Cardinal Club

Interesting ambiance above a dive bar but also a very nonchalant atmosphere. Cocktails were the quality above the comme toujours craft cocktail bar in vogue today. In fact mine were exceptional.

having a group dinner here right now. The food is amazing. There were so mant good courses i cant even believe. And the service. Omg. Nothing better. You have to come here. Now. Don’t wait. Going to order a cocktail now.

What a freakin’ delightful place! I came here for a friends birthday and we had the back room of the restaurant reserved and had a great time. The staff was super accommodating and even split the bill 12 WAYS at the end of the night of all of our friends.
The drinks were great and their Brick Chicken Sandwich was delicious — the chicken was super flavorful and the ciabatta bread it came on was the perfect vessel for all its goodness :-)

Love this place! We come here relatively regularly, but it seems many are regulars (no surprise!). So, it surprises me that the waitress always knows my order!
We came in last night and I inquired about the party room for a future birthday, but also, just to see how it works since I’m looking for something similar in Philly. As soon as I said that, our waitress (I feel bad I didn’t introduce myself and don’t know her name by now!!) started naming a bunch of spots. Go figure, she (owner too?) used to live in Philly. Next thing we know, the owner (often bartending) came over and told me to email them and they’d provide a list of good spots after the waitress had already written down a bunch for me! This is really above and beyond! I mean, helping me find a great restaurant (that can accommodate a large party) for my birthday across the country?!! They are so kind and helpful, have a cool spot, and make good food and drinks! I hope to get to use the party room in the future too!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the Cardinal Club owners! All the places you suggested look great!!! My husband even said, «If he (owner) said they’re good, that’s all we need. I trust his opinion more than Unilocal!»

I was a bit hesitant when I saw the menu, as there were fewer selections than expected, but the selections were far from a let down. Chickpea fries, skirt steak salad, pork loin. Cocktails made right, as their cosmopolitan was spot on. The selection of wines was also well thought out. The interior was spacious and simple with most aesthetics focused deservedly on the bar and the warmth of the service. The service was incredible and beautifully friendly as everyone moved with skill and poise. Those chickpea fries are definitely a must have, and I appreciated the accompanying sauce, and admittedly was almost hopeful of a bolder flavor such as a garlic and dill aioli for a little more flavor compliment. That didn’t stop me from ordering two servings as they were an excellent appetizer. Definitely a worthy culinary experience!

I love this place. Basically a bar, but with really really good food. I had the salmon which was strikingly good for bar food. In the summer it’s quite nice to sit on the sidewalk and watch people walk down the street while having a drink and talking.

I had dinner and a drink here tonight and the service was phenomenal. The bartender was super attentive and friendly the entire time. The atmosphere was low key and welcoming– the lights weren’t too low but you knew you were in a cocktail bar.
The brick chicken sandwich really wasn’t that good. The aioli was too much and fell off the sides and all over the plate. My chicken was also really chewy… but the bread was great and I dug the cabbage slaw. Their dessert changes every night, but I can get behind the budino. There was a definite balance of sweet to salty there.
Overall, I have a feeling anything other than the chicken sandwich would be decent. Maybe I made a poor menu choice. I’ll be coming back regardless to give it a go simply because the service was so on point. There’s really nothing like a standout bartender.

Nice atmosphere and drinks, but don’t order food.
The place is quiet and candle-​lit, it was great for a slow way to end the weekend on Sunday. Service was really good as well, both the server and bartender were on top of things.
The food, however was mixed. The tuna appetizer with pickled vegetables and eggs tasted really good and if the entrees were anything like the app it would get 5 stars. Unfortunately the app was the best part of the meal. I got the grilled chicken sandwich with lemon aioli and cabbage slaw with an extra side of chickpea fries. The fries were just rectangles of ground chickpeas which were browned, but unfortunately soggy and bland, although the homemade ketchup did help. The chicken was not any better, I can handle a small portion on a large bun, but it was fatty and too burnt on the edges to eat. The cabbage, which took up half the plate was just that, wet shredded cabbage. No acidity, no salt, just moist cabbage.

