Portofino's — Restaurant in Waco

We came here on an internet search when we stopped in Waco for the night. We love Italian and saw this was a family owned restaurant and not a chain.

We walked in the Front door and the place was packed. That was a good sign. The owners wife greeted us and found us a table. While we were dining we saw this place change over tables. When we left it was still packed.

We started with a bottle of Chianti. This place still have table quality wines for under $30 a bottle. Haven't seen that in years. We also got the bruschetta. It was fresh and tasted very good. I ordered the veal piccata and my partner had the lasagna.

The veal had a rich piccata sauce loaded with capers. The veal was so tender I cut it with a fork. It was one of the best veal piccata I have had. My partner had the lasagna. It was obvious this was make from scratch and the sauce was so fresh and full of fresh herbs. I tried the sauce and it was very delicious. I am a salter, but neither of these dishes needed enhancement.

The bread was baked daily at the restaurant and I ordered the garlic olive oil. I prefer olive oil over butter. Fresh chopped garlic.

I had a cannoli for dessert. They do not make their own desserts, but get them from a bakery. The cannoli matched the quality of the food the restaurant prepares.

Another note. The owners wife who greeted us also never stopped. She also bussed tables and supported her staff in any way possible. What great leadership! She stopped by our table to check on us. I shared my praises with her for the food and her service. Employees looked happy to be working. Who would not want to work in a place where the owner works side by side with you.

I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant whether you live in Waco or just...

I love supporting local businesses because their success is ultimately a success for all of Waco. However....

Last Friday night my husband went to a well established Italian restaurant on Austin Ave. You know the one. I have enjoyed eating at this restaurant for many years, even before they moved downtown. I called to make a reservation and was told they don’t take reservations for 2 people. As we waited, the couple behind us was seated first because they had “called ahead”. Ok. We were finally seated and ordered a glass of wine. When delivered, it was literally poured onto my menu and into my lap, splattering everything in between. The waitress was embarrassed and quickly arranged to move us.

We finally get to look at the menu and were really surprised at the prices. They had risen dramatically. (I guess this is good for them, since the restaurant was busy.) Maybe it was the lingering moistness from the wine, but the food was just so so. The shrimp was rubbery and our favorite limoncello dessert was stale. We get the bill, and one would think that something, the wine maybe, would have been comped. But no. Probably the most disappointing meal for the money that we’ve had in a long time.

I know that tourists are really bolstering our economy, but local residents will be your returning customers.

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to the opening of the new Italian Bistro on Bosque and...

Food was good. Service was not. We were not familar with Waco's new downtown area. The place we wanted was full. Portofinos was open and had only one table of ladies. A gentelman seated us. Our waitress came over angry. She quickly placed menus down and announced they were closing in 5 minutes. We looked at our watches to find it was early. I looked at the table of ladies and they were not leaving anytime soon. They were socializing and drinking.No one was rushing them. She left and came back minutes later with our water. She rudely announced the kitchen was closing and we needed to place an order now. The time was 9:30 pm on a Saturday night. We looked up what time they closed because it wasn't on their door. She said Closing was 10:00. We ordered fast, ate and watched the ladies at the other table who had been socializing for a while order after we got our order. We wanted a nice meal after walking in the Suicide Walk that night. I guess since we were in our Suicide walk team shirts and yoga type pants she was judging us. She did not help us with anything else. She came and slapped the check down. We paid and left all in about 20 mins. Meanwhile, the ladies were still drinking laughing and slowly eating. No one rushed them. I guess no visitors are allowed at this place. Too bad, my money has contributed to college tuition...