Portofino's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Greenville

My wife and I visited Portofino's on Saturday for an early dinner because my pregnant wife was craving pasta. We walked in right when they opened and were seated rather quickly. My wife had to use the restroom, so I ordered drinks for us while she was gone. When she returned, she told me that the restroom was gross and that she expected to be able to go to a clean restroom, especially when the restaurant had just opened their doors. Before she could finish, the waiter popped up asking if we were ready to order. I think he startled my wife who told him that she had just sat down and hadn't looked at the menu yet. The whole visit, our waiter, who I will say was polite, was extremely fast in his speech and in his service. We felt rushed and that was not appreciated seeing as though the restaurant was basically empty and we never get a chance to have a date night or even have time alone. The waiter came back, took our order, brought out the salad and ran off. The little bowl that had the rolls in it was broken and chipped which looked terrible and the salad tasted like nothing but oil. My wife and I each had a few bites before we both just put our plates to the side. The salad use to be one of our favorite parts of this restaurant, but this time around, it was just gross. We never received bread plates so the bread was just dripping butter/oil on the table and we were eventually just done with the struggle and left the rolls alone. When our entrees came out, (my wife ordered the shrimp and scallop pasta and I had a steak), we were underwhelmed. The steak was just a steak but what was really dissapointing was the pasta my wife got. For once, the pasta was cooked well, but in the chipped bowl, there were only 4 shrimp and 4 scallops in it. Everything in the bowl was tan in color, under seasoned and the scallops were barely luke warm. My wife would cut one in half and feel it and just shake her head. I will say that the man who I am assuming was the manager came by, he asked how it was and we just said it was okay because what could we say? There isn't enough seafood in the bowl or that the food didn't look or taste how we expected it to from start to finish? We just wanted to finish the experience and leave. My wife ate what she could of the pasta, didn't ask for a box (she left a ton of it in the bowl, by the way) and then we ordered the milky way pie because my wife was craving chocolate and we figured that no one could mess up pie. The filling was great but the crust wasn't a brownie at all, like it says it is on the menu. It was crunchy, but not bad. It was very sweet so we were both glad that we only ordered one piece. Something that bothered us was that we weren't even halfway through the dessert before the waiter popped up with the check and then he ran off again. There again, we felt really rushed and the restaurant still wasn't full, so why were we made to feel that way? I paid the check and we went to leave. This whole experience I could over look until we went to leave. My wife is extremely pregnant at the moment and has times where she struggles to stand up when she has been sitting for an hour, which is about how long we were there. We sat in a booth so she struggled a little more to get up. When she was trying to get up, there were two young people at the front desk that were staring at her. When we walked by, they were still staring...They said to have a nice night but my wife felt extremely embarassed and their staring made it worse. I don't appreciate going into a restaurant that we have visited before and had great experiences in the past, being made to feel rushed on our first night out together in about a year, paying high prices for something we could make at home for a fraction of the price with appropriate portion sizes and then having my wife leave the restaurant feeling bad about herself. Shame on this place for serving over priced food in broken dishes, having waiters that make you feel like you aren't a priority and for having staff that just stand and stare at people that...

Ever go back to a restaurant you’ve enjoyed previously and wonder why you took so long to return? There are lots of choices for Italian in Greenville- from the pretentious and expensive down to the likes of Olive Garden. Portofino’s is a great value because not only is the food very good, the portions are so large you always take some home! Let’s start with the servers- we always ask for Mike, he’s a 25-year veteran, knows the menu and wine list inside out, and serves with an attentive professionalism. Not too much, just right as he paces the meal perfectly. We visited on a Friday nite, and knowing the crowd shows pretty early because there are no reservations, we showed up around 5. We normally have a pasta dish, but decided to branch out a bit. We had the Francese with Chicken (Egg battered, sautéed and finished with a lemon butter sauce. Served with a side of fettuccine Alfredo, $16.45) The chicken was done perfectly, the lemon butter was so flavorful, the only thing we might change was a matter of personal taste- we like the Alfredo sauce a bit thicker. We also had the Sirloin Fiorentina Style ($18.45, 10oz. Grilled Steak, finished with brown sage butter and choice of the fettuccine, spaghetti meat sauce or marinara). The steak was a generous portion, done perfectly, but was not as flavorful as I might have expected. The spaghetti marinara sauce was as awesome as usual- rich with flavors. All meals come with a rather simple salad that the wine vinaigrette dressing mates with perfectly- the beets are a bit of a surprise, but a good one- and lettuce, tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese, cucumbers, onions, mushrooms, basically as you would expect. Mike always asks if we’d like more as it is served in a single bowl- trust me, the correct answer is no! There’s plenty more food on the way. A final word on the rolls that come with crumbled garlic and petty much covered with melted butter and garlic- try to ignore the reviewers that poo-poo these little goodies that nearly melt in your mouth! They are not from the frozen aisle at the grocery. We had checked the menu on the way, and didn’t realize that it had undergone a facelift very reasonably. Like many restaurants, they’re developing a loyalty program with promises like “being the first to know about new menu items”. The site proved to not be up and running yet, but since we were inquiring about it, for our trouble we won ourselves a piece of Milky Way pie to share! Milky Way filling with a brownie crust. Absolutely...

Nestled in the heart of South Carolina lies a culinary gem that has captured my heart and taste buds. For nearly three years, I've had the pleasure of exploring the vibrant dining scene of this state, and without a doubt, Portofino's has emerged as the unrivaled champion of Italian cuisine. Prepare yourself for a symphony of flavors that will transport you straight to the sun-kissed shores of Italy.

From the very first bite to the last, every dish that has graced my table at Portofino's has been a gastronomic masterpiece. It's an experience that awakens the senses, leaving you craving more with each tantalizing morsel. The sheer brilliance of their culinary creations will have you falling head over heels in love with Italian cuisine all over again.

Now, let me share a little secret with you. Choosing just one dish from their remarkable menu is a challenge in itself, which is why I often find myself indulging in not just one, but two delectable creations. Why settle for ordinary when you can revel in the extraordinary? And the best part? The portions are so generous that you'll have the pleasure of savoring the leftovers for another day of sheer culinary bliss.

Beyond the extraordinary cuisine, the staff at Portofino's exemplify the true meaning of hospitality. Attentive, accommodating, and always wearing a genuine smile, they make you feel like a cherished guest, prioritizing your needs with swift and friendly service. From the moment you step foot through the door, you'll be embraced by a warm and welcoming atmosphere that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

So, dear friend, if you're seeking a culinary voyage to Italy without leaving South Carolina, Portofino's is your ticket to gastronomic paradise. Prepare to be enchanted by their sensational dishes, pampered by the attentive staff, and transported to a realm of pure culinary delight. Embark on this remarkable journey and let your taste buds dance with joy as you savor the true essence of...