The date is cooked all to hell so that it disintegrates in your mouth. The almond in the middle is a welcome texture counterpoint. To keep things simple, we ordered everything that had BACON in it. The BLT, the pork, the burger. All wonderful, all with that same incredible smokehouse BACON!! Desert was the Olive Oil cake with strawberry caramel. Sounds strange, tastes SO INCREDIBLE. The texture of the cake is satin smooth and the strawberries are in a luscious caramel of its own juices. Now, the Sangria. I couldn't decide if I wanted red or white so, I told the waitress to mix them. She stared at me in confusion. 'Are you sure?' she said. Perhaps a no-no in some circles, Sangria is a beautiful mix anyway, the more the merrier. And let me tell you, 3 of these had me feeling JUST RIGHT. I pass the good word on to all Yelpers...BRAVO, Toro Bravo.
(5)Nikki K.
oustanding tapas. everything we had was great. i cant stop thinking about the delicately lemon churro with chocolate we had at the end
(5)t a.
Oh my, the fideos at Toro Bravo changed my life. The Coppa steak is the best bang for your buck in all of portland. Cocktails are great. This is my go to in portland whenever I have guest in town. Thank you Toro for all your amazingness!
(5)Steven J.
this place is always great been there 4 times always leave very happy.
(5)Olive T.
I brought a guest in from L.A. and it was a great experience. We all agreed that every dish was perfectly prepared. Family style is the best way to eat here, get a bunch of dishes and try everything. Wine selection was good. Our server Cheryl, was very helpful and knew the menu really well.
(5)Dee H.
This place definitely deserves the fantastic reviews it gets. Every dish we had was spectacular. My girlfriend and I both got some kind of peach martini and every time we sipped it our eyes bulged and we said OMG that's so good. We tried a good 8 or so dishes and complete perfection. The servers and hostess were wonderful which I hear is an anomaly for Portland. I HIGHLY recommend this place!
(5)Dan N.
Some good friends had been talking up Toro Bravo for a while to us, and after a while of trying to coordinate empty spots in our calendars, finally settled on a date and time that worked for everyone. So off to dinner we went. Saturday night, 5:30pm. Arrived to a 90-minute wait. Putting our names on the list, we decided to take a walk for a while, and returned at the appointed time. HELPFUL HINT: Arrive substantially earlier than you plan to eat, and plan to wait a while or walk around the neighborhood. By the time we got seated (around 7:00pm) the wait for new arrivals had increased to 2-2.5 hours. No reservations here--you have to physically show up and put your name on the list. BUT: It's worth it. We ordered probably eight or nine different tapas items, including bacon-wrapped figs, salt cod fritters with aioli, grilled flat bread, duck liver mousse terrine, seared cauliflower, and the smoked pork rilletes. We also ordered a large "racion" of Drunken Pork. Now, I've been out for tapas several times to several different places. My general experience is that the portions are small and expensive for what you get. Face it, tapas is the sushi of Europe. Two bites, eight bucks. It's just the way it is. No one should go out for tapas believing they'll be happily full for $12, so set your expectations accordingly. That said, this was top-quality food. Everything I ate was unique and flavorful, including things I didn't expect to like such as the Duck Liver Mousse which was absolutely fantastic, rich, creamy--liver like none I've ever tasted. Even my "liver, eew!" wife liked it, and THAT'S saying something! Drinks were quite nice as well. Their Sangria is the best I've had. Service was excellent, attentive, kept the glasses full and the plates coming and going. Excellent, if expensive, meal, and we would absolutely recommend dining here.
(4)Blaine P.
We had a quite fantastic meal a couple of weeks ago, truly outstanding really. The service was attentive and the menu diverse in the way that Mr. Gorham's restaurants tend to be. We ordered the Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse, and while it came with only a few small pieces of bread, our server quickly and preemptively brought more. It was rich and salty and quite flavorful. Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" followed and was out of this world as well. For our mains we paired the Brussels Sprouts with bacon sherry cream with Grilled Moorish Lamb Chops with warm potato & chorizo salad (large size means four) and the House Smoked Coppa Steak. Everything was cooked perfectly and arrived at a nice pace for sharing. We did have the molten chocolate cake, which will executed perfectly, seemed rather pedestrian after what was otherwise a quite playful and fun meal. I was intrigued by the option for a chef's tasting menu at a fixed price and I plan on ordering as such the next trip, which I am looking forward to.
(5)Ken W.
I've been here a few times. I'm a burger lover. This is hands down the best burger I've had in Portland so far. The meat was cooked perfectly, and I get the burger every time I come. I'm not sure how good their other food is, but, I'm too hesitant to pass up the burger! The last time I was here I did find a yucky surprise crawling on the inside...but I was well compensated for the creepy crawly and the food is so good I'd still come back here.
(4)John H.
So I was just a business traveler with several others looking to find a decent place for a large party in Portland...got a couple of recommendations, checked yelp, and made a decision. Toro Bravo here we come! They took a reservation for 12 on relatively short notice (not an easy thing to accommodate), had our table ready the minute we got there, and could not have been more accommodating from a service standpoint. Everything they put in front of us was excellent. I distinctly remember the lamb, scallops, meat balls, noodles, and charcuterie plate. That is not to say the rest wasn't great (it was), but those items stick in my mind as being exceptional. The classic cocktails were wonderful, the atmosphere was exceptional, and needless to say (though I'll say it anyway) the entire experience was nothing but first class!
(5)Clare L.
We have always had such great experiences at Toro Bravo in both their delicious food, and in their great service. It's definitely become our go to for our anniversaries, and for any other times we are lucky enough to get a sitter. If you are bold, trying the chef's choice is a really fun way to get outside of things you might normally order. We never knew how much we loved terrine or liver mousse until we tried it here. Their drinks are fantastic, and desserts are amazing too.
(5)Pearl V.
We chose Toro Bravo for our second night in Portland. We are fans of being able to try a variety of food in one sitting, so naturally, tapas it was! Be prepared to wait a little while for your table. The restaurant is on the smaller side, very intimate and quaint. I liked the decor in there; it exudes coziness and warmth (IMO). We put our names down and waited outside on some benches for about 15-20 minutes until the hostess called us in. The bar ended up freeing up first, so we sat there. We were at the end of the bar, closest to the open kitchen in the rear. It's like a front row seat to the magic show! LOL. Since we sat at the bar, the bartender, Mindy, doubled as our server and took our drink and food orders. She was a sweetheart. We tried: Fried Green Tomatoes with Pickle Mayonnaise $8 Roasted Eggplant with Lamb Ragu $13 House Smoked Coppa Steak $9 and Paella Toro with Chorizo, Chicken & Seafood $19 Service was great. The kitchen has the timing of food down to a science. Right when we finished one plate, the next one came out for us. Everything was excellent and flavorful. One regret though, we were stuffed to the max by the time we left, we didn't even have room for dessert. Definitely recommend checking out if you visit Portland!
(5)Jonathan P.
When we travel to Portland this the place to go. Great tapas, good energy. Cocktails are spot on. Bacon wrapped dates, some of the best I have had.
(5)Emma E.
The atmosphere of Toro Bravo is quite nice. The service is decent but a bit on the slow side, and the food is neither disappointing nor exciting. The menu descriptions are more exciting and promising than the flavors that hit your taste buds and tickle your nose. We enjoyed our evening here, but given all the very tasty food Portland has to offer we decided not to come back.
(3)Naomi A.
Tasty and varied tapas at reasonable prices! Although there were certain dishes we definitely wanted to try, we opted for the Chef's Choice for the Table as it was only $30 per person for ~8 tapas to share (2 people), what a deal! Its too bad they don't accept substitutions, but you can always order something on top if you don't get that must try dish. I had read some reviews that stated mostly vegetarian dishes were included in the tasting, ours was about half. What we got: - Radicchio salad: Good start to our dinner, nice and crunchy with a flavorful dressing, not something we would typically order - Bacon wrapped date: Yummy, two bad there were only two! - Braised leeks with salbitxada: Surprise stunner of the night, absolutely delicious! Even my husband who isn't a fan of leeks enjoyed this dish. We wouldn't have normally ordered this, but are glad they included it, a must try! - Sautéed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins: Nicely cooked and the raisins added the perfect amount of sweetness but wouldn't necessarily need to eat/order it again - Grilled prawns: Delicious, perfectly cooked shrimp, wish there were more than two! - Seared cauliflower with olives and salsa verde: Salsa verde was tasty, but this was probably our least favorite dish of the night - Duck liver mousse terrine: Tasty little bite, mousse, mustard and pickle on crostini - Oxtail croquettes: Mild in flavor, wish it had more punch - Jamon wrapped chicken: One of the heartier dishes, perfectly cooked chicken with crispy jamon! We added on the French kiss (foie gras filled brandy-soaked prune) which was just okay, the prune was a little too boozy, it overwhelmed the foie gras. We also got the caramel panna cotta, which was the perfect size to end a good sized meal with something sweet and creamy. Service was nice and helpful. We got there about 10 minutes before they opened and were the third or forth party in line (Thursday). The restaurant was nearly full by about 6:00. Not too much around here, but you can pop next door (Secret Society Lounge) for a cocktail and snack if there is a long wait! Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Martin S.
Not much i need to say here. Everything is delicious.
(5)Akshata R.
Ah, here a vegetarian's gotta search a little bit for meatless tapas. But when you do find 'em (go ahead, ask the friendly staff as well), it's completely worth the wait for a table. Tastefully presented with attention to detail, the plates are little islands of great taste. The desserts were surprising VERY good. Chocolate churros anyone?! The almond ice cream with a shot of espresso was flavour heaven. Great food, good ambiance and a quick staff.
(4)Sean K.
Waited about an hour and half to get two kitchen-side seats for me and my girlfriend. Well there is secret society bar right next door - literally next door upstairs - so we went there to get few drinks and chill. Great place, make sure to visit. For Toro Bravo, make sure to get Paella. This was my first time here and I asked what's the thing to get here. Consensus answer: paella. It is to die for and the portion is ginormous. Tastes oh-so-good, you will want to order seconds if your stomach allows. This place will be loud so if you are looking for a quiet, romantic date, this place won't do it. But you can always eat here and go to secret society next door. Go eat paella here. You won't regret it.
(5)Gene B.
Toro Bravo is a small neighborhood Spanish restaurant in Northeast Portland and it's so good that you wish it were in your neighborhood. Hell, I'd settle for in my town! Even after almost 6 years the lines are long here, as they are at Tasty n Sons and as I am sure that they are at Tasty n Alder, but they will take your cell phone number and there's a sports bar just down the corner, so plan accordingly and you'll be fine. After two G &T's I got the call in about 45 mins and to be perfectly honest that's about average for a lot of the better restaurants in Portland. The menu is pretty extensive and is dominated by small plates, as you'd expect from a Spanish restaurant, but the best deal has to be the Tasting Menu for $30, which is an absolute steal! We started the meal with a salad compose of Groundwork's Greens, grapefruit, onion, almonds, blue cheese and tarragon with a sherry vinaigrette, then had Bacon-wrapped Dates stuffed with macrona almonds, the silkiest Duck Liver Mousse Terrine that I have ever had, Salt Cod Fritters with aioli, Braised Salsify in a Bacon Cream Sauce (first time that I've had it, pretty tasty!), Roasted Eggplant layered with Lamb Ragu, Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with Sheep's Cheese was my favorite of the evening and, finally, Braised Chicken with Tomatoes,Onions and Peppers, It was a lot of food, a lot of great food and I understand the long lines - this place is terrific!
(4)Claudine V.
Two adjectives for this place.... OUTSTANDING and PHENOMENAL... These are the two BEST words I can think of to describe this place. The food will BLOW your mind like it BLEW ours. We ordered almost everything that looked great in the menu and every single bite was DELICIOUS!!! Charceturie- Great appetizer to share. The french kiss (dried prunes with foie gras) and the sausage and honey on top of small toast are my favorites in this sampler House Smoked Coppa Steak - A MUST ORDER. This dish is so flavorful and tender , it will just melt in your mouth. Creamed Chanterelles on toast - super delicious if you love Chanterelles Scallops- tender and melts in your mouth Churros- tastes exactly what I had in Cozumel. Absolutely amazing. Boar sausage with squid ink pasta- Delicious and filling. SANGRIA- yummy and lovely Bottle of MADERA - superb! Our server, Candace was AWESOME and provided EXCELLENT service. She gave us recommendations that really hit the SPOT. The hostess was really helpful as well because if it wasn't for her we could have left if she didn't suggest for us to wait in the bar next door while we wait for her phone call that our table is ready. I was about to leave and got discouraged when I heard that we have to wait for 1.5 hours , when she grabbed me and suggested to wait in the bar next door and to give my number to her. Now that is what you call SERVICE!!! I would definitely come back to this place again and again everytime I'm visiting PORTLAND. TORO BRAVO..... BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Kay C.
Was here from out of town and saw this had good reviews and was close to where we stayed. We decided to get a pitcher of sangria and sprung for the $30 tasting menu per person. It was a ton of food for sure and it was nice to try a bit of everything. However, maybe it was what they gave me but nothing really stood out for me. The best dish was probably the drunken pork. Overall all the food was fine and tasted decent but I think I was expecting more after reading the reviews. The sangria was just so so too. However, I did love the ambiance of the place and we sat in the little alcove and it was lovely.
(3)Larissa G.
This place was amazing! The best tapas I've had to say the least. Service was great given the smaller atmosphere, they took care of us right away taking our drink order before we even got a table... Try their house margarita, it's semi spicy which adds a unique twist. Anyways, the bacon wrapped dates... GET THEM. As well as the drunken Pork, to die for. We also shared the corn which I have to say is the best corn I've ever devoured, the skirt steak which was charred to perfection with great flavor, and the meatballs which made me feel like I was back home at my mother in laws for spaghetti. Loved the atmosphere, it was cute and cozy, and the servers never let our table get to full with dishes. Must try if your in portland, you can thank me later. (:
(5)Nicholas D.
Amazing tapas selection and good prices. The must haves are the paella, bacon wrapped dates, diablo pasta, and arugula flat bread. Rockfish was okay. Cheese plate was good and I understand the recommendations come from a local cheese aficionado, This place is a must go if you are in Portland as the scene is also on point. The only negative thing was that they ran out of several menu items, so I recommend to get an earlier than later reservation.
(5)Claire H.
Firstly... The food is awesome. The vibe is stunning.... If you can get in. For a birthday we were a group of 6 and they allowed no reservations. We got there at 5:30pm and were told to wait 45 mins-1 hour on the crowded side walk. After the main meal our waitress got really shirty. While we were drinking coffee and having desserts, we asked for a glass of water. She made it seem like a huge effort. She spilled water in one of us, banged the glass on the table and told us we needed to make a move so the next guests could take our table. At 10pm. When there were plenty of other open tables. The food is out of this world. The rest makes the wait and bad service not worth it.
(3)Tamara S.
Love love love Toro Bravo. Every single dish we had was fantastic, fresh, true to the season and oh so flavorful. I would LOVE to go back. Only catch? No reservations :( And the line every time we try is ridiculously long. And there's really no where to wait and have a drink (the tiny room dedicated to this is always full). I understand that they are small and just don't do the reservation thing. But for me and my family, that just doesn't work out. But again, great place and great food. If you've got the time to wait, check it out!
(4)J J.
This place rocks! My wife is so incredibly picky and never happy with anywhere we choose to eat, however, here she loved everything we ordered and could not stop talking about it. I was very impressed as well and especially enjoyed the large griddled prawns. Will definitely be back when I'm in town again.
(5)Massimo F.
I went 3 times. I like it. Place looks nice. Nice location. Space for parking. Often too crowded. Service is on the average, but the care about the customer. Drink selection is good. Menu selection is plenty of options. Food is very well done and good tasting. It's nothing striking, but consistently good. Recommended for a casual dinner with a good friend, not recommended if intimacy is needed.
(4)Sara C.
Wonderful food for reasonable prices. We had the bacon wrapped dates, potatoes bravas, salty cod fritters, chorizo/manchego plate, pasta with peppers and cheese, black truffle omelet, and the lamb and lentil stew. We topped it off with the olive oil cake. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the cod fritters, but my husband enjoyed them. I thought they tasted like frozen fish sticks. Everything else was delicious, especially the omelet and pasta. I would also recommend the olive oil cake. Service was excellent and the restaurant is very nice. This place is very dimly lit and the tables are close together which may bother some people. I should add we came in on a Monday night right after 5 and were seated immediately. It got crowded quick but if you want to avoid wait times and lines try coming in early on a weeknight.
(4)Susan C.
Probably one of my top choices in Portland for a fun and delicious dining experience. Quality of food is excellent and worth the wait. Be prepared for a more loud and happening scene.... And quite a wait! Secret society upstairs is a quiet bar to wait. Don't forgot to order the scallops and paella! Memorable!
(5)Virginia V.
My bf and I got the 30 dollar set meal....or shall I say meals. ..OMG we had a little bit of everything! The best meal hands down in portland! This place is tapas style but this $30 meal was totally satisfying. ...and flavors were unbelievably delicious!
(5)Warren C.
Like this place needs another review..... I still had to do it and put my .02 cents in. What an amazing place. From the bacon wrapped dates to the salt cod fritters. We were all over the place tonight. It was my first time here and I wanted to try as much as I could. Came here tonight with a few friends and experienced the taster menu. On top of that we also ordered. the french kiss, pork empanada, sauteed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins, sauteed brussel sprouts, and the salt cod fritters. I will say everything was amazing this evening. Some of the memorable dishes tonight were the duck liver mouse terrine, drunken pork, baked polenta, braised salsify, salt cod fritters, and the total highlight of the evening was the house smoked coppa steak. If you've never been here before and don't know where to begin I would definitely recommend the taster menu if you are in a group of four or more. Total with a bottle of wine, and a few drinks came out to only $253. I feel pretty inexpensive considering the taster menu was only $30 a person. Without a doubt I will be back for more. The ambience, food, and atmosphere is so very enchanting. Thank you Toro Bravo, I will be back again soon.
(5)A. L.
This place is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! All our dishes were great. We ordered the following dishes: griddled bacon wrapped dates, grilled corn with cilantro pesto, empanadas, grilled flat bread, squid ink pasta, paella toro Service was great too.
(5)Paulina K.
This was the BEST meal Prince Charming and I had on our road trip from LA to Canada -- better than any other restaurant we visited in Northern Cali, Seattle, Portland or Vancouver (and we were trying the absolute standouts in each city!) Actually, this may be the best restaurant of all time for us, a couple that has traveled extensively all over the world! Each seemingly simple dish we tried was bursting with flavor and had a little twist. The location was perfect (dim, rustic, comfortable), the service top notch, it is open late, and the prices are decent for such quality and attention! What we ordered: - Cheese Board Ordering a cheese plate at an unfamiliar restaurant can be hit and miss: you run the risk of getting a very small selection or quantity of cheeses, often overpriced. However, at $10 the cheese board at Toro Bravo was a bargain: the cheeses were phenomenal local treasures, there was just the right amount and selection for 2 people, and the sides were very nice. - Marinated Olives and Pickled Vegetables. This may sound standard or unexciting, but as a Russian girl I know good pickles! My grandma always canned her own pickles back in the day. The pickles at Toro Bravo were better than my Russian grandma's pickles, which is saying a lot! Adding cloves to the pickling process was an unexpected touch of culinary brilliance and innovation, kudos to the mastermind at Toro Bravo who came up with that! - Red Onions (Caramelized?) The Toro Bravo menu changes daily, and I couldn't find this appetizer on their current online version, so I hope I got the name right. Again, it was a seemingly simple dish... but what a punch! Who knew that cooked onions could be so delectable, so tart, juicy and savory? - Octopus a la Plancha This is one of Prince Charming's favorite dishes, and he said Toro Bravo's version was out of this world, probably the best he's ever had, even compared to the Octopus he had in Spain, where this dish originates from! - Sauteed Chanterelles with Griddled Bread I was lucky enough to be passing through this region during Chanterelle season! Back home in LA, they are among the most expensive mushrooms; restaurants often claim dishes are made with Chanterelles on the menu, but in reality the Chanterelles are mixed in with less expensive mushrooms. Not so at Toro Bravo! For $10 I got a dish with more than a generous amount of exclusively Chanterelle mushrooms, in a fantastic mushroom sauce, on the most heavenly toasty bread I have ever had! Again, I was reminded of my grandma, who used to make "griddled" toast (on a frying pan). This was better than even her toast! I didn't think that anything could ever come close to my grandma's fried toast, which was my favorite childhood snack, let alone surpass it! My only complaint is that Toro Bravo was one of our very first stops, which set an unbeatable standard of dining for the rest of our trip! No other restaurant could live up to this level of culinary delight and perfection, let alone at these prices! When are you coming to LA, oh Holy Grail of restaurants?!
(5)P. B.
Spanish tapas are one of my favorite cuisines, and this place did not disappoint. The vegetarians and non-vegetarians at our table all RAVED about the chanterelles. We even ordered a second dish, they were so amazing. Also awesome: patatas bravas, sheep's cheese, brussels sprouts, scallops. The flatbread was a good comfort food but nothing to write home about, along with the croquettes. Don't forget to get a carafe of sangria!
(5)Christina K.
The food here is bomb! There's a long wait but it's worth it. If you ever go to Portland definitely check this place out.
(5)Tyler A.
Let's face it. Tapas is pretty mediocre in most places in America. And Toro Bravo, well, it's no different. But it's excellent for Portland. The vibe is awesome, it's always packed. The food is overly salty, staff is friendly, you see the poor cooks sweating their balls/tits off, and once you're actually seated, the food is pretty damn fast. Thanks Chefs for the Sweat~! We always have a good time here and eat way more than we need. It's a solid place that I bring guests to (though as of late, we're always going to Tabla), but if we were to do comparative tastings, this place would be a 2 star joint in NYC. And downright forgettable if in Spain. But PDX ain't NYC and really far from Spain so I gotta rate it accordingly. I am a fan of this place, I would say that some of the tapas at Ciao Vito might be better than here but the ambiance there blows. So there you go. I recommend that you go, it will tied you over until you can get your bum to Tia Pol in NY or even to Spain.
(4)Enza P.
This is hands down the best Latin American food I have ever had. Since they don't take reservations unless you have a party of 7, we put our name on the wait list and hung out at a bar nearby until they called us. The wait was literally 2 hours, but I can honestly say it was worth it. Once we came in to be seated, the hostess thanked us for waiting and walked us over to our seats. We were sat right where the chefs were cooking so we were really pleased. Dinner and a show! We received a free order of their Braised Torpedo Onions with Salbitxada. Oh my goodness this SO DELICIOUS. That salbitxada sauce was just so flavorful, it was amazing. Especially when you eat it with their braised onions, it's just an explosion of flavor! We ended up ordering: -Sangrias $7 each -Salt Cod Fritters with aioli $4 -Octopus a la Plancha "Becerrita" $8 -Meatballs with tomato-almond sauce & english peas $8 -Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels $19 We left so stuffed and so happy. I really loved everything I had but my favorite has to be the Braised Torpedo Onions with Salbitxada and the Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams, and mussels. I loved that all the tapas were unique, affordable, and delicious. I also liked that the paella was $19. Some places charge you per person or give you a gigantic paella and you become so full you can't enjoy any of the tapas. I really loved the portion sizes here. Overall, I enjoyed the service, loved the food, and really wish that this restaurant was in California!
(5)D B.
I am no one's idea of a tapas expert, so my selection of dishes might have been a little off base in some ways. For that reason my rating would be 4.5, but like I said, that's probably my error. I know a tiny bit more about Spanish wines than tapas, but I am smart enough to ask, and everyone at TB is wonderfully attentive. The first bottle of wine was outstanding! One in our party wrote the name down, but I haven't stopped to get the name from her. For some bizarre reason I recall the local distributor is called DIVINE. So here's what ya do: 1) order every wine Toro Bravo handles out of DIVINE distributors, taste 'em all, and let me know what I liked. 2) go with someone who knows what to order, then tell me that part too. Oh, and go EARLY as Toro Bravo still has enough buzz to be slammed busy.
(5)Adrian Robert H.
I'd rate 40% More miss than hit. ***short review Came here for dinner Jun '11 Food here isn't bad, I just think it's inconsistent. Our salad was great. Dishes like their lamb sausage were pretty good. Paella was forgettable. Boquorones (similar to sardines) dish was disappointing. Price isn't too expensive, but I don't think the value is there considering the quality of cooking is so-so and the quantity of meats and seafood is skimped on. Service is below average. Pacing is fast, but disorganized. Ambiance isn't my favorite. Seating space is more cramped, especially if you plan to order several dishes to share. Noise levels a bit on the loud side. No reservation policy somewhat inconveniencing. Had to wait 40 mins for a table on a weeknight @ 6. ***detailed review Came here for dinner with my gf as an early dinner. As far as I know, no reservations are taken. Nobody answered the phone just to give us estimate of wait times. When we arrived @ 6pm, we were told the wait was 30-45 mins. We got our table in 30 mins, which was fine but still a bit of time waster as opposed to just taking reservations. I don't mind waiting, but at least answer the phone so we can know what to expect. Tables here are a bit small, so it's not easy to share several dishes 'family style' without moving stuff around a lot. Food here was very much hit and miss, with less hits. One dish was outstanding. Some dishes were good. Others weren't memorable, if not poorly executed. Although portion sizes are generally large, most of it was very starchy, and I felt the place tended to skimp on meat and seafood. It isn't an expensive place to dine, but the value I feel is difficult to justify. We started with their salad; 'Singing Pig Greens, with green asparagus, chopped egg & hazelnuts' ($8). This is a pretty generous portion of salad served in large mixing bowl (seems to a popular presentation style in Portland). This was the best dish of the evening. Flavors of the hazelnuts and and asparagus are predominant, blended in well with the fresh greens and the chopped boiled eggs. This is a conservative, but nonetheless effective dish. Next we had their 'Boquerones with toasted bread & piperade' ($7) (similar to sardines). This was similar to a bruschetta type of dish. Thin slivers of boquerones are placed on top of a very large spread of tomato-like spread that has something which resembles red peppers and piperade. The spread was just too much. There was too much of it and the flavors were quite overwhelmed by the heavy red pepper spread. The 'toast' used was very hard and difficult to bite into. We ended up removing 3/4 of the spread, and eating the fish without the toast. I also felt that while the overall size of the dish was generous, much of the fish seemed to be skimped on. truly horrid dish & worst tapa I've had to date. 'Harira moroccan lamb & lentil stew' ($4) was ok. Lamb here is chopped to more into mince, and mixed in with the lentils. Lentils are most prominent in flavor. This came with a bit of flat-bread that was nice. Temperature was close to lukewarm. It was a tasty dish, but not especially good. Larger chunks of lamb may have worked better. 'North African Sausages with french fries, harissa & sour cream ($8)' was good dish. This was essentially, to me at least, a Merguez sausage. Quite tasty and a tad citrus-like in flavor. It was not as oily or spicy as the sausage is usually prepared. The fries were nice. A thinner cut and not too greasy or over-seasoned. The harissa sauce, also not too spicy, was a nice dip for the fries. 'Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels' ($19) was our final dish. This was so-so. On the plus side, the chicken leg was cooked nicely with a pronounced char. The shrimp, only two, were were juicy and fresh. clams were okay. Mussels, only two, were not that fresh. It seemed to me the amount of seafood and chicken were a tad on the skimpy side. Chrorizo was broken up into mince and spread throughout the rice. They were a bit too salty for my palate. Also making a strong predominance in flavor was the red peppers and a citrus flavor, maybe from the lemon. The flavor combination just did not work for me. Also for the first time in Portland, I felt this was an overpriced dish. Probably one of my least favorite Paella ever. Service seemed a bit disorganized. We had to flag down someone for everything and even that wasn't always easy. Pacing of the foods was too quick and seemed out of place. It was a bit chaotic. This is one of my least favorite, and I feel one of the more over-rated Portland restaurants (next to Mother's Bistro & Broder). Admittedly I had high expectations to due my appreciation of 'Tasty & Sons' brunch, but it's just hard to excuse so many pitfalls. It just didn't do anything for me. Very average.
(2)Vincci L.
