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Avignon is a charming little fortified city in the South of France. Bar Avignon is a charming little bar in SE that brings a bit of provincial French style to Portland. On this sultry evening, the drink and food selection was exactly what my addled, over-heated, hungry, but it's-too-hot-to-eat, generally complainy self needed. The décor is sleek, simple, soothing, and oddly, seemed to have an egg theme?
Always first and most important: the drink selection. Avignon has an extensive wine list that would have something for any self-respecting wine snob. There is a full bar for the cocktail lovers, and a well-thought out selection of microbrews. No matter what type of impairment-inducing drink you prefer, I'd bet they have what you're looking for.
Now on to the food. A small menu with perfect pairings of yummy and delectable treats. The ling cod (pureed with garlic and lots o' butter) with crusty bread and cabbage was drool inducing. While I'm not a fan of the flavors, my dining companion was very happy with the Nicoise Salad. And the thing that made my hot hungry self become very chill and happy; a perfectly cooked, non-greasy grilled cheese with a spicy gazpacho soup to dip it in. Happy tummy!
I also really appreciated that even though we were the last people in the bar, they were cleaning the kitchen, and had officially closed 15 minutes before, we were never made to feel rushed or like we had to leave. Very classy, and I'll definitely be back for more!
Stopped in a few weeks ago for an early evening snack, and was pleasantly surprised at the size of their menu. My husband had a few cocktails, which he loved, and we ordered a cheese plate. You can pick your cheeses and also your sides (nuts, honey, fruit, etc). You get a lot of cheese for the price, that's for sure!
Good service and a nice ambiance.
Experienced a lovely happy hour here on a Friday afternoon not too long ago. The atmosphere was relaxing and comfortable. Great big windows allow natural light to come in and gives a great view of traffic on Division.
Happy hour menu is great for grazing and snacking on...don't expect to get full off a burger and fries like other establishments. Portions are small and great to be shared amongst 2-3 people. Their HH menu that day had a strawberry, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette on a crostini that was DELICIOUS! The meat and cheese platter we ordered also did not disappoint.
Drink selections are diverse, and HH menu is nice and well rounded with a few wine, margarita and beer offerings, all for less than 5 dollars.
Definitely will be back to experience more than happy hour. Just be careful not to park in a tow-zone on Division. Staff was friendly enough to walk around to each table to make sure we weren't the owner of the poor Subaru that was about to be towed.
Serves the best pork chops I've ever had.
That's all.
I had a wonderful, light but filling (weird, I know) dinner here the other night. It was a great place to bring my boyfriend's mom - great weather for outdoor seating. I must the only down side was that the salad was slightly, over salted . . .
Worth another shot on a hot summer night - for sure!
Avignon was a weird experience for me, but overall a good one. Date night unfortunately coincided with the Big East Conference championship game (go Syracuse!), so it had to be pushed back to after the game...and then after the blazer game. So 10pm rolls around and really not feeling like anything major, we walk over to Avignon (about 10 blocks from home). They alwasy look busy, and we were llucky to get the last table for two by the window.
Our server was super attentve and friendly and didn't mind that I was being indecisive. I wanted a cheese and meat plate but didn't know which ones so I asked for some recommendations. She was more then happy to tell me both her persoanl favorites, her customers favorites, and why they were the favorites. She did the same thing with the wine which I very much appreciated. The cheese and meat plate was just right and came with bread and two choices of little sides (I chose a mustard and house roasted olives), both were wonderful.
The weird part about it was that on a Friday night, they were busy, but we were by FAR the youngest people there. The crowd was definitely an older crowd and we felt a little out of place. Not a complaint, just an interesting fact. I will definitely be back...maybe I will even bring my parents.
It was a dark and snowy night...
It really was! Which makes me a sucker for everything. Snowy nights make me quite malleable. The missus and I met one of our most favorite couples here for cocktails and snacks, and we were feeling really good about the choice.
Bar Avignon is a truly beautiful space. Even thought it occupies a recently renovated Division Street strip mall, this little wine bar manages to make you feel like it's been there for years.
