The Fireside

The fireside is my favorite stop in and get a glass O whiskey or something martini.
The culinary side is always creative and fresh.
I love the owners and the bartenders are present on all accounts…

I heard good things about this place and decided to give it a try.
They were very, very, VERY slow even though it wasn’t busy. My friends and I ended up filling our stomachs with 2 orders of beer each (yea, that’s how long it took) and didn’t want to order more because we were craving our food badly.
Finally, the food came out and we were all very happy until I cut my steak to find out that it were over cooked when I asked for «medium-​rare». It was so stiff and couldn’t even have them take it back because it was going to take forever.
The one star and the tip is for the waitress, only because she was on her feet. Nothing special.

The Fireside has been a drop-​in spot for me for a few months now. Some friends had visited from out of town and while biking around we got thirsty. They made us some nice, simple, and clean whiskey drinks and we were on our merry way. On another occasion, I was wandering by and realized it was just about brunch-​thirty. Pop in. Good conversation with a friendly and accommodating server. Deliciousness ensues. A lovely spot with a nice bar and good food. Nothing too pretentious.

It was a cold, icy, January day out in Portland and we were looking for a place for food and warmth. We had just finished a little hike through Forest Park, and what better place to go than The Fireside?!
Walked in, greeted by a gentlemen who seemed a little stand off ish but let us have the large table by the fire (we were a party of 6). The girls were excited to sit against the fire and warm up, it was GREAT. We made it just in time for the end of lunch.
Their lunch menu had soup, salad, burgers, sandwiches, and a few other things. Our table had some of their bread and olive butter, which was amazing! I could have probably eaten a whole bowl of that. Beet chips, yummy, nothing extraordinary. The French Dip? comments were that it was a great size and the meat was good but the Au jus was very brothy and not too flavorful. WHich it seemed to be because it was very light and almost clear. The cheeseburger, only good things came from that. And the Reuben, looked amazing! The bread was great, the white and brown swirl type, I always forget what it is called.
I had the grilled white cheddar cheese and daily soup which was a creamy potato with greens on top. Wow it was so good. One side of my grilled cheese was burnt but I think it’s their thing… one side of our olive toast was burnt too. If you don’t like that, just let them know! The soup, was really good. I definitely should have just went with a big bowl because it had just the right amount of flavor and salt!
Now one thing that had tooooo way way tooooo much salt was the side of fries. It was drenched in salt… the fries that came with the sandwiches did not though… weird.
Staff was great, our waiter, busser, and the bar tender were all wonderful! I am not sure who seated us, but we never saw him again… maybe he was on his way out?
The bill? I would say a little above average for the price. But nothing crazy. You pay extra for the atmosphere for sure.

Everything was made to perfection! The Baby it’s Mulled Outside seasonal cocktail was very good and fruity. The Barratta was delicious! The pear was a great texture and the cheese was fresh and delicious. The perfect pairing and a great starter. The pork stroganoff was different, but nice and creamy and the mushrooms were perfectly prepared. The trifle for dessert was perfectly balanced. Not too sweet but still a great dessert!!!
Atmosphere was very attractive. Not too dark. A little loud but still cozy.

Perfect portions. Everything was flavourful, and perfect temperature.
Good Drinks.
Good Service.
Atmosphere is busy but not too loud (but this was on a Wednesday)
The pear burratta is delicious and a perfect meld of subtle flavours.
The lambchops are a great medium-​rare, with a perfect char and paired with flavourful lentils.
The butterscotch trifle is the perfect sweetness and is perfectly paired with a dark chili ate ganache.
Best dinner I’ve had in a long time.

Great service. Tasty food (burger was great but fries were a little too salty for my taste buds.) Love the ambiance! We were seated in the back near the fire place. Will definitely be coming back on our next trip to Portland!

We came her after the 25 year anniversary party at Santa Fe and were able to get the long table in front of the fireplace. That made for a toasty spot for the 8 of us to drink a cold beer.
I ordered a seasonal ale, but a friend got a whiskey ginger that was out of this world!
It was hard for me to fathom that this used to be a record store, because the décor was so nicely done.
I can’t review the food, because we had just eaten, but I was just fine with ambiance, drinks and fireplace because it was so cozy.

Is this a first date night spot? Kind of seemed like I wasn’t the only one on a first date here based on my neighbor’s conversation…
Nice open bar area with attentive staff and reasonably priced cocktails, wine and beer. Plenty of space at the bar with a few tables in the front. Trendy, not-​quite-​swanky NW spot.

I appreciate the interior design of this bar/​restaurant. I only got an IPA, but I will be back. Their happy hour menu looked okay, but there was a good vibe. Interesting choice of music when I was there.

Brunch here is everything. Perfect food, friendly service, chic décor and chill atmosphere. Dress up or down. It’s the perfect place to bring friends or a date. Absolutely wonderful.

Pricey first off. But good ambience and busy the night visited. Food with good and interesting renditions. Fireplace and fires going… which are hot to sit next to even now that it’s the Fall season. Would revisit, but probably only if someone else was paying.

I was looking forward to trying it… interesting menu. Staff needs some people skills. I should’ve left… the gentleman was very cold. Lunch was good but if one is served steak salad one needs a decent knife instead of sawing it with a butter knife. I put allot into looking a restaurant based on interaction with the staff… this did not happen. I should not have to lead my own way to my table by him just pointing.

