Wonderly — Restaurant in Portland

Really classy cocktail bar.

The space is cozy, and can fill up especially during the daily happy hour (5-6... They also run a late night happy hour every day.) My partner and I visited for our anniversary on a Sunday. We arrived to a packed and vibrant atmosphere, which was really exciting for such an occasion.

The Bar: The centerpiece of the place is a beautiful horseshoe bar with hand-upholstered blue velvet barstools. The dim lighting lends wonderfully to the romance of the handcrafted space. Adorning the walls are large art pieces by a local artist on one side and live plants on the other. Overall, the vibe is perfect for a date night out.

Drinks: I had the Banhattan, which is a house concoction: a spin on a classic Manhattan with banana liqueur with a brûléed banana garnish. It was a lovely take on a familiar classic cocktail. Also sampled was the house mezcal creation Still Mooing With the Horns On. Strange name, delicious and perfectly balanced cocktail. The smoke of the mezcal lingers, but marrys well with orange juice, Cynar 70 & Heering cherry liqueur. I had this one over a big ice cube, but you can also apparently get it served up (secret menu!) My partner stuck to beer and was very pleased with the small selection of drafts. Rosenstadt Altbier, a couple of Breakside taps (including a passionfruit sour)... I would love to see a stout on tap, especially for winter.

Food: This is where we were absolutely blown away. We came to check out the space, slow-sip some beer and cocktails. While dinner was on the agenda, we weren't expecting what we got (this is a bar after all.) This is seriously the best food that has ever been put in front of me at a cocktail bar. We had the Wonderly burger, which was perfectly cooked. Bacon, pickles (tasted homemade...?), and the perfect patty. Also had the Cobb salad, which stole the show. It took a while to come out, but once it arrived we understood why. A whole braised chicken breast, cooked to order, laid atop fresh greens with the usual accompaniments of a traditional Cobb. Perfection! The fries are decent and cheap ($3 on HH; $4 other times). They're served with a vinegar aioli. Ketchup is also available, if you want it.

Bottom line: This place is new and they're still working out some small kinks. Food will take a while when it's busy, so settle in and be patient. The wait is worth it! But considering the doors were just opened, I deem it a remarkable success. The owners built this place with their bare hands and the result is a terrific bar that I can't wait to go...

A go-to spot in Beaumont Village and my number one cocktail bar recommendation. Kate, one of the owners, always makes us feel at home. The drinks are sophisticated and the atmosphere is cozy yet modern. They have classic cocktails with a twist plus no proof and low proof offerings. Every single food item is top notch…favorites include Shrimp Cocktail, Cheese Curds, and seasonal items like the Beet Salad. The Classique Burger is the absolute best and has been for years. The Olive Oil Cake makes for the perfect finish to any...

Wonderly is OK. They are slinging acceptable cocktails and serviceable food. Nothing that will blow your mind, but it isn't offensively bad. The Wonderly Burger, for example, is like a reimagining of Kennedy School's now defunct Wilbur burger. And not much better than Kennedy School's now defunct Wilbur burger. The cocktails are pretty standard fanfare as well. Is it terrible? No. Is it worth going out of your way for? Absolutely not. If you live in the area,...