AMAZING! Our first official dinner of our Portland Feasting trip, and I'm so glad we made it to this place, despite a terrifying cab ride. (Read my Green Cab review.) We got there at around 9pm, so we were able to get a table for the 4 of us right away. We were still a bit shaken up from the ride, but our wonderful server arrived and started us off with water and a warm welcome. We all got cocktails (they have lots of great choices), and inquired about the Chef's Tasting Menu. She also gave us some recommendations on plates that she liked. It took a while for us to decide, but we were never rushed, and encouraged that we take our time. Our plates: Bacon wrapped date with honey. So simple, soo delicious. Almost like a dessert; a great start to any meal. Tortilla Espanola with nettles: my first time trying nettles, and it has a texture like spinach, and a sweet nature like kale. Like a mini pizza, so good! Octopus a la Plancha 'Bercerrita': little bite size pieces of octopus on mini crostini bread. Lots of flavour, tender octopus pieces. Loved it. Sauteed Brussel sprouts with bacon sherry cream: this is veggies taken to a whole new level. Brussel sprouts infused with bacon chuncks. I'm speechless. Squash dumplings with eight pepper braised lamb: Another amazing dish. The dumplings soaked up all the sauce and juice from the tender lamb, and the eight pepper balanced out the sweetness of the squash perfectly. And to end off the night equally well: Almond ice cream with a shot of espresso. This came in a bowl, with two scoops of almond ice cream, and then a shot of hot espresso poured over. There's video footage of me drinking the melted ice cream mixed with the espresso. End of review.
(5)Ben T.
Wonderful 6th anniversary (ok, a week early) with great friends! Food was imaginative as always and we had amazing wine from places and regions that the world has never considered! Did I mention that my wife amazes me more every day? Well she does! This women rocks my world! Words escape me! I love you Sridevi Kolluri. You complete me!
(5)Jenn T.
Came here after a few locals recommended it and noticed that it was also associated with the other restaurant tasty n sons. It's the same concept as tasty n sons, with tapas. They have quite the variety of dishes, ranging from seafood, meat, salads, of all different styles. Sorry I'm not sure what we ordered exactly but we got the scallops, lamb stew, potatoes, and a few others I cant quite remember. They were all really good, and well recommended by the staff was well. Everything came out so quickly and we ordered about 4-5 dishes between the 3 of us and it was just enough food. The staff here is excellent! They were nice, friendly and very on top of their menu and drinks. The only downside is that this place is quite popular, and the wait when we got there was 45min-1hr. Luckily we hung around for a drink and got seated within 15-20 minutes! Definitely a great place with yummy food.
(4)Ashwini T.
Food is excellent but the service is questionable, it is not vegan friendly but had good vegetarian options for appetizers. There was only one vegetarian option for entrees. The waitress was brusque , unfriendly and behaved rushed. If the service was better I would have given it a 4 stars.
(3)Jorge P.
Bacon wrapped dates, oxtail croquette, squid ink pasta, chicken and bacon braised banderilla, empanada. Glorious dinner.
(5)Mark P.
Well, off to a rocky start, hostess didn't want to seat us outside because of threatening rain, supposedly....well, we got seats outside and I'm telling you a wonderful, really great meal...the skirt steak and a flatbread and my friend had some pork item.....we left surprisingly satisfied. I highly recommend it for something different and delicious. I didn't feel 100% welcome due to the initial contact with said hostess, but I/we will be back. Thank you Toro.....and Bravo!!
(4)Ester F.
Toro Bravo is a definitely a restaurant to stop at if you are in PDX. The food is fresh and have all the flavoring of traditional spanish tapas. Our party had It was a perfect way to eat and have light dinner talk; the food always came at a steady rate and was always delivered well timed. The wait to get in is long, but worth it. (However, getting there right when the store opens can help with maybe getting a seat right away though.)
(5)Tom M.
Food: *** Atmosphere: *** Staff: **** Prices: ** Overall this place was just okay. Out of all the places I ate on my Portland trip, this was my least favorite. I had some pretty high expectations after eating at an amazing Tapas bar last year in Vegas, maybe my expectations were too high. They have a cool atmosphere, trendy/higher end for a Tapas Bar. Really good selection overall, decided to order some bacon wrapped dates, shrimp, empanadas. The food tasted good, but he portion size was small for the price. Spend the same here as many restaurants and left pretty hungry, we actually stopped at HopHouse about half hour later and shared a meal to get full. The drinks were good and the bartender/staff was very nice, but the value overall wasn't very good. There are just too many choices here in Portland to get better bang for your buck.
(3)Calvin Y.
What is there not to love about Toro Bravo? + Kind and helpful wait staff and chefs + Open kitchen + Delicious tapas In terms of food, everything we had was delicious! Before we get too far and you think we're pigs, the waitress recommends 3-4 small plates per person. + French "Kisses" ($2 each): foie gras stuffed in brandy-soaked prunes. The flavors mixed very well. + Bacon Wrapped Dates ($2 each) : dates wrapped in bacon glazed in honey and stuffed with a crispy almond. + Oxtail Croquettes ($14): these were delicious, but not as much in compared with the other dishes. + Smoked Coppa steak ($14): very tender and flavorful. + Brussel sprouts with Bacon Sherry Cream ($8): the only type of brussel sprout my dinner companion will eat -- brussel sprouts covered in bacon sherry cream. + Flatbread with Truffle Cheese and Arugula ($9): we get to see them slather it in olive oil and sprinkle many clumps of truffle cheese on top. + Sherry chicken liver mousse ($7): great with bread. The pickled vegetables are a great palate cleanser also! We sat down at the bar in their open kitchen and it was amazing to see the chefs whip up dessert after dessert. Such good advertisement -- we just had to get dessert! We ended up getting the Caramel Panna Cotta ($6) and Churro with Chocolate Sauce ($7). The Panna Cotta was very creamy and delicious and the Churros were freshly made and extra crispy.
(5)Fred F.
We were told they do not take reservations so, we got there early before they open and joined a growing line at the front door. All the tables had been reserved. It seems they DO take reservation for parties of 7 or more. The only seating was at the two counters. Either the bar or near the cook station. Strike 1. We wanted to get the Chef's Choice which is collection of a number of dishes from their menu. It changes every night and for all I know during the night. When we asked what dishes were included in the Chef's Choice that evening, we were told there is no way to know. The server said "even I can't find out". WHAT? A $40 menu item and it is a mystery what you are ordering. Strike 2. The food was OK. Nothing to write home about. Strike 3. I will say the service was excellent and so were the desserts. Hence, two stars instead of one. Despite being swamped because the restaurant fills as soon as they open the doors, the wait staff did a very good job.
(2)Emily W.
Went on a Monday around 6:45pm. Waited 15 minutes for a table for two, which was great. The hostess was nice, and the server was attentive. It's really silly they don't take reservations, but whatever. Just don't go on a weekend. My problem is with the food, specifically the paella and churros. I LOVE paella. It's maybe in my top 5 favorite foods in the world. I've had paella in Spain. I dream of good paella. This was not good paella. The proteins were overcooked, the rice was scorched in lots of places, and overall it was bland. I'd read so many reviews touting the glory that is Toro Bravo's paella, and was incredibly disappointed. The problem with the churros is that they taste terrible. They're weird, and really lemony, and not at all the fried sticks of deliciousness they're supposed to be. That chocolate is really effing good, though. Not everything was terrible. We had the sauteed brussel sprouts in bacon sherry cream sauce that were wonderful. I would bathe in that sauce if I could. The chanterelle tapas was really great, too. I'd come back and try something else, but I'd never get that paella again. Now I'm sad, back to trying to find a place to eat paella stateside.
(3)Kathy A.
Just go. The food is fabulous. Great service. Really good wine list. But go early.. We got there after 5 and it was easy seating. We like to sit at the cook's station so we can watch. Makes me wish we live in Portland
(5)Adam R.
My brother was going on about how this place was one of the places in Portland that he was most excited about. He'd heard about it, he had friends who raved about the food, and he wanted to go there. So we did, but I'll be honest... I just didn't see what people got all excited about. The food there is fine, but not mind altering. I've certainly had better Spanish food. My favorite thing they served was a squid ink pasta that actually was pretty damn good, but I mostly think of that as an Italian dish. The sauce was certainly more Italian than Spanish. The sangria was meh, the patatas bravas were cut too large, and didn't have that little bit of crisp that they should. The cocktails weren't especially good either. I guess if this were my local neighborhood tapas bar, it'd be fine on occasion, but it's not worth going out of your way for.
(3)Ruby C.
Still Good!!! everything was near perfect!!! hadn't been in in like 3 years so i though it may have gone down Nope! Still Good!!
(5)Niko X.
Somehow I forgot to review Toro Bravo... it was hands down the highlight of my trip to Portland. Everything I tried was great... the plates are a good size for the price, and the seafood paella was to die for. I have never seen such deliciously large mussels. The sauteed octopus was amazing too. Great ambiance, great wines, great staff, makes me wish I could teleport to Portland to attend this culinary delight right now!
(5)Tiffany M.
I had been dying to go to Toro Bravo for some time, and after booking a trip to Spain I thought it was time to get my tapas on. After scouring the reviews of other Yelpers (because really, you guys know what's up), we showed up as a party of four right at opening time. We were seated promptly, and from start to finish the service was attentive and courses were well-paced. **I should warn, we visited a couple of months ago so my review is a bit late and some memories may be a bit foggy. WHAT WE ORDERED: -Bacon wrapped dates: I had tried these at Tasty n Sons, and yes, I ordered them again for a reason. Although I must say they were a bit crispier the first time around, but still very good. -Pimentos de padron: These grilled little peppers are one of my favorite Spanish treats, and I loved the chunks of sea salt (this could be a little heavy-handed for some). -Sherry chicken liver mousse: a very generous serving, we had to ask for more bread. It was good, but I would skip it next time. -Seared scallops: DE-LISH! Cooked to perfection. -Drunken pork with avocado: If you like pork and avocado, you will really, really like this dish. -Paella: The clams I could have done without, but otherwise the chicken was moist and flavorful, the shrimp and mussels were plump and juicy, the rice was loaded with saffron. What more can a gal ask for? Next time I will likely go for the tasting menu. This was a very inexpensive meal for what you get, and we all left very satisfied. I have forgotten what we drank as far as adult beverages goes, but they were all tasty (I know, I'm a failure). I will do a review upon my next visit that will be much more detailed!
(5)Natasha D.
This place was packed on a Sunday night, so we were happy to snag one of the outdoor tables that are first come, first serve. Food: Super good, but even smaller portions than I'm used to for tapas. We had the "french kiss" (brandy-soaked prune stuffed with foie gras), bacon-wrapped dates, manchego fritters, heirloom tomato and cucumber salad, sautéed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins, braised lamb with apricots and hand-cut noodles, and meatballs in a tomato sauce with English peas. The show-stopper was definitely the braised lamb. After all of that, we still had room for dessert - lemon curd crèpes and almond ice cream with espresso. Service: Phenomenal and really put the place over the edge to 5 stars. Our waitress eventually had 8 tables (the average when I was serving was 4) and was still cheery and personable. We'd definitely come back the next time we're in Portland.
(5)Yummy P.
Round two...this time, we sat at the counter and once again, amazing!!! I still stand behind my original review which was written a year ago!!! This time we tried their Paella along with the Radicchio Salad and Squid Ink Pasta. We've had the Salad and Pasta before and it was just as we remembered it! The Paelle on the other hand...orgasmic! I especially liked the crispy burnt rice at the bottom of the pan. Funny thing, my fiancé said that they probably did it by accident because he heard the head chef ask for the Paelle and the cook's response was, "Oh Sh*t!" - and that's what makes them amazing, even their accidents turn out wonderful! LOL
(5)Toyo K.
Out of all the places I ate in Portland, this was my favorite place. I was told this place gets packed and was recommended to arrive early. My group and I arrived at 5:15pm on a Wed and were seated promptly. I don't remember everything we ordered since we shared so many different plates but the two that stood out were: House noodles w/chicken - excellent texture and perfect balance of sauce and noodles Grilled onion w/ chipotle - the very best. So good, I could have licked everything off the plate I wanted to try all of the pork dishes but I could't since my company had dietary restrictions. But everything we ordered was excellent and the service was great. A definite must try!
(5)Daniel R.
We were well-received, and they offered a phone call for when our table was ready. We were offered very little intimacy however, as the neighbouring table was no more than two inches away. The atmosphere was decent at the restaurant, in line with most contemporary dining experiences. The dishes were, for the price, unsatisfactory. Heavily salted and quite greasy. The clincher, however, was the fact that our table was neglected for over half an hour after I'd asked for a few minutes to decide on what to order next. It wasn't the worst experience I've had, but far from the best.
(2)Jim A.
Best burger I have ever had. Literally the Toro Bravo burger is absolutely unreal. It is amazing and if I had room for two or three I would pay the money to eat them all at one sitting. Sure the sangria and all the other tapas items are great, but the burger, ooooooh the burger.
(5)LeAnn E.
Not really a huge fan of this place. Loud, crowded, staff seemed a little annoyed with having to deal with a group. Food is medeocure. Price is WAY to high for what you are getting. 3 people ended up getting sick from a burger. Not recommending this place nor will I be back again. Bummer because it could be such a good place.
(2)Jewyl A.
Wow... delicious! We sat down and we all started ordering whatever sounded good, and it all was good. It did take 45 minutes to be seated (630 on a friday) but they'll give you a call when the table opens up so you can go upstairs and have a drink at the secret society. We had paella, pork shoulder, choriso and manchego, tuna (wow yum), some kind of steak, spanish tortilla, and more... for 4 of us the bill came to less than $80 (we didn't have drinks there), but I think that's pretty awesome after all that food. Give it a try!
(5)John P.
One of my three favorite restaurants in Portland. I love the food and energy about Toro Bravo. The wait is tough, but the chile infused casaritas help bide the time. I love everything on the menu. I wish it was a secret...oh well.
(5)Geoff W.
I have been to many tapas places in Madrid and Barcelona, but this place is even better, most tapas places in the USA give too much food and charge too much,so you don't get to try too many dishes, which is the whole idea of tapas, eat 4-6 plates!! Toro Bravo does it exactly right with extraordinary quality. Figs wrapped in Bacon, Anchovies beautifully done and a mind-twister, an Olive Oil cake with caramel, which was one of the best desserts ever. OK to go by yourself, there's a bar and chef's table, go early to beat the crowds, no resns. This is one of the better restaurants I've eaten in the USA, and I am a major foodie!!
(5)Tamara M.
Excellent food good portions for tapas. The roast beef with polenta was excellent. The service was great as well. We ate at the bar but there was a line for tables.
(5)Shana G.
I'm a big Tapas and Sangria fan and this place had some of the best I've ever had!
(5)akzidenz g.
wow, best spanish restaurant ive been to. ever. (never been to spain tho, so i cant compare.) ordered the paella. was tasty, moist, and flavorful. one of the best paellas ive ever had. also ordered the fried anchovies w fennel and lemon. that was AMAZING. never had anything like it. it sounds gross, but its really awesome. the sangria was delicious too. will be back soon.
(5)Cam T.
love letter in iambic pentameter bitter-sweet brussel sprouts not like gran-ny's co-vered with silken sherry cream sauce, yum! saute-ed chan-ter-elles on grid-dled bread? chomp. my heart o'erflows with savory lushness you coquette croquette with your spicy zing! ha-ris-sa stewed squash with crum-bled sheep's cheese, can i lick the bowl in pu-blic? erm, no? drunken pork listing o'er my fork, how shall i com-pare thee to a divine sear'd scallop? perfectly brais-ed yet tender within vel-vet-y shell bean stew bathing my tongue. Casa 'Rita your provacative spice has me slav'ring o'er mem'ries of de-light. next time i'll leave room to taste the dess-ert i promise myself, [sigh] sa-ti-at-ed.
(5)Martine H.
Ok, went back a week later because some friends we had in town wanted to try it out. I must say, it was GREAT! I'm guessing we were there on a bad night the week before? Who knows, but we ordered the empanada again, this time it was beef not chicken. Delish! and the octopus was excellent. We sat outside and had great service. We will be back and I am so glad we gave it another shot!
(4)Brandi M.
My loving hubbie and I had been wanting to try T.B. for quite some time and did so recently for my birthday. It was good but it wouldn't make my list of city faves as it has for so many others. Perhaps I'm missing something or it could just be possible that Spanish isn't my genre... The atmosphere, service and food were good. Among the many things we ordered, the scallops were my fave.
(3)S. N.
Another favorite Portland restaurant. Consistently good service and food. Cozy bustling space. Scallops are my favorite. Have been here at least 2 dozen times and have never been disappointed. Will continue to go back again and again.
(5)Megan R.
The line is typically loooong.. and watch out for nights when the Wonder ballroom is playing a show. But-- the tapas are the most amazing thing ever and well worth the wait. My mouth is watering thinking about it. So Good!
(5)J S.
I've had some of my best restaurant and food experiences in Portland recently and am always excited to try a new place. But despite the other reviews, Toro Bravo was underwhelming for me. The range of dishes is impressive and conceptually, I think there's no shortage of creativity. But most of the dishes were too salty and the flavors, too overpowering. I certainly don't shy away from intense flavors but I think the food here lacks that unique ability to integrate strong flavors with subtlety. Atmosphere and service were both great. We arrived for a late dinner, about 10pm, so we seemed to miss the requisite long wait. Considering all the other amazing food options in this city, I don't think my experience would warrant a second visit.
(2)Allen L.
the best spanish restaurant i've been to this side of the atlantic. the paella was suburb, full of flavor, with each component perfectly tasty. the fried anchovies were perfectly seasoned, light and tasty. sangria didn't just taste like wine with fruit in it...it tasted like, well, sangria. i can't wait to return and try the rest of their endless tapas menu. it changes on a daily basis based on the fresh produce of the day.
(5)Coral C.
Not like this place needs more good press, but headed back there last night for a birthday dinner for my husband. The service was a lot more spot on this time, and the food was just as good as before. Plus we got in with no wait, gotta love it!
(5)Sam R.
The food is very good with an interesting spin. Great choice of drinks. The food is a strong 4 stars but the service is a 2.5. Atmosphere is a 3 because of the noise level. The only reason I give Toro Bravo a 4 is because of their interesting approach towards food. The service is friendly but doesn't make up for being slow and constantly interrupting. The noise level doesn't make the place good for groups larger than 4. Being a group of 6, I couldn't hear the people at either end. Parking is a pain so be willing to walk a few blocks, but at least it is free. People watching is probably one of the best parts of the place. It's worth going to at least once.
(4)Nathan V.
Cute place. The choices of tapas was good, I particularly liked the wrapped variety: jamon wrapped chicken breast and grilled bacon wrapped dates with warm honey. The radicchio salad was rad. While we didn't have any problems, I did hear and you'll read in other reviews that the wait can be a long one. If you want, grab a drink upstairs at the Secret Society Ballroom.
(4)Alana F.
We went here at a former residents urging and we were not disappointed! The girls were rocking the line in the kitchen, the hostess and server were very nice. The food was incredibly good - halibut cheeks, chard with sunny side egg, scallops, asparagus salad and killer flatbread. Great Oregon wine too (of course). There was a 45 min wait, but we knew if we didn't get there right at 5, there would be! They graciously sent us upstairs to the Secret Society for a choice of "speak easy" type old school cocktails. Great place!!
(5)Rick H.
There is so much to say about the food and drinks here - and most of it has been said. So my advice: TRY THE BURGER! It's the best ever. I confess that, since I discovered it, I have found it hard to order anything else when I go to Toro Bravo. (Except a Death in the Afternoon cocktail.)
(5)Jonathan G.
I would go back just for the oxtail croquettes.
(5)Kirun M.
The food here is really interesting and delicious. I pretty much liked everything that was set down in front of me...except for a couple of the cheeses on the cheese plate. Ya can't win 'em all.
(4)Kara W.
this is my FAVORITE restaurant in Portland! my roommate and i went with the tasting menu and were absolutely delighted with the 8 courses that were put before us! the ambiance is rich with dark reds and browns and you are able to watch the chefs work their magic! Duck Liver Mousse Terrine with morels & house made sidra mustard, Braised Leeks with Salbitxada, Griddled Bacon Wrapped Dates with warm honey, Salt Cod Fritters with aioli, Braised Salsify with lemon, bacon & cream, Potatoes Bravas, Drunken Pork with heirloom shell bean stew (probably one of the BEST things i've ever put in my mouth!), Jamon Wrapped Chicken with pisto manchego, and i added a Lemon Curd Crepe to top it off! my mouth is salivating right now! GO HERE!!
(5)Catherine C.
Count me another insane fan of Toro Bravo. I've been there lots and have never been disappointed. My Manhattan last night was a m a z i n g! I didn't want it to ever end. The romesco sauce with the sauteed scallops was perfectly nutty and rich. And don't ever skip on the bacon wrapped dates.
(5)Scoob W.
love this place despite a few hiccups. service was great. we had the pitcher of sangria, radicchio salad, fish fritters, chanterelle mushrooms on toast, monterey squid and brussel sprouts. the portions are pretty generous for tapas. prices reasonable. the standout was the chanterelle mushrooms. seriously yum. the monteray calamari with mussels, spinach and chickpea was a close second was also delicious. the brussels sprouts were delicious but way oversalted and possibibly too bacony (did i just say that?) and too rich with bacon fat. Overall, i love the fresh, simple ingredients served piping hot. would definitely go again. We went at 5:20 pm and got the last 2 spots. when we were done with dinner at least 30 people waiting.
(4)einah t.
I highly recommend this place. There's this new renowned word that I have discovered. When everything seems perfect, people call it "life changing." Therefore, I would have to say that going to Toro Bravo was life changing for me. It's been two years in a row that I've celebrated my birthday here with my hubby. Great food and great sangria. I love their hazel nut ice cream that comes with sherry Don Px '82. Their dishes comes in tapas (mini dishes). I would try everything. I've always loved their "french kisses", the singing pig salad, their mouse plate, the scallops, butternut squash are my favorites and ofcourse their paella are yummy. I have no complains so far except that you gotta be smart when coming to this place. I'd come before they would even open because their line are crazy long!! so heads up. If you don't like waiting and you get grumpy when hungry then come early. Overall, this is a great place for tapas.
(5)Sylvia S.
We just came back from Toro Bravo - today we're celebrating my fiancé's birthday and I wanted to try something new. Definitely the good reviews I read about Toro Bravo are spot on. Since the menu changes every day, I can only tell you what we picked and hopefully you'll see it there when you go! We ordered the Bread with Butter and Olive Oil, Tortilla Española, Chorizo with Manchego, Polenta and Tuna with cous cous. The only one of these that I'd stay away from next time is the polenta - it wasn't what I expected and the consistency was not my favorite. The other four were absolutely delicious! I LOVED the bread... I've rarely found such good bread in a restaurant. For the dessert, we enjoyed the Chocolate Cake... Wow - DEFINITELY you have to save space for this one - the cake with vanilla ice cream is a winner. We went to Toro Bravo on a Tuesday evening and it was full... I can only imagine what it must be like on a Friday or Saturday. Now I understand why there are 2 hour wait times. My recommendation: try this place during the week if you can take the time. We were seated immediately and the service was excellent.
(4)Chris S.
Very good. One of the best things was that we were seated at the bar next to the kitchen and got to watch the organized chaos in the kitchen. Was a blast to watch. The food was pretty good.....I maybe went into this place and it might have suffered from too much hype. Very good food, just not great.
(4)Amy T.
I've had to wait here for a table for over a half an hour, but I'm still giving it five stars. That says a lot, I think, about the stellar quality of the dishes - every dish - that I've had at Toro Bravo. I guess I'd go with four and a half if I could, but on the other hand, it's not their fault that they're brilliant and everyone wants to go there.
(5)K B.
Still thinking about the salt cod, olive oil cake, and figs. Go with friends. Order lots of dishes. I went before the place got all the accolades. Well deserved accolades. The service at that time (can't speak for it now since their tables must be packed nonstop) was helpful and efficient.
(5)John E.
I'm cranky and don't give five stars. But, Mark Bittman the cookbook author and recipe columnist (not reviewer) said it best on his blog after a trip to Portland: One of the best tapas restaurants in the United States. The chef does everything well, his vegetables are amazing.
(5)Melissa M.
oh my god. could there even be a better restaurant? some of the best food i've ever eaten, consistently. so fun to order from such a varied, interesting, ever-changing-with-what's-in-season menu. great ingredients, many local produce and meat items, exciting and well mixed drinks, pitchers of sangria with fresh fruit floating in them (like raspberries, blueberries, rainier cherries....wow!). of course, it's very loud and busy in the restaurant, and there may be a wait, but that just means you can sit in the cute little narrow side room with your sweetie and have some delicious sangria and maybe a bacon wrapped date covered in warm honey?! let the date extend a little longer, and have some fun being in the vibrant, delicious company that toro bravo is!
(5)Stephen G.
Our second time to Toro Bravo. Get there early (5 to 5:30) and avoid standing around. Although good, I would have had a less positive opinion had I waited for an hour or two for dinner. We havent had a bad dish-all were flavorful- but the portions are a little uneven. The dishes with big portions were almonds, braised leeks (delicious and rich) and potatoes brava (such a sauce!). For entrees, the paella was wonderful (to the other reviewers, the rice is supposed to be a little burned and crunchy), and the coppa steak was generous and also had a wonderful sauce. The anchovies were also quite tasty. However, disappointments were the empanada (only a single one, and somewhat unmemorable), N African sausages (only 2, although with fries, for $15), and the mushroom toast. The cod fritters also were too small for the price. The chicken and clams was in between, not a disappointment but not too memorable either. The chili prawns (3) lacked heat I also appreciated not being overcharged for coffee, tea ($2 each, unusually inexpensive). The chocolate almonds for dessert are also a very generous portion. The melted chocolate cake is too rich for a single person. My son had a Lions Tail drink-I usually abhor bourbon but that drink was great as well.
(4)J. N.
Went there tonight for the first time on a date night with my wife. Showed up at 5:30 and was seated immediately. Food was flat out incredible. Spicy fritters, bacon wrapped dates, grilled scallops, minty peas, smoky steak, chocolate cake...it was all really good. Food was served as it was prepared. I'm not a tapas/spain expert or serious food person but I go out to eat and travel pretty often and would now rate Toro Bravo as one of my favorite places in Portland (others - Andina, Ringside, 1st Ave Bento). Flavors were bold and exciting (I like meat) and up there with the best I have had in NY and SF. Dinner for my wife and I was about $75 including mixed drinks and desert which I thought was very reasonable for a Saturday evening out. Will definitely be back. Service was great -- friendly/nice, attentive, good recommendations, but never snooty and never made us feel rushed even though things were really busy by 6:30 (actually surprised by how in control the staff seemed to be). Also....my wife and I aren't exactly trendy or cool (probably condemned to some stereotype by the self-righteous crowd), so when she mentioned Toro Bravo and I read the reviews online, I was concerned about how we would be treated in a relatively new/popular place in a hipster location. Very happy to say no problem -- this is place were everyone should feel comfortable. Said thanks to the owner/chef when we left. He was very gracious which confirmed in my mind that these are good people making great food.
(5)Liz E.
This funky little place is a little out of downtown (easy drive) but has very good food. I love these tiny neighborhood restaurants. We sat at the little bar that has a view of the VERY small kitchen. Had a good time watching the preparations. They have a nice wine list and great tapas plates. I found it a good way to try lots of different small bites. Try the Charcuteria...very nice.
(5)Cindy D.
Pros: yummy food, amazing wine list, skilled staff, wonderful atmosphere, cozy waiting area where you can begin your night Cons: too many positives so you might have a bit of a wait for your table. Our Night: We headed to Toro Bravo after my husband read the article in the November issue of Portland Magazine. We arrived around 8pm and had a wait of about 30 minutes. We were pleasantly surprised with the small waiting area on the side of the restaurant. While we waited there we ordered the cheese plate and a couple of glasses of wine. The cheese plate was great--a good assortment of cheeses with a tasty cracker (which I think had some quince paste baked into it). When we moved over to our table we were greeted by a waitress that skillfully guided through our ordering (just the right amount). There was a small confusion with one of our dishes (it was given to the men sitting next to us), but it all worked out in the end (the men actually let us try one of their dishes while we waited for our final dish to arrive). Unfortunately we filled up on the main dishes so there was no room for dessert. I was even more disappointed about this when I read about their churros and chocolate here on yelp. I have yearned for authentic Spanish churros and chocolate ever since I went to Spain for a few weeks over 10 years ago. So my husband and I will return very soon and this time we will be saving room for dessert!
(5)Nicole A.
