Portal Restaurant and Bar

Looks like a nice place from the outside, but a terrible experience as soon as you encounter the service....

I don't know if terrible service and a bad attitude are part of the "authentic" Portuguese experience, but the service, (and particularly the bartender) here couldn't have been more indifferent and awful.

We were literally the only two people in the entire bar area on a recent Friday night (maybe this should have been the first warning). I asked for a Manhattan, which is not an obscure request (even in Portugal) and the bartender just said "No." Uhh what? Ok, I guess I'll just settle for 2 small glasses of "house" white wine, (which was a mere 14 pounds). Seriously, if you want bad service at an unreasonable price, then by all means this place is for you...
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TJ
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Saturday, November 26, 2011

Just returned to Portal having been away for sometime ,what an absolute treat this must be Londons hidden gem ,the food was fantastic ,the wine top draw and the staff very attentive and friendly ,a special mention to the cocktail barman Stephain what superb cocktails ,the bloody mary was the best I have ever tasted ,I wil be returning very soon .
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Chris
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 07, 2011

I visited Portal last night with my wife, to celebrate our anniversary. We enjoyed a wonderful evening. The atmosphere was fabulous in the conservatory at the back where we were seated. The staff were polite and attentive, always willing to offer advice on the wine list, which is extensive. Most importantly, the food was fantastic and distinctive.

I would recommend this restaurant to anyone and will certainly be returning at a later date. The whole experience made the day feel truly memorable.
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Mark77
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, February 13, 2011

I went to this restaurant last night. Recommended by a friend I booked it for my partners birthday with great confidence... after having gone nd selected the table that I wanted etc. Then I read some reviews that the service ws appauling... well all I can say is that these people were not at the same restaurant as us. I was stunned at how attentive and engaging they were. Once they realised that it was a birthday we (on top of having order absolutey wonderful food I recommend the sole) received a wonderful birthday desert. they honestly couldn't have been nicer. Wonderful atmosphere, astonishing food and staff that couldn't do enough to help. this gets 10 stars from me.
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Lynn Mcconnachie
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, September 10, 2010

What a find food was great, atmosphere urban cool, staff very friendly and knowledgeable with londons finest selection of superb portugese wines .Portal will become one of my regular haunts
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, August 27, 2010

Great styling and a nice place to sit. That's the only good thing about Portal. The food was unenjoyable - super salty, strange combinations and overpriced. Grilled fish tasted not like it had actually been put on the grill, but more like the way your hair tends to smell after a backyard BBQ. Bleh. Cheeses were mini sized - looked half the dimensions of a normal wheel/block of cheese anywhere else. Overpriced nonsense gets a thumbs down.
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LJ - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 0
Saturday, August 07, 2010

It is terribly over-priced and the food portions are awfully small. £12 for one scallop is just cheeky. Slow service although friendly. Some items unavailable ( but at only 7.30pm). It's a good looking place and nice atmosphere, bu it is not good enough at the price by a long way, the neibourhood has much better options.
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Danm
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Thursday, July 08, 2010

Went last Saturday to Portal. The first thing I have to say is that the service was great. Very friendly staff and looking after us very well.

They were there all the time, serving the wine, explaining the menu... but you didn't realize they were there, very settle and not intrusive.

The starter was great, scallop & oyster with risotto.

The main course of Trio of lamb was delicious! The only fault was the pure of something that came with the meat. The pure was too tasty, so you could not taste the lamb, I would get rid of this.

The presentation of all the courses was brilliant, each detail had been taking care of.

The bill came to 115£, 3 course meal each and a bottle of wine.

Will def be coming back to this restaurant.
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Maria
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, May 10, 2010

Nice setting, food ok for the price but rude staff. The service was only average so we gave a tip of 10% rather than the full "optional" 12.5% service charge on a £400 bill - and were ordered out by the manager.

The staff there could really do with a reality check, it's the customer that shall decide whether their staff merit a reward, not them.
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Paul Vivash
3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Sunday, February 28, 2010

If I toke the reviews seriously I would never have tried this place. I'm so glad I did! I had the perfect night there this past weekend. The service was personal and effective, the owner goes to everyone's table to check if things are ok and will hear any critisism.

The food was AMAZING...perfect portions. The atmosphere was also perfect...live jazz music and intimate light.

Overall a 9.5 out of 10!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 15, 2010