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Squid Ink Pasta Beats NYC/Boston—The Best We’ve Ever Had 🦑🍝

Portland is full of romantic surprises! This tiny Italian spot, Mucca Osteria, has a low-key storefront, but step inside and you’re wrapped in warm yellow lights and wooden tables—like walking into a family trattoria in Florence. The vibe is so cozy we even softened our voices, and the food? It took our “Italian food expectations” to a whole new level. Especially that squid ink pasta—our table unanimously declared it: “Better than anything we’ve had in Boston, NYC, SF, even Italy!”🌹 🌟 Must-Order Dishes: Every Bite Is a Delight—Squid Ink Pasta Reigns Supreme! 1. 🦑🍝 Chitarra Frutti di Mare (Squid Ink Chitarra Pasta with Seafood)｜6/5 Stars! The Best Squid Ink Pasta Ever As die-hard “squid ink pasta lovers” who order it at every Italian spot, this bowl left us speechless—too good to put into words! First, the pasta: Chitarra (meaning “guitar” in Italian, a thin, square-cut pasta) is as thin as strings, but surprisingly “crisp yet chewy.” Every bite has a bouncy “crunch,” coated in rich squid ink sauce—no clumps, no blandness. The seafood is the star! Seasonal shrimp, scallops, and squid cover the plate, each bite fresh enough to taste the ocean’s sweetness: shrimp are plump and juicy, scallops melt on the tongue, squid is tender without being rubbery. No frozen seafood (fishiness) here! We slurped the pasta, gushing: “The squid ink pasta we had at that SoHo Italian spot? This blows it out of the water!” We didn’t even care about the squid ink on our lips—we just wanted another bite ASAP. 2. 🍄🥟 Tortelli ai Funghi (Mushroom Ricotta Tortelli)｜5/5 Stars! A Gem Overshadowed by the Squid Pasta Without the squid pasta stealing the show, this would be the highlight! The tortelli (pasta dumplings) have thin, chewy skins—bite into them, and you get earthy mushroom and creamy Ricotta cheese filling, perfectly seasoned (no greasiness). When it first arrived, we took one bite, planning to save room for the squid pasta… but ended up grabbing more. Pro tip: Share this—3+ pieces get heavy, thanks to the rich cheese. 3. 🍮 Pannacotta｜5/5 Stars! A Gentle Sweet Finish After the bold pasta, this pannacotta (Italian cream dessert) is the perfect balance. It’s as smooth as a cloud, with a subtle milky flavor—sweet but not cloying, with a hint of vanilla at the end. Spooning it slowly erased the “rush” of eating the pasta; even my friend who hates desserts finished the whole thing. 4. 🐚 Capesante Scottate (Pan-Seared Scallops)｜4/5 Stars! Fresh Appetizer Win This appetizer doesn’t disappoint! Scallops are seared to perfection—crispy outside, tender inside—paired with a tangy lemon-butter sauce that enhances their sweetness (no overpowering the scallops’ natural flavor). One bite whets your appetite for the main course—ideal to start! 5. 🥩 Steak & 🦆 Duck Breast｜4/5 Stars! Meat Lovers Will Be Happy The steak (cooked medium) is crispy outside, juicy inside—locked in all the beefy flavor, just a sprinkle of salt and pepper to let the meat shine. The duck breast is seared crisp on the outside, pink and tender inside, served with a berry sauce to cut through richness. Not as amazing as the pasta, but solid quality—meat lovers won’t regret it. 💡 Practical Guide: Book Ahead & Order Smart! Reservations: Super popular! Book 1-2 weeks in advance via their website or phone—weekend dinners fill up fast, walk-ins are almost impossible. Menu Choices: Opt for the set menu to try all signatures (great for first-timers) or order a la carte to focus on favorites (we added a second squid pasta😂). Service: 10/10! Servers explain each dish’s ingredients and how to eat it (e.g., “Mix the squid pasta while hot—seafood gets fishy cold”) and proactively refill water/change plates. Address: Mucca Osteria, 1022 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205 (close to Downtown—walk off the meal afterward). Our only regret? We missed the roasted quail (a seasonal special), so we’ll definitely be back! If you’re in Portland craving “authentic, no-cutting-corners Italian food,” run to Mucca Osteria—especially that squid ink pasta. It’ll stay on your mind long after the meal. 😋 Hope you love this amazing Italian spot as much as we did! (Follow for more travel & food notes from the Bay Area to Oregon/Washington—never miss an update!) #PortlandFoodie #PortlandEats #ItalianPasta #PortlandWeekend #MuccaOsteria #BestSquidInkPasta

