Port Bistro

Port Bistro has been on my list of places to try ever since they opened a few years back. Honestly, the main reason for taking so long to visit was the outside décor; it still screams «I was a Pizza Hut» and doesn’t have the ambiance to encourage a couple to drop $ 100+ on a nice meal out. I took advantage of a Living Social deal and finally ventured inside.
First tip off was the terrible rotting garbage smell in the parking lot. I’m not certain if it came from Port Bistro or a neighboring restaurant (I’m looking at you, KFC), but it was horrific. We walked in at 7:30 on a Saturday night and the place was nearly empty. No one at the bar, just a few tables seated. An overly loud group of people was directly behind us and their loud voices and laughter echoed in the restaurant. However, our server was prompt and friendly. Drinks arrived quickly, our order went in fast, and the kitchen was efficient getting us fed. Food was delicious and we both really enjoyed our meals. While we were not asked if we wanted another drink, the dessert menu was brought out without our saying anything. The check soon came, and we were on our way.
75 minutes: that was the length of our dinner out. Drinks, appetizer, meal, dessert. The quality was there, the service was excellent, but there was nothing (neither atmosphere or other people) to make me want to linger and, with the almost too efficient kitchen, there was hardly a pause between courses. I didn’t feel like the restaurant wanted customers to stay and take their time. As we left, I thought that maybe this would be a good place to get take out. I’d almost rather pay $ 50 for the food and enjoy it at home or down at the beach with my own bottle of wine.
So, food and employees: top notch. Everything else: meh. I’m disappointed this trip wasn’t better and glad that we only went there for a date night and not to celebrate anything special.

The seafood paela is delicious and a healthy serving. Have

Been here twice. Each time the service was great and the food was good. No complaints. And you can find deals for them on LivingSocial. Definitely one of the better restaurants in the area.

I went here for a ladies night on a Saturday evening, there were about 8 of us all in our upper 30’s. The food was very good. A little pricey but not absurd. The food came pretty fast. After that things went downhill. No one came by to let us order more drinks or see if we needed anything. After chatting before ordering none of us had anything to drink with our meals and were parched! Finally one of the girls in our group actually got up and got the picture of water for us and refilled all our water glasses. The manager/​owner or whoever she was saw her and still didn’t send our waitress over. The check was finally dropped off, which was done we were not in a rush but she never came back so again we had to get up and go to the bar to get change. Disappointed in the service. I wish it was better because the food was delicious.

Had a yummy dinner Friday night with my husband. He ordered the salmon. It was a huge piece and very tasty. I ordered the skirt steak which was good too. The shrimp bruschetta app was delish. We sat at the bar and bar tenders we had were fantastic and super nice. I got a yummy pear martini. Defiantly will go back.

You have to ask for the bread… it’s good… but you have to ask for it. Food is decent and the place is clean. A bit over priced, but good portions.

There are parts of me that want to give this place 4 stars but I just can’t do it. We had calamari (good), Caesar salad (fine), steak frites with truffle fries (both of us, and they were good). But here’s the thing, for what this place is trying to be (Solstice-​esque but not quite as formal) it’s just not there. I’m pretty sure the booths are the same from when La Paloma was in the building and the seating and lighting just doesn’t feel nearly as intimate as it should for what it is presenting itself as. The food is good, but I would say overpriced.

Great food and atmosphere. Service by waiter Roboyto-​aka Devon, outstanding. Appetizers awesome– Haddock done perfectly, and Eggplant special was very special. Great time had.

Pleasantly surprised at our dining experience. Had a living social and decided to try it. Mussel in a rwd sauce with choiurice was yummy. I had the skirt steak which was the bomb, hubby had the statler chicken which he said was by far the best chicken at a restaurant he had ever had. Because mine of course is the best. Lol. Molten choc cake with salted caramel ice cream was awesome. Check it ou.

I Purchased a Living Social coupon, went last night! Food was very good… Braised Beef Lasagna was delish, savory, creamy and full of flavor. My husband loved the Seafood and Risotto dish! Service was very good! Would definitely return!

The food was adequate, the service was pretty good. I was under impressed with the food. My fish was a casserole with breadcrumbs that was bland, the veggies were Noah abs the mashed potatoes were tasteless. The mussels were tasty in a thick sauc.

This was our first time dining at Port Bistro. Our expectations were high based on the reviews. I can say that the service, that is the staff, was top-​notch. The food did not live up to expectations. The linguica dip was unexciting, the crab cakes a fishy sodium overload and the fresh baked chatham haddock was submerged in a melted butter bath. We decided that, although it’s nice to try new places, this is not a do-​over. Not to mention they are over-​priced in every section of the menu.

We have been to Port Bistro 4 or 5 times since it opened a year ago and with each visit we continue to be impressed. The hostess (Lori) couldn’t be more welcoming, the entire staff are well trained and genuinely seem happy to have you there and the food itself is terrific. Most recently, last week, we sat at one of the high tops in the bar area and tried their updated Spring menu. The tuna tartar, arugula salad and the gnocchi app were all ample portions and delicious. Yes, it’s a former Pizza Hut building but the food and service couldn’t be more removed. We love it!

Lot of good reviews, very interesting. Probably workers or friends of the restaurant.
I wouldn’t go back to this restaurant even if I lived across the street.
waited 10 minutes to be seen my maitradee.
waited too long for the waitress to come back with bread. when she finally got back, she gave us one little piece each.
waited way too long to cler the table too, we had our dirty plates on the table for at least 15 minutes.
the meals were nothing but average. maybe cooked by the next door neighbor. they even forget my vegetables.
my girlfriend had a fruity drink that was way too strong, I think bleach and ammonia tastes better. we had to send it back for a boring sangria.
beer list is boring too.
this place was on Phantom gourmet too. what a joke.

