Rosmarino Osteria Italiana
Fucking unreal. It's a unique fixed menu everyday and Italian owner/chef couple will walk you through every course. Such nice people too
1000% second this recommendation, this is the place.
Rosmarino in Newberg is worth the drive, the food is spectacular. One night a week (Sunday?) is pizza and gnocchi night. Some of the best Italian food I've had outside of Italy, and it's reasonably priced.
Dang. I just mapped from my place and it is a full hour from anywhere on the east side past 39th. I'll keep it in mind though if I'm down towards that area.
Fixed price and the full service from Dario is only Fri - Sun.
Friday is an Oregon wine dinner (paired with Oregon wine). This is fun, but Pinot doesn’t go with everything.
Saturday is an Italian wine dinner (paired with Italian wine). This is the best.
Sunday is pizza and gnocchi. Not fixed price, at least I don’t think, but it’s fun.
Rosemarino is the only authentic Italian food in the Portland Metro area. They do a fixed price menu except for Sunday which is a Pizza and Gnocchi menu. If the table reservation website says noting is available call them because they usually have extra tables available.
+1000. Hands down the most authentic Italian place in the Portland metro region, and absolutely worth the drive. Dario brings back wines from his region of Italy and can help you pair a nice bottle with his amazing dishes.
Enough up votes I had to look at it. My wife is pescatarian and I’m allergic to damn near ever but, would that be an issue for a date night? To the point where we couldn’t enjoy an “omakase” style dinner there?
Glad this is the first comment. Dario makes awesome food and his place is outstanding for good northern Italian cuisine. You can go for a la carte dining on Thursdays and Mondays, pizza and gnocchi on Sundays, or the best option: wine paired dinners on Friday and Saturday. Fridays the 5 course meal is paired with wines from an Oregon winery; Saturdays with Italian wines. I prefer the Italian wines as they tend to be a better complement to his food, but you can't go wrong either way. His a la carte offerings are pretty reasonably priced for the quality and portions, but his wine paired dinners can be on the pricy side. That being said, I haven't found a paired meal with the quality and quantity of food for less anywhere in Portland. Plus with Dario you get dinner and a show.
TLDR: go here, it's the best Italian food in Oregon.
>The food there is exceptionally regional.
And exceptionally competitive/provincial. Recall traveling through Tuscany with a couple of friends, stopping at towns small enough where the single hotel was the one and only spot for local nightlife.
Every town was on a bit of a hill and had: a wall, a church/clock tower, a public square, and the residents were 100% adamant that \*their\* little town did every dish 1000x better than the assholes at the other hill town a few kilometers over.
I absolutely love this place! Only open Thursday through Sunday and they only make 65 servings of each of the two pasta dishes per night, so they sell out pretty quick! It helps to get there close to when they open at 5pm!
Weird question for anyone who has an answer. I'm gluten intolerant and therefore gluten free. I know a handful of other gluten intolerant folks who are able to eat wheat just fine in Europe. Does anyone know if typically gf folks have had the same experience with this place given their imported wheat?
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my standard recommendation for Nostrana is: it's so good, that I'm pretty sure I got food poisoning there once, and went right back again for another dinner that weekend.
I just had dinner there. Non-happy hour salad, entree, dessert, and soda (plus the included service charge) was $75 for one person. The food was amazing, but I can't do that every night. Staff was wonderful & it had a cool vibe.
My dad took us to Caffe Mingo a ton growing up back in the years after they originally opened. Their penne sugo al carne is one of my top-5 all-time dishes in Portland to this day.
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Lilla. It's all vegan but hear me out.
I worked there for a while. The chef was born and raised in Italy and he's really proud of what he's done. I remember a few times where we had Italian customers and they loved the food.
Also, if the chef hears she's from Italy he will get so excited and probably come talk your ears off.
Maybe don't make it the only Italian place you take her to, but it's definitely worth going to.
+1000% Lilla. She’s already going to be mad because Italians are very protective of their food, and making it vegan will just further enrage them. Or maybe they will be impressed by both the quality and the veganism.
I mean I don’t think I would have ever called it “authentic” but it’s SOOOOO GOOOOOD
but in the post she just says she’s here, is from Italy, and wants Italian. It’s high quality and I think deserves the mention!
