Scratch

For lease sign up at Scratch’s former residence… don’t think they’re coming back in this spot.

There was a FIRE at scratch back in July and Scratch is now CLOSED. Their website says they’ll have an insurance shortfall, so they need help fundraising to get back on their feet.
Scratch had really YUMMY food. I hope they come back!

Temporarily closed? Please check with the restaurant before going. Fire on July 19 caused extensive damage and when I called last week to try to make future reservations they were not open. Believe they will be closed for a while as they do not have a re-​opening date available.

Here we were, wondering around Lake Oswego, came to find Kyra’s bakery to buy desserts for my Gluten intolerant friend and stumbled upon Scratch. (Thank you Unilocal!!) We didn’t expect much and so were pretty laid back about everything. We arrived when they opened and were seated at a cozy table and preceded to scope out the place and menu. Things were looking up! We ordered drinks and they were very good. I had the Lemon Drop and my friend the Bloody Maryt.
The food arrived and it was fantastic! I cook gluten free and so when I eat out I want food that is more complicated and infused with flavors I would never cook with. Scratch delivers all that and more. Super creative dishes that are presented beautifully. I recommend the chickpea croquettes, they were stunning, then the salmon was wonderful too. I know salmon, as my hubby is a commercial fisherman, and theirs was fresh and perfectly cooked. My buddy had the brown rice pasta and was happy as a clam at high tide with that. We WILL be going back to Lake Oswego, even though we live at the coast, drawn by this jewel of a place.

Took my husband here for his birthday. Its not really a place that we would frequent with it being gluten free and all, but I had heard good things and thought it would be a nice place to try.
I thought the atmosphere was nice and cozy. It was a Tuesday night so it was a little empty (we were the only ones in there for quite awhile). Our server was friendly and attentive and it was a pretty place to have a birthday supper.
We both had the steak of the day which we both ordered medium rare, here’s where we found the only down side to our meal… mine was more medium to med well, but my husbands was cooked close to perfect. That was a little disappointing that two steaks ordered the same way would come out so different and one thing I really hate, is overcooked steak. But I do have to say, the steak had wonderful flavor! (my husband was kind enough to switch me steaks) Even the one that was overcooked still had great flavor, the seasoning that the chef used was amazing! We also had a risotto that I thought was absolutely amazing, again, great flavor.
For dessert we tried the lava cake, I am not a chocolate fan, but in honor of my husbands birthday, I though it would be a treat for him. It was a beautiful presentation and (according to him) it had wonderful flavor, but sadly, it wasn’t «lava». It seemed to be overcooked as there wasn’t any chocolate oozing out of the center just kind of a solid lump. Neverthless, it was a nice way to finish up the meal.
All in all, it was a nice meal. The food had great flavor, but disappointingly was overcooked. Not sure for the price if we would go back or not

Came here for lunch and the menu is very limited. Ordered the Falafel Burger and it was pretty good. Loved the salad the served along with it. My friend ordered the Ham & Brie and it was okay. The service at lunch was not that great. I don’t know if I would eat here again?

Meh — over cooked steak undercooked chickpea croquettes and below average service means we won’t be back for a while.
Our first visit was much better so we won’t write Scratch off completely but it is time to address the quality issues.

I’m still slightly stunned from the blatant sensuality of my lunch. Wow!
It isn’t express food, so don’t go if you’re in a hurry, but if you want a gf food adventure that is over-​the-​top with flavor not weirdness, this is the place. Nice place for a leisurely date!

I had the pleasure of eating dinner here after spending a week in rehab facility after knee surgery, food desert! Well this was a balm to my tastebuds. I rarely order steak when I go out, but that seemed the right call. It was grilled with harissa! Melted in my mouth. My son had fish and also raved about that.
Since it was a special occasion, we had dessert, a chocolate cake with spun sugar decorations and a truffle or some other delight that finished off a perfect dinner.
All that and dedicated gluten free. Could you open a second place on the East side, say Alberta Arts??? Please.

Hey you. Yes, you! Are you reading this Unilocal review looking for information about Scratch and deciding if you should come here or go try some other restaurant? Consider this your sign… choose Scratch!
We were greeted right away and seated shortly after (reservations recommended). We sat at a high top by the kitchen where we were able to watch the chef prepare our food. First we shared a savory crêpe appetizer with bay shrimp, green onion, and whipped goat cheese foam. I don’t even like goat cheese but this was so wonderfully and artfully prepared that I didn’t even know. It tasted like rich, unique butter. I’ve never had a dish quite like this and it was definitely an experience. The chef (who I later found out was Chef Patrick) asked if we liked if afterwards and told us more about how the dish was prepared. Nice!
We then moved on to entrees. I had the ‘steak of the moment’ which turned out to be a 9 oz, perfectly prepared cut with Brussels sprouts and fingerling potatoes. (My description is not doing it justice). To date this is the best steak I’ve had in the Portland area. Actually, here we go:
It was the best steak I’ve ever had.
Actually cooked medium-​rare as I ordered. Each bite was perfection and I was raving about it continuously during the drive home. Boyfriend had the pork chop, which was also amazing and served with sweet potato, pear, and marshmallow that went perfectly with the dish. He loved his entrée as well. The waitress asked how it was, Chef Patrick asked how it was… great service!
We ended with the chocolate lava cake with caramel, frozen white chocolate mousse, berry compote, and spun sugar. (Apparently this is one of two things that will always be on the menu here. The menu changes monthly!) It was divine. Looked divine, smelled divine, tasted divine.
To top it all off we had a Amazon Local deal (paid $ 40, worth $ 80) that covered our meal. Are you kidding! What an amazing deal. Was totally worth way more than $ 40 each, but $ 40 total… steal. Oh, but what about using fresh, local, organic ingredients? Yes!
This is what food should taste like. I’ve already suggested this as a wonderful date night to multiple friends. I will continue to spread the word and I’ll be back as soon as possible for another unique and delicious meal.

