Piccolo
111 Middle St, Portland, ME, 04101
Piccolo Menu
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Address :
111 Middle St
Portland, ME, 04101 - Phone (207) 747-5307
- Website https://piccolomaine.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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T K.
One of Portland's most personable restaurants. It's intimate and lively with seemingly few rules. The staff and owner chefs clearly love food and wine. It's very orchestrated. It's not traditional italian but it has the personable elements of the best local places in Italy. Everyone in the room is happy. Tiny dishes like a watermelon intermezzo wow you. The wine is well thought out. It just seems to work. Currently, the "Del Mar" is my favorite seafood dish in Portland. Subtle, fresh and unique, it's hard to describe. The calamari is a great starter too. It's not an inexpensive place but the elements are genuine. Piccolo seems more interested in making people happy than angling for Michelin stars.
(5)Anne B.
Full disclosure: This would be a four and a half-star review, but I can't penalize them for my having to go all the way to Portland-friggin'-MAINE to dine here. If this restaurant were only in Brooklyn, I'd be as permanent a fixture as I hope this wonderful team (servers included) remains for diners in the lucky town where they've chosen to open their doors. This is everything I look for in a restaurant - beautiful and fresh food made with love, a GREAT wine list and easy decor, in a room they could have crammed with more tables but haven't, which allowed five of us to relax and not feel packed like the poor. We started with the Formaggio, which was served with a fig mostarda that EXPLODED in concert with the chesses - truly spectacular. While waiting for our main courses, we nibbled on one of their special vegetable offerings - peak-of-season snap peas. Wanting to get a full range of the menu (and knowing my friends wouldn't mind my sampling their entrees), I opted for two appetizers as my main course. I ended up with a beautiful roasted eggplant stew with smoked ricotta and tomato - a sort of unbreaded parmigiana that just sat back and let the freshness speak for itself - and the second of their special vegetable offerings of the day... a personal favorite of fiddleheads that were prepared to perfection, with just a tiny hit of chili, and tender as I've ever tasted. The Del Mer entree of black cod was exquisite, as was the pork lasagna - and I give special props to both the kitchen and staff for coming out to inform us of a change in the side accompaniments to the fish. It's a big thing when a dish changes, and it could be for many reasons; I always admire a kitchen so committed to putting their best dish out that they pull an item from a plate. They wanted to let us know, however, and give us an opportunity to make our own decision about ours and their choices; of course my friends stuck with the kitchen and were as impressed as I was. The red wine we chose complimented everyone's dinners, just as the moscato complimented our desserts - we universally went with the budino (a pot du creme with awesome hazelnut forward taste and "Beer rocks" which were a refreshing surprise -crunchy and adding just the right kick to the dish). This place is an absolute GEM. Again, I only wish I didn't have to go to JFK to eat there. It was a real experience both of the peak of Spring cuisine and the best that Maine has to offer in fine dining. My compliments to all. See you SOON as I get back.
(5)Mairead O.
I feel like a spoiled toddler when I leave Piccolo; as if I just got my way on everything. I am a vegetarian but typically there isn't a vegetarian entree option on the menu. The first time or two, our server Kelly - who gets five stars of her own for being such a professional and a pleasure - rattled off a few ingredients and I indicated my likes or dislikes. Kelly or Ilma (co-owner) would ferry my preferences to Damian in the kitchen. After a while they stopped asking and I started trusting. Every dish was inconceivably better than the previous. Last night's meal literally brought a tear to my eye. One word that sums up everything about Piccolo - the decor, the service, the owners, the food, the wine - delightful.
(5)Alex H.
Really liked Piccollo. Small, friendly, and great food. We loved the chickpea fritters. Light as a cloud. We all liked our entrees, vegetables were so fresh. Good wine recommendations. Will return!
(4)Hungry B.
Where to begin with our Brunch? *Restaurant opened 5+ minutes late, even though they had called to confirm we'd be there for the 10:30 open. *It was another 10 minutes before the menus came out because they weren't printed. *Tack on another 25 before the simple cheese plate and zeppole came out. The cheese plate had a total of six slices of cheese (two Pecorino and 4 Caciocavalli), two flats of house made foccia and a dab of fig mostarda ($9) The bread was grilled, but had a acridity to it that masked the flavors of the cheese. The zeppole was good, mini-fried dough balls with a side of a sweet dipping sauce and, had we to do it again, we would have nixed the Formaggio and gone for a double order of the zeppole. Our entrees would ok--a pork shoulder hash that was a little too greasy and overdone with the herbs mixed in. My wife had polenta, poached eggs, sausage and more of the grilled foccacia. She gave a shrug of the shoulders when I asked her about it and just pointed out layer of oil that laid between the polenta and the eggs. Overall, the brunch did not do anything to entice us back for an evening visit. I believe we'll stick to his sandwiches at Blue Rooster.
