Gold Dust Meridian - Portland

Gold Dust Meridian in Portland is a true hidden gem that embodies the perfect evening out. Their Old Fashioned cocktail is nothing short of a masterpiece, carefully crafted with skill and a touch of enchantment. When you sit on their lovely patio, immersed in the lively energy of the city, you can't help but admire the fantastic location Gold Dust Meridian provides. It’s a spot where time seems to slow down, letting you relish every sip, enjoy the wonderful company, and fully embrace the delightful atmosphere.

A long time fave drinks and food are consistently good, no matter time of day or day of week. Love going here late at night.

Met up with my ladies for Happy Hour at this fine establishment. My vegan friend was super happy upon entering due to a chalk board special of Vegan Mac. We ordered drinks from the lovely bartender I think her name was Carrie and sat down in a super comfy, round booth to wait on our joiners. Every table has a menu on it, so don 't steal the one from the bar. I noticed their great selection of specialty cocktails, and almost immediately regreted ordering my usj Hornitos Negroni . I eventually ordered the Ginger Snap, but with tequila. LOVED IT!!! The bar has a lot of options including green and yellow Chartreuse as well as great prices on their tequila. Let 's talk about the food. Vegan Mac MY HOMIE WAS OVER THE MOON!!! She absolutely loved the vegan mac. She has always said that macaroni and cheese is the one thing she misses as a vegan. I 'm sooo glad that this did not disappoint. When the chef brought out our other food, we had to inquire on how he was able to achieve such a delicious vegan cheese sauce. ::whispers:: It 's totally a secret. Regular Mac, add bacon and tomatoes My other homie was in absolute love with her mac as well. At first, she wanted the burger it did look really good , but settled on the mac. Needless to say, she did not regret her decision. Beet Salad The beet salad was full of beets, and my homegirl was definitely happy. I fully expected there to be big slices of beets, but there was a healthy serving of cubed purple beets and golden beets. I 'm not a huge fan of beets, but I would totally consider order this salad. The Trio I got the grilled cheese, tomato soup, and salad combo. The salad was delicious. I loved the added pepitas. The grilled cheese was meh... despite it being parmesan crusted. And the tomato soup was more like tomato paste. I sincerely do not think I would order it again. Fries with a side of cheese sauce I 've said it multiple times, but I 'm gonna say it again: EVERY PLACE THAT SERVES FRIES SHOULD ALSO SERVE CHEESE SAUCE. Okay, now that we 've gotten that out of the way one of my 4 Jenn For President platforms ... the fries are good. The cheese sauce makes them even better. And no, the cheese sauce is not vegan, but I 'm sure they could hook you up with some vegan goodness. Would I return? For sure!!! Next time I want to try the Deviled Eggs and Wings. Oh, and their Happy Hour is from 5 8. Whhhaaaat???? LOVE IT.

The drinks are pretty good, but the food has consistently declined over the years. Last night was the worst experience yet. We ordered the cauliflower, the artichoke dip, and the trio (grilled cheese and tomato soup). The fried cauliflower was soggy, and the artichoke dip was terrible; it was difficult to scoop any onto a crispy pita chip, had no flavor or texture, and was topped with an unidentifiable drizzle. To top it all off, the grilled cheese was so overcooked that it was nearly inedible—hard as a rock and burnt. I used to really enjoy these dishes years ago, but after a few visits in the last two years, I feel like I've just wasted my money.

The Gold Dust Meridian is a hidden gem with a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere that sets it apart from many other bars. This place is the perfect choice for an intimate date night. With its soft lighting, delicious and reasonably priced drinks, and unique architectural design, it's worth visiting time and again. I will definitely be returning and highly recommend that everyone check it out at least once.