This was 4.5 stars.
Food: pig candy, soft boiled egg with bacon aioli, smoked braised bison tri-​tip special, and jerk chicken. Drinks: Backyard Grilling, A Warm Fire.
The only misses were the egg starter and A Warm Fire. The egg was executed well and tasty but the composition doesn’t make a lot of sense. What am I supposed to do with potato chips, boiled egg, and aioli? The Warm Fire wasn’t smoky or spicy or otherwise notable; a perfectly average drink, nothing wrong but nothing to recommend it.
Everything else was exceptional, as was the service.

Try this place for drinks. I have no clue about the food but sit at the bar and enjoy some skilled bartenders in action.
Delicious, well devised drinks at great prices.
Give it a try

Great fun new place!
Although the wait for a table was going to be 45 minutes, we got to sit at the very large, very cool, very comfortable… bar! No bar stools. Comfortable bar chairs.
The fries were ok, nothing spectacular, but the portion was large.
The flatbread mushroom pizza was delicious.
The grilled lettuces were very tasty.
Everyone was very nice and very helpful.
They do need to work on the heat from the front fireplace. The hostess kept having to open the door for those sitting next to the fireplace. However, those of us at the bar froze!
We will return!
UPDATE:
8-​12-​2015
Hubby hadn’t been so daughter, hubby, and I went tonight.
Got seated right away at the lovely (empty) community table by the wonderful giant open windows on a perfect warm evening.
Our peach toasted bread was tasteless. I figured since it’s the height of local peach season it would be amazing. The cheese tasted like nothing, the bread was soggy and uncut. The peach slices were yummy, but it was too hard to cut and eat. Everything just slid off the soggy bread. It sure looked pretty when it arrived.
Our flatbread came ice cold. The marinara tasted funny and was too spicy. Hardly any Mozzarella and a couple pieces of basil. Not good at all.
They forgot my husband’s toasted bread and didn’t charge us for it. When it came there was hardly any butter and what there was was just slathered on the plate.
They forgot his Radicchio caesar salad too.
There were hardly any people in the restaurant, so who knows what happened but we will not be returning. The service was very very slow.
I love being there and the bar is great, but there are just too many other Portland restaurants around!
Bye bye The Fireside

Came here for dinner. The pork was waaaay too salty. Same with the veggie leaves it came with. Only the polenta tasted decent. I’m not a picky eater and I was pretty hungry, but even then, I couldn’t finish/​stomach the relatively small dish.
Overpriced for what we got. Definitely won’t be back.

Id give fireside five stars but I’ve only had their lunch menu and I was impressed!
Pulled up a seat at the bar, the atmosphere was comfortable, the music was enjoyable, and the service was pleasurable.
Ordered a starter, loved to tell you the name, but I can’t remember and I’m sure everything is delicious so it doesn’t matter what I ate! I’ll just include a photo. That’s good enough.
Ordered a starter (small plate) got substituted with beet chips instead of regular chips… and I was so thrilled they did that. Omg those beets chips are amazing! Had a an asparagus plate to follow, and a large plate with a spread. I went there with the intentions of consuming, meets, cheeses, and carbs… mmmm…carbs. I also got a soft boiled egg on everything. Be still my heart. I hope I can figure out how to make my own soft boiled eggs just as delicious as fireside.
Yes, I had a stirred drink which I cannot remember the name of, doesn’t matter, it was delicious! Then followed it with a cider. Mmmmm.
I was offered desert and I resisted temptation because well, Salt & Straw. You get it.
Go here for lunch. You won’t be sorry.
I’ll be back for dinner!

After what appeared to be an extremely labored walk towards this treasure chest of bars, we sat ourselves down at the fireside to enjoy whatever was left of happy hour.
Cool rustic ambiance, large bar area for those needing a break from that long day at work, and a few tables for those wishing for more intimate conversation.
We got a few snacks, both quite interesting and recommended by their staff. One was a pâté which I did enjoy despite minor issues with its texture, the other were lamb corn dogs.
The drinks unfortunately didn’t strike our fancy. it could have been just from comparison since we had stopped at a long list of bars over the last few nights.
Either way, this was a nice pit stop and another outlet to experience Portland.

Came in for a lazy Sunday brunch/​lunch after strolling around the Alphabet district.
Food:
I ordered a frittata and biscuits + gravy. I thought the frittata was a bit dry, but that’s probably just me, I like saucey food. I ended up liking the biscuits and gravy more because there was more sauce. But both dishes were very delicious! And I LOVED the presentation of the dishes! Very rustic and hipster!
Ambiance:
Very clean and upscale, hipster, rustic looking. There is a very neat looking fireplace in the restaurant. I enjoyed sitting next to it. The walls are lined with windows that can open and on a nice day, it’s really nice to people watch out the windows while you are enjoying a nice brunch/​lunch.
Service:
Hands down the most sincere, nicest and best service I’ve had in a LONG time! Everyone here felt genuinely nice and friendly! From the host, to the waitress, to the bus boy, everyone was really happy to serve you! And it didn’t even feel fake or forced or anything! BRAVO! I love your friendly smiley faces! Keep up the good service!
Price:
Wasn’t cheap but wasn’t expensive, pretty average for a hip, American brunch/​lunch place.
Overall:
I liked this place, I would probably come back for the ambiance and service. Don’t get me wrong, the food was great too but the ambiance and especially the SERVICE was really spectacular!