The Cardinal Club is an excellent cocktail bar with great drinks, staff who are friendly as they are skilled, and a quiet, low-​key atmosphere.
The drinks are expertly crafted here. The original recipes are creative and well-​planned, and the classics are made exactly as they should be. Feeling the heat last night, I started with a mint julep, which was incredibly smooth and perfectly balanced. Served in a short, footed glass, it was sweet, strong, and dangerously drinkable. I moved on to their whiskey sour after that, which they make the old fashioned way – fresh lemon juice, sugar, and bourbon. They even added an egg white, which gave it a wonderfully silky texture. Speaking of classics, the Cardinal Club has also played a key role in winning my friend over for Negronis. While he originally was not as fond of them as I was, he liked their lighter house variation, made with a different apéritif liqueur (Cappelletti), and recently tried the real deal with Campari, and loved it as well. As a Negroni fan, I can attest to both the quality of both the standard and the tweaked version at the Cardinal Club. Bitter, sweet, and punchy, their Negroni is perfectly balanced, despite being made with three «loud» ingredients.
I like how the Cardinal Club plays with the classics to produce fun, novel drinks of their own. Take for example the «Sea Isle Sling» that my friend had last night, which was a little like a Southside, except without soda water. Made with gin, mint, and lemon, it was pleasantly tart. A fine hot-​weather drink if you’re looking for something light. On the other end of the spectrum, another variation that’s remained on several iterations of their menu is the «International Velvet.» Like a Manhattan, but made with the Italian apéritif Cardamaro instead of the usual vermouth, it’s aromatic, boozy, and rich.
It pays to remember that the Cardinal Club is not only better than a slew of Portland cocktail bars, but is also notably cheaper. Rarely have I seen a drink there cost more than $ 8. Considering that in Portland, good cocktails frequently start around $ 8.50 at the cheapest, this is really incredible.
The vibe at this small, candlelit bar is decidedly chill. I’ve never seen it packed to the gills, despite its incredible quality and low prices. There’s background music, but it’s the good stuff – mostly soul, with the occasional jazz and rockabilly. Between the bar’s dim lighting, numerous nooks, and the sounds of their vinyl playing on the sound system, it’s definitely an intimate place where you can relax with your people and forget about the world outside for a bit. If you’re feeling more social, though, the staff are all really nice and fun to talk to. Many times I’ve come here with a friend and we’ve found it hard to leave because we’re engrossed in conversation with them. Whether I’m geeking out with them about bartending or just shooting the breeze about life in the Laurelhurst area, I’ve always enjoyed chatting with them. There’s no snobbery here about ingredients or techniques, just an earnest passion for their craft.
The Cardinal Club really goes the extra mile in showing hospitality to its patrons, from the drinks to the music to the welcome they give. I can tell how much love and pride the owner and staff put into running it. Come here if you’re looking for for good cocktails. Stay here to admire a place where everything is done better than it has to be.

This place is a hidden gem and it’s easy to miss with all the other big-​windowed restaurants and bars on 28^th. The sign reads Bar + Kitchen. The service is really great and so is the food. I’ve tried so much on the menu and have enjoyed everything. Its dim lighting and narrow space make it a great place for drinks and a catch up with friends. There are never kids around and I like that it is adult-​friendly. Yes for all the fried caper dishes!

My favorite place in Portland. Amazing, seasonal food and cocktails, friendly owners and waiters, wonderful ambiance and music. Oh, and cheap… like, feel-​guilty-​when-​the-​check-​comes, cheap.
Great for a date, drinks with friends or on your own before a movie next door. I also had my birthday party in their event room and it was perfect.

Came here for roommate night out and this cute little restaurant would actually be a great intimate place to take a date. Prices were very affordable with elevated cocktail bar food. We ordered the clams with sausage, deviled eggs, grilled polenta, and fried squid. The polenta was definitely a stand out. Was not super impressed by the dessert options and the red velvet cake was just ok. Would definitely return.

