Last night we went to Nostrana and wow! Absolutely spectacular! The ambience is warm and inviting with giant light globes dangling from the ceiling and huge flower like shapes made of what looked like vehicle trunk lining. It was really hopping for a Monday night! Happy people were a buzz. The service was excellent, no need to hang on to that fork for later, every course, new plates and cutlery. Our waiter Issac, had a very laid back, warm vibe and knew his menu items and wines. We had an appetizer (not pictured) of calamari, but it was not fried, it was in this sauce that was so good extra bread needed be requested so that we could sop up the deliciousness. We both had salads butter lettuce and a Caesar made with radicchio, both were delicious. Main course of a crab pasta, and I had scallops, because they are my favorite things in the entire world. But let me talk about the little potatoes on the plate, at first glance they look to be your average cut potatoes that you might have with breakfast, but you would be oh so wrong! These little beauties were super crispy on the outside and would literally melt in your mouth upon piercing their crunchy skin. I've never experienced a potato like this, an absolute revelation! The scallops, along with some steamed spinach, stood a top a heavenly silky cauliflower purée - perfection. We finished the meal off with their tiramisu which was not only gorgeous but an amazing taste explosion. It was so soft and creamy we wondering how it stayed up right on the plate. So, we are now converts of Nostrana. Very much looking forward to going back. ??
Kuishinbou
A versatile spot for any occasion, this restaurant offers delectable dinners alongside an impressive array of drinks. The staff is both friendly and knowledgeable, fostering a lively atmosphere where conversation flows effortlessly. While I usually opt for radicchio in my salad for its bitter flavor, theirs is exceptional. The desserts are imaginative and delicious, making it one of my top picks in Portland.
KRISTINK
It was a busy night at Nostrana but our server gave us plenty of attention snd provided some wonderful recommendations! We were a table of 4 adults, double date, and we shared all our plates, pizza, and desserts! The drinks were delicious and we didn't feel rushed. The portions were significantly smaller than in the past and higher prices which is true anywhere. We were just hoping for more bites of the yummy-ness like we remembered. Flavor and quality are still top notch!
Dabldoya
Nostrana is a nice restaurant, reminds of something you'd find in Santa Barbara, CA or Santa Monica... My biggest issue is the mandatory 22% service fee. For many years standard tips were 15%. Then with the pandemic it because 18% and 20%. Now it's 22% here. Will it be 25% next year and then 30% the year after? Where does it stop? Why aren't the prices on the menu simply listed as including the 22% fee? This feels like the "resort fees" that some hotels charge (Las Vegas, especially). If an item is listed on the menu as $30 you literally cannot go into this restaurant and order that item and pay $30! This is starting to feel like the "junk fees" that the Federal Government is starting to crack down on... As nice as this place is, I probably won't be back because I just feel like the whole thing is misleading. Yes, they tell you up front that 22% will be added to the check but can you imagine going into the Apple Store and then having to pay and additional 22% so Apple can afford to pay their employees a living wage with healthcare? Simply charge more and list the complete prices as such on the menu!
Fulkie
It's always great this time I had Michael for my happy hour bartender he was fantastic as usual. I am always happy with the bar staff at this restaurant and the food is always excellent.
PatsyH
A longtime favorite Portland restaurant. We enjoy dining a the bar where it's quieter. We also learn a great deal from the talented and knowledgeable mixologists. Fantastic trout dinner!
Jones
Met a couple friends here for dinner. We had all been here before. Fettuccine was delicious. Ordered the lemon tart for dessert and it was hard as a rock... Not kidding the waitress even brought a steak knife to try to cut through the almond crust and it was so hard I couldn't even do it. No replacement dessert or refund was offered. They also charge a 22% service fee here which does not include gratuity. There are plenty of other high-end Italian restaurants in this town that don't make you pay this. It is not the customers responsibility to provide your medical insurance etc for your employees
HollisFamily
The food was EXCELLENT! The service was very good. It was a noisy Thursday evening. Keep that in mind if you're on a date. It may be hard to hear people at your table. I do not understand adding 22% fee to a table of four and then asking for an additional tip. ???
Vivivanna
Overall it was a good experience. The food was good and the service was decent. We came on a busy night so it was a bit of a wait even though we had a reservation. I would come back. It may be my new favorite Italian restaurant in town!
JENNIFERG
I can highly recommend Nostrana the next time you are in Portland. The food and atmosphere are fantastic! Service is off the charts. So much so that we returned a few nights later!
Service and food top notch, as usual. The food is always excellent here, but it is the service, time and time again, that goes above and beyond to make all guests welcome and comfortable, and this makes Nostrana truly an exceptionally fine restaurant.
Jvilleoasis
We had another excellent dining experience last night with friends that were new to Nostrana. The sommelier helped us find a nice bottle of wine & the dishes were amazing. Nostrana is one of our favorites.
BurbankShooter
Good food. Service was average. I ordered the fish stew and don't get a dish for shells. Portions were on the small size. The restaurant adds mandatory 22% tip. Go big or go home eh? Almost a quarter of our final bill was the tip. Pretty disappointing.
AmyW
As always, the food and service were amazing. It's the reason we continue to come back. But this time we sat in the newer “bar” located next door. The bar stools are extremely uncomfortable, making our visit less than enjoyable. Both parties on either side of us also expressed their physical discomfort due to the horrible stools. I love visiting for the wonderful food and service but will avoid sitting on the cork topped bar stools next time around.
BW93
We love Nostrana, such a great staple that always delivers. The knock is the 22.5% auto gratuity, even on bottles of wine, etc. doesn't feel super fair nor inviting to order great bottles of wine (already marked up) only to be hit with another 22.5% on top of that cost.
