This lovely little spot is in our temperature new hood. We had an amazing impromptu Monday night dinner of the fantastic Caesar(huge, and we ate the entire thing even though my husband is not a salad eater). He had the Carbonara, which he said rivals our fav, Trattoria Siciliana in Berkeley. I had the special, a flank steak stuffed with spinach and canellini beans on a bed of mashed potatoes. Amazing, tender, when flank steals are never tender and wonderful flavors. Great service, very personal. A delightful experience.
Melissa K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Reno, NV
We wandered in here without reservations on NYE for dinner and it was FABULOUS! The food was delicious and very authentic Italian. They have a nice selection of wine and drinks. The staff was nice and attentive. I had the carpaccio and cioppino and both were fabulous my friend had the small antipasto plate and the veal saltimboca and they were both delish! The cannoli was the only thing I would pass on. The filling texture was off and not the way you’d expect, like it was made with American cream cheese and not good mascarpone and the flavor was bland, but other than that everything was spot on and very good! If you like Italian food this is a must dine in Portland!
Bill O.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Portland, OR
Great food, but I almost froze to death. If you go in winter, put on your thermal underwear, a sweater and a jacket. The secret is to layer. I’m serious.
Joanne M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Nanuet, NY
Intimate place. Food is home cooking. Portions are perfect. Not too much. Just right. Had the special of short rib over spaghetti. Light and flavorful. We also had the pasta with zucchini. Amazing. Great food. Inexpensive, cute dining experience. I’m not local but if I were, thus would be one of my go to place.
Mark S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Portland, OR
Amazing food and spirits! Beat Salad is amazing and the specials are to die for!!! We came upon this place and it was an amazing find! My new favorite Italian restraint! Keep it a secret!
Raquel L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Jose, CA
Authentic Italian dining in downtown Portland. Cute little place, food AMAZING. The Spaghetti Carbonara and the Tuna Carpaccio are favorites. This place makes me happy. :)
Mz. Leta N.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Portland, OR
I’ve passed by this café while zooming by in my smart car. I kept saying I’ve got to stop here. So Aug 21st the day after my birthday was the day. Not knowing what to expect, «Italian restaurant». I waited patiently with my daughter for the bread and olives to arrive. OMG they got the first part right. I immediately started to school my daughter in the art of chewy bread and fruity olive oil. The olives were fresh and creamy/savory. I tried their cobb salad and was happy to find fresh greens in a variety. Seasoned perfectly without bottled dressing. This is the place I go to in my re occurring dreams. Where they know what an Italian trattoria serves it’s guest. My new local obsession. Dave is a great host. See you next week. Buona Sera. Ciao
Roger M.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Portland, OR
Ciao! Quaint, convivial eve dining at this Italian café with a bar and upstairs loft. A fan spins a soft comfy breeze over our table. There are a handful tables along the sidewalk under trees with a string of mood lights with that 9th Ave Pearly summer breeze! There were 6 seasonal items including crab and salmon on tonite’s menu. I went for the red bell pepper stuffed with meat and Ricotta. My wife went spaghetti carbonara with Reggiano Parmesan and pancetta. Very delicious! We started with an antipasto of Italian meats, cheese, olives, beans and spicy peppers. Meet up, eat up! Chow!
Jerome D.
Rating des Ortes: 2 San Diego, CA
Three of us went there for the dinner during the week. Usually, Unilocal reviews are pretty accurate, but we left unsatisfied with our dinner and did not feel that it deserved a 4 out 5. The place looks charming from the outside. I like a cozy romantic atmosphere but there is simply not enough light and you can barely see you food in there. The service was fine but slow. Our table and the two next to us waited for a long time before seeing our food. Finally, and most importantly, the food was basic and had absolutely nothing to rave about. We all felt that we could actually make something similar or better at home. Also, the penne did not taste homemade and the amount of food/meat were small. Next time, we will go to some other places in Portland in the same price range which simply have better food.
Picolina L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Orange County, CA
Craving Italian food — penne a la vodka to be specific. Unilocal recommended this place. The penne wasn’t on the menu, but they were accommodating. Wasn’t the best penne, but it was good. The Caprese salad was delicious, best olive oil! The owner was very nice… definitely would return and do recommend this place.
Kate D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Portland, OR
I found this place the first time I visited Portland, and now I go at least once every time I’m in town. Everything I have ordered from here is perfect. One of my favorite Italian restaurants anywhere. Very small restaurant with good service. I recommend the meatballs. The portions are what I call reasonable, not oversized like a lot of restaurants. You probably won’t get leftovers eating here.
Kathy B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Yorba Linda, CA
Excellent food and service from Erica! I had penne putenesca and my husband had spaghetti di mare! Both were amazing. We even cleaned our plates with bread!
Seppi R.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Portland, OR
This place has the perfect atmosphere to wash away the work day… And lots of great wine & cocktails!
Jess W.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Portland, OR
Big fan. Best service, best pasta, best Italian joint in PDX. The Carbonara is all time. Wine selection is great. All at a reasonable price.
John H.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Portland, OR
The Carbonerra is just amazing. Penne al pomodoro e prosciutto rocked out worlds. The tiramisu was a fantastic desert. We will be back!
Carleigh H.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Louisville, KY
The food was very yummy! I ordered pasta carbonara and it was very good. This isn’t the absolute best Italian I’ve ever had, but it is pretty close. Great local spot in the Pearl District!
Chinmay G.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Hillsboro, OR
They have some of the best raviolis in the town. I also had the penne pasta here and it was really good. The drinks are good as well. The only reason I gave it a 4 star is because the service is a tad slow. If you are a fan of Italian food, this is a must try place
Ed F.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
Super close to our hotel — called in an order to take out. Had a nice salad and pasta dish. Friendly service and cozy inside.
Jessica M.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Los Angeles, CA
decent food, way small portions, slightly overpriced. got the crab salad and my friends got the gnocchi. our meals were pretty good, but way too small. we were still so hungry after our dinner that we had to order pizza on the way home. what a waste! ALSO… BEWARE! the«free» garlic bread that arrives at the beginning is not free… they don’t tell you it costs extra when they bring it to your table. then they hope you don’t notice that they charge it to your check in the end. SNEAKY!
Steven N.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Auburn, WA
So, I have had two bad Unilocal service reviews in two days… really I am not a curmudgeon… We arrived at the restaurant around 8:20 to our waiting table. We got menus, ordered drinks and the caprese. Then we ordered and waited… and waited… and waited. No checkins from the lone waitress, no offers of bread, not even a status update. Finally after a good 45 minute wait for four moderate portions of speghetti our meals showed up. While good, they were not worth the money. I have had better meals for half the price… guess we were paying for the location and ambiance. Overall, the food was good, but over priced, and the service really bad… what is it about an Oregon vacation and bad service…