(2)MIchael L.
An amazing meal! My wife had the pork shank which was fall off the bone tender. The cavatappi with lamb neck ragu was incredible. They make their own pasta and all their food is farm fresh. Menu changes every week depending on what's available at the farm and Sundays they have a special event which we look forward to! Excellent service!
(5)Lisa Y.
After a delicious weeknight meal at the counter, I decided Piccolo would be a fantastic intimate setting for a graduation dinner and birthday celebration. We had the restaurant to ourselves (11 of us plus a 7-month old) and had antipasti at the counter while sparkling wine was poured. The staff was very accommodating with the infant and overall service was excellent. We say for family style appetizers; melanzine, calamari and pancetta. The calamari was my favorite, a perfect light summer dish with refreshing citrus to compliment the tender squid. We had our choice of entree; Cavatelli (a house made pasta lamb ragu staple we had the first time we came which is excellent), Del Mar (I had this baked black cod cooked to perfection, literally melted off the fork), Maiale (braised pork coppa that was very flavorful), and Bistecca (roasted hanger steak). The apex of the meal was the Crostata, house made lemon tart that was to die for. I would never order a tart as my dessert of choice but it was for my aunts birthday and she loves fruit tarts. However, after this experience I will always order a tart at Piccolo! A must try restaurant in Portland. Great for a date night or special occasion for a more intimate yet casual setting with great attention to detail!
(5)Mie T.
Beautiful, intimate jewel box of a restaurant with a restrained menu, wonderful service and a cheese course to die for. It's on the pricey side and portions are small but the experience more than satisfies. Sunday brunch is an equally charming affair. Try the mascarpone polenta with an egg, fennel raisin bread and a couple crisp slices of bacon. Highly recommended.
(5)Jackie G.
Everything about this restaurant was amazing- food ( crazy good & inventive Italian) , decor, ambiance , wine list, service. Cannot wait to go back to Portland just to eat at Piccolo again!
(5)Jim P.
Don't pass up the opportunity to try Piccolo. I'm Italian, and I love to cook, so it takes a lot for an italian restaurant to impress me; and I was impressed, as was my wife. From appetizer right through dessert, you could taste the time and the care that went into each preparation. While prices might seem high for many pasta-based dishes, the extra cost is worth it. The dining room is small, but did not feel crowded, and the small number of diners kept the noise to a very comfortable level. The servers were attentive, without doting, and they were very knowledgable about the items on the menu. The best reference I can offer is that my wife and I left the restaurant already talking about our next visit to Piccolo.
(5)Peter W.
excellent from soup to nuts......great advise with the wines which we were not known to us......wonderful plates, well conceived and executed......best meal and service in Portland. Do not miss this one!
(5)Ron G.
Have been lucky enough to have dined at this restaurant for dinner, brunch and their incredible Sunday Supper. Every visit has been beyond Fantastic. The food preparations are amazing and the people who serve it to you are its equal. I have to say that the Sunday Supper they offer is one of the best meals I have ever had the pleasure to consume, and the price is ridiculous for the amount of food you are served. At the end of our meal we told them they should charge more for it, and we weren't kidding, it was that good. To top it off, Chefs Damian and Ilma personally serve and describe several of the dishes they have created, just for you, that evening. Great wine pairings and superb service from Kelli made it a true experience. If you are lucky enough to snag one of the six seats for this weekly offering, don't hesitate, jump at the chance. Portland continues to amaze, so many great restaurants in a small city and Piccolo is absolutely one of the elite, you have to check it out.
(5)Owen D.
The restaurant is small inside (6 tables and a few "bar seats?) We were promptly seated and the service was excellent. Great tip on the wine and when I thought I was going to order the Del Mar but wasn't a huge sole person I asked about the squid. She assured me it was very good and I would not be disappointed...so did the person at the next table! We both had it and it was fantastic. The baby octopus appetizer was a little disappointing but the eggplant appetizer made up for it. A great meal and fun, intimate setting. I highly recommend Piccolo. A little different spin on Italian and artfully created and presented.