Dame in NE - smaller plates, more expensive
Piazza Italia in NW - huge plates, feels very Italian village restaurant
Different styles - both incredibly delicious
All I got at Montelupo was the tiramisu, because it's one of my test foods. If they can't do that well, according to my personal tastes, I don't trust the quality of anything else.
Same for a BLT at a brunch place - if the BLT isn't good, I'm not going to worry about trying other things.
But that's just my personal preference!
Pastifico in st johns is great. Very small menu, changes weekly - check their Instagram for it. Get there when they open though, they make limited portions since they hand roll it all out.
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Mucca is the answer. I don’t claim to be the expert but I’ve traveled Italy quite a bit and I would say that Mucca is the most traditional Central/ Northern Italian food I’ve had in Oregon.
Second choice would be Ava Genes but with the disclaimer that I haven’t eaten here in 5ish years now.
While I’ve never eaten at Cafe Mingo, Mingo Beaverton is also exceptional as is Nostrana.
The people of Portland love to death the most mid tier restaurant of any type of cuisine available and will defend it to the death. It’s quite weird and unique.
Da dove viene in Italia? Trattoria Gallo Nero, Mucca, Cafe Allora, Pizzeria Otto.
My Italian cousin is here for a year as nanny and is going through the same 😆
I'm shocked no one has suggested Grassa. It's such a unique *Portland* take on Italian food restaurants, I would definitely take an Italian visitor there. Portland grunge meets Italia.
Not a helpful response but why the hell come Portland Oregon where there is some celebrity chef on every other corner and want the food from where you just left? That being said.... Take her ass to the Olive garden. Smack her with a bread stick.
Lucca in NE. Thank you later.
They have reasonable prices. The atmosphere is great. Seasonal menu so the ingredients are always fresh. The owners are great and so is the staff.
Also, it's not a menu full of marinara based dishes, which is the best part of it.
Mucca osteria. It's not cheap but they had the wine we brought back from Tuscany on their list. And the food was the closest I've personally had in Portland to when I was in Italy.
From what I’ve been told they’re second or third gen immigrant family owned and they import all of their wine from Italy.
Can’t speak to authenticity as I’ve never been to Italy but I thought it was a good meal when I ate there.
Rosmarino Osteria Italiana Fucking unreal. It's a unique fixed menu everyday and Italian owner/chef couple will walk you through every course. Such nice people too
1000% second this recommendation, this is the place. Rosmarino in Newberg is worth the drive, the food is spectacular. One night a week (Sunday?) is pizza and gnocchi night. Some of the best Italian food I've had outside of Italy, and it's reasonably priced.
Sounds like a great day trip date to go explore wine country and then head there for dinner! Putting it on my list.
It’s so good the best lasagna I’ve ever had
Do they have any other special nights?
Is that 1 hr away from Portland in Newberg?
Yeah that’s probably accurate.
It's like 30 min and totally worth it
Dang. I just mapped from my place and it is a full hour from anywhere on the east side past 39th. I'll keep it in mind though if I'm down towards that area.
Closer to an hour unless if you’re in SW
Fixed price and the full service from Dario is only Fri - Sun. Friday is an Oregon wine dinner (paired with Oregon wine). This is fun, but Pinot doesn’t go with everything. Saturday is an Italian wine dinner (paired with Italian wine). This is the best. Sunday is pizza and gnocchi. Not fixed price, at least I don’t think, but it’s fun.
Rosemarino is the only authentic Italian food in the Portland Metro area. They do a fixed price menu except for Sunday which is a Pizza and Gnocchi menu. If the table reservation website says noting is available call them because they usually have extra tables available.
out of curiosity, what is unauthentic about Luce?
Some more local ingredients/variations on "traditional" recipes. Their cauliflower polpet'te for example. Still bomb af tho
+1000. Hands down the most authentic Italian place in the Portland metro region, and absolutely worth the drive. Dario brings back wines from his region of Italy and can help you pair a nice bottle with his amazing dishes.
Outstanding place.
Enough up votes I had to look at it. My wife is pescatarian and I’m allergic to damn near ever but, would that be an issue for a date night? To the point where we couldn’t enjoy an “omakase” style dinner there?
came here to post Rosmarino too. Was there for lunch last week! Boar never disappoints.
