La Rambla Restaurant — Restaurant in McMinnville

Notice: Long Review.

It's not often I am surprised by a restaurant. Too many aspire and don't deliver. For a super-taster the world IS aromas and flavors and nuance.

We visited La Rambla in McMinnville for the first time recently, and it left a strong impression—enough that we’re already planning a return. The space feels warm and inviting, with exposed brick, soft lighting, and a layout that encourages lingering. It’s stylish without being pretentious, which is exactly the kind of balance I appreciate.

We started with the Oregon Mushroom Flatbread, and it was a standout. Earthy, aromatic mushrooms layered over a crisp base, with just the right amount of cheese and herbs to let the local ingredients shine. It felt seasonal and well-considered—like someone in the kitchen actually cares about flavor harmony.

The Coffee-Dusted Grass-Fed Flat Iron Steak was another highlight. Cooked to a perfect medium-rare, it had a subtle bitterness from the coffee rub that played beautifully against the richness of the meat. The Calabrese aioli added a creamy, spicy kick that elevated each bite without overwhelming the dish. A Rioja Reserva or a bolder Pinot Noir are just the thing. It’s the kind of pairing that shows restraint and creativity in equal measure.

We also tried the Sauteed Garlic Chili Shrimp, which brought a nice pop of heat and brightness. The shrimp were tender and well-seasoned, and the garlic-chili combo gave it a bold, satisfying flavor. It’s a dish that would pair well with a crisp Albariño or even a dry rosé—something to cut through the spice and complement the seafood.

The Mixto Plate gave us a chance to sample a few other bites—jamón, manchego, chorizo, figs, quince and more. It’s a solid choice if you want to graze and sip wine while chatting. Speaking of wine, the list leans thoughtfully into both Spanish selections and local Oregon producers. I appreciated that it wasn’t just the usual suspects; there were some interesting bottles I’d love to explore next time. I also look forward to seeing Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva added to the selection.

Overall, La Rambla delivered a meal that felt both grounded and inspired. The flavors were layered but approachable, the service was attentive, and the atmosphere made it easy to relax and enjoy. For a first visit, it hit all the right notes—and we’re looking forward to going back...

La Rambla 238 NE 3rd St, McMinnville, OR 97128 The day was sunny and the streets of McMinnville downtown, busy with outside diners, window shoppers, and tourists. I entered an interesting store front and discovered a cozy Tapas restaurant. A friendly server invited me to sit. We fell into conversation about world class scotch which she was just recently learning about and I ordered my favorite, Lagavulin. The server returned a few times and we continued our discussion. An experience most solo travelers enjoy, meeting a stranger and finding a common interest. Before I left I made a reservation with the manager for the following evening. I asked for six o'clock because that tends not to be a busy time and I wanted to make it easy.

I looked forward to my dinner all day. When I arrived, that same manager invited me to sit in a lousy table jammed under the bar top. The place was almost empty so I asked for another table. She said no. I asked for a different one and again, she said no, that the tables were reserved. I mentioned I had a reservation and she said, but she had to keep those tables for couples and groups. I finally talked her into letting me sit at a table which was reserved IN 90 MINUTES. I assured her I'd be gone by then.

Even though there were few diners and there were three servers, service was not swift. When My food finally came, it was missing one thing I had ordered. Another table had been seated after I was seated and had received that same order a full five minutes earlier. I flagged down the manager to ask about it and was told it would be 6 more minutes, the exact time it would take to prepare it. She asked me if I still wanted it. I declined. Clearly, she was trying to shorten my stay. A server came to my table to ask if I wanted another drink. No one asked how I was doing and no one refreshed my water.

When I left I mentioned to the manager I had not felt welcome. She made excuses, defended the service, and gave an unconvincing apology. Clearly, the policy is to give low priority to solo diners in the belief they don't spend as much as couples and groups. We do. And we also become emissaries for any place where we dine. We are always asked for our opinion, especially when it is about an expensive or upscale restaurant. While the menu was wonderful, the experience was not. I...

I wanted so badly to like this place. The servers were friendly and the dinning area was great. But this is a restaurant, and the food is what you come for. The tapas were neither Spanish nor well executed. I ordered the Brazilian national cocktail: lime juice, simple syrup, and cachaça. I spent 10 minutes using a straw to muddle the raw sugar crystals that were just sitting at the bottom of the glass, just so it tasted like I was not drinking a bottle of that lime juice that comes in a plastic lime-shaped bottle. We ordered a shrimp dish that was essentially something you could get at a grocery store deli. The "toast" that came with it had a texture somewhere between dry cardboard an styrofoam. There was also not nearly enough to go with the shrimp which we did not finish, because it was just that unpleasant. While the patatas bravas were okay, they were nothing impressive. The fried green beans were similarly underwhelming. Their empanadas made everything else palateable, but the entire dinner felt like we were eating just so the food would not go to waste. Our vegetable dishes actually came out last, and we debated cancelling that part of the order so that we could just cut our losses and settle for McDonalds.To top it off, the food was way overpriced for the quality and execution. I have costed enough meals in my life to know that a cup of bay shrimp with salt, lime, and a quarter of a bell pepper should not be $14. While it made for a good story and laugh for my wife and I, this restaurant needs to do some research on what Spanish food should taste like and how to make it well. I don't leave many bad reviews, but the food was just that dissappointing. It was easily one of the worst restaurant meals I have ever had. I worked in the industry for a decade and went to culinary school. I would not have allowed any of the food we had make it to customers if I were still working in the industry. They have the space and service, but need to start making food that...