2nd Story

A really lovely spot, a decent walk from OMSI, albeit through the train yard. Great cocktails — we had the Rob Roy and Old Fashioned. The Cannelloni was fairly bland, but the grilled cheese and hummus plates were delicious.

Disclaimer: This is not really a review, because we did not get a chance to experience 2^nd Story. It’s a bummer too, because my wife and I were excited to try out what seemed like our perfect kind of place.
This is more a way of communicating to the manager/​owner the circumstances that led to us leaving before being seated. I would have preferred to email them directly, but alas there was no email address on there website. So here I am, venting on Unilocal.
So here’s what happened. As I said, we were very excited to come here. Based on the other reviews, we must have hit some kind of perfect storm.
Walking into 2^nd Story gives you that feeling that you’ve discovered it by accident. You walk up a fairly steep stairwell and arrive into a narrow hallway. There is a window that opens up the bar, and a nice sign that says «Please allow us to seat you.» We could see the bartender, and she greeted us. But, it was not clear that we should wait in the hallway, so we walked through the doorway that led into the dining area. Apparently the bartender was also the hostess, and after a bit, it was clear she was also the server.
So, she was the Bartender, Hostess and Server. I will refer to her as the BHS from here on out. Maybe they were short handed? I don’t know, but the BHS was obviously put off by our attempt to walk into the dining area. She brusquely asked to us to «Wait in the hallway and I will be right with you.» My wife and I both thought it was a little odd, but we brushed it off seeing that she was quite busy.
We retreated to the hallway, feeling like we had just been scolded, and patiently waited to be seated. I’m not sure how much time passed, but it was between 5 and 10 minutes. It was long enough that we started to wonder if she had forgotten about us. Or maybe there was a hostess that had stepped away for a moment? We didn’t know. The BHS was certainly in no hurry, casually pouring wine for one of the tables.
While we were waiting we could see that there were at least 3 empty tables. I now know that they take reservations, and that explains that. Had the BHS asked us if we had reservations, we would not have been confused. So after a good while, the BHS popped into the hallway and again brusquely let us know that it would be 10 minutes for a table but we could sit in/​at? the bar. I say brusquely because there was no attempt to apologize for the wait, and after that she just turned and disappeared into the kitchen. I don’t know why she could not have just told us that in the very beginning. Sitting at the bar would have been much more pleasant than standing in the hallway.
We walked toward the bar and there was a small cocktail table next to the bar. Again, we were a bit confused, not knowing if the cocktail table was «in the bar» or if she meant for us to sit physically at the bar. My wife and I looked at each other, and did something we have never done before. We turned and left.
As we left, I waived to the BHS, and said «Sorry, very unpleasant.» I want to clarify that I was referring to our interaction with her. The place seems like a lovely place and I’m sorry we did not get to experience it. Hopefully no one else has our experience.
In stark contrast to this experience, we went to a well known place on Division. They were very busy but we were greeted with a smile and asked if we had reservations. We did not and they said it would not be a problem. They then asked if we would like to be seated at the bar, we said of course, and they directed us to our seats. A smile and clear communication goes a long way.

The place was very unique, and small plates WERE small lol. That’s how our food portions should be anyway, I guess the plates are considered small compared to the oversized dish you would get at any other restaurant. The food was definitely good, you can tell a lot of thought and work was put into the recipes. The service was decent, I can tell that they were busy. seemed a tad short staffed but It must’ ve just been a busy hour or something. The bathroom has a coffin in it. Nice place, I’m sure we will return at some point.

I’m really impressed! After a couple of friends raved about 2^nd Story’s brunch, I decided I needed to go and see what the hype is about. We had a group of 5 and came in around 10:30 and had to wait for a little while. the server told us we were the first ones that have had to wait at brunch there, but I’m guessing this will only become more of an issue. it’s a gem and the food is fantastic!
Even though it was a lingering group keeping us from being seated, the staff were super awesome to keep checking on us at the bar, keeping our drinks full, and even gave us some coffee cake as an apology for the wait! How sweet is that (it was delicious).
I had the eggs benjamin — poached egg and hollandaise over roasted veggies (asparagus & carrots) and a potato cake. My boyfriend had «the sandwich» which was like a fried egg and veg on brioche I think. Everything was delicious. The portions are not huge but I thought they were reasonable. this town is accustomed to gluttonous brunch portions and the ones and 2^nd story are more like the amount of food you should actually eat. And the prices are commensurate, $ 8 – 10 a plate.
The bloody mary is the only thing I’d suggest they give some attention to. specifically the «spicy» bloody mary which was not spicy by any standard in my opinion. But the garnishes were A+.
The space itself is adorable, in the second story of a house. not a ton of seating but worth the wait if you have one. Service was WONDERFUL everyone working was extremely friendly!

