Alpenrausch — Restaurant in Portland

My husband surprised me with the date night at alpenrausch and I was excited to try it out since I heard really great things about their food. We are huge fans of Olympia provisions and eat that every chance we can get. We are excited to try the other restaurant that was started by the founders of Olympia provisions.

When I first entered I was greeted by a lovely hostess who kind of set the tone for a really pleasant environment. The hostess was lovely. But when I said at my table, the waitress was off-putting.

She did not seem thrilled to have another two top in her section. She handed us the menus and then left for quite a while. When she came back we were 100% ready to order everything. I ordered a cocktail and a cider. My husband ordered an Amber. I mentioned to the waitress that I'm not celiac but I do have a gluten intolerance. She brought me a cocktail, it was delicious, and I thought the cider tasted a little weird, it wasn't until we were checking out that we realized she brought us a sour. Wasn't really stoked about that. I thought I felt a little uncomfortable but I just associated it with all the food that we had ordered. I thought it was interesting that the waitress didn't mention anything when she handed me the sour. I know the restaurant is a little loud but I still feel like if someone mentions a gluten intolerant... They probably won't be ordering a beer. I ordered a cider which for the most part is gluten free.

We ordered one snack, two starters, fondue for two and desserts. I didn't feel like we had any pleasant conversation with the first waitress and when she brought out our starters, she just placed them on the table and left. Didn't really explain anything and walked away. I thought that was very odd. I know this isn't Olympia provisions, but I was told it's like a sister restaurant to Olympia provisions and every time we order at Olympia provisions, the servers are more than stoked to explain the dishes to us.

Somehow when we got to the entree, we got a new waitress who was absolutely lovely. She made pleasantries and we had brief but friendly conversation. She explained everything that we were about to consume and I thoroughly appreciated that. I was very perplexed as to what happened with the original waitress but was more than stoked to finish our evening with a waitress who seem to be a little bit more on top of it.

I'm not quite sure how to take in the evening. Me and my husband were excited to try this restaurant because we're big fans of Olympia provisions. Unfortunately the service from the first waitress was really off-putting. I've worked in a restaurant setting for a good chunk of my life and I am aware of the hardships of staffing and whatnot right now but...we are frequent diners at Olympia provision and the service there is spectacular and the food is just as amazing. I think we had high hopes going into this restaurant and unfortunately they weren't met.

Maybe down the line we'll give it another shot but I think in the meantime we'll just frequent our local haunt...

TL;DR: Food was meh. Drinks were good. Service was great. Atmosphere was decent, but very drafty.

The staff here was great. Let me just start with that. They were there during the great ice-storm of 2024. We had some scheduling problems that the staff handled exceptionally well.

The drinks to start were both interesting and strong. Great selection of non-cocktails as well.

Were ordered the pretzel as a snack. It came out piping hot and the cheese and mustard were both good. I would say this was the highlight of my food here.

The Raclette 'service' was a slab of raclette over a candle-heater. alongside some unseasoned potatoes, cornichons, and pickled onions all piled up. Just a bland mess. The cheese basically just stuck to the tray so we lost a ton of it to that, the rinds took up a bunch of space as well, and I have no idea why they call this 'service.' It was just dumped at our table. We added the laundrauschinken on the side (my partner is vegetarian) and this was a necessary addition to add any minutia of flavor to the dish.

I ordered the schnitzel for my main and maybe its on me for ordering such a basic dish, but this was incredibly boring. The egg was cooked well. But dry, undressed, arugula on top of a hot fried dish? Instantly wilty. A handful of capers thrown on and a couple of anchovies were not enough to cover up the stale oil taste of the schnitzel. The half a lemon they charred on the side would have been nice as a desperately needed source of liquid on this desert of pork but in the charring it must have lost the majority of its juice.

My partner gave high praise to the ricotta dumplings, but you only get two, and they are about the size of a date [fruit]. I did not try it as there was really not enough even for one person.

Finally the atmosphere: The physical space is nice. I like the interior and the vibes are good. But they gotta fix the draft coming in from the entrance. That is brutal when its cold out. I'm sure its horrible for the employees as well.

We might come back to try the fondue, but give the experience with the rest of these dishes I don't know if I would return, and I certainly would not recommend based on this experience. At least the prices are reasonable.

The front of house staff might be enough to pull me back to give it another shot. Especially if I see the...

Alpenrausch: A Taste of Austria in Portland

If you’re looking for an authentic Austrian dining experience, look no further than Alpenrausch! Nestled in the heart of Portland, this cozy restaurant combines a warm atmosphere with delicious cuisine that transports you straight to the Alps.

As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by charming alpine decor that sets the mood perfectly. The rustic wooden beams, cozy lighting, and traditional Austrian music playing softly in the background create an inviting space that feels both intimate and comfortable. It’s the kind of place where you can relax and enjoy a leisurely meal with friends or family.

The staff at Alpenrausch are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Our server was enthusiastic about recommending dishes and even shared some interesting tidbits about the origins of the Wiener Schnitzel. Their attentiveness made our dining experience even more enjoyable.

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: the Wiener Schnitzel! This dish is a must-try and absolutely lives up to its reputation. The schnitzel is made from perfectly tenderized veal, coated in a light, crispy breading that is golden brown. It’s served with a slice of lemon, which adds just the right amount of acidity to complement the richness of the meat.

The portion size is generous, ensuring you won’t leave hungry. It comes with traditional sides, including creamy potato salad and a refreshing cucumber salad, which perfectly balance the heaviness of the schnitzel. Each bite is a delightful combination of textures and flavors. This is comfort food at its finest!

Alpenrausch is not just a place to eat; it’s an experience. Whether you’re a fan of Austrian cuisine or trying it for the first time, you won’t be disappointed. The combination of great food, friendly service, and a cozy atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for a casual dinner or a special celebration.

If you find yourself in Portland, make sure to stop by Alpenrausch and indulge in their Wiener Schnitzel. I can’t wait to return and try more of their...