Grace

Now I’m sure Unilocal will try to remove or discount this 1 star vote because I’m basing it on the owner’s bigoted and ignorant remarks on the ownership of AR-​15 rifles. Unilocal should not discount this 1 star review because by being an owner of a food service business and how you conduct yourself in public will also have a bearing on how people view your business. If you’re a dick and you present yourself as a dick and you show up at your place of business acting like a dick, then people will stop going there. And those people will tell other people on how much of a dick you are, and those people will not go to your place of business because a dick owns it and is rude. I wouldn’t want my friends to go to a restaurant where I know a dick owns it. Friends don’t let friends go to places owned by dicks.

The owners are ignorant and traitorous.
They are opposed to our Constitutional 2^nd Amendments right to bear arms.
I would NOT give them a penny of business, and I advise you to do the same.

Terrible service food was under cooked. To top it off they have steep prices for what is food comparable to a McDonald’s

I felt extremely unsafe in this place. Never even got to eat because the owner was talking about politics instead of making food.

Eek! Me thinks not. I expected better, food was… junior chef.
The stained glass is beautiful but overall experience was not worth even ¼ of what I spent. I’m not sure what the cost is based on, certainly not the culinary experience.
The service was fair. One Star.

Do not eat here. The owner is a terrible person. She has stated on social media that she does not care about your rights as a United States citizen.

Once I found out the owner is a bigot, we decided to eat elsewhere.

Tried to like this place as it came highly recommended. Just cant.
Owner extremely rude and doesn’t care about anything. When trying to talk to her she became extremely opinionated. Screw her.

Totally separate from any political standpoints, here is my review of this restaurant based on the food quality, service quality, and overall integrity of the business as a whole!
Being a 20-​something girl who also works at a restaurant in town and is trying to afford my life and paying for the schooling I’m in the middle of, I don’t eat here all the time, but when I do it’s always a fancy night. Grace is b-​e-​a-​utiful. You walk in and have to kind of take everything in for a second. Like others have said, it is in a building that was once a church. The candles and lighting and stained glass windows are so perfect — I’m glad the décor and ambiance honor the feeling of elegance that the building has to offer. Perfect date spot — whether you’re taking yourself on a date, going with someone special, or having a little family gathering.
I have been three or maybe four times. Being vegan, I was nervous to go at first because I don’t like having to modify dishes or ask for special requests that may not be in line with what the chef wants to do. Luckily, Grace always has a vegan option (or has every time that I have been) and it is always delicious! Not simply a sad salad or a «well, at least I can eat something here» type of situation, but a plate that has intention and thoughtfulness behind it. Plus, all of the dishes always look beautiful. Great presentation. They even have sorbet as a dessert option, so you’re not left out in the cold on any course if you have the same dietary restrictions as me!
In terms of staff, I have never had the slightest problem. The employees who have been a part of my experience have always been very polite and sweet, even when the groups I have been with may have not been the best at giving the server their full attention when they come to the table and are trying to be helpful. I’m a waitress, so I know how frustrating that can be sometimes.
When it comes to the alcohol, which I know is big for some people, I have had wine here and found the selection to be everything I have needed. I haven’t ordered a mixed drink here but have heard good things and I know that the bar area in the middle of the room looks like a nice place to be if that’s what you’re interested in!
Every experience I have had at Grace has been one that makes me look forward to coming back. This is such a sweet gem for the city of Portland and I look forward to many more visits!
Keep on keepin’ on, Grace. You’re killing it on all fronts for me.
So sorry to this business for all the bad reviews that are coming from people who have never been here over an issue they maybe are not educated enough about.

Looks like a beautiful restaurant and based on the reviews sounds like wonderful food and a great dining experience, but the owner made it clear I am not welcome. The great thing is it’s a free country and there are plenty of nice restaurants to enjoy.

Best ambiance in Portland. Love the horseshoe bar and happy hour specials! Wonderful beer and wine selection. Charcuterie board cannot be beat. Still has many features of the church it once was. Just beautiful. Can’t be beat for date night.

The food here was disgusting I will never be back! Not to mention the service was slow and the waitress and owner were very rude and uncaring.

Never been here but based on the owners delusional and ignorant comments the food and service has got to suck.

This place has a very nice atmosphere and a lot of potential
Currently it is a tourist trap at best
This was my third and without doubt the last visit to this place unless it gets new management and/​or leadership this place is a joke
Again during our most recent visit I found the food to be bland the service to be average and overpriced for what you were getting.
There are a lot of fine local restaurants not far from this location I recommend given those a shot.

