The Portman (Marble Arch)

• Restaurant is very much part of the dynamic dining scene of its cross street corner &ndash
• M pleased to report this Marylebone gastropub just a short jaunt from Marble Arch does a good job keeping up with the competition
• The Portman features a lively pub downstairs with a more subdued tablecloth serviced restaurant upstairs
• Coriander and spring onions with chilli and lime aioli when I visited the Footman last month
• It was a great starter that I was happy to woofed down
• My main course of grilled lemon sole with samphire and clams (£
• 21.50 for a bottle) pared nicely with both dishes
• The Portman is a surprisingly delightful combination of a pub and restaurant
• The formal dining area upstairs is an unexpected feature that most visitors might have no clue about
• The pub downstairs is lively and comfortable and seemed like the local hub for many even though the regular pub fare is quite pricey
• What was disappointing though was the fact that the waitress who showed us to the only available small little table for two
• Failed to mention that there was seating available upstairs when a third friend joined us for the evening
• We were planning on squeezing ourselves in and were slightly depressed about the meal that we would have to experience bundled up together like that
• It was only by chance that we realized there was an upstairs area and asked if It would be possible for us to make the shift
• Upon arriving upstairs we were shocked to find that it was completely empty and they could have easily given us a table there
• The meal in itself apart from it being quiet and intimate was also a delicious experience
• I ordered for the pie of the day which was a Pork &
• Mango Sorbet that I ordered for dessert was fresh and modest
• Basil Salad which similarly was garden fresh and satisfying
• One of my friends was left feeling a little disgruntled since she was desperately craving a burger but there was none on the menu
• Imagine our surprise therefore when we found the gentleman next to us being served with one a few minutes before our food was to arrive
• Our waitress served us with no consolation because her response to our pointing out the lack of a Burger on the menu was &ldquo
• Visited on a very cold night with a few friends so it was nice to walk into the familiar pub but then it was even nicer when I got to discover the upstairs (which was by accident)
• The upstair unless you are a girl and head to the toilets
• Nonetheless the restaurant on the top is very intimate and inviting I&rsquo
• The girls that were serving there that night could be a bit more subtle and careful
• S just 2 of them and there were 2 other busy tables that shouldn&rsquo
• D however look at is as an international cuisine rather than just british
• Unfortunately I was quite full already so only went for a salad and a desert
• I had to use a knife and even then it was flying out of my plate whenever trying to cut it
• The passion fruit syrup all over it was a good touch tough
• T really rival with those in my head
• The Portman works perfectly for anything from causal drinks with friends or for taking mum and dad out to dinner
• We asked the waitress whether it might still be possible to have something from that menu (accompanied by our best attempt at puppy dog eyes possible) and she was very accommodating
• We were told by the waitress that these have been called some of the best waffles in London and this wasn't really too far from the truth
• Not quite the best I've had they are definitely up there
• Nice and fluffy with a lovely maple syrup on top
• The only gripe was personally I prefer streaky bacon over the traditional thick cut on these style brunches but as this is a British gastropub this might be slightly unreasonable
• Overall however this meal was just what I needed
• This is an interesting place with some good surprises
• Made a reservation for the pub and landed up at the restaurant which was a really good looking place
• Had the homemade ravioli which was just perfect
• I was disappointed with no burgers on the menu (only to later realise the pub downstairs does serve it
• When I choose a restaurant which is the extension of a pub
• I might not be alone in my thoughts re price as the place was very quiet upstairs and buzzing downstairs (also had good outdoor seating
• Perhaps a tad overpriced in my opinion for a restaurant which is an extension of a pub
• Marylebone Portman Village is a lovely little quarter with a few shops
• Hidden on the first floor is an elegant dining restaurant
• As soon as we were seated drink orders were taken
• The servers kindly told us about a few dishes were running low or there was none left
• A complimentary basket of assorted bread was offered to us
• Accompanied with an extremely creamy salted butter
• My poached duck egg were super bright white
• The enoki mushrooms were a little on the salty side
• Trust me the fish was good on it&rsquo
• The clams came with full bodied pack with flavour
• The Portman is a handsome pub and restaurant in Marylebone
• The ground floor is home to an unassuming pub whilst the first floor transforms into a smart restaurant
• The general look is of an upmarket village gastropub
• The Portman is a gastro pub situated on top of a real pub near Marble Arch
• Not too blue cheesy and the croutons were covered in garlic butter
• So by the time I was able to eat the croutons
• I genuinely thought it was just a typical pub because it looked like a typical pub
• Whilst the downstairs area is more watering hole and gastro
• The dining room upstairs is a bit more of a proper resto
• I thought food at The Portman's dining room was decent enough
• I will start with a more intellectual introduction to The Portman
• My educated guess was that it was maybe a man who tended ports
• To Portman is to make a sudden about face on an issue because of recently release information which contradicts a previous stance
• Rather apt in these times with politicians being pilloried by the release of the Panama Papers
• The restaurant upstairs is a cheerful and cosy space with soft leather banquettes and heaps of natural sunlight drifting in through the large country style window
• Dinner here was a hearty and wholesome affair
• Typical British Pub with typical British breakfast
• Enjoyed some Assam tea with scrambled eggs and salmon
• Also had soft boiled eggs with soldiers and it was good too

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