If it says empanadas on the menu, then by Jove, there should be at least two empanadas. Plural. Especially for eight dollars. The point being- the hype of this place severely outweighs the reality. After being ignored at the door for what felt like an eternity without a glimmer of acknowledgment, we were seated at the bar, where the bartender gave us prompt but rather cold service. Perhaps being limited to mostly vegetarian picks inhibited the small-plate experience, but most of the delicious sounding selections were simply lacking in flavor. The Singing Pig Greens salad was unremarkable, the Manchego and Paprika Fritters were practically tasteless, and the Sauteed Chanterelles on Griddled Bread smelled like garlicky heaven but tasted like purgatory. Out of the seven dishes we tried, only one was truly scrumptious: the Harissa Stewed Fall Squash with Crumbled Sheep's Cheese, which, to be fair, was almost good enough to warrant seconds. Perhaps it was an off night, but this first impression was a disappointment considering the establishment's stellar reputation.
(2)Rona m.
This place was so fantastic. Ridiculous wait, but worth it. My favorite was the venison pate. The papas and mushrooms on toast were incredible as well. My new favorite restaurant in Portland!
(5)Benjamin B.
Hands down, the best tapas I have ever had.
(5)Mike K.
Absolutely delicious! And quite reasonably priced.
(5)H M.
From the moment I entered Toro Bravo I could tell I was going to have to accept the fact that I was gonna be treated as if I was on a date the entire time I was there. And I wasn't on a date - I was just with an old friend I hadn't seen in years and yet we were suddenly on an assumed romantic date, shuffled into the most romantic cubbyhole in the joint. Of course that was ridiculously funny to us and made for some good comedy. And of course we had to order some sort of sharing thing that really sealed the date assumption of the three or four hot girls who kept bringing us plate after plate. We felt like gay kings. And of course I had to order a fruit drink that was served UP. There were moments where I felt like we shoulda been spoon feeding each other. And then there were moments where I felt like bolting. And then finally it all stopped and all I can say is, that was a pretty good date. Oh, and the food was pretty decent.
(4)Derek G.
We arrived on a Friday night at 7:30 and were seated immediately. Street parking was no problem. The room is a bit loud, but cozy and romantic. The food is INCREDIBLE - go for the squid ink paella and the smoked pulled-pork sandwich. The blue cheese stuffed olives were also delicious, although this is coming from someone who has brined their own olives. Don't pass on the churros and chocolate, or the house-made lemoncello. The blackberry pims drink was also superb, and went deliciously with the manchego fritters. 5 thumbs up!
(5)Kimberley S.
Wanting to get my travel partners excited for an upcoming trip - I searched and searched for an authentic Spanish restaurant in PDX. Boy, it's hard!!!! I didn't want shi-shi, I didn't want trendy, I didn't want what other troglodyte followers find "cool", I wanted REAL good food! And we found it. Next door to the Wonder Ballroom - Toro Brovo (the Brave Bull) provided just what our hearts desired. We got there about 5.30pm on a Thursday evening and it was already a bustle with patrons, but we didn't have to wait at all. As you walk in, the smell of saffron overwhelms every sense and brings you right into a Barcelona sidewalk cafe. We sat down and within minutes had our pitcher of Sangria and a list of "small plates" being prepared in the open kitchen. Our servers were great - informed and happy to help with several suggestions. The only issue we had was the "Blue Cheese stuffed Olives", not enough blue cheese and the olives were on the small side. But I'm sure that the accompaniment - a shot of really smooth gin - helped us to "forget" the downside of that one dish. The best, the grilled chanterelle mushrooms - I found myself licking the plate.... is that rude? And the olive oil was so good; I could have bathed in it. To finish off our dinner, we ordered one Paella Toro between the three of us. Stunning. As we left, the line was beginning to expand onto the sidewalk. Hopefully this place with stay around for a very long while. We love to meet back here to reminisce about our travels.
(4)jonathan p.
food=love..this place is love=food! tapas=small dish. eat these: bacon-wrapped dates=heaven crab cakes=fresh ocean goodness chorizio & manchego cheese w/ country bread=better than any upscale bread, cheese, and flavor spread than you could imagine potatoes bravas=crispy outside, creamy & delicious inside smoked pork on grilled bread with celery root salad=if food could talk for your mouth, these bites of life will make you thank the chef by hand, and the grand finale!...paella toro... my mouth exploded with positive energy from the brilliantly created seafood greatness of happiness! john & co. thank you my neighbors, my friends food brings people together toro bravo loves people i love you
(5)Joe S.
The food was really hit or miss. The drunken pork just tasted like smoke, bleh. The paella was average. The summer squash was fantastic. Sangria was above average. I was underwhelmed with the service. All in all i think this place is a bit over-hyped.
(3)Jean C.
Yup, still great! Took friends from the Bay Area here last week and Portland does not disappoint.
(5)matt n.
Epic. I was very much impressed with the execution of both food and service. I will be coming back. Stay the line. - Your SF Fan Possee
(4)Francesca J.
Fantastic. Bravo, Toro Bravo. I really want to eat here every day for the rest of eternity. Ironically, I was craving tapas, which made this even more satisfying. We drooled at the food arriving at the table next to ours and copied their order almost identically, much to our delight. Spicy shrimp and seared scallops with romesco sauce, oh my! And the piece de resistance - - this incredible eggplant with lamb ragu and cheese. I really thought i had died and gone to heaven. Heaven happened to look like a little building off NE Russell, who would have thought? Great food, pretty good prices, a friendly clientele, and awesome service. I will be back. Very very soon.
(5)Bob S.
This place is crowded for a reason. John Gorham, a veteran of the Portland food scene, now has his own place to do it his way and it ROCKS. It's a fact , PDX is an early food town. On a Thursday night, this place was full at 6:00 PM. I'll bet after 9:30, you could walk in and sit down. I was meeting up with Herself after work so, we were in but there were plenty of people who were going to wait 45 minutes. I'm not going to go through the menu (it's online somewhere, check it out.). But I have to mention a few things. I like to eat low on the food chain, especially fish (Salmon excluded). That means squid, sardines, anchovies, mussels, oysters, mackerel, sea urchins, etc, So when I spot things like grilled sardines at Clyde Commons or grilled anchovies at Toro Bravo, that tells me the Band ain't playing to the crowd. Most Americans won't deal with a bone in fish, especially small fish but, they're missing it. Four grilled whole anchovies with fried lemon and fennel on a spicy sweet red sauce!! It's fish that'll stand up to their reasonably priced Ribera del Dueros/Tempranillos. I love seeing a restaurant like this busy, full, cranking it out to appreciative foodies. Way to go John!
(5)Melinda A.
wonderful though had a bit of a wait to eat there.
(4)melissa p.
highlighted in portland monthly as one of 2007's best of... i am sorry to say that i beg to differ. a rude and snippy hostess, less-than-ordinary bar protocol, and a ridiculously long wait time (grossly underestimated by the staff), all culminated into a less-than-stellar experience at this restaurant. first of all, our hostess had promised us a 45 to an hour long wait.. however, we were not seated until an hour and 40 minutes had passed. every time we would check on our status, the wait staff never seemed to have any real idea of what was going on. as well... when we approached the bar to order drinks for the wait, we were reprimanded by the bar staff who claimed that we had to wait for a server to come to us in the foyer to take our orders...why have an exposed and visible bar with customers there if you can't even walk over and order yourself a drink?! well anyways, when we finally did get seated, we perused the menu as were amused at the $1 charge for bread. each individual in our party ordered 2 tapas each...the standout dishes: dates wrapped in bacon with a honey sauce (this was phenomenal, i must admit), the butternut squash puree topped with cheeese was not great- the puree was much too liquidy and not stiff enough for my taste...to be honest, i don't even remember the rest of what we ordered by virtue of the experience being soured by the horrible service...
(2)Edward J.
As much as people complain about waiting for a table, apparently they misjudged its popularity to its great food. I highly recommend this place for a nice double date or a good parent-visiting place. Its not the best tapa place in town (LOLO's?) but definitely they have the best fritters and salad. They change their menu all the time, so I miss the delicious goat cheese salad (I am not a big cheese fan and this is unique!). Get a good glass of wine and try their two of their appetizer. If you aren't knowledge with Spanish cooking, definitely ask the waitress for recommendations. I hear the cod fritter is the best.
(5)Ross M.
Really tasty Drunken Pork. Cool decor and nice staff.
(4)Alex M.
Anyone fond of or familiar with real Spanish food is likely to be disappointed with this expensive, over-hyped restaurant. Everyone else, it seems, should have a great time. The atmosphere is terrific, but dishes like the bland tortilla espanola with a large dollop of mayonnaise, paella prepared in less than 15 minutes (to do it right takes hours) served over-cooked and over seasoned, and the skimpy strips of jamon wrapped (why?) around chicken nuggets, gave this reviewer the sinking feeling that Portland's eager and adventurous eaters were having a fast one pulled on them. Of course there is nothing wrong with reinventing classic dishes and adding creative variations, but the fundamentals should be mastered before expanding into new territory, and most of the variations served at Toro Bravo come in the form of extra sauce, heavy seasoning and sweet, sugary flavors, which is in direct contrast to the elegant simplicity of most Spanish food, particularly tapas. Admittedly, many authentic Spanish dishes are excruciatingly tricky to make well, despite the often simple ingredients, but this is the challenge that the restaurateur accepts when he opens. Glad to see that the concept is a financial successful, with many happy reviewers and customers, but this reviewer is going to keep at least one eye looking out from under the wool.
(2)Mary D.
I discovered this restaurant through yelp and this is now one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. The food and service was great and I can't wait to come back to try more items on their menu. We had a short wait to be seated, so while we waited we ordered 2 drinks and 2 appetizers. My husband and I had two " French kisses" brandy soaked prunes stuffed with foie gras, followed by two bacon wrapped dates. Both dishes were excellent but when we ordered a second round, we liked the bacon/dates just a little better, and had two more of those. The two mixed drinks we ordered were good and strong, but the name of the cocktails escapes me. After we were seated at the bar we had our second order of bacon wrapped dates. We also ordered pickled veggies with olives and a salad. The harissa stewed summer squash with cheese and mint was excellent. It was yummy and creamy, tasted almost like a curry. We had some glasses of limoncello (delicious) while we waited for our dessert: molten chocolate cake with ice cream. The cake was more pudding like than molten, but it tasted great and was the perfect end to our meal. In regards to atmosphere, we had read other reviews and kind of knew what to expect. If people are looking for a quiet, intimate dining experience they shouldn't expect to find it here. We arrived after 9pm on a Friday night and it was still busy, noisy, and required a brief wait to be seated. I was perfectly happy with the setting and the "wound up energy" of Toro Brava and will be back for more.
(5)Ross W.
Toro Bravo was completely packed by 6pm on a Monday, and I understand why. The food is great. It is not cheap but worth trying at least once. I would never try Griddled Bacon Wrapped Dates with warm honey, especially at $2 a piece, but it was tasty. We couldn't get enough of Potatoes Bravas although I can't identify the ingredients other than it was delicious. Simple dishes like Grilled Corn with cilantro pesto and Sauteed Spinach with pine nuts & golden raisins were well-prepared. We also enjoyed the Empanada with rabbit confit & potatoes as well as the Seared Scallops with romesco amongst others. The only dish I wasn't crazy about is the Spicy Octopus & Prawn Stew. It was too spicy for me, and you can't really find the prawn. This is a wonderful tapas place where you can be culinarily adventurous with a group of friends.
(4)J L.
If I could only eat one meal in Portland it would definitely be the squid ink pasta with hazelnuts and anchovy syrup (trust me, just try it!!!) and an order of their grilled flat bread with black truffle cheese and wild arugula. That with a couple of good glasses of wine is just about the most perfect culinary experience I think this fine foodie city has to offer and maybe one of the best in the country. It's worth the wait.
(5)ali b.
Deliciously amazing food! I still dream of the French Kisses, a must try! Granted it was over an hour wait, but we went up the Secret Society and had a drink and the time flew by. The service was spot on and full of suggestions. A truly wonderful experience!
(5)Brad C.
Came here for dinner around 7:00 pm on a Wednesday. The wait was only about 15 minutes for a table for four. While waiting for our table to be ready we stood outside and ordered drinks and looked over the menu. I've had tapas a few times and I find that for two people ordering three or four items is usually a safe bet. The four of us picked seven things off the menu to get. I can't even remember all the delious things we ate that night but I do recall a few hightlights. The first dish to come out was the bacon wrapped dates and the fried anchovies. Then came what had to be the highlight of the night which was the ox tail. It was just fabulous. We also ordered some super tasty African sausage. The service for the meal was also great, each dish came out as we were finishing up a plate, so we never had more then three plates on the table at once. Our last choice for the evening and one of the more expensive menu items at $19, was the paella. This paella was great! It was well cooked and wasn't soupy at all. With a drink for each of us the bill was just over $100, not bad especially for the food quality.
(5)Bay Area F.
I was really disappointed in Toro Bravo because it has gotten great reviews and I love tapas, but it really felt like the theme was butter makes everything better. I don't shy away from butter used appropriately, but almost everything we ate was really, really heavy. I'll start with the positive: * Griddled Bacon Wrapped Dates with warm honey - very tasty, get one if you go to Toro Bravo, but I don't recommend that * Bread with butter & olive oil - ironically, the butter was nothing special, but the olive oil was exceptional - definitely get this ($1) * Moroccan Tuna with dried cherry couscous - pretty good and thankfully not too heavy, but it's probably getting a better rating from me since most everything else was subpar * Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with bacon sherry cream - I liked these, but they were very creamy. If everything else wasn't super heavy, I think I would have liked these more, but paired with heavy dish after heavy dish, the brussels sprouts didn't sing. * Caramel Panna Cotta - pretty good, but a touch too creamy, the caramel sauce was also a little too sweet for my taste Regrettably, our table also ordered: * Manchego & Paprika Fritters - overfried, dry * Sauteed Chanterelles on griddled bread - soaked in butter, no mushroom flavor * Seared Cauliflower - boring, underseasoned * Griddled Shrimp with chilies - bland * Molten Chocolate Cake with vanilla ice cream - dry, boring * Churros & Chocolate - overfried, tasted like they were from a ballpark
(2)Samantha K.
yes, the wait is crazy long, but there is a quiet little bar upstairs that makes an excellent manhattan. c'mon, who wouldn't wait an hour for some pig on pig crime (suckling pig stuffed with chorizo)? also, it is well priced...dinner for four and several cocktails each = $90.
(5)Dean R.
Before I was, like, this place is OK but it doesn't really live up to all the hype. Then I went there again and was all like, um, yeah, it does. Deducting a little bit because of some of the bullshit seating -- particularly the coat closet in which they have stuffed three or four more tables including little bullshit "booth" seats which are little triangular pieces of nothing jammed into a corner to stuff even more people in there. I wouldn't have cared, but I was the people that got stuffed. Marcellus Wallace doesn't like getting stuffed by anybody but Mrs. Wallace.
(4)Sara F.
Ok seriously I'm in love with this place!!! My husband & I were here on a work trip of his & just looked up this place on yelp. AMAZING tapas!! We tried many dishes and were thrilled even more as each delicious dish kept arriving. The sheeps cheese with rose petal harrisa, (harrissa is really difficult to get "right", it has to have a perfect balance between salt & spice in order to taste good and they had it RIGHT!). The cheese was so soft and perfect, I thought it couldn't get any better, but then it did; they added fresh mint on top!! YUMOOOOO!! Then we tried the lamb & white bean stew, just a hint of cinnamon and stewed onion and spices. Then we had the swiss chard with a sunny side egg on top, it just kept getting better! To top off the meal, I had a great cappucinno and we shared rich hazelnut, (the hazelnut was so strong and creamy, it was awesome!), with sherry drizzled on top. I think this was the best tapas experience I've ever had in the US. The world DIVINE sums up this place best!! Amazing food, great service and gorgeous ambience. A wonderful experience overall!!
(5)Anne B.
Saw all the people waiting all the time... Actually my massage therapist told me it was worth the hype and the money. It was. Sat at the bar, seated in 5 minutes on a Saturday, superquick. Drinks were excellent: Blackberry Prims, Death in the Afternoon, etc. Food was also very good- griddled shrimp- however didn't like taking the shell off. Moroccan Tuna with cherry couscous was also good. Probably the meatballs were the best. Why not 5? Servers seemed harried and hurried. Maybe not avoidable, but not always relaxing to watch.
(4)Bob M.
great tapas, not too expensive, place kinda small-- but damn, everything i had here was top notch and ive had some great tapas in barcelona
(5)George C.
We flew in from New York, checked into the hotel and needed a bite. We hit up our fellow Yelpers for something close and Toro Bravo came up highly recommended. We were a touch jet lagged so we took the reviewers advice and decided to show up early for a table. People are streaming in and out of this little hot spot all the time. It has a great vibe, a hip comfortable look, nice music, and friendly people running the place. It has bar seating and an open kitchen which give the place a great energy. Dress is casual but many patrons were dolled up. We started with a couple French Kisses (foie gras stuffed brandied prunes). I mean puh-lease, just amazing. We also had cod fritters (very good-not fishy), chorizo (moist and meaty), octopus (well prepared,presented and tasteeeee), drunken pork with avocado (just yummy), and a beet and onion ring salad (simple and well done). We finished with Cava and a small cheese plate that was spot on. If you're from out of town you should give Toro Bravo a try. If you're a local then you probably already know about this gem. Tapas done with a fresh PDX flair, simple yet interesting wine list and again friendly people. Go early if you want a table right away, but the "Toro" vibe says come later on and enjoy a few bottles with friends.
(4)Rayleen H.
one word.... crap... 1) the wait was too long 2) no parking 3) LOUD!!! 4) rude server 5) mediocre food.... 6) good drinks, but that is the only good thing I can say! I don't see the hype... I won't be returning...
(1)E. P.
Yum Yum Yum! Great atmospheric lighting, intimate seating and upscale without feeling too posh to be comfortable. My husband and I went here for our 5th wedding anniversary dinner and were lucky enough to snag a table in the alcove (3 tables in a longish, narrow space). We'd never been out for tapas before so it was an exciting experience and the menu was very interesting. We ordered: radicchio salad, cheese plate, flat bread with truffle oil and arugula, potatoes bravos, and the pork empanada. For dessert it was the molten chocolate cake/ice cream and churros with drinking chocolate. You'll see sheep's cheese in a lot of dishes. Food was coming out one after another will little to no waiting between dishes. We thought everything was delicious and the waitstaff was friendly and attentive, even taking a picture of us when I asked. We would definitely return and would love to dine here with friends. We were a little dressed up, but there was a definite mix with people dressed more casually with no detriment to the atmosphere.
(4)A M.
Delicious! It was only my second time there, but I think I need to go back more often. Monday night is definitely not as busy as the weekend! Good service, and just great food. Shared the radicchio salad, fladbread with truffle and arugula, and the harissa squash. I normally don't care for squash, but this was really good. It may change my mind on squash -- but only if it is served like that. Yum!
(5)Pamela B.
First of all, I am not from Portland, and I did not know this place existed until tonight. Thus, there was no hype to overcome and nothing to influence my experience. We came right at 5pm when it opened, so no line. That being said, the food I ate this evening was outstanding. Flavors blended and exploded in my mouth as never before. Braised leeks, aioli potatoes, roast beef with polenta, and hedgehog mushrooms on griddled bread= savory, savory goodness. Portion sizes are generous for tapas, and prices are reasonable for tapas. I live in the Bay Area, and trust me, if a restaurant like this were there, it wouldn't be this affordable or easy to walk into on a Friday night. The service was superb--our waitress helped modify a drink to suit my sweet tooth needs, and willingly canceled a dish upon our request once we realized we had overestimated our appetites. My only regret is that I didn't save room for dessert. Next time.
(5)Veronica N.
I came here on a Sunday and got seated at the bar because all the tables were occupied. Great staff; everyone is very friendly. I was not disappointed with one dish. I do have to mention that the Coppa Steak and spinach with golden raisins and pine nuts still linger through my mind. The prices here are also very reasonable. Will definitely come back! One of my favs in Portland!!!
(5)Donald M.
Fantastic!! Expensive but worth every penny. My wife and I took our daughter and son-in-law for dinner. They are both true foodies and everyone thought everything was great. The service can be a little slow but I guess that happens when the place is packed. We will be back.
(4)Samuel M.
I am all for Chic restaurants that will leave your taste buds soaring with joy! With that being said, I also expect that along with delicious food, I will also receive adequate customer service (or better). Upon my arrival, I politely inquired as to whether or not they could accommodate my wife's eating preferences (She only eats boneless/skinless chicken or turkey). I noted that they had two chicken dishes on their menu that looked promising although they had additional meat/seafood ingredients that she will not eat. When I asked if they could simply remove these ingredients, they said that they could, but that it would "compromise" the integrity of the dish. I took this to mean, Pffft its perfect as is, and if you want to change it, you probably should not get it. This might have slipped under my "don't east there" radar, but it was immediately followed up with the hostess seating us right on top of another couple when there were still plenty other tables in the restaurant unoccupied. Again, I recognize that this is a hip place and tables probably fill up quick, but we were there just after 5 when they open and they could have pretended that intimate dining was a possibility in their establishment even if it was a lil' white lie. Toro, I am sure that you serve up meals that make you go "mmmmmm," but I want you to remember that the best restaurants also have to remember how they got to be considered best (by rewarding their customers with a good experience to pass on to others). Thanks, but no thanks!
(1)Amy H.
"toro bravo may just be the best meal i've had in my entire life. i'm inebriated though so loop back with me tomorrow to verify." these were my thoughts drunkenly typed into facebook (thank god for spellcheck) as i exited portland's ode to tapas. receiving multiple accolades, including kudos from the likes of mark bittman and an esteemed 27/30 from zagat, toro bravo stays true to simple, rustic fare by crafting small plates with artisanal flair. faced with so many menu choices, my bridal bosom buddy and i decided to throw caution to the wind and order the tasting menu, which featured seven courses of edible ecstacy ranging from (drool) bacon-wrapped/marcona-stuffed dates to caña de oveja on a bed of berries and greens to a smoked pork shoulder sandwich with horseradish slaw....(/drool). interweave some fernet-laced cocktails throughout that story, and the night ended with yours truly cuddled up in the hotel bathtub with a pillow and a bath towel as cover. but getting back to the original question, the morning after revealed that everything's more romantic à la minute, but i'd still feel comfortable keeping toro bravo in my top 5, which ain't shabby when you're up against some three-star michelin boys (and cracker barrel).
(5)andrew m.
Wow this could have been a fun night but unfortunately this place is run like poorly oiled machine. I called the place at about 5:00 pm to see if they offered corkage. I got no answer 6, yes 6, times over the span of 45 minutes. But I was able to find out that they do not offer reservations through their voicemail not that anyone would answer to take them. We show up to find that the wait is 2 hours. 2 hours and you don't take reservations? The maitre'd salvaged nothing by saying, "We would love it it you waited" Yeah? Where? There's no room to do anything but turn around and leave. I'd in fact love it if you gave me a reason to go through this ever again. I'm sorry but this isn't The French F'in Laundry and even they take reservations. Food trumps all but if you make it impossible to get a chance to try it it boils down to service. So look above Toro Bravo one star is what you get for that.
(1)Bula W.
My husband and I decided to check the place out at 8pm on a Thursday night. Despite being packed & being told about a 30-minute wait for seats, we were actually seated rapidly (about 2-3 minutes). Ambiance: the lighting is dim which is sufficient for dinner w/ friends or a date; I wouldn't recommend it for families with small/ younger children. It's fairly loud (probably because it was full) so I had a hard time hearing my husband speak, although I may just be hard of hearing. Food/drinks: We shared a pitcher of sangria, finished it but I don't feel any effects. I wonder if there was any alcohol in it whatsoever. The sauteed yellowfoot mushroom on griddled bread is delicious ($7)! Loved that. The whole petrale sole w/ olives, capers, roasted garlic, lemons was average ($10)- honestly my mom makes better fish. The sole's flavor was underwhelming. We also ordered a dish w/ butternut squash w/ crumbled cheese was tasty, despite being a bit oversalted. Our dessert was fabulous- a caramel something. Really delicious with warm sweet caramel on top of the fluffly stuff below. Cost: Our bill was $45+tip. We were stuffed, probably because we snacked before decided to eat out. I felt like it was reasonably priced. Service: The hostess greeted and seated us quickly; the server was helpful in recommending items; food+drinks were served in good intervals. Overall, we would have to try eating hear a couple more times, but at the moment, I do recommend it.
(4)Sam C.
This place is a dream! Delectable, and yummy! The cocktails were amazing, the bacon wrapped dates were to die for, and the dinner was fantastic! Loved the intimacy and coziness also! Can't wait to go again!
(5)Ryan S.
This is one of the best tapas style restaurants in Portland, and one of my favorite restaurants overall as well. The best way to experience it is with a group, 4 is a great number because everyone can try a bite of almost all the dishes. If you have 6 or more you can make a reservation which will spare you the lengthy wait you could expect on most nights. Weeknights will be better to get in, but weekends expect at least an hour wait. I went with a large group recently, and was able to try most of the menu items. I had been before and was super impressed with everything I had tried, but because I was with a smaller group I only tried maybe 5-6 items. This time we almost tried it all, and literally everything on the menu was great. I don't think I've ever been to a restaurant where ever single thing on the menu was at such a high level. Drink list is spot on, with a number of great cocktails to choose from and a good wine list as well. There is also the Secret Society above the restaurant that has great drinks if you need a place to drink while you wait for your table.
(5)Joaquin L.
Toro Bravo is one of those restaurants that has an amazing reputation and can be incredibly difficult to get a reservation at. With such high expectations it can be difficult for a place to live up to the hype. Toro Bravo does just this, serving some fantastic food in a relaxed atmosphere that still feels very special. Great for a date night or an evening with your foodie friends, show up ready for fantastic food because you will be served just that.
(5)Jenny H.
I always hear this place being compared to Andina so I've wanted to try it for some time. In my opinion, Andina blows this place away so I probably won't be coming back anytime soon. This place is quite popular so you should plan ahead and make a reservation. My party of 4 ended up waiting about 1.5 hrs on a Friday night. Here's what we tried: BREAD WITH BUTTER & OLIVE OIL ($2) : Mm, just okay. I wouldn't order this again. SALT COD FRITTERS ($9):Fried coated fish. Pretty yummy and a nice dish to start off the meal with. POTATOES BRAVAS ($9) : Home fries served with spicy tomato sauce and aioli. I normally love anything with potatoes but I didn't really like the sauce. Other people seemed to enjoy this dish though. SQUID INK PASTA ($13) : Comes in a sauce of anchovy syrup and egg yolk with lots of hazelnuts. This was my favorite dish of the night and I probably could have eaten one dish just by myself. Loved the flavor and slight bit of spice. PAELLA TORO ($21) : Huge serving of paella that came with chicken, chorizo, shirmp, clams, and mussels. There were a lot ingredients mixed into it and they definitely didn't skimp on the seafood. HOUSE SMOKED COPPA STEAK ($17) : Nice juicy piece of steak with a delicious sauce. ALMOND ICE CREAM WITH A SHOT OF ESPRESSO ($6) : Yay Affogato! My favorite dessert to get. I was expecting to like this a lot since I love anything with almond flavor but I thought the ice cream was too creamy and there was too much of it. I prefer more espresso to my ice cream.
(4)Raia C.
Pros: Server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the food and sherry Food was served quickly after ordering (very little waiting time) Good presentation Great ambience Menu had a good variety, but didn't make you feel bombarded with choices Duck liver terrine was on point! Cons: SALT CENTRAL!!! Don't get me wrong, the food tasted great on the first bite, but after that the salt was overwhelming. Waited an hour to be seated (bad if you're hungry, good because it gives you time to grab a cocktail at the Secret Society Lounge next door) Would I come back here again? Yes. There are other dishes on the menu that sounded amazing and hopefully aren't too salty. Overall a great experience.
(4)Cass M.
Went here for dinner tonight w my husband and arrived 30min before opening to seal a spot! We got the small charcuteria platter which did not disappoint (came w duck mousse, chorizo, pate, house made pickles, mustard, and bread), paella toro (great except the mussels were slightly under and clams were under), bacon wrapped dates (good but sweeter than I thought they'd be), and I got the chefs choice cocktail which was delicious. The drinks took a bit longer than expected but the place was slammed (they comp'd for the wait time). Overall, I was pleased (again) with their service and food - I would definitely come again.
