Skin & Bones American Bistro

A friend from Seattle was in town with his wife for a car show, and wanted to go someplace we had not been before, and i chose Skin & Bones based on fresh northwest perspective.
This was one of the best dinners we have had together; it is small and quiet enough to have a pleasant conversation. The kitchen is right there in the open, and i am always happy when i walk past a garden on the way to the front door. Waitress was nice and engaging, and we had time to discuss everything from the food to recent vacations.
Each of us had a different dish, and everyone seemed very pleased. I had the rabbit, which was –oh– so good. small but nice wine and beer selection with good recommendations from the waitress.
This place had it all for my tastes; quiet, unassuming, small, excellent food, engaging staff, good beer, and again Excellent food.

Meh. I would be more lenient if the pricing were lower. It is not. This place is pretty pricey for what you get. The food was average. Really pretty annoying to send out bland, under seasoned food, then be so overly confident as to not even offer salt on the table. Underwhelming all around.

Beautiful place, amazing ingredients, poorly executed, and pricey. Went back to give this amazing menu a second chance and got underwhelmed again. The gratin was awesome, but the chicken was dry and bland.

I was excited by all the positive reviews of this place, but after dining there I have to wonder if I went to the same place these as everyone else?
Four of us sat for dinner and consumed most of the items on the menu, and there wasn’t a single standout that generated even a faint idea of returning. The salad and cheese plate were boring (one cheese was even served finely grated over greens, which made it impossible to taste the cheese), and the rabbit tart was dry had way too much breading which may have been the cause of the dryness. For entrees we had the pork shank and chicken roulade, which were under-​seasoned and uninteresting, though the greens that came with the chicken (nettles maybe?) were tasty. Dessert followed suit, some version of a chocolate mouse that held no ones interest.
The environment didn’t really help matters either. I always enjoy any sort of open kitchen, but perhaps due to the small number of actives tables (Friday night at 8pm there were only 3 other tables seated) I didn’t get the sense of energy watching the kitchen as I have at places like DOC and Tasty n Sons. Worse, 10pm rolls around and we’re finishing coffee as the last table and definitely got the impression that it was time for us to go, the staff was ready to be done for the night.
It’s too bad, I had high hopes for this place but there was nothing in this meal that makes me want to give it a second chance.

From the moment we stepped into this place I really wanted to like it. It’s a intimate little place with a great atmosphere. Love the open kitchen and how the chef is just there with you in the room. There were only three guys working a mostly full house and they seemed to have a really good handle of the flow of the restaurant. The menu is pretty limited, but it’s a small place and if that helps them focus on quality then seems completely appropriate.
Things kind of fell apart for me on 2 levels. First was the prices. There was a bit of a sticker shock when I saw the prices on the menu. If this had been in some trendy up and coming location I might not have thought much of it, but this is out on a sleepy stretch of E Burnside as it becomes neighborhoody. Probably great if you live around the corner, but not a desirable location by a long shot. I think that’s what really set me up for failure #2 – with those kind of prices you really need to be knocking it out of the park with the food. Our 1 appetizer and 2 entrees were serviceable, but a bit bland. Everything tasted fresh and had a nice presentation, but was also a little under seasoned and just missing that element it needed to really snap.
I think if the prices had been about 75% of what they are I’d probably be willing to give them a pass and come back for another try in hopes that I might find something on the menu I liked better. As it stands though I don’t really see a reason to head back out that way when downtown is closer for me and there are dozens of place in that price point that Skin & Bones can’t compete with.

I sort of feel bad writing this review with this rating, but I think it will make sense. To start with the good: the staff was extremely nice and accommodating. The restaurant itself was very charming, and I love the small setting. It really feels like you’re in someone’s kitchen. I love that they use local, fresh ingredients. I wanted the place to be great!
But the reason we were there: the food. The rabbit we had, once soaked in its sauce was very tasty. but my pork lacked much flavor at all. Its side fritters were delicious, but maybe only because there wasn’t much flavor on the pork. We also had an app/​small plate that once again lacked seasoning. I get trying to show off the ingredients, but I can toss some salt on some roasted veggies, and serve them over polenta or grits at home. I don’t need it to be over salty, but I’m looking for something more here.
This and a few drinks for over $ 100 was the tipping point. I expect way more for this much. Too many other great restaurants on the east side.

