Mother's Bistro & Barsimilar businesses >

503-464-1122

212 SW Stark St
Portland, OR 97204
Fax: 503-525-5877

Average Rating 4 (11 Ratings)

Rate it | Review it

Print this page

Official Website | Directions | Nearby Businesses | Send to Cell

Find this business under: Restaurants, Restaurants-Bistro

Credit Cards Accepted: American Express, Cash, Debit Card, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Travelers Check, Visa

The tables are unbearably close together, which makes this a place to eat, not gossip, argue or seduce. Keep that in mind because mother is watching -- in this case, Lisa Schroeder. Schroeder is the maternal food goddess who found her way west on the arm of a former Portland actor and immediately skyrocketed to local fame with this top-notch, comfort-kissed restaurant. Sharp furnishings, white table linens and big windows to the street (in what once was a popular Irish pub) give the place a big New York feel.

But the food is down home - matzo-ball soup, chunky sandwiches, fresh salads, Big Apple-imported bagels, meatloaf and steak frites, fried ravioli, pot roast and real vegetable pot pie. The dessert menu is all mother-love: moist, rich devil food cake and warm gooey chocolate chip cookies. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday is mouthwatering. Dishes change from week to week, but never disappoint. It's an expansive menu that is bound to please all ages - from tots (cookie, please) to gramps (chopped liver, anyone?). -- Jo Ostgarden

Mother's Bar
Gilt trim and crystal-drop chandeliers create a warm, old-fashioned sense of elegance in Mother's Bar, just around the corner from the Bistro. The little lounge is as charming as a private parlor. Curtained windows offer a peek out at the street, and an elaborate, imposing bar covers the back wall. Specialty cocktails tend towards sweet, fruity inventions and chocolate-tinted dessert drinks. There's also a full-length wine list, which includes aperitifs and after-dinner cordials. During regular dinner hours, you can order from Mother's award-winning menu. After-hours, choose one of the cunning ''TV Dinners.'' You can get entrees like meatloaf or pot roast, served in rectangular, partitioned trays, complete with a vegetable, Mother's fantastic mashed potatoes, and even a compartment of homemade fruit cobbler. -- Anne Marie DiStefano

11 Ratings and Reviews

slow and burned
Llrandall - 07/18/2008
We went there because of the reviews. our waitress walked passed us to greet another group she appeared to know. she ignored us and took their order first then made us wait while she chatted and joked with them. the bus staff kept our coffee filled though. when our food FINALLY arrived, it was burned. the one thing that was good was the HH and Bagels.
Add Comment
Margobarron - 06/21/2008
The Best in Town!!!
GVoorhesjr - 06/17/2008
This is not going to be a long-winded review. Just GO THERE! It's the best restaurant in town... for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I eat there several times a week because I am lucky enough to work only blocks from Mothers Bistro. It's all fantastic. The servers are SPECTACULAR. Ask for the BEST WAITRESS named Ty... or Thai... she's AMAZING!!! We always ask for her and you won't be disappointed. Anyway, I LOVE This place.
Add Comment
The best breakfast I have ever
taskmaster1967 - 02/18/2007
This is by far the best breakfast I ever had. My husband and I couldn't decide between two different dishes, so we shared them. They split the dishes for us. They have the best biscuits and gravy I have ever had - awesome flavor. The blueberry pancakes were to die for and came with great pork apple sausage. My daughter had the Greek Fritatta which she said was the best breakfast she ever had. The wait is long but the service staff are very energetic and friendly. What a great place in Portland.
Add Comment
Awesome!
mfbp2 - 08/24/2006
Everything was excellent, wide selection, quality food and drink! Can't wait to go back!
Add Comment
Slow Service
gadwall - 02/25/2005
Good food but very slow and sloppy service. Suggest some customer service training for staff.
Add Comment
.
millerjosselyn - 12/30/2004
Our waiter was virtually nonexistent, disappearing after our food arrived and not checking back with us until we were way past done with our food. Also, between three people we had: one dirty fork, one dirty coffee cup and one dirty water glass. Maybe the waiter was also doing the dishes!? The food was good, but not remarkable. Bummer.
Add Comment
Shoulder to shoulder
baytovin07 - 07/16/2004
When I arrived, everyone was crowded into one third of the space because it was late perhaps, and it was impossible to hold a conversation or order without neighboring diners hearing every word. VERY uncomfortable. Probably won't return.
Add Comment
Fjs1086's Review
fjs1086 - 06/14/2003
The Portabella Mushroom burger was excellent. Very hearty with lots of flavor, try it.
Add Comment
Gregcouture's Review
gregcouture - 06/14/2003
My first visit here was severely marred by a waiter who no longer appears to be a part of the wait staff. (A bowl of matzo ball soup arrived late, with the entree! I was so hungry by then I didn't complain, so, yes, it WAS my fault. Two subsequent visits have been much more satisfactory, as far as the service is concerned, and the food is not bad at all, but any higher prices would discourage my continued patronage. So there!
Add Comment

1 2 Next

Showing 1 - 10 of 11 reviews