Bar of Chocolate — Restaurant in Portland

This had been someplace I was excited to try out for a few years, but never had the right opportunity to go. Last night was the chance, and I was very much looking forward to it. Was quickly impressed that my date and I only had to wait less than 5 minutes to get 2 seats at the bar at around 9pm on a Saturday night. The experience went downhill immediately from there.

My date and I were not greeted by the bartender nor offered menus, just asked if we’d like a drink. Her attitude was crisp, cold and off putting (btw, never got her name, and the name on the receipt for cashier was “Host with the most”). No hospitality whatsoever. Was it because I was on a same sex date? Better not be. We were mostly there for dessert, and the idea of a drink was the cherry on top if you will. Ordered a seltzer water, martini and 2 desserts. Seltzer was presented rapidly. I watched the bartender make a martini that looked like my order, leave it on the bar rail exactly where she made it, walk away and start working on something else. I asked another staff member if that was my drink, she asked the bartender and confirmed it was in fact mine. How’re you going to make me a $13 drink and leave it on the rail, near me but not in front of me, without giving it to me??

At that point I was over her attitude and didn’t want to sit there anymore. Thought it would be better to just take our desserts to go and sit on a nearby bench and enjoy the beautiful night. Before receiving the desserts I asked for utensils and she responded they do not provide to go utensils. (What?!) It was then that our desserts came out…2 crumpled up pieces of aluminum foil stacked one on top of the other. I was so appalled and offended I refused them and asked for the bill. I have never, ever been served brand new food (meaning not leftovers) in a smooshed up piece of foil. If I had been told when I asked her to make the items to go that they didn’t have to go containers, I would’ve canceled the order before they wasted 2 pieces of cake.

I’ve worked in many restaurants, hotels and service jobs in my life. I’ve also dined out more than I should admit. This has got to be the worst experience I’ve ever had with service. Will never return, and will do my best to spread the word that this is a place to be avoided.

As soon as we left we, walked directly to Gross Confection Bar, had exemplary service with fantastic desserts and far...

I was looking forward to visiting the Chocolate Bar for a late night cocktail and dessert. While the drinks and dessert were decent, the wait staff was unbelievably rude and obnoxious. Our mere existence clearly upset her. Working her job as a waitress was the last thing she wanted to do. She clearly made it obvious that she would rather spit on our table than serve us. This was before we even began interacting with her. When she finally began waiting on us, she was short, snooty, condescending and she never looked up to speak. When we simply asked for a certain menu she literally pointed in the direction of a list of items on the wall as if we needed to be regulars and that we should’ve known exactly where everything was and what every item was. I was petrified to even ask for recommendations as it most likely would have led to more rude remarks. The sad part of all this, I am no Karen. I am a laid back, completely understanding person, as I also work in customer service. In this case, the waitress we dealt with needs to revaluate her career options. Never again will I even think of returning to this place and I am in...

Small, cozy, old building. Kinda funky, this is not your crisp and new suburbanite shoppe--nope, this has character with old, exposed brick walls, minimalist décor, black tables and chairs.

COME HERE FOR CHOCOLATE AND FOR BOOZE!

Decadent, delicious, delightful, moist, bittersweet chocolate. We had whiskey cake and a flourless confection--both were terrific.

The wine list is incredible--peons will be content with the happy hour (4-6) house wines, and snobs will find bottles for thirty to $125 that should be adequate. But, go with a cocktail--their specialty! My wife said (and I agree) that her limoncello martini was the best cocktail she's ever had...it had plenty of lemony bite, balanced by some sweetness but not all syrupy sugariness.

Their beer list is decent--I tried the ginger beer, which was zesty, and at 4.8% had a nice little alcohol presence. I'll look for this beverage again--it made a great balance to the chocolate delights. (Unhopped, so it's really more of a ginger-ale for adults tho technically itsa beer!)

NOT WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY: there's an 8 or...