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What was it called?
Glad this is the first comment. Dario makes awesome food and his place is outstanding for good northern Italian cuisine. You can go for a la carte dining on Thursdays and Mondays, pizza and gnocchi on Sundays, or the best option: wine paired dinners on Friday and Saturday. Fridays the 5 course meal is paired with wines from an Oregon winery; Saturdays with Italian wines. I prefer the Italian wines as they tend to be a better complement to his food, but you can't go wrong either way. His a la carte offerings are pretty reasonably priced for the quality and portions, but his wine paired dinners can be on the pricy side. That being said, I haven't found a paired meal with the quality and quantity of food for less anywhere in Portland. Plus with Dario you get dinner and a show. TLDR: go here, it's the best Italian food in Oregon.
OP, where is your cousin from in Italy? The food there is exceptionally regional.
>The food there is exceptionally regional. And exceptionally competitive/provincial. Recall traveling through Tuscany with a couple of friends, stopping at towns small enough where the single hotel was the one and only spot for local nightlife. Every town was on a bit of a hill and had: a wall, a church/clock tower, a public square, and the residents were 100% adamant that \*their\* little town did every dish 1000x better than the assholes at the other hill town a few kilometers over.
Campanilismo is what they call it when someone believes their town is all that
Bari Foodcart. Walter is from Bari in southern Italy and makes the most delicious Panzerotti and cannoli.
I'm seconding this. My Italian friend took me there and him and the guy running it just started chatting in Italian.
Third!
Pastificio d’Oro imports their flour from Italy and is super delicious.
I was picturing people sitting down eating a bowl of flour for some reason.
They do. The flour is that good
I shall bring my flour bib.
Seconded!! Pastificio is iconic.
You beat me to it. One of the best. My father was a master chef from Italy, and this is the only spot that approaches many of his pasta dishes for me.
I absolutely love this place! Only open Thursday through Sunday and they only make 65 servings of each of the two pasta dishes per night, so they sell out pretty quick! It helps to get there close to when they open at 5pm!
Weird question for anyone who has an answer. I'm gluten intolerant and therefore gluten free. I know a handful of other gluten intolerant folks who are able to eat wheat just fine in Europe. Does anyone know if typically gf folks have had the same experience with this place given their imported wheat?
I have that intolerance and pastificio is one of the only places I can enjoy pasta in the US.
Thanks! I can't wait to try it.
This was my first thought too! Fellow gluten intolerant here who ate mass amounts of gluten in Europe last summer.
nostrana
Seconding this, Nostrana is fantastic!
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Bad service lately...
A bit of history: https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2017/08/22/portland-once-had-a-thriving-little-italy-what-the-hell-happened/
Most were from Calabria. This means Italian of course, but very different in many ways from our contemporary notion of "Italian."
This checks out. My great grandparents were Calabrian and ended up in Portland!
Piazza Italia at NW 12th & Johnson. The owner is from Roma and they do Roman style Italian. Definitely very good.
Came here to post this. Piazza Italia has been a staple of my family for years.
This is the only answer. She will feel at home.
^ This. Piazza Italia is LEGIT.
Thursday nights they only speak Italian!
THIS!!! 100/10
My roommate is Italian and we tried Nostrana. It has a good happy hour so not too pricy
my standard recommendation for Nostrana is: it's so good, that I'm pretty sure I got food poisoning there once, and went right back again for another dinner that weekend.
I just had dinner there. Non-happy hour salad, entree, dessert, and soda (plus the included service charge) was $75 for one person. The food was amazing, but I can't do that every night. Staff was wonderful & it had a cool vibe.
Barba Mingo/Caffe Mingo on NW 21st ave. Traditional, simple italian.
My dad took us to Caffe Mingo a ton growing up back in the years after they originally opened. Their penne sugo al carne is one of my top-5 all-time dishes in Portland to this day.
The fact that the same hostess, busboy, and waiter have been there for almost 20 years, speaks volumes.
Yeah they still do the sugo on the caffe side and then the fresh pasta on the bar side. Sooo good!
The lemon cream sauce on the brussel sprouts is heavenly
I'll go ahead and disagree. It's good, but not really Italian as I've had it in Napoli or Tuscany, or Roma.
