Uptown Billiards ClubBest Value for Fine Portland DiningMy husband and I had the 5-course Strawberry Menu last week - definitely made it on our "Best Meals Ever" list. Everything was perfect. We are still talking about the Foie Gras, Salmon Pancake, and the Strawberry Whipped Cream.The wine pairings were suitably paired with every course. We really appreciated the server's explanations of each course and wine pairing. Anyone looking to experience some of Portland's best food, in an authentic environment - Uptown Billiards Club is the place to go. Did I mention it was only $30 for a 5 course menu?? Yes - you read correctly. $30. This is a dining experience you will be talking about for days afterward.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome food & drinksI'm never dissappointed with the 5 course creations that Kent & chef Nate come up with. Bartender Nick came up with a strawberry martini at the request of one of our guests, and he & my wife loved it. Nick is a true artist.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Kept Secret in PortlandChef Nate's 5 course menus and wine pairings are the best kept secret in Portland. We come for every menu change and have never been disappointed. The wait staff is outstanding!5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMUptown billiards fantastic againThis place never disappoints. Possibly the best value for fine dining in Portland.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat experienceI havent had such great food in a long time. I was there for the Mexican theme 5 course meal. Everything was great. The food was unbeleiveable. I got a little jolt from a hot pepper too lol. The drink pairing I found very intiguing. I'll definite be back. A co worker mentioned Uptown to me and it just sparked my interest. Thanks5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBest restaurant you never heard ofForget the "billiards club" name, go for the five course monthly special ($30 or $44 with wine tastings). I have always been impressed. Each special focuses on a food... Meyer lemons, beer and cheese, chocolate, cherries ... that is in season. Lemon was: steak tartar, crab cakes even good enough for this MD Chesapeake Bay boy, pheasant, lamb (yes, all !!! of these, not just one choice, in modest sized servings, each with a lemon theme) with white chocolate lemon mousse bread pudding desert. You will groan in delight and, no, I never wrote a review before. Small place, big ambitions.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOur waitress was incrediblyOur waitress was incredibly helpful and enthusiastic about the shockingly cheap 5-course dinner, which I and my dinner companion had. The food was 3.5 courses of absolutely delicious, with the other two merely being blah, not bad. The food was presented skillfully, explained well, and like all five-course dinners at UBC, it had a theme -- in this case, meyer lemons in each of the courses. Additionally, the cocktails we had were spot-on in terms of their composition and were served artfully as well. The dining area is small, as this really is a billiards club -- the bar and darts and pool take up most of the room. There was a party of sixteen across from us that took up almost all the rest of the tables as well! (They were perfectly fine.)5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMMake a Reservation and Go Uptown!The price is an amazingly $30. The food courses were all small, but added up to a satisfying meal. The weak point was the dungeness crab fritter, which didn't taste very crabby. All the courses were good-to-excellent.
The venue was loud, as a noisy group behind a curtain were celebrating someone's significant birthday, while playing pool! There are only 7 tables for dining, but the curtained-off dining area was quite elegant. Service was good, if one ignores that the waitstaff did not, as a rule, ask, "How did you like ?"
The paired wines (only another $14) ranged from mediocre to good.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMTasting menu was wonderfulTasting menu was wonderful and very reasonably priced. Our server was excellent and paced the meal perfectly. Loved the atmosphere once we arrived but the storefront is hard to spot. Parking is really difficult in this neighborhood but you can park next to/behind the building after 6p.m. My favorites dishes were the tartare and the smoked pheasant along with two of the wine pairings. Our theme ingredient was meyer lemon. We had to make a reservation before we knew the ingredient.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have enjoyed the taster'sWe have enjoyed the taster's menu many times and have not been disappointed. The surprises have always been a wonderful treat and the wine pairings are always delightful new experiences with multiple analytical discussions following each course.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was outstanding as wasFood was outstanding as was service. Noise level could be a little distracting but otherwise a terrific experience.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThis continues to be a stunningThis continues to be a stunning place to frequent. The creativity is unmatched anywhere in Portland4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience!My partner and I had the 5 course dinner with wine pairing, an excellent value at $44/person. The ambince was great and the service was even better. Waitress was fun and explained the menu and wine choices to us thoroughly. The food from the 1st course to the last course was tip top.
We will be telling friends and hopefully returning soon.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMBest place in town. The 5Best place in town. The 5 course paired with wine dinner changes every two weeks. Ive been there 5-6 times in the past two years and every plate is something special3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThis place is a secretMy first time there was for my birthday this past Saturday. The food and all parts of the staff, bartenders, wait staff were exceptional. The resturant 5 course special is so much fun for that special occasion. When seeing what people ordered off the menu was also super flavorful and a good value. Can't go wrong here.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThis place is a hidden gemThis place is a hidden gem in Northwest Portland. It is not easy to find with its inconspicuous entry, but those that do will enjoy their experience.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFun night, great mealWhat a great restaurant concept: an attractive pool hall coupled with a great dining experience. My husband and I were Portland tourists looking for a unique night out. And Uptown more than fit the bill. We arrived an hour before our dinner reservation and played pool while we sampled local beers. Really fun. Then we ate the 5-course chef's menu. Most of the dishes were fabulous -- well worth it.3/8/2013 12:00:00 AM