East Ender

Just had the lobster melt sandwich, which is one of the best things I’ve ever had! It was amazing! We started our afternoon lunch with warm olives and hazelnuts– yum! My husband loved his fried fish sandwich, but I don’t think anything could beat the lobster melt. We finished with two delicious desserts. Can’t wait to return!

We were here for brunch for Mother’s Day and it was delicious. I was surprised by the negative reviews-​the food was tasty and the prices were reasonable-​starters from $ 4-​$ 7, main dishes/​sandwiches about $ 9-​$ 15. The yeast waffle was light and crispy and the banana bread with raisins yummy. The one thing you need to try that could probably sell on its own all day in its own store, is the ham and cheese sticky bun which sounds weird but melts in your mouth and you won’t regret ordering it.
I loved the décor, it felt more like a bed and breakfast. Wood floors, brick wall on one side and walls with light blue paint and oval mirrors on the other. Wooden tables and large windows that face the street with a nice view. Service was friendly and quick.

We went for a late lunch. Seating & service was very quick. The sandwiches were different and very good. The salad was pretty acidic, and a side of fries consisted of 4 fries (granted they were huge) Inviting atmosphere. Reasonably priced. We would go back when in town again.

Looks like we weren’t the only ones to end up here because the wait @ duckfat is very long and we were hungry, but very happy we needed up here! Starters: buffalo chicken wings were incredible, best in a long time and this is out go to app. Lobster sandwiches = incredible. Private party upstairs but the dining area in the first floor was nice and the staff is super friendly and attentive.

We were able to get a reservation on Friday night so we went and had a great time. The server was very friendly and knowledgeable and even helped me find a cocktail that wasn’t on the menu anymore. The hake croquettes were a standout as well as the special, the skate wing schnitzel. A very pleasant experience; highly recommended.

Carl and crew have done a great job with this place. Fantastic original drinks, friendly staff, and Excellent food! In a city where it’s tough for a restaurant to make a name for itself, the crew at the East Ender is doing a very good job.
Will definitely be back!

We were visiting from Brooklyn to check out the food scene. Thought this was place was great but not quite up to the standard of neighboring spots. Chili cheese fries were excellent as was the service. Short rib was fine but definitely a little on the dry side, thus the four stars. You won’t regret coming here but you can also do better in Portland.

Made reservations for 1730. Empty (zero patrons) but were told we had to sit at a table in the dead-​middle of the empty restaurant by the too-​cool hostess. We asked if we could sit in the periphery, to no avail and said she would take us upstairs. Up there, we were allowed to sit in the dead middle. Asked how we get a less-​central table and she told us we had to reserve them specifically. A few people came in after us and were seated at the edges.
Experience was completely blah — basic cocktails, terrible bland Barbera, and an uninspiring sparkling wine. Food was trying to be special but used salt to make up for a lack of taste. Onion rings, differing from some of the other reviewers, could have been wringed out for personal lubricant.
Waitress was kind and polite and space was nice. Just don’t ask for a more private table — when we finished half were still empty.

Small portions, rude waitstaff, host was pretty abrasive and insulting, food was decent. I got the short rib ragu and while it was tasty it left me hungry.

I recently tried the East Ender brunch for the first time and I must say I am a fan. Myself and two girlfriends visited on a Sunday and had a delicious meal. I started with a mimosa– it was good (hard to go wrong wth champs and OJ), but nothing special or unique. Next I ordered a side of the hashbrowns and we all shared them. They were square shaped, crunchy on the outside, and light and fluffy on the inside– soooooo good! For my meal I ordered the biscuits with sausage gravy and eggs– this was a great dish! No complaints– biscuit was perfect, gravy was flavorful and eggs were cooked to order. One of my friends ordered the chicken and waffles and unfortunately her dish wasn’t as well prepared. It appeared yummy but her waffle was ice cold?! The staff quickly brought her another one, but it was a bit of a bummer. Our other friend had a burger and she said hers was great. The menu had lots of appealing options so I would definitely like to go back and try again!

I just ran across my receipt and realized, I never wrote my review, gasp!
We were here during the busy summer season. Actually ended up here by accident,
but it was a happy outcome! We were trying to go to Duckfat (which we did get into later, very good). Thought we would have a drink why we waited and decided to just eat here.
We shared the brussel sprouts, very good. Roasted Beet Salad with Ricotta, excellent. We also split a sandwhich… pretty sure it was a rift on a BLT, but it was pork belly. Everything was excellent. Would definitely come back here.