(4)Lauren S.
My pescatarian husband and I had our second fantastic meal at Piccolo last night and again...it was perfect! Everything from the incredible service, to the wine, intimate setting and amazing food was perfect. This is our new go-to dinner out in downtown Portland, ME.
(5)Lisa S.
This restaurant is amazing! We spend a night in Portland every year and our friends who live in Maine always pick great restaurants for us. This year they wanted to try Piccolo and we gladly went along. Every piece of food we put in our mouths was delicious! The wine was fantastic and we even ordered one we weren't so happy with and the waitress brought out a different one for us. The place is small and intimate but warm and cozy as well. I would absolutely recommend this to everyone who is lucky enough to get a reservation.
(5)Amy G.
A wonderful little jewel of a restaurant- gracious service, freshest of ingredients, great flavor combinations- insanely creative! Loved all of our dishes- best one was the crostini with trumpet mushrooms and farm egg- outstanding! If you love Italy go!
(4)George M.
I was between a three and four star rating here and wanted to give them a higher star due to them being so new. I just returned from a trip to Philly where I had a wonderful meal at Vernick, one of the best in town and one of the more expensive. Well, I was anxious to try Piccolo since we only have a few outstanding Italian places like Paciarino. I was ultimately underwhelmed. In Philly I had an outstanding huge branzino for the same price as here. This one was a tiny filet, albeit tasty. The other dish we had was rabbit with stuffed sausage and was not at all the robust winter meal I was looking for, quite non-descript and again smallish with little stuffing. Half of the cooked eggplant app was raw but the local ricotta was very nice. The side of broccoli rabe was fanstastic! Service was very good. The wine list very tiny and overpriced for what it was. Overall, a very cozy place but the bar does not allow any visual of the kitchen or prep areas. I would return after some more consideration.
(4)Betts F.
Truthfully, I was disappointed. I think the space is tired and no real atmosphere. Lighting needs to be re-thought. A couple of dishes were great...smoked bluefish (appetizer) and the squid (entree). Work to be done! Confident they can figure it out but won't be back until they do! Too many other GREAT Portland, ME restaurants!
(3)Andrea T.
Our first time here & it was really a 2.5. Our server was friendly in a good way. She had to check the wine descriptions to suggest one, but that was o.k. Started with the cheese board & for $10 it was quite, well, piccolo. Not a good way to start. The breads, however, were amazing especially the ones that came with the cheese. Shared the calamari with fennel, good. The pork with pasta was excellent with full flavor. Sadly, the fish of the day was blah. The fresh peas with Israeli couscous were tasty but the large portion of fish missed the mark. When asked, I told our server that mine was good while the pasta was great. A few minutes later the chef, Ilma Jeil Lopez, visited our table. She sincerely wanted to know what we liked & how the fish could have been improved. That attention to getting it right manifests a good philosophy & earnest desire to improve. Would I return? Maybe. There are so many other choices in Portland. With dessert & just one glass of wine our bill for 2 was shy of $100 without tip.
(3)William S.
A more earnest and likable restaurant than its predecessor, Bresca. The food is somewhat creative and generally thoughtful, and our server was excellent. The ingredients seemed in general fresh and dishes were pretty healthy. But somehow our evening missed the mark a bit. Portion size is erratic, with some dishes generous and some on the small side. The descriptions on occasion left us expecting something different than we got. For instance, a dish of rillettes seemed more like mortadella. A rabbit entree was carefully prepared but a bit short on creativity, and it was accompanied by five tiny side bites -- two or three each of fingerling potatoes and turnips. It left me hungry, and I am not that big an eater. The dessert list is decidedly not heart-healthy, but kudos to the Piccolo team for working out an alternative for me, a lambrusco sorbetto which was not bad though might have been a little closer to sweet. The wine list is interesting, with a mark-up a little higher than one usually finds. Our $51 bottle costs $20 in a retail store. Our server was very knowledgeable and helpful in pairing wines with our meals. The biggest drawback is that this is a very small (sixteen seats at tables and six at the bar) restaurant, and the night we were there we were in stuck with a noisy party of eight. I have no idea how a restaurant can solve this, since obviously it needs the business, but it is not a pleasant dining experience when there is a large party in such a small space. I'm actually between three and four stars and will probably return.
(3)Tony N.