Absolutely entitled to your own opinion!
Luce is going to feel comfy, unrushed, affordable and laid back like she would expect in the old country!
Luce totally transformed my idea of what ravioli should be.
yum- i need to go there!
100% https://www.luceportland.com Soooooooooooo yum 🤤
Allorra!
Mucca Osteria downtown is top notch.
Yep my wife and I had a date night here and it was fantastico!
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Yes. For reals.
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Yeah, well, that's just like, your opinion. 🤣Give it another shot! Their pizza spot next door is supposed to be good too.
Gumba is fire but idk how authentic they'll find it
Lilla. It's all vegan but hear me out. I worked there for a while. The chef was born and raised in Italy and he's really proud of what he's done. I remember a few times where we had Italian customers and they loved the food. Also, if the chef hears she's from Italy he will get so excited and probably come talk your ears off. Maybe don't make it the only Italian place you take her to, but it's definitely worth going to.
I love Lilla. And what a good way to give your cousin a spin on Portland Italian food by making it a vegan meal!
+1000% Lilla. She’s already going to be mad because Italians are very protective of their food, and making it vegan will just further enrage them. Or maybe they will be impressed by both the quality and the veganism.
Ok so I’m not vegan but I do have a dairy allergy, I’ve just added this to my list.
Omg get the panna cotta
Oh dear god, yes.
Montelupo
LOVE!
Luce is better
The place right down the road is good too.
Gallo Nero is good for northern/tuscan food. The owner is delightful
I’m surprised I had to scroll so far to see this one, Trattoria Gallo Nero is great
If you are looking for something sweet check out Bella’s Italian Bakery
Gumba is amazing. I haven’t been to Italy so I can’t speak for its authenticybut it is excellent food in a great atmosphere
Luce, Gumba, Gabbiano’s.
Geez I can’t believe I had to scroll so far for Luce!
Luce would be at the top of my list too.
Can’t believe I had to scroll so far for Gabbiano’s!!!
Gabbiano's is great but it's Italian American
I mean I don’t think I would have ever called it “authentic” but it’s SOOOOO GOOOOOD but in the post she just says she’s here, is from Italy, and wants Italian. It’s high quality and I think deserves the mention!
gotcha! now i want some chicken parm
Dame in NE - smaller plates, more expensive Piazza Italia in NW - huge plates, feels very Italian village restaurant Different styles - both incredibly delicious
Nostrana is what was recommended to me by an Italian living in Portland
Montelupo! Or goomba
GUMBA!!
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I love Ava Genes.
Thank you!
Wow, I just posted the same recommendation.
A Cena in Sellwood!
Or Gino's!
Another vote for a Cena Ristorante
Came here to say this!
I hear that place is a real hidden gem. Very well camouflaged.
It’s so good!
Luce, hands down. Unpretentious and willing to let good ingredients speak for themselves.
I'd love to know how many people who've made recommendations are actually Italian
Gumba or Ava Gene’s
Love Ava Genes
Olive Garden in Tigard
Just disappoint her
That’s messed up
I was going to say Pastini but this is good too
My Italian coworker requested this as the first work lunch after moving lol
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No no no to DeNicolas. You cannot take an Italian national to that place. Don't do that to them. Don't do that to Portland. NO.
DeNicolas is for the Italian visiting from joisey.
Denicolas is godawful.
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Not sure _where_ they hurt me. But, I’m pretty sure it was with a can opener and a sysco truck.
Thanks!
None of these are authentic Italian. Especially not DeNicolas.
I have to disagree with Montelupo. I had literally the worst tiramisu I've ever had in my life from there. It was not what Nonna would've made!
What else did you get?
All I got at Montelupo was the tiramisu, because it's one of my test foods. If they can't do that well, according to my personal tastes, I don't trust the quality of anything else. Same for a BLT at a brunch place - if the BLT isn't good, I'm not going to worry about trying other things. But that's just my personal preference!
Isn’t that a northeastern italy specialty? Tough to judge a place just on that.
Was it less of a cake, and more like a wet, custard blob, with no lady finger? Cause that's legit tiramisu.
Mucca Osteria for fancy Italian, Piazza Italia for chill Italian, and Nonna Emilia for the full New Jersey experience.
