Bistecca Wood Fire Steakhouse — Restaurant in Portland

Where do I start when everything was just incredible?! I’ll start at the beginning. The vibe— upscale, cozy, + inviting. We love a beautiful 3rd space with a great ambiance. The playlist — perfection. (Because this is important. Shitty music while you’re trying to enjoy yourself is no bueno)

We started with a bread dish, the crab cakes, and the yellowtail crudo. The bread and olive oil were delish, the crab cakes… perfection. I’ll take 10 more to go please! The yellowtail crudo was out of mt comfort zone— but it did not disappoint… a perfect bite, with so much flavor and a great texture!

The cocktail menu had a great variety, and the wine list… I wanted to try everything! Our table went for the mezcal Rich + Famous and the Tequila sour— beautiful display, and even better to enjoy! For dinner we enjoyed a WV Pinot Noir from Furioso. Highly recommend!

For dinner, we wanted it all, so we split some plates! We went for the chef’s choice of Center Cut NY strip with veggie sides of cauliflower and broccoli and then we also had to try the burger. The steak was fired up to perfection— the rosemary salt is a must, and definitely opt in for the side of horseradish. (I’m sure it didn’t need the sauce.. but I’m a sauce fan, okay!) The veggies were fired up without fault- neither were over cooked, they still had a firm texture, but soft enough to cut easy… If you know you know. They were both served with a romesco sauce… delish! Let’s talk about this burger— my god. One person at our table… she needed a whole moment. The sauces, the grind, the bun… all SO delish. And the fries were a perfect partner!

We wrapped up our night with their espresso martini, which is served with a cold foam— highly recommend! We also had to try a dessert… and when they all sounded delicious, we opted in for two! The crème brûlée was velvety smooth of course with the perfect crunch from the caramelized crunch. And then we had to try the pistachio souflee… because how could you not? The souflee had a wonderful flavor, the cherry ice cream was mellow and a perfect bite with the chocolate drizzle!

Last, but not least, and should have a review of its own — the service was delightful! (Which is hard to come by these days to be honest). The hostess, our server, and everyone else who passed by were attentive, welcoming, and made us feel very cared for! Service can make or break an experience, and this team made the whole night even more enjoyable. In Portland, we have to appreciate when we have nice things and support them so they can stay, and the City is able to thrive. I hope everyone takes the time to make a visit, and then makes a habit of a beautiful date night out in the town!

Bistecca— Your team went above and beyond to create a welcoming and memorable evening, and we’re so...

Walking in I had high hopes. The space that once served some of the best chicken in town had transformed into a wood-fired steakhouse. Sounds promising, right? Well, let’s just say the fire wasn’t limited to the grill because it was at least 1000 degrees inside this place. OK maybe 81 degrees but still.

By the end of our meal, two out of four of us were actively sweating, one of us (me) broke out in hives, and all of us were rushing to get the check before we evaporated. Sure, two at the table found it "warm but manageable," but let’s be honest: if half your diners feel like they’re being wood-fired along with the steaks, there’s a problem.

Happy hour is supposedly a thing here, but good luck figuring it out. There’s a sign taped to the window (very upscale, I know), but no dedicated menu. The discount? Anywhere from $1 off select items to $5 off steaks.

This place prices itself like a fine dining establishment, but the experience does not match. If you're going to charge premium prices, you need premium service, consistency, and at bare minimum, decent, consistent execution. Especially on a Monday night at half capacity (give or take).

We ordered a large steak medium, leaning into medium-well since it was being shared. It came out rare. So rare that parts were cool to the touch. We had to send half of it back to flash it for some more heat. It took nearly 10 minutes. Is that how rare it was or did they forget about it? We'll never know.

Prior to the steak though, our appetizer came out wrong and took 15 minutes to fix. The correct dish? Four tiny chips with caviar. Hardly worth the wait.

Wine was delivered to our table by the hostess holding the glasses by the goblets instead of the stem. (A crime in any establishment, let alone one charging these prices.)

The hasselback potato read far more flavorful than it actually tasted. What we got was essentially a basic baked potato in olive oil. We asked about fries (because, come on, a steakhouse without fries?), and were told they didn’t have them?? Odd, since we sat near the kitchen runner station and watched burgers being served with fries??

Speaking of burgers...there’s a mysterious note on the menu stating that only 10 burgers are available per day. Aim to give FOMO or??

And to top it all off, our main server never cracked a smile. No welcome, no menu overview, no recommendations—just a stone-faced presence that made us feel like we were inconveniencing her by simply existing. You should have seen her face when asked to sample between two beers offered on the menu before making a final choice...

Between the heat, inconsistent execution, and sad service, this place was a bust. The only saving grace to my 5 senses? The music.

What a sad, sad goodbye...

From the moment we walked in and saw the open flames of the kitchen, I knew this meal was going to be something special but it still exceeded every expectation. We started with oysters on the half shell, easily the best oysters I’ve ever had in my life. They weren’t served with the usual lemon or hot sauce, but they didn’t need it because the natural flavors were absolutely perfect. Next came the foie gras torchon, which I honestly anticipated I wouldn’t enjoy since I’m not usually a fan of liver. To my surprise, it ended up being one of the best things I’ve ever tasted, rich, decadent, and unforgettable. We also tried the caviar and onion dip. While delicious, I felt the onion dip slightly overpowered the caviar, but it was still a creative and tasty dish. The seasonal salad of watermelon, nectarines, tomato, cucumber, and ricotta was another highlight with flavors that were fresh, bright, and beautifully balanced. For entrées, we shared the porterhouse for two and the lobster thermidor, both cooked to absolute perfection. The tableside presentation of the porterhouse was unforgettable when the chef came out, lit rosemary on fire, and seared the steak right at our table. The aroma, the showmanship, and the flavor all came together for a truly memorable experience. The sides of Italian elote and Roman beans were equally fantastic, and every cocktail was crafted with care. Definitely recommend the tiramisu as well. It was decedent and complimented our dining experience. Our server Fiona made the experience even better with her attentive service and spot-on recommendations. She suggested items we loved, including a couple of off-menu drinks that were spectacular. This was hands down the best meal I’ve ever had. You can feel the love and artistry put into every dish, with flavor pairings that surprise you in the best way, like little explosions of creativity with each bite. The combination of incredible food, excellent service, and a lively fire-lit atmosphere makes Bistecca a must-visit. I will absolutely be coming back and recommending it to anyone looking for an unforgettable...