Hey Love - Portland

We decided to dine at this restaurant because we were staying at the Jupiter Hotel, and it turned out to be the best meal of our trip. They offer plenty of vegan options and the cocktails are also delicious.

Service at this chic, earthy, and colorful restaurant was warm, relaxed, and slightly disorganized. However, the food was very good! The oolong Mai Tai we ordered was absolutely outstanding. I would be surprised if I ever come across another omnivore restaurant that meets all three of my criteria: an accurate and clear key applied across the menu, no errors, and comprehensive explanations of what a "vegan option" entails when it's not explicitly stated. Luckily, this restaurant met all three criteria. The yellow curry, listed as a vegan option on the website, was not clearly labeled as such on the menu, but I lucked out by ordering it and it too was impressive and colorful!

Hey Love, located inside the Next Hotel, offers delicious vegan options that are unique and not commonly found elsewhere. This restaurant is best suited for adventurous vegans, as picky eaters may not appreciate the creative offerings. The interior and exterior of Hey Love are meticulously designed, catering perfectly to a young influencer demographic. The space is filled with Instagrammable photo spots and lush plants, with sharp lines, modern lighting, and upbeat music creating a vibrant dining atmosphere. Due to its popularity, there is often a wait for a table, so we opted to dine in the lounge area. The vegan menu is diverse and innovative - I tried the Bizarro Jerry, an open-faced toast with celery root cheese, smoked beets, chanterelles, and more, priced at $13 for an entrée, which offers good value compared to other hotel restaurants. Orders are placed online at the table via a QR code and then brought to your table. Although busy during my visit, the service was efficient. Hey Love is a fantastic choice for vegans in the Portland area seeking a unique dining experience and lively atmosphere. If only Happy Cow allowed 5-star ratings for non-fully vegan restaurants, Hey Love would surely earn top marks.

We went on a Saturday night and it was busy (we waited 30 minutes at the bar for a table) but it was worth the wait. The restaurant is small and decorated nicely with plants all over the walls and ceiling. Vegan options were really tasty, and not too expensive for portland, we particularly liked the hummus and pitta and the caesar salad. The cocktails are strong but taste great would definitely recommend the 2 slushy ones.

I can confidently say that I will eat my vegan hat if I ever come across another restaurant that meets all three of my criteria: 1) an accurate and clear taste profile as described on the menu, 2) no mistakes in the ordering process, and 3) comprehensive explanations of what a vegan option entails, especially if it's not explicitly stated. A prime example of this was the yellow curry, which was listed as a vegan option on the website but not mentioned on the physical menu. Thankfully, I discovered it before ordering, and it turned out to be an impressive and colorful dish. Overall, this restaurant continues to impress, and I look forward to returning.