Blind Pig — Restaurant in Carlton

After a mandatory appointment on a crowded Tigard afternoon, we headed into the hills to decompress and wound our way through the beautifully colorful fall farmlands and vineyards. We ended in Carlton, where we found Blind Pig, a simple rustic wine country gastropub that impressed from start to finish.

We were among the first diners early on a Tuesday, and having called ahead, the waitress had set a table up for us and was standing at the door to greet us. Nice touch! We started with a lovely recommended Chianti, and ordered the Renegade Potatoes as a first course, leaving the chili aioli on the side, which enabled us to add as we liked and really highlighted the diverse spice profile of the dish. Just spectacular. You could honestly stop right here and be completely satisfied. Simply put ... order the Renegade Potatoes or endure an unfulfilled life.

Still, we wanted to sample the menu a bit, and opted for a super juicy bacon smash burger with perfectly seasoned garlic parmesan fries, and the falafel with roasted corn salad. All completely delicious, and without question too much food. We can't wait to return for brunch, or maybe karaoke. Excellent experience!

Update... We've been back to Blind Pig twice this spring, and it's consistently good. Admittedly we've re-sampled the Renegade Potatoes every time, which is now on our list of destination menu items (yes, more important than Carlton itself). To quote the Key Master, "Yes,...

Very disappointed by the whole experience of dining at this restaurant. Several major red flags.

1. When we arrived we had noticed a table with almost full plates and drinks left. As if the guests left in a hurry. The guests to our left also didn't finish their meal and seemed to leave pretty soon after arriving

2. Even though we were seated quickly, it took almost 15 min for anyone to come take our initial order, which started with drinks and apps. Our drinks took another 15 min to arrive (all beers, nothing complex).

3. We never received one of the apps we had ordered

4. When the main course arrived, the stroganoff was pretty dry with overcooked meat. The owner even acknowledged that it looked "dry" yet didn't offer to fix or comp the meal.

5. My friends steak was well done even though the ticket and receipt both said "medium-rare". The owner acknowledged this as well, yet didn't offer a fix.

6. My wife's burger was so salty/well done, she only finished a quarter of the burger. I tried to each the other quarter and was left with a nasty after taste.

All in all, any one of these issues would be a bad red flag but the fact that all of these occurred: slow service, missing food items, overcooked meal, acknowledgement of poor food yet no fix offered, etc....i have no idea how this restaurant has such good reviews.

I would not eat here again nor...

Stopped in here today while in the area. Absolutely impressed. The service was nice..very friendly,.. Quick and attentive. So well done guys. The atmosphere was great..very rustic meets fine dining.. They offered a good selection on tap as well as many selections of the local wine industry.. coctails.cocktails.. well. The one we tried was good..but.. to much flavors. Had the Carlton daisy.. ingredients screamed it was a winner..but I found the jalapeño to much. I think if it was half the jalapeño ..it would be a great cocktail for a hot day. I had the cheese burger.. and I will come back to have it again. I ordered it medium..it was cooked perfectly.. the white cheddar melted so creamy and deliciously into the meat and the onions that were caramelized to perfections. The onions added just enough sweet to offset the truffle aoli.. and really brought out the flavor of the truffle. It was amazing. My girl had the steak frites... it was a whole steak sliced accordingly and cooked Absolutely perfect.. again.. The fries..oh man.. natural cut..lots of salt.. perfect!.. I think the regular fries would be amazing with a splash of malt vinegar..but good alone. I will be back to try the truffle fries version. Bottom line.. I pass through Carlton often enough that...I will be back! And you should go. You won't be...