(4)Sudeep B.
We tried the New York kiss, basque piperade, fried empanadas, paella toro..and of course the potatoes Bravas..and none of them disappointed! The ambience is awesome and the food even better! In a food heaven like Portland, it is very difficult for a restaurant to have so many positive reviews and this place deserves every bit of them! A must visit!
(5)Matthew T.
Bravo to Toro Bravo! Great romantic type vibe to this restaurant. I saw several couples here dining and canoodling especially in the more private strip of seating they offer. I've never been to Spain so I can't speak to how faithful these Spanish-influenced tapas were. Overall, I thought the dishes were delicious and very nicely priced. Plus, the service is fantastic and not at all pretentious like you might expect at similar types of restaurants in LA. Great: - Squid Ink Pasta: Nice runny egg yolk was perfect for these noodles. Creamy and delicious. I thought it met the hype. - Coppa Steak: Tasted more like a prime rib but tender and delicious. Good: - Bacon wrapped date: At $2 a pop, it was good and a nice balance of sweet and savory. Pass: - Meatballs w/ tomato almond sauce and peas: recommended by the waitress but ended up being a dud. I'm personally not a fan of tapas but Toro Bravo won me over. A fun night out in Portland for great flavors and good drinks. Bravo!
(4)Christine W.
I would definitely recommend ordering to share with your party. I went on a Friday evening and the wait was an hour to and hour and a half. Dim lighting to set the mood and it was a little loud - played a great selection of songs. The waiter was nice. We ordered: Bacon wrapped dates smothered in honey - a perfect combination of sweet and savory w an almond in the middle, so please beware all you allergic to nuts! Seared scallops - I'd recommend this. It was perfectly seared so that the scallops, which are half of a hockey puck size, were not squishy or too firm. The romesco sauce that came with it, complimented it well. Chicken wrapped with jamon - did you know jamon means Spanish ham? A thin slice of ham wrapped around a tender piece of chicken Paella - oh boy, I think my favorite dish of all! It is kind of like a seafood jambalaya - the rice was drenched in a savory sauce. I think this is good to share bc it does feel saltier as you eat more, but a good kind of salty :) I'd come back but maybe on an off day so the wait isn't too long.
(4)Mark A.
Expect the Wait ... But OMG. Oxtail Croquettes, Paella, OMG. I wish they had an option for a Large order of Paella.
(4)Ryan C.
Disliked immensely despite the Octopus. Why must John Gorham write off every 1 out of every 8 guests by seating them in the old coat closet (to the right just as you walk in). It was impossible to enjoy my meal when seated inches across from someone. Think the tables at St Jacks NW and then trim trim trim. I remember liking something with a beany texture, but the service alongside the ambience rendered it all null. Dishes come out as the kitchen readies them, which is to say that the convenience of the house comes at the expense of your dining experience. Bacon dates, for example, came at the very end after the casseroles. You try to go with it, but your brain overrides you and screams "weird!". MEC follows this same playbook yet somehow the Tasty and Etcs do not. Except at MEC they will remove you if you stay over your allotted two hours. Luckily this restaurateur has deigned to allow a more humane dining experience at his Tasty and Etc. Those, happily, are amazing.
(3)Laura W.
I'm excited by tapas because you get to taste-test so many different dishes. I enjoy its sister restaurants, Tasty n Sons and Tasty n Alder, but this place wasn't terribly impressive. Food The prices seemed inconsistent for the items, which made me focus more on the inconsistency and racking up of the bill more than the food itself. You'd have to spend a pretty penny to leave satisfied, or else you just need to go in knowing which items to order. The grilled octopus had an amazing texture but $17 seems like a lot for the meager, unshareable portion. The lamb with apricot and coriander was melt in your mouth fantastic, but the portion again was too small to share and too meager for the price. It came with a single pepper as garnish and barely any lamb. The dates and bacon had great reviews, but it had far too much date-to-bacon ratio. It was like eating a big sugar ball. The charturie grande and paella were nice, and fine portions to share, consistent with price. Drinks Cocktails were nice but not unusual or exceptional. Great bartender and great service. Ambiance It is bustling and it's a walk-in place for small groups, so expect a wait. We were ultimately seated in a crowded back area where it was so hot that we had to get up on occasion to take a breath of fresh air. The noise level was too high to enjoy a conversation, and the place is so bustling it felt a little too hectic to enjoy the meal. If I went back, it would be with a group of friends and a small appetite.
(2)Cezary W.
Interesting variations on Spanish themes using genuine Northwest ingredients. Very desired, long waiting lines. Small portions. The "two dollar" rating is thus deceiving.
(4)Shani J.
Not sure if we missed something, but the food was really unimpressive. Loved the atmosphere and service, but I've had way better tapas elsewhere.
(3)David K.
If you're waiting for the long wait at Ox, drop by here while you can because you can grab a sweat or standing table here a bit sooner :) Our group enjoyed some of the tapas here as starters before our meaty meal at Ox. The charcuterie plate and squid ink pasta were my favorite dishes! Also, the potato bravas is simple yet delicious! Service here was awesome as well, we dropped our knives a couple of times due to the lack of space with our party of 5. They literally were there to get us a new knife every time!
(4)Stephanie K.
If you don't want to wait 2 hours for a table, get here 15 minutes before they open at 5pm. There was a huge line (20+ people) outside the door at 4:55! Crazy. It's a pretty trendy restaurant, and they have an open kitchen (loooove). An extensive menu made for tough decision making #firstworldproblems My favorites: -Potatoes bravas. Slightly crispy with a tangy tomatoey sauce. Mmmmm carbs -Bread with olive oil and butter. Haha...the bread is really good -Squid ink pasta. Prob one of the most unique dishes I've ever had. It comes with a raw egg yolk (mix it in) and anchovy sauce. Yum. We also had the house cured sobrasada -- the meat was pretty oily so it was hard to eat, but I really liked the honey on it! It comes with pickled leeks (I think?), which are to die for!!!!!! Want moar nowwww. Service is also exceptional!
(4)Lisa E.
I took my sister and her husband here for dinner, and there were some stand outs, and some so-so dishes. I am fairly picky, but this is the place to be honest: The standouts: The terrine de foie gras with toasted challah, the roasted fava beans with Jamon, the braised lamp with egg noodle pasta and the Paella (the Paella was too salty, but just asked them to limit the salt, then salt to taste. Do NOT miss the fried anchovies with crisped slices of lemon and thin onion! (Get two orders, in fact). The rice on the Paella was nicely crispy around the edges and filled with green peas and bits of crispy sausage. This is importants! For a nice dining experience, send someone there around 5:00 to 5:30, and put your name in for a 7 or 8 o'clock reservation... Then, your wait will be just long enough to order a drink and you will be seated pronto! Other wise the wait is silly, and there is no place to sit down. Also, it is very noisy, so do not go on a first date, or with a large table if you want to actually talk. The wines and sherry's were well represented and the sangria was nice.
(4)Amy H.
I give this place 3.5 stars. We actually walked 1.5 miles from Screen Door to here because we were trying to do two dinners since SOME people were craving the squid ink pasta. It is in a random sorta sketch area and then all of a sudden there is civilization. Exaggerated but it's all good. There is outdoor seating and everyone was mostly indoors but it was soo damn hot in there that we just waited for outdoor seating. We got a pitcher of dranks, corn, and squid ink pasta. That corn was actually delicious! Who knew the highlight of this meal would have been the corn. I recommend cutting the kernals off and mixing all the goodies together. The squid ink was very small and couldnt really taste that yolk on top. Interesting concept but defs not what I imagined or wanted me squid ink to be. Next time I will try again and torture my friends to walk for days to get squid ink. We love squid ink.
(4)Mindy D.
I wish I had tried Toro Bravo sooner when I lived in PDX, since it has been in my bookmarks for forever. However, better late than never. It was one of the best stops I made during my last visit to Portland. Sunday night and there was no wait for a table for 3. Mr. Host was a hottie and quickly seated us in the middle of the restaurant. Pitcher of sangria to start and then came the tapas. The cod fritters were not fishy at all. They were lightly crispy and soft in the center, and paired well with the tartar sauce. I can't remember the second dish, but it was served in a clay bowl with pork and clams and crostini for dipping. The star of the night was definitely the paella. Generous portion and lots of fresh seafood! I only wish there was more soccarat, the crispy bottom! For the prices, portions, and quality of food, this was an excellent way to end our trip. Most tapas restaurants tend to overcharge for their small portions, but I found Toro Bravo's prices very reasonable! Service was attentive without being overbearing. I'd definitely recommend this place and can't wait to come back myself.
(5)Devon D.
I had heard nothing but rave reviews of Toro Bravo before I went for dinner last night and I couldn't wait to try it. Needless to say, my expectations were pretty high, especially after eating at Toro's sister restaurant, Tasty & Sons, earlier this week (AMAZING!!!). Unfortunately, Toro Bravo did not, in my opinion, live up to all the hype. There was no hostess anywhere to be seen for several minutes while we stood at the door, getting blasted with cold air every time someone walked in or out. But, when she did arrive she was friendly and we were seated within 15 minutes. In the meantime, we were able to order drinks at their one "waiting" bar table. Our server was super friendly, which I truly appreciate, especially in a town with so many surly servers, but she wasn't able to describe any of the meals beyond "oh, that one is really good!" or "that's one of my favorite dishes." Also, her service was pretty terrible. My friend ordered paella which takes 25 minutes to cook while I looked over the menu, but no one came to take my order anytime in the next half an hour, so I had to order my meal after his had already arrived. The menu was interesting, but the food was sadly, kind of average. I think the expectations I had from all the recommendations and from eating at Tasty & Sons led to my disappointment. Had I not expected this place to blow my mind, I probably would've given it 4 stars. Worth a go, though. :)
(3)Bill K.
Wonderful paella. Great service and atmosphere. Can't wait to go back.
(4)CeeCee P.
There was something peculiar about Toro Bravo that left me speechless... Maybe it was the host who looked like she could be a Spanish dancer... or the glowing atmosphere of the restaurant that lured me in... or maybe it was the fact that by the end of the meal, I felt like I hardly ate anything... but felt super full! No wait... come to think of it though, I believe I was enchanted most by the quality of Toro Bravo's food. Everything that we ordered was exquisitely prepared... As my first experience of polenta, I found that Toro Bravo's baked polenta was surprisingly delicious... the flavors of the roast beef, cheese, roasted tomatoes and pesto melded together very smoothly.. The paella, divinely crafted with sweet mussels, smoky chorizo, juicy clams, plump shrimps and tender chicken, was the best I've ever had... need I say more?? The smoked steak was a little less memorable, but was very soft, considering that it was a chuck steak. I'll admit that I'm not a huge fan of burgers.. until I met bacon.. and manchego! Toro Bravo's burger is honestly the best burger I've ever had in my life... EVER!! The medium rare meat was amazing... the sauce was mouth-watering... the pickles were delightfully sweet... the bacon was perfectly cooked and the manchego cheese was just the cherry on top.. yum yum! We ended our evening nicely with the olive oil cake, and don't let the name it scare you off! The texture of the cake reminded me of a dense, moist sponge cake that had a pleasant lemon-y taste to it. I am completely captivated by Toro Bravo, but I'm not speechless enough to say that I will definitely come back! :)
(5)Anna M.
Consistently good food every time. Everything is rich and heavy, so indulge. I especially love the 90s hip hop music and efforts to keep this place young and hip. I can get down to eating my radicchio salad even though most of the diners (when I look around) seem way older, conservative, and buttoned up.
(4)Jane C.
So you know when you are going to a good restaurant when there is a line on a weekday evening before the place opens up for dinner service at 5pm. This place is AWESOME!!!! Watch out taste buds and get ready for a journey filled with flavor Listed is below are the items we ordered and the review for each item: * the Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey - YUM!! Sweet dates n honey along with smokey salty bacon. What a combo * Sautéed Calamari with white beans & parsley - Cooked to perfection. The calamari was tender and not overcooked. The white beans filled with flavor and melts in your mouth * A bowl of Harira Moroccan lamb & lentil stew with house buttermilk cheese - the lentils were filling, the lamb was tasty and the cheese tied everything together * Roasted Eggplant & Lamb Ragu with sweet peppers & mahon - This was like an open face lasagna in one layer. The cracked olives definitely added even more flavor into this dish * Paella Toro with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams & mussels - This dish has surf and turf with a bundle of flavor * Olive Oil Cake with apple caramel - tender and sweet * Caramel Panna Cotta - this is heaven! I could have 10 of these in one sitting * A Pitcher of Sangria - Now who doesn't like candy in liquid form If you are in Portland, this is a definite must go to place. However, you can easily miss this place driving by since it is hidden within a residential area. The only thing that caught our eye was the line forming outside and the bull silhouette. If you dont like to wait, make sure to get here early at 5pm or make reservations.
(5)Jordan S.
I will definitely say for Portland Foodies this is more of an average staple type of restaurant. I expected to be wow'd. Everything I had on the menu was great, the server was helpful, and the drinks were just right, but nothing really blew me away. I would say it is worth trying a few times, or bringing a friend from out of town. The homemade noodles were great, squid ink pasta was tasty, potatoes yumm, French Kiss was just Eh, paella GREAT, seared cauliflower just Eh (tasty n sons is better), Oxtail Croquettes yumm, and the couple making out next to us made for an interesting sight. At 8:00 p.m. on a Tuesday we waited 5 minutes.
(4)Bill E.
Damn, the food here is good! so good! Make a reservation, because they're busy. Been here a few times and have yet to have anything bad... I think I'll go there now!
(5)W C.
Nice, fun atmosphere and the service is friendly. I'm not a fan of the community seating so it was nice to see that they have traditional seating options. Overall, the food is pretty good. I've been here a couple of times and enjoy coming here. If memory serves me, the oxtail croquet's were slightly on the sweet side and lacked oxtail flavor but otherwise, the other dishes were all pretty good. 3.5-4 stars.
(3)Hana J.
I came here with a large party of 10 on my graduation night, and every member of my party left in a food-induced-daze, stumbling out of the restaurant wondering if what had just occurred had happened on this planet. After reading some of the other reviews, I can see how our experience might have been different, but from my point of view, there was really almost nothing that could have been changed to make it a better night. The reservations were handled brilliantly, and some of my party were even able to be seated early while they waited for the rest. Each of us ordered the tasting menu, which was essentially the chef sending out whatever he/she wanted to! It was really great, because none of us had any idea what was coming next. Each dish was better than the last! I could really go on and on about the food, but in particular, the Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash, Duck Liver Terrine, and Caramel Panna Cotta were phenomenal. My grandmother even wrote down the name of the wine she had because it was so great. For atmosphere, I'm not sure if I was just not paying attention as I was basking in the glory of being a newly matured fish in the shark-infested waters of the global economy, but I only noticed positive things about their music, funky wallpaper, and trendy bulls everywhere. The only thing that could have been done was a change of plates - after the first three dishes or so the small plates were just too small! That and I'm OCD about my foods touching each other... To end on a high note, this was some of the best food I've had in PDX, and considering the range of characters in my extended family that dined with us, it was amazing that everyone left so content and full. I say BRAVO to Toro Bravo!
(5)Michelle T.
We were visiting friends in Portland and they took us to Toro Bravo. When I heard the wait was 1.5 hours, I was hesitant to wait that long, but our friends assured us it was worth it. We went for a drink elsewhere while they took our cellphone number and in 90 minutes on the dot our table was ready. The only drawback was how difficult it was to make a decision. Everything we tried was phenomenal. I would have liked to do the chef's tasting menu, but our dining companions didn't want to. I will next time for sure. Because even though we live 2.5 hours north of Portland, we will be back to Toro Bravo.
(5)Todd B.
Maybe you should start taking reservations for smaller parties. I'm not waiting over an hour when I'm visiting a city because you think you're too cool for them.
(1)Das K.
Have eaten here many times over the last few years... Lots of reviews here and for good reason. Personally I find this place one of my favorites for a few reasons: 1.) Great service... even when uber crazy they always have the room under control. 2.) Sitting at the chef's bar is a very cool show, watching everything being made and figuring out what you want to try is awesome. 3.) The food... almost everything is bombastic. Somethings are a miss, but just an ever so slight miss. The place is almost always packed, and even when they open there is a crowd growing 10 minutes before. If you haven't tried it you should... great with a group or with two, or probably even with one at the bar.
(5)Naomi D.
After waiting for an hour, my tummy was ready to partake of some delicious food...and Toro Bravo did not let me down! My husband and I shared a couple dishes and they were all super yummy. Well, that was until we received our Paella. But let me start off with the good stuff... We ate and enjoyed: - a grilled flat bread with truffle cheese topped with arugula (totally yum!) - bacon wrapped dates with honey (delicious, but needing a little acidity/tartness....maybe some goat cheese?) - homemade pasta with pepper cream sauce (homemade pasta...need I say more?) -crepes with lemon curd and cream (smooth, creamy and perfectly tart!) We ate and tried to enjoy: - the Paella...(The flavor was complex and developed, but was heavily salted and had burnt areas. Perhaps the stock/broth had reduced too much and/or is was simply overcooked. But the saltiness had me downing water and left me disappointed.) Yet Toro Bravo still redeemed itself with the lemon curd crepes and truffle cheese flat bread! My mouth is starting to water just thinking about it... So, Toro Bravo I will give you are hefty pat on the back...but will save a true bravo for the perfect Paella the next time around.
(4)Massarra F.
I still have dreams of Toro Bravo. Why oh why can't we have places like this in San Diego???? If you are into tapas and trying different things on menus, this is definitely a place to check out. My friend and I went here, after she saw some recommendations for it on, what do you know....YELP! We must have gotten there at the right time, because we were seated immediately (it was probably 7pm on a Saturday night), but we noticed it got very busy after we arrived. Let me just tell you, we had a VERY hard time deciding what to order because everything sounded amazing. After a few recommendations from our friendly waitress, we decided to order the Seared Scallops with romesco, Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette, House Smoked Coppa Steak with olive oil poached potatoes, chopped olives & salbitxada , Harissa Stewed Summer Squash with crumbled sheep's cheese & mint, and because of a mistake in the kitchen there was an extra order of some sort of fava bean (I think) dish. I have to say, I wasn't a big fan of the last dish, but everything else was wonderful! Even the large pitcher of Sangria we ordered was refreshing! Let's just say we walked out of there very satisfied, probably bit fuller than we should have been. But I guess that's what you would expect of a tourist, deciding that the best way to explore Portland is to eat her way through the city...
(5)Adam B.
Just do it! A friend recommended this place as a his favorite restaurant in Portland and I can see why. We were a group of four and each of us ordered about 2 tapas to share, all of which were amazing. The scallops seemed to be the group favorite but it was tough to decide. I regret not trying the Moroccan Tuna but now we have a reason to go back; that along with the house made limoncello. This is a fun dining experience and some of the most savory dishes I've had in a long time.
(5)Adam T.
Man, this place is consistantly great! I've been here on 5 separate occasions with different company as well as by myself and it has never let me down. They are great at getting you a seat. Even if you have to wait for a few, you can warm up with one of their delicious hand-crafted cocktails. The food is the real gem. In all honesty, every dish I've had here is amazing. From the salted almonds to the dates to the basque piperade, it's a hit. Do yourself a favor and get here!
(5)Safford B.
We came here on a recent trip to Portland, and were pleased with what Toro Bravo had to offer. It was a busy night, so we sat at the bar with a good view of everything coming out of the kitchen. I wish we had come with more people so that we could have ordered a more diverse set of things to try! Here is the rundown of what we had to order: White Sangria (3/5) - We thought the sangria lacked a little punch (no pun intended), both in terms of flavor and alcohol. Fried Green Tomatoes (3/5) - Good quality green tomatoes, fried to perfection. Not the highlight of the night, though. Bacon-Wrapped Dates (4/5) - This is a must-order. The honey glaze is what sets these dates apart from similar preparations at other restaurants. Manchego & Paprika Fritters (4/5) - We typically only order one fried tapa, but ended up with two this time. If we had to choose, we'd pick the fritters over the fried green tomatoes, because the flavor profile seemed more developed. Paella Toro (5/5) - This dish was the winner, and is the reason that we will come back to Toro Bravo when we return to Portland. The seafood was cooked to perfection, and chicken was tender, the chorizo had the right amount of spice, and the rice was amazingly flavored. We found ourselves scraping the bottom of the pan to get all of the crispy, caramelized rice after the rest of the paella was long gone.
(4)Robert C.
You have to go here it is excelent. all the food is excelent.
(5)Grace C.
I was looking forward to trying this place with my friend but as soon as we walked in the rudest waitress in the world greeted us at the door. I was basically trying to sign us up for a table when a girl came over and said: "No, no, no...that is not how we do it here" in the most condescending tone. She then grabbed the pencil I was holding and angrily erased my name and the couple's name in front of me. She did not even bother to explain or make eye contact. She continued to ignore us and pretended to look for the hostess. Apparently, they had a hostess assigned to do that for us but how the f*ck should we know? It was my first time there and the hostess was MIA. What I do know is that is NOT how you treat customers. What a horrible b*tch! If you are miserable with your job and don't have any people skills then don't work in a restaurant!! I've never experienced such bad treatment. We decided to walk out and take our business somewhere else.
(1)Mike J.
Amazing! Had a large group, did the Chefs Tasting menu and enjoyed two hours of culinary bliss! Stop reading this review and go!
(5)Alison P.
Yes, they certainly do live up to the hype with phenom tapas and libations. Scoring a table in the "nook" makes for easier and cozier conversation than the main dining room.
(4)Adam A.
Top tier food: no where in Portland that I have been is better. Also, great drinks, fun staff, overall, a must try. Yes, there is an insane wait. Come before you get hungry, put your name on the list, and go upstairs for a drink at Secret Society. I went with a group of 8 people at prime time on a Friday night and they had us seated within an hour. The do take reservations, but not for Friday or Saturday.
(5)Anna S.
Ahhhhh, finally I got to try this place! The food is just magical. I was with a group of 5 and we tried so many things... Favorites? The tender scallops, the creamy chanterelles on griddled bread, and oh my god the caramel panna cotta! (OMGTCPC!) And OMG the ahi! The drunken pork! The squash dumplings! Ohhhh, the griddled shrimp with chiles... I even loved things I normally dislike, such as dates (but these were BACON-WRAPPED dates!) and lamb (and I had some lamb chop, braised lamb, and lamb bacon there... that's right, I said LAMB BACON!). And sausage! Wow, the chorizo (in the paella) and the North African Sausages - so rich. But you don't have to be so rich to eat here. As you can tell, we kinda went nuts ordering - 3-4 plates each, MANY beers, a bottle of cava, and 3 desserts... totally $50 each (before tip). Totally reasonable for the beautiful, gorgeous food. The only thing that disappointed me was the paella - it was a good dish but not as great as the others. It's the first time I've had paella though, so maybe I just don't care for the dish? I always thought I'd love it though... so will have to try it elsewhere. But as much as we gorged, I feel I have only scratched the surface of their exquisite menu. I'll be back... and back... and back!
(5)Jodi S.
If it were not for Yelp, I would have never found this gem. I was in Portland for only a few nights on a short vacation and really wanted to eat out at the best rated places in town. Some friends I hadn't seen in years and I headed over to Toro Bravo for tapas and drinks. It lived up to every expectation I had. When we got there, the place was poppin' and we squeezed into the waiting alcove and ordered a couple of drinks while looking over the menu. Not more than 15 minutes passed and the servers immediately moved us when a comfortable table opened up. All the dishes we ordered were amaaazing. I especially loved the bacon wrapped dates, duck liver mousse terrine, and harissa stewed butternut squash. Delish! The dishes came in steadily so we didn't have to wait long in between each one. Remember that Pinchos, Tapas, Paellas are normally in smaller portions so keep your portion expectations realistic. The ambience was great and I really loved the decor, modern artsy and refined. Toro Bravo was one of the highlights of my trip (gee, that makes me sound a little less than exciting.) But really, a definite must when in Portland!
(5)Desmond S.
Great ambiance. Great food. Great time. I really enjoyed this place. The two dishes ordered were the Paella Toro and the Moorish Lamb Chops. Personally, I felt the chorizo flavor was a bit strong in the Paella but I still loved every mouthful. Careful! Skillet is hot. The Moorish Lamb Chops were just about perfect. Not over done and almost no gaminess in the Lamb. The potatoes were cooked soft which I liked and the GF didn't. I ordered another dish (rabbit hash) which they were out so our waiter comp'd us a free salad because of it. Very nice. Very nice spot. Highly recommend to stop by if you are in the Portland area.
(5)Tani S.
Wow, I thought I knew tapas. For years growing up in Chicago, we would go to one of the best spots there (Cafe Babareeba) and then when we lived in Boston we visited Jose Andreas' Jaleo in DC... but nothing compared to our experience tonight at Toro Bravo. And then to receive a bill at half the price I was expecting to pay... I'm quite shocked and can't wait to go back! As we've started to become accustomed to in our six months in Portland, we showed up twenty minutes before the restaurant opened to see a line. Similar to us, there were other families with children. I think it's a great spot to go with kids as long as you're there early. (I would feel half guilty going later since our three year old's presence would ruin a bit of the romantic atmosphere of some couples we saw on dates as we were exiting). We really enjoyed the charcuterie board (my husband hadn't expected to love the liver mousse so much), salt cod fritters (our preschooler loved them so much we ordered a second plate of them), and potatoes brava. Our favorite dish was the very rare house smoked coppa steak and its sweet accompaniment of salbitxada, I wanted to lick the plate clean. The one dish we could have skipped was the north african sausage with fries, it was only ok. Such a wonderful cozy space... definitely looking forward to heading back soon.
(5)Nobody M.
Judging by how crowded it was, I expected a bit more. Perhaps we ordered all the wrong things? Eggplant Sharecroppers Lamb Chops Olive Oil Cake Polenta Salt Cod Fritters Don't get me wrong--nothing was bad. It's just that nothing was incredible, either.
(3)Trevor J.
Went to Toro Bravo for our 3 year anniversary, but sat at the bar due to the 1 hour wait (understandably for a Saturday night). We still had a great time and would recommend the restaurant to anyone in Portland. Also, props to our bartender Mindy for her help with our wine selection.
(5)Anton Z.
Prepare for the unexpected! The menu is fantastic and well balanced, but with some amazing twists and turns. We went here because the tapas place we'd been to before couldn't take us, and I'm so glad they couldn't! We elected to do the "Chefs Tasting", which for about $25 gave us eight different tapas in addition to bread with great olive oil and butter. The tapas are all from the menu, so it gave us a balanced selection of things we wouldn't have thought of. Manchego with chorizo and sherry jam was a fun pairing, but the sherry jam was almost overpowering, so don't use too much. This came alongside the dates with bacon and honey, which had a smoky flavor from the Spanish paprika (one hint - there is an almond inside the date...it's not the pit!). Raddichio salad with an olive tapenade was refreshing and bright, but the pimento de padrones blew us away! These salted and roasted peppers were finger food that inspired us to make them at home. The chili grilled shrimp we're hard to eat but still good, and the grilled corn with cilantro pesto was a surprising match. We'd never done the cilantro pesto thing, and it was a nice balance with the sweetness of the corn. The jamon wrapped chicken was savory and salty, with manchego giving it an additional dimension. Finally, the drunken pork with avocado salad was competent, though it lost some of the flavor because it came after the heavy hitting chicken. Overall, such a great, well priced tasting. Definitely somewhere we'll come back to when we visit Portland again.
(4)Lisa T.
I preface this by saying that I have zero sympathy for those who complain about the wait at Toro. I went most recently on a Monday night, around 8:30 and yes, the husband and I waited for at least 30 minutes for a table. On a Monday! But I am a smart girl, so I knew it was coming. And they do everything possible to make it, if not enjoyable, a bearable wait. The server immediately came over and asked us for drink orders as we waited, and recommend some small plates we could enjoy while at the waiting area. When first round was gone, she was johnny-on-the-spot for getting the next round. The husband and I used our time effectively for planning out our meal strategy. We are natural meal-sharers, often switching plates mid-meal, so Toro Bravo is our kind of groove. The plates come out staggered, never more than two at time for couples, and everything is meant to be split. Heaven. I had recently been introduced to pork rillettes at Beast and having loved them, we decided to give Toro's version a try. Holy warm pork and orange marmalade happiness. It was rich and warm and lovely. The fat content of the rillete contrasted really well with the not sweet marmalade's acidity. Rillette is often served cold, but I really enjoyed their piping hot version. The lamb with chorizo was lovely, and as always the coppa steak was our favorite. There is something vaguely bacon-y in the taste of the meat and it is a substantial addition to the meal, more than enough for two to share. One day, I will think far enough ahead to leave room for dessert, but alas, this was not that day.
