I did have high expectations but this was an incredibly mediocre Italian experience. Nothing tasted very fresh and most of the food was not very well seasoned or prepared. A lot of stuff was bland. Some dishes were way over salted. All the portions were tiny and high priced. We did like the baked fontina and the smoked salmon. The tuna tartar was mediocre. The beet salad was decent but tiny and not enough beets. For primi, we tried 4 different pasta dishes and all were bad. There's no way the pasta was fresh. Two of the four tasted mainly of salt. The risotto was undercooked and watery. The pancetta had no flavor. For secondi we tried the osso bucco and the wild boar ragout. The osso bucco was salty and otherwise unflavorful but greasy. The wild boar ragout tasted like tomato paste and seemed to have no mushrooms at all. The dessert was also bad. The tiramisu was made with clear coffee liqueur instead of espresso which was strange. The Italian donuts had no flavor. The custard with them was very good though. The creme brulee was okay but strange. It was served over cold fruit. The sever was very nice and friendly. Despite that, we won't return.
Katie
Honestly, this was the best meal I've ever had. Each course was interesting, well plated, and absolutely delicious. If you are looking for authentic Italian food and a true culinary experience, this is the place. Shaundra was not only friendly but also very helpful with navigating the menu. Chef Dan came out to greet us as well, which made the whole night that much more special. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Risotto Fruitti Di Mare, Caesar Salad, Risotto Milanese, Tiramisu, Baked Fontina
Kimberly S.
This place is in our top 5. Hands down EVERY TIME we come here spectacular!!!! Everyone of our friends that we recommended to come here has loved it also. Definitely will be back.
Stanley T.
The food and service was excellent, the owners spent time with me at my table I highly recommend Portofino, I will be back.
David Jessee
Marsha and I love Portofino! This is a hidden gem in the Geist area with an Italian influence adding Chef Dan's unique creativity to each dish. Don't come here expecting standard fair American/Italian pasta with red sauce. Each dish is "dialed in" with great taste and presentation. Additionally, there is a full bar and well thought out wine list. Setting is small and intimate.Additionally we had a private party of 35 attend an amazing pre-fixed 7 course meal with wine pairings at the restaurant. Chef Dan "freestyled" his selections and absolutely knock it out of the park!! Thanks Dan!!We are foodies; you will not be disappointed! David Jessee
This restaurant has wonderful food and great ambience. It is the perfect place for a quiet, high-end experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christopher Kimmey
Finally a restaurant that focuses on quality instead of quantity. It shows in every aspect. It starts with limited seating...there aren't people constantly coming and going around you. The service is personal and impeccable. Each course is perfectly portioned and executed. The food quality itself is extraordinary. Nothing tastes like it was made ahead of time and left in a steam table for hours... Because it isn't. Chef Daniel has created a dining experience. Amy's personal service made it all the better. Can't wait to go back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Baked Fontina
Alexa Yost
I really like the food and the employees, but I didn’t like too much the atmosphere. It’s very small, and for the price I would expect a bit more out of the ambiance. I think this place is new— they have room for improvement still.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brad R.
Amazing restaurant and food. Owner/chef visited with us and that topped off the evening.
Amanda VanHorn
Just a wonderful place to have dinner. Atmosphere is relaxing and romantic. Great cocktails and wine, all the food we had was delicious and perfect portions. Desserts were fabulous. Try immediately!!
Excellent food. However we felt it was odd that the chef came out and greeted everyone in the restaurant except my husband and I, perhaps because we are a different race other than white Caucasian and weren’t drinking wine?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
Don K.
Wonderful restaurant. Italian meals, courses traditionally and delicious. Service was very good, a little pricey.
Ambia Dorsey
Always love coming here everything is perfect and delicious! The baked fontina is one of my favorite apps I’ve ever had. It’s a nice change of pace with no table turnovers and very attentive staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Caesar Salad, Baked Fontina
Joel Belyew
Awesome food and experience. Small, quiet, and unique.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kaitlyn Coverstone
This place is unbelievably good. It's the kind of place where every single bite is outstanding. My husband and I shared the steamed muscles, caesar salad, quatro formaggio, shrimp and scallop risotto, rack of lamb, tiramisu, and cannoli. Portions are small enough that you get to enjoy all 5 courses, but big enough to share and sample lots of different things like we did. Every bit of it was incredible. When I'm going to spend that much on a meal, this is the kind of quality I am looking for. I'll be shouting my recommendation to anyone who will listen - you have to try this place!