This place is consistently awesome. The dishes are so simple, yet so flavorful and you have to ask, how did Chef Erin make it taste so darn good?
Our latest visit was for their new brunch, and we shared the biscuit w/​mushroom gravy, the egg breakfast sandwich, and the eggs «benjamin».
I don’t even like mushrooms (I know, it’s sad), but the mushroom gravy was soooo delicious and light and flavorful (I gave my boyfriend all the big chunks of mushrooms though, lol)
The sandwich was really solid too, great flavors and the bun it was on was great.
The real star was the eggs benjamin on this amazing potato cake, with roasted carrots, a perfectly cooked egg, and one of the best, if not the best, hollandaise I’ve ever had.
Oh yeah, and we got bloodies too! Great pickled garnish and really spicy and savory.
I dread when this place has a line out the door, Portlandia-​style. It’s so good.
Great options for vegetarians, vegans, and those with gluten sensitivities

Seriously. My husband and I went here for date night last night, and we have not been so surprised by a restaurant in a long time. We found it through the Chinook Book and decided to try it out. Everything was amazing and the bartender was sweet and answered our many questions about the dishes:) You feel like you’re visiting family when you’re eating here — the restaurant is cozy and the food is comforting. The drinks are to die for and I could go on for hours about dessert (caramel pudding, duh!) Try the braised pork belly and beef crostini. 5 stars for sure. Will be going back to try out brunch!;)

«That’s $ 27, thanks.» said the waitress as I asked to fix up my bill. Using the exchange rate at the time that equated to about $ 26 AUD. I hope I hid my jaw falling rapidly to the floor while I tried to wrap my head around the fact I’d just paid $ 26 for a gin-​based cocktail (damn it hit the spot), a health-​boosting and nourishing quinoa salad with fetta, pink grapefruit, almonds and rocket, and a fresh-​ground beef burger with a side of salad. Have I mentioned I love Portland’s small plate culture?
Plus, thanks to the waitress noticing me check-​in on Unilocal,she sent me home with a chocolate mud cake with raspberry sauce as their check-​in offer was a free dessert with any purchase over $ 15. Now, by the time I’d enjoyed the salad and half of the burger I was out. Cards folded. No more room in the inn. I couldn’t fit another morsel in my mouth. Fresh ingredients, outstanding service and ultimate satisfaction for $ 26! Ridiculous.
2^nd Story is located about Cellar Door Coffee and for those playing at home gets it’s name for the fact it is on the 2^nd story of the building. It’s quaint and cosy. Kind of like you’re dining in a home. The restaurant was full but not overwhelming. I easily nabbed a bar table without a reservation. The service was prompt and warm.

I’ve been here once with a couple friends and had a decent meal. We came here for happy hour, and had an average experience. The place is small and relatively quiet, so if you’re looking to have a private conversation and your voice typically carries – I’d avoid having those conversations here. However, when it’s not very busy, it’s very private and intimate.
My biggest qualm about the place is that it’s almost never open. The first time I tried to come here, I made the mistake of trying to go to Cellar Door (which was also closed at the time). Since then, I’ve tried to come here three other times (before 9pm!) and it has always been closed. I’ve tried calling ahead (around 8:15pm), and nobody answers the phone!
I’d appreciate a definite closing time so that my friends and I aren’t stuck trying to find other options nearby every time this place decides to close early. Other than that, I’ve had a decent experience with this place.

2^nd Story is fantastic! Not many places earn a 5-​star review from me, but my husband and I had a really stellar dining experience here.
Only been here once, but all the dishes we tried were delicious, unique, and flavorful! The portion sizes were good. We could order couple appetizers to share and each get a plate of our own. The food was not only interesting, but also cooked well. They had a varied menu with several vegetarian options and dishes that drew from different culinary styles. They have some nice cocktails as well. On top of all of that, the staff was exceptionally friendly and helpful. I like a restaurant that combines quality ingredients and preparation with bold, creative flavor profiles AND has a friendly environment. I genuinely had a good time here and I plan to return.