Cardinal Club is the absolute best. The food is excellent, the drinks are creative and well-​crafted, they have great wine and beer. And the service! They are seriously the nicest staff (and owners) in town. They always remember what I like, greet me warmly, and just generally treat guests with kindness and respect. There is ZERO pretentiousness at Cardinal Club. It’s just a great spot all around!

I have to admit that I really love this super cozy, dark lounge on 28^th. It’s a smallish space, candle lit, with dark wood panelling and an old world wood bar. The atmosphere is super inviting. They make fancy-​pants cocktails, and also have a decent smallish selection of taps. What was unexpected, at least for me, is that the food is also really good – way better than what you’d expect from a place that is, for all intents and purposes, a watering hole. You should go eat here. Really.
Usually quiet and intimate in the afternoon and early evening, but it gets pretty packed later at night.

Holy smokes is the food awesome at the Cardinal Club. I was astonished that near by places were packed and the Cardinal Club was only partially full. I have no idea why this place is so under the radar screen with the quality food they serve.
1. Service: Excellent A+
2. Atmosphere: Understated, simple and comfortable (a bit dark however) A
3. Food: Off the charts good. The rock fish dish with onion and fennel was perfectly cooked. The grilled polenta is delicious but a less than generous portion. Finally the two dishes that you must try are the hanger steak and grilled romaine. The grilled romaine is a very large portion. The presentation is unlike any grilled romaine I have eaten. It was simply fantastic. The hanger steak was the best I have ever eaten hands down. A+++++
Given the quality prices are more than fair. This is an outstanding restaurant.

This is one of my favorite bars in all of Portland. A Hidden Gem! They have fantastic cocktails and even make a few of their own liquors! I had a house made elderberry cocktail with Burbon that blew my mind called the Elder Statesmen. And then I tried a Sea Isle Sling with fresh mint that made me think most of my summer will be spent here drinking outside on their tables people watching the popular 28^th st «restaurant row» people pass by. I can imagine that cool mint cocktail, sunshine and any of their tasty treats.
The bar tender and his wife own the place and are some of the friendliest Portlanders I have ever met. I am the kind of person that loves sitting at the bar talking and asking questions. He even remembers previous conversations we have had (yes I have been here a few times because it is awesome).
If you haven’t had a drink or tasty treat here your seriously missing out on a great Portland experience!

I almost hesitate to write this review.
Why? This is one those places that has «the best food that no one knows about». AND, they serve it till late (they close at 1am, not sure when the food stops).
Previously, I had a place like this (PaaDee) but now it’s gotten incredibly popular (awesome for their business, crappy for me!) I am really happy for them, but the days of my innocently slipping in and immediately sitting at the bar and getting my food are long gone.
So. Getting back to this place, you probably know this spot. When I first moved to Portland it looked like some sort of trashy Chinese restaurant (the type where people rarely get any food but frequently get hammered), then it was vacant for at least a year.
Now it’s kind of… well, it’s a hard place to describe. They have a small but tight selection of menu dishes, but they are all absolutely stellar. I never knew I could eat something simple like a «chicken sandwich» and immediately reconsider every other chicken sandwich I’ve ever eaten. The food here is solid, with great portions and fair pricing… something that is often lacking in some of the newer, «high-​end», places in the neighborhood (*cough*Levant*cough*).
It’s bold-​faced on the top of the Unilocal page for a reason, but: YOU MUST TRY THE «GRILLED ROMAINE». I know, I know, you are a skeptic. SO WAS I. I ordered it and I was absolutely blown away, I have never had anything that tastes like this.
The ambiance is kind of dark and candle-​lit and simple. It feels like everything on the menu is going to cost twice what it does.
The owner is friendly and gregarious, an all-​round nice guy that obviously takes pride in his place.
If it’s after 10pm and I want some GOOD food and I don’t want a crazy, loud bar environment… I pretty much always go here. You should too… but not too often, and don’t tell you friends…

