Seldom finding restaurant descriptions compelling, I'll tell you an Uptown-shaping story:
As a young assistant manager at a 5-star Caribbean resort 20 years ago, when $1000/night was unheard of, I asked the resort owner why each year we failed to make Conde Naste's "Gold List" despite being 100% booked a year in advance. He replied, "Because we don't have a pool; 25% of the score is based on a pool." I retorted, "You've got 30 acres-why don't you build one?" To which he replied, "Because if I built one everybody would use it!" I failed to see the logic. "And?" I asked. "Because people tend to do what they are most familiar with and in our case, they'll miss the beauty. If all they remember is the pool, they’ll find one closer to home next year. Here, their memories should be of (pointing) THAT sun setting over THAT Caribbean ocean with their toes in the sand. I’m not here to give people what they're familiar with, Kent, I'm here to provide something they'll never forget."
"My 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."
Dined on 6/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, romantic, late-night find, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"I'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."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, romantic, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Chef 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!"
Dined on 5/31/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"I 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. Thanks"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Forget 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."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Our 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.)"
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"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."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Tasting 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."
Dined on 04/23/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"This continues to be a stunning place to frequent. The creativity is unmatched anywhere in Portland"
Dined on 04/16/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"We 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."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"The rhubarb menu this year was a bit disappointing. Alone, each of the courses was tasty and interestingly prepared; however, as a five course menu, they didn't go well together to make smooth transitions. Three courses included bread in some way, and the flavors varied from French influence to Southern barbecue, which was a little too drastic. In addition, nothing was either hot or cold. . . simply lukewarm. At the end of the meal we were left wondering what had gone wrong and came to the conclusion that creativity took precedence over the menu, seen as a whole. We've eaten at this restaurant dozens of times and have never been disappointed before. Please, don't let this type of menu discordance become a habit!"
Dined on 04/11/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"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."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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"Best 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 special"
Dined on 03/27/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list
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"My 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."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, special occasion, hot spot
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"What 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."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, romantic
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"This 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."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"The food was delicious and the vibe of the restaurant was casual making the pairing delightful and not pretentious. The owner even came to our table to describe one of the wines we were enjoying. It's nice that people take that sort of interest in their establishments to be present and friendly. The staff was great as well. I'll definitely go back."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups
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"Amazing food and pairings, the ambiance was perfect for our occasion. I think we will make uptown our go-to celebration spot."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"The 5-course mean was incredible as usual. Nate gets me to try and enjoy things I never liked before. Having the choice of beer or wine was a nice twist."
Dined on 02/27/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"It had been years since I last stopped in at Uptown Billiards, and I had honestly forgotten what a hidden gem it is. The Five-Course Tasting Affair featuring chocolate in each amazingly crafted course paired with some fantastic wines was well worth the wait. The food was superb, and the atmosphere was elegant without pretense. I am 100% certain it will not be so long before my next visit."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Continues to pursue a creative and accessible food journey pairing food and wine. Not always the most elegant presentation but if you don't mind that, it's always fun and interesting!"
Dined on 02/21/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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"Had the February tasting menu with pairings. Chocolate theme. Was outstanding, no complaints. Wasmour first time here. You can't go wrong! The regular menu looks exciting as well."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The actual dining room is very small and yet we never felt that we didn't have enough space. One of the walls is actually a curtain halfway down and on the other side is a billiards room. Since we were sitting near a split in the curtain we did get some body parts pushing through every so often. However, the reason you go to Uptown Billiards Club is the 5 course affair and that was amazing. The courses are not rushed to the table. We were given all the time we wanted to eat and enjoy and the food was amazing. We will go back for another special occasion as it is a bit pricey, but the Uptown Billiards Club is worth every dollar."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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