Welcome to NORMANDIE
Nestled in the heart of Portland, NORMANDIE offers a modern European dining experience that celebrates the sea and the art of cocktail craft. This vibrant seafood haven invites patrons to indulge in exquisite small plates, from smoked beets paired with Roquefort to succulent poached prawns, all artfully designed to be shared. The atmosphere balances sophistication with warmth, ensuring every visit feels special. Signature cocktails complement the menu, enhancing the culinary journey. With each dish meticulously plated, NORMANDIE stands out as a destination for those seeking bold flavors and an intimate dining experience, making it a must-visit for locals and visitors alike.
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1005 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR 97214 Hotline: (503) 233-4129
Welcome to NORMANDIE, a captivating dining destination nestled in the heart of Portland on SE Ankeny Street, where the best of modern European cuisine meets an inviting cocktail bar ambiance. This restaurant specializes in seafood and offers a curated selection of dishes that effortlessly blend traditional flavors with contemporary flair.
Upon entering NORMANDIE, one is enveloped by a warm, inviting atmosphere, perfect for both casual gatherings and special occasions. The restaurant is regarded for its attention to detail—from the clean and cozy layout to the attentive service that leaves patrons feeling valued. It’s a blend of sophistication and comfort, making it an ideal spot for a date night or celebratory dinner.
- Oysters: A highlight of the menu includes the Oysters on the Half Shell complemented by mignonette, granita, and lemon for $19, or try the savory Broiled Oysters drizzled with miso butter and chile oil for $15. Patrons rave about these delicacies, often referring to them as a must-try.
- Small Plates: Guests are encouraged to indulge in an array of small plates, such as the Poached Prawns dressed in a refreshing cucumber and wakame salad for $20 or the Charred Spanish Octopus with crispy fried fingerlings for $24. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to emphasize fresh ingredients and innovative flavors.
- Meat & Cheese: The Normandie Board stands out with an assortment of baguettes, pickles, and delicacies like chicken liver mousse and French cheeses for $38, reflecting a commitment to authenticity and artisanal charm.
While customer reviews reflect a generally positive dining experience at NORMANDIE, some make note of a few minor misses, such as the occasional over-seasoning of dishes or limitations in menu choices. However, many highlight the thoughtful creation of meals that harmonize varied textures and tastes. Dishes like the Crab Beignets have been described as fluffy and flavor-packed, while the Oxtail Croquettes often garner special mention for their rich, savory goodness.
Cocktails are another integral part of the NORMANDIE experience, with a diverse drink menu that tantalizes the palate. Signature selections like the Espresso Martini and Wormburner are notable crowd-pleasers. The cocktail menu complements the food offerings beautifully, ensuring that each sip enhances the overall dining experience.
In summary, NORMANDIE is not just a restaurant; it’s a culinary journey where each dish tells a story. From the meticulously sourced seafood to the delightful cocktails, it promises not just a meal but an exploration of flavors. For those seeking a memorable dining experience in Portland, NORMANDIE stands out as a destination worthy of your attention and appetite.
Food was great. Had a bunch of small plates to share, and then cut the burger 4 ways. That burger is something special! Clean restaurant and attentive servers.
We loved the ambience here! The bartender was such a sweetheart and was super quick! TIME FOR A RECAP: - Oxtail croquettes: the oxtails were cooked to perfection. Didn't even need the sauces because of how much flavor they had & I'm sauce girl. - The crab beignets were everything n then some. So creamy, not such thick breading, and the perfect amount of crab. - Now the gnocchi, I wanted to love it but it was pretty under-whelming. The intent was there but lacked flavor, I felt like the broth took away the amazing flavor of the seafood and gnocchi. HOWEVER, I'm still looking forward to coming back to try other things!
Great service good food but limited choices. Ambiance was not great! Loud music and loud people!
Never been here but had been wanting to try it for a while. Came for a special occasion as you can expect to pay around $100 a person (after tip) for dinner with a couple cocktails. We ordered the smoked beets with shaved fennel, the oxtail croquettes, the seared albacore, poached prawns, and the gochujang pork. My favorites were the poached prawns and the seared tuna which were both well balanced and flavorful. The pork and the beets were good but not mind blowing. The oxtail was a little on the dry side and was a little over fried. Cocktails were satisfactory. Overall a good experience. Waitstaff were positive and friendly. Atmosphere was comfortable. A good spot for date night and some tasty small plates.
My boyfriend and I decided to stop by while walking around and this seemed like a cute place to try! Staff was nice and friendly. We ended up sitting at the bar for some apps and wine. The miso deviled eggs were great but 3 makes it hard to share. It was nice trying deviled eggs completely different from what I'm use to! The oysters were great as well, we really enjoyed the habanero sauce it came with This is from September so I'm not sure if they have the same menu items still!
This is one of my go to spots when I want to celebrate something special. The cocktails and food are to die for - especially their small bites. The wormburner is a bit sweet for my taste but the golden galaxy cocktail and the espresso martini were perfect. If you're a sparkling fan, their sparkling rose here is one of my favorites. The oysters, oxtail croquettes, baguettes, fries, and deviled eggs are all delicious. The croquettes are my top choice and I'm not sure I would re-order the eggs. From the main plates the burger is the star!
We went for the happy hour which is from 5-6pm at the bar. Definitely recommend reservations as it is a small restaurant but very cute and cozy! We had excellent service, very attentive and kind. The happy hour oysters were amazing- we ended up getting a few more because they were so good! And only $2 an oyster. The fries were also delicious with a nice dill dip. The cocktails (espresso martini and 50 shades of grace) were both wonderful with interesting flavor profiles. They had a very extensive cocktail list! I am definitely excited to go back and try more of their dinner menu- everything I saw looked so good!
The service here was great! Timely and they were nice enough to seat me without a reservation though it was easier as I was a solo diner and promised to be out before their 7pm reservation. That being said, I never felt like I was being rushed. Food wise: mostly good, there was some misses but most of it was a win. My cocktail was delicious! The raw oysters were amazing and I wish I ordered a full dozen. The crab beignets were so fluffy and tasty. The only miss: the broiled oysters was way too salty. I struggled to eat this and they were such a contrast to the delicious raw oysters.
This is the second visit to Normandie and it has been consistent with their great service and amazing food. This recent visit we were served by Taylor, but all the serving staff stopped by and assisted with removing plates or bringing food and asking if either of us needed anything. Food came out correctly & quickly, but was perfectly timed and coursed. My guest and I shared everything as most items are intended to spilt, we ordered the cheeseburger (second time having this and highly recommended), crab beignets, oysters, beets, seared albacore (second time ordering this, but different variation also highly recommend), crispy potatoes, and the deviled eggs. Everything was amazing - literally no complaints, the way they put ingredients together to create an exploratory experience was really rewarding. I saved the cheesecake for later, but the server mentioned it was her favorite. I have been having some trouble with PDX restaurants walking away unfulfilled or unimpressed, but that was opposite tonight. Thank you Normandie for the great dinner and for providing such an enjoyable experience.