We had some great drinks, great conversation, and great food (I even tried the anchovies!) I really did like most everything about this neighborhood hideout.
The three stars here are all about the attitude. I know I'm not the coolest guy, but I HAVE to believe I'm not a total douche bag. The staff seemed pretty intent on making sure we all knew that we were douche bags. My poor buddy who is on a diet? Yeah, they made sure to make him feel cheap for getting a bourbon and diet coke and not spending $20. They seemed to scorn their own happy hour menu as too cheap for school.
To boot? The faucets in the bathrooms look like normal faucets, but they use motion detectors. In the ultimate act of condescension, even the sign on the bathroom mirror that explains the sink tells you that you're a dumbass.
The atmosphere definitely impresses. Unfortunately, the staff seems to be a little too susceptible to their own hype. You should definitely visit Bar Avignon, but you should bring your thick skin.... you're gonna need it!
I've been to Bar Avignon twice, and as much as I want to hate it, I like it. Reasons to want to hate it? It's expensive. Last night I got four paper thin slices of bresaola and two small wedges of a creamy French artisanal cheese, along with a little bowl of almonds, some grain mustard and about five slices of baguette. For ten bucks. And as much as I want to say it wasn't worth it for such a small amount of stuff, it was. There are plenty of fancy pants bars trying to be mid- to up-scale around town, but few do it well. Most lack the simple sophistication found at Bar Avignon.
My problem is that for the most part I like dives that serve chicken and jojos. Maybe this signifies that I'm growing up a bit. Kicking and screaming, to be sure. But if I have to grow up, at least I'm able to savor a little bit of the good stuff.
We really enjoyed our time here. We took advantage of a Valentine's day special that involved 1 hour at Loyly Spa and $30 at Bar Avignon. We went on a Sunday and it was crowded (for a Sunday).
The atmosphere is relaxing but a little on the loud side.
We were interested in wine and a light meal. Our service was good with the owners subbing in when our server was attending other customers. Very good recommendations for both food and wine.
The meats and cheeses are $5 per plate but the portions are TINY. As long as you're getting them for more of a tasting (appropriate for meat and cheese plates).
Overall, this is a very cool, neighborhood wine bar. I'd like to see more selections overall for the wine menu but I thought the food was very good. Any more and it has to go into the restaurant gig.
Fairly-priced and quality drinks, knowledgeable bar staff. Like any bar, service can be spotty at times.
Another awesome addition to the ever-evolving seven corners area, Bar Avignon brings the flavor of the classic upscale french wine bar to the inner-east side.
The wine menu is very accessible, with many French and local options in the $30-$60 range (per bottle). Avignon also boasts a gorgeous cocktail list. Try the Negroni (if you like herbal and slightly bitter). You won't be disappointed.
The food menu offers a spate of small bites that look very appetizing, and cheese/meat boards where you choose your cheese and meat from a few options. Fun, and excellent for pairing with your not-overpriced bottle of wine.
The space inside is cozy yet open, and is nice, new, and clean. They have a big table in the back somewhat enclosed by the wine stacks. Looks like a really fun place to do a group party. They also have a few tables street-side, which would be an awesome place to sit and sip wine while watching the traffic on Division whisk by.
Service was great.
Avignon seems to have it all dialed in. This would be a great place to sit and gaze across the table at your significant other/date/crush while enjoying a bottle of fine wine.
I really, really want to love this place. It's totally cute, the food is fantastic and the wine selection is great, but the service is getting in the way of a full-on love fest. Stop it, already. Let me love you.
Here's the issue. We stopped by for dinner on Friday evening. Loved everything, but the service. Our server knew very little about the wines--a definite miss for a wine bar--and the service was akin to molasses. s-l-o-w. And, above all, she had a "I can't be bothered being here"attitude.
It's not a deal breaker--I love nearly everything about this place--but, I wish that the employees felt the same way. Then, it could be something truly special.