Phenomenal locally sourced food. What appears to be an old white garage katty-​cornered from QFC is one of the best restaurants on the east side, nonetheless in Portland. It’s a tiny operation with 2 four-​tops and 2 communal tables, but the food has been great every single time.
There is a small, ever changing menu at Skin & Bones (which is available on their website) with about a half-​dozen mouthwatering entrees (including a vegeterian or vegan option — I’m not one so i don’t know for sure). Their food is locally sourced, seasonal and, from what I’ve experienced, always amazing. You can tell that all of the food is made to order (as necessary), since the kitchen is wide open and takes up a full ¼ of the space.
Easily one of my favorite restaurants in Portland.

I want to write a positive review. I really liked the 2 guys running the place; the cook and the waiter. But I need to honestly review my dining experience. I was with 2 others. We only went for the main course. I ordered the cassoulet and the others chose the bison steak. I definately made the better choice. My dish was flavorful and hearty since it had a small piece of pork belly and a small duck confit leg. It was sufficient for me. However, the bison steak was a big disappointment. It was unrelentingly tough. I know that bison is lean, but they shouldn’t put it on the menu if they can’t make it tender enough to make it enjoyable to eat.
Overall, they have work to do before they are ready for primetIme. I won’t give up on them and will return soon to see if there is improvement.

A part of me doesn’t want to share this review with anyone because in a restaurant that’s so intimate and with so few seats, I know that if people start swarming in that I’ll never get a seat in this house again…
Some people might say that the answer is to get more seats, BUT then it wouldn’t be a «Skin & Bones» — type set up anymore. The charm of the place is the family feel you get. The kitchen is pretty much open and in plain sight of its diners. In fact the kitchen is half the restaurant’s open space itself so you feel like you’re in the dining room of your most awesome friend. With fewer seats these guys can create a more relaxed cooking atmosphere. I stress that your host is your most awesome friend because the guys that run this establishment are pretty awesome. It’s a «skeleton» crew, minimal staff needed, who really take care of you and will socialize with you about the food, its source, its preparation, its inspiration, etc. These guys know what they’re doing and they’ll tell you about it because they’re not running around 20 different tables. I probably counted 7 tables at most. Granted I don’t know how they survive by servicing so few tables (the house was not packed on the week night I went), but they can certainly depend on me coming back again and again.
The food was great. Very locavore. Sleeper hit of the night was the squash with sauteed milk cap mushrooms baked in a cream sauce. I can’t do it justice with this description, but surely THEY can.
We were there pretty late that night and it was clear that we were the last patrons and they wanted to start cleaning up but they assured us that we were welcome and that they’d have us stay as long as we wanted. We stayed for dessert, which was gluten free goodness. We saw these guys have their staff meal together and it’s clear there’s a good dynamic going here.
QFC is lucky to be around these guys, because now I’ll just do my grocery shopping after I eat there. I would otherwise never go to QFC.

Friday Night-​Seven O’Clock-WTF, we made reservations, but there was still plenty of room in the room. I can’t figure out why this spot isn’t crawling with diners. Alas, the food was outstanding. We ordered all of the small plates with the exception of the cheese, and there wasn’t a miss amongst them.
Best Corny Beef Hen (game hen, whatever) I have ever had. Perfectly seasoned-​dang.
Get yourselves there soon.
Great prices on wine!

Well fuck me sideways, I’m in love.
In a flash of dumb luck I ended up at Skin ad Bone. On our way to another dining establishment we spotted this quaint, sleek bistro. Pulled in by the Siren-​song we quickly rerouted.
I’ll come right out and say it, I don’t have the most sophisticated palate. I like things simple. The menu boasts only 4 choices or entrée, all of which wax poetic combinations. I was a bit out of my element and not sure what to expect. I settled on the Bison Tri-​tip on Creamy Grits. While we waited they brought bread, made in house with salted butter. I was speechless. It really is the bread to which all other breads should answer! By some divine intervention they mixed up orders and accidentally brought out salmon, which they let us keep while they cooked up my correct order. The salmon was perfect and when my Bison arrived, that was too. The Bison was tender and rich, a nice compliment to the grits.
Our table had a chance to chat up the staff which is how we learned that the menu rotates monthly with small changes here and there throughout the month. The chef and staff are wonderful, passion and knowledgeable about the product.
As mentioned previously Skin and Bone is a good lookn’ establishment. The décor is a beautiful bend of minimal, modern and romantic making it an ideal date spot… or anything spot really! The whole dining experience stayed on my mind for days to come and even now weeks later I am enamored with how wonderful a meal it was. It’s a must.

