Piazza Italia

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1129 NW Johnson St
Portland, OR 97209

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(503) 478-0619
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Piazza Italia - Portland, OR
Piazza Italia - Portland, OR
Piazza Italia - Portland, OR
Piazza Italia - Portland, OR
Piazza Italia - Portland, OR
Piazza Italia - Portland, OR
Piazza Italia - Portland, OR
Piazza Italia - Portland, OR
Piazza Italia - Portland, OR
Piazza Italia - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 41 )
( 17 )
( 5 )
( 6 )
( 6 )

Best

Before we went to Italy people told us that the worst meal there was better than the best meal here. We did not find that to be true, and tastes can vary, but I will say that Pia...

Worst

A very inconsistent restaurant, with controversy too! The service is friendly but often sluggish, you can wait forever sometimes. The wine list is medium-sized but expensive...

Excessive speed and noise 6/1/2007

They really have the speed of service solved. We ordered antipasto, a salad, and a main dish. The antipasto and salad arrived together, then in a few seconds, the main dish was banged on the table. It would have been nice to have had a little eating time between courses. The noise was increased to the pain level by the young lady at the next table shrieking loudly to make her conversation--""OMYGOD""-- heard over the music. Pros: Authentic Italian Cons: Loud Music! more
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Good but it could be better? 5/16/2007

I really liked the pesto pasta and the tuna sauce on pasta (so real Italian!!)...but I was disappointed to find out the pesto was from Costco...I paid $13 for something I could make myself for $4 max. Overall good food but I can make it at home just as good for much less. The atmosphere is very Italian with soccer shirts hanging on the walls, music and Italian personnel.. Pros: good food if you are lazy to cook it yourself, ambience, service Cons: parking more
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Spectacular Italian Ever!!!!! 4/18/2007

this place had such a good feeling during my visit. i knew its authenticity when everyone who worked there was italian. our dinner came very fast within 10 minutes of ordering at the most. more
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O. K. place though the pasta could use some work 4/13/2007

This place is very friendly and service is now swift until 7:30 at least. Antipasto and tiramisu are very good. The sauces are about average, and pasta is much further undercooked than in Italy, Slovenia, France, Switzerland, etc. Sure, that's fashionable now, but ask them to add another minute or two if you don't want it to bounce your fork. The wine list should include all by-the-glass choices available, though none are very good value, nor are the bottles these days. more
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Authentic 11/21/2006

The ambience here is authentic of a true Italian trattoria. Their menu is small and simple, but their food is delicious. Try Gino's Favorite or the Arrabiata. They have a great wine selection too! The service is typical Italian too, so don't expect service to be fast or to be seated on time for your reservation - instead enjoy the atmosphere and have a glass of wine! Pros: atmoshphere, food, wine Cons: parking more
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Mi Piace Molto Questo Ristorante!!! 11/20/2006

This is a true italian tratoria. As a true italian i recommend this place to every person i meet. although i have had better italian food, the atmosphere is unbeatable! more
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Closest to Italy we have found yet 9/22/2006

My husband and I frequent this restaurant all the time. Have never had a bad dish yet. I like that they don't rush you, just like in Italy. It is nice to slow down now and then. I only had one mixup with an order, but what we received was still good. more
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Viva Italia! 7/15/2006

This is as close to a real Italian joint that you'll find for hundreds of miles. This place is a total sensory experience. The music, noise level, language spoken, the food, the hustle & bustle, even the attitude! They were still playing back the recent world cup victory as we dined. Great classic Roman offerings here. Lasagna, Pasta Bolognese, Antipasta, Minestrone, Veal Shank you'll find them all here as well as a few surprises such as Roasted Rabbit. Large portions are the norm, so bring your appetite. Don't miss the Tiramisu... I know it's been overdone, but this one is exceptional. Almost exclusive Italian wines on the list, priced moderately to encourage consumption. Make reservations because this place is small and busy! Pros: An Authentic Experience Awaits Cons: Parking Might Be Tough more
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Closest to being in Italy 7/9/2006

Piazza Italia's food reminded us very much of our recent trip to Italy, specifically Rome fare. Pros: excellent food Cons: parking, don't go if you ar ein a rush more
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Finally, REAL Italian food in PDX! 6/27/2006

I am an east coast Italian that has been searching for real Italian food since moving to PDX. Piazza Italia is fantastic. This is authentic italian cusine the way it is supposed to be. No american comercial immitation here... this is the real dea. The linguine and eggs is a family favorite and Piazza Italia does it perfectly.Piazza Italia IS Italian food! Pros: REAL Italian food!!! Cons: limited seating more
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Great Place 5/29/2006

This place has the best Italian food in the city, hands down. This is the most fresh and delicious authentic Italian food in Portland, and this notion is reinforced by the fact that the wait staff and cooks converse in Italian. This is the place to go for true Italian food and to feel welcomed and valued as a customer. Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere Cons: Small more
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Wonderful food and atmosphere. La dolce vita! 10/6/2005