NE 28^th Avenue between Glisan and Burnside is a strip, a strip of amazing and different restaurants right up against each other. so many choices right within reach. I have hit up this street for many years including Chin Yen’s era. And I actually enjoyed eating there in my 20s. It was legendary. Always there so it must have been good. but again, I digress. so this place has opened up to fill its shoes. I spoke to the owner and he told me that he’s full up on projects to bring the place up to code. He does not even have stairs to his office right now because of code issues.
The owner is very tall and the acoustics show it as it was hard to hear him at our table and really easy to hear him at others. go figure. That’s the first thing we did notice. I know this is a place in progress so I’m ok with. Hoping once they open up the rest of the area it will be less harsh and tunnel sounding.
At any rate, ya they have the blackboard with their menu right there for you to take a peek and make up your mind. He explained it for us and went down the list. I stopped him at the grits and sausage. I also noticed the grilled shrimp. I’m bad like that. Maybe it’s because I used to work in a restaurant so sometimes I take some items and ask if they can change it to something else. I don’t eat sausage but I do eat shrimp and grits. He did not blink and said no problem. Doug ordered some other dish and then wanted their house salad and I wanted the wonderous grilled romaine caesar salad. He told us no. too much food. Just split the grilled romaine. I love it when folks do this! It’s so much better than getting too much food and realizing that they were just thinking about the money they could make off of this gluttonous fool here ordering all that stuff.
Anyway, the grilled romaine was wonderful. The shrimp and grits had this really delicious sauce which I had to get some bread for because I just was not going to let it be dumped into the sink. It was too good for that.
BUT, BUT, they need some bigger martini glasses! That’s all I’m sayin’.
3.5 but close enough to be a 4

Eons ago I stepped into this venue which was formally known as Chinyen. I think I lasted 5 seconds with my group of friends before we hightailed to the freeway. Fast forward to the present and I am still in disbelief of the complete 180 change over. I arrived with a couple of my friends and was warmly greeted by the bartender. He recommended the «pedestrian» which was a bourbon ginger cocktail with house made ginger syrup. The price of $ 5 for a tall glass of boozy goodness won me over.
The interior is quaint, refreshing, and perfect for intimate gatherings or small groups. No IPOD music blaring in the background but vinyl records instead. The selection is quite good and fits the mood of the bar. The only food I have tried is the deviled eggs which have a unique texture and taste. They certainly went well with the cocktails we were drinkin away.
This is a welcome addition to the Burnside area. It’s a great place to stop before or after catching a flick at the Laurelhurst Theater. I think the pedestrian is calling my name, signing off!

I like the Cardinal Club. It’s a new little place that opened up this year that was picked for Anna B.‘s Pre-​UYE Birthday Event.
I heard stories about the place that was here before the Cardinal Club and that must have been one-​helluva transformation. I like the simple design, I love crafted cocktails and small plates. This was pretty cool.
The Bartender and I am assuming owner, was ready to make anything we wanted. We all opted for the special, The Pedestrian. I love Bourbon Ginger Cocktails and that’s basically what it was. He mentioned that they make their own ginger syrup and that inspired me to do it myself when I got home. (Thank you for the inspiration and tip, mine was great too)
My guy ordered a Rum Collins, which was not on any menu. He just told the bartender what type of drink he wanted and let him come back with something refreshing. It was good.
I ordered the Deviled Eggs. I’m a fan. The comeback of the classic appetizer intrigues me. I make and love to try different combinations. These were quite unique and liked the addition of parsley to the deviled part, they were simply delicious for a bar and $ 4.
He also makes a nice clean Rye Manhattan, which is probably one of my favorite drinks all together.
I really liked the Cardinal Club, it reminded me of some of my favorite places in the city. The ones that have good drinks, nice little small plates and classy. Where the Bartender is also the DJ and the music fits the vibe. The kinda places I like to grab a drink with a friend or Happy Hour with my honey. You know the place.