Passed by Skin and Bones the other night on our way to a different restaurant for a double date. We are all Unilocalers and questioned what this new place was all about. After a quick Unilocal rating check, we spun the car around and headed back to check Skin and Bones out. We were all so happy we did. One of the best meals I have had in Portland! Such a hidden gem!
I had a delicious vegetable pie stuffed with chanterelles, chcikpeas and apricots accompanied by a butter lettuce salad dressed with a pickled blueberry and herb vinaigrette. My boyfriend had the bison bolognese served with seared grits. I don’t usually eat meat, but was floored by this dish. So amazing and nostalgic… like something my Mom used to make, but 1,000 times better. An innocent error by our server allowed us to try the salmon dish as well which was perfectly cooked in a delicious mélange of vegetables and beans. Food heaven.
I believe they bake their own bread and it is fantastic served with salty butter. They had fresh pie, fruit crisps and homemade ice cream available for dessert. We were just too stuffed to try them… but they looked delicious.
The cook was amazing… answered all our foodie questions and was really nice… and really efficient. The head chef was there as well and was really friendly. It is just so nice to find a place filled with passionate people just doing it right. Making great food with no bullshit. I plan on coming back every month when they rotate their menus. I seriously can’t stop talking about how good this place is…

Great ambience, great service and great small selection of items. The place has lots of potential since it just opened not too long ago. Love the ice cream and pasta. Not into bison and craved red meat upon our visit. The menu is small but it’s great food! Man, and the desserts rock!
Of course we’ll be back!

J’adore.
Spur of the moment friend recommendation on a night I had to escape the four walls of my house– could not have been more delighted with the result.
S&B is on a quiet corner annd the space has been really well designed. I love this kind of joint: open kitchen, not too many seats, and really attentive and openly happy staff.
The menu is prepared daily, and is split into veggies, small plates and entrees. We decided to skip across the menu, choosing two small plates: paprika roasted potatoes with duck ham and egg, and separately, pork belly with cornbread and preserved lemon confit. Both were around $ 15.
With the help of our overly lovely waiter, we chose drinks (a chilled red pinot was a suggestion, chilled red wine creeps me out, but my companion tried it and liked it) while I did a sparkling white. Both were around 8 – 9 $, pretty reasonable.
The bread before our meal was delicious, two hearty homemade loaves with great sweet crusts on them, served with honey butter and salted butter.
The potato, ham and egg was awesome.
The egg was perfectly cooked to a soft yellow, and the crispiness of the potatoes, coupled with the saltiness of the duck ham was all just lovely.
The pork belly was a surprise–
. The pork belly was cooked perfectly, and the cornbread highlighted what is clearly a skill of the house: breads. The preserved lemon was presented as a salsa or slaw, and was surprising once tasted. It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t good, it was just very different… as if they hadn’t been preserved long enough.
Post our starters, we went with the egg pasta with sage and yes… more egg. I’m a big fan of pasta and sage, a pretty basic but classically italian preparation.
It didn’t disappoint. They’d made a great choice on the shape of the pasta, as the kinkiness of the pasta held onto the herbs, egg, butter and sage perfectly. The pasta was $ 18, most entrees hovered around $ 20.
About this time, it was just us, the kitchen and another guest. Community tables lend themselves to conversation amongst the guests, but at this point, the lights came down, the music went up and the staff started dancing about, which was relaxing and awesome. We couldn’t leave without a dessert, and amongst the options, we went with a cherry galette which didn’t disappoint. The crust was dense but flaky, and the cherries were sweet and tart, all topped with in house whipped cream that had a softness to it.
I have no complaints — the staff, the locale, the food, the atmosphere, and even the price were all awesome.

We went here with my dad after not making reservations in time for Ned Ludd (My dad is the ultimate Luddite, so we have to make it here eventually. But reservations seemed so… technological.) The benefit to Skin and Bones is that we walked here from our house. How delightful!
I’ve watched this building evolve from a garage to a crafty storefront with much curiosity, so I was very excited when I saw a discrete sign indicating it was a restaurant. It is very small (less than eight tables?), but that makes it charming.
I really liked watching the people in the small kitchen maneuver around each other and get a lot done. The only weird aspect was that they treated it like a kitchen that wasn’t in full view – and auditory proximity – to every diner. It was a bit distracting for our group, but maybe it’s because I’m nosy.
The menu was Portlandy with high-​tech meat dishes using high-​quality ingredients. My dad had the pasta with peas and lamb belly – amazing! My husband had this interesting chicken stuffed with sausage dish that was really good. I, sadly, made an ordering mistake. The fancy wording of the dish I ordered: pork belly and an egg with a bed of lettuce and brioche bread, hid the fact that it was a greasy sandwich. Good on some days but not what I had in mind. Anyway, I enjoyed eating my dining partners’ food quite a bit.
I hope we have an opportunity to try this place again. The service was great and the creativity was exciting.

I gathered two of my favorite friends here last night, and and headed over in great anticipation. Skin and Bones is one of those new places that has popped up nearly out of the clear blue sky, and has been the object of my curiosity since spotting it on a trip to 82^nd.
I was delighted to see the first several reviews that were so enthusiastic, it baited me like you can’t believe. Soon, every time anyone wanted to do anything, I was like, «let’s try Skin and Bones»… «Hey, wanna go to breakfast?», me: «definitely, let’s try Skin and Bones.», «i don’t think they serve breakfast». «Hey, wanna get sushi», me: «let’s try Skin and Bones», «i don’t think they serve sushi». «Hey, wanna get your oil changed… «- eventually, the invitation I’d been waiting for feel in my lap.
Of course, anticipation often serves as one’s own worst enemy, and I must admit, I think my own excitement may have tarnished my real life experience just a touch.
–First, I’d like to say the service was absolutely lovely– everyone in the place, from table service, to the chefs that will interact with you lightly while they cook, charm was in the air.
–The ambiance is summer cottage house gone gourmet in a very sweet and accessible way.
–The menu rides a bit of a roller coaster, between dishes that sound universally mouth watering, to those that seem just a little off but you know with the right execution they might work. We went during a menu that was better summed up with the later description.
They often feature a galantine, which is basically mashed up meat congealed into a sausage. Don’t get me wrong, it can be good… but it can also be really bad. Theirs is better than not, but still not a favorite dish of mine. On the night we went offerings were:
–smoked jowel
–chicken galantine
–seared whole sardines
–and rabbit paprikash
I opted for the sardines, having fallen in love with the whole ones served in the north of Spain. These fell a bit short from my memory, the sear was a little short of a sear, and seasoning was lacking. The Galantine was similar, ok, made with love and care, but flavors really didn’t reach what I would say was a «masterful» level. Brioche, although home made, was a little dry and tired tasting, and corn on the cob was beyond basic, to the point that I was a little sad it wasn’t my mom’s preparation.
All in all the experience was charming, but if I’m to be brutally honest, we all left feeling that if it had been up to the food, we might not go all the way out of our way to try it again. Nonetheless, I am hoping to return out of sheer hope on a night the menu may seem a little more promising.

My parents and I went for dinner at Skin and Bones a couple weeks back and were just blown away. The menu was limited, but everything we tried was just perfectly executed. All of the flavors (from the beets to the caramelized meats to the potent herbs from their next door garden) were clean, authentic, and harmoniously combined. We ended the meal with the PERFECT apple pie (tart, spiced filling and impeccably flaky and buttery crust).
Skin and Bones is run by 5 guys, all of whom have some type of facial hair and seem to love what they do. With the open kitchen, it feels a bit like you’re dining at the house of a bunch of band members, who also happen to be phenomenal cooks. Seating is limited, and I can definitely see this place blowing up soon, so plan accordingly.

Wonderful dining experience. I sat at the ‘family style’ table and had a very nice conversation with my fellow diners. I ordered the pasta with English peas, walnuts, and smoked lamb belly. It was a revelation.
The open kitchen was dynamic – the energy between the fellows back there was energizing. It seems like they are friends, and that they really love what they are doing. At one point, the chef looked up and smiled the most radiant smile.
The space is simple, relaxed, and airy. All the elements come together – food, service, ambiance – to make Skin and Bones a keeper.

Delicious, local, friendly, and in my neighborhood! The place is pretty small, so eventually it’s probably going to be hard to get in; the night we stopped by (a Tuesday), it was already quite busy, and they’d only been open for a month.
This place is good, but I think it will eventually be great. I can’t wait to watch the transformation!

We recently had an amazing meal here. We really loved loved loved it. Caleb is superb and we really enjoyed all the delicious treats from the well-​run kitchen. I am, though, sad to report that it will be standing room only soon, and you won’t be able to walk in and get a table, like we did on a Saturday night. We were mightily impressed, to say the least. Will be back as soon as we can.