(5)Jessica B.
I have been here three different times, and each time it is great. The first time i went, i picked random things off their tapas list, but the last two times i have opted for the chef's choice. SUCH A GOOD choice! they just roll out plate after plate. I get to try things i wouldn't pick off the list, and it's a great price. I have never had anything i didn't love. They also have great mixed drinks, and their staff is great at what they do. On my last visit, i was there with someone younger than me, the hostess looked right at him and asked if everyone in our party was over 21? Oh yes, i'm just a craddle robber..............thanks for asking, and isn't he pretty?
(5)Dipanjan B.
Food was delicious. We had Moroccan lamb, steak, cod fritters, spicy sausage for dinner and ended with molten chocolate cake. Everything was awesome. Will visit again.
(5)Kristen G.
Toro Bravo is really great! Had the braised pork with avocado salad, gazpacho and meatballs. Everything was top notch. We had a two hour wait, but we just headed over to Secret Society for a couple of drinks. The wait staff at Toro Bravo was really friendly and helpful. Will definitely go back.
(4)Amber L.
One of the best restaurants in Portland! Extremely delicious. I've tried to go here twice without success because I was unwilling to do the 2.5 + hour wait. Went about 30 minutes after opening on a week night, and there was no wait right for 2 people. Here are the highlights! Creme Brulee Panna Cotta- One of the most incredible desserts of all time. I found myself fantasizing about this dessert for a good week. Brussel Sprouts- Immensely delicious. If you like this, I'd recommend the brussel sprouts from Saucebox. Other favorites: Paella Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse Bacon Wrapped Dates Potatos Bravas
(5)Kim S.
This place was terrible. I give this place zero stars because they ruined a great night with their poor service and lack of friendliness. The service was horrible--We had two drinks before arriving at the restaurant and they waited over an hour because they deemed us 'too drunk'...after talking to us for moments.. So our waitress failed to bring us drinks for over an hour after we ordered them. After our food arrived, I had to go to the manager inside to get a water refill my water after it was empty for over 20 minutes- at 10 PM, toro bravo was less than busy.. When complaining to the manager about the service and trying to explain the situation, the manager became defensive instead of understanding or even just listening to the problem we had. This was absolutely the worst dining experience I have EVER had, and I will neither return, nor recommend this to anyone. The food wasn't even good enough to make up for the terrible service.
(1)Emily S.
My husband and I were looking to try a new restaurant for our anniversary dinner and since we love Tasty n Sons, we decided to give Toro Bravo a try. We got there right at 5pm so we wouldn't have to wait in line. As with Tasty n Sons, it was fun to try and share lots of different small plates. We enjoyed everything we tried, with the exception of the Potatoes Bravas which we both found to be kind of gross. Our server was great and was helpful with offering recommendations we had trouble making up our minds. We tried so many different dishes but still managed to find room for dessert and thank goodness we did! My caramel panna cotta was amazing and the mister enjoyed his olive oil cake as well. It was a wonderful meal and we will definitely be back!
(4)Kody L.
A Monday night visit meant there was no wait, though our only option was the bar. Okay by me! Glad to see there was some Dry Soda on the menu -- I'm in love with it! The bacon-wrapped dates are a staple. Get them! Pass on the foie gras-stuffed prunes (French Kisses); they're blah. I thought it was really weird to order one at a tapas restaurant, but I think the bacon burger might be one of the best in town. There's something about their house-cured bacon. Try it! It's filling and only $9. Combined with the halibut, our order was surprisingly cheap -- not that a $20+ meal with drinks is super cheap, but for how much you hear about Toro Bravo and the swanky atmosphere, I was fearing much more. I really think this place is great, but I can't give it five stars. I seriously never crave this place, for some reason. If you know any bacon-addicts, then seriously bring them here.
(4)Sapna P.
This place is great! We ordered so many tapas I felt like we ordered the entire menu. We enjoyed everything we ordered. Just make sure you arrive a little early because I do not think they take reservations and the place was packed and we waited an hour to be seated.
(5)Vince B.
Great experince everytime! I always get the chef's choice and I am never dissapointed! One of my favorites. Bacon wrapped dates to die for!
(5)Tiffany Cheri C.
Pinchos, tapas and chacuterie Oh My! I do crave the bacon wrapped dates and french kiss, but have yet to try anything I didn't like. The more the merrier when dining at this Portland establishment for foodies still in love with small plates. Go hungry and with dining companions who your willing to share with!
(4)Rob D.
I'm between 3.5 and 4 stars here on my gastronomigasm scale. I didn't dislike anything but then I didn't fall in love with anything. Given the time I've had between last night and this morning to further digest the experience, I now find that the prices are a little bit high. I was hoping to be blown away in the flavor department. It just didn't happen. There was plenty to feast the eyes on. The patrons here really are a full spectrum of what Portland has to offer. The interior of this establishment is well thought out for the space they have to work with, the lighting was great, and the exposed kitchen was entertaining. The staff was lovely and accommodating. The wonderful server that worked with us doctored up a menu to help guide me to dishes that would avoid adverse reaction with my food allergies. If I were to rate the service, they would get five stars. It was loud enough that we could tune out the duke and duchess of douchebag sitting next to us. This has nothing to do with the establishment, but added to our experience. I just hope that couple doesn't procreate. Of all the dishes we sampled, the best was the seared scallop dish. Kudos for having Caldera Pilsner on tap. One of the finest breweries in Oregon and by far the best in Southern Oregon. I will not be headed back here anytime soon. I am happy to say that I have been, but won't be telling friends to run to Toro Bravo.
(3)Miranda R.
Best in town Salt Cod fritters, I am at the point where I don't even pretend that I could share with my dining companions, I just order one for me and one for everyone else. A little salt heavy, so just be aware, but it's so worth the sodium hangover! No worries about the inevitable wait, that's what Secret Society is for!
(5)Kate B.
Above and Beyond! It is most telling about a place when you observe how they handle it when something goes wrong. I was visiting home and went here with my parents and husband. We were having a lovely dinner when a problem arose with one of the dishes. We informed the waitress of the issue and she stepped into action. I have never seen a place more apologetic and willing to make up for what was a minor mistake. She informed the kitchen and apologized profusely. Then when we were finished with our dinner, the desserts started coming. She brought an incredible variety of desserts and sherries. When the bill came, neither the dish with an issue not any of the deserts or wines were on the bill. It all seems to be a bit over the top, but in a fantastic way. I made us feel that our business and dining experience was truly important to them. This is definitely the place to go for excellent food and incredible service!
(5)Tony N.
Yummy, yummy food!! Good service. These guys really understand flavors and preparation! Dishes are small, not cheap but super tasty!
(4)Phil S.
No reservations and a two hour wait? There weren't that many people in line outside. What gives?
(2)Monsieur a.
I write this with a heavy heart, folks, but I fear Toro Bravo has entered its twilight. The signs of decline are still subtle but unmistakable. No long lines on a Sunday at 7 pm, despite the maitre d's vaguely self-righteous claim of a 45 min wait that morphed into 10. Dishes that start arriving 4 minutes after the waitress left our table with our order yet are barely warm. Unevenly heated dishes that hint of microwave use. The waiter never thought to inquire how we liked our burger cooked, and it was as done as the Vibram soles under your mountaineering boots. The crowd was down a notch. Indifferent service spouting scripted banter like Safeway checkout clerks. The steak tasted great but was gristly. The same menu and the same dishes we all know and love, but they felt... uninspired. Hopefully it was just a one time thing, but with John Gorham busy opening Tasty n'NNN and being PDX's Wolfgang Puck may I be forgiven for not feeling optimistic? Good thing Ox is around.
(3)J M.
Can't do 5 stars because I have only been here once! This place was fabulous though...from the staff to the tapas. The service was great. Went with a girlfriend and we sat up at the bar area for tapas and sangria. It was nice to watch the food being prepared. The atmosphere was relaxing and we really enjoyed ourselves. The waitress tended to our needs was sweet and knew when to come and ask us if we needed anything and when to let us just enjoy. Everything we ordered was delicious! The bacon wrapped dates, shrimp dish, nuts, pickled veggies....we tried a few and they were all fab. I will be back for sure with my hubby as we are moving up there next month! I look forward to this being our new fave tapas bar :)
(4)Eric A.
Consistently good food, friendly staff and a fun atmosphere. The tables are padded with sound-muffling material to keep the raucous atmosphere intimate - big plus!
(4)Joel K.
Not sure why this was the best rated tapas bar in town. It's tiny, and in a borderline neighborhood. (about 6 years ago a prostitute tried to eagerly sell me her wares here at 3 in the afternoon.) The place was full on a Friday evening which was good but no line out the door. The menu items were highly recommended by our staff. We shared Potatoes Bravas, House Smoked Coppa Steak with confit potatoes & chopped olives & salbitxada, glass of Red 08 Artazuri, Navarra, Harira, moroccan lamb & lentil stew, Tortilla Espanola with nettles. All I'd had to eat that entire day before our brisk 1-hour walk around the waterfront was a banana and a small bag of trail mix so the food should have been sublime. But, to generalize I would say that the flavors were simple, over salty, and dry. I got the feeling that if I googled a few tapas recipes I could outshine them in my home kitchen for half of what we paid. Items may have been canned or previously frozen. Even the flavors that were good just weren't ample enough!
(2)J W.
Without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Portland. For the price, it IS the best. There are no reservations so make sure you are willing to wait 30 min to an hour, on Friday and Saturday, even longer. But it is worth the wait. The music is great, as is the service. Everyone is really nice and helpful. The food comes out tapas style, which I love. There are so many great plates on the menu. If the wait is too long here, go to Tasty and Sons, the sister restaurant to Toro Bravo. It's equally as delicious, but tends to have less of a wait time for dinner.
(5)Angie Q.
I'm apparently a fan of places with horns ;) Remember the wait can be quite long esp during busy nights so be sure to leave enough time to wait it out. It's worth it. There's a small seated waiting area where you can dine and drink. It only fits a few, and always seems to be full. I didn't know there was a bar upstairs! Tip: Order sangria while you're waiting. It makes waiting by the breezy door more bearable =) I have a problem when I eat Spanish Tapas. I tend to order too much, and it all is scarfed down too fast. Combine that with wine or sangria and I honestly don't remember most of what I ordered. But let's see.. We started with the duck liver mousse terrine w/morels & house made sidra mustard. It was creamy and delicious on both the pita and crisp bread. Empanada w/braised lamp, harissa & mint. Mmmmmh dumpling goodness! The only dish I thought was mediocre was the baked polenta with roast beef, pepper & onions. Pretty good, but nothing special. We ordered a few more that I don't recall... And of course finished dinner off with molten chocolate cake w/vanilla ice cream and grilled bacon wrapped dates with warm honey. Yes, I do consider bacon wrapped dates with honey a dessert. Who wouldn't? I've got to say the liver and bacon wrapped dates were the shinning stars of my meal. I'm going back this week! Service was impeccable, though they seemed to always be in a hurry.
(4)Ash. A.
Wow, they have actually managed to make food better than sex. I think a round of applause is in order. I went on a lady date here last night, and although I knew this place was supposed to be good, I was skeptical. We ordered a plethora of tapas. A few of my favorites were oh so amazing leeks(I had no idea leeks could taste so good), the roasted butternut squash with sheep's milk cheese (a must order!) and the sole (which was a large portion and super yummy). We finished off our meal with a boozy, drinkable dessert. All the coffee drinks were great and I don't believe you could go wrong with any of them. So thank you Toro Bravo for the foodgasm. I need a cigarette.
(5)Kira K.
The bf and I braved the infamous line and were able to get first seating at the bar for dinner at 5pm. Due to our proximity with the barkeep,we ordered two very strong cocktails. It took us a while to get through the menu (it's VERY extensive), and decided on the fried anchovies with fennel and lemon ($7), the spicy octopus and prawn stew ($10) and the house smoked coppa steak with olive oil, poached potatoes, chopped olives, and salbitxada (a Spanish sauce) ($14). Surprisingly, I can honestly say that I'd never order any of these items every again if I were to return here...The anchovies were good but a little too lemony, and the seafood stew was a tad too fishy. I don't know what to make of the coppa steak. It wasn't coppa nor steak...it had the taste and consistency of overcooked pork. Hard to eat. Not a fan. But I did see several other items on the menu that struck my fancy. I'll chalk it up to ordering the wrong thing because everyone else looked so satisfied with their dishes...The one thing that TB had going for it was the atmosphere. This place was poppin'!!
(3)Betsy S.
This place is a party for your mouth! So many delectable different flavors to try. I highly recommend the tasting menu 'Chef's Choice for the Table', a wonderful selection of exotic flavors. Good date place...
(4)Julie M.
My Birthday dinner here was truly wonderful, from French Onion Soup, to Seafood, shared bites whose names escape, to oozy-chocolatey dessert. It was a weeknight, and they had most tables full, but on this night, there there was no waiting. Servers were fantastic, happy to see us love trhe food, and suprised me with an after-dinner Birthday treat. Bud and I were on a Pub Crawl that day, so sharing one glass of very good wine here was quite enough. I wanted *nothing* to detract from the experience of the food's robust flavor. KUDO's to the Chefs! Don't feel cheap for ordering Bread with Olive Oil and Wine, we did so we'd have a way to SOP UP EVERY DROP. So now Bud keeps begging for a return, even tho he still hasn't been to Andina, or Colosso, Queen of Sheba, or Ghandi's, or so many other flavorful places; and DangIt, my mission has been to offer introductions to as many wonderful places the Rose City can offer in our first year. The verdict is clear. If you are one of those small town folks who is willing to forgo the wonders of far-flung exploration for repeated gastronomic doses Known Quality, Do Come to Toro Bravo - to settle-in and smile over small plates of perfect happiness.
(5)Krystin T.
The boy and I were in Portland for a show at the Wonder Ballroom, and I was lucky enough to find Toro Bravo, which was super conveniently-located to everything. Unfortunately, it was pretty packed (it was around 7:30 on a Friday) so there was about a 45-minute wait. We jaunted next door to the Secret Society Lounge to kill some time until Toro Bravo could get us in. Once we got there, we spent awhile going over the menu - too many choices! We decided on six dishes, starting with the manchego and paprika fritters. I was afraid that "paprika" meant they would be spicy, but they weren't at all - although quite tasty! The marinated sheep's cheese came next, and it was probably one of my favorites of the evening. Creamy cheese served with bread and spices. Yum. Next was the tortilla espanola with nettles - I was expecting a flat tortilla, but it was actually the shape of a piece of cake. It tasted a lot like these potato cakes I made in high school for some culture festival, and it was rather tasty as well. I think there was also cheese involved but I don't recall. The boy had ordered the boar rillette, which I didn't eat but was allegedly good enough. The potatoes bravos were HUGE - the dish itself and the amount of food, I mean, not the actual pieces of potato - but good. They were smothered in some sort of sweetish (tomato-based, maybe?) sauce and some kind of white sauce. They were tasty, and there were so many that we took them back to the hotel and they served as my 3 a.m. snack. Our final dish was the radicchio salad, which we could barely finish because we were so full by then. It was exactly what it sounds like, plus a couple pieces of fried bread with olive. All in all, pretty good, but not perfect. My only real complaint - and this is totally not a huge deal - was that once our food starting coming out, it came all at once. There was barely even room for it on the table! But again, that's no huge problem - just sort of frustrating when you are trying to eat your way through one dish and more and more start arriving! Also, we were surprised at how cheap it ended up being! We ordered tons of food, plus one beer each, and it only came to something like $61 total (although I forget if that was before or after the tip). Good deal, good food, good times.
(4)Darrell M.
I think last night was my third visit to Toro Bravo. And I must say that this is officially my favorite restaurant in Portland. The food combinations are always so creative and I have yet to have anything I don't like here. The favorites on the menu last night were the Squash Dumplings with Lamb and the Manchego Burger. The Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash seems to always be on the menu and is always a standy dish to share. By the way ... don't miss the Bloody Mary here ... another great way to get your veggies in!
(5)Jon I.
At first glance, the menu items may seem a bit random and arbitrary--as tapas style often tend to be--but my, oh my, once the food arbitrarily hits the table, everything makes sense. We had a large party of 10 so needless to say there was a lot of food ordered and passed around. From cod fritters to the elegant yet humble manchego burger, i don't think one bite I took went without wonderful savor. I won't bore you with the details, just go and taste for yourself this truly unique and tasty tapas experience. btw, it would have gotten 5 stars but the music was very bland compared to my Jamon Wrapped Chicken.
(4)Jayne T.
I am the first to call it out when a restaurant gets continued buzz and does not deserve it (see my Park Kitchen and BeWon reviews for evidence), but this place is simply wonderful. From the small, simple, intimate dining area to the open kitchen and heavenly food, it offers an amazing dining experience. We arrived exactly at 5 (opening time) on a Friday night, and there was already the infamous line. Just an fyi, the Secret Society bar is right next door to Toro and is a great place to grab a drink while you are waiting for your table (which you will always have to do unless you eat at 5pm like we did...try their Moscow Mule - it's fabulous!). We were seated right away, next to the open kitchen (I got to face the chefs, which I love). The atmosphere is loud enough to maintain a vibrant buzz, but quiet enough so that you can still have a conversation at your table. The menu is tapas style, separated into different sections. It changes all the time based on the Seasons, so check the website for updates if you are looking for something special. I went with a guy, so we ordered one of almost everything, I swear. It was the PERFECT way to really experience the incredible food Toro has to offer. Here is the rundown (I rated these on a scale of 1 to 5): Duck Liver Mousse Terrine with morels & house made sidra mustard: 3 Salt Cod Fritters with aioli: 3 Seared Scallops with romesco: 4 Empanada with chili braised beef & sweet potato: 5 Griddled Bacon Wrapped Dates with warm honey: 5 Moroccan Tuna with dried cherry couscous: 5 Harissa Stewed Fall Squash with crumbled sheep's cheese: 5 Churros & Chocolate: 5 Coffee: 5 It was all amazing, and the coffee and desert was the perfect ending to the meal - rich yet not overpowering. Staff was attentive, and food arrived at a nice pace. Prices are totally reasonable for the fresh ingredients and care with which they are prepared, which is why this place is always packed to the brim. Fun place to go when you can't decide what you want to eat, but you want a bunch of delicious options in one comfortable, convenient place. Highly recommended for a great evening of adventurous dining!
(5)Jason B.
Duck liver mousse is not generally something I order off a menu. We opted for the chef's tasting platter ($25 per person) and the duck liver mousse and morel mushroom pate came to our table on a wooden cutting board, with bread, freshly made stoneground mustard &. Homemade zucchini pickles. This dish is amazing. My wife wouldn't touch it: it isn't the prettiest food. But, OMG, it was so tasty. I highly reccomend.
(4)Liz R.
The wait is long, but you can go upstairs to the bar and they'll call your cell when a table is ready, so it's not a big deal as long as you don't mind a couple pre-dinner drinks. For tapas, the dishes were definitely on the large side and everything we had was good. The pasta wasn't mindblowing, but the papas bravas were addictive, so it all evened out. Add a pitcher of delicious sangria and you've got yourself a great dinner with friends.
(4)Joe K.
I love this place. Toro Bravo is one of those places that you find that is so great, that you want to spread the word but at the same time want to keep it a secret. The place is always packed, and I definitely know why. The food here is spectacular and the atmosphere is comfortable. All kinds of people show up from all age ranges and all ethnicities. There are no reservations for friday and saturday, so get there early and put yourself on the list! I had the Toro Bravo Burger and it was delicious. Perfectly cooked with great seasoning and lovely plating. The complimentary spanish peanuts and sunflower seeds (?) with sea salt is enough to hold you over until your food comes out. The dessert was fantastic. We ordered 3 and all were amazing. If spanish coffees are your thing, I'd highly recommend getting one here. Toro Bravo is one of those places that I love to go. And it's one of those places where you try and figure out when you're gonna come back even before you leave.
(5)Justin V.
Clearly one of the cities best eateries. High quality, local ingredients, a diverse menu with something for everyone(Vegetarians included). The food here is awesome and well priced. I have nothing but good things to say. The only issue, is getting in. Be prepared to wait. This place is packed most nights but well worth the wait. Go have a drink at Secret Society next door/upstairs and build your appetite. If you have at least an hour wait, head down to Alu wine bar(2-3 blocks north on MLK) for a glass of wine or great cocktail. One of the best things about Toro Bravo is the pricing and diversity of the menu. It allows you to try multiple dishes without breaking the bank. Be adventurous try something you haven't tried, chances are you'll like it. Come with an appetite.
(5)Chelsea G.
I want to carry this place's babies.
(5)Paul V.
Come ten minutes before they open if you don't want to wait. Tables are kinda close, so expect to listen to the person next to you. The food is good and comes in timely manner. The wife and I ordered 6 dishes and 3 drinks. The service is 5 Stars. It's like eating Dim Sum but just Spanish food.
(4)Stephen H.
We did the chef's tasting and it was outstanding
(5)Paige H.
Two hours is a ridiculous wait time, and normally I wouldn't even consider it, but this is our hosts favorite restaurant, and they were willing to call us when it was our turn. Typical for a tapas restaurant, you either spend too much or leave hungry, but this place did have some redeeming features. First, no staff person was the least bit snotty or pretentious, and every dinner was free to languish at their tables for hours if they so chose. I loved the lighting, the decor, and the seating was cozy but not cramped. The drink menu was great, with lots of creativity and reasonable prices. I had sangria, which was not as sweet as some, but still, delish. The menu is huge and totally varied by season. We had the cuppa steak, and honestly would've preferred the smoked meat to something more tender. We loved the salted cod, and squash dumplings with braised lamb. The crab/chicken fritters were pretty tasty as was the asparagus. I loved the marinated olives that were served with a couple of the dishes. For dessert we has churros and chocolate, perfect for 3. I would definitely go back for fancy occasions or even a girl's night out.
(3)Catherine F.
O delirious, rapturous, gustatory glee In bite-sized morsels, for him and for me Port-soaked figs and savory terrine Succulent meats and singing greens Crisp anchovies with lemon and leek Warm shell beans with tender pork cheek An earthy red wine our appetite whets With house marmalade and lamb rillettes Tiny salt fish with warm piperade So tangy and rich it was simply unflawed Exquisite scallops with romescu Tender croquettes in an oxtail stew Melt-in-your-mouth dumplings with eight-pepper lamb Delicate squash and deeply-smoked ham The churros with chocolate were lovely, it's true (And the Gallicia cocktail delicious, too) But the molten dark cake cannot be missed And the chocolate almonds topped our list. Warmth and languor and sated repose: We had three golden hours away from our woes. (With apologies to Toro Bravo for some liberties taken with the menu items.) Prose simply wasn't enough.
(5)Leah D.
Yum! Just as good as tasty and sons! Love the atmosphere too. We got the scallops, shrimp, salted cod fritters, and potatoes braves! All delicious!
(5)Cricket F.
Party of 5...and we tried just about everything. We followed the waitress' suggestions and kept the the tapas coming. No reservations...so put your name in and head over the the Secret Society for a drink or two while you wait.
(4)Nestor P.
I decided for Toro Bravo because the reviews however it is an okay restaurant for people who is familiar with Spanish food and a 5 star for people who is not that familiar. The duck terrine was awesome as well as the french kiss, in fact I was so lucky because I ordered the charcuteria table and it had a generous sample of each appetizer and a good portion of the famous duck terrine. Unfortunatley the following dishes were not that good because didn't follow the original recipes and I got trapped in the typical scenario of expectations vs reality. I had the fried anchovies which were normal and I asked for boquerones and those were very bad :( They have Estrella beer (From cataluña) served at the right temperature and a nice atmosphere and servers.
(3)Paul B.
I've been to a number of tapas (or, sometimes known as "small plates" now) places in my life, including some in Spain. This place... ... is the place I go to now. I arrived around 6:30pm on a Thursday night, and lucked out in getting a seat at the bar. I was dining alone since I was on a work trip, and had no problems sharing a space while eating. The couple next to me were friendly and conversational, which was nice. All the other tables were full in about 15 minutes, and then the lines started. Because they had such a wide variety of dishes, easily 30, I ordered the Chef's Taster menu ($25). You're taking a gamble, sure, but every item on the menu looked either good or something I was willing to take a risk for (duck eggs, for example) - except, perhaps, the foie-gras stuffed prunes. Sure enough, the first item I got was the French "Kisses" (brandy soaked prunes stuffed with foie-gras). I'm not an organ eater, and I'm not too pro on that sort of food, but I gave it a taste. I'm sure people who like foie-gras will enjoy them. Moving on, a much more "safe" salt cod fritters with garlic aioli. Good, and certainly Spanish - otherwise I'd use a different fish. Grilled bacon wrapped dates were fantastic, could have made a dessert out of those! They were drizzled in a molasses honey syrup, which balanced the salty, smokey flavors of the bacon and intensified the sweetness of the date. The sauteed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins I've had many times before; good, but a rather standard dish. Also, the field greens with beets and hazelnuts... I'm sure hazelnuts were chosen for the "Europe"-ness. Good, but nothing to write more about. Next up was the grilled shrimp (prawn, for its size) with chilies. One shrimp/prawn. For $9. I'm pretty sure there would be more if it wasn't on the tasting menu, but normally it was $9. Chili sauce, which tasted like maybe dried ancho or smoked chipotle - or a blend, did an excellent job flavoring the shrimp. Shell was still fully intact, with the legs, which is typical. No head, which I was greatful for - those you get in Spain. Not in Portland. Good! The last item on the service was the House Smoked Coppa Steak, with olive oil poached potatoes (nothing special) and chopped olives & salbitxada. I have no idea what the last item there is, but it tasted sort of like shallots. Worked very well with the olives, for sure, and the steak itself was also well tempered with the smokey flavor and the natural flavor of the meat. That seemed to be a popular item of the evening, as I'd heard many orders of that go through the kitchen from where I was - sitting right next to the order window.
(5)Henry T.
Wow, I just ate here with my Elite cousin and seeing his review, I'm sure mine will be almost exactly the same. Seating was immediate, which was surprising given the reputation, but we came here right after a Blazer game, hungry and ready to eat. Our table of 4 had never tried foie gras, so we decided the foie gras stuffed prunes. I'm a fan, and I should have tried it in Paris. The prunes were soaked in Brandy, and something gave it a nutty taste. The multiple textures in the dish was amazing, from the chewiness of the prune to the delicate and melt-in-your mouth foie gras. Coppa steak was very good, tender, and great flavor. Paella Toro was awesome, still cooking/hot as it got to our table. We were instructed to let it sit to get the crust at the bottom. I think I'll try their other Paella next time, but it was great. Scallops were perfectly cooked, and the Pork and Beans dish was amazing. I liked how everything was served as soon as they were ready from the kitchen, without having everything coming out at once and being overwhelmed - it made for a great experience. I'm very excited to go back and try the dishes I missed.
(5)Jonas T.
Great for drinks, but I'm not much of a drinker. I'm all for the food, and everything here was delicious. Come with a big group and order as many dishes as possible, or come with one or two other people and avoid waiting for a seat by sitting at the waiting area where you can still order everything from the regular menu. JONASAPPROVED!
(5)Amanda P.
this place was fun and packed! We tried a lot of items off the menu and enjoyed everything, my very favorite was the Duck Liver Mousse Terrine, the chicken and clams was amazing too (eating leftovers as I type this review) the cocktails were great, nicely balanced, I had 2 cocktails (sorry not great at remembering the names) one with strawberries (my fav) and one with rhubarb (both very dangerous in a good way:). Service was great! I have only good things to say about this place and can't wait to go back. Even the 45 minute wait was pleasant, we had a couple of drinks and apps in the waiting area, time went by quick.
(5)Matt M.
My wife and I and another couple decided to make Toro Bravo our dinner destination this past New Years Eve. Knowing we would not be seated right away, we showed up at 7:30 ... to find out it was a 2 hour wait. No problem we said and headed up to the Secret Society bar above the restaurant. Long story short, 2 hours, 15 minutes and multiple vodka sodas later we were seated at our table. We fired off tapas orders like a black jack dealer and a pitcher of sangria. The food (as always) was amazing. We loved everything our table ordered and even managed to save room for churros and chocolate. Even though we waited so long for our table, we were so glad we chose Toro Bravo for a special evening. No risk here on food and well worth the wait. The only thing I would recommend is EXPAND your seating area, more 2 and 4 tops. :) We will be back.
