Mediterranean Exploration Company

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#3 of 3,366 Restaurants in PortlandMediterranean, Greek, ₱₱ - ₱₱₱

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Mediterranean Exploration Company

Review

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Closes in 42 min

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About

A restaurant serving innovative cuisine from the eastern Mediterranean and beyond. Drawing from extensive research and travels to the Mediterranean, the menu features exceptional plates that are culturally diverse yet cohesive, paying tribute to the exploration of people across the Mediterranean throughout history. In an open and vibrant atmosphere with an industrial-meets-refined décor in Portland's Pearl District, M.E.C. encourages family-style dining and features a playful beverage program with nods to the flavors of the Mediterranean.

Features

CUISINES

Mediterranean, Greek, Healthy, Middle Eastern

Meal types

Dinner, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Digital Payments

Family style

Full Bar

Gift Cards Available

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Wheelchair Accessible

Wine and Beer

Location

333 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209-3144

Pearl

Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?

Yes

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Hours

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Closes in 42 min

Sunday

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Monday

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Friday

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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4.6

(349)

Excellent

249

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Average

Poor

Terrible

LonestarSpartan

Chapel Hill763 contributions

Wonderful Dinner Sitting at the Bar by the Grill

May 2024 • couples

We made an early reservation and when we arrived they asked where would like to be seated. Some corner counter seats were available right by the grill which is our favorite place to sit when given the opportunity at a restaurant. We love watching the cooks! We sat next to 2 gentlemen who were regulars and their food looked great. We inquired into what they were eating (they were still on appetizers) and they said the Raddichio Salad and the Crispy Lamb Hummus. We ordered both and both were outstanding. Unlike our neighbors, those 2 dishes were enough food for the 2 of us, so we failed to order an entree. We had a nice bottle of Vermentino from Italy which was also great. Our server was Matthew and when my wife told him that she was allergic to bell peppers, he looked at all the items on the menu and made notes on what other ingredients, not listed, were in each dish. Outstanding and beyond the call of duty. Other members of the staff also visited with us and gave us recommendations. Overall, a delightful experience! Would highly recommend a visit. Should make a reservation as the place quickly filled up after we were seated.

Written June 9, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chicagonative_7

1010 contributions

A rare five star review

Aug 2024 • friends

I reserve five stars for but a few establishments and this place qualifies! Excellent flavors and spicing took things to a higher level. In Chicago we have lots of great Mediterranean cuisine and MEC would fare very well there. Wrapped dates, lamb humus, falafel and meatballs…. Some a bit hot for a couple but fine for me! The lamb kabobs and lamb chops were very good although the kabobs were more like a kefta kabob than chunks of lamb. We needed more warm pitas and were surprised they didn’t come with the falafel and the humus….. we also enjoyed the rice dish as another side. It was a bit much to finish but the flavors were excellent. My only complaint was my gin and tonic with lime came with ‘tonic flavored with rosemary and hibiscus’ which is definitely NOT the same thing but our server promptly offered to replace it. His service was also top tier. Definitely worthy of its high ratings, I’m glad we came here!

Written August 3, 2024

Dick L

Battle Ground186 contributions

Interesting Cuisine

Dec 2023 • friends

A very popular spot in the Pearl District of Portland. They serve small plates to be shared, lots of yogurt dishes and of course Mediterranean style foods. We had a lot of them, but the one outstanding dish (for me) was the octopus, a long grilled tenacle brought on a platter! We also had the chicken meatballs, salt roasted beets, eggplant dip and other dishes. The most difficult part of visiting this restaurant is the parking in the Pearl. We found a lot a few blocks away and squeezed our car into one of their small sized but large priced spaces. Then walked in the rain to the restaurant. Oh, well that is the Pearl for you. But it was worth the effort.

Written December 8, 2023

rosaPDX13

Portland309 contributions

lots of greatness but doesnt quite bring it home

Apr 2024 • friends

At first we were so impressed yet all of the dishes seemed the same and too rich. all were creamy with lots of oils. and the flavors did not stand out. shrimp dish was okay (not flavorful enough), the snap peas was too creamy. Interior is great, cocktails may have been the best part.

Written April 26, 2024

L Callahan

53 contributions

Soggy fennel salad & incredibly salty crisp lamb

May 2024 • solo

Was referred to this place by three different people, so had high expectations. Busy on Memorial weekend, but they found me a seat at their high top tables at the back of the restaurant. Ordered the fennel & orange & almond salad to start, which was really overdressed (and drowning in liquid), which resulted in limp fennel, but the flavors were good. The crispy lamb atop their hummus was incredibly oversalted(!) and I really tried to get past that, but after three bites I asked to substitute their plain hummus dish, and I’m really glad that I did. Server was very pleasant, and even brought me a new warm pita to accompany my second hummus dish. The presentation of their hummus is really beautiful, and the flavor combinations of the tahini, olive oil, and spices work beautifully. The thick “Israeli style” pita is superb, and their portions are generous (though expensive). Given the many options for Mediterranean food in Portland, I don’t feel compelled to return.

Written May 27, 2024

BC-Westcoaster

Vancouver308 contributions

Cool experience, okay food

Aug 2022 • none

First time here. Food is served family style. We asked the server for recommendations on how many dishes to get for two people; he suggested 3-4, which worked out well. We got a hummus, rice, octopus and lamb kebab. The lamb ended up being minced, which we didn't love - should have got the lamb chops. Also, the food comes out as it is ready, and the kebabs came out long after the other food, which was a bit disappointing as we wanted to have it with the rice. Cool space in an old warehouse, and good service.

