Genoa Restaurant

Claim
marker

2832 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97214

marker
(503) 238-1464
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
Genoa Restaurant - Portland, OR
Genoa Restaurant - Portland, OR
Genoa Restaurant - Portland, OR
Genoa Restaurant - Portland, OR
Genoa Restaurant - Portland, OR
Genoa Restaurant - Portland, OR
Genoa Restaurant - Portland, OR
Genoa Restaurant - Portland, OR
Genoa Restaurant - Portland, OR
Genoa Restaurant - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 20 )
( 20 )
( 5 )
( 6 )
( 10 )

Best

We went last night and the theme was Naples. I am half Italian, from NY and my family has restaurants all over LI. I am so happy with my experience at Genoa. The food was clean...

Worst

This little restaurant takes itself so seriously it would be difficult not to laugh if the food wasn't so mediocre & frankly unitalian Pros: , cachet Cons: , hallowed atmo...

A truly wonderful experience EVERY TIME! 12/3/2002

Expectations! If you have never been here before, don't expect anything like you have had before-- I'm tired of reading reviews from people who complain that Genoas ISN'T like every other Italian restaurant they have been to. I go to Genoas often, and have consistently been extremely pleased with the high quality of food and changing variety of menu options. It is truly a treat each time, and I would strongly recommend this restaurant to anyone that is in the mood for something new and different! Pros: Wide variety of food, EVERY dish is tasty, Cozy atmosphere Cons: Lack of parking, Update of online menu, Noisy coffee machine more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great restaurant for a special occasion 11/24/2002

A very strong restaurant. The food was well prepared and the waiter knowledgeable as well as helpful. They have a very good wine list that matched the type of food they serve well. Not a cheap please, but even given this it ranks as a good value for what you get. Come hungery, becasue the food never stops. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Best food in Portland 11/22/2002

What a wonderful restaurant! We celebrate every special occasion here & have never been disappointed. The food is always wonderfully different; the staff is knowledgeable about the food and wine; and the ambience wraps it all up in a delightful romantic bundle. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Worth the price! 10/28/2002

We have heard the legend for years and finally took the plunge. We were sorely disappointed...that we had not gone years early! It was amazing. Every dish was plate lickable. All 7 courses were prefectly prepared, portioned and presented. We were left wanting more of each course, but by the end we were pleasantly satisfied. Individually, each course was incredible, put together was the best menu we have ever had. It is a great deal at the price compared to the rubbish you can pay for at other so-called top resturants in town. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Like a glove!!!! 10/23/2002

Yeah, you say you know Italian food..... You need to take a closer look around S.E Portland. Genoa, a long standing restaurant in the Portland community is doning nothing but close to perfection. Some more thought should be put into dishes, the bones in your chicken must be taken out. They don't lend that much flavor to your dish (they aren't getting roasted the meat is). Some dishes make you work to hard for the result. Wine service is perfect (Love the no music part), it makes people talk. Wait staff is very attentive to every need and if you ask just right you might get a specail bottle of wine they have down in that cellar of there's. Pros: no music, pre fix, secret location Cons: work to hard for food more
Reply | Report abuse |

romantic restaurant 9/29/2002

My wife and I dined at Genoa for our 35th anniversary this week. We both found it to be very enjoyable and romantic. I would reccomend Genoa to anyone. The service is very attentive without being intrusive and I like the pre-fixe menu because it limits the work that you have to eat there freeing up time to spend with your party. Overall we had a very nice time and found it to be very relaxing. Pros: romantic, food more
Reply | Report abuse |

Wonderful 9/5/2002

I have dined at Genoa a few times and it has always offered me the finest dining experience and has elevated the happiness of my day. The food is fantastic and the service is the best of any restaurant in the city. Spending an evening at Genoa is quite a dining experience and not just ""going out to eat"". I applaud Genoa and am very glad that they are here for us to enjoy! Pros: great wine list, attention to detail, wonderful service more
Reply | Report abuse |

I'm so vain 8/15/2002

This little restaurant takes itself so seriously it would be difficult not to laugh if the food wasn't so mediocre & frankly unitalian Pros: , cachet Cons: , hallowed atmosphere more
Reply | Report abuse |

A lost art 8/13/2002

Genoa is more of an experience than a meal. Don't get me wrong, the food is fantastic, but it's the ambience you'll want to experience. For years I heard my (Italian) friends rave about Genoa, and now I know why. It's true old-school dining. With only two seatings each night, you're allowed to savor the meal, the wine, and the company. Authentic cuisine served with respect for the food, the chef and (most importantly) the diner. Don't rush or be rushed because once you're done, it's back to the American reality of instant gratification and ""rush-rush-rush"". Take the time and treat yourself. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Authentic Italian... 8/6/2002

Their presentations could use some work, but this is the only place to get truly authentic dishes and one of the few places to experience the pleasure of a prix fixe menu. Great desserts. Great service. I do wish they would integrate the sitting room into the experience, though. Pros: authentic, good service, desserts Cons: presentations, price more
Reply | Report abuse |

A Lovely Experience 8/5/2002

Glad to see a few bad reviews, it keeps the management on their toes. The Genoa is easily one of the top 3 restaurants in pitiful Portland. Not to say that they're above having a bad night, however, they generally achieve their ambition and deserve their hype. For those who contributed scathing critiques: It's VERY difficult to take you seriously while reading your spelling errors! Stay away, please, I'll be able to get to my favorite table without having to navigate around you. For those who complain about prices, might I suggest that you drive to Beaverton and stop at the nearest chain restaurant? We'll all be better off. Pros: Serious about food, Great service, Imaginative cuisine Cons: Portland crowd, A little uptight... more
Reply | Report abuse |

