Portofino Restaurant & Events

16 Harbor Lock Rd, Utica
(315) 790-5026

Recent Reviews

Whitesboro Youth Wrestling

We had our wrestling banquet there in the event was amazing. Can’t wait to come back next year.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Linz

Went there for their Happy Hour and was pleasantly surprised by how amazing everything was. The drinks, the food, and just the overall experience. Everyone was so warm and friendly ♥︎

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The chicken franchise was very good. My penne pasta was overcooked a little bit. The bread was hot and crispy and we loved the garlic butter. It took a little longer than usual to get our food but overall it was very nice.

Kathy Ganci

We had the lamb and Haddock Portafino. Both were excellent!Cannolis for dessert. Excellent service and very friendly staff. We will be returning soon!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Mark Dunn

Tried out the happy hour. Not bad. Service was very good, we tried a few menu items. Pleasantly surprised. Will be going back at some point.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Jeffrey .Ish

STAY AWAY!Made reservations for 6 to celebrate my best friends birthday. Arrived 15 minutes prior to reservation, and were shown to the downstairs bar, because they didn't have a bartender for upstairs. Jared, the bartender was excellent, personable and knowledgeable about his liquor and cocktails... Helpful and friendly.Then we went to our seats. Glad we brought cocktails with us, because it was an hour, before we saw the waiter. He took drink orders for refills and would have walked away - except we asked to order appitizers...Had to ask for water, from the bus boy, because the waiter disappeared. Got 2 of 3 apps 30 minutes later, 45 minutes later, got the 3rd app. Wanted to ask for more drinks, but the waiter ran off.After sitting there for an hour or so, I asked the bus boy to get the waiter, because we wanted to order. We ordered, waited.After another hour, we STILL had no meals... Got there at 6:15pm, by now it's approaching 9pm, and still no meals. Waiter didn't stop by to check on us, nobody cleared dirty dishes or glasses and we got fed up.I went to ask for the manager, when she came I told her we'd pay for what we consumed by that point, but we were leaving to find a place actually serving food, she got annoyed, told me the chef had just plated our food, but by this time we had been there almost 3 hours with crappy service and watched couples who came in after us get served, finish their meal and leave - while we waited.Staff seemed annoyed that we wanted service, were NOT friendly, or polite and didn't seem bothered that we were upset by the crappy service. When we announced we were leaving and why? There was no embarrassment, no apologies, no signs that they cared or were bothered by what happened . No attempt to rescue my friend's birthday dinner. The only apologies I heard were from the BUS BOY who repeatedly told me that the waiter was really busy, because he was trying to fix a computer problem they were having.The manager didn't seem to care about our issues or that we were upset and leaving.I will NEVER go back, and will warn ANYBODY who asks, that this restaurant is not worth their time.What a horrible experience!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Jennifer Hollenbeck

Unfortunately I forgot to take pics but we arrived early for our reservations as we are traveling through the area. We were greeted immediately with a smile 10 after they opened for dinner. We had the option to sit upstairs or down we chose upstairs. We were promptly served a single serve of Hummas and toast it was awesome. We ordered the seafood appetizer. It arrived with some fresh bread for dipping. We then ordered dinner as we were not in a hurry. About 30 min later my francaise chicken and my husbands steak and pasta came out. Great meals. Awesome portions. If back in the area we will return.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Jeffrey I.

STAY AWAY! Made reservations for 6 to celebrate my best friends birthday. Arrived 15 minutes prior to reservation, and were shown to the downstairs bar, because they didn't have a bartender for upstairs. Jared, the bartender was excellent, personable and knowledgeable about his liquor and cocktails... Helpful and friendly. Then we went to our seats. Glad we brought cocktails with us, because it was an hour, before we saw the waiter. He took drink orders for refills and would have walked away - except we asked to order appitizers... Had to ask for water, from the bus boy, because the waiter disappeared. Got 2 of 3 apps 30 minutes later, 45 minutes later, got the 3rd app. Wanted to ask for more drinks, but the waiter ran off. After sitting there for an hour or so, I asked the bus boy to get the waiter, because we wanted to order. We ordered, waited. After another hour, we STILL had no meals... Got there at 6:15pm, by now it's approaching 9pm, and still no meals. Waiter didn't stop by to check on us, nobody cleared dirty dishes or glasses and we got fed up. I went to ask for the manager, when she came I told her we'd pay for what we consumed by that point, but we were leaving to find a place actually serving food, she got annoyed, told me the chef had just plated our food, but by this time we had been there almost 3 hours with crappy service and watched couples who came in after us get served, finish their meal and leave - while we waited. Staff seemed annoyed that we wanted service, were NOT friendly, or polite and didn't seem bothered that we were upset by the crappy service. When we announced we were leaving and why? There was no embarrassment, no apologies, no signs that they cared or were bothered by what happened . No attempt to rescue my friend's birthday dinner. The only apologies I heard were from the BUS BOY who repeatedly told me that the waiter was really busy, because he was trying to fix a computer problem they were having. The manager didn't seem to care about our issues or that we were upset and leaving. I will NEVER go back, and will warn ANYBODY who asks, that this restaurant is not worth their time. What a horrible experience!

RichK

Sharp bone fragments found in steak. This was shown to the manager who told the chef but nothing more was done. Didn't feel safe finishing the steak, so I wasted a lot of money and was still hungry when I left.

RachelM

Amazing food, excellent service! Cauliflower Parm bisque was to die for as a starter. Everything else following was just as amazing. Brandon was a spectacular server, informative attentive and a great personality!

AnthonyT

Service was ok. Ordering a mixed drink was complicated and turned into 3 waitress trips back and forth, unsure why. Food was ok, nothing to rave about, prices high for quality of food. I believe there are better options in the area. It wasn't a bad experience, just had better/higher expectations at the price point.

I suggest this restaurant is better in the summer. We dinned here multiple times in the summer. The bar downstairs and restaurant downstairs was much more comfortable. We were advised when we arrived for our reservation 2/24 that they weren't serving downstairs. The bar upstairs is very uncomfortable and banquet hall vibe. They were out of local beer (Utica Club) draft and bottles. Need a better selections on wine list. Our meals not as tasty as before. Very disappointing dining experience.

RickW

Tuesday in the winter; although not busy the staff was very upbeat and no short cuts on service or quality of food. Often when slow the staff reflects that disappointment; not so at Portofino. True professionals. Great job Rodrick.

Stacey Mae

Loved the unique floor and table detail. Unique atmosphere. Absolutely loved the spicy lobster carbonara. We were very satisfied with the food and vibe. Taking an elevator to the main dining area makes for an exciting reveal once arriving to the velvet emerald green chairs at a bar… almost like it’s a secret. maybe a speakeasy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Jake Morgan

Portofino is a higher class restaurant so price reflects this however the servings are very generous. That isn't the best part though. The food is of another class. I have never had steak that tasted so amazing without sauce. I have been to many 5 star restaurants like the 21st floor steakhouse at the turning stone which has much more expensive with much smaller servings but they got nothing on this restaurant. I was majorly impressed with the atmosphere of the restaurant from the comfortable tables to the wonderful personable staff members. It was my first experience sitting down for a regular dinner with this establishment and I am positive it won't be my last. I thoroughly recommend visiting Portofino restaurant if your in the Utica area or able to drive the distance you won't be disappointed. If had to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, I would easily give it an 11.Parking: Easily accessible

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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Portofino Restaurant & Events

16 Harbor Lock Rd, Utica, NY 13502
(315) 790-5026