Went to dinner here yesterday night. We had made our reservation over a week in advance for 7:00pm, and when we got there the host told us that the couple sitting at our table wasn’t quite done with their meal. He told us it would probably be another ten minutes and that we could sit at the bar and have a drink while we waited, which we were fine with. When 7:10 rolled around he came to the bar and told us that it would still be a bit longer and that our glasses of wine were on the house, which we appreciated. He also told us that we were welcome to eat our meal at the bar, but since we made our reservation over a week in advance we really wanted to be able to enjoy our meal at an actual table. I’m still not really sure why we needed to be seated at this specific table as I saw another table open when we first came in.
We were finally seated at 7:30 and we ordered the brussels sprouts as an appetizer, which were good. For our entrees we ordered the lobster saffron risotto with vanilla turnips and the ricotta gnocchi with local mushroom and pecan-​arugula pesto.
When our food came out, the turnips in my risotto were completely raw. I’ve never sent a dish back before in my life, but this just wasn’t edible. On top of that, the gnocchi had way too much flour and was super dry and bland (it seemed like the pesto had taken a backseat?). Our waitress offered to bring us different entrees, but at that point we just wanted to call it a night.
The host came over and told us that our appetizer and bottle of wine would both be comped, which we definitely appreciated. One thing that got me though was that he told us he was «moderately embarrassed,» which had me wondering what the standards were of this place to make him be very embarrassed, which I would have been if I were in his position.

We came on a whim and were lucky enough to get seats at the upstairs bar. Watching them make cocktails was a lot of fun — I enjoy places that elevate the art. My Manhattan and her Old Fashioned were exactly what we wanted.
For starters we had the Roasted Beets with Whipped Ricotta, Balsamic Vinegar, & Toasted Farro. So good! Fluffy, creamy ricotta with sweet, roasted beets, and the occasional, crispy farro.
I had the Cavatelli with Short Rib Ragu and it was amazing. The smoky, savory flavor of the ragu with the toothy pasta and clouds of parmesan on top.
The wife had Lobster Saffron Risotto with Vanilla Turnips. We had never heard of these type of turnips, but they had a lovely texture and a distinct vanilla flavor. The risotto itself was perfect.
I look forward to our next visit.

My husband and I had lunch here after we were told there was an hour and a half wait at duckphat. Now we wish we had waited!
The restaurant itself had a cool atmosphere and was decorated very nicely. They have an upstairs and downstairs bar with a great beer and wine selection. Our waiter was friendly enough and was very helpful when we asked for his recommendation on what local beers were worth trying. However, we were disappointed when the food came to our table. My husband said his burger was «meh, nothing to write home about.» I ordered the grilled cheese which was nothing short of pitiful. It was on Italian bread with a very thick layer of cold pesto jelly and hardly any cheese. I had maybe 2 bites before I decided it wasn’t even worth eating. Our meals supposedly came with fries. Had I known there would only be a total of 5 fries on our plate I may have ordered an appetizer or something. So basically I left hungry and my husband left unsatisfied.
If you are only visiting Portland this place is not worth a visit. You will be disappointed!

Damn! That’s a grand sandwich …
Lobster grilled cheese. I wish I had remembered to take a picture. Forget all the tourist traps and hit this place in the west end .
Also tried the Thai curry bowl with fried fish. Unlike any curry I have ever had… will not disappoint! Will definitely be back !
On street free parking.

We dropped by east ender for lunch after we found out that our other option had an hour wait and we were pleasantly surprised. Within five minutes, we were seated on the upper floor and we ordered the lobster melt, the ricotta gnocchi, and the fried chicken salad.
The lobster melt was really good, with buttery toasted bread and bacon jam, and the salad that came with it was properly dressed and balanced. The ricotta gnocchi and local mushrooms with arugula pecan pesto was delicious and also beautifully plated. The gnocchi had a lovely texture, and the pesto was deeply flavorful. The fried chicken sandwich had a really nice sauce.
Service was prompt and the food was pretty good. Overall a good experience!

Loved this place. We came in because Duckfat had a long wait. Would get five stars, but service was a bit slow/​inattentive (not necessarily her fault, she was overloaded; but they need to hire more staff).
We had a few cocktails (which all tasted great, I heartily recommend the Haitian Divorce).
Got fries, the lobster melt, and the fried chicken sandwich. I’m not a huge lobster fan, but the melt was fantastic. My fried chicken was also delicious. Really great stuff.
The place itself was very nice and clean. no complaints there.
I’d definitely come back to this place. Especially, given the wait at Duckfat.

Nice space, good concept, and lazy/inattentive/can’t be bothered I’m a wannabe hipster service. Group of six, food and drink savvy, hungry and thirsty, and restaurant was not crowded on a weekday late afternoon. Good beer selection. Cocktails were a bit off, trying hard to be «interesting» but they didn’t taste good. A bitter rum punch and a martini-​esque drink with orange, for example. Gnocchi entrée was tasty as was the brussels sprouts appetizer. Onion rings were greasy but the goh che chang flavored ketchup was nicely done.
The server only twice out of six times brought the proper drink or food item to the person who ordered it. Good concept but lost by poor service. Portland has too many other great places for me to go back for that.

