Village Hut — Restaurant in Portland

About 3 months ago we walked by this interesting little restaurant on a day it was closed. About 3 weeks ago we stopped by and took a peak in. We were welcomed to take a look around, and then got a brief tour of the place. Cute dining areas. Indoor and outdoor options. The seafood menu looked awesome. We knew we would return. And when we did (8/2/25), we were the happier for it. Becca, our hostess (and server) was delightful. We ordered at the front of the house where we were able to look in the kitchen. We later learned that J, the chief, cook, and bottle washer was also the owner. And it was clear to us when he recommended the halibut to my wife, that he took pride in the quality of his offerings. Once ordered, we took the single table on the patio slightly elevated above the sidewalk. Great for people watching while sipping on our glass of an Italian red, recommended by J. Good call. I ordered the seafood combo (salmon, cod, prawns) white rice and side salad with a ginger dressing... delicious! My wife had the halibut, also a J recommendation. And she wasn't disappointed. The food was perfectly cooked and served, no frills. Neither of us left a morsel on the dish. We were so very happy to have visited the Village Hut. It is now at the top of our go to foodie list. Bravo J! See you and Becca again soon. Folks, these are the family owned and operated establishments that we need to...

Service was slow and we were only in there with one other customer and didn't look like the chef was even cooking which was a bit baffling. The plate was so small!!!! I've seen a lot of chince jobs but this was like damn bro I'd feel ashamed if I gave that plate to somebody that was truly hungry. I like to eat quality food but I also like to eat enough to feel full. The regular sized seafood combo bento was like an appetizer barely, tiny bit of rice, 1 spoon full of vegetables, 2 shrimp, 1 small scallop, and two pinner pieces of salmon. It was scrumptious but it felt like the chef was making the plate as absolutely skimp as possible, even with the rice, like jeeze, rationing his food like we're all stranded on a mountain like in that Movie called Alive. The menu was a bit misleading on price stating that the dishes start at a certain price 12 dollars but went over/appeared on chef discretion. So all in all it was good food but I left feeling like the chef was skimming purposely.... more beyond resonable doubt. The price doesn't add up even though the quality is good. It was a dissapointing experience because the owner is not being fair...

One of my favorite things about restaurants is the expressionism of the owner / chef. At the Village Hut, you walk into an eclectic place crafted with imagination and with a focus on nooks and crannies. There are seats outside, inside, in their own, amongst others, and all of this nestled carefully at the roads edge. It cozy and hip. Seafood is a focus on the menu and logically paired with other quality proteins. We ate well and enjoyed simple yet well prepared dishes. When I come to other cities, The Village Hut is exactly the type of space I wish to find. Anyone can build a cookie-cutter restaurant with four walls and rows of tables. But it takes a visionary chef and owner to build a space that works with your senses and creates a venue to sit and relax and enjoy food. Whenever I am back in Portland, I will make my way here again and enjoy seeing what Ray has cooked up, created, and made for his...