My wife and I love to eat here, so much that we held our wedding rehearsal dinner here. A typical reaction from one of our out-of-town guests was, ""I'll never be able to eat at {previously favorite Italian restaurant} again!"" The food is terrific (especially the squarciarella!), mostly in the Italian comfort food vein. And the atmosphere is always highly convivial -- the staff always make me feel like I'm home with family when I'm here, which is odd, since I'm not Italian. The place is usually packed, so don't bring a large group unless you've called ahead. I've never understood the people who get uptight about the service in this place. I find the servers to be extremely warm and helpful, and if they're not the fastest people in the world, so be it. The food and atmosphere never give me a reason to think about anything else. Pros: Wonderful pasta, Great atmosphere, Tasty gelato Cons: Often busy more
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not a trip to Italy 9/30/2005

Having spent a year in Italy including several months in Florence and months traveling throughout the entire country, I can say that this place is very similar to tourist destination restaurants, particularly those in Venice. And what do these places have in common? Plenty of tourists, but no locals. Piazza Italia puts on a good show for Americans looking for a typical ""Italian"" experience, but there's no substance and among the most wretched service I've experienced at Portland restaurants. Pros: decent gelato, ok clams & linguine Cons: poor service, noisy, fa schifo more
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Accordians and Dancing with great food! 6/3/2005

This place is quaint and the people wonderful! Its so nice to find true Italian. It doesn't matter what those others may say about this and that...Italians know good food. The caprese was delicious and the gelato divine! I was also snatched from my chair to dance with the sweet older gentleman owner. I was smiling the entire time I was there! Pros: great food, great staff, great vibe Cons: parking more
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good food, painful service 4/18/2005

The food here is great but the service is sluggish to the point of vexation. My husband ordered a glass of wine and watched it sit at the bar for 20 minutes.... our waiter was not busy with only three other tables, but the soccer game did seem to have his attention. Then we ordered 2 plates of pasta and a salad and waited an inordinate amount of time before the waiter brought us a lasagna by mistake. ""My compliments"" he said while he went to make the plate of pasta we had actually ordered (took 5 minutes) ""take it to go"", he laughed about the lasagna... which we thought very accomodating in exchange for the wait. But the bill came and he charged us for the lasagna? We just returned from Italy- Piazza Italia reminded me of how far we are from Italian service. more
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Just Like Italy 3/9/2005

This is a great place to eat no-frills Italian food just like you would find in Italy. Besides, you can practice your Italian with the staff. The place is a little noisy, but it adds to the charm. Pros: Entertaining service Cons: Fills up early more
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More Cafe than Restaurant 11/14/2004

Piazza Italia is a noisy Italian bar, similar to those found in Rome and Florence. The limited menu items are prepared well, with very large portions and are served hot and fresh. Overall menu is limited by the small size of the kitchen. No liquor (grappa/port/etc), just fairly expensive wine and some beers. The ever-present TV and the very, very loud music, combined with the lackluster servers make this a place to grab lunch or a very casual evening meal. Don't bring a date for dinner, you can't hear each other talk! Other places in Portland have more varied food and quieter dining rooms. Pros: Authentic Italian, Large Portions Cons: , Not relaxing, Disinterested servers more
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Amore! 8/26/2004

If you ever wondered what dining in little Italy would be like, you absolutely should dine here! I love the friendly service, the overwhelmingly beautiful culture, and the food is to die for! The food took a little long to come, but it was worth the wait and time flies by when you have good company. Not to mention how much time goes by while you are entertained by the characters that work there! Pros: Great Food, Fantastic Service, Homely Cons: , Long wait for food more
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Great Stuff 7/26/2004

This is excellent Italian food. The linguini with stirred eggs is to die for... and the lasagna belongs in a hall of fame. Bread, love it. Olive oil, top notch. Espresso, perfetto. This is the real deal. I make a trip in at least once a month! Pros: taste, ambiance, quality more
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Che Buonta'! Fantastico! 1/28/2004

Fresh air for Portland! A city with many Italian restaurants where you can spend a fortune and feel like you just... spent a fortune. Piazza Italia is a chunk of Italy in Portland. Highlights are great simple fare, reasonable prices, and a lot of attitude from a fun staff, largely real Italians who will test your language skills. The food is the real thing! The spaghetti aglio olio peperoncino is simple but so full of flavor that you will wonder how they did it with the simple list of ingredients. The sweets are out of this world. The wines are Italian and excellent. If you go on a weekend make reservations. I highly recommend Piazza Italia! Buon appetito! p.s. When going to the Pearl it's best to take public transit, walk or bike. Pros: Great food, Fun service, Decent prices more
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Menu for Piazza Italia


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Prepare to be treated as part of the family in this humble abode, with a TV over your companion's shoulder, close, intimate tables, glass coolers and molasses-speed service. The...

  • 3/22/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-10pm
  • Payments: Discover, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Pearl, Neighbors West - Northwest
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