Bistro Montage - Portland

I like The Montage; frankly, I have found it a little hit or miss over the years. Over the last few visits it has been on point. I like the étouffée, red beans and rice, gumbo and the fried chicken. My son loves the different macs and the bobo (biscuits and spicy gravy). Over the years, I've learned that their jambalaya and alfredo just aren't for me. I'll keep coming back because they keep doing what they do, very well.

The Bistro Montage has been a go-to for us for family gatherings and entertaining out-of-town guests for a long time. The food is.. well, you’ve just got to try it for yourself. In my experience, every dish is always excellent. The southern/Cajun menu offers a number of tasty riffs on favorite dishes. Alligator, turtle, frog legs, and shooters of your favorite mollusks, oyster or mussel, are on offer for those who are into that kind of thing. Less adventurous, but totally delicious mac and cheese dishes (lots of options here; I like crawfish and andouille in mine) are a satisfying go-to. The service is almost always no less than remarkably and impressively impeccable. Front of house people are super professional (I’ve heard cooks yell profanities, however lol, I consider this a plus). On the very few occasions where service didn’t meet that crazy high bar, it was in the craziest, busiest, loudest and most frenetic full house, lines around the block rushes I’ve ever seen, and even then service was still nonetheless always totally fine and good. This place is in all the travel guides for a good reason, and we consider it a Portland staple. Definitely add it to your list. Post script 1: be sure to take in the art. The murals are spectacular. If you’re tourist-y, ask for a postcard of the last supper mural (Jesus is picking up the check). Post script 2: the attached lounge, which has been there for a few years now, is a worthy stop in its own right. Happy hour offers a short menu from the main restaurant, at nice prices (ahem; drinks ain’t cheap). Service is amazing and atmosphere is chill. Largest “no minors allowed” sign in the world, I’m pretty sure. So there’s that.

2nd time going and loved it again. Highly recommend the vegetarian hush puppies. My only complaint could be the fried chicken was almost dry. Still very good though. Will be back soon.

Got treated to dinner here tonight! Wow...yum! We shared the alligator tail bites before dinner and then I had the Bobo and chicken fried steak, and shared with Marcia and Ryan who had the Mac n cheese with bacon and garlic and the catfish fillet...we all shared with each other and WOW, what a treat they each were!! Great atmosphere there too! Will definitely go back to try some more times!

Seriously love everything about this place! Great food and service. Can't get enough of the catfish and fried oysters. Fun leftover art also!