Hands down the best brunch we had eaten in Portland! We tried this place a year and a half ago for dinner and was sadly disappointed. The menu was confused and just not that great. We knew they had recently changed owners and decided brunch would be the way to start again. The menu looked amazing and was a huge struggle to decide what to get from one of their benedicts or chicken and waffles. Wanting a bit of something sweet. We wanted to try the grilled banana bread and honey butter. After tasting this we knew we were in for s treat. The bread was We decided on the fried chicken and waffles and the pork belly Benedict and decided we would just have to come back next weekend to try something else. The service was great and the food did NOT disappoint. The best hollandaise perfectly blended being both light and rich. The pork belly served over homemade biscuits was a great combination and will def be ordering it again. The chicken and waffles was served with a whipped maple butter. The waffle was light but full of flavor and the fried chicken was moist and crunchy and great together served with a side of buffalo sauce. We added some of their hash browns which were not what we were expecting but pretty good! They came to the table almost like a tater tot but homemade and BETTER!
This place is def the place for brunch !! Can’t wait till next weekend !!

We were 9 hungry New Yorkers looking for food and after the cold treatment at Eventide, we decided to walk around looking for another place that will accommodate a large group. We stumbled upon East Ender and was pleasantly surprised at how friendly and accommodating they were. They were fully booked that Saturday on July 4^th, and unfortunately they couldn’t squeeze us in the main dining room, but the host, wish I remembered his name, was super nice and made every effort to find a spot for us. We ended up sitting upstairs at a high top table by the bar, it was a bit tight and awkward, but we were hungry and we didn’t mind.
The food itself was decent. The beef tartare was not the greatest that I’ve had, but the gnocchi was on point. The octopus was good. Overall we enjoyed the food and the drinks, although small, they were pretty strong and tasty.

Grabbed a drink at East Ender while waiting for a table at Duckfat. Snagged a couple bar seats on the second floor bar.
From just a bar evaluation it was good. It had a wide beer selection and was normal bar prices. Again I didn’t try any of the food but for a couple drinks it was a nice place to saddle up for a drink with friendly service while waiting for a table at the ever popular Duckfat.

While Duck Fat is by far the destination on this restaurant laden block I can safely say that you can have a fare more enjoyable meal here. There is almost never more then a ten minute wait and the amount of tourists and children is cut in half.
My waitress for this experience was sweet and funny and when I asked for a recommendation she was quick to give me her honest opinion and steer me towards a perfect lunch.
Please try the obvious stops, but also always consider this wonderful restaurant when your in the portland area.

Okay, so Middle Street can’t have all great restaurants. Had been wanting to try it, finally made it in to East Ender. Love that it is small, clean, cozy almost like an extension of Eventide… but comparison stops there.
Friendly albeit slow service.
The menu is schizophrenic… beef tartare (which was really good) mixed amongst burgers? And pork belly sandwiches… huh?
Rating should be 2.5 but no half stars on here apparently. The beef tartare was good, as mentioned. The octopus not so much… overly salty and chewy. Presentation was great (see pics), wish it had carried over to the taste.
For that money should have crossed the street to Eventide again.
Looks like Honey Paw is next.

This was the sort-​of meal that you can only HOPE happens. I was really floored by the quality of the food and the inventiveness of the dishes. The waitress told us that the chef/​owners just recently opened after having run a food truck in Portland. These were some of the most cohesive dishes I’ve ever had.
I read some of the «not so positive» reviews, and I have to say that I think those folks seemed to be looking for a belly-​full of cheap food. If THAT’s what you’re looking for, the subtleties of this place will be lost on you. If you’re up for some grown-​up food, you HAVE to try this place. The ability to transform a plate of ingredients to something unexpected (but delicious) is what separates a chef from a good cook.

I think this place could be pretty good, but as it stands, is overrated and overpriced.
We came here on the recommendation of a local who was raving about their crab and lobster tostada, which I was psyched about. We didn’t make reservations ahead of time, and were told a table wouldn’t open up for another 45 minutes or so, so we put our name in and went down the street for a drink. When we returned 45 minutes later (9:15 PM), there were plenty of tables open, so I was a little sad that we hadn’t been called over ahead of time the second a table had opened up so we didn’t have to eat so late (the host clearly didn’t go above and beyond). Service was attentive and friendly otherwise though.
As for the food: the boy was excited for the pork schnitzel, but unfortunately they had run out, so he went with the roasted hen. It had decent flavor and was a good amount of food, but some parts were overcooked. My lobster and crab tostada was OK, but they had run out of crab, and it really wasn’t a good amount of food but was a high price (not to mention the avocado and crema flavors I was hoping for were replaced this evening with kim chee, which doesn’t compare IMO, at least for my own taste buds). My side of steak fries were overly salty and not anything special worth ordering, and their creamed kale was pretty tasty because it was drenched in cream and butter, but was also not anything special otherwise. My friend’s pimento spaetzel was more unique and well-​executed though, and was probably the most successful dish we had this evening.
Overall, we found the evening to be kind of a bummer; we spent a lot of money for not the best food (and not even the food we wanted, since they had run out of a lot of stuff), and there’s just nothing here that would make me want to return, especially given Portland’s awesome food scene. Not the biggest fan.