Intriguing menu, but the execution was lacking, and in some cases, the idea of the dish was better than the reality of the combination of flavors and textures. Cute space, excellent service, competent wine list, but ultimately it's all about the food, and the food was disappointing.
(2)Hailey H.
I had the most amazing evening at Piccolo last night. The atmosphere, the menu, the WINE, the staff, the lighting, the smell, the taste, the company, all stunning and comes together for a perfect meal. Imagine this: 2 bottles of delicious red. Macrel TarTar, squid ink, fresh bread. Hand made pasta. Lamb ragu. Cod. Aged sirloin. Italian chocolate. More Wine. The staff here is PHENOMENAL. So talented, so knowledgeable. So friendly. So graceful. I will go here a million times more.
(5)Joel L.
Artisan Italian food supplied by the amazing chef at Piccolo. Due to the limited menu and the artisanal nature of some of the offerings, Piccolo may not be for everyone. But, if you enjoy artisanal Italian food in a small intimate setting, Piccolo is right for you. I never expected to find a place like this in Portland. In D.C., Piccolo would be a large hit. Amazing!
(5)Leah W.
Oh Piccolo. My friends (including but not limited to Yelpers) have raved about this place. I came with high hopes and expectations (and also a little late, sorry Simone!). The food was great. I loved my breakfast and INHALED it. I also like that they have bottomless mimosas for brunch. HOWEVER.... ...the execution of the above left a lot to be desired. Our server was PAINFULLY slow and not even apologetic about the pace. It was not busy and yet we waited and waited repeatedly for even a refill on our mimosas. I'm always one to cut the servers some slack. Having worked in the restaurant business, I understand having one server and maybe ten people can get a little hectic. If something is wrong, if the delay is for a reason, all I ask is that you let us know and pretend to be a little contrite. No wailing or lamenting, but a simple sorry would be nice. Four stars for the food. Two stars for the service. I might be back someday, but only if forced by friends.
(3)Christina C.
I went here for my husband's birthday and we had a great experience. When we went it was a snowy evening, which just amplified the extreme coziness of this little place. They tucked us in a corner by the window, and it felt like we were the only people there (even though about 10 other people were having dinner at the same time). The food was soul-satisfying. I don't know how they did it, but somehow you could feel the chef's love of food in the dishes. I got the cavatelli pasta, which tasted like something an Italian grandmother would make. My husband got the wagyu beef, which he devoured embarrassingly quickly. Also, I need to mention just how GREAT the service was. I forget her name, but the waitress was just the right level of accommodating: considerate without being nosy or pushy. In my online reservation I mentioned that it was my husband's birthday, and she came out with a candle in his dessert. It was a small touch but very thoughtful. My only warning would be that the entrees alone are not very large. With an appetizer and dessert, you get a filling meal. With an entree alone, you may be left wishing for more food.
(5)Alex S.
Wonderful experience in this charmingly tiny Italian restaurant. Loved the foie gras appetizer, seared to perfection. Eclectic Italian wine list as well.
(5)Kassie C.
This was one of the best dining experiences I have had in a long time. It was the full package. From the small and quaint dining room to the excellent service and food. The different combinations of ingredients in their dishes were out of this world. I had a crispy kale salad with a type of cold cheese with citrus to start off with. It was perfect. For dinner I had the ink pasta with tuna. Wow. The pasta was cooked to perfection and the tuna was very flavorful. Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and attentive to our table. My boyfriend and I found this great restaurant on yelp and read the reviews. It definitely lived up to it's standards. Definitely plan accordingly by making a reservation. It is worth it.
(5)Steff D.
