Portofino Ristorante — Restaurant in New York

I will start by saying that I had been to this place before, but only went back because of a Groupon. I bought a Groupon for an airbrush session for my wedding. The first time I tried to use it was 3 days before my wedding which was the amount of time that was recommended to me. It happened to be raining that day and when I called up to make sure it would still be ok to come in, the woman answering the phone advised against getting airbrush when it's raining because it could dry unevenly. I appreciated her honesty and decided against it, so as not to take any chances. . .

Fast forward a few months and I am in my friends wedding party so I decide to cash in on the Groupon - which to my surprise was recently expired (read the fine print!). The guy behind the desk would not honor the Groupon for the airbrush session (even though it was someone who worked there who told me not to use it). After I expressed my disappointment, he insisted he was giving me a deal by only making me pay the difference. I tried explaining to him that the actual value of the Groupon never expires so I was basically paying full price, just in two installments. He kept insisting that he was giving me a deal. . . he clearly either didn't get it or was trying to fool me, but fine I let it go and agreed to pay for the service. . . The straw that broke the camel's back was when he decided to try to shut me up by offering me another deal, saying that the next time I come in for airbrush he will give me a 2 for 1 deal. I appreciated the offer, accepted, and asked him to put a note in the system marking the 2 for 1 deal he offered in case he doesn't remember our conversation or someone else is working that day. . . to which he said "Oh, I will remember, I will be here for at least 6 months" . . .

Cool.

He never put in a note, which means the offer doesn't exist. He could have at least pretended to put a note on my account to restore the tiniest bit of faith in this place, but instead decided to shoot me down. . . again. What ever happened to "the customer is always right?" Clearly I will not be returning to redeem my fake 2 for 1 deal.

All in all the customer service was horrendous, but the actual service was decent. Monica was sweet and did a good job which is the only reason I gave it two stars. I took the 3 stars off for the customer service which I think makes or breaks a place like this. . . you can get a decent tan at any...

Mixed Impressions at Portofino Ristorante

I recently had a meal at the Portofino Ristorante located in the charming neighborhood of Forest Hills, New York. Unfortunately, my culinary journey there was somewhat of a disappointment.

To begin, I ordered their seafood spaghetti - a dish I was eagerly looking forward to. However, the dish failed to live up to my expectations. The supposed abundance of seafood was reduced to a few overcooked shrimp, leaving me underwhelmed. As for the spaghetti itself, it was overcooked to the point of being mushy, negatively affecting the overall texture of the dish.

The sauce was another letdown. Instead of being thick and robust as one would anticipate in an Italian ristorante, it was on the watery side. Moreover, it was over-seasoned, with the saltiness overpowering any other potential flavor profiles, making it hard to appreciate the dish in its entirety.

I also tried their bruschetta, which proved to be just mediocre. Although it wasn't bad per se, it lacked the exceptional burst of flavors one would hope for in a standout appetizer.

On a positive note, the ambiance of Portofino Ristorante was inviting and pleasant, especially on the sunny Sunday I visited. The outdoor seating allowed for a charming al fresco dining experience that was genuinely enjoyable.

Regarding the service, it was okay but had room for improvement. The staff was polite, but they did forget my drink order, only remembering to bring it out as my main course arrived, which was a bit inconvenient.

In conclusion, while Portofino Ristorante offers a pleasing ambiance, the dining experience did not meet my expectations. The quality of the food, particularly the seafood spaghetti, left much to be desired, and the service, while not entirely bad, could use some fine-tuning. It's my sincere hope that they elevate their culinary game and improve on these areas for an overall better...

Portofino Ristorante is an institution along Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, the place to be for that classic Sunday Lunch / Brunch with family or friends after church from Our Lady Queen of Martyrs opposite it. I have dined here for quite a few times, and the food, while always sumptuous in my experience, can be a hit or miss for some - I’ve observed some mistakes made in orders especially when it’s very busy. However, on the plus side - the place has that homey feel; sitting near the windows wistfully inside looking out at Queens Boulevard as you drink your chilled wine. I always loved their Burratta mozzarella for the appetizer and their pasta is always an Italian chef’s kiss - their delectable Butternut Squash Ravioli is perfect for an autumn day! (I just wish it was a bit more generous in serving.) While I feel they should update their desserts menu, I always have a weakness for their Tiramisu and I am glad they use Mighty Leaf as their tea of choice (the tea selection comes in this wooden box they have, a nice touch!). The waiters are always attentive and the manager owner is much beloved in the community. When I leave after a hearty meal, I always make sure I take a look at their small altar with San Giuseppe (St.Joseph) and a smattering of photos of the lovely smiling patrons of the place. It’s always nice to be part of...