Portal Restaurant & Bar

I have never felt compelled to write a review of a restaurant before but, looking at some of the negative reviews here, I feel that some balance is required.

My wife and I visited Portal on my 30th birthday and had a fantastic evening. The glass room at the rear of the restaurant is charming and welcoming. The service equally so, and as far as I could tell almost entirely Portuguese. The food is good, probably not much more, but certainly innovative and enjoyable. The vegetarian options were also a welcome departure from the usual mushroom risotto-eque fare that is found in so many other restaurants. There is an excellent selection of Portugese wine and the somelier was helpful and knowledgeable.

When we admitted at the end of the meal that our pre-dinner drinks had not been added to the bill, we informed the waiter. He was very gracious in apologising and added the drinks. As a thank you for our honesty, and very much unpromted, the maitre d' brought us two complimentary glasses of port.

Perhaps it was Olympics fever. Perhaps it was the beautiful weather. Maybe it was because it was my birthday. No. Overall, I think we enjoyed our evening simply because this is a good restaurant.
Comment on this reader review

MGD
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I had such a disgracefully bad experience at this restaurant recently I feel compelled to share it.

We pre-booked a table outdoors for dinner as it was a sunny day and a special occasion (my birthday). When we arrived, we were given a table inside, but near the door. Good enough we thought!

As we went to order from the Tapas menu, we were strictly informed we could not order tapas unless we were seated outside. As we were centimeters from the door, we asked if they could make an exception as we were both keen on the tapas menu. The answer was absolutely not.

We went on to point out that we'd originally requested a table outside, and would it be possible to honour our original request, in order for us to enjoy the tapas, and given it was a special occasion. Again - no way. They were concerned that other diners might want the empty tables outside.

We were then faced with an awkward situation as the staff dragged a makeshift table outside (the other side of the door - say 2 feet from the table we were sitting at) and instructed us to sit there. It was uneven and awkwardly in the middle of the doorway/courtyard which made us uncomfortable for the rest of the evening. The entire time, the normal outside tables remained empty.

To add insult to injury - the food was hugely disappointing. The crumbed pork filets came cold and dry - turkey twizzlers woud have been a gourmet treat by comparison and the other dishes were average at best.

In short, my birthday night was absolutely ruined. I had an awful, uncomfortable, overpriced meal and came away with nothing but a bad taste in my mouth.
Comment on this reader review

kez - View all reviews by this user
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Friday, August 03, 2012

Terrible food, very strange combinations and not at all seasonal food.

The service very slow and the owner always there like a clown, very annoying person for a restaurant. But the atmosphere was ok.
Comment on this reader review

Albert J
4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Friday, March 02, 2012

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...
Comment on this reader review

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 .
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

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
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

Danm
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Thursday, July 08, 2010