I've been to Bar Avignon twice. My first visit was incredible--fantastic food, wine and service--but… Read more »
after our little dinner at nuestra cocina i eyed this bar across the street and offered everyone another drink. Low and behold I didnt forsee what i was walking into. I didnt eat obviously and a few beers when our bartender began to give us bottle of opened but needed to be gone bottles of wine. After about 7 different types our palates where flushed with that aphrodiasic red wine high! The next day a hangover spelled me into my 3 toed sloth routine. Good list of wine. Can be spendy.
I really liked this place. Great, reasonably priced wines and simple small plates. Nice classic cocktail. All charm and no pretense. Friendly, sincere and likable staff. Great small plates.
Bring a date.
The former site of the Red & Black Cafe has been reborn as a lowkey wine bar with some tasty small plates. The wine list is impressive, as you can imagine, but they are no slouches when it comes to draught beers as well. Highlights of the menu are the build-your-own charcuterie and cheese plates, which come with finger-sized "sides" of marcona almonds, olives, cornichons, and more. It's the perfect accompaniment to a chilled glass of rose on a sweaty summer day.
Bonus for hooks under the bar to hang your coat or your purse. Not a new thing, but still, very much appreciated!
I'm giving it four stars because I think they have more tricks up their sleeves, and heck, they've only been open for about 10 minutes. But that said, I plan to spend many a summer night at Bar Avignon.
The wine list - great. I took the suggestion of the owner on a white that is escaping my memory.
The food menu - pretty good. I took the advice of the owner again and got the anchovies. Yum - but I liked the ones at Victory down the street a bit better. Would like to try something else next time... and next time I won't go there on a full stomach.
The inside has got great colors... very rich, but not pretentious. There is outdoor seating, and it's a little loud as you're right on Division. So, my suggestions is to pick the side street (22nd) - it's a little less noisy.
The best part of all - was walking in and seeing my very favorite bartender, Jason. He was previously harassed by my sister and I at Merenda and Deep of Bend, OR. So very thankful that he's going to be making some delicious drinks and pouring me some wine right here in good 'ole Portland... always nice to see a friendly face, and no one is a better bartender that I have ever met ever. No joke, people. He works Thursday through Sunday... so go on over and see what I'm talking about.
Wow, I'm a picky service person, and I loved this place. Maybe the secret is to sit at the bar, make odd, nonchalant comments at the chef, and get the owner as your server. She was so friendly that I wondered if she thought we were "in the know" about something. She treated us like neighborhood compatriots, we chatted about the restaurant and wine business, and she was on her game.
We ordered a sazerac (the mixed drink that's been written up in local magazines lately, using Sazerac rye), a yummy shaken gin drink, a meat and cheese plate, and a farro salad (with roasted beets and tomato jam). The drinks were fun and flavorful, the cheese (pierre something--French) was soft and stinky (in a good way) and the farro salad was not only delicious but a conversation piece. Farro is a grain, and everything about it was great, but this is the definition of salad according to Merriam Webster's Dictionary:
1: any of various usu. cold dishes: as a: raw greens (as lettuce) often combined with other vegetables and toppings and served especially with dressing b: small pieces of food (as pasta, meat, fruit, or vegetables) usually mixed with a dressing (as mayonnaise) or set in gelatin 2: a green vegetable or herb grown for salad ; especially : lettuce 3: a usually incongruous mixture : hodgepodge
It was hot, grainy and it doesn't even fit the last definition, because everything was very nice together, definitely congruous!
Anyway, we'll be back here for wine, happy hour food and Sayulita Margaritas. Thanks for making the evening warm and memorable.
The people who work here are really friendly and happy to share their knowledge of wine. I like how you can get build your appetizer plate a la carte (pick the cheeses, condiments etc from a list).
THoughtful wine selection, good food, cozy atmosphere
Excellent creme brulee and drink selection. Comfortable atmosphere. Would definitely consider visiting again.
Good quality food and wine. Eva and I enjoyed the friendly service, and 2 of 3 wines were great for under $10 a glass. Not cheap, but good quality as stated in previous reviews. If it was a little cheaper, I would rate 5 starts.
http://www.portlandore...