Piccolo is charming... such a small building tucked next to the Police Department, you might miss it if you weren't intentionally looking for it. The restaurant seats only twenty people and is full almost every single night of the year - I now know why! My friends and I had the chance to check it out and were treated to a night of exceptional service and food: The wine (beer, and even lone cider) selection(s) are just delightful and reasonably priced. The cheese board was only $11 (like cocktails, cheese boards in this city are beginning to be irrationally expensive, so it's a breath of fresh air that Piccolo has their's set at such a low price) and featured three very unique cheeses (one tasted like a thick Greek yogurt, one had an ashy/herby rind and was sort of blue cheese-y in flavor, and the other was thick and would have made an exceptional, tangy grilled cheese), an orange mortada, and three wedges of a grilled fruit and nut type bread. I could have eaten one of those with a glass of wine and been perfectly satiated (doesn't hurt that you get extra bread and olive oil to munch on as well). The servers were attentive, humorous, engaging, gracious, and respectful of our space and time. Couldn't have asked for a better flow of service! The desserts we had that night were a lovely way to end the meal. One was (and this is my sad pedestrian explanation, so please forgive me) similar to a fried dough with honey; the other was a chocolate pudding with chocolate cake, rose water cream, nuts, and sea salt... it might sound chaotic, but the flavors all worked perfectly with each other. Paired with French pressed coffee, I had a difficult time sharing. But what I REALLY want to impress upon you is the lengths in which Piccolo will go to please their customers. It's above and beyond anything I've experienced in town... There were three vegetarians at the table, and while there were no vegetarian options on the menu, the server made it VERY clear to us that this wasn't an issue - all we had to do was tell her our dietary restrictions, likes and dislikes, and they'd customize a bowl of pasta for us specifically. Not the collective "us" who were vegetarians, but each individual who asked. Vegetarian Bowl #1: Our friend couldn't have cheese and didn't want mushrooms. The server, mediating between kitchen and customer, checked in with her at least three times to see what she could eat/couldn't eat before serving her some hearty looking bowl with olives and nuts and butternut squash that looked nothing short of amazing. I may have stared at her the entire time she was eating it. Vegetarian Bowl #2: My significant other wanted cheese and no olives. In the end he got something similar to Bowl #1, but with big scoops of ricotta cheese (and, of course, no olives). Vegetarian Bowl #3: I got something entirely different (again, after the server went back and forth between the kitchen and myself to essentially a coordinate a perfect-for-me meal) - angel hair pasta with broccoli rabe, and a copious amount of freshly grated parmesan with a soft boiled egg hiding underneath it all. I've never had anything like it! Warm and gooey and flavorful in just the ways you would think. SO GOOD. Each vegetarian bowl was on the lower end of the spectrum at $21 a piece. And, apparently, according to our server you could come here every week as a vegetarian and they'd always make you something new. Seriously... who does this? Who in Portland does this?! Piccolo. They do this. This was by no means a cheap or fast meal. It was decadent and the perfect amount of leisurely. But it's a luxury I can see myself doing on date nights or even "me" nights... which, let's face it, we all need to have from time to time!
(5)Simone D.
Love love loved my experience at Piccolo! If I weren't walking I may have missed it for it is a humble location with an intimate interior. Starting to sound like a perfect candidate for a future date night. Next criterion: alcohol. The wine and beer list was impressive. It had a variety of drinks that would suit any preference and the hostesses were very knowledgable about all the offerings. I tried the Cesanese red wine and a cider and I would definitely get both again! Third criterion: service. In addition to the servers being knowledgable (and fully capable of pronouncing all the fancy Italian names), they were friendly and attentive. I was never wanting for anything and every action was performed with a smile. =) The chefs were so accommodating to the dietary preferences of the table! I was impressed with how each vegetarian order was handled. They didn't each get a generic dish, but rather a dish tailored to their preferences. It looked tasty and they seemed pleased. I had the lamb pasta dish (forgive me for not remembering the fancy name) and it was super tasty and hearty. So hearty that I couldn't finish it (well the cheese platter and bread helped with that) but I was so happy to bring the rest into work the next day. I'm sure my coworkers were jealous. Last criterion: dessert! They have dessert wines and coffees but I went for the good stuff--Italian funnel cake. It was fried with fennel seeds and covered with powdered sugar and honey. So so so tasty (that's the word of the night). The dough was light and had the right amount of crisp on the outside. I also sampled a friend's chocolate cake and it was super rich. Both desserts are winners. Not gonna lie all of this added up, but it was worth every penny. The service, venue, food quality, and flavors are all worth the price and experience. I had a great night out with friends, but next time I hope to make it a night for two with my special someone.
(5)Michelle E.
I had an amazing dining experience at Piccolo. I dined here on a snowy Wednesday night with a larger than average group of people. The space is small but it didn't feel cramped. The service was fantastic. Our server really knew the components to each dish, was friendly, and patient with our many questions. The server let us know that they could accomodate any dietary restrictions and so I asked them to make me a pasta without mushrooms and without cheese. What I got was probably the best pasta dish I've had in Porland. I had a hazelnut pasta with olives, nuts, and squash and it was so flavorful. It really hit every note and I was beyond satisfied. I also tried my husband's chickpea fries which were equally as delicious. For dessert, I tasted a bite of the chocolate budino. I'm not usually a chocolate dessert lover but this was delicious. Everything about the night was spectacular. I tried the craft cider (Bantam) which was so good that I had two. I like a cider that is not too sweet and this one was perfect! I can not say enough about this place, they really do a great job all around!
