The Portofino Restaurant — Restaurant in Virginia

This was my first visit to The Portofino Restaurant during a Wednesday evening overnight business trip. I chose it because the menu items I reviewed online were typical of an upscale-authentic Northern Italian restaurant and the "wine by the glass" list looked good and reasonably priced. I was pleasantly surprised by the inside decor. It was cozy in the upper dining area and the lower/larger overflow dining room was nicely appointed. I was a little concerned when I got dropped off during minus 2 degree windchill weather and it took me a while to find the back door entrance. It looks like the original front entrance was blocked off some time ago and left not very attractive or in inviting condition outside... first impressions are important, I think.

I hadn't made a reservation, but it was 5:00 PM on a mid-week evening and the hostess graciously welcomed me and seated me immediately. I checked out the menu and specials, deciding on the cioppino. I chose a glass of "house" malbec, which was excellent and I ordered a side order of the potato gnocchi in a meat sauce, Bolognese style. Once my order was placed, the waiter brought out a small tray with the house bread and there was a bottle of EVOO on the table to go with it. I was anxious to try the crusty artisan boule slices, but I was disappointed in the first bite... stale... bad first impression #2. One of the kitchen staff happened to pass by my table a few minutes later and he apologized for the bread... "Your waiter must have picked up the leftover cut bread from our lunch service"... really? No one likes dry leftover bread... that's for recycling... breadcrumbs! He quickly brought a tray of fresh bread and it was hard to stop eating it.

My cioppino served over capellini contained a generous mix of shellfish and a small piece of salmon filet. The light tomato broth was a perfect base for the dish, but it really needed some salt and additional garlic and/or saffron flavoring. I used the bread on the table to dip in the sauce, but a couple of nicely grilled crostini slices with some olive oil and fresh garlic rubbed into them would have been really good. Nevertheless, once salted, I enjoyed the cioppino with its very fresh-tasting seafood.

So... the side dish of gnocchi... good tasting red meat sauce, but I wish that I had requested a marinaro. Chef used ground meat in the "Bolognese"... not traditional in Italy... reminded me of my high school cafeteria spaghetti and "meat sauce." Sadly, the gnocchi were not house made, or at least not made fresh by hand. They were all identically formed, typical of what you might find in the frozen pasta section of your supermarket and served a little more than al dente. Given the Tuscan origin of the chefs at Portofino, I would have rather seen Northern Italian gnocchi on the menu made with a corn flour base and served with a sage butter sauce. If you put potato gnocchi on the menu, please do it right. They should be light and fluffy. Made properly they cook in a couple of minutes and melt in your mouth... Southern Italian nonnas being the experts.

It was not my intent to sound terribly disappointed in doing this review, but attention to detail is important. Portofino has not stayed open for nearly 50 years by serving bad Italian food and there seemed to be a lot of regular clientele in the house that evening as the dining room filled. There must have been five different waitstaff attending my table. Service was very good. I will try it again next trip into the city.

One last note... I had the limoncello tartufo for dessert. I'm a chocolate lover, but it sounded so refreshing that I tried it. Wow! Superb! Lemon gelato with a small core of concentrated, semi-solid limoncello in the center... loved it. It was served on a puddle of vanilla sauce with a drizzle of raspberry sauce and the menu said, "covered in meringue," but there were little chunks of what tasted and felt like candied lemon rind. Great substitute at any rate... intense flavor. Truly made the meal's ending worth the...

Visiting Portofino Restaurant in Crystal City, VA, was a delightful experience that exceeded all expectations. From the moment we stepped inside, we were enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere that perfectly set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The interior exudes an elegant charm, with tasteful decor that complements the upscale vibe of the restaurant.

The service at Portofino Restaurant was impeccable. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that our visit was nothing short of perfect. They were attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu, and eager to offer recommendations tailored to our preferences. It was clear that customer satisfaction is a top priority at this establishment.

The menu at Portofino Restaurant is a testament to the culinary artistry of the chefs. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted with the freshest ingredients, showcasing a perfect balance of flavors and textures. We were particularly impressed with the seafood selections, which were expertly prepared and presented. The pasta dishes were also standout, offering authentic Italian flavors that transported us straight to Italy with each bite.

One of the highlights of our dining experience was the wine selection. Portofino Restaurant boasts an impressive wine list that features both well-known and obscure vintages, providing an excellent opportunity to explore different pairings with our meals. The knowledgeable staff were instrumental in guiding us through the wine list, helping us make selections that beautifully complemented our dishes.

To conclude our meal, we indulged in one of the restaurant's decadent desserts. It was the perfect ending to an already spectacular dining experience. The dessert was visually stunning and delicious, demonstrating the same high level of culinary excellence found throughout the meal.

Portofino Restaurant in Crystal City, VA, offers an exquisite dining experience that is sure to impress even the most discerning diners. With its warm ambiance, outstanding service, and culinary excellence, this restaurant is a gem that stands out in the vibrant Crystal City dining scene. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply in search of a high-quality dining experience, Portofino Restaurant is a destination that promises to deliver an...

I came here once in 2020 when they had just started lifting Covid restrictions and I had received the best service. After my experience yesterday, it seems as though I only received that type of service because they weren’t getting many customers during that time. Me and my boyfriend were seated immediately when we walked in but as soon as our server approached us, we noticed his entire demeanor changed. This was the same server from my first visit, so I was shocked. I can’t even remember his name because he didn’t introduce himself and seemed like it was so bothersome to serve us. We JUST had sat down and got menus, barely got to open them, and he asked were we ready, as if he was rushing us. He wasn’t pleasant at all, seemed irritated that we didn’t know what we wanted as soon as we were seated. I felt bad because I had told me boyfriend such good things about this place and I was made to look like a liar.

Idk if it was the owner standing at the door, but whomever he was, he helped us more than our server. He gave us suggestions on wines, so we got a bottle of one of the ones he mentioned. His judgement was on point because we really enjoyed it. However, we didn’t care for our food. I was going to just pay for it because I don’t like to complain and didn’t want to offend the chef, the taste just wasn’t what I thought it would be. So, I and my boyfriend took only one bite of the food and the guy standing at the door came to check on us and I had just told him everything was good. He then saw we weren’t eating and asked if we wanted boxes. Once we said no, he did show concern which I appreciated and he took both dishes off of our tab. Suddenly, our server FINALLY came back after we watched him be pleasant and helpful with all of the other tables that surrounded us. He pretty much tossed the bill on the table without saying a word and went to talk to the table next to us. We both knew he didn’t want to serve us from the time we came in.

Being as though I’ve had a good experience before and enjoyed the food, I’m sure there are other dishes that are also good but I probably won’t return due to not feeling welcome the...