I had read an awesome review of this place a year ago and told myself I would visit when I made it up to see my cousin. Not the easiest parking but eventually we found something. At the time of our visit there was no food service therefore this review is of the shop itself. It's cute, has a carefully curated selection of cookbooks and magazines, however prices not marked. I was excited when I saw "whetstone" magazine because I've been meaning to subscribe and this would be a forced reminder, however the cover price was $10 and I was charged $20. I also purchased "Blood of Gods" for my cousin and cover price was $5 and I was charged $10, so bummed to pay $30 instead of $15. Better to let customers know ahead of time instead of when they are paying. I don't live in the area and I'll never return. It was a bummer for sure.
Bee F.
We had a great time here! We came for the cookbooks and she does have a great selection, but we actually walked away with more purchases of other things we hadn't even planned on (don't you love those experiences? The "I found tons of things I WASN'T looking for!" experiences?). We got 2 or 3 books, a leaded glass vintage covered pedestal cake stand for only $40 and a partial set of Fitz & Floyd vintage demitasse that are so colorful and cute, perfect for serving Moka to friends after dinner!This neighborhood has come back to life with midrises featuring eclectic shopping and food. A great place to just walk around!
Anna West
Incredible selection of cookbooks, and a unique set up where you can sit down, sip some wine and try whatever delicacy is made that day. They also have really cool events dedicated to cook books! Highly recommend checking them out!
Lizzie Clapper
Unique and well-curated selection of cookbooks and other kitchen treasures. Darling little shop and small baked goods counter
Elena Rodriguez
Very rude condescending interaction with the person working here. I’ve been wanting to come here for a long time and finally made it in with my family. When I asked if they served breakfast I was met with a tone. I informed her Google still said they served breakfast and she snapped back that had I of visited their website I would’ve known. She seemed primed for a spat so I quickly disengaged. My partner found a book he wanted but we’ll just get it from somewhere else. Classic case of “people will always remember how you made them feel.”Don’t @ me Karen, we won’t be returning.
Aurelia Wieber
Visited for the first time to attend a cookbook workshop - such a great atmosphere! Amazing collection of cookbooks for sale and a cute little bar. Really informative class that felt personalized and intimate. Can’t wait to visit again! ?
Ashley Jennings
The single most magical cookbook store and secret wine bar in Portland! So glad we have such a sweet local spot!
Desmond Thomas
I come here every Thursday to peruse cookbooks, have a glass of wine and a pastry. Robin, the owner, is so sweet and knowledgeable about all things food! I’ve attended some of her cookbook classes!
Joanne Wong
Everything here is gorgeous, beautiful, and absolutely delicious! Crusty bread, smooth coffee, and attention to detail are just some of the highlights. <3
Julian G.
Stopped by this little shop last weekend after seeing it on Google maps while trying to find somewhere to go to lunch with someone I hadn't seen in years. (Even longer than before the pandemic!) I had no idea what to expect, and was absolutely thrilled with how wonderful this cafe was. After having lunch I went back and read some old reviews just out of curiosity, and wasn't shocked that it was pretty much five stars across the board. I felt so welcome here, it was like having lunch with a friend while they cooked. And the food was delicious. I thought the serving sizes were perfect and all the fresh produce ingredients are from local farmers markets. Having cookbooks to buy along side a super charming lunch counter is a deadly combination if you are trying not to buy cookbooks. They also have cooking classes here on the weekends. I haven't tried that yet, but I'm definitely going to. I highly recommend this shop if you are not the type of person who wants all the dishes to match. I wouldn't say this is a "traditional" restaurant at all. It's more like a cozy corner of a bookstore from a movie that involves magic and has been adapted from a YA fiction novel about kindness and mystery. Think (Rick Riordan, NOT she who shall not be named) One last note, because this is very important to a certain sect of the population, this establishment is extremely LGBTQ friendly, regardless of your presentation, and that was just the icing on the cake. Thank you so much for making me feel so welcome.
Such a beautiful cookbook shop with a great selection of books! They also sell a few pastries, the olive oil cake was amazing!
Lisa Scheps
TOP NOTCH. Vivienne SAVED me during the pandemic-the chia pudding, the bake at home mac the chocolate PB cookies are all AMAZING. I will be back in Sept and will order all the yummy food that I have missed these last few months being away. I even proudly wear my Viviennes tote all over NYC. HIGHLY recommend this place-SUPPORT LOCAL!
Airea Johnson
One of my favorite local businesses. Shortly after I moved to Portland, Vivienne's became a hot spot. I'm from Alabama so I've had many biscuits in my life, and the bakers here have stolen the spot in my heart for best biscuits EVER (sorry Mom).These ladies are also some of the kindest souls. Friends from Idaho visited me in Portland, and the first place I took them was Vivienne's. My friend is lactose intolerant, and they were out of milk substitutions so Robin whipped up some hemp milk in front of us! Super thoughtful.Anytime anyone is craving brunch, this neighborhood kitchen is the first place I suggest!
Debbie Baier
The people and the food at Vivienne’s are some of my favorites. Sweet and kind Robin and Angel are usually there when I visit.I LOVE the turmeric bone broth! It kept me going last winter when it was hard to get food to go. The biscuits- yes! Everything I have ordered at Vivienne’s is high-quality and nummy. Go there and enjoy!
Moe
Awful customer service! I called to see if I should support this business but the woman who was handed the phone after another employee couldn’t grasp my question was EXTREMELY rude! She literally hung up on me when I asked her if she could check to see if they served any sort of milk that didn’t have added cane sugar because I have a sugar allergy! She was very patronizing and snobby when I asked the question a second time to make sure she understood what I was asking. I will never support this place and make sure everyone I know never gives them any business!
