David's Restaurant

Review summary

1. B

   Bill

   VIP

   San Francisco

   21 reviews

   5.0

   21 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   My wife and I went during restaurant week and it was outstanding. We had the scallop cakes, the salad, the pork tenderloin and the meatloaf. All extremely delicious and expertly prepared. For dessert we both had the warm blueberry crisp with vanilla ice cream. Perfect. The vibe here is great. Our server was terrific. Would absolutely come here again.
   

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2. D

   Doug

   VIP

   Greater Boston

   22 reviews

   4.0

   22 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Excellent food and a great place to conduct a business lunch.
   

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3. T

   Tammy

   San Diego

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Chose to dine at David's for the first time during Maine Restaurant Week due to the offerings on their price fixe menu. Love how I received a text alerting me my reserved seat was ready. Host was excellent -- offered me the tabletop seat I had reserved facing the kitchen or the bar. I chose the bar. Quickly realized the gentleman 2 seats over was talking on his phone, so changed seats. I personally feel like the patron on the phone should have been asked to step outside to have his conversation. Although it was quite cold outside. So the problem with dining at the bar is there was only 1 bartender preparing drinks for the entire restaurant. Because of this, I didn't receive much service. Perhaps a wait staff could be assigned to bar patrons who are dining in this situation where they handle food orders and the bartender handles drink orders. On the food, appetizer and dinner were excellent. Only disappointment was dessert -- a Blueberry crisp topped with vanilla ice cream. The blueberries were canned! Tiny little blueberries in a gelatin and it wasn't even heated all the way through. I could scoop out chunks of the gelatin. I didn't finish the dessert. I can make my own with fresh blueberries at home. Not a great first impression when I was hoping for such during Maine Restaurant Week. I just moved to Portland in June and purposely made reservations during Restaurant Week to experience new restaurants.
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   VIP

   RP

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   The cooks at David’s do not care. The baked Brie was undercooked and cold inside. The cauliflower steak was cold, uncooked and the sauce too sweet. We returned it and the waitress apologized which we appreciated. The mussels were not salted and tasted like armpits. As for the bar—the the spicy margarita was not spicy, and the Cabernet Sauvignon was insipid. When we asked for adding more jalapeño or other spiciness to the margarita they could only offer pouring in Tabasco sauce. In other words, the bartender doesn’t care either. Avoid like the plague.
   

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5. D

   Dawn

   Greater Boston

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Restaurant Week options were good. Meatloaf was excellent.
   

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6. J

   Judy

   VIP

   Maine

   18 reviews

   5.0

   18 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We've been eating at David's Restaurant for over 25 years and have never had a bad meal here. They care and are consistent and dependable. They keep the winners on the menu and add in seasonal dishes to keep it exciting. The atmosphere is always lively, yet cozy. We always leave here happy!
   

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7. S

   Steve

   VIP

   Greater Boston

   16 reviews

   5.0

   16 reviews

   Dined on 27 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food. Excellent cocktails. I marvel at how each person on the wait staff team can deliver a martini filled to the brim without one spill! Wonderful ambience. Great vibe. Love the place.
   

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8. D

   Deb

   VIP

   Greater Boston

   38 reviews

   5.0

   38 reviews

   Dined on 26 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Just WOW! This was our first Winter Wednesday at David’s Monument Square, our second at a David’s restaurant. Chef Turin got it spot on with this event. The menu appealed to a meat eater and a fish-only eater and our cream brûlée bread pudding was probably the best dessert we’ve ever had. The bottles of wine offered were very appealing. Our server, Ali, was exceptional. I would not change one single thing!
   

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9. J

   Joan

   VIP

   Greater Boston

   16 reviews

   5.0

   16 reviews

   Dined on 24 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Loved it. Always a great meal ! Best place for a special night with friends
   

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10. C

    Corinne

    Greater Boston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 24 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    There are so many restaurants to choose from when in Portland, but David's is clearly a standout. Located conveniently in downtown Portland, it is easily accessible from the busy shopping area. The menu is very diverse with many options that can be prepared for vegetarian or vegan diners. Service is friendly and prompt but not rushed. If you're lucky enough to be there on a night when David himself is present, you will find him to be welcoming and engaging. This restaurant is definitely a must when visiting the area.
    

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