(5)Andrew P.
Bravo Toro Bravo. This restaurants hits on all cylinders - food, atmosphere and service. We were impressed by the diversity of dishes and flavors. Our favorite was the duck paella which was a modern interpretation of a traditional spanish dish. We were surprised by the minimal cork fee, generous size of dishes and affordable prices. The wait is made tolerable by visiting the hidden society bar upstairs. This retro bar features unique drinks and nice appetizers. Don't worry about missing your table as the hostess will call you on the cell when it's time.
(5)David B.
Toro Bravo, please take a bow. The food is delicious, the service attentive, the drinks inventive and the setting congenial. Here are a few of the dishes we simply devoured: Manchego and Paprika Fritters with spicy salsa roja 6 Radicchio Salad with green olive toast & manchego vinaigrette 8 Singing Pig Greens with pickled beets hazelnuts & fromage blanc 8 House Smoked Coppa Steak with olive oil poached potatoes chopped olives & salbitxada 16 Seared Cauliflower with olives & salsa verde 7 Moroccan Tuna with dried cherry couscous 12 Churros & Chocolate 7 Baked Apples & Bosc Pears with vanilla ice cream 7 Can't wait to go back for more...
(5)Castine H.
This place was so cute! We made a list of restaurants for our week-long Portland trip. Many good ones, like Toro Bravo, just didn't make the cut. But, once we were in town, two of BF's friends told us we HAd to go here, so we made some adjustments and hit Toro Bravo on a Monday night. We went on a Monday since they don't take reservations and we figured it would be easiest for us to get in...since we were 4 adults and 2 children. BF and I got there first, and put our name in. If it had only been then two of us, we could've been sat right away. However, since we were 6, we put on our name on the list and the super-nice hostess told us to go upstairs to Secret Society for a drink. The Secret Society bar was perhaps one of the cutest places I've ever seen! It was small...a little bar and about 5 tables around the wall. The room was probably 20' x 20' at absolute most...with red velvet walls and cool decore. Review on that to come. Anyways, we waited a little under an hour for our table, which wasn't a problem since we were happily enjoying drinks upstairs. We were lucky and were sat sort of near the kitchen, and got to see all the hustle and bustle. The place was humming, literally. Very busy, bustling, buzzing, and it all made for great ambiance. Very Spanish. Very fun. Having lived in Barcelona for a short time years ago, I am a bit of a tapas junkie, and often am sadly disappointed in what kind of junk I'm served (especially in LA, but I digress). Anyways, this place, was not one of those halfass places. Everything was great! We started off with the charcuterie plate, pickled vegetables, and bread. All wonderful. Good pates, foie, salami, pickled beets, carrots...all good. We then got a bunch of other stuff: Octopus a la Plancha Becerrita (grilled octopus on aoli and sliced potato); Grilled Spring Onions with salbitxada (so good!); Tortilla Espanola with piperade (not a traditional tortilla de patata, but it was a good slight variation on my favorite); Salt Cod Fritters with aioli (tiny perfect bites and the thick aioli was so indulgent!); Griddled Bacon Wrapped Date with warm honey (they took the pit out and put an almond in for a perfect surprise crunch); Boquerones with toasted bread & piperade (acutally my least favorite...three pieces of toasted bread and "sauce" with a tinnny marinated anchovy on each...I was expecting fat juicy marinated anchovies like they have in Spain); Baked Polenta with roast beef, peppers, onions; Meatballs with tomato-almond sauce & english peas (some of the best albondigas I've had, and the sauce with peas was so perfect with crispy bread!!!); and Roasted Eggplant & Lamb Ragu with sweet peppers & mahon (totally delicious). Besides the Boquerones, I really was impressed/amazed by every dish. For dessert, we shared the Olive Oil Cake with strawberry caramel, which was good and lemony and almost savory a tad; and the Caramel Panna Cotta, which was one of the most amazing desserts ever. The warm caramel just melted with every single bite. We also got a great bottle of Catalyud wine (for only $24), and a few extra glasses. Our total bill, for 4 adults (the 2 kids really didn't eat anything but bread)...was only $120!!!! For reals?!?!? In LA, that meal would've been easily $200...easily if not more. I totally will come back here!!!
(5)Nina S.
I LOVE this place. Yes, there is a long wait. It's a bummer they don't do reservations, but I personally find it to be worth the wait. Yes, the plates are small, the prices a bit high. I think that you find that at most up-scale tapas places, and it just kind of comes with the territory. Now the reason to go anyway. I personally think the food here is A-Mazing!! I LOVE it. I seriously die with happiness every time I eat here. I'm also a slow eater, and eat small amounts at each sitting. So while I won't get a massive plate of food, with half of it shoved in a box at the end of the night, I am more than full when I leave! I particularly love the *croquettes*, and ALWAYS get the *almond ice cream with espresso for dessert*. I know that seems a bit simple for a dessert to be obsessed with, but good lord something about that stuff just makes me insanely happy!!!! =) OH! And last time I was there, we got the *creamed chanterelles on toast*... I almost died they were so good!!! I could just eat that for the rest of my life (okay, I might need some almond ice cream with espresso on the side every once in awhile) and be completely content. And I really don't find the prices that bad for the kind of place it is. I have easily spent just as much or much more at other restaurants of a similar caliber and like the food here more. I was expecting to get a bit gouged the first time I went here but it was an anniversary and we decided to just go all out and spend more than usual for a nice night out. I ended up being pleasantly surprised at the bill!! I wasn't ordering blindly, but we didn't have a calculator out for each plate either, we ordered what looked good, and filling within reason, and the bill came out to be very reasonable for the quality of food and lovely, intimate atmosphere. Oh, and it is true that it can be a pretty loud environment which I have to admit has been a bit annoying at times. But overall it has never been so loud that I've felt it's interfered with the total dining experience. Though I suppose the almond ice cream could be drowning out all my other senses. =)
(5)Charlie K.
Always good.. Service was pleasant and attentive..One dish that I feel was a miss is the squid ink pasta.. Clyde Common nails it.. Torro's take on it is confusing and a bit too spicy, overpowering the ink. But once again, Bravo.
(4)Liz H.
This is THE place to go when you want to be happy! Its a smorgasbord of small plates of Spanish/Moroccan food and flavors. So in my opinion, you dont get much better than that! I have been here 4 times now and I will come back again and again. My favorite dishes are the Coppa Steak, Paprika fritters, and Squash with Harissa. The dessert dish NOT to miss is the Chocolate Molten Cake! (yes- it does sound good- AND is!!) I have become obsessed with Red wines from Spain- and only Spain. So my heart is so happy here with their selections!! You have to have the Tempranillo! My only criticism is that the rest of Portland has discovered this place and its ALWAYS busy- even on a Monday night! So get here early or prepare to wait. Hold Up! Why am I reviewing this place?? To promote it to the public so they can come here and make me wait! Uh oh! Umm... Strike my review, I dont recommend this place! its No Bueno- Really-You wouldnt like it! its TOO GOOD- Go Somewhere else- SERIOUSLY!! Let me eat and eat to my hearts content ! Ok??
(5)Stephy S.
Full-bodied wine. Full little plates. And a seat practically in the kitchen which gives you a peep at the hot menz cookin up tasty treats. Ummmmm, can I get a 4 star please? Yes, this was a yummy dinner and I was very afraid that I wasn't going to be able to fully enjoy it since I was a sicky magoo and had been living on soup and grapefruit juice for the last week, but alas, my palate held true to the ways I've taught it and was able to enjoy each and every dish we sampled. We started with the scallops which were good, but about 8 seconds overcooked. I can't hate though, since those little buggers are hard to get perfect. They were still super deelish though, I just prefer them a tad undercooked. We then moved on to the Eggplant dish with the lamb ragu. Oh to the yes, this was a tasty one. But then the mother of all things munchable arrived and that was the drunken pork (you know I just had to order it for the name!). It was a tantalizing pork tenderloin wrapped in..... Wait for it.... Wait for it... BACON!! Weeeeeee! Yep, pork wrapped in pork. Good times! I would definitely come back here again and try more of their small plate goodies along with some more of that wine. Win-win.
(4)Chris L.
We totally lucked out. Took a cab over to Toro, walked in to find they had a 45 minute wait but just so happened to have a spot for two at the bar! Perfect! With a pitcher of sangria at hand, we ordered a wide variety of tapas and some paella to make it a really yummy and memorable night. The food was great and the atmosphere was fun. The food was great and this quickly became one of our favorites in Portland, even besting one of our favorite tapas eats in Seattle! Highly recommended.
(5)tara s.
Came here with colleagues in town for a conference. We had an excellent experience - food was stellar, waitstaff were nice - helped us pick some killer wines. Why not 5 stars? There were complaints about the music (I could not hear it, but reports were that it was "strange"). Desserts did not meet the standard of the rest of the meal But really this place is great and worth a trip
(4)Anne R.
I've been here twice, the only downside is the wait. First time I went on a friday at 9 or so, waited 1.5 hours for a table. Remember getting the flank steak and a green been dish both of which were delicious. Went back this saturday, waited an hour or so after putting our name on the list around 6 pm. We got the spinach, brussel sprouts, empanadas, flank steak, molton chocolate cake, and the chantrelles mushroom grilled bread. The veggies were all excellent and the highlights. The empanadas were the only thing not really that great. The mushrooms and bread was the best thing I've eaten maybe even in the past year. They were incredible. This remains one of my favorite portland places.
(5)Becky N.
I love spanish style Tapas!! We ordered a ton of dishes, but the highlights of the night were the empanadas and brussel sprouts! These were the best brussel sprouts i've ever tasted. It had bacon in it with a sherry reduction. The only bad thing about this place is that they don't accept reservations and it's always crowded. We ended up having to wait an hour and a half for our table, and it was worth the wait. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! There is something for everyone, so you really can't go wrong here.
(5)Jay C.
"i speak for the [waiting process] for the [waiting process] has no tongues." the food is excellent and speaks for itself. if you are a party of 7 or more, then you are in luck. you can call and make a rezzie and will not be subjected to the wait list. [sundays - thursdays only.] if you are a party of 6 or less, you are SOL...until now. here are some tips regarding the wait list: 1. the early bird gets the worm; go as early as possible to avoid a long wait...i'm talking right when then open if not earlier. 2. note: if you just put yourself on the wait list and are facing the kitchen, do not despair. look behind your right-hand shoulder. there is a stand-up table with no chairs. you are welcome to wait there and order cocktails and food if there is space for you. mind you, some people DO NOT like to share. this means that when there are two couples standing and waiting, and they do not move over for your party of three. what you have to do is simply SQUEEZE in with nice-ities. as you carefully move their drinks and plates to make room for yourself say something nice like, "i love your shirt! can i wear it?" if you snooze, you lose! 3. and, if you are EVIL, you can always make a rezzie for 7 and lie, "oh my goodness! the other 4 people missed their flight." [or something to that effect. then again, i believe in karma, so i would never do this. does thinking it count?] we arrived on a tuesday. one would think that a monday or tuesday would be sluggish, right? WRONG! we walked in at about 615 pm - they open at 500 pm - and we were 10 or 12 on the list. [the lady controlling the reservations book closes it immediately after jotting secret notes in the red leather-ish journal. it's very clandestine.] due to my extensive restaurant experience, i studied the area. there were 3 parties of 7 or more seated. [four other tables had 2-4 people. the bar and kitchen-view seating was also occupied.] two other tables sat vacant for almost 45 minutes because the restaurant was waiting to "turn" the smaller tables into large parties. this meant that the restaurant peeps were PRAYING that the adjacent table of 2 would leave ASAP in order to accommodate a larger group...times two. [hope this makes sense.] so an empty table could sit, not accruing ANY income for the restaurant because of the large party demand. whatever works, but as an quasi-entrepreneur, i frown upon that. what this means to joe-party-of-6-or-less, the larger groups take precedence over your walk-in party. this explains why, though we were seemingly early, we had to wait after ALL the other walk-ins thinking that they were early, were seated. we ALL SUCKED WIND behind the large reservations. [at this point, if the walk-ins were smart, they would - in fact - make a reservation for a group of 7, and then stand outside the restaurant hawking the other remaining seats for their table in order to secure seats without waiting. hmmmm...i may be on to something here.] so there you have it! a few magical suggestions on how to strategize your seating at toro bravo! ole!
(5)Lindsay W.
WOW! My boyfriend and I were very impressed. We were delighted by everything we ate- fresh, quality ingredients. Service was outstanding. Will definitely be returning next time we are in town.
(5)Wayne O.
We don't really like waiting in long lines so decided to show up late on a Saturday night. We were promptly seated at a bar fronting the open kitchen. We started with a great fried anchovy dish that included deep fried lemons. We followed that with the butter lettuce salad with radish and bacon. I loved the tarragon dominant Green Goddess-like dressing. The octopus and prawn stew was surprisingly spicy - the way we like it. The sweet pepper, onions and tomatoes made thick broth that was far greater than the sum of its parts. We also ordered the boquerones and by the time we got to the pork shoulder sandwich we were stuffed. The cocktails were great, too. The service was fantastic. I don't know how a place as slammed as this is, with customers ordering a million dishes manages to time the arrival of each dish perfectly. The cooks are a marvel to watch. The waitresses are knowledgeable, efficient and work with grace under fire. This place is a gem!
(5)rachel p.
i think i was expecting these tapas to be a little more unique based on reading about toro bravo in a couple different magazines. but despite that, what we had was very tasty, really well prepared, and pretty classic. my favorites where the warm calamari with beans and the scallops with romesco sauce. you have to have the right touch with seafood, and they did. both were tender and just a touch briny. i love what the shell beans and chorizo did for the calamari, giving it a nice earthiness. the scallops were fresh enough to stand on their own and the mild romesco was a nice counterpart--adding just a hint of interest but not overwhelming their delicate flavor. we all really liked the steak with blue cheese. nicely cooked and super flavorful. the salt cod fritters were yum, but maybe just because i love salt cod. i like it better not fried, but i'll take it this way too. you can skip the squash dumplings with the lamb ragu. the ragu is overly salty and the lamb doesn't come through. the bacon wrapped dates are always a favorite of mine but at $2 each they're kind of ripping you off. you can easily make a whole tray of these at home for $10. also the north african sausages with fries were nothing special. what they do well here they do really well, so next time, i might ask the waitress to lead my choices more. we did have a nice bottle of sherry and a really nice bottle of wine with her help though, and she spaced our food out nicely so we could really take our time. the room is lively and bustling. a little like a great tapas joint in spain, and the decor is clean and simple. you will wait, but go next door to the very cool secret society lounge for a nice cocktail. it will ease the pain.
(4)Cameron Y.
Food was generally a bit too salty and prices seemed too high for tapas.
(3)Ben K.
I wish I could be more descriptive about everything that was great about this place but I'm simply not that talented of a writer. I've been waiting to try it for a long time and I'm only sorry I waited so long. Exceeded every expectation I had. Head upstairs to Secret Society for a drink if there's a wait. FANTASTIC service. Simply put, this is tied with Beast as the best restaurant in Portland.
(5)Mark L.
Toro Bravo might have fallen victim to too much hype. Seems every magazine in Portland has called it one of the best. I've had better (Navarre), but I'll reserve complete judgment until I return. I went on a weeknight, which made it easy to get a seat (reservations are only made for parties of seven or more). It's located in the north east right next to the Wonder Ballroom, where rock 'n' roll and fine-dining collide. Our meal was good, but I expected to be blown away. I did like the griddled shrimp with chilies ($9), but the standard potatoes bravas ($7) were just OK. Now, I didn't want to go there, but I'm going there. I lived in San Sebastian, in the heart of Spain's Basque Country, for a year. It is not quite the same--probably a good thing considering Spaniards usually leave tapas sitting on the counter for hours at a time. If that happened in America, the place would be condemned in two whips of una cola de toro. The prices are reasonable if you stick with the basics (four plates of tapas and two beers for around $40). The atmosphere is cozy and I like the fact that Toro Bravo keeps with Spanish tradition by having parties sit together at long tables. I'd like to return and try the Paella Toro ($19), and the squid ink pasta ($12). Perhaps then I can say it is one of the best.
(3)Eric t.
Went to Toro Bravo after a blazers game, awesome restaurant, thankfully we didn't have to wait long. Bread with butter & olive oil- Pretty basic, just a filler. But the olive oil seemed fruit infused somehow and had a very nice taste to it. Marinated Sheep's Cheese with rose petal harissa and mint- One of my favorites. Sheeps milk and it tasted a bit lemon-y like in meyer lemon...but you spread it on the bread, it was really fucking good. Plums stuffed with Foie Gras- One bite sized morsel, it was 2 bucks but the combo of the foie gras and the plum made for a nice nutty taste and texture. Salt Cod Fritters with aioli- Great flavor, a bit too salty for my tastes (and most people's). Perhaps that's the traditional preparation. House Smoked Coppa Steak with olive oil poached potatoes chopped olives & salbitxada- Pretty good, not as outstanding as some of the other selections though. But its amazing what they do with such an inexpensive cut of meat. I had to add some salt (they had a scooper with salt on the table) however to it. Seared Scallops with romesco- Scallops were perfectly cooked and pretty huge. Paella Toro- Awesome. Would order again. I would want to try the Fideos next time though. Molten Chocolate Cake with vanilla ice cream- Pretty basic, spilled some on my new blazers shirt I bought....but liked the filling...I think they used condensed milk with the chocolate which was good. Bacon wrapped pork with beans- one of the better dishes of the night in fact. I wasn't expecting much from this to be honest, but the combo together was good. looks like my bro reviewed above. oops. haha. oh well.
(5)Meggles C.
wonderful! I was in town for a conference and this gem was in walking distance of my hotel. Loved the atmosphere, service, and food. Very attentive staff:) Food was top notch! only small downside was it was very loud inside...but in a way it contributed to the atmosphere.
(4)Annie M.
After several dinners at Toro Bravo, I feel qualified to say "It is fabulous!" We try to go early, so we don't have such a long wait. We also sit at the bar by the cooks' station so we can watch. The grilled scallops with romesco sauce are exquisite. The empanadas have a light, flakey, rich pastry with shredded pork inside. The leeks with a nutty sauce were a revelation. Loved the burger, but it could have fed 4 people. Octopus a la plancha is my spouse's favorite, sitting atop a potato slice with a smear of aioli. Ice cream finished with donPX sherry is sublime. As good as anything I've had in Spain. Be warned that it's a busy, noisy place - a good place for a group or a first date (lots to talk about).
(5)Olivia T.
I rarely give one star for my reviews, but the service at the famous Toro Bravo was just BAD with capital letters. My friend and I came here for my birthday dinner on Saturday night. We got there at 7:45 pm. The first nice hostess told me that it will be 45 minutes to 1 hour wait. I said no problem. She said we can wait at the bar upstairs. So we went to bar upstairs. We chit chatted and about 8:50 pm we still didn't get any call from the restaurant. We came back downstairs and it was a different hostess there. I asked her politely how much longer until our turn. She said in snippy tone "Well it's still going to be a while. There's quite few people in front of you." I asked her irritated "How long is a while?" She looked at her watch "Well an hour ago, the other hostess told you it's going to be 45 minutes to 1 hour waiting time." I said " Yes that's an hour ago and we waited for an hour already." She looked at her book again and said "Probably it's going to be another half an hour." We didn't want to wait for another "Possibly" half an hour. I'm sure the food there is great, I think they need to train their hostess to be a better hostess.
(1)Adam C.
We wanted to do the chef's choice tasting menu but couldn't due to a food allergy. No worries...the waitress was excited (really excited) to choose for us with the allergy in mind. In a word--awesome. The food is great, the style is great, the service is great. Only downside is a long wait to be seated and the double-edged sword of no reservations for fewer than 7 people.
(5)Staci F.
a friend told us to go here on our trip to portland and he told us it will be the best meal you have in portland. He was pretty much right. So we took a bus to the other side of the city and got dropped off in this random little neighborhood surrounded with houses. anyways, there it was a tiny block in the midst of these houses with a music venue and toro bravo. The wait was 2 hours long!! how crazy!! for this tony little restaurant. Luckily, it was self seating outside and the weather was nice so we happened to snag a table right away. we figured with a two hour wait, this place had to be worth it. It was. We order the salted cod fritters, bacon covered dates, this wonderful naan truffle cheese bread topped with arugala, and paella. for dessert we ordered almond ice-cream and churros. AMAZING! Absolutley check this place out. you will be glad you did. But maybe try and make reservations.
(5)Kevin L.
Great menu, so much to choose from.
(4)Linnea M.
I went here a couple of weeks ago on a Thursday night with a group of 6. We waited for a little while in the little side room, and we were seated relatively soon(maybe 20 minutes). The wine list was great-I was happy to see one of my favorite biodynamic OR wineries on the list(Cowhorn). Very reasonable prices too. Though it's a great place and would also be good for a date, it was fun to go with a group so we could try lots of things. They are pretty generous with the portions. I would say the "pinchos" on the menu are about the size of true tapas in Spain. Anyway, the food! We ordered 10 things off the menu. The marinated sheep cheese, tortilla de patata, blue stuffed olives, radicchio salad, squash with goat cheese, scallops, lamb rillette, piperade...there were so many I can't recall them all. Everything was fantastic, down to the caramel pannacotta and olive oil cake we had for dessert. They have a very interesting list of dessert cocktails too-we tried the vanilla vodka with an espresso dipped lemon slice-they worked really well together, as wierd as it sounds. Great atmosphere and great food. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Alex W.
I just ate at Toro Bravo for the 3rd time and I feel it deserves a review. Before I start, I will warn you to be prepared to hang out for up to an hour or more to get a table. Not a bad thing, as there are 2 cool bars on each side of the place. Just be prepared to wait. Toro has great, attentive service and excellent wines at affordable prices. But the real reason to go here are the tapas. Each time I have discovered something new. The Bacon wrapped dates are my favorite (order more, you will eat them very fast) and the squash/cheese dip is another favorite. I would advise to order a few dishes every 10-15 minutes. You won't regret it.
(5)Laura G.
Don't come here if you don't want to wait more than an hour . . . para una sabrosa deliciosa cena! or for you english speakers, a flavorful delicious dinner! Yes it can be a bit loud but you can tell they are aware of that, note the foam sound absorbers under the tables. Try the pork sandwich, try the butternut squash, and definitely spend the money for a bottle of wine to wash it all down with.
(4)James C.
I love this place small cozy friendly, bustling, excellent tapas style food, this is the type of restaurant Portland does best and this is one of the best examples of that type of restaurant! Go with friends and family leave the kids at home cause the place is always packed to the brim
(5)Masanori T.
Tucked away in a residential suburb of Portland, this is an excellent restaurant with a very extensive tapas menu, and a very lively atmosphere. Enjoy the bustling kitchen serving amazing food; my favorites were squid ink pasta, paella, to name a couple. I also seem to recall trying some blood sausage type of a dish which was delectable, but I don't see that in the menu; apparently they change the menu regularly to make sure they're serving you whatever's in season which is a very good sign :o)
(5)Julia S.
We wanted paella in Portland & ended up here. Actually I was here when they opened and kept it in mind for future tapas, but didn't get back until a few weeks ago. Overall experience: long wait for a table, good sangria, OK service, overpriced dishes, most unusual version of paella I've ever tasted (not a good thing.) The details: First the long wait. We went on a Wednesday night and though it looked like seats might be available, we were told it would be a 45 minute wait. Okay, we were up for it. Turns out there's a little closet of a waiting area where you can order pretty much everything off the menu (except the one thing we came for - the paella). We enjoyed our first dishes - the french "kisses," cheese board, bread, and sangria. But that waiting space is awkward and a bit uncomfortable for more than 2-3 people (we had 4). Still, better than nothing I guess. Once we were seated at a real table, we dove into ordering our paella and the server recommended we augment with a few more dishes. At her suggestion, we ordered the oxtails and brussel sprouts as well. The latter was delicious, but the oxtails were a huge disappointment. Tiny, overpriced, and over-flavored. Finally, the paella. Okay, so I have standards when it comes to paella as having been to Spain on several occasions, but what we got was hardly paella. Perhaps, that's why they call it Paella Toro as it's their own twist on paella. And a twist it was - tasted more like jambalaya than paella. Aside from the seafood and meat, the best part of paella is the delicate, saffron rice. Though Toro's version over treated theirs with spices, making it more "dirty rice" than the beautiful, bright yellow version most paella consumers are accustomed. Next time I want tapas, I'm going back to Navarre. And if I want paella, I'm making it myself.
(2)Doc O.
Fantastic meal. Worth the wait!
(5)Claire T.
We stopped into Toro Bravo before catching a show at the Wonder Ballroom. We had to wait a bit (maybe 20 minutes?), but were happy to sample the sangria and the A to Z Pinot Noir and browse the menu before sitting down to eat. The sangria was perfect--not too sweet and full of yummy fresh blueberries, which I fished out with my fingers to eat after I finished drinking (sorry, Miss Manners!). So many choices but only two stomachs to fill! We settled on the cucumber salad, oxtail croquettes, the torta, and the lamb shank. WOW! Everything was fantastic. The torta came adorned in two sauces; I couldn't decide which one was better. The flavors on the other dishes were intense but worked perfectly. Even though we ordered some of the pricier tapas and had two drinks apiece, our bill wasn't outrageous. I definitely need to come back with more people to try more tapas! We were uncomfortably full by the end of the meal, but isn't that what vacation is all about?
(5)Helen H.
After a semester abroad in Spain, my school should have given me more credit hours for eating tapas than for my "film class" and "language classes!" That being said, Toro Bravo met my expectations and exceeded them. One of my favorite Spanish classics, Tortilla Espanola, was as flavorful and yummy as the best I've had in Spain. I also highly reccommend the chard and egg, singing pig greens, paprika fritters, and polenta and roast beef. You really can't go wrong. UNLESS you skip the churros and chocolate. If you skip the churros and chocolate, you would receive an "F" in my Tapas 101 Class for Advanced Eaters. An F.
(5)Ed B.
I just had one of the top-5 meals of my life at Toro Bravo last night. A group of five of us were in the mood for tapas and decided to check this place out. They don't take reservations for parties of less than seven (!), so we took our chances on a Thursday night. When we arrived, we were told the wait would be over an hour, which for me would usually be a deal-breaker. But it was great company and no one was starving yet, so we decided to amble upstairs to the Secret Society bar and have a drink while we waited for our table. Much to our pleasure, we received the call in less than 30 minutes that our table was ready. The menu was full of so many unusual and mouthwatering options that it was at first difficult to decide what to order. Our charming server suggested that 2-3 plates per person would be about the right amount, which helped immensely in making decisions. So each person in our group chose two items they wanted to try, and happily we all wanted different things. It's sooo fun to eat with other foodies that enjoy trying new things! The plates began arriving to our table quickly after ordering, but in a somewhat random order and at different times, which allowed everyone to have time to sample and share from the plates. And the food! Oh, lordy... this was one of the most moan-inducing meals I've had in years. Every single dish was scrumptious and perfectly prepared. Personal favorites included the salted cod fritters, which were somehow creamy inside, yet light and wonderfully crispy; the sherry chicken liver mousse (though we ran out of bread for this dish); grilled Romano beans with roasted garlic and fried jamon (the best green beans I've ever tasted); the North African sausages with harissa; and the squid ink pasta, served with a raw yolk in the center and nearly too beautiful to eat. The pasta was rich, velvety, mildly briny, and perfectly complemented with roasted hazelnuts. I think I counted at least 15 utterances of "oh my god" as our group noshed through the dishes. And to cap it off, we all shared a single exquisite dish of hazelnut ice cream with a deep, hearty sherry (from 1982!) poured over it. Absolute bliss. The restaurant is a little bit noisy and the tables are communal, but no one in our group minded this. The servers were excellent, the food arrived in a constant parade, and the Spanish wine lubed our palates and our conversation. A fantastic night, and a new favorite restaurant for me.
(5)Linda M.