I had read an awesome review of this place a year ago and told myself I would visit when I made it up to see my cousin. Not the easiest parking but eventually we found something. At the time of our visit there was no food service therefore this review is of the shop itself. It's cute, has a carefully curated selection of cookbooks and magazines, however prices not marked. I was excited when I saw "whetstone" magazine because I've been meaning to subscribe and this would be a forced reminder, however the cover price was $10 and I was charged $20. I also purchased "Blood of Gods" for my cousin and cover price was $5 and I was charged $10, so bummed to pay $30 instead of $15. Better to let customers know ahead of time instead of when they are paying. I don't live in the area and I'll never return. It was a bummer for sure.
We had a great time here! We came for the cookbooks and she does have a great selection, but we actually walked away with more purchases of other things we hadn't even planned on (don't you love those experiences? The "I found tons of things I WASN'T looking for!" experiences?). We got 2 or 3 books, a leaded glass vintage covered pedestal cake stand for only $40 and a partial set of Fitz & Floyd vintage demitasse that are so colorful and cute, perfect for serving Moka to friends after dinner!This neighborhood has come back to life with midrises featuring eclectic shopping and food. A great place to just walk around!
Incredible selection of cookbooks, and a unique set up where you can sit down, sip some wine and try whatever delicacy is made that day. They also have really cool events dedicated to cook books! Highly recommend checking them out!
Unique and well-curated selection of cookbooks and other kitchen treasures. Darling little shop and small baked goods counter
Very rude condescending interaction with the person working here. I’ve been wanting to come here for a long time and finally made it in with my family. When I asked if they served breakfast I was met with a tone. I informed her Google still said they served breakfast and she snapped back that had I of visited their website I would’ve known. She seemed primed for a spat so I quickly disengaged. My partner found a book he wanted but we’ll just get it from somewhere else. Classic case of “people will always remember how you made them feel.”Don’t @ me Karen, we won’t be returning.
Visited for the first time to attend a cookbook workshop - such a great atmosphere! Amazing collection of cookbooks for sale and a cute little bar. Really informative class that felt personalized and intimate. Can’t wait to visit again! ?
The single most magical cookbook store and secret wine bar in Portland! So glad we have such a sweet local spot!
I come here every Thursday to peruse cookbooks, have a glass of wine and a pastry. Robin, the owner, is so sweet and knowledgeable about all things food! I’ve attended some of her cookbook classes!
Everything here is gorgeous, beautiful, and absolutely delicious! Crusty bread, smooth coffee, and attention to detail are just some of the highlights. <3
Stopped by this little shop last weekend after seeing it on Google maps while trying to find somewhere to go to lunch with someone I hadn't seen in years. (Even longer than before the pandemic!) I had no idea what to expect, and was absolutely thrilled with how wonderful this cafe was. After having lunch I went back and read some old reviews just out of curiosity, and wasn't shocked that it was pretty much five stars across the board. I felt so welcome here, it was like having lunch with a friend while they cooked. And the food was delicious. I thought the serving sizes were perfect and all the fresh produce ingredients are from local farmers markets. Having cookbooks to buy along side a super charming lunch counter is a deadly combination if you are trying not to buy cookbooks. They also have cooking classes here on the weekends. I haven't tried that yet, but I'm definitely going to. I highly recommend this shop if you are not the type of person who wants all the dishes to match. I wouldn't say this is a "traditional" restaurant at all. It's more like a cozy corner of a bookstore from a movie that involves magic and has been adapted from a YA fiction novel about kindness and mystery. Think (Rick Riordan, NOT she who shall not be named) One last note, because this is very important to a certain sect of the population, this establishment is extremely LGBTQ friendly, regardless of your presentation, and that was just the icing on the cake. Thank you so much for making me feel so welcome.
Restaurantji Recommends
Such a beautiful cookbook shop with a great selection of books! They also sell a few pastries, the olive oil cake was amazing!
TOP NOTCH. Vivienne SAVED me during the pandemic-the chia pudding, the bake at home mac the chocolate PB cookies are all AMAZING. I will be back in Sept and will order all the yummy food that I have missed these last few months being away. I even proudly wear my Viviennes tote all over NYC. HIGHLY recommend this place-SUPPORT LOCAL!
One of my favorite local businesses. Shortly after I moved to Portland, Vivienne's became a hot spot. I'm from Alabama so I've had many biscuits in my life, and the bakers here have stolen the spot in my heart for best biscuits EVER (sorry Mom).These ladies are also some of the kindest souls. Friends from Idaho visited me in Portland, and the first place I took them was Vivienne's. My friend is lactose intolerant, and they were out of milk substitutions so Robin whipped up some hemp milk in front of us! Super thoughtful.Anytime anyone is craving brunch, this neighborhood kitchen is the first place I suggest!
The people and the food at Vivienne’s are some of my favorites. Sweet and kind Robin and Angel are usually there when I visit.I LOVE the turmeric bone broth! It kept me going last winter when it was hard to get food to go. The biscuits- yes! Everything I have ordered at Vivienne’s is high-quality and nummy. Go there and enjoy!
Awful customer service! I called to see if I should support this business but the woman who was handed the phone after another employee couldn’t grasp my question was EXTREMELY rude! She literally hung up on me when I asked her if she could check to see if they served any sort of milk that didn’t have added cane sugar because I have a sugar allergy! She was very patronizing and snobby when I asked the question a second time to make sure she understood what I was asking. I will never support this place and make sure everyone I know never gives them any business!