Lucier

I dined here last September when I was on vacation in the USA and was shocked to find that Lucier had shut. Shocked and saddened.
I think Lucier was unique in Portland. It was aiming high, perhaps sadly too high for Portland. Amazing dining space and view. Flexible menu. Amazing waiting staff.
I was hoping this would be start of more similar standard restaurants in Portland. Sadly, it could be the last.

I am so sad they had to close and hope they can reopen when the economy gets better… here is my review none the less:
To be sure there are more wondeful restaurants in Portland now than ever. I have seen many come and go over the years and I have eaten at more than my share of Michelin Stared restaurants around the world. So I know when I stepped into Lucier, this was something different for Portland.
Long lost are the suit and tie restaurants of decades past, and as a jeans loving man I appreciate that. But it is nice to have someplace where you can get dressed up to the nines and not be seated right next to someone straight off the golf course once and a while. Lucier imparts that higher level, something special.
The staff is impecable and the service has not left us wanting in our 3 visits. The food is very good we have tried quite a few different things on the menu, each time choosing to pick our own 5 courses.
I would have to say some of the best items are the duck, the sweet pea rissoto, all the fish has been superb especially the hand harvested scallops, The cheese cart has been our last course each time, so I can not speak for the sweets, but the cheese cart is perfection, the best selection I have seen in the U.S. (and my father lives in Switzerland I know cheese).
Now I do have a gripe. The glass pours are marked up to robbery levels, when the glass exceedes the retail price of the bottle there is a problem. The wine list has some great values though and the wine staff is good at recomending a wine to meet your needs. Though I would have to say the list is just too big, it is nice to have all those wines at hand but really its ego to make such a list. And if you have a special wine from home the $ 20 corkcage will get it in IF they do not have it on the list, but they go by vintage and not just the label.
All in all I think there is not a restaurant in Portland that has, so far, the consistent level of service, food and atmosphere that Lucier currently has. Now if Portland will support it has yet to be seen, personally I very much hope that they do!

Mind-​boggling, over-​the-​top, ridiculously luxurious wastefulness… of which I enjoyed every minute!
I’m a native Oregonian and — let’s be clear, here — this place was what Reba might call FANCY (like the high-​class callgirl who earns a living — or something like that), the likes of which we have never (and may never again) see (n) around here!
Fortunately for me, I didn’t fork over the dough for the the outrageously lavish meal I enjoyed here. The setting is beyond stupendous (see various other reviews that go into more detail) — and the loo, well (who knew the bathroom could be so stunning?) was breathtaking, in the best possible way.
I’m sorry to see Lucier go, and I hope it returns in some form — it was like a cross between a foodie’s Disneyland wet dream and a museum of finer things than I can appreciate. Even though the myriad of foodie delights (often mysteriously over-​foamed for some trendy reason) was quite overwhelming, I remain most in awe of the staff and the décor/​view — which really set the tone for the entire evening.

I hope Lucier comes back better and stronger than ever. Hopefully Portlandite’s will wake up realize a good restaurant when they see it. Don’t be afraid of something new.

Saturday is the last for Lucier (as we currently know it). I went there once and enjoyed it immensely. They may reopen later next year, but for now… may it rest in peace after Saturday night.

I went to Vegas one too many times last summer; that would be twice within a month, and thought by then I’d had enough of over the top Wynn Hotel kinds of experiences. You especially don’t expect to find places like this in Portland, and from what I’d heard, I thought Lucier would as Vegas-​outrageous enough as to make me uncomfortable.
The opposite was true. Although the décor is stunning (Chihuly style blown glass, fresh flowers everywhere, eccentric details that are hard to explain, you just kind of have to see them, a tiny river running through the place to mimic the Willamette, etc) the staff and general atmosphere, is friendly and posh at the same time.
Some girlfriends and I sat in the bar and were immediately sent a delicious sampling of Rose Champagne (something they do for all first time guests) and then we enjoyed delicately parsnips in truffle oil, something that can only be described as blue cheese fried balls of wonderment with balsamic vinaigrette and smoked salmon and tiny potato croquettes. All delicious.
We felt welcomed and just like anyone else in the dining room who might be enjoying a $ 300 cut of Kobe beef. The valet even had my friend’s car warmed up outside and waiting for her by the time we reached the door. Impressive. I was too embarrassed to valet, given Wally’s crate in the backseat, but somehow, I don’t think they would have cared.
It’s not cheap, but there’s nothing like it in the city, so there you have it.

If you are prepared for:
— high prices
— über-​service that’s not snooty and actually pretty relaxed
— over-​the-​top design
— museum cases in your dining area
— something totally un-​Portland-​like
— fancy presentation
— desserts from Boston’s Top Pastry Chef
…this is your place.
Personally, the dining room atmosphere is stuffy for my taste. The lounge is more relaxed with warmer colors and small groups and dates just hanging out.
It’s much more comfortable than it looks from the outside…
I love the bathrooms too.
Their website could tone down the pretentiousness though. «Reserve your Lucier table and let the anticipation begin.» Er, okay.

Lucier is Portland fine dining at its best. The décor, food, and wait staff are all superb. You will not find a better restaurant in Portland.
Décor: Lucier’s décor is unparalleled. High ceilings, beautiful art, great lighting, and modern architecture make Lucier THE place to enjoy a meal. If you really want to impress a date or share a special night with a loved one, go to Lucier.
Food: Lucier’s food is also top notch. Of special note is their cheese cart. I’m not a huge cheese lover, but even I must admit that their cheese cart is a must have.
I do have a few warnings though. First, their Japanese Wagyu Kobe Beef is average at best (for real Kobe beef that is). I would hate for anyone to try it and think, «Oh, so that’s what Kobe beef tastes like.» If you really want Japanese Wagyu Kobe Beef, go to Cut down in Los Angeles.
Also, if you get their tasting menu and/​or combo, the portions are very small. And I don’t mean kinda small; they are very very small.
Wait Staff: Lucier’s wait staff is what really sets it apart from other restaurants in the Portland area. Every little detail is paid attention to. For example, when food is brought to the table, it is placed in front of everyone at the exact same time. In other words, if you have a table of 16, 16 different waiters will come out and, at the cue of the head waiter, serve the patrons at the same time. Very impressive.
But what really stole the night was how my family and I left the restaurant. Upon leaving the restaurant, there was a man standing at the entrance already holding the coats we had checked in earlier that evening. After taking our coats, we walked out the doors and waiting for us was our car, doors opened, and key in the ignition. Now THAT’s what I call valet service.
So why 4 stars? Well, the portions are a bit small and I’ve had better food (especially when it comes to Kobe beef). But at the end of the day, I would go to Lucier again (and again and again and again).

We were visiting Portland for the first time from San Francisco as part of a little roadtrip celebrating our 10^th anniversary and even for people jaded and spoiled with an abundance of good restaurants in SF, Lucier is one of the top places we have eaten at.
Atmosphere was perfection — the little river/​moat/​glass bridges were cool, the glass art cases, some of which housed functional silverware services were lovely, from the cool art bird in the back to the ceiling and walls to the bar and the wonderful view all around of the water — just spectacular.
Service — we felt very well catered to, by multiple staff — from the moment we walked in and through the whole experience. Genuinely friendly and approachable people — we did not feel they were at all rigid.
We did the 5 course tasting menus and loved it — every dish — even the more experimental stuff– perfectly done — foie gras was perfection as were the desserts (yes we got three).
Even the lavender «dry» soda was a special touch — made for a nice way to cleanse the palate.
Just try it!

Impeccable — that’s really the most perfectly succinct review of Lucier I can give and I really don’t need to say anything more… but I will.
The style is reminiscent of Manhattan fine dining, yet the impeccable service is delivered with a very Portland-​esque relaxed style without any pretense or pompousness. I have experienced the pretense oozing from many of the «nicer» Portland restaurants, but Lucier is the only place that could actually warrant it, yet is one of the only fine dining establishments without the snooty attitude. How they are able to service your table with 5 different people and not have it be overbearing our pretentious is definitely an art!
Not only is the place gorgeous, the food is AMAZING and the service impeccable, but the little details are the icing on the cake (sorry I keep using the word «impeccable — but its really the perfect adjective in this case). For example, they car was waiting for us right after we signed the bill — we didn’t have to let anyone know we were ready for the car; everything was silver (the butter, salt & pepper, butter knife, water pitcher, etc…) we had five people talking care of us, but they were not overbearing and knew when to just leave us alone; they even had little mother of pearl purse hooks for the table.
The food was divine. It was easily the best meal I have ever had in my entire life. It helped that they had certified Waygu Kobe beef that was absolute perfection.
I have been trying to think of something to knock it down a notch, but everything was perfect.
If I could give 6 stars I would!!!

I would give the place five stars but I was only there for drinks thus I only got a sample of what Lucier can do… but let me just say, the experience was 6 Stars!
We stopped by Lucier for drinks after a SPECTACULAR dinner at Beast and sat out on their lavishly furnished patio and watch the sunset over the Portland waterfront… very romantic. The cocktail menu was creative but not bizarre and the prices were about average (maybe slightly higher but worth the extra dollar). What was not average was the ambiance, the helpful and unpretentious wait staff, and the blankets they bring out to you when the wind picks up off the water. The blankets capped the whole evening off. Now this wasn’t your Charlie Brown blanket by ANY means… I would throw up a seventh star just for the blanket… super plush, clean and oh-​so-​warm.
The lovely waitress who served us up our drinks was so sweet and comped one of our drinks because it took MAYBE 15 minutes for it to arrive… now THATS service.
They say never judge a book by its cover but Lucier is all it appears to be.

A LOT of work is needed to make Lucier everything it was intended to be. The décor is stunningly beautiful. The restaurant interiors are perhaps the most beautiful I’ve seen in any Portland restaurant. The waitstaff is pretty good, but rigid.
I hosted a party for 12 in the private dining room, and was less than pleased. The entire party ordered foie gras, which was consistently overcooked, the glass pours and serving sizes were laughable, and the kitchen managed to run out of dessert, despite my having selected a menu nearly a week in advance.
All in all, the food tasted great, but I left the restaurant hungry. Probably worth a trip in a few months, or a year, when Lucier is (hopefully) running a bit more smoothly.

The other reviews of this place are pretty spot on. Gorgeous, eclectic dcor — we were told by locals we dined with that the designs on the ceiling represented the mini vortexes that form in rivers. Actually, everything in the place is supposed to have some significance with Portland, so it was very cool. The flowing stream, the glass mini bridges, even the outdoor seats looked stunning. The kicker had to be the restrooms though: unisex, soothing and very large — a must if you eat here. Anyway, the food was good, I started with an amazingly pungent lobster bisque which had a massive, meaty, delicious scallop in it followed by a flaky white fish on a large duck ravioli — amazing to say the least. Very flavorful and pairing very well with some of the wines: a ’04 DR Stevens and two very rare ’02 Bordeaux’s (we brought the latter, purchased the former). Add a glass of fine rose bubbly to start and you have a very happy and buzzed table. The place was a bit overpriced but worth it. I would only go back for a special occasion — that’s how nice it is.

in a word… swankalicious.
Ooooh! and also aaaaaaah! This brand spankin’ new restaurant is right on the south waterfront, and is choke full of sparkly pretty things. That includes the people. Right from the minute we walked in we were greeted by some of the most beautiful hostesses I have ever seen. Holy boobies, Batman! Wowza.
Check out the bar, as it is sleek and full of crazy mirrored mural madness. Perfect to drink to if I don’t say so myself. I went for the Lilypad on the cocktail list. It was a yummy mixture of ginger beer, muddled mint, cucumbers, triple sec and a few other things I can’t recall do to the awesomeness of it all. Service is slow as molasses in the bar, but that could be due to the newest of the place.
The pace picks right up in the dining area though. It seems like you have about 3 separate waiters per table. There was a waiter keeping our water filled and another checking on our wine glasses and keeping up with our food, plus another dude who would just show up to see how we were doing. I really hope that last guy worked there…
There is even a cheese guy that brings an artisan cheese cart to your table and puts on a little cheese show. I don’t know how much of a show one can put on with cheese, but I’d pay top dollar to find out!
Be sure to look up at all the cool and slightly ominous metal rods jutting down from the ceiling surrounding the light fixtures. Also all the awesome glass art that looks almost alive incased simply in glass boxes, like glass fish around the restaurant. Very purdy, yo.
So ahem… ahem… THE FOOD!!!
There are some choices here, which basically rocks. The more choices the better I say.
Choice #1: There is a Chefs tasting menu, in which the menu (all 4 courses) from the appetizers down to the dessert are preselected by the Chef.
Choice#2: Select any of the entrees and starters and make your own menu (from 3 to 5 courses), and wine pairing are done based on each dish upon request.
What did I do? Well thanks for asking. I selected my own five course menu which included: Foie Gras, Sea Scallops, Yellow Fin Tuna (duuude. sooooo good!), Split pea and mushroom risotto, Turbo ravioli, and… oh god… I don’t even remember. Ya know the «Be Our Guest» scene in Beauty and the Beast? Yeah. It was like that. A big parade of awesomeness and food. With less weird candlestick soft shoeing.
Annnnyhoo. When dining at a place like this here, there is a list of things I have to remind myself not to do.
DO put napkin in lap.
DO say things like «excuse me», «pass the_​_​_​», and my personal favorite which always makes me laugh a little bit, «pardon my reach»
DO NOT tell a string of slightly racist yet incredibly funny jokes you heard from earlier in the day.
DO put napkin on seat of chair when getting up to use the bathroom.
DO NOT refer to the bathroom as «the can».
DO NOT try to reenact the scene in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts shoots her escargot across the room. Remember that you are not Julia Roberts and it is only cute when she does it.
DO act like you know how the hell to eat your food, even if your food comes out looking like a mini colorful puzzle, you hold your head high and you eat that puzzle!
For a new place to spend some serious scratch, I give it an A. Bravo. Encore.