Fenouil
Fenouil is a dining destination for anyone who wants to believe, even just for a few hours, that life is beautiful and so are they, so don’t hesitate to stop in for an order of lobster beignets and a glass of sparkly–it’s a much cheaper pickmeup than therapy or a new wardrobe.
…they have one of the best happy hours in town, particularly when you factor in that glorious, glorious patio and the whole living-the-beautiful-life thing.
Occupying one of the most dazzling dining spaces in Portland, a glass, stone and marble monument to accompany the elegantly prepared and graciously served French cuisine within, Fenouil caters to an eclectic clientele–business executives seeking to impress colleagues and clients with their shiny good taste and the formidable wine list, coiffed couples celebrating special occasions by the flickering gas fireplace, the well-heeled Pearlites who frequent its gleaming interiors and the sunloving masses who vie for outdoor tables on the patio overlooking the burbling stone block fountains of Jamison Park.
The lunch menu offers an affordable array of soups, salads, and sandwiches, and dinner entrees range from an unusual rabbit crepinette with speck and polenta to a traditional filet mignon bearnaise, all of which are reliably well-executed. And if your pocketbook isn’t feeling Frenchie-la la these days, Sunday through Thursday evenings, Fenouil offers up a three course prix-fixe dinner menu for a very reasonable $26 price tag, and they have one of the best happy hours in town, particularly when you factor in that glorious, glorious patio and the whole living-the-beautiful-life thing.
Details
Cuisine: French
Executive Chef: Pascal Chureau
Chef de Cuisine: Ian Ragsdale
Atmosphere: Beautiful, serene, elegant French restaurant, perfect for a special occasion.
Outdoor seating: Yes. Fenouil is the proud possessor of one of, if not THE, best patio in the Pearl/Portland. It is large, gets excellent sun exposure, and overlooks people-watching mecca Jamison Park. Plus, it’s slightly glammy and you look like a high roller sitting there, even if you’re just ordering the $5 glass of happy hour white wine and nibbling on some free bread.
Best Seat: I have three: a)the bar, b)by the fireplace, c)the patio.
Noise Level: Normal - Energetic
Bathrooms: Walk past the kitchen towards the right end of the restaurant, turn left down the hallway at the end of the bar, you’ll see the mirrored doors.
Parking: Valet parking is available, or you can meter park on the surrounding side streets. Parking is generally pretty easy to find, except on First Thursdays, busy weekends, and most of Summer, when the Jamison Park fountain morphs into the biggest kiddie pool in the universe, drawing children, their miscellaneous family members, nannies, and dogs from as far away as Boise.
Cocktails: Fenouil has a full bar and a list of specialty cocktails, digestifs, aperitifs, cognacs, scotch, and dessert wines.
Beer: Yes
Wine: A beautiful wine list filled with European and West Coast wines
Corkage: $25 for the first two 750mL, $35 for additional bottles, $40 for magnums, bottles must not be on Fenouil's wine list
Ideal Meal: Lobster beignets, gnocchi Parisien, prix fixe menu, profiteroles
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Vegan Friendly: Not especially
Good for the following occasions: Special & Splurgey, Romantic Date, Impress The Clients, It’s Just Dessert
Group/Private Party Details: Fenouil has a rather impresive second floor mezzanine overlooking the park that is ideal for private/group dining. They book up fast for holiday events, so don’t hesitate to reserve the space for your needs. For more info visit http://www.fenouilinthepearl.com/private_dining.php or, call Events Manager Janey Clark at 503.525.2225 or email her at JaneyC@Fenouilinthepearl.com.
Reservations: Yes, call or reserve on line at OpenTable
Take-Out: Yes, Fenouil even has a new park menu, you can order a picnic to go and enjoy your lunch outside in Jamison Park. www.fenouilinthepearl.com/pdf/park-menu.pdf