Need a nice Italian restaurant in Portland...

Sonny showed us this place last year and have nothing but good things to say about it:

http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/11403805

 

Piatsa Italia!

 

No Question!!! Best Italian Resturant around!!!

Piazza Italia...

 

sorry about me spelling

 

A good choice, to be sure. Others (depending on you location) are Bugatti's

http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/8436709/west_linn_or/bugatti_s_ristorante.html

Ricardos (in Lake Oswego) and Fratellis (downtown)

http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/8463271/portland_or/fratelli.html

For New Jersey (sorry) style Italian food (which might be what you are looking for, given your description) one of the best is Mama Mia's (downtown)

http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/41454726/portland_or/mama_mia_trattoria.html

I have eaten at all of the above, and given my mood might chose any of them over another.

 

I've been dying to try Ricardos. Bugatti's on the other hand is something I wouldn't recommend to a horse without taste buds. Seemed to much like Olive Garden and slow service.

 

Ah heck, my horses would probably like it just fine. As long as they had a decent Chianti to warsh er down with.

 

Pazzo's downtown on broadway and washington is one of my favorite italian places in Portland. Food is always amazing as is the service.

 

Basta's over in NW Portland is pretty nice....quaint little place with pretty good food...and of course their Tiramisu is awesome.

Kevin

 

Cafe Allegro in Tigard isn't bad.
Better than Bugatti's which I couldn't recommend either.

 

Not only that, they have a parking lot!

 

How could I forgot MINGO! Excellent place in Beaverton.

Speaking of decent Chianti, I wish I was back in Italy where I could legally enjoy a glass. I swear I've eaten at Cafe Allegro but can't recall where it is in Tigard.

 

We've always enjoyed the Old Spaghetti Factory in SW. Their menu is online.

http://www.osf.com/

 

You beat me to it! Mingo is excellent. For the complete experience, I would go to the NW 21st location, but get there early as they don't take reservations and it gets crowded.

 

Cafe Mingo, Piatza Italia and Frateli's are my personal favorites.

Bhastas has great food as someone else mentioned.

Pazo isn't bad, but I would go to Fratelli's in a heartbeat over it. I just like the atmosphere, nice and intimate, very simple.

 

Someone here will likely know, what is the name of the little place thats around the corner from Touche'? Right next to that little parking lot about halfway up the block to the north from the corner of Glisan?

Come to think of it, Touche' wouldn't be a bad place to go, and the flaming ice cream desert is to die for.

 

A couple years ago I was working for Qsent and I'd walk over to the restaurant for their good Italian sandwiches. The hostess/sandwich gal was getting chewed out by someone in management. I felt as if I stepped into a Godfather-meets-The-Sopranos scene and almost expected someone to get dropped mafia style. When her ass chewing was done she just walked over to me, rolled her eyes, and asked me what I wanted. She smiled at me and said not to worry, the Italians have a very large bark and their bite really isn't that bad (indicating the management)

Judging by the Italian pride framed along the walls, if one drove up in an Italian car -- a Ferrari no less -- and parked in front of the restaurant, they would likely receive better service

Good food and real Italian culture.

 

Scotty,

We have to get you out more often!!! Bugatti's is about a half step above the Italian Denny's (aka Olive Garden). Sorry couldn't resist..

 

Also,

I forgot one!!! Nostrana over in SE. This is where I will be trying to put the next club dinner together at in the next three weeks or so after I talk with the owner about parking... I'll keep you guys posted.

Sonny.....

 

Cool!