My husband and I had dinner here for our anniversary. After narrowing down what we wanted, we ended up trying 7 items from the menu. The highlights were the griddled bacon wrapped dates and house smoked coppa steak, although everything was just incredible. We also tried the olive oil cake and it was delightful. It was dense and more like a pound cake, the olive oil was very subtle, if noticeable at all - very good! The staff was very friendly and helpful with selecting items and each item arrived promptly. I highly recommend this place if you are in the Portland area.
(5)Kris W.
Loud, service isn't attentive, tables (especially two-tops) are really close together, and food is good but not a good value for the prices. Mercat a la Planxa it is not. It's small; they don't take many reservations; and again, it's really noisy. That said, if you want an early dinner, it's worth trying at least once. The chantrelles on toast were good one evening, too salty the next; the radicchio salad has been consistently good on all visits. The octopus stew had a whopping ONE piece of octopus in it and a whole lot of tomato sauce. The tortilla is quite good. Cocktails can be tasty, but some are misses, so order cautiously. Staff tends to stand around chatting to each other rather than attend to tables.
(3)Carol W.
Over rated. If it had been as good as some of the delirious reviewers said, I would go again & maybe not even gripe about the wait. It just isn't a nice dining experience. First there's the wait. Long, long wait. The tables are crammed so close you couldn't get in or out without hitting someone. The wait staff almost argued with me when I said that they didn't have much for vegetarians. Then the actual food, well, just not great. Some was good but most was just plain mediocre. By the end of the meal, I was tired of seeing huge globs of aioli on every plate that came out. I'm would not be exaggerating to say that there was easily 1/3 to even 1/2 cup of the stuff with some of the small plates. No wonder people like the food. If you drown it in aioli, it is bound to taste good. A little boring but very tasty for someone who really, really craves a good aioli fix. No delirium here. Just not impressed.
(3)Melody H.
Unique and amazing tapas! My bf and I came here on our last night in Portland because a local recommended it. The restaurant doesn't take reservations unless you have 7+ people...so we had to wait. There was a waiting area w/ tables so we sat there and waited, which was nice. We enjoyed drinks and a cheese platter w/ 5 different cheeses. The cheeses were good, but a little too much for only 2 people. For our meal, we ordered the duck liver mousse terrine w/ house made mustard, sauteed spinach w/ pine nuts and golden raisins, moroccan tuna w/ dried cherry couscous, and roasted eggplant w/ lamb ragu. They were all delicious, especially the duck liver mousse terrine...it was mouth-watering! I can still taste it. The slice they gave us was huge, which was awesome. I was in heaven. We really wanted to try the french kisses, which are brandy soaked prunes stuffed w/ foie gras, but they ran out! We were sad...maybe next time. To top it all off, service was wonderful and the ambiance was nice. I really enjoyed my experience at Toro Bravo.
(5)Paul L.
Oh man...this restaurant truly does live up to the hype. I have never experienced a single bad dish at this place. I could tell you about the sublime scallops, the tender coppa steak, the immaculate charcuterie plate, the insanely spicy octopus stew...but I'll leave that to the blowhards over at Bon Appetit. The food here is simply amazing. Yes, there can be long waits for a table but there's always the upstairs bar that makes the best Manhattan you will ever taste. Definitely a pricey night out but worth your time and hard earned cash.
(5)Jes P.
This is absolutely, without a doubt, one of my favorite places in town. I attempted to go to Toro Bravo when it first opened late last summer and was seriously disappointed. I waited with the group of six I was with for a really long time and never got seated. We were left to fend for ourselves- no food and no drink after the one pitcher of sangria we managed to get our mitts on. Ultimately, we left and ate someplace else. HOWEVER, I recently ventured back with friends and we were seated immediately and the food, drink, dessert and service were all to die for! I am a huge fan of tapas and small plates because you are able to eat such a variety of food, and every single thing we ordered here was over the top delicious! And my favorite part- churros and chocolate- OMG. I went back this past weekend and my joy was reaffirmed. There was an hour wait for 2 of us, but we found a seat in the tiny, little closet-like waiting area and found out we could just order and eat in there. So, we did. 2 pitchers of Sangria, a paella, endless tapas and churros and chocolate later we couldn't have been happier. I am so happy I gave this place a second chance- it more than deserves it!
(5)Liz W.
Could be the best place for small-plates that I've eaten so far! I had been hearing about this place for years; and finally made it in there on a Sunday night at around 9, so there was no line/no wait! Sat at the bar, and had great service from the bartender as well. I will definitely be back, although next time I may go in earlier in the evening; because I did feel rushed a bit to order my food since they wanted to get outta there at a decent time, I'm sure. But hey; the food is so good, I still give it the full 5-star rating.
(5)Sarah S.
Hello center of Portland urban hipsters. Does every server here have huge arm tattoos? Are all the cooks behind the counter under 25? Did 3 out of 5 patrons arrive here on bicycle? In any case, it was one of the best meals of my life. I have a hard time giving any restaurant the full five stars, but I came close with Toro Bravo. Perhaps it was the 1.5 hour wait in the mediocre bar two doors down that we had to endure, but we were all STARVING when they finally called our table at Toro Bravo. We ate every bite put in front of us. I thought the prices were good, and I liked the inventive dished prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients. Flavors were unique and well done. My favorite dish of the night was a fried egg on top of swiss chard. Oh, and the churro. I would have liked to see a few more veg friendly options on the menu, but, it is what it is. The serving staff was friendly and attentive.
(4)Cali L.
I was a little skeptical when I heard that the words "amazing" and "tapas." Now I am a believer. I don't think there could possibly be a better combination than sangria, delicious fried everything (heavenly salt cod fritters! Crunchy anchovies! Seasonal squash blossoms!) and old friends. The vibe was great. Next time I'd love to sit closer to the kitchen so I can see how they push out so many different plates! I can't wait for my next visit!
(5)Kitty P.
All I can say is Ox Tails Croquettes and Olive Oil Cake. If you asked me a year ago if those words would marquise through my brain 24-7, but seriously. Yes. Oh, and "Don't be too cool to eat dinner at like 5 pm on a Tuesday cause it will be spankin' busy by 5:30 and you'll be thrilled to have a chair."
(5)Patrick C.
Ah, Toro Bravo. Among my group of friends I am able to claim to have discovered you, and continue to be a big fan. Your food, excellent. Service staff, ditto. Wine selection, great. Love the decor, the vibe, everything. Why a 4 star then, you ask? Good question. I feel like an old guy for saying this, but it's a little too loud inside. It's obvious why: big, plain walls with little covering them, it's a square space, and the ceilings are tall. Sound is going to carry. But it's the only thing keeping you from a 5 star in my book. Everything else has been said. If you haven't been here, get here soon, you're missing a great restaurant. PS~ The heads up from other reviewers on the Secret Society is spot-on. Love that place.
(4)Jason D.
i cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. The chef's tasting menu is always a favorite and inexpensive.
(5)Ian R.
This is the place to take all your pseudo-vegetarian friends to test their mettle. Anyone who can make it through the hour-plus wait and their meal watching Toro Bravo's mouth watering meat dishes flow out of the kitchen without partaking has will power beyond anything I can conceive. Yeah, there are some tasty veggie options, but passing up John Gorham's brilliantly-conceived meat dishes like the smoked coppa steak and the suckling pig would be akin to visiting Portland and skipping Powell's. The menu is always changing bits and pieces but I can honestly say that in six visits I've only had one bad dish (fried egg). Go early, go hungry and go with a big group for your best chance to score a table and taste all the amazing offerings.
(5)Chris B.
Bacon wrapped dates are amazing and start your meal off. Radicchio salad and paella are favorites.
(4)C M.
Blows my mind, every time. Just ask your server what you should eat and drink and sit back and enjoy the ride. Seriously. Best food in Portland. Just be prepared to wait for a seat.
(5)Red G.
Went here recently. I now totally get it. We had to wait about 15 minutes, but drank some sangria, chatted with others -- when we were seated, we were comped for our wait with a fried anchovy and potato dish (pssst, I would've ordered it anyway, so score one for me...) The menu has tons of variety, with something for everyone. Vegetarian, different meats, hot, cold. The chef takes tapas to the right level -- not too far from its Spanish authenticity, but with a twist that makes sometimes-too-bland-ordinary-tapas fun to rediscover. The staff was friendly, the vibe was buzzing and the prices were very reasonable -- not what I was exepecting from one of the most talked-about restaurants in PDX. Simply awesome -- definitely one of the BEST restaurants in Portland.
(5)Garrett W.
This place already has enough reviews, but thought I might highlight it for people I know. Really great dishes here. Everything is a beautiful creation with incredible textures and flavor. The setting is really intimate with the bustle of the kitchen in the background. Definitely come early to grab a seat!
(5)Jessie D.
Went for an early lunch with co-workers. Great food look forward to going again to try other items on their menu. The chocolate doughnut is a must!!
(5)Emee P.
Portland needs more casual dining that actually has GOOD food, and Toro Bravo fills the bill. Styled after the delicious "pub grub" of Spain, there is a two-page menu that changes often. Highlights for me were: bacon-wrapped dates, coppa steak, duck rilletes, and the pot de creme. Woo hoo! And it only set two people back $75, and that was with several glasses of wine included. Hooray! We only waited about 20 minutes, and that was at 7:30 on a Wednesday night. The servers were happy to start bringing us drinks and tapas in the small waiting area, so the wait wasn't painful. Something I have to mention: I hate when other people review the customers of a place. That's so lame. A restaurant review should really be about the food and service. (Both are great at Toro Bravo.) They have no control who comes in to dine.
(5)Preston P.
We arrived around 5:30 pm on a Saturday and the place was already packed. It is a small space with tables close together. Great place to bring a group of friends. They do a great job at staggering the arrival of plates. We never felt rushed. Apparently the menu often changes. Loved the bacon wrapped dates and "French kisses" (foie gras stuffed dates). Would also recommend the salt cod fritters and grilled flat bread with truffle oil. Yum! Everything was fantastic.
(5)Elizabeth B.
Went with my ma and pa and sig oth for Pappy's day...we waited only 30 minutes at 8:00 PM on a Sunday. We were seated in the very center of the hiply decorated locale. The place was buzzing with excitement and sangria-drinking patrons. I found myself telling my parents about how awesome Spain is, and about how you can get ripped off by tapas joints in Barcelona. Then we ordered sangria, more winey than sweet, which I prefer. And we began our meal with pinchos (smallest plates). Toasted almonds, Steve's cheese plate, and bacon wrapped dates which were all excellent choices, before we moved on to the richer tapas. Next came a superb Spanish tortilla, which was better than any other tortilla I'd ever eaten, including the one my brother's pop-in-law makes, and he was raised in MADRID. Then, omigod, the peas with mint were to die for and I almost did. The salted cod was a little too salty, although I loved the textures. Chicken wrapped in pancetta was again one of the best dishes I've had, and the paella Toro (with chorizo and seafood galore) made me want to weep openly. It was, all told, a dining experience that I do not ever want to leave in the annals of forgotten meals. Service is Euro-style, with happy looking smiling servers who take turns dropping off tapas and checking in with courtesy. Commies! And I will say that the night of the meal I had one of the best dreams I've ever had, proving that Toro Bravo is indeed mystical.
(5)Rosie K.
Visiting from Texas, looking for a good Tapas joint with my Spaniard husband... it was crowded on a weeknight, had to wait 30 minutes for a table... but it was well worth it! Everything was delicious from the white sangrias, the bread, the shrimp tapas, tortilla española, cod croquetas, manchego croquetas, sautéed spinach... yum! Service was also excellent, the staff never stopped--from hostess, to bartender to busboys to waiters... high energy. A bit loud but when the food is delicious, that doesn't matter!
(5)Arinda P.
"Woohoo! As good as it gets!" This place has impeccable service and absolutely delicious food!! We were quoted about a 20 minute wait when we first arrived. Once the wait became a little longer than expected, the hostess apologized and presented each of us a cocktail and an appetizer to share. Once the table became ready, we were promptly seated and waited upon. Being first timers, we ordered just about everything on the menu. Every dish was scrumptious, but the dish that deserved the most credit, was the Grilled Moorish Lamb Chops with warm potato & chorizo salad. I would definitely order that time and time again! Anyone who orders this is guaranteed not to be disappointed. Hands down, this is the best tapas restaurant in Portland; I give them 150% for customer service and food!
(5)MJ L.
I just have to say this. I have eaten (and cooked) at some of the finest restaurants in this country. EAT HERE! Flawless Food. PS. If you think the lamb is gamey it means you don't like lamb, That's how it's supposed to taste. Lamb that doesn't taste like that was raised specifically not to taste very much like lamb (just for folks like you). This is not an insult to you Sarah B. It's just a fact.
(5)Sarah K.
This place is fantastic with a bit of caution. There are a few things you need to know...there are no reservations for small parties which means if you want to eat before 7:30-8pm, you need to arrive before 5pm and stand in line while the staff sets up. There is always an early line and if you want the first seating, this is the only way to do it. Otherwise, they'll take your name, hand you a pager and you end up in a bar upstairs until they buzz you. If you have nothing but time on your hands, it's not a big deal. The food is worth the wait. One of the cons about this place is the noise level. It's a small room and the noise bounces, then there's the loud music. There are a few seats in the house that will accommodate a private conversation but most of them require leaning over and hollering to your partner. Not quiet and romantic....loud and bustling. The waitstaff tends to work together so you won't make an intimate relationship with your server. They're just trying to get the job done well and turn a table. I've never had anything bad at this place. Some I like more than others, but never bad, and certainly nothing that's ever made me sick (as mentioned in another review). Plan on spending a cool $100 for food and wine for two people. I will go back to this place.
(4)George M.
Best tapas I've ever had!!
(5)Emily P.
Great place to hang out. Go early or late - or you'll be waiting for a table for at least a glass or two of wine. And, you'll need to be nice to the hostess if it's busy...she can get a little short with you. All of the dishes are excellent - and it's awesome to get a variety and share. I would definitely recommend it for dinner.
(4)judith p.
Believe the Hype. It is that good. Go there with a group of at least three so you can get a good variety. Be willing to spend some dough. Ask the waiters for suggestions. The servings are small so expect that. . .Just small bites of bliss. Final Verdict: YES! Must try at least once. But--leave the vegetarians and lactose intolerant at home.
(5)Lisa C.
I have been here twice and both times had a lot of fun. It definitely gets a 5 for ambience and at least a 4 for food, but I agree with some others that the service is a 3- average. This seems to be a theme with some Portland restaurants. The food is amazing and the service leaves something to be desired. OK, don't think that I am slamming Toro Bravo. I actually love this place. You can get an amazing meal for an amazing price here too. Our group of 4 got 2 pitchers of Sangria, 5 or 6 small plates, a huge pan of Fideos with Rabbit sausage, 2 desserts, and 2 shots of Lemoncello for $120. That is only $30 per person!! How is that even possible?? The food is all amazing. My favorite this last time was the duck and cherry empenada. Or was it the torta? Or was it the gazpacho? Aaah!! I cannot decide!! The Fideos was AMAZING. WOW!! I will never go here without ordering that dish again I can tell you that much. If you are in Portland this is definitely one of the spots to hit.
(4)James J.
Bit of a wait, but absolutely worth it! Had bacon wrapped dates to start. The pan seared tuna was one of the better things I've ever eaten. Service was friendly. Great atmosphere.
(5)Becky L.
A really great place but a little pricey. Food is delicious, but again I'm cheap and the tapas are delicious.
(4)Rick P.
Sometimes the best dining experiences are the least anticipated ones. Our short weekend trip didn't provide us with enough meals in the day to eat to our hearts' content. With the overwhelming array of options and the limited dining opportunities, I had almost passed up Toro Bravo for another one of the many excellent PDX offerings. Spanish tapas didn't exactly scream quintessential Portland, and previous mediocre meals at seemingly similar restaurants left me wary. Good thing I stuck with my choice, as our meal at Toro Bravo was the most memorable one on our trip, hands down. Chef/owner John Gorham pays homage to the Spanish small bites concept with inspired dishes of traditional ingredients and preparations, with a distinctive Portland sensibility. There's a dizzying assortment of dishes, which begs you to bring hordes of friends so you can sample every single item on the menu. Unfortunately that wasn't the case with us, so we had to make due with a smaller selection of tapas. Every item we tried, like the surprisingly simple but delicious radicchio salad (with the amazing green olive toast!), the hearty lamb ribs, the aromatic tuna with couscous, the French kisses (brandy soaked prunes stuffed with foie gras), was mind numbingly good, further supporting the fact that well-prepared rustic, honest food often trumps fussy, pretentious high-end cuisine. Toro Bravo is one of those places that you wouldn't mind flying a few hundred miles for... just for dinner. It's that good. photos at alamodejournals.com/inde…
(5)Alex K.
It's been awhile since I have visited Toro Bravo but for me that speaks volumes about a place. It did not impress me at all. The food was decent but I am not much for tapas in the first place. The drinks were ok but the price of everything was high. It was indeed loud and the seating is uncomfortable. It also doesn't seem very North East to me having lived in NE Portland for over 15 years. Its just another piece of gentrification trying to be way too cool for a down to Earth area. Call me crazy but I am an office professional and my idea of a good time isn't being balls deep in young urban professionals attempting to out cool one another.
(2)Sarah B.
In a word: meh. The service was good, but the food was not of the "knock your socks off" quality that I was expecting. All I've heard about Toro Bravo has been positive buzz, so I went in expecting to be wowed. We arrived around 9 pm on a Thursday night, and we only waited about 10 minutes for a table for two. I like the buzzing energy of the place, but it was a little too loud for intimate conversation. This was fine by my date and myself, we were content just blabbing at a higher than average decibel. Our server was quirky and knowledgeable, as were the rest of the employees we encountered. Even though our server suggested 4-5 tapas for two of us, we went with only 3 and an order of bread. Being the cheapskate that I am, paying $1 for bread, butter and oil was rough, but it was worth it. Our menu: Butternut squash dumplings with shredded Lamb shanks--good, but the lamb tasted a little gamey to me. 3 small dumplings and about a handful of lamb. Meatballs--the almond-tomato sauce on these was awesome! Actually, that sauce was my favorite part of the whole meal. The meatballs themselves were a little bland (Patanegra's are wayyyy better), but the sauce made the dish. Smoked Pork Sandwich--good, but I felt totally low brow when all I could think was "damn, this would be good smothered in bbq sauce." The crowd was pretty schmuck-y, but I was in good company, so it didn't matter. I only overheard the words iPhone, wi-fi and First Thursday a few times, so I would rate the crowd a 5 (of 10) on the hoity toit factor. Parking is not the best--think NW 23rd street parking. All in all, I would try another tapas place before venturing back to Toro Bravo.
(3)Erin W.
The food here is phenomenal. It was entirely worth the long wait, especially because I could pass the hour upstairs over some creative and delicious cocktails at Secret Society. My party of three was called about an hour after putting our names in and told that a space would be available momentarily. My only complaint, is that when we showed up downstairs 10 minutes later (after slugging down the remains of our bevies and settling our tab at S.S.), there was an additional 15 minutes of standing around waiting for our table. Hmm...all was soon forgiven upon the first bite of the meal though. The three of us ordered six savory and two dessert plates and it was absolutely the perfect amount: Potatoes Bravos, Chared Bread w/Nettles & Fromage Blanc, Squid Ink Pasta, leeky goodness, Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with Sheep's Cheese and Sauteed Chard with an Egg for dinner and Olive Oil Cake and Churos with Chocolate Dipping Sauce (honeslty, the churos plate was the only underwhelming item in the meal). Service was good. Oh, and don't forget about that sangria...yum...... As for atmosphere, the fabric wall panels need some updating. The place is very noisy, so they are good for acoustics I suppose, but the busy print seems out of place and distracting. Other measures to keep the noise down would be appreciated but who really cares when the food is so good. I wish Toro Bravo had a cousin to settle into my neighborhood in Seattle!!
(5)Illyanna M.
I was beginning to think that the city of Portland had some unspoken contractual agreement with Toro Bravo. Not only did Portland's WW (their version of SF Weekly/Guardian) 2007 restaurant of the year award go to TB, in their 18-years of publication, a single chef has never won that award twice, until the chef behind TB opened another establishment, Tasty N Sons. Three years later, TB is still getting play in every Pacific Northwest publication, tour book and on the recommendation lists of the several Portlanders that suggested TB to us. We finally gave in and accepted our destiny. It was time to go to Toro Bravo. Standing outside in Portland's notorious cool autumn weather, we waited 15 minutes to be seated inside of the intimate and warm dining room that seems to flow right into the open kitchen. Here you can watch the cooks bustle down the line and play the guessing game if that's your plate standing at the pass. Don't think just because TB has a burger on their menu that they aren't a major contender in the food game, after all, it's a Manchego and bacon burger with romesco sauce and pickled veggies for only $9. Their plates are between $1 (bread, butter and olive oil) to $15 (oxtail croquettes). We started with the patatas bravas - boiled in brine, slightly fried pieces of potato with creamy and soft interiors, covered in a flavorful tomato sauce and served with aioli. Codfish croquttes - creamy cod puree shaped into quenelles and deep fried to produce a natural crunchy exterior and a light interior, served with an aioli. Fried green tomatoes - acidic, sweet and vibrant small tomato slices lightly breaded with a cornmeal crust. And finally, we finished with charred octopus tentacles and rock shrimp served inside of a fiery hell stew broth. With drinks, $40. Inside it's loud, energetic and adventurous like a young personality. It's cozy like your grandmother's hug. It's familiar and comfortable like old friends at a neighborhood bar. And although it's Spanish tapas, it's an accurate representation of Portland with its accepting to the different and knowledgeable of quality gastronomy. Just ask the couple we sat next to that overheard our conversation about Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal and jumped right in without apology, the woman had been there! Sorry I didn't provide photos, my little "camera that could," just couldn't take good photos in this dark restaurant. Stupid Vivitar.
(5)Lille P.
Although the wait is ALWAYS long, thank your lucky stars that Secret Society Ballroom is right upstairs, and the dear, sweet hostess at TB will call you when your table is ready! Or, if it's not too busy, and you're lucky enough to snag a table with standing room only, have an amazing glass of wine with the awesome bacon-wrapped dates and prepare yourself for excellence. I love ordering dozens of small plates to share with a big group of people: there's bound to be something you will fall in love with. The suckling pig was our absolute favorite for a long time (I don't think it's on the menu anymore) but you really can't go wrong with this place.
(5)T H.
I love Tapas My recipe for the perfect summer evening is sitting on the patio at Jaleo in Bethesda sipping Sangria and savoring tapas. As a result, I was very excited to learn of Toro Bravo and vowed to check it out next time we were in town for a show at the Wonder Ballroom. The restaurant was very busy when we arrived, but we were seated immediately. The waitress helped us fight 2 lovely Spanish wines to pair w/ our food. The food itself ranged from sublime to awful. We swooned over the crispy green cauliflower but couldn't gag down shredded beef and polenta dish. One of my all time favorites, patatas bravas also disappointed. The experience warrants 3 stars because the wine, service and cauliflower balance out the disappointments. Given the stellar ratings from other Yelpers, we'll give the place a second try in case we just hit them on a bad night.
(3)J M.
Over priced. Not that thrilled with the food over experience. Not worth the hype.
(2)J R.
Been to Toro Bravo just twice, but each time has been an absolute pleasure. The hostess was very kind to call my cell phone and prompt us when our table was ready and our waitress was nice enough to suggest plates that would adhere to my friend's pork free diet. I would recommend the tasting plates to a couple enjoying a nice intimate date, but be certain to ask the waitress what is on the line-up for the chef's special. Arrive before the restaurant opens, or later in the evening to ensure seating or a short wait. I suggest Toro Bravo for dates or catch-up dinners with friends. I cannot wait for my next dinning experience at Toro Bravo!
(5)Josh W.
Awesome food, great atmosphere. Expected a wait, but we were seated immediately.
(5)Robin C.
We have decided to start trying at least one new restaurant a month with friends. This was our first and a total winner. The scallops were killer, just a little crispy edge but not over cooked and the sauce was heavenly. The burger was excellent probably the best I've had in Portland or anywhere for that matter. The Potatoes Bravas were another winner. The Grilled Flat Bread with black truffle cheese and arugula was another of my favorites. My husband was all about the Griddled Shrimp with Chilies, we also tried the BLT. The only dishes I was dissappointed in was the Manchego & Paprika Fritters and Corn on the Cob which was dry and tough. I recommend going with a group of friends that way you might have enough room for something on the sweets menu.
(4)Kristine H.
Yum yum! Fun and delicious environment for the food connoisseur. Share little family style meals and get a taste of Spain.
(5)Bora K.
As 2009 draws to a close, I've been thinking about the best meals I've had this year and without a doubt, hands down, my birthday dinner at Toro Bravo had to be my favorite, Portland itself has some of the most amazing food and restaurants I've experienced throughout my travels and there was something about Toro Bravo that really did it for me. It's not a fancy or even really well known restaurant outside of where it is but there was a dimension to the food that made it simply some of the best I've had in a long, long time. We ordered quite a few dishes to share between two people and my only complaint was that I couldn't finish everything because I got so full from gorging too quickly. We had the Radicchio salad with Green Olive Toast and Manchego Vinaigrette (I am OBSESSED with this salad. It is so so good, I could sit there and eat bowl after bowl...), Catalan Tomato Rubbed Bread (how could something as simple as grilled bread rubbed with a tomato make you want to sing?), Fried Anchovies with Fennel and Lemon (those crispy fried pieces of fennel and lemon slices did a good job balancing out the richness of the oily fish), Grilled Lamb Ribs with Cucumber Salad (If you are not a fan of lamb, I promise these ribs will make you a convert), Moroccan Tuna with Dried Cherry Cous Cous (I hate to use the word 'Umami' but that is the only word that comes to mind when trying to convey the depth of flavor this dish had. It was abso-freaking-lutely delicious), Chicken and Clams Cataplana with Tomato and Jamon (the chicken and clams were so succulent and juicy and the ham gave everything a great saltiness), Brandy Soaked Prunes stuffed with Foie Gras called "French Kisses" (pure decadence) and for dessert Caramel Panna Cotta (the caramel sauce was rich and luscious with perfectly balanced flavors of burnt sugar). I am sad, actually sad, that Toro Bravo is in Portland and not Los Angeles because as I sit here writing all of this, the desire to go back and have that very same meal is making me want to weep. I guess I'll just have to look back at the photos taken of our meal alamodejournals.com/inde… and dream about the day I'll go back to eat there again.
(5)Don B.
