Free House — Restaurant in Portland

It's was ok. If you're under 30 and smoke the patio is great! Unfortunately, I'm not under 30 and I don't smoke. :-( I was surprised that smoking was allowed. The patio is open roofed but enclosed on all sides.

It would have been nice to be greeted when I walked in. Not bartenders caught my eye and it wasn't that busy. Same going out.

The two bartenders were courteous and fast. My gay male date tried to order like 4 different fancy cocktails (ginger liqueur?? Really??) and they never winced or were condescending. Even suggested some things he might like. We had to order at the bar....table service would have been. Every time we wanted another drink or food we would have had to get up and go inside. This also means we'd lose our table unless we left our phones (no) or keys (no). So we didn't order more. Table service would have meant we'd spend more. Also, empties would be cleaned, ashtrays emptied and the ambience would be just more comfortable.

The other weird thing is about ordering at the bar is that you have to pay when you order. Before the drinks are made. I guess that's because they bring them out to you but that means I'm tipping before tasting, seeing or getting. I tipped $5 on $17.

We had one of the charcuterie plates. It was very, very good. Drinks were wrong. I had a soda. He had a manhattan rocks, which came out straight up. No table service, so when we realized the drink was wrong we just dealt with it. It was tasty.

3 stars because it's ok. Either no smoking or table service would have got us to 4. Bartenders giving us as much attention as the pretty girls would gave gotten us to 4. All those things would have gotten us to 5.

PS I'm a bartender. Years ago (1197, San Francisco) when we stared going non-smoking, we all thought we would go broke. Every bar I've worked in since then has always been busier. Don't let the smokers scare you. They are...

A well decorated, cozy little place. Great patio with nice lighting and heaters, also protected from the elements. A year round patio, for sure! Decent beer selection, more of a cocktail bar, reasonable prices. The music was a bit too loud for us in the main "house" but we got over it. Did not try the food, we were starting out our evening before dinner reservations, almost next door, at Verdigris. Service was a bit brusque, but overall a good experience and I would not protest if someone wanted to come here again...

Becky was our server/bartender. She makes perfect drinks every time and is definitely my favorite bartender. Apparently I say that to everyone but I digress. The fries are always on point and well seasoned, the ketchup though; is a love story between spices and tomatoes with a likening to crack cocaine - minus the drugs. The vibe is always on point, other bartenders and cooks are always friendly. Sometimes they challenge neighboring restaurants and bars this is the cheers of Portland but totally hip and cool, as...