Check please! 8/3/2002

Such amazing reviews drew us to the restaurant. The dining room was splendid, warm rich and very comfortable. The servers were equally as warm and seemed well seasoned. However, it went downhill from there... The food was ok. Just ok. The dinner dragged on and on as small dishes of this and that came to our table. It was good, but not great. I have had more intersting Italian dishes in New York and Boston's North End (for a lot less $$$) Genoa---the essence of mediocrity Pros: Great dining room, Good wine list, Experienced servers Cons: very expensive, so-so food more
Reply | Report abuse |

Wonderful!!!! 7/29/2002

Most wonderful food, knowledgeable servers, absolutely perfect for a special occasion dinner. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Top 10 in the US? Hardly! 7/29/2002

When the wait staff would prefer to chat about various employees in tones the entire restaurant can hear, rather that rescue your wife from her sushi style squab there's a problem. The trouble started several dishes before that though. Nothing detracts from a dish with mushrooms more than continually biting into grit because they weren't properly cleaned. Finally, to my thinking, dessert should never be the highlight of the meal at this level of establishment. With the praise heaped on this restaurant, one expects to be amazed, that simply was not the case. I could go on, but what's the point, things like this don't happen in a truly outstanding restaurant. My wife and I have enjoyed memorable meals in Minneapolis, Boston, Philadelphia and our home city of Atlanta; this visit will only be remembered for what it wasn't. Pros: dining room setting Cons: poorly prepared food, inattentive staff more
Reply | Report abuse |

Very good, just minor complaints 7/21/2002

Seven courses. Service is very attentive, without being intrusive, although they did seem somewhat hassled and busy this night, it didn't undermine the experience too badly. The first course came before we had ordered wine, and the last course took rather long to arrive than was needed, but in general, the pacing was fine. The food, in terms of taste, is remarkable. The flavors are generally well balanced, and not overpowering. The presentation is very well done. The salad had a bit too much beet in it (it was a Russian style salad) and the desserts were a bit bland but other than that, it was all very, very well done. The wine list is extensive, and the server was helpful in selecting a Merlot and a Pinot Noir to go with our meal. The atmosphere is a bit dark for my taste, but it wasn't an issue. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great Food 6/27/2002

The food is truly some of the best you'll find in Portland. And, I'm sure the very understated decor is to remind everyone that they're there for the food...but still, Genoa could use a little somethin new...but all and all..this is still one of the best meals I've had in town and I can live without the glitz. Pros: food, pro service Cons: $$$$, decor more
Reply | Report abuse |

Emperor's New Clothes 6/5/2002

Much like like the fairy tale, Emperor's New Clothes.... No substance behind the facade. My husband took me to Genoa for my birthday and spent over $200 for the 2 of us. Our experience? Highly disappointing, especially after hearing such good things. From our persepective: Mediocre food at best and unattractive decor & ambience (dark room with with schoolroom-like ceilings/ lighting and an odd assortment of copper pots & pans adorning the walls; also, no possibility for intimate conversation). Staff was professional, but haughty and perfunctory. The prices were just plain GREEDY -- and insulting for what we were provided. What's all the fuss about? We won't dine there again. Pros: Capable waitstaff Cons: Price, Food, Ambience more
Reply | Report abuse |

best this side of rome????? 6/4/2002

Eating at Genoa has me wondering whether the chef or the owners have ever even been to Italy? Dont get me wrong - the food is edible for sure. But as far as authenticity, its got a long way to go. Want authentic Italian food? Try this little italian restaurant in the Pearl. I don't know the name but its on LoveJoy and probably 13th. Now THATS authentic. Take someone to Genoa only if paying a bunch of money for mediocre food impresses your date - if so you can't go wrong! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Genoa is tops in Portland! 6/2/2002

I haven't eaten at Genoa in over a year, but I can assume that the quality of the experience has not gone far downhill since then. I have been a chef for over ten years. I too have lived and worked in New York, Boston and New Orleans. Genoa is not only the best food in Portland, but among the best meals I have EVER experienced. The courses were complimentary and well-sized. The food was straight forward and not too flashy (which may be why the New Yorker in the previous review wasn't happy.) The service was professional and the atmosphere was inviting without being pretentious! Overall, Genoa is a wonderful dining experience for anyone with the knowledge and experience to appreciate what it does best, which is staying true to the food rather then our city's idea of what ""good"" food should be! Keep up the good work! Pros: Good Food, Good Service, Good Wine list Cons: Expensive, more
Reply | Report abuse |

A memorable night 5/19/2002

First, the (few) complaints: There could have been more food. I mean, it is seven courses, but with a meal like that, you should be completely sated and not able to finish. And the beet salad wasn't the best idea. But on the plus side: Genoa makes for an intimate, memorable evening. Servers are obsequious and knowledgeable and the food is mostly exquisite. The kind of place you bring someone you're in love with. more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 2 3 Next >
Menu for Genoa Restaurant


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
Editorial

  • Old standby draws tourists and special-occasion diners with multi-course Italian-inspired meals.

  • 12/3/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Tuesday To Sunday From 05:30 PM To 09:30 PM
  • Payments: Diner's Club, Discover, Master Card, Carte Blanche, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Sunnyside, Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program
badge