|
"Let's Get 'Em"
- 23 Friends
- 85 Reviews
- 4 Review Updates
- 16 Firsts
- 2 Fans
- 3 Local Photos
- 8 Events Submitted
- 4 Lists
-
Rating Distribution
Loading...
- View more graphs »
Review votes:
160 Useful, 102 Funny, and 98 Cool
Portland, OR
Yelping SinceJune 2007
Find Me InOverlook Park, Old Town, Vancouver
My HometownLouisville, KY
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I'm mystery-shopping... shhh.
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI'm very observant, and wordy. And some might say funny. And they'd be right.
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadDean Koontz' Frankenstein Books 1 & 2
My First ConcertTina Turner
My Favorite Movie... so many!
My Last Meal On Earththe elixir from 'Death Becomes Her'
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I'm a world-famous, high-powered female impersonator.
Most Recent DiscoveryBeaterville Cafe
Current CrushMy boyfriend.
DatePortland, OR 97214
(503) 231-9663
Doug Fir Lounge
Categories: Lounges, American (Traditional), Music Venues
Neighborhoods: Lower Burnside, Northeast Portland, Central Eastside
1 Previous Review: Hide »
-
4/18/2009
So, I'm not sure what to do here. I had lunch at the Doug Fir for the first time yesterday with friends. The waitress was a little frazzled, but provided good service, and served me a delicious Black Friday Melt with turkey, grilled onions and melted Gruyere cheese with a side salad for a reasonable $10.50 price.
HOWEVER
I use my debit card to pay for my meal, tipping a generous $4.50 for a total of $15. Imagine my surprise when I tried to use my debit card today (the following day) and it was declined. After research into my account I see that the Doug Fir charged my card twice, once in the amount of $52.50 and once in the amount of $12.60, for a total of $65.10 WHAT THE FUCK. I call the manager, Brian, who gives me the explanation that using a debit card requires their system "to charge the largest amount possible" to hold the transaction fees. True, the amounts show as pending transactions and are 'held', but the amounts are both arbitrary (our 4 person check total was less than this amount) and inaccessible. I now have $2.14 in my checking account. Brian informed me that by using a debit card, I am unable to access these funds until Monday morning when the bank returns the charge to the correct amount. He also told me that restaurants, bars and hotels all do this. In my experience this is incorrect, as I've had this card for months and NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN. If anything, gas stations may charge a pending $1.00, then a second charge for the actual amount. Brian had a very matter-of-fact attitude and delivered this information with a "there is nothing I can do for you, good day, sir" zing that I find unacceptable.
I will not be returning to the Doug Fir after this, and I'm sad to say, while the Black Friday melt was delicious, it CERTAINLY wasn't good enough to quantify a $65.10 charge.
Portland, OR 97253
(503) 236-3848
9 Muses Acoustic Tavern - CLOSED
Category: Bars
Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland, Belmont
1 Previous Review: Hide »
-
10/10/2007
Nine Muses is a great local tavern serving good beer at good prices, with excellent staff (at least Kris is excellent).
After their recent remodel, the bar looks great and has a good flow. Their offerings vary widely in music style, so there seems to be something for just about everyone.
If you looking for a 'Cheers' style bar with live music, this is it!
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 735-4652
Beaterville Cafe
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: North Portland
GOT THE BEAT (pro): Great, friendly service, sizeable portions, and reasonable pricing
BEATEN (con): If busy, the low seat count may constitute a wait; and the food was enjoyably simple
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 289-3557
Roake's
Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland
Tiny burger joint
no food eaten but great shake
thanks ATM.
Portland, OR 97206
(503) 774-1020
Toast
Category: American (New)
Neighborhoods: Woodstock, Southeast Portland
I settled on a delicious beverage of cranberry, ginger ale and orange or some such creation and after perusing the menu which is varied, but not expansive... I settled on the questionably named 'Dismal Times': ground beef, white cheddar cheese, chives, arugula, served open faced on toast with two fried eggs and a rosti.
Chit chat with the cooks, waitresses and good company. They are very busy but still personable and easy to watch. For one of the first times in my life, I see employees *loving* their jobs, and doing a great job at it. After some discussion I learn that the staff makes the menu themselves. The owner gives them a budget, a selection of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables and the rest is up to them. AWESOME.
