Wine Down At 28, Portland, Oregon Restaurant Details

Food:

I really wanted to love this place...and had high hopes bc of other reviews. I am from the South and jambalaya, gumbo, grits and okra are something I grew up with and ate regularly. The seafood and sausage gumbo lacked flavor and there was no spice. Also limited sausage and seafood. The grits were perhaps my favorite with a green onion butter and the okra seasoning I didn't care for although they were cooked well and I liked the lemongrass pesto sauce. My husband really liked his fried chicken and the bourbon syrup it came with was delicious. Service was what I would call "hipster friendly." average. The best part was the drink....Uptown Nola. Did not skimp on the bourbon at all. Overall I would expect heat and spice from a Creole restaurant as a standard. Unfortunately I will not be returning.

Food:

Very nice service and food. Very hip.

Food:

Really good service and the food is awesome. Had a big group of 12 and our server took great care of us.

Food:

Came here on nacho week for their crawfish nachos. Absolute heaven!! Their corn appetizer was delicious too, I licked that plate CLEAN!

Food:

Portland is fortunate to have welcomed iconic New Orleans sax man Reggie Houston in 2004. Since that time Houston has contributed a plethora of authentic New Orleans jazz to Portland's music scene with performances at large venues such as the Waterfront Blues Festival to intimate recurring gigs in Portland's rich New Orleans restaurants. Reggi Houston plays a weekly set every Tuesday at Tapalaya in Portland's southeast Kerns neighborhood with a rotating cast of supporting musicians that allows the artist to easily transition from standard blues to New Orleans swing to classic jazz on any given evening. This allows the listener to enjoy a somewhat unique performance at the same venue over a period of dining experiences.

Houston's show at Tapalaya is a showcase of one of the nation's master sax players. It is a special treat when he switches to the soprano sax and starts swinging those classic melodies of the south. Tapalaya is a very intimate dining experience with seating for about fifty. A vaulted ceiling with solid wooden rafter helps spread the sound from the seemingly impromptu corner where the band huddles closely together. The acoustics are pretty solid considering the tight quarters and the sound spreads enough that diners can still enjoy conversation without being overwhelmed. Houston's mastery as a musician allows him to project the musical vibrations perfectly for the setting. The set on Tuesday March 24th, 2015 included a quartet of musicians playing saxophone, keyboard, and percussion on a pair of Djembe style upright drums. The audience was treated to some classic New Orleans music and mixed between the obscure selections were fun arrangements for the instantly recognizable standards including "It Had To Be You", "Mack The Knife", "Summertime", "Iko Iko", and even "The Christmas Song".

Contributing to the fantastic musical set is a palate pleasing menu that leaves a lasting impression. Chef Anh Luu has created a tapas style culinary experience that is unmatched in Portland. The jambalaya is a masterpiece of combined flavors and the blackened catfish po boy has a kick that titillates the senses. Wash these down with a signature Hurricane or Mint Julep. The plates are designed for sharing and run from $5 to $10, but a satisfying meal for two can be had for under $40 which includes drinks and an amazing live music presentation with no cover. The menu includes mac n' cheese, steak Diane, gumbo, and many other classic New Orleans selections. It's easy enough to eat light with the shared entrees to leave room for dessert. The bread pudding is served in two slices for easy sharing and is covered in a near sensual sweet spiced cream.

Tapalaya provides a fantastic dining experience and the indomitable musical talent of Reggie Houston provide high value live entertainment for an extremely affordable night out.