Grace is a mid-​nineteenth century church building and the oldest representation of gothic revival architecture in Portland. It is a beautiful example of a modern nod to history. And I love that a dining experience here at Grace can be both a visual and gustatory feast.
I would be remiss not to talk at least a little about the gorgeous stained glass, the amazing arches, and the overall stunning ambiance, but it is also a restaurant and event center, so here goes… first, as a bar and restaurant… it is top-​notch. The food is amazing, from the steak to the fish (and of course, their oysters!); the service is great (I told our waitress about my severe crab allergy and she made sure to relay the message back to the kitchen, which I appreciated); and the drinks are a little tongue-​in-​cheek fun (name-​wise) AND a lot of in-​your-​mouth delicious (flavor-​wise). And as a place to hold an event? Well, I could have waited until after my wedding to have written a novella entitled «Ode to Meghan,» but I’ll begin my tome now.
If you’re looking for a turn-​key (but still absolutely as bespoke as you want to make it) wedding venue, Grace is it… and then some. Meghan has been incredible from the first email onward. She has been nothing short of a saint, in terms of answering ALL my questions, addressing ALL my concerns, and giving me ALL sorts of important information (quite handy when planning an out-​of-​state wedding). They’ve got a space downstairs called The Great Room where we’ll have our ceremony (though you can opt for a ceremony upstairs, too, in the upper level by the stained glass) and I can’t wait for our cocktail hour and dinner reception in the upstairs Sanctuary area. Knowing that the food and drink here are outstanding leaves me with one less thing to worry about — though, truthfully, with Meghan by my side, I have probably a bajillion less things to worry about!
Overall, Grace is a phenomenal space — for any occasion, whether it be for a romantic dinner date to a magical wedding. Thanks in advance to Anne, Meghan, and the entire Grace staff. I am so excited about being able to share one of my favorite bits of Maine with my friends and family in the upcoming year!

Grace is currently getting pounded by multiple sides for their owners social media blitz against semi-​automatic weapons. Here is a review about their food, not their political alignment.
As someone who has actually eaten here, I can say, without liberal or conservative bias that they put out an amazing food product here.
The ambiance is amazing but it doesn’t get trumped by what you get in your glass, or on your plate.
Their service is staff is kind and efficient, which is a decent statement considering the kitchen is completely removed from diners eating on the balconies.
My only neutral suggestion is don’t bring anyone who struggles to see in low-​light, if you’re eating after sundown there isn’t much lighting. Also, don’t plan on taking family or commemorative photos inside, the sidewalk outside was a good backup.
NEWS CENTER on Grace:

I soooo wanted to like this place. My husband and I were visiting friends and decided to get away for a nice dinner. People around town said the «nice» place to visit was Grace. First of all, the location is pretty cool, but as you sit there, it feels a bit sacreligious to be dining where people have worshipped. I mean, is lightning going to come down and strike me? Even the cocktails are «religious» themed. Not cool to mock what others believe.
My waiter was pleasant, but she was not entirely knowledgeable about the menu. I asked her about the duck and its preparation, but she was completely stunned by such a question. For a «fine dining» restaurant, the wine list was pitiful. Beer is definitely a priority. We ended up ordering some oysters and the hanger steak and the duck. Perhaps it was an off night, but everything just felt out of reach. As though the menu was ambitious, but unattainable. On top of it all, the manager came by to «ask» how about our meal. When we expressed our dismay, she was completely dismissive – as though it was OUR problem and not theirs.
Unfortunately, we will not be returning. It’s too much money to spend when you are treated poorly and are served mediocre food.

I went to Grace for a Pride event. The bar served the most delicious spicy margarita, the atmosphere was welcoming, and I felt completely safe with my community. I’d love to go back for a full meal!

Complete garbage.
Owner was RUDE.
Food tastes horrid.
WILL NEVER RETURN
Owner doesn’t respect people’s rights.

I’d been to Grace twice for the Chopped Challenge, and loved the spot, but had always had other restaurant food when we were for the the challenge. So Friday night we went for their food and have to say it was well worth the visit.
Formerly a church, it is a really beautiful spot to dine. Stained glass, high ceilings, open kitchen, killer bar centered in the large space that balances the room; it is a great spot for a romantic dinner, a night with friends, or just hitting the bar for a few cocktails.
Speaking of cocktails, try the Heated Affair — tequila, jalapeño, pineapple, strawberry. Spicy, sweet, tart. all the good things. We started with the charcuterie and cheese, which came with pickled onion, mustard, honeycomb, almonds. We picked a couple of meats and cheeses and they were all excellent and the presentation on slate was very cool.
They have a good, if smaller, wine list. Tried the Seven Deadly Zins, a very nice bottle that’s not too expensive by restaurant standards.
For dinner we had the rabbit ballotine and the short spare rib. The rabbit was amazing! The rib was very tender and the sauce accompanying it was delicious and provided a nice balance to the richness of the rib. Everything about the entrees was great, I can’t say enough about them.
Our main server was fantastic; helpful with the choices and very knowledgeable about the food, cocktails and wine. All in all a wonderful evening.