La Jarana - Portland

We went to Lulus for Valentine's Day. I understand that this holiday is hectic for restaurants and can be stressful. However, the food was excellent and the server was very friendly and apologetic for the delays. What was disappointing was being told there was a strict 1.5 hour time limit (despite having reservations) and the lack of table service. We had to order at the bar, which was fine, but didn't make sense with such a strict time limit. The host even approached our table before we had finished all of our food and hurried us along, saying, "excuse me, we have another reservation waiting." I have never experienced this at a restaurant before and it made for a negative experience. It felt like they wanted us to order quickly, eat fast, and leave as soon as possible. If we were allowed to stay longer, we would have ordered more drinks and food. Lulus should reconsider how they handle reservations, perhaps taking fewer and implementing table service to improve food delivery and wait times. You can't have no table service, a strict time limit, and still claim to accommodate reservations. Overall, it was a disappointing experience.

Jarana is the kitchen located within the bar, Lulu. At first, it was a bit confusing to find, but once we did, we ordered the saltado with steak and ceviche. The steak was incredibly tender with a delicious umami flavor in the sauce. The fries were crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, and the rice had a wonderfully seasoned taste. The ceviche was also a standout dish, with the addition of mango and passion fruit adding a refreshing sweetness. The unexpected fried fish and fish chicharrones were a delightful surprise. While the prices may be a bit high, the quality of the food makes it worth it. I will definitely be thinking about this meal for a while.

I had made a reservation for a table, but upon arrival, we were seated at the bar instead. The booking did not mention the option of bar seating versus table seating. I had preferred a table, not the bar. The food was satisfactory and the cocktails were enjoyable, but I found the prices to be quite high for the overall experience. The servers were friendly, but seemed to be stretched thin and in need of more help to keep up with demand.

It's seems like a place that's not sure whether it wants to be a bar or a restaurant. You have to order and pay your bill at the bar and then they put a number at your table. The ambiance may have been nice except there were a bunch of frat bros taking shots and yelling like they were back at the frat house. And the acoustics in the place made it really hard to talk without yelling. It doesn't seem like a place that should take $25 just to make a reservation. Unfortunately, the food wasn't good enough for me to come back.

Not bad.Drinks a little pricey but tasty.Food was good, but the chicken katsu bowl and steak saltado we wanted to try were out at 5pm. Salt and pepper squid was good, though a small portion for $14.Service was very nice, and it is a nice space. Large collection of liquors lining the wall behind the bar indicate you can find just about anything to drink here.