Written November 30, 2022

WymeswoldOFB

Loughborough415 contributions

Great food

Sep 2024 • friends

A really popular and busy place for a midweek night. We chose seven mixed plates between the four of us, which was plenty. We went for shrimp and lots of veggie options - all very different, interesting recipes and nicely cooked. I had an Oakshire beer, which I think was the best US beer I've had. Great atmosphere, only slightly marred by the loud mouthed guy on the next table, who clearly thought he was the most important person in the universe - not the restaurant's fault!.

Written September 30, 2024

Hope

Atlanta43 contributions

A great exploration

Oct 2024 • couples

Great food experience. We tried the chefs menu which included various small plates shared by 2. Our favorites: lamb, hummus, fresh home made pita, chicken meatballs, pistachio cake. YUM!

Written October 18, 2024

Dreamer814098

Kensington21 contributions

Exquisite middle eastern dining experience

Dec 2021 • none

Industrial chic atmosphere was surprisingly warm but fittingly the food stole the show. Tapas-style small dishes were fun for our group of four to share and savor. Everything we tried was so delicious. Attentive but inobstrusive service ensured the dishes kept coming and our glasses were always full.

Written January 1, 2022

Gary K

Portland87 contributions

Small Plates Fashion a Great Meal

Dec 2021 • none

My wife and I went to this restaurant early after a matinee play at Portland Center Stage. We had not been here for several years. We entered at 4:30 p.m. and stayed two hours. Our server was knowledgeable about the small plates and the wines. We started with a Tanqueray 10 martini along with a grilled beat salad -- it was very well done with a dairy sauce and greens. We then ordered grilled carrots and the Greek lamb chops, four of them totaling 5 ounces per person (two). The were divine. We also had baklava with Turkish coffee for dessert, and the server also advised on the appropriate wines to go with the small plates we had. A perfect match! We are an older couple (in our early 80's) so the noise levels rose as the evening progressed (after about 5:30 p.m.), but we could still converse across the table, but a larger group would have trouble hearing. The food is excellent and the menu is well-balanced with meat and vegetables.

Written December 16, 2021

Lisa A

65 contributions

Perfect meal from beginning to end!

Jul 2022 • family

This was one of the best meals I have ever had. The experience was perfect from beginning to end. The outdoor seating was perfect! The menu choices were so inventive that I wanted to order one of everything. From the hummus to the labneh to the short ribs, each item exceeded the item before. The honey cake was the perfect ending to an outstanding meal. The service was amazing! I would recommend this place to anyone.

Written July 18, 2022

NM_RR

New York City15 contributions

Hands down one of the best restaurants around

Nov 2023 • family

I have spent a lot of time in kitchens over the last forty years. I have come to have high expectations in uppity things like texture, harmony amid contrasts, the element of surprise, the exotic amid the familiar, presentation, and quality of ingredients. Normally, my expectations are disappointed. We cook at home more often than we go out. From that background, I offer my unqualified praise to Chef Burgess and his staff. This place is a gem. Everything they put on the table illustrates their excellence as a team. Each dish has a truly unique character. Each delights with surprises that come from dedication to the craft and a certain genius, not chance. Each is sumptuous. Each offers the unexpected. You can taste the thoughtfulness, the imagination, the vision. What a joy to eat at a place like this. On top of that, the place is unpretentious and warm and the service is lovely. MEC reminds us of what a restaurant can be. Put it on your list of top restaurants in Portland. It is now on mine.

Written November 29, 2023

Mr.DCheerful

Portland9 contributions

All time favorite cuisine

Sep 2020 • none

Mediterranean cuisine is my favorite, so tasty and so healthy at the same time. This restaurant took a lot of precautions that made us feel safe and in good hands, we sat in their new outdoor seated area and had a great lunch. The bill was under what we were expecting too, always such a good end to a meal. Service is top top notch.

Written September 29, 2020

Therese S

Boone98 contributions

Amazing dinner

Apr 2024 • family

We went as a family group of 6 and must have tried 1/2 the menu. We loved everything from the initial Chai Mocktail. Do not miss the asparagus, the radicchio salad, the chicken meatballs, the lamb chops, the hanger steak... Maybe just order one of everything! Our service was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. I'll be back on my next trip to PDX.

Written April 12, 2024

DCCR336

Fallbrook132 contributions

A must visit

Mar 2020 • none

Stumbled into the restaurant without a reservation. The place was packed but the hostess was able to find a high top for the three of us. Ordered drinks and started to look over the menu. Everything looked amazing. Figured I would use the expertise of the waitress to recommend some dishes. Liked that it was tapas style so we could try a number of treats. She started us out with the hummus. It was good, but wanted something I don't eat often. Next came the beet and skordalia (garlic-potato spread). I love beets and I loved this dish. Such wonderful flavors. Up next "main" dishes. We ordered the octopus, lamb chops, fried chicken and hangar steak. Each dish was remarkable. Octopus cooked to flawlessness, not rubbery at all, Seasoning was fabulous. Lamb chops were huge. Again cooked perfectly with a perfect blend of Mediterranean spices. The hangar steak melted in your mouth. Last but not least the fried chicken. If there is one thing on the menu not to miss it is the fried chicken. I know it sounds crazy and I am not one to choose fried chicken, but the waitress recommended it and I am so happy she did. It was phenomenal. The pepper honey totally made the dish. So so good. I asked her to choose a good wine for the meal. She was very good at picking out a reasonably price wine, 06 Lopez Heredia. The atmosphere of the restaurant was lively and hip. I am so happy we found this place. Definitely would revisit.

Written March 12, 2020

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Mediterranean Exploration Company, Portland - Pearl - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor