Ava Gene's - Portland

Simply said, ava gene’s is my favorite special events restaurant in portland. with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients, the kitchen sets a unique spin on Italian cuisine and turns around some of the most tasteful foods around. add to this impeccable service in a fine dining, but not stuffing atmosphere and they have a winner. although no vegan or vegetarian restaurant, the cook is planted and changes the menu weekly to present the best of seasonal products. the results are spectacular. the salads offer unexpected combinations such as beet and crunch mixed with a generous selection of cuddly perfectly dressed so that the taste of each ingredient in the mouth dips other salads can contain speditions, fresh beans, nuts and squash. if it is on the menu, the borlotti bean disc is not to be missed. I never thought I'd pay $15 for a slice of toast, but that's not an ordinary toast. a garlic, lemon pure of the Borlotti beans is made on a thick piece of roasted land, with all the beans and dipped with garlic and olive oil. with the contrasting textures of creamy beans on the crispy brot, who needs avocado toast? that increases the cash when it comes to dead. the homemade pasta contains eggs, but they always have a vegan pasta option or two that can prepare them. Depending on the season it could be kale pesto, pomodoro, chili, garlic mandel, mushroom or my favorite, nuts ragout. Vegan and vegetarian elements are not displayed on the menu, but the well-informed server can tell them what items can be made vegan or vegan. the service around is the upper notch. the server are friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable. dessert is limited to the current Sorbet taste. for more varied offers you can skip the sorbet and go a block to the west to try the vegan ice creams at salt straw or a few blocks further for the vegan yogurt at eb bean. in a city with so many vegan restaurants is my preference to apply them as often as possible. but I also appreciate the non-vegan restaurants that go out of the way to be vegan friendly, and few (if any) do it better than ava gene’s. Chef joshua mcfadden is really the vegetable deserter. he knows how to prepare nicely and combine them in wise that produce their unique aromes. I wish happy cow would let me give five stars because this is a restaurant that deserves this review easily.

Simply put, Ava Gene's is my favorite special occasion restaurant in Portland. With a focus on local, seasonal ingredients, the kitchen puts a unique spin on Italian cuisine and turns out some of the most flavorful food around. Add to that impeccable service in a fine dining but not stuffy atmosphere and you've got a winner. Although not a vegan or vegetarian restaurant, the chef is vegetable focused and changes the menu weekly to showcase the best of the seasonal produce. The results are spectacular. The salads offer unexpected combinations like beets and cherries mixed with a generous assortment of herbs perfectly dressed so that the flavor of each ingredient pops in your mouth Other salads might include sprouted grains, fresh beans, nuts and squash. When it is on the menu, the borlotti bean pane is not to be missed. I never imagined I'd pay $15 for a slice of toast anywhere, but this is no ordinary toast. A garlicy, lemony puree of borlotti beans is spread on a thick slice of toasted country bread, topped with whole beans and drizzled with garlic and olive oil. With the contrasting textures of the creamy beans on the crunchy bread, who needs avocado toast? This seriously raises the bar when it comes to toast. The homemade pasta does contain eggs, but they always have a vegan pasta option or two that they can prepare. Depending on the season it could be kale pesto, pomodoro, chili, garlic almond, mushroom or my favorite, nut ragout. Vegan and vegetarian items are not indicated on the menu, but the well informed servers can tell you which items are vegan or can be made vegan. Service all around is top notch. The servers are friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable. Dessert is limited to the current sorbet flavor. For more more varied offerings you could skip the sorbet and walk a block west to sample the vegan ice cream flavors at Salt Straw or a few blocks further for the vegan yogurt at Eb Bean. In a city with so many vegan restaurants, my preference is to patronize them as often as possible. But I also appreciate the non-vegan restaurants that go out of the way to be vegan friendly, and few (if any) do it better than Ava Gene's. Chef Joshua McFadden truly is the vegetable whisperer. He knows how to prepare vegetables and combine them in ways that bring out their unique flavors. I wish Happy Cow would let me give five stars because this is one restaurant that easily earns that rating.

We 've been excited to try Ava Gene 's for a while since we love vegetables and pasta, and this what they are known for. The food was all simply ok. I honestly think we could 've made better food at home. The service was kind and prompt, although our waiter (was in-training) didn 't offer clear guidance on the menu, so we ordered a few dishes from each section. The prosciutto starter and salads were the best things we ate. Again, dinner wasn 't bad, but it was just ok for dinner for 2 people for $170.

This was my second time dining at Ava Gene's. I was impressed-again! I bought a gift card on my way out. That says it all!

We had the tasting menu and it was delish! Great service, great wine, and great food...