Thistle

“What a perfect meal! The scallops were cooked medium warm to a tender perfection with the ceviche adding a little acidity. I once had a wonderful scallop with vanilla emulsion, coffee essence, and Bacon at Gordon Ramsay's Petrus - and Thistle's scallop albeit a different flavor profile wins the battle of the perfect scallop dish! The tender confit rabbit was also perfectly cooked with a light hollandaise sauce and pickled leek to balance the pomme puree. The chocolate stout cake was a good balance to the more heavy frosting. Coming back tomorrow as should you!”

“Absolutely incredible dining experience at Thistle. As a solo female traveler, I couldn’t have felt more welcomed. From the moment I sat down, it felt less like dining at a restaurant and more like being invited into someone’s home for dinner. Patrick was such a warm, thoughtful server, and even the chef came out to chat and engage with guests throughout the evening. By the end of dinner, I was talking and laughing with the tables next to me like we’d all known each other for years. Everything was phenomenal. The local Oregon oysters were some of the best I’ve ever had! I don’t think I’d ever tried Oregon oysters before, and now I’m ruined. The rockfish was incredible, perfectly fresh and beautifully prepared, and the chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting was the perfect ending. Patrick paired wines with both the rockfish and dessert, and every recommendation was spot on. I also loved the constantly changing chalkboard menu focused on seasonal, local ingredients. You can genuinely feel the care and passion behind every detail here. If I lived in McMinnville, I’d honestly be here once a week. One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a very long time. Five stars without hesitation.”

“What a culinary experience! The owner is the server, expeditor, seater, busser, just a Mr Do Everything! The chef is super talented and came out and said Hi to all the tables. Highly recommend and can’t wait to visit again in the future!”

“Hard 5/5 for me. The most memorable dinner experience I’ve had in a long while. Everything was beyond perfect. Our server (fellow with glasses and tatts and lives with cats) was phenomenal and used his discretion (per our request) to choose our wine and main course. The service was not just perfect in a “my water glass was always full way” - but just felt very sincere. These folks know what they’re doing but would never talk down to anyone. The power went out for about 10 seconds, which I felt was the perfect opportunity to tell my bf I love him for the first time. I will always remember my (first) time dining at thistle. ❤️❤️”

“I came to Thistle with high expectations, given its reputation, but left wondering how it continues to earn such glowing praise. We began with the Bread and Fat—lardo and Raspberry Butter—which was creative. The Ribeye and Gnocchi followed. On taste alone, the kitchen shows skill, but the execution and overall experience fell short. The Ribeye was advertised as 15oz, yet what arrived looked closer to 10oz, with nearly a third of it inedible fat and gristle. The Gnocchi was pleasant enough, but hardly memorable. The dining environment, however, was the real disappointment. The room was very dark and poorly lit, making it difficult to even see the food clearly. The space itself felt cramped and exceedingly loud, with tables packed tightly together. Our server carried a noticeable odor, which was hard to ignore in such close quarters. The bathroom situation was equally uncomfortable: a thin, hollow door with a tiny latch separating diners from the restroom, just steps away from one of the main seating areas. It all felt more like a neglected afterthought than a deliberate design choice. For the price point and the acclaim, I expected a more cohesive and comfortable experience. Instead, the atmosphere was uncomfortable and distracting, the portions questionable, and the setting neglected. While the flavors had promise, the overall evening was awkward, hyped and underwhelming. We won’t be returning.”