What a great meal. Great service, check. Great variety on the menu, check. Taste & flavor, check. We will be back.

Before I say why I’m only giving four stars, let me tell you the food is a divine walk through heaven for your mouth. I am unsure if I’ve ever eaten anything better in all my 40 years and it was all fresh, local and gluten-​free! I even ate Brussel sprouts which before tonight I loathed. They were incredible! The service was kind and personable even with a quick hello from the chef/​owner.
The ambience is a bit bland and the heat is temperamental. We were sweating and then cold when we left. The prices are reeeeeally high end; entrée, salad and ice tea came to $ 40 without tip. Wish they weren’t so high so I could eat there more often and even bring my husband!
But again… the food. In the words of Homer Simpson…“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh” (cue food coma drool).

This is a fun seasonal restaurant which yes has smaller portions but is just fabulous and pretty vegatarain freindly.

We forget Scratch is there — even though we drive by regularly. But finally went back twice last week & had a great experience each time. The same server is still there from our last review. The chef is still a creative genius. And they have expanded and can now seat more people.
Gluten Free and Yummy!

We love Scratch — and no, we are not friends with the owner. My favorite part about this place is that the Chef actually builds the plates. It’s not just meat + side + side. Each month, everything is creatively put together and profiled. It’s wonderful. We love it so much we had them cater our wedding last summer. The feedback we got was so positive — the food was some of our guests’ favorite thing about our wedding!
The food is worth the price and the owner puts his heart and soul into this business — all things we love to support!

I came in for lunch recently with A few other people. I have heard about it but had not had the chance to come I yet.
I had the raw radish appetizer served with butter and salt, it was unique and I enjoyed it. My main dish was the ham and Brie sandwich served on gluten bread. It was tasty. The chocolate volcano dessert was a small portion in a good way and was a perfect little ending. The service was prompt and friendly.
I noticed there were fruit flies, from reading past reviews, it seems to be an ongoing problem. There was something about the place that made it not quite cozy, it’s hard to describe. With tall ceilings, hard floors and wooden chairs it just did not feel very warm, not a complaint as much as an observation.
Overall the food was good, and I enjoyed the experience.

Excellent food. Great service. 99% gluten free menu. Very fresh, well presented food.
Nice little place. Worth making reservations since they don’t have a lot if seats.
I had one of the best steaks I’ve ever eaten. The lava cake dessert was amazing. Hughly recommended!

Sara said it all. Food was nothing special. The place itself is cold and lifeless and yes we were at a table 18 inches from the crapper.

Not sure what all the hype was about… The ambiance is that of a dive bar. Our table was in front of the only bathroom door… gross.
The prices were a little too steep for being a little on the dirty side.
The food was ok, but also it was just that ok… I was hoping to be blown away.

There are restaurants where I love the food, but not the service.
There are restaurants where I love the service, but not the food.
Then there are those few restaurants that put it all together.
Scratch is one of those restaurants.
I’ve been struggling with this review for awhile because first and foremost, this restaurant is not for everyone. So let me help you figure out whether or not to make the trip.
The word that comes to mind when I think of this restaurant is precious. The menu is very limited and isn’t dumbed down for the average American palate. Everything is made from ‘scratch’ and they specialize in gluten-​free dining. I highly recommend you check the menu in advance (it changes on the first Tuesday of every month) to make sure that (a) you find something you’ll enjoy and (b) don’t have sticker shock. This is not a place where I would bring my kids.
My first visit was for cocktails and dessert since I usually like to give nicer restaurants a test run before a full meal. The chocolate lava cake was one of my favorite desserts in 2010. The cocktails were well made and the service was excellent. All of my other visits have been for lunch when I’m dining solo.
Honestly, I’ve kind of been keeping this place to myself for awhile. The price point makes it a bit of a splurge restaurant and not something most people are willing to spend for your average lunch or dinner. Portions are relatively small, so I never go when I’m starving. This is my go to place in Lake Oswego when I want to have an elegant, healthy meal. I’m especially fond of their soups.
The space is tiny. About six seats at the bar and a handful of tables. For my lunch visits, I always sit at the bar and chat with Robert. I have a feeling we’ll all be hearing more about the chef, Patrick Lee Warner, but as far as I’m concerned, this is Robert’s place. Lunch service was introduced a few months ago and still isn’t very busy, so I always feel like I have the place almost all to myself.
A few months back, I had a disastrous experience at a Portland restaurant where they served me an inedible version of zucchini. A few days later I visited Scratch and saw a dish with zucchini on the menu and said, «I don’t know if I can eat that for awhile.» Robert laughed and said, «Don’t blame the zucchini. We’ll win you back.» He absolutely did.
This is five star place for me because I truly enjoy the staff, their vision and the menu. I have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy what they offer, but I have my visits down to a sweet science.
P. S. Portland friends — In March they are planning to open Scratch Cafeteria in the old Justice Center (
) on SW 3^rd. It will be a more casual version of this restaurant so I can’t wait to try it.