I did have high expectations but this was an incredibly mediocre Italian experience. Nothing tasted very fresh and most of the food was not very well seasoned or prepared. A lot of stuff was bland. Some dishes were way over salted. All the portions were tiny and high priced. We did like the baked fontina and the smoked salmon. The tuna tartar was mediocre. The beet salad was decent but tiny and not enough beets. For primi, we tried 4 different pasta dishes and all were bad. There's no way the pasta was fresh. Two of the four tasted mainly of salt. The risotto was undercooked and watery. The pancetta had no flavor. For secondi we tried the osso bucco and the wild boar ragout. The osso bucco was salty and otherwise unflavorful but greasy. The wild boar ragout tasted like tomato paste and seemed to have no mushrooms at all. The dessert was also bad. The tiramisu was made with clear coffee liqueur instead of espresso which was strange. The Italian donuts had no flavor. The custard with them was very good though. The creme brulee was okay but strange. It was served over cold fruit. The sever was very nice and friendly. Despite that, we won't return.
Honestly, this was the best meal I've ever had. Each course was interesting, well plated, and absolutely delicious. If you are looking for authentic Italian food and a true culinary experience, this is the place. Shaundra was not only friendly but also very helpful with navigating the menu. Chef Dan came out to greet us as well, which made the whole night that much more special. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Risotto Fruitti Di Mare, Caesar Salad, Risotto Milanese, Tiramisu, Baked Fontina
This place is in our top 5. Hands down EVERY TIME we come here spectacular!!!! Everyone of our friends that we recommended to come here has loved it also. Definitely will be back.
The food and service was excellent, the owners spent time with me at my table I highly recommend Portofino, I will be back.
Marsha and I love Portofino! This is a hidden gem in the Geist area with an Italian influence adding Chef Dan's unique creativity to each dish. Don't come here expecting standard fair American/Italian pasta with red sauce. Each dish is "dialed in" with great taste and presentation. Additionally, there is a full bar and well thought out wine list. Setting is small and intimate.Additionally we had a private party of 35 attend an amazing pre-fixed 7 course meal with wine pairings at the restaurant. Chef Dan "freestyled" his selections and absolutely knock it out of the park!! Thanks Dan!!We are foodies; you will not be disappointed! David Jessee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beet Arugula Salad, Crab and Salmon Roulade, Baked Fontina
This restaurant has wonderful food and great ambience. It is the perfect place for a quiet, high-end experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Finally a restaurant that focuses on quality instead of quantity. It shows in every aspect. It starts with limited seating...there aren't people constantly coming and going around you. The service is personal and impeccable. Each course is perfectly portioned and executed. The food quality itself is extraordinary. Nothing tastes like it was made ahead of time and left in a steam table for hours... Because it isn't. Chef Daniel has created a dining experience. Amy's personal service made it all the better. Can't wait to go back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Baked Fontina
I really like the food and the employees, but I didn’t like too much the atmosphere. It’s very small, and for the price I would expect a bit more out of the ambiance. I think this place is new— they have room for improvement still.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing restaurant and food. Owner/chef visited with us and that topped off the evening.
Just a wonderful place to have dinner. Atmosphere is relaxing and romantic. Great cocktails and wine, all the food we had was delicious and perfect portions. Desserts were fabulous. Try immediately!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent food. However we felt it was odd that the chef came out and greeted everyone in the restaurant except my husband and I, perhaps because we are a different race other than white Caucasian and weren’t drinking wine?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
Wonderful restaurant. Italian meals, courses traditionally and delicious. Service was very good, a little pricey.
Always love coming here everything is perfect and delicious! The baked fontina is one of my favorite apps I’ve ever had. It’s a nice change of pace with no table turnovers and very attentive staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Caesar Salad, Baked Fontina
Awesome food and experience. Small, quiet, and unique.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is unbelievably good. It's the kind of place where every single bite is outstanding. My husband and I shared the steamed muscles, caesar salad, quatro formaggio, shrimp and scallop risotto, rack of lamb, tiramisu, and cannoli. Portions are small enough that you get to enjoy all 5 courses, but big enough to share and sample lots of different things like we did. Every bit of it was incredible. When I'm going to spend that much on a meal, this is the kind of quality I am looking for. I'll be shouting my recommendation to anyone who will listen - you have to try this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5