Raven and Rose Restaurant: A Portland Culinary Experience (Closed)

Please Note: This restaurant is unfortunately now closed. We encourage you to explore our Portland, Oregon Restaurant Guide for a wide selection of exceptional dining experiences.

Raven and Rose, formerly located in the historic Ladd Carriage House in downtown Portland, Oregon, offered a unique dining experience, specializing in upscale Northwest cuisine with a delightful touch of British Isles gastropub inspiration. While the restaurant is now closed, we’re preserving this review as a memory of a restaurant that once contributed to Portland’s amazing food scene. This restaurant was a place where culinary artistry met historical charm. Nestled within the iconic Ladd Carriage House, Raven and Rose provided a haven for food enthusiasts seeking a sophisticated yet approachable dining adventure.

Portland, Oregon, is a city celebrated for its vibrant culinary scene and thriving wine culture. Living here provides a constant stream of exciting new restaurants and wineries to explore. Raven and Rose was one of the many establishments on our must-try list, a place that piqued our interest since its opening in 2011. Finally, we had the pleasure of dining at Raven and Rose as part of a sponsored #OregonWineMonth campaign with Travel Oregon and the Oregon Wine Board. The experience was so memorable that we felt compelled to share a detailed review of the restaurant.

A Gastropub Gem in the Heart of Portland

Raven and Rose, along with the upstairs Rookery Bar, was situated in the historically significant Ladd Carriage House. The Mygrant family acquired the building in 2011 and embarked on the restaurant’s creation. The restaurant’s ambiance and menu reflected owner Lisa Mygrant’s time living and cooking in England and Ireland, bringing a distinct European flair to Portland’s culinary landscape.

The gastropub atmosphere permeated the spacious restaurant, characterized by its polished, weathered dark wood tables, substantial columns, and an open kitchen and bar. This design created a comfortable yet sophisticated setting for diners to enjoy their meals.

A Culinary Journey: From Starters to Main Courses

Our meal at Raven and Rose was an exceptional experience from the first bite to the last, a testament to the chef’s commitment to high-quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation. This experience showed the restaurant’s creativity and dedication to providing a dining experience that would stay with you. Each dish was a testament to the restaurant’s goal to deliver a memorable dining experience.

Starters: A Prelude to Perfection

We began our culinary adventure with the Beetroot Salad and the Farm Greens salad, each offering a unique and delightful start to the meal.

The Beetroot Salad ($13) was a symphony of flavors and textures. Freshly roasted beets, prepared to perfection, were combined with crisp apples, crunchy Marcona almonds, and a drizzle of sweet honey, all resting on a bed of tangy curried yogurt cream. The contrast of sweet and savory, soft and crunchy, was masterfully balanced.

If you’re dining solo or meeting a friend for drinks, the Beetroot Salad was an excellent choice. It was so delightful that we wanted to savor every last bit. It was a truly unforgettable salad.

The Farm Greens ($11), enjoyed by my husband, featured a refreshing mix of lettuce and spinach, thinly sliced radish and carrots, and a light dressing of zinfandel vinegar. It was garnished with freshly grated cheese and cobnuts, adding a layer of richness and texture.

The Ballymaloe chicken liver pâté ($14) was a surprisingly delightful dish. We had expected a small serving of pâté with bread, but what arrived was a feast for the senses. A mini mason jar was filled with buttery, rich, and decadent pâté, decorated with fresh greens and sliced strawberries. It was served with rustic bread and a paprika-sprinkled hard-boiled egg.

Having sampled various pâtés in town, the pâté at Raven & Rose stood out as our favorite, distinguished by its smooth texture, rich flavor, and artful presentation.

Main Course: The Fisherman’s Board

For our main course, my husband and I shared the Fisherman’s Board (market price; our board was $38), an artisan platter loaded with beautiful, inventive, and delicious seafood. The contents of the Fisherman’s Board changed frequently, based on the season and availability of fresh seafood. Our Fisherman’s Board at Raven and Rose featured:

• Grilled octopus
• Pickled & grilled mackerel
• BBQ prawns
• Trout roe
• Salmon tartare
• Cod brandade
• Oysters diablo

The salted cod brandade, resembling fried cod poppers, were expertly seasoned and incredibly addictive. We could have easily devoured an entire plate of these.

The salmon tartare, topped with trout roe, added an element of elegance to the rustic board. The fresh salmon, combined with the salty roe, was a delight to the palate.

The BBQ prawns were our favorite item on the Fisherman’s Board. They were a perfect blend of salty, tangy, and sweet flavors, evoking memories of summer days spent enjoying beer and BBQ outdoors.

Although it was a rainy spring evening during Oregon Wine Month, we savored this wonderful feast with some of Oregon’s finest wines, adding to the overall experience.

The Wine: A Celebration of Oregon’s Finest

Raven and Rose was recognized as an A-List Restaurant by the Oregon Wine Board, indicating its commitment to showcasing Oregon wines. The wine list featured a diverse selection of Oregon wines, representing various styles and producers, with the wines’ Oregon origins clearly indicated.

During the month of May, Oregon Wine Month, Raven and Rose offered a special Oregon white wine flight, allowing guests to sample a variety of Oregon’s white wines.

This flight included a new style Chardonnay, an old wine style Chardonnay, and a unique and experimental Chardonnay blend:

• 2015 Goodfellow Family Cellars Chardonnay from the McMinnville AVA
• 2013 Bergström Wines Old Stones Chardonnay from the Willamette Valley AVA
• 2014 Smockshop Band Winery blend (98% Chardonnay, 2% Pinot Gris) from the Columbia Valley AVA

The wine flight showcased the diverse styles and personalities of Oregon wines. Our favorite was the Bergström Chardonnay, known for its elegance, smoothness, and sophistication. We also enjoyed the Smock Shop blend.

The Raven and Rose wine list featured crowd favorites and rare Oregon wines, making it an excellent choice for wine enthusiasts dining in Portland.

A Fond Farewell

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Raven and Rose and are grateful for the opportunity to have dined there. It was a fantastic downtown Portland location for date nights, special occasions, and work dinners. The Rookery Bar, located on the second floor, offered a fun and casual atmosphere, while the restaurant exuded beauty and sophistication. While the restaurant had a dressier ambiance than most Portland establishments, jeans were still acceptable. However, most guests were dressed in suits, dresses, and nice blouses. While children were welcome, we would not recommend bringing busy or noisy toddlers or very active younger children. However, tweens and teenagers might enjoy the experience. In fact, there were several prom night diners during our visit.

While Raven and Rose is no longer in operation, its memory lives on as a unique contribution to Portland’s dining scene.

Explore other fantastic dining options in Portland by visiting our Portland, Oregon Restaurant Guide.