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Squid Ink Pasta Beats NYC/Boston—The Best We’ve Ever Had 🦑🍝

Portland is full of romantic surprises! This tiny Italian spot, Mucca Osteria, has a low-key storefront, but step inside and you’re wrapped in warm yellow lights and wooden tables—like walking into a family trattoria in Florence. The vibe is so cozy we even softened our voices, and the food? It took our “Italian food expectations” to a whole new level. Especially that squid ink pasta—our table unanimously declared it: “Better than anything we’ve had in Boston, NYC, SF, even Italy!”🌹 🌟 Must-Order Dishes: Every Bite Is a Delight—Squid Ink Pasta Reigns Supreme! 1. 🦑🍝 Chitarra Frutti di Mare (Squid Ink Chitarra Pasta with Seafood)｜6/5 Stars! The Best Squid Ink Pasta Ever As die-hard “squid ink pasta lovers” who order it at every Italian spot, this bowl left us speechless—too good to put into words! First, the pasta: Chitarra (meaning “guitar” in Italian, a thin, square-cut pasta) is as thin as strings, but surprisingly “crisp yet chewy.” Every bite has a bouncy “crunch,” coated in rich squid ink sauce—no clumps, no blandness. The seafood is the star! Seasonal shrimp, scallops, and squid cover the plate, each bite fresh enough to taste the ocean’s sweetness: shrimp are plump and juicy, scallops melt on the tongue, squid is tender without being rubbery. No frozen seafood (fishiness) here! We slurped the pasta, gushing: “The squid ink pasta we had at that SoHo Italian spot? This blows it out of the water!” We didn’t even care about the squid ink on our lips—we just wanted another bite ASAP. 2. 🍄🥟 Tortelli ai Funghi (Mushroom Ricotta Tortelli)｜5/5 Stars! A Gem Overshadowed by the Squid Pasta Without the squid pasta stealing the show, this would be the highlight! The tortelli (pasta dumplings) have thin, chewy skins—bite into them, and you get earthy mushroom and creamy Ricotta cheese filling, perfectly seasoned (no greasiness). When it first arrived, we took one bite, planning to save room for the squid pasta… but ended up grabbing more. Pro tip: Share this—3+ pieces get heavy, thanks to the rich cheese. 3. 🍮 Pannacotta｜5/5 Stars! A Gentle Sweet Finish After the bold pasta, this pannacotta (Italian cream dessert) is the perfect balance. It’s as smooth as a cloud, with a subtle milky flavor—sweet but not cloying, with a hint of vanilla at the end. Spooning it slowly erased the “rush” of eating the pasta; even my friend who hates desserts finished the whole thing. 4. 🐚 Capesante Scottate (Pan-Seared Scallops)｜4/5 Stars! Fresh Appetizer Win This appetizer doesn’t disappoint! Scallops are seared to perfection—crispy outside, tender inside—paired with a tangy lemon-butter sauce that enhances their sweetness (no overpowering the scallops’ natural flavor). One bite whets your appetite for the main course—ideal to start! 5. 🥩 Steak & 🦆 Duck Breast｜4/5 Stars! Meat Lovers Will Be Happy The steak (cooked medium) is crispy outside, juicy inside—locked in all the beefy flavor, just a sprinkle of salt and pepper to let the meat shine. The duck breast is seared crisp on the outside, pink and tender inside, served with a berry sauce to cut through richness. Not as amazing as the pasta, but solid quality—meat lovers won’t regret it. 💡 Practical Guide: Book Ahead & Order Smart! Reservations: Super popular! Book 1-2 weeks in advance via their website or phone—weekend dinners fill up fast, walk-ins are almost impossible. Menu Choices: Opt for the set menu to try all signatures (great for first-timers) or order a la carte to focus on favorites (we added a second squid pasta😂). Service: 10/10! Servers explain each dish’s ingredients and how to eat it (e.g., “Mix the squid pasta while hot—seafood gets fishy cold”) and proactively refill water/change plates. Address: Mucca Osteria, 1022 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205 (close to Downtown—walk off the meal afterward). Our only regret? We missed the roasted quail (a seasonal special), so we’ll definitely be back! If you’re in Portland craving “authentic, no-cutting-corners Italian food,” run to Mucca Osteria—especially that squid ink pasta. It’ll stay on your mind long after the meal. 😋 Hope you love this amazing Italian spot as much as we did! (Follow for more travel & food notes from the Bay Area to Oregon/Washington—never miss an update!) #PortlandFoodie #PortlandEats #ItalianPasta #PortlandWeekend #MuccaOsteria #BestSquidInkPasta

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