What a great find! We went because of our Chinook Book coupon. I knew going in the plates would be small and we would need to order quite a few things. I always love trying lots of stuff, so that worked for me. We loved the burger with the tomato jam. The quinoa salad with grapefruit was also a great unexpected blend of goodness. The pickles is a great presentation even though I am not a fan of pickles. I also love that the menu changes often. The pics that they have on their facebook page were completely different entrees than were offered the night we went. I will definitely keep an eye on it and be back.
I have heard complaints about the service, but our service was great and the place was packed.

Intimate atmosphere, very good fresh and flavorful menu! Staff is incredibly friendly and relaxed! A hidden treasure in SE PDX.

Checking out new restaurants right and left has been a renewed passion for me the past few months. My friends and I were in the tapas mood and 2^nd Story came up as a top choice. We arrived in the quaint building at the 2^nd story and got seated promptly. The place is tiny with a small room in the back, a sleek bar, and some tables out front. We sat in the small room and the server arrived promptly with water.
The menus consist of a single sheet for food and another for drinks. Dessert menu is also available plus you can get a free dessert if you check in! The server didn’t blink an eye when I asked him about the deal. After glancing at the menu, ordering soon commenced. We started off with the cornmeal biscuits and fingerling potatoes. The aioli surprisingly is pretty light and not too filling. The potatoes are seasoned just right. The biscuits had a cornbread taste and went well with the honey butter. After the appetizers were gobbled, the plates began to arrive.
I ordered the risotto and was surprised by how good the portion size it was. The squash was crisp and just balances the dish out with the chevre and pesto blended in. The toasted almonds added a nice touch to the dish too. I savored each bite and my friends agreed the squash certainly made the dish more tasty. I had my first taste of albacore tuna and I enjoyed it. It was cooked just right and definitely made me a fan. The service stayed consistent with the waters refilled at the right time. When dessert came we decided on the apple crisp. It arrived hot and each bite was sweet and hearty.
The portions are reasonable along with the price. It is best to order multiple items since some of the items are not simply filling enough. I would recommend no more than 4 people per a group due to the space size. It is a great place to take someone out on a date. They do have beer on tap which is limited to 3 but at least are from local breweries. For those seeking out new places to try especially for tapas style, this is definitely it!

2^nd Story is the kind of place I seek out. Somewhere quint, comfortable, quality, and not overly crowded. Now the lack of crowd wasn’t due to a lack of customers, the place was full. But it has a nice ‘at home’ feeling, and the restaurant simply wouldn’t fit a massive crowd. Unlike places like Cheesecake Factory, where it feels like a programmed eating arena, 2^nd Story is personal.
It’s located above a coffee roaster, with plenty of street parking. Due to the size of the place I’d recommend making reservations. There’s a beautiful bar inside, if you want to grab drinks, or a number of tables for meals (including a large table in a separate area for special occasions). The menu isn’t huge, which is good because everything is fantastic. The plates are small, and designed to be shared. My group of 3 of us ate a large chunk of the menu. The risotto was great, and my wife loved the crackers that came with the white bean dip (think crisped salted pie crust). The bruschetta was a stand out, as was the pork loin. I really don’t think you can go wrong.
We tried 3 desserts, the chocolate cake, apple crisp, and caramel pudding. The chocolate cake would have been better warm (lava cake style), and the crisp was so-​so. But that friggin’ pudding blew everyone’s mind. It was like that scene in Beerfest, when they try the secret beer recipe… just awesome. If we went back we’d order 3 of those puddings, so we wouldn’t have to share.
Drinks were very good too, and reasonably priced. We left happy and full, and the bill was a VERY reasonable $ 100 (including, IIRC, 5 shared plates, 4 drinks, 3 desserts). We had a great evening and will definitely go back. We’ve already spread the gospel to some folks in SE that didn’t know about the place.
Service was fantastic and the ambiance is gay for drinks with friends, dinner, or a date.

OK, so the restaurant is a small upstairs space in a converted house. It’s intimate and cute. The staff are friendly and helpful, and in the main the food is tasty. The crepes we had, in particular, were outstanding, and our omnivorous friends spoke highly of the braised beef. On the other hand the risotto was mediocre, some of the cocktails we ordered were a little on the weak side, and while the home made pickles and mixed nuts were good, they were pretty expensive for what we actually got. In fact, the bill was a little bit of a shock when we got it.
I’d come back here, for sure, but I’d be more careful about how I ordered.