Food was AMAZING. Super delicious, not a terribly long wait and properly proportioned.
I *HIGHLY* recommend this great little place, and suggest you to a) try it now before word gets out or b) go in the "off-times" to keep the wait down.
Buttered Toast (pro): Pretty much everything
Burnt Toast (con): a little smaller than most, a bit of a wait
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-5320
Henry's 12th Street Tavern
Categories: Nightlife, Restaurants
[rant]
Restaurants should choose a specific cuisine and stick to it, or be a fusion restaurant and be creative with two styles. Henry's had good American food and from my friend's review, mediocre yakisoba noodles.
[/rant]
BUT... most importantly, a restaurant with prices like these, snooty boring staff and a foo-foo decor SHOULD NOT HAVE A DISGUSTING RESTROOM. The men's room was littered with paper towels, literally overflowing onto the floor, the sinks were filthy and the soap dispensers were half or not filled. On. A. Monday. Evening.
Oh Henry (PRO): Decent menu options, great presentation
No Henry (CON): Cranky staff who did not come to the table after initial delivery of food items, DIRTY restroom and snobby clientele (but it *is* the Pearl)
Portland, OR 97217
(971) 230-0705
Pause
Categories: American (New), Lounges
Neighborhood: North Portland
Just saying.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
-
7/3/2008
Big surprise, in a great way. This bar has a slightly spartan atmosphere, but *great* food, excellent service and decent prices.
I had the steak sandwich (which came out a little more like a philly cheesesteak without the cheese)... it was DELICIOUS. Perfectly grilled onions, awesome steak, and a bun that was slightly toasted without being a crunchy, crumb-making mess! AND a side salad with delicious (and pretty) pickled veggies for decoration.
GREAT place, and the staff was wonderful.
Although this was a late-night visit, I will definitely be stopping in again!
PAUSE (pro): Awesome food, service and price
PAWS (con): spartan atmosphere, more restaurant than bar
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 331-1172
Subway
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: North Portland
Subway Eat Fresh? Yes.
Open 24 hours
I like that a lot.
Unless you own a car, eating late can be difficult. No worries, there's a 24 hour Subway inside the Plaid Pantry at Going and Interstate. And while the choices aren't expansive, seriously, where is your drunk ass going to find better after-booze food for $5 than Subway? I heart you so $5 footlongs. And sandwiches.
Fresh Fit (Pro): Mmm. $5 footlongs.
Frosh Pit (con): before dark you pay after, after dark you pay before, unless it's twilight and then it's up to whomever is working.. wait... wha?
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 236-8325
Hoda's Middle-Eastern Cuisine
Category: Middle Eastern
Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland, Belmont
Honestly, the best part was the waiter with the amazing ass at which I couldn't stop staring. *shrug*
Pro: food okay, prices a teensy bit high
Con: Everything else
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 284-4460
Broadway Grill & Brewery
Categories: Breweries, Restaurants
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland
Friendly staff, and not too terribly busy, which was surprising for a Sunday brunch time. The food was delicious, with plenty of options, including some quasi-vegetarian (no vegan) entrees. The breakfast burrito was *delicious*, and although I am an omnivore, I decided to get it vegetarian style... yum! Filled with steamed broccoli, carrots, potato, peppers, sweet potato and more... I definitely recommend it... and it was large enough to make two meals.
BREW (pro): Good value and great food
POO (con): Service wasn't that attentive, but we didn't feel neglected
4 Lists
There are a few things I find most interesting about this experience:
1) The waitress came to the table and asked if we were on separate checks before ringing and obtaining payment... however, she still rang my card for my lunch... then on the same check number (Doug Fir's credit card report confirms this) rang the total amount for my table. This is almost certainly a server/training error. One which has cost me time, money and a *considerable* amount of frustration.
2) In person, the manager was helpful and concerned. He genuinely seemed troubled by this incident. Especially when I mentioned the Yelp review. I did not mention it to 'throw weight around' or 'scare' him, only that I used this forum as a sounding board for what step to take next and if anyone else had experienced trouble in the past with either the Doug Fir or other restaurants.
Update: I received my refund on Wednesday, 5 days after the first lunch. The manager called me later that morning to ensure that I received it. While I still feel this is a staffing/training issue and unacceptable, I'm going to call this case closed, with a satisfactory handling of an unfortunate incident.