(5)Michaela M.
We went on a Sunday night for a 6 course tasting menu for $65. The food was amazing, as expected. I liked how they served my date and I different courses so we got to share- it was kind of like an extra course each time. The Chef came out multiple times to bring us our next course, clear our plates, or just talk to us in general about the food. That was so cool and made it feel so personal. My only con is that we were there for close to five hours. Waaaay too long for a table of two to spend at a restaurant. We had to wait a very long time in between courses, and I think they should speed that up.
(5)Alise K.
I was really looking forward to experiencing this restaurant. Let me start with the service, excellent!! Very knowledgeable and friendly. We both ordered 3 courses along with an excellent bottle of rose prosecco and a nice bottle of red. The cheese board was very good. Meat and pickled veggie board just ok... Next course, eggplant sautéed or grilled with cheese was not great. Soggy and crisp both at the same time. My second course was a big no. Soft egg with grilled asparagus. Needed toast or something to sop up the egg. Very hard to eat with a fork. Final course, lamb shank with polenta. My husband loved this dish. In fact, he took his leftovers home, which he never does. My entree was a slow roasted white fish with potatoes, capers, tomatoes and pinenuts. I did not care for it. It really had no taste. See picture, it did not look appetizing. I feel like I was comparing this restaurant to its predecessor (Bresca) and there was no comparison. That being said, our waitress was very very good and I will try again mainly because of her!
(3)Matthew H.
What a lovely, intimate restaurant. The food was sophisticated without being overly complicated, and the service was friendly and helpful. The menu is quite small (fitting the place) but it managed to be diverse nonetheless. I had the Del Mar (the fish was lemon sole) and it was excellently prepared but not transcendent. My companion had cavatelli with a lamb neck ragu that she raved about. The desserts were spectacular. I would say it's an excellent choice.
(4)Steven S.
One of the most unique chef tastings I've experienced. Roasted bone marrow, chestnut pasta with poached eggs and caviar, probably the most flavorful pork belly I'd have in years, pasta with sauteed escargot, decadent desserts. Really great experience, fun/knowledgeable wait staff. Just a real treat all around!
(5)Steve M.
An intimate restaurant in downtown. Based on the few number of reviews it seems to be overshadowed by its popular neighbors, but do not overlook this place. As I told a friend, the cheese course alone is worth going. They work with a small importer who brings in cheese from small family owned farms in Abruzzi. Truly fantastic! Had a soft pecorino which was amazing! The entire menu was great. Prices are slightly high but you would expect that for the quality of ingredients. The wine list is small but very thoughtfully put together. Service was excellent and the pace of food from the kitchen flowed very well.
(5)Jimmy H.
Top three Italian restaurants in Portland Maine! Menu is a little bit limited with four entrée options but everything looks wonderful and tasty especially their pasta with lamb neck ragu. The pasta was a little bit undercooked but the sauce was great. Service was spot on and both waitresses were very knowledgeable. A little bit pricier than some of the other Italian restaurants in Portland but I would give them another shot.
(4)Jennifer R.
This restaurant is a wonderful little gem - location wise close to the Old Port (I think it was two blocks from our hotel the Hampton Inn). The ambience inside is lovely - the place feels like a jewel box! But the food was fantastic...in particular the "del mar", which was made with Hake as the fish. Incredibly fresh - I had never had hake before, but it was prepared perfectly. Flaky, and it's subtle flavor was complimented by the red pepper sauce that came with it. Small wine list, but quite good. The Frommagio cheese appetizer was wonderful - good selection of sheep and cow's cheese. Dessert was phenomenal - it was a chocolate "cake" with mushrooms with a touch of cherry, chocolate cake and a cream, layered in a small glass jar. I am not doing justice with my description but it was awesome. Small serving - wish my two companions hadn't decided to "share" mine! Service perfect - our waitress was attentive without being overbearing, and seemed to do a great job of managing all her tables (again it's small so only one server). Highly recommend - not cheap, but a good choice. Also would be a good date spot..romantic lighting and atmosphere.
(4)