Love this place! Super cocktails. Awesome small plates. Ever changing menu and awesome staff keep me coming back. Classic cocktails done well and creative
infusions and creations are great. Super date spot!

2^nd Story is a good date place. 2^nd story is a good double-​date place. I’m saying this now. I didn’t know this before stepping inside, but now I can honestly say it. I had a nice time with my date and two of her friends. Nice menu. Nice atmosphere. Nice restaurant.
This restaurant wasn’t on the top of my list of places to go, but I like random adventures. After some shuffleboard and beers over at the Blitz, it was time for some eating. The friends of my date live in this part of town and 2^nd story was the suggestion. We walked over, took a look at the menu in the window and seemed to be sold. A few minutes later we were seated in the rather empty dining room. This was a Thursday evening. I’m guessing it is more packed on a weekend. Plus the space is pretty small.
Service is very friendly here and prompt. We were given menus and time to look over the menus and drink list. After a few minutes our server came back and we ordered the goods. I was torn between a few items on the menu. Everything looked so good. After a few moments I decided on the Sandwich ($ 10). The sandwich on the current menu (as of last week and still on their website) had bay shrimp, radishes, greens and tarragon vinaigrette on focaccia. I thought it sounded like summer on a roll. It certainly tasted like summer on a roll. A very clean meal. Paired that along with a summer belgian style from Commons Brewing and I was a very happy man.
This is a nice little space. I hope to get back again someday.

2^nd story is exceptional!
There was a lot of different mixed drink that were offered but I opted for the common’s farm house ale (yum)
The meal only got better as more food came out. Try the pickles definitely house made. Bread pudding was, the special for the night but OMG sweet light and savory. The carmel pudding was light fluffy and beyond good and an excellent way to end the meal.
With out a doubt I will be back

What a sweet little place.
I come down 11^th a lot to get home. The particular street I turn on is the cross street for 2^nd Story. On that corner, there is a convenience store, the Firkin Tavern and Cellar Door Roasters, above which 2^nd Story is perched. Up a long flight of stairs you go to enter. It’s basically a converted flat and it’s just as sweet as sweet can be.
We sat at the bar although there was plenty of small table seating available at 8pm on a Saturday night. We were really here for drinks more than food although we did get a white bean spread with marinated veggies and crackers which was pretty decent. I’d definitely like to try some other items on the modest menu. The drinks were the delish. We started with a Dark & Stormy then moved on to a housemade limoncello-​based drink that rocked the party. Brandy, our bartendress and manager, took good care of us and gave us some 411 on the biz. They’ve been around since August, are owned by the same people as Cellar Door and they bought their beautiful bar on CL, then had it permanently mounted. It’s really charming, all of it. It’s pretty high up off the street with lends to the feeling that you’re in a cozy little cloud of cuteness. It’s so adorbz.
Protip: the bathroom has a pull-​cord right in the middle of the room. Don’t go feeling along the wall for a lightswitch. You will come up empty.

If you are looking for a neighborhood restaurant with excellent food, drinks and that warm welcoming feeling that you just don’t see anymore, come to 2^nd Story. This new neighborhood tapas /​small plates restaurant offers a great limited selection of a la carte dishes using top quality seasonal ingredients. I loved the full flavors of the soups and seasoning in the pulled pork small plate and tuna sandwich.
Give it a try and you will end up being a regular.

Thank you 2^nd Story. You inspired the Kerouac in me:
old stairs you remind me of home i walk up you. gentle corner hand written 2^nd Story i am relaxed excited portland sunset shares decadent delight as i sit myself at the detailed wood bar staring out large beautiful bay windows. immediately impressed local sustainable organic grass fed free range vegetarian vegan everything you’re going to love it all no problem small plate and OMG dessert the Caramel Pudding you and i go way back type menu. and cocktails bliss Garden Lemonade. and the amazing professional prompt friendly service. and more desserts and spirits. and the Pickle Jar beets asparagus howl. and the Baked Pasta. and the smile you just brought to my face 2^nd Story. to the smile. and the smile. you and i we’ll go back awhile 2^nd Story…