Bravo, Toro, Bravo! I stepped into Toro Bravo off of the still-in-gentrification-process N. Russell St. It was surprisingly quiet for 9:45pm on a Saturday night. I felt like I was stepping into a San Francisco open-kitchen restaurant (they seem to be all the rage down there). High ceilings, wide open space, kitchen in the back, bar to the left, tables crammed in everywhere (all full), and the nice white-noise-esque cacophony of happy dining sounds. Not too loud, but enough to exude a nice vibrant glow. We were advised it would be a few minutes for a table, and ushered over to a stand-up table in an entryway nook, where a ninja-style server appeared from thin air and took our drink and Pinchos order: an Old Fashioned, a rosemary-gin martini, and sangria. The sangria was very authentic, not too sweet, nice and dry. Just like Espana. The martini was quite nice (slightly floral), and the Old Fashioned was amazing. We got our pinchos immediately - salted roasted almonds and the pickled veggies. The almonds were a perfect little snack while waiting, and the veggies were very tasty, although they loaded the little dish with olives and only had a few beets, sweet dill slices and onions. Should have called it pickled olives instead. The pickled onions were the best part. Need more! We were seated within about 10 minutes at most. I guess careful planning pays off when you want to visit a place with an otherwise oppressive wait. They provided us with the menu while we were waiting so we had ample time to peruse the litany of tapas offerings. Most of them looked quite authentic. There were three of us and we ordered three tapas dishes each (ok, I ordered four, I can't lie): The grilled chantrelles on toast, squid ink pasta with caramelized onion and egg yolk, white anchovies on crostini, salt cod fritters, ox-tail croquettes, butternut squash with braised lamb, grilled romanesco with olives, scallops with romesco sauce and fresh fennel, clam and chorizo stew, patatas bravas, aaaaand I can't remember the last one (I guess it didn't leave that much of a lasting impression). We eagerly awaited the arrival of the vast array of food that was on its way. The wonderful thing about tapas is that they come out when they are ready, so you get to eat slowly, savoring a morsel here, and a tidbit there, until all of a sudden you realize there are 10 empty plates in front of you and you are REALLY full. First to arrive was the grilled chantrelles in an herbed cream sauce on toast. This was one of the best dishes of the night. Creamy, mushroomy, nice and complex, but light. A whole plate would be too rich, but a tapa-sized portion (or maybe 2 next time) was perfect. I lost track of the order in which the rest arrived. I will say that many were good, pretty damn good in fact, but a tad off-balance, or a tad salty. Some were so sublime that even though I would want to try so many new items the next time I return, I will be hard pressed not to order them again. The squid ink pasta was amazing. The yolk comes in the middle of the pile, and you break it and mix it up with the pasta, caramelized onion, peppers, and hazelnuts. It's a slightly spicy, slightly salty, yolky pile of black-noodle heaven. I could seriously eat a whole plate of this stuff. The scallops were so perfectly balanced, with a creamy but not overbearing romesco sauce balanced nicely with the fresh fennel. $13 for 2 scallops seems steep, but the one bite I had was so superb I would order it again. That ended up being the fav of the night for all three of us. The salt cod fritters were very salty (as far as I am concerned, that's how they are supposed to be), and paired with aioli. Tasty. The oxtail croquettes were good, a little sweet, with a hint of clove. Very north-African influenced. The butternut squash and lamb (braised in a red sauce, maybe a tad bit of harissa) combo was ok, but the two would have been better off served separately. The squash was quite good on its own, as was the lamb. They just did not pair well. The clam and chorizo stew was divine, a creamy chowdery type deal with chunks of the sausage and whole clams floating in it. Only downside was that the chorizo was not quite fatty enough. The grilled romanesco was quite good if eaten without the accompanying olives (too salty). The romanesco picked up just the perfect amount of saltiness and flavor on its own. The anchovies were good (a very traditional Spanish dish), but they used too much tomato sauce. The patatas bravas (fried potato wedges with harissa ketchup and aioli) were so very good. That would make a wonderful late-drunken-night snack. 5-stars = too much for this place, they need to be a tad more careful with their experimentation and pairings here. That said, I am excited to return and try out more of these delicious tapas. Great service, good-to-amazing authentic food, fun way to eat. Bravo, Toro!
(4)Susan N.
I was a little worried when we drove up because it looked a bit trendy...but man I'm glad we went in. The food brought back incredible memories of Spain, especially the Spanish Tortilla. I am a tapas girl and a bit of a traditionalist, so it was nice to enjoy fresh ingredients put together as you would find in Spain.
(4)Mac M.
I love this place. Great food, fun atmosphere and great drinks. A trendy must stop. Even great stop before a Blaze game. Beware though because the place gets packed and you might have to wait outside in line to get a place to sit. Bar seating is fun because of how busy the kitchen and bar are and you get front row to all the action.
(5)Shane K.
Great atmosphere, large and varied selection on the menu and great drinks. This is a great place to go with a group of friends and/or for a special occasion.
(4)Mike C.
Maybe I didn't drink the TB Kool-Aid....or perhaps I made some poor menu choices. The onion soup was ordinary at best. The delicate polenta was overwhelmed with the addition of beef and gooey cheese. For toppers, the brussels sprouts were swimming in bacon grease. A so-so selection of beer, and I'm wondering why there are raves here. I may try TB again, but not in the near future... Tried Andina, and found it to be vastly superior...
(2)Kiwi B.
A friend and I went to Portland last weekend mostly to eat and hang out. This place had been recommended to me on Fodor's travel forum but our dinner plans were for Montage where old Seattle-ite friend works. Well, we drove by Montage, saw prom kids out front, decided we didn't want to eat with a bunch of prom kids and called 411 to find out how to get here. Can I thank those prom kids? This was my favorite meal in Portland and high up there in general. I only wish my belly was bigger so I could've ordered more. I barely fit what we got as it was...
(5)Dyey L.
BRAVO, Toro Bravo!! Definitely one of the few best restaurants I've ever been. Discovered it when Willamette Weekly mentioned its Sherry Chicken Liver Mousse as one of top 25 items to try in Portland. It didn't disappoint, actually it's just the beginning. My wife and I ordered some Fresh Spanish Anchovies fried with fennel & lemon and wow!, it hit the spot. Something in this dish made an impression on me, it was the deep fried slice of lemon and the sauce. Awesomeness! The paella was another thing of beauty. They serve it in the pan where it's cooked so you get all the flavors you just can't help but scrape it down to the last grain. The drinks are great as well. We brought our friends there and each of us got a different drink so we got a sip of each. It's all good but still my favorite is the negroni, perfect blend of sweet and bitter. Make sure to save room for dessert too, they've got some good selection. I would definitely go there just for these: hazelnut ice cream with sherry (mmm... hazelnut), and almond ice cream with espresso (mmm... espresso), what else could be better! Our goal there is to try everything in the menu but it's kind of hard because we always get our default favorites mentioned above. I guess that's why we keep coming back.
(5)Uncle G.
If you are looking for the best food experience in Portland, I suggest eating here! We keep coming back because everything we try is delicious, and often unexpected. The pricing is extremely reasonable, and the quality is always superb. Our recent favorite dish is the smoked pork rilletes with homemade marmalade...
(5)Brian H.
Snotty service but good food. You decide if it's worth the wait.
(2)Jo T.
This place was good in so many levels. Food was spot on. Service was very welcoming. This place is definitely on my all time favorite place. A destination restaurant.
(5)Brian M.
When I first arrived they told us that it would be a 1.5~2 hour wait for 6 of us. There was NO WAY that any food is worth 1.5~2 hour wait....but something happened and they were able to get us in like in 30 minutes. Despite what I said above...this comes pretty damn close to worth waiting 2 hours for. I'd say if its an hour wait....its definitely worth it. The food was EXCELLENT. The drinks were good. We tried several items including the Pig greens, marinated sheeps cheese, some sort of cheese fritters, the meatballs, butternut squash, mushrooms, and the smoked steak. The mushrooms were the bomb...cooked in a creamy sauce served on toasted bread. The steak was good as well. The meatballs themselves were underwhelming...but the sauce with bread is awesome. The only dish I wasn't really happy with was the pig greens as its just a salad. The cheese fritters were OK. For dessert we had the churos and chocolate...which were nice but I can't say were awesome. My girlfriend had the lemon curd crepes...which I thought were excellent. I'm definitely heading back but with a smaller group.
(4)Kristina L.
Good place to go with a group. There's so much good stuff on their menu, you'll want to try everything! Tappas are so flavorful, they're bursting with flavor with every bite! I enjoyed every single tappas we tried though my favorite was the oxtail croquettes, very tender & juicy!
(5)Tommy H.
FANTASTIC! The only thing that I would have to say is that the lag to get a table can be long & it is a little loud...but that's okay you are not there to talk. You are there for delicious tappas, my friend.
(4)Erin A.
So, i am always hesitant to RAVE about a place for fear of anyone walking in anywhere with super high expectations. Can't help it this time....i kinda found food nirvana last night. I'm gonna go ahead and say this place just has really good food, not stellar, EXCEPT for the burger. We started off with a salad, the potatoes and 2 bacon wrapped dates. The salad was delicious, with a slight hint of mint to make it yummy. Totally similar to stuff we make at home but with a twist. The potatoes were good, but doubt i'd order them again, just wasn't that into them. The bacon wrapped dates...omg, YUM! Just wish we woulda saved for dessert :-) We then had the flat bread with black truffle cheese and arugula...the bread had been on the grill and had that nummy charred taste, the combo of arugula, truffle oil and cheese was awesome. We then had difficulty deciding what big item to get, so many sounded good but we were really getting full. We finally decided we just had to try the burger, based in part on Yelp reviews my bf had already read. I feel pretty confident in saying i am burger expert or pretty darn close...i tried to be a vegetarian and the only meat i missed was burgers :-) The Burger was ridiculously, awesomely, amazingly delicious! Thank gawd we chose to split one...it was so rich, and the manchego cheese was rich, and oh so messy with the bootom bun drenched in romesco ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ro… ). This burger is in my top 3 list for "last meal". Looking around, it was clear lots of other people were really enjoying every bite, and the place was packed with a lot of people outside. I highly recommend this joint! Head upstairs before or after and enjoy a yummy drink at Secret Society...and girls, check out that bathroom!
(5)Lauren G.
Dios Mio! You don't even know how amazing this restaurant is, do you? You don't even know! Maybe you know...they've been getting a ton of press lately. One of them dang weeklies voted them best restaurant of 2007. Yeah bud. I went to dinner here on a Friday with my familia and it was fantastic. I'm under the impression that it's pretty much busy here all the time, and they don't do reservations, as far as I know, so plan ahead. We got there right at 5, when they opened and by 6, the waiting area was overflowing. My sis came here on a Wednesday night around 7 and there was an hour wait. There IS a tiny little drink area for those waiting. Would you allow me to talk about the food? I have eaten some amazing meals in this city, but even a week later I'm still kind of reeling from this one. I haven't been to Spain (but I kinda like the music) and I haven't really jumped aboard the Tapas train for some reason, but I think I'm qualified to know what tastes really delicious when I eat it. I'll indulge you with a smattering of some of the best tastes: -Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with sheep's cheese. Amazing. Really well-prepared, and the strong cheese was amazing with the rich squash. -Roasted Eggplant with Lamb ragu. Whoa bud, this is tops. So rich and hearty. -Chicken and Pork Croquettes- warm little fried bundles of deliciousness (basically). -Meatballs- ooooh the meatballs. I mean they're meatballs. Very delicious balls of meat with an amazing tomato sauce. I also had the Sangria which was quite satisfactory and NOTE: You must try the chocolate almonds for dessert. Seems kinda boring, right? Oh no no, they're perfection. Roasted, salty, sweet, thin chocolate layer, powered sugar. Served chilled. You might not think you want dessert, but you do. So yeah, I loved it. The menu's definitely meat-heavy, the chef/owner used to own Viande meats, so bro knows a meat product. But the veggie dishes are also tops, and I heard I should have tried the salads as well. You need to go here. Toro Bravo is getting all this press with good reason.
(5)Pat G.
I have to say that this is one of my current favorite Portland restaurants. I'm tempted to downgrade just a little for slightly dismissive waitstaff, but they're always pretty busy, so I'll cut them some slack. Everything I've had there has been good. Good drinks. Good chow. Nice ambiance. What to order? Hmm... sangria and a big pile of food. You'll be glad you did. Note, though, that this happy review does not apply to the lousy bar they send you to... the Secret Society, I think. It's upstairs. It's boring, expensive, and has a lousy drink selection. Skip that if they suggest it.
(5)Marki V.
| | | | C Every time I see Toro Bravo on Yelp, I want to go and | |_ O-/ | | O check it out. But I never did. | | |_ | | | R | | \ \ \ | | P What's stopping me ....? | | /.//. | | O | |======| | R The ridiculously long wait that's mentioned in all | | | | A the reviews. | |======| | T | | | | E Even with all the yelping at work I may even get a | |======| | promotion and get to move up in the corporate | | | | L ladder. But I just don't think I will get a table at Toro | |======| | A Brovo within a reasonable time. Thats just my luck. | | | | D | |======| | D FIVE STARS FOR ALL THE | | | | E HYPE & | | | | R ANTICIPATION
(5)Jules N.
My boyfriend took me here and I must say, I fell in love. The food is delicious, the staff was wonderful, the atmosphere is great - I have nothing bad to say. I'm going to visit Portland in a week so I know where we're going to eat :)
(5)Garrett P.
I was worried about eating here as a vegetarian, but I found plenty of perfect dishes that made me happy. The marinated sheep's cheese was my highlight, and the Potatoes Bravas had a texture I had never experienced before, moist and soft, with a crisp layer just a little inside.
(5)Bluespire D.
The waitstaff here tolerated my niece like a champ. They stuck us in a spot where we could break glassware with a minimum of annoyance to other diners, which we always appreciate. The food was mostly awesome, only a few plates were mediocre, nothing was bad. I love the small portions and some of the pricing was great, but there were a few plates where I didn't feel like I got much for my $9.
(4)Meaghan H.
All of the food was excellent! I really enjoy sharing the small plates and getting a variety of food. Everything we ordered was excellently prepared and the ideas were all original. Be prepared to wait a while for a table but it is definitely worth it. If you can sit at the bar, it is an amazing show to watch the chefs work!
(5)Mon C.
maybe i'm a little spoiled living in SF with its healthy number of fantastic tapas restaurants. but considering this restaurant is in portland, it's not that bad. the plates are decently priced and sized, and somewhat original.. but a number of them were a tad too salty for my taste. their redeeming plate had to be the 'French Kiss', brandy soaked prunes stuffed with foie gras - fanfreakingtabulous! 2/6 good plates = 3 stars
(3)Michelle K.
Amazingly delicious! I went early on in the week, maybe a Wednesday around 6 pm. There was only room at the bar facing the kitchen, which is great -- not only do you get to see the action and food prep, but since it's a loud place it was much easier to converse with my dinner mate! The food comes here VERY quickly. I don't recommend ordering more than 2 things at a time because you can become backlogged with dishes, and everything is so rich that it's a shame to rush through it. The portions of mousse are INCREDIBLY decadent. I also recommend the anchovy fritters. YUM! Corkage is $10.
(5)Lenka B.
I would like to go back to Toro Bravo one of these days so that I can hopefully have the amazing experience that everyone else seems to be having. When I went, I was not too impressed with any of my food and I felt like I was paying a penny per salt grain. All of my food I felt was way too salty and over priced. Though I will say that my server was top notch.
(2)Brandy S.
Went here before my first trip to Spain - first thing is first after all, food! Lovely food to share on a cold fall evening. The wait can be long, but if you don't mind sitting next to strangers, you can usually squeeze in. I must say that the food here was just as good (or better) than the food in Spain (definitely less mayo at Toro Bravo).
(4)Sherman S.
Awesome! A place to visit when in Portland!
(4)Joseph H.
we tried 7 different dishes than we had last time, all were amazing. Even non-foodie friends were captivated to speechless moments of reverie. Clams, scallops, lamb sausage, radicchio, and churro for dessert. Life doesn't get much better.
(5)James M.
My wife and I decided to eat here for our Anniversary Dinner while we were visiting Portland last week. It was surprisingly good and very reasonable on the wallet. We sampled a few Tapas, shared a bowl of soup and then I devoured the entire Paella Toro all by myself. This dish can serve 4, best eaten by 1. A very cool place.
(4)Jake S.
Went here last night for Anniversary dinner right after work at 5:30. Not our typical time to go out for dinner, but we got a table right away and the place was filled up within the hour....amazing for a Tuesday night - they are doing a nice business. Food was absolutely delicious. All of the staff was attentive and down to earth. Kind of how the entire place felt - filled with quality and thoughtfulness. Among the highlights of our order, we had the olive plate (so many types of olives - very fun for your mouth), Bacon wrapped dates, the arugula and blood orange salad (very nice compliment to order mid-way as a lot of the dishes are salty so the blood oranges get your sweet up a bit), the chicken liver mousse (I could shamelessly eat it with a spoon). There are so many great things on this menu it's difficult to choose. I'll say my favorite dish of the eve was the squash dumplings with lamb ragu. Wow! every bite here was fantastic. If you haven't been - try heading there a bit early and on a weeknight if you can and want to avoid a wait.
(5)mundovore m.
My husband and I met at Toro Bravo when it was actually called Millions - a venue (non-venue) run by some kids in a band called Sleetmute Nightmute (maybe I have the spelling wrong). Regardless, I booked my husband's band and we met and then of course moved in and got married. When we went back the next time it was Toro Bravo and of course we had to go. Hard to believe this little pocket in Portland grew up so fast. We were first enchanted by the decor, by the intelligence of the chefs, owners, and wait staff. Then we were impressed by how all the time I'd traveled in Spain I'd never found a tapas bar that even closely resembled this place (but that was before the internet, so maybe I should try again). We always get everything family style, and share amongst our table of family and friends so close they may as well be family. We shuffle about the salad, the little roasted nuts served as an appetizer, the incredible bits of steak, the stuff peppers - everything here is outstanding. Personal favorites include: anything with the salt cod (bacala), the large Basque style sardines, anything with the manchego, and the clams dish. We love even having to wait upstairs sometimes in the old Disjecta bedrooms (which is now a bar) for our table. Thanks Toro Bravo! I hope you never take reservations!!
(5)Reney O.
Toro Bravo definitely gave me some good vibes right at its doorstep. I love a welcoming and happy wait staff, they only makes my new food venture all the better. We got here around 6 on a Friday, and I thought they'd be completely packed judging from how full it looked from the outside looking in, BUT they've got soooooooooo much seating that we didn't even have to wait to be seated. I guess that's what amazed me a little bit, for a restaurant that is not too big, they know how to fit in the maximum amount of tables and chairs! Very smart, I like it! So the food: tapas were tasty, and the main dishes were a little overcooked. Specifically the paella we ordered was definitely on the drier side, and the meat was a bit chalky. Disappointed? Yes. But the tapas we ordered beforehand were so damn good that next time we'd probably just stick to the appetizers. "Harissa Stewed Butternut Squash with crumbled sheeps cheese," yes that's a mouthful to say for an appetizer item, but I can tell you it tasted fantastic and is well worth the effort to say. Some of the appetizer descriptions may make your nose crinkle and wonder 'how does that work?' but judging from the lip-smacking I've heard and the contented smiles I've seen from other tapas eaters, Toro Bravo knows what they're doing with their curious concoctions.
(4)J L.
Great dining experience. The food was delicious and the service was fast. Our server was a little on the rude side, but that doesn't warrant docking a full start. This may be my favorite sit-down restaurant in PDX so far.
(5)Matt B.
I'm visiting my parents over Xmas break and they took me here. Mindblowingly good food, great service, really great wine. We got there maybe ten minutes after they opened and the only seats available were at the bar. It's always busy and for good reason. I'm seriously considering kidnapping the chef and taking him back to Los Angeles with me.
(5)Fei C.
Went there on a weeknight and it was packed and about 1/2 hr wait. Didn't mind cos they had nice sitting area outside to wait and have a couple drinks. Still can't get the food outta my mind. Every dish had different tastes and depths of flavor. My favs ranked from best: Charcuterie board, scallops with Romesco, squid ink noodles with yolk, spicy octopus stew, meatballs, greens with summer berries. All this food was only for 2; and yeah we finished it all but a couple meatballs (only cos we wanted to save it for the kids). A lot of food with drinks and final bill with tip was only $75. Service from hostess to waitress was nice and tentative. Can say, this is now my fav restaurant in PDX. 5 stars because every dish was a hit and nothing lackluster at all. Not only is food sublime but atmosphere was really enjoyable and relaxing. Really a nice place to go with friends and unwind after hard day and enjoy a bottle of wine and great food. No pretentious service or food. They actually thanked us for coming...unheard of in Portland!!!
(5)Kevin B.
Everything we had was great. However, if you wait two and a half hours to eat, even Popeye's Chicken will taste like a gourmet extravaganza. Enough has been written about the food here by reviews more willing to delve into the flavor profiles. And a lot of the culinary worship of Toro Bravo is deserved. I'm not saying don't drink the Kool-Aid, I'm just saying take a good, hard look at how you were made to prostrate yourself in order to drink it. What the hell is wrong with reservations? So much nicer than waiting in a Soviet breadline. Not that I've got anything against socialism mind you, I just prefer not to pay exorbitant amounts of money in order to experience the joys of working a communal farm. I think that this is, in essence, a high status move on the part of Toro Bravo. I'm guessing that they love people waiting for their food. The longer the better because it helps spread the impression that they're rare and precious. I suspect that they are offloading what was traditionally one of the risks and perils of the restaurant business on the backs of their audience. The problem with reservations is that people make them but don't always show up for them. Which can leave a restaurant holding tables for ghosts when perfectly willing customers sit at the door looking at spaces they could occupy. I get it. But why should I have to pay for that with my time? My hourly rate is more than the cost of the meal. But at the very least, it would be nice if Toro Bravo could build some efficiency into their system. Turn tables a little faster. Give slightly more accurate time estimates (ours were off by an hour.) Or show a little more gratitude towards your customers in the form of being extra nice and maybe, just maybe, a little apologetic about the wait time. I know that humility makes food taste worse but it goes a long way to repairing a damaged relationship. Three stars for the food. Two negative stars for the absurd wait time.
(3)Stephano G.
The only tapas restaurant that I like better than this one is Navare. I'm sure that any more info that I can give you has probably already been touched on here. Basically, if you are still reading the 270 some odd reviews, you really need to just pick yourself up and go there. After all, what on earth or the reviews going to tell you? This is a well documented phenomenon, not a hole-in-the-wall gin joint.
(4)Daddy O.
It sounds to me like Rob D. and I had a similar dining experience here. We didn't particularly fall in love with anything, but nothing was really barf-inducing terrible either. The meal was more or less unremarkable...I'm wavering between 2.5 and 3 stars but too many things went wrong to really give TB the benefit of the doubt. I guess you could say there was plenty of "meh" to go around. So here's how it played out: We arrived on Friday evening in a timely fashion, just before the mad lines began to form. While we waited 15 minutes for our table, we ordered drinks. The pilsner. So so beer, again nothing special. We decided to go splitsies because that's what you do with tapas, and besides, I'm fairly cheap in my jew-ness, even before the recession. Atmosphere inside was warm and spacious. Inviting and friendly. it felt almost like we were in a tavern in some other country. I liked the fact that there was shared seating. Before I continue though, one comment. Prices = ouch. We ordered the following dishes: Pheasant Pate. Squid Ink Pasta. Chantrelle Toast. Patatas Bravas. The pate was tasty, but the portion was rather small for the price, and didn't come with enough accoutrement (bread, mustard, greens). Chantrelle toast was slightly burnt, and the flavor of the mushroom sauce was so rich, it was almost overwhelming, even though it was fairly tasty. Ultimately it felt again like we were (over) paying $8 for a piece of toast with mushroom gravy on it. I didn't have any of the squid ink pasta as the thought of anchovy sauce is stomach-turning to me so I can't comment on that. Perhaps the biggest let-down of the meal was the Paella. Our $19 dish was over-spiced, and wasn't really paella at all, but soggy rice with some chorizo bits mixed in and a few pieces of shellfish and crustacean casually sprinkled on top. Anyone who knows their paella will surely understand that the best part of the whole dish is supposed to be the crispy rice that forms a crust along the edges of the pan. Ours had no such crush, and the chorizo was so finely ground you didn't really even get a sense of it in the dish. Patatas Bravas were a waste of $7. They were soggy, tasted like they'd been doused in ketchup, and entirely too thick. Taking a bite of them was like taking a bite of a fresh baked potato with absolutely no seasoning. We didn't even touch the dish. This leads me to service, which, maybe it's just me, but when you see that your table hasn't touched a dish, you ask them how it was, or if they want to take it to go. Our server did neither, and instead just cleared the whole table...so we didn't get the opportunity to make a complaint about the dish or ask for something else, get it removed from the bill, or even, God forbid, take it home to feed to the dog, cat (insert pet here), whatever. Boo. Anyway, we wouldn't come back, with all of the other great dining options in this town.
(2)Mike W.
It took me long enough to finally get out to Toro Bravo. Many friends have raved about this gem of a tapas restaurant in PDX. The wait for the table was 45 minutes (table for 2), so we went upstairs and had drinks before being seated. (be prepared to wait) The food was absolutely amazing. My friend ordered (a bit too much food) - but no complaints! Every dish was simply amazing. This is a must for any foodie in Portland.
(5)A G.
For burger fans: "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" Damn, I'm literally drooling just thinking about it. Mmmm... burger-liscious. Ooo! And their tapas are great, too.
(5)Richard N.
We had to wait around 45 min, but it was soooo worth it, plus we grabbed drinks at the bar next door upstairs which is very cool. But this review is all about Toro Bravo. From the minute we sat down our waitress was attentive, personal, and just damn cool. She gave us suggestions and made us feel comfortable. The food: We started off with the charcuterie plate, solid! Great cured meats. Then we had the brussel sprouts with a cream bacon sauce. The sprouts were tender and seasoned well, the sauce was savory, I dont really even like sprouts. We then had smelts with an aioli sauce. The smelts were lightly fried and scrumptious, I could eat those all night. The finale was the paella. The rice was cooked perfectly and the dish was seasoned perfectly. Each bite mixed with meat and seafood and rice melted in my mouth. This was truly one of the best dining experiences I have had, and by far the best tapas I've been to in the states. If you are any where near the State of Oregon you must go!
(5)Paul G.
Had a fantastic meal here last Friday. My friend and I were told we had a 30-40 minute wait but it ended up only being 15 minutes - nice! We opted for the $25/per person chef's tasting menu. It was a great deal and plenty of food - about 6-7 dishes. The highlight was the copa steak. Even though they were busy i found the service to be friendly and attentive.
(5)Thilo W.
I don't get the negative reviews of this place, we had another superb meal here last night. Yes, yes, two days before I was heard to say, "F%#@ this place - if they have an hour and a half wait on a Sunday then I'm never coming back!" Sorry Toro Bravo, please accept my apology. This time the wait was a manageable 45 min AND Secret Society had a table open , so no biggie. Yes, it was loud and crowded, but the food was, again, fantastic. We had the fried anchovies, the tortilla, the oxtail croquettes (great, but a bit pricey at $14 for 3), the salsify (had never even heard of this stuff before (root veggie), but it was very good), the chantrelle toast (rich and delicious), and the lamb with squash dumplings. Overall, the food was very good as before and our server was efficient, friendly, and knew her wine. Loved it and will return.
(5)C T.
A good place to go with a few friends so you can sample a good variety of options from the menu. We got here before 5:30 p.m. to avoid a wait and were rewarded. We did have to share a long table with another group, but this was no problem for us. We enjoyed swapping recommendations on the menu. The server will tell you that s/he suggests about two dishes per person. We went a bit beyond that average. Most dishes are well prepared, not over- or under-seasoned -- of note on our visit were the empanada, Spanish anchovies, coppa steak, braised lamb, and polenta. The service on our visit was well-paced; we had enough time between orders to enjoy what was on the table, but our server made sure to stop by regularly enough in case we wanted to order more. All in all, a relaxing evening, even if a bit expensive. With a bottle of wine, we ended up paying about $50 per person.
(4)Tony E.
Would definitely recommend on all fronts. Service: Great! Even had to wait a bit, but was seated outside on a smaller pub table. Started receiving drinks right away and even food at that point. Once we received a table inside (approx 15-20 mins) one of the many servers helped us in and we finished up inside. On average we probably had a server come up to us throughout the evening every 5-7 minutes just to check on us, refill water, drinks, etc. Very appreciated. Food: Very good. We had the 1) Spinach with Raisins, 2) Octopus and Prawn soup, 3) Oxtail , 4) Pork Shoulder, 5) Cubano. Number 3-5 were super good, with #1 being a tad small and #2 just not being that good. Overall though, extremely pleased and very full (maybe order 3-4 plates next time?) Atmosphere: Echoing everyone else on the review, very well done place. We were seated in a nook with 3 others tables, each table able to sit 4 comfortably. Having just 2 of us, we loved the seating. Overall, Toro Bravo is a great place to visit. We were out of town from Seattle and loved the vibe. It's a place you can step into casually (and not feel looked down upon for street wear) or feel free to dress up and bring a date! You'll be so wrapped up in the good looking/tasting food, prompt service, and dim lighting, you won't look up from your plate! :)
(4)Sara D.
A little pricey but really great food. I feel like we tried most of the menu and everything was taste-bud pleasing. Worth a trip!
(4)Karen H.
Toro Bravo was spectacular. The bacon wrapped dates were spot on and the paella was amazing...it blew my mind. The shrimp with chilis really hit the spot with just the right amount of heat. Strawberry rhubarb cobbler was great. Next trip to Portland, this will be on our list for sure!
(5)Rob C.
with some careful selection (and not expecting spanish tapas but mainstream items), you can get a great meal here. came when it opened so didn't have to wait they start you with toasted pumpkin seed/spanish peanut/sunflower nut mix we chose: Griddled Shrimp with chilies -- great in shell grilled Seared Scallops with romesco -- nice sear, good sauce Sautéed Chanterelles with cream & sherry on griddled bread -- so good, my favorite dish, sherry added the perfect sweetness Hand Cut Noodles with chili braised chicken & manchego -- pappardelle were a little limp House Smoked Coppa Steak with confit potatoes, chopped olives, caramelized onions & salbitxada -- nice, salty olives
(5)