I’ll start and say I’m very impressed with the Port Bistro. It’s in a tough location that seems to have been a revolving door for restaurants over the years but this group seems to have upped the ante where it matters, the menu. Equally important, the bartender Julie knows how to make drinks. How do I know? I heard her use the word muddled in a sentence and she wasn’t confused when I asked for my martini «bruised». Her espresso martini at the end of the night was amazing.
As for the food, they truck in fresh bread from a local bakery which was served with olive oil. We got the goat cheese and beats appetizer which was gone in seconds. I ordered the organic Scottish salmon with roasted beats and my wife for the braised beef short rib lasagna. The salmon had a nice crispy outside and perfectly cooked tender interior. It was the lasagna though that stole the show. So much flavor, falls apart with a fork, all surrounded by thin layers of homemade pasta. We closed it out with the warm chocolate cake with bourbon gelato and an espresso martini with a few roasted beans on top.
We definitely recommend the Port Bistro and have our fingers crossed for their success!

Such a great needed addition to Kingston, flawless veteran service (particularly at bar) not common on the South Shore, ingredients are fresh, bright, local sophisticated but uncomplicated. Tuna Tartae outstanding, recently had a great mushroom ravioli. Issues with smoking servers seem to be corrected, Floor service has greatly improved, smoother, more informed. Port is really finding and perfecting it’s niche. Wishing continued success. Downside, the place is so busy it is tough to get a spot at the bar or a table. Would love to see them take over the old Barn Cranberry space on Maple downtown.

My husband and I went there to eat on Saturday, 9÷6÷14.
When we arrived we stated that there were two of us and the hostess said it would be just a few minutes — no problem. Well, while waiting we noticed it was a little warm inside — ok, it was the warmest day of the year and the bar area was busy — understandable. About 10 minutes later we were brought to our table in the back room. Its a small room and there were about 30 to 40 people in the room. As we are sitting at our table, we looked at each other and thought «wow, it’s hot in here!» The waitress came over and took our order. As we are waiting we kept on getting hotter and hotter… I began to fan myself! As I was fanning myself the hostess noticed me and came over and said «I’m sure your waitress told you our air conditioner BROKE!» NO SHE DID NOT I SAID! If I had known that I would have not placed a food order!
THERE WAS NO NOTE ON THE FRONT DOOR NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS PRIOR TO ENTERING THE RESTAURANT!!!
WHY DIDN’T THE HOSTESS SAY ANYTHING BEFORE SITTING US DOWN???
WHY???
WHY DIDN’T THEY OFFER A FREE DRINK FOR SITTING THERE AND SWEATING — IT HAD TO BE AT LEAST 100 DEGREES IN THERE! OR OFFER A MEAL DISCOUNT?
WHY COULDN’T MANAGEMENT HAVE SENT AN EMPLOYEE DOWN TO LOWE’S 2 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD AND GOT A COUPLE OF FANS TO CIRCULATE THE AIR? THERE WAS NO AND I MEAN NO AIR!
WHAT ABOUT THE CHEFS AND THE WAIT STAFF? HOW HOT WERE THEY?
WHAT ABOUT THE OVERALL SANITARY CONDITIONS? I.E.COLD FOOD GETTING TOO WARM TOO QUICK?
Needless to say by the time our food arrived, we were nauseous and could only eat one thing! We paid our bill (service not good — heat related, I’m sure) and left everything! $ 93.00 for two bites of food!
We will NEVER go back there again. As far as I am concerned, it was deceitful!

Got out on a date night with my beautiful wife to celebrate her passing the MTEL. Thought we would try this new place in town. It was a good choice. I had the duck. Done perfectly and boy was there a lot of it. She had a small pizza and arugula salad. We both split the crab/​cod cakes. These were good considering the combo of fish. Beer selection was decent. They might have 6 taps? They should dive deeper into local beers as they mature into their business.
We will be back!

Went to Port during their «soft opening» and it has potential. We are fans of their other restaurant, Sintra, in Braintree. The appetizers were very good. Island Creek Oysters from Duxbury did not disappoint and the white bean and duck cassoulet was very good. The paella was ok although the portion was small and the red sauce was overpowering. I prefer this dish to be simple and let the seafood make the flavor on its own. The steak frites was boring flavor wise. The sauce did not compliment the kale or the meat itself and at $ 27 it was a bit underwhelming. Drinks were very good and my wife ordered a drink not on the menu, which the bartender made perfectly. The atmosphere is very dark and loud. The room itself could benefit from some window treatments to deaden the echo of conversation.
All in all it was a good experience and we will be back again once they work out the kinks.

Visited the newly opened Port Bistro last night and it was great! They’ve done a great job with the space — it’s very lovely and cozy inside. My friend and I sat in a booth and immediately ordered cocktails from their list. I had the Goldrush because I’m a bourbon girl through and through and was not disappointed. My friend got the Sparkling Ruby which was also delicious.
Our server Devin was fantastic — he knew the menu and wine list like the back of his hand and was able to make great recommendations. He was attentive and super friendly, and took good care of us. Upon his recommendation we had the shrimp a la plancha which was perfection. The sauce was a delicious saffrony surprise and the presentation was quite lovely. We also got the chicken and the beef tenderloin, both of which were delicious and cooked perfectly. We were definitely impressed. He recommended some wines and I must say that their Sancerre was gorgeous — and the fact that they even had that by the glass at all made me so happy, because it’s my favorite. I like to see a by-​the-​glass list that’s not just full of Chards and Pinots, so I really appreciated Port’s.
We skipped dessert because the kitchen had closed (boo, but it was late so understandable I suppose) but since I definitely plan on returning I will try it next time. Great job Port — keep it up!