Last night we went to Nostrana and wow! Absolutely spectacular! The ambience is warm and inviting with giant light globes dangling from the ceiling and huge flower like shapes made of what looked like vehicle trunk lining. It was really hopping for a Monday night! Happy people were a buzz. The service was excellent, no need to hang on to that fork for later, every course, new plates and cutlery. Our waiter Issac, had a very laid back, warm vibe and knew his menu items and wines. We had an appetizer (not pictured) of calamari, but it was not fried, it was in this sauce that was so good extra bread needed be requested so that we could sop up the deliciousness. We both had salads butter lettuce and a Caesar made with radicchio, both were delicious. Main course of a crab pasta, and I had scallops, because they are my favorite things in the entire world. But let me talk about the little potatoes on the plate, at first glance they look to be your average cut potatoes that you might have with breakfast, but you would be oh so wrong! These little beauties were super crispy on the outside and would literally melt in your mouth upon piercing their crunchy skin. I've never experienced a potato like this, an absolute revelation! The scallops, along with some steamed spinach, stood a top a heavenly silky cauliflower purée - perfection. We finished the meal off with their tiramisu which was not only gorgeous but an amazing taste explosion. It was so soft and creamy we wondering how it stayed up right on the plate. So, we are now converts of Nostrana. Very much looking forward to going back. ??
A versatile spot for any occasion, this restaurant offers delectable dinners alongside an impressive array of drinks. The staff is both friendly and knowledgeable, fostering a lively atmosphere where conversation flows effortlessly. While I usually opt for radicchio in my salad for its bitter flavor, theirs is exceptional. The desserts are imaginative and delicious, making it one of my top picks in Portland.
It was a busy night at Nostrana but our server gave us plenty of attention snd provided some wonderful recommendations! We were a table of 4 adults, double date, and we shared all our plates, pizza, and desserts! The drinks were delicious and we didn't feel rushed. The portions were significantly smaller than in the past and higher prices which is true anywhere. We were just hoping for more bites of the yummy-ness like we remembered. Flavor and quality are still top notch!
Nostrana is a nice restaurant, reminds of something you'd find in Santa Barbara, CA or Santa Monica... My biggest issue is the mandatory 22% service fee. For many years standard tips were 15%. Then with the pandemic it because 18% and 20%. Now it's 22% here. Will it be 25% next year and then 30% the year after? Where does it stop? Why aren't the prices on the menu simply listed as including the 22% fee? This feels like the "resort fees" that some hotels charge (Las Vegas, especially). If an item is listed on the menu as $30 you literally cannot go into this restaurant and order that item and pay $30! This is starting to feel like the "junk fees" that the Federal Government is starting to crack down on... As nice as this place is, I probably won't be back because I just feel like the whole thing is misleading. Yes, they tell you up front that 22% will be added to the check but can you imagine going into the Apple Store and then having to pay and additional 22% so Apple can afford to pay their employees a living wage with healthcare? Simply charge more and list the complete prices as such on the menu!
It's always great this time I had Michael for my happy hour bartender he was fantastic as usual. I am always happy with the bar staff at this restaurant and the food is always excellent.
A longtime favorite Portland restaurant. We enjoy dining a the bar where it's quieter. We also learn a great deal from the talented and knowledgeable mixologists. Fantastic trout dinner!
Met a couple friends here for dinner. We had all been here before. Fettuccine was delicious. Ordered the lemon tart for dessert and it was hard as a rock... Not kidding the waitress even brought a steak knife to try to cut through the almond crust and it was so hard I couldn't even do it. No replacement dessert or refund was offered. They also charge a 22% service fee here which does not include gratuity. There are plenty of other high-end Italian restaurants in this town that don't make you pay this. It is not the customers responsibility to provide your medical insurance etc for your employees
The food was EXCELLENT! The service was very good. It was a noisy Thursday evening. Keep that in mind if you're on a date. It may be hard to hear people at your table. I do not understand adding 22% fee to a table of four and then asking for an additional tip. ???
Overall it was a good experience. The food was good and the service was decent. We came on a busy night so it was a bit of a wait even though we had a reservation. I would come back. It may be my new favorite Italian restaurant in town!
I can highly recommend Nostrana the next time you are in Portland. The food and atmosphere are fantastic! Service is off the charts. So much so that we returned a few nights later!
Restaurantji Recommends
Service and food top notch, as usual. The food is always excellent here, but it is the service, time and time again, that goes above and beyond to make all guests welcome and comfortable, and this makes Nostrana truly an exceptionally fine restaurant.
We had another excellent dining experience last night with friends that were new to Nostrana. The sommelier helped us find a nice bottle of wine & the dishes were amazing. Nostrana is one of our favorites.
Good food. Service was average. I ordered the fish stew and don't get a dish for shells. Portions were on the small size. The restaurant adds mandatory 22% tip. Go big or go home eh? Almost a quarter of our final bill was the tip. Pretty disappointing.
As always, the food and service were amazing. It's the reason we continue to come back. But this time we sat in the newer “bar” located next door. The bar stools are extremely uncomfortable, making our visit less than enjoyable. Both parties on either side of us also expressed their physical discomfort due to the horrible stools. I love visiting for the wonderful food and service but will avoid sitting on the cork topped bar stools next time around.
We love Nostrana, such a great staple that always delivers. The knock is the 22.5% auto gratuity, even on bottles of wine, etc. doesn't feel super fair nor inviting to order great bottles of wine (already marked up) only to be hit with another 22.5% on top of that cost.