Portofino Restaurant — Restaurant in Stoke-on-Trent

After being recommended Portofino we booked a table for 7:30. Our table wasn't ready but it was very busy. After 15 mins we were sat down and given our menus. Another 15 mins passed before we eventually got someone attention so we could actually order food and some more drinks. While waiting for the food to come out we wanted to order some more drinks but nor server's near so my partner went to the bar to order. He did this twice. The food eventually arrived which was fresh and hot. I had the seafood linguine which was delicious, my partner had the beef stroganoff but was disappointed at how chewy the beef was but found it tasty and we had a side of garlic bread with cheese. Dave's description "best garlic bread I've ever had". I would agree, it was delightful. Meal finished, we, again, tried to get someone's attention as I was desperate to try a pudding. We were given dessert menus and ordered some more drinks. The drinks arrived maybe 10 minutes later and we thought we'd be able to order the desserts at the same time. The server slammed our drinks on the table and stormed off without even making eye contact. About 15 mins later they came to take our dessert order. We didn't order dessert but did ask to see the manager. She was very understanding and actually took our last drinks off our bill but we won't return...

We chose this restaurant as we were staying close by at the Best Western Hotel, and reviews seemed good. Booked online and revived a timely confirmation by text message - very quick and easy.

The restaurant is very tastefully decorated and the ambience is lovely. Staff also very welcoming and friendly!

Menu is extensive with lots of choice; I’m a huge pasta lover and it took me a while to decide on what I wanted. I opted for the calamari starter and OH had the deep fried mozzarella. Calamari arrived hot and good portion size with wonderful dip and side salad. It was however a little rubbery and I suspect was frozen rather than fresh. Fried mozzarella was delicious!

For mains I had the linguine salmone and OH has the chorizo calzone. The salmon was divine! So much flavour and the pasta was perfectly cooked in a sauce that was light and balanced. My OH’s calzone was absolutely MASSIVE! He said it was the best calzone he’s ever had - the pasty was amazing, very light.

Because we were both so full we shared dessert of profiteroles, and these were delicious too. Quite a large portion with plenty of cream and chocolate sauce; delicious!

Prices are great value for money! I would highly recommend this restaurant;...

Very disappointed. Heard good things about this place. Although I was a bit dubious when I saw it only had 4.4 stars...considering what I'd heard 🤔. I also noticed the menu was quite compact, which for me generally is usually good as it's less confusing and normally better quality food served. But when we got there it just seemed utter chaos! Every time we ordered the waiter or waitress's had to keep coming back because they weren't sure about something. Some of the meals were slow to arrive. Every single round of drinks we ordered they forgot drinks that we had to remind them about. They also tried to double charge us on one round of drinks that we had already paid for. (There were double figures of us so not a cheap round!). And the food itself was just really average. Not one of us had a stand out meal. The type of food you'd usually pay around £7-£10 for...yet we were paying £13-£20 for! Criminal value!

Alot of negatives there...but the staff were really kind and trying their best. But like I said earlier it was just complete chaos. Highly unlikely I'll ever return, not for them prices. It's was top end prices for beefeater...