Portland
Write A Review
"A Masterpiece of Food and Warm Hospitality"
This was truly food as art — stunningly beautiful and absolutely delicious. The staff were friendly and funny, creating a cozy and unpretentious atmosphere. The chef and cooks clearly have immense talent and genuine joy in sharing their craft, which made the experience even more special. Plus, anyone celebrating an occasion, including us, received a handwritten card signed by the entire team. A fantastic experience all around — 100/10 would highly recommend!
"Disappointing Experience at Portland Despite High Expectations"
Unfortunately, my meal at Portland did not live up to the hype. Recommended by a friend and praised widely, I had high hopes, but the service felt off and the food didn’t quite reach a one-star Michelin standard. My friend arrived 30 minutes late, and from that moment, it felt like the staff wanted us out as quickly as possible. The whole meal was rushed to the point I felt like I was in an exam rather than enjoying a relaxed dinner. For starters, I had the beef tartare, which was good, but my friend’s trout was bland and lacked flavor. For the main course, I chose the venison Wellington; while the venison itself was well cooked, the bone marrow sauce was overly seasoned and overwhelmed the dish. Desserts were the highlight — the cheesecake and apple and pear pie were both excellent. A disappointing service detail I noticed (also at their sister restaurant Clipstone) was staff placing knives directly on customers’ phones. While I understand tight table space can be tricky, this felt unhygienic and passive-aggressive, especially for a Michelin-starred venue. After paying, I tried to retrieve my coat downstairs, but was approached by a staff member with an impatient and somewhat rude tone, as if suspecting me of wrongdoing. This was off-putting and definitely not what I expected at this price point. To make matters worse, my coat was eventually returned but hung carelessly on a short hanger, touching the floor, while my friend’s was left sliding toward the floor on my seat. All these small service missteps combined with the rushed, unwelcoming atmosphere left a sour impression. I appreciate the desire to maximize covers in a busy London location, but there are many other one-star restaurants offering better food and genuinely warm service. I won’t be returning.
"A Warming Winter Meal with Memorable Highs and Some Misses"
We visited Portland on a cold winter evening to celebrate a special occasion and found the experience to be a mix of exceptional moments and a few disappointments. The standout was the shared starter — oyster mushrooms with a fried egg and black garlic sauce — absolutely delicious. The flavors were so well-balanced and comforting that we found ourselves mopping up every bit with the bread provided. Unfortunately, the main course didn’t quite match the same level. The pollack came with a puzzling green dusting and fried squid on the side. The squid felt out of place and disrupted the overall harmony of the dish in both flavor and texture. Portland has long been one of my favorite dining spots in London, and despite the inconsistency in the food, the warm atmosphere and attentive service still made the evening enjoyable. Would I return? Likely, but with tempered expectations. It’s a lovely place, but the food can be a bit hit or miss.
"Pleasant Experience with Tasty Food and Delightful Snacks"
I had a warm and welcoming experience, and the food was quite good. I enjoyed a starter, main, and dessert, though I feel the six-course tasting menu might have offered an even better experience. On a side note, I really appreciated the charming snack options — such cute little bites — and the bread was absolutely delicious! 😍
"Good Quality Ingredients and Casual Atmosphere, but Room for More Depth"
Having dined at many Michelin restaurants ranging from Bib Gourmand to three-star venues, I’d say the food here was decent but could benefit from more complexity and layers of flavor. It’s clear they use high-quality ingredients, which is definitely a plus. We did encounter an issue with my dish, but the kitchen kindly compensated us with chicken wings topped with caviar and two complimentary drinks — a nice gesture. Service varied; some staff were excellent, while others were just okay, overall slightly above average. The atmosphere was casual and inviting, enhanced by some really lovely paintings on the walls.
"Disappointing Experience That Leaves You Questioning the Star"
Not all dishes hit the mark, and a few were seriously off. The Parmesan and mushroom macaron had an oddly sweet finish, with cookie components that resembled dense, flat biscuits rather than anything resembling a macaron. The ravioli's "bow tie" was inedibly thick — more like hard dough than delicate pasta. The fig leaf custard tart, despite its promise, was almost entirely lacking in flavor. We ordered six dishes (not including the bread and two desserts), yet the staff insisted we needed one more — the Cornish mids — which we barely touched. It felt like unnecessary upselling and resulted in waste. For a Michelin-starred restaurant, the inconsistencies were baffling. The creativity was there, but the execution left much to be desired.
Portland
Seasonal British cuisine. Vegetarian options always included in their changing menu.
Address
113 Great Portland St, London W1W 6QQ, United Kingdom
Website
http://portlandrestaurant.co.uk/
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
+442074363261