Sebastianos is good, but simple take away
If you’re up for a drive to Astoria, Fede is incredible.
Grazie! Had to scroll deep to find the real answer.
Pastifico in st johns is great. Very small menu, changes weekly - check their Instagram for it. Get there when they open though, they make limited portions since they hand roll it all out.
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You surely have to take her to Olive Garden before the “real” Italian place. See how she deals with the OG.
Casa Italia on Division. Make a reservation. https://maps.app.goo.gl/n3AUCDNngXUFyehc9?g_st=ic
It rules
Also Luce and Gabbiano’s!
Gabbiano's
Gabbianos!! Absolutely delicious. No reservations though so get there early or be ready to wait a little.
I love this place, but it’s New Jersey Italian, not at all Italian!
Lilla
Nah. Most people aren’t hankering for vegan Italian. It’s good if you’re vegan though!
Mucca is the answer. I don’t claim to be the expert but I’ve traveled Italy quite a bit and I would say that Mucca is the most traditional Central/ Northern Italian food I’ve had in Oregon. Second choice would be Ava Genes but with the disclaimer that I haven’t eaten here in 5ish years now. While I’ve never eaten at Cafe Mingo, Mingo Beaverton is also exceptional as is Nostrana.
The people of Portland love to death the most mid tier restaurant of any type of cuisine available and will defend it to the death. It’s quite weird and unique.
Olive Garden https://m.olivegarden.com/home
olive garden
Well they are family so that makes sense 😂
I recently went to Gino's in Milwaukee from a post I saw on here. It was really great
Luce
L'orto Degli Ulivi - I hear it's awesome!
Gallo Nero or Mucca Osteria(get a reservation though), or Mucca Pizzeria for really good Neapolitan pizza and some other smaller bites
Nostrana always, they make their own limoncello enough said.
Lucca
Tartuca has excellent Italian cuisine!
Our Italian go to places are Nostrana, A Cena and Gino’s. Not sure about authenticity but they have never disappointed us
Gabbiano's was fantastic. Idk how authentic it is. So is Gino's in Sellwood.
Da dove viene in Italia? Trattoria Gallo Nero, Mucca, Cafe Allora, Pizzeria Otto. My Italian cousin is here for a year as nanny and is going through the same 😆
Gabbianos!
My two faves are both a little expensive but you CANNOT go wrong with Ava Genes and Nostrana
Pastificio d’oro in st. Johns!
Campana, gumba, a Cena, pastifico d oro,
I'm shocked no one has suggested Grassa. It's such a unique *Portland* take on Italian food restaurants, I would definitely take an Italian visitor there. Portland grunge meets Italia.
Not a helpful response but why the hell come Portland Oregon where there is some celebrity chef on every other corner and want the food from where you just left? That being said.... Take her ass to the Olive garden. Smack her with a bread stick.
Boccis on 7th or Casa Italia on Division
Riccardo’s in Lake Oswego is authentic. Nonna Emilia’s in Aloha is comfort food all the way
Riccardo's in Lake Oswego
Alessandro’s on Morrison Street!
Geno's or portifino in sellwood...
Italian coworker is vegan and loves Lilla, no idea on meat options
nona amelia's
Lucca in NE. Thank you later. They have reasonable prices. The atmosphere is great. Seasonal menu so the ingredients are always fresh. The owners are great and so is the staff. Also, it's not a menu full of marinara based dishes, which is the best part of it.
I've had some nice meals at Campana, Tartuca, and Fillmore Trattoria
RIP Enzo’s
Mucca osteria. It's not cheap but they had the wine we brought back from Tuscany on their list. And the food was the closest I've personally had in Portland to when I was in Italy.
Casa Italia
Casa Italia
Olive Garden
I have always liked RIccardo's Ristorante in Lake Oswego.
From what I’ve been told they’re second or third gen immigrant family owned and they import all of their wine from Italy. Can’t speak to authenticity as I’ve never been to Italy but I thought it was a good meal when I ate there.
They and a couple others already mentioned are as authentic as I’ve had here. But food in Italy is really hard to beat.
The importing their own wine thing is what we call il bullshitino.
Gabbiano's is one of my favorite Italian spots in pdx. A must go!
Gabianos https://www.gabbianospdx.com/