I've been twice now. We went several months ago shortly after they opened and then a couple days ago. Let me make one thing clear: I REALLY WANTED TO LIKE BAR AVIGNON. Unfortunately, I can't get away from this feeling that the owners are doing what they can to make sure I don't want to come back. Why? First off, when I first heard the name I was convinced the place would have some semblance of the french-wine-bar-thing going. They don't. Unless you count having a cheese plate on the menu french, then okay maybe they do. The atmosphere is kind of cool, and I while I like the modern feel of the place, the music and bar seats make me generally a little itchy to leave. You know that feeling that's hard to pin down precisely what it is, yet you still fee a little unsettled,? We've had that both times now. The music tends toward some kind of smooth jazz which is admittedly, a French influence perhaps but only if you dig Kenny G as the standard by which you suit up your jazz. As for the seating, here's a note to all bar owners: get bar stools with a semblance of comfort if you really want people to stay at the bar long enough to order a few drinks and some food. Bar Avignon has these minimalist bar stools that look like they came from the office supply store: gray metal with cardboard like seat material. I get it that you don't want me taking up residence at your bar, but I think you want me to spend some money there. Don't make it so I can't stand to sit there long enough to live through more than one drink.
As far as bars go, they have a fairly decent beer list and and wines by the glass. The food is what mystifies me most. Sure there is the aforementioned cheese offerings and some small plates. I can't help but get the feeling that the team hasn't decided what they want the menu to be and it seems a little disjointed. There is a lack of cohesion to the offerings that twice now has left me leaving before ordering much because I can't get excited by what's there. This last time it was particularly true given that we were seated near where a lot of the food comes up and none of it really drew me in. The meatballs looked okay but they seemed lonely on their little plate with a tiny scoop of romesco sauce. The cheese plates seemed really tiny on rather large, oblong plates. I'd love to see something a little french-influenced on that small plates menu but struggled to make that connection. From a price perspective, they are charging too much for bread and olive oil. $3 for 5 very thinly sliced pieces of baguette (which I'm pretty sure are from the luscious Little T's) is steep. Let me qualify that by stating that my usual dining partner and I figured out recently that we spend over $10K a year dining out so it's not like we're opposed to paying for things. It's just when the serving size (twice now) seems stingy that you begin to question the establishment, not your own sense of what's reasonable.
I'll wrap up my review by unfortunately having to talk about the service. I am not sure who our server was but I really thought her approach to hospitality was lacking. We were seated at the bar and ordered drinks and were unsure about whether or not to order food. Some time later when she came to check back with us, her question and the way it was stated floored me: "Have you two decided what you're going to do yet?" It made me feel like those uncomfortable bar stools were such a hot commodity that we better either get on board and order food or get out. In the end, we chose to finish our drinks and get out.
All and all, it's unfortunate because I really want to like Bar Avignon but after two average-at-best experiences, I think I'll keep spending my glass of wine/cocktail and a snack money at The Victory, Belly Timber, or Three Doors Down.
I think this place will be a good addition to the neighborhood. Small plates, good wine list and a full bar. I've been once and was served a pretty good manhattan with excellent cherries that had been soaked in bourbon. The menu of small plates is indeed small, but there are some real gems on it. Try the green olives ($5 as I remember). I can't remember what they are called, but these are meaty and full of complex, but not bitter or tart flavor. The chilled potato leak soup is very good. I liked the salt cod on crostini. I never had salt cod before so I can't say how it compares to others. Finally a panini with roasted tomatoes and red onions with a small salad ($8-$9) was satisfying. All that and a glass of wine came to $40.
Very hyped and overrated. The wine list is fair. I appreciate real wine bars that keep their fingers constantly on the pulse of what's new and exciting as far as great wines in the world, not one that just orders what the reps tell them, so this place does not cut the mustard for me.
Neighborhood: Clinton
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Lower Burnside
Category: Wine Bars
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland
Category: French
Neighborhood: Old Town
Category: Lounges
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