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What is it about this place that makes it so comfortable ?
We eat dinner there once in a while, we have lunch there often. Today we decided to have lunch outdoors and Piazza Italia was our choice.
A friend came by so we all sat outside, had great service, the usual good food and enjoyed the shade and beautiful weather.
The salad caprese is just so good..we drank Sangiovese, and our friend had the Arrabiatta..
Nothing is out of the ordinary, except, it is always better than others..better than ordinary..we sat there for almost 3 hours and no one cared.
I heart Piazza Italia..do you?
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Piazza Italia
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#5
pdxnewbie 
- Group: Members
- Posts: 759
- Joined: 08-February 06
- Location:Portland
Posted 24 June 2006 - 07:55 AM
NW Johnson & 12th..
Yes, I think it is all about the atmosphere, although their Salad Caprese is very good and their Squarciarella is great! Sometimes it is too noisy and crowded at night but at other times, that atmosphere is fun. But I always like sitting outside..they have maybe 6 tables outside, all with umbrellas ( which was good yesterday!) and the waitstaff are all pretty friendly and fast! Yesterday Adrianna was our server on her last day
and she was reeally nice!
Anyone else have a place that they just love for reasons that are not All about the Food alone?
Yes, I think it is all about the atmosphere, although their Salad Caprese is very good and their Squarciarella is great! Sometimes it is too noisy and crowded at night but at other times, that atmosphere is fun. But I always like sitting outside..they have maybe 6 tables outside, all with umbrellas ( which was good yesterday!) and the waitstaff are all pretty friendly and fast! Yesterday Adrianna was our server on her last day
and she was reeally nice!Anyone else have a place that they just love for reasons that are not All about the Food alone?
#6
MaBell
- Group: Members
- Posts: 1,065
- Joined: 11-February 05
- Location:SE Portland
Posted 28 November 2006 - 07:45 PM
Last night my Italian class met at Piazza Italia. It was my first time there but it is such a great vibe. My Italian instructor knows everyone there so it was funny to watch people dragging him to the kitchen and the deli counter to chat.
I had a glass of wine and the squarciarelli. The price was a bit high for just these two items, but I did fall for Piazza Italia and all its charm. Can't wait to return in nicer weather.
I had a glass of wine and the squarciarelli. The price was a bit high for just these two items, but I did fall for Piazza Italia and all its charm. Can't wait to return in nicer weather.
Homer: Are you saying you're never going to eat any animal again? What about bacon?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Ham?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Pork chops?
Lisa: Dad, those all come from the same animal.
Homer: Heh heh heh. Ooh, yeah, right, Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.
Lisa: No.
Homer: Ham?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Pork chops?
Lisa: Dad, those all come from the same animal.
Homer: Heh heh heh. Ooh, yeah, right, Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.
#8
tonyajonemiller
- Group: Members
- Posts: 376
- Joined: 22-July 07
- Gender:Female
- Location:North Portland
Posted 19 February 2008 - 05:48 PM
H was craving red-sauce-Italian last night, the kind of places he grew up on in New Jersey, so on a lark we headed to...
Piazza Italia
1129 NW Johnson
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 478-0619
www.piazzaportland.com
Monday-Saturday 12pm - 10pm
Sunday 12pm - 8pm
It's a small but airy room, with two walls of huge windows. The decor is comfy and casual, consisting mostly of signed futbol jerseys, Italian art, bric-a-brac, cured meats, bottles of red wine, deli/prep counter, and a couple of tv's. It's not the quietest or most romantic restaurant, but I have to say pdxnewbie described it perfectly- it's just so comfortable. We were greeted warmly even though we've never been there, and we both got a low-key family vibe off the staff. We ordered:
antipasto plate
bucatini amatriciana
lasagna
2 glasses of Sangiovese
2 double espressos
profiteroles
gelato affogado
The antipasto plate had four different meats, two cheeses, and some really delicious olives. They were green but didn't have that bitterness- they were buttery like black olives. The plate was pre-made, but not by more than an hour or so judging by temperature of the meats and cheeses and lack of dryness from air exposure
The bucatini was delicious, with a little more depth than I was expecting from a tomato-based sauce. (I think I just conveniently blocked the pecorino and pancetta part of the menu description from my mind. Hehehe.) The thicker pasta held up well, and the acidity of the tomatoes cut the richness of the pancetta just enough to keep the dish from being too heavy. H's lasagna was ooey gooey cheesy and exactly what he was craving. Servings were ample and filling, yet we both cleaned our plates. I didn't notice many fellow diners leaving with to-go containers, so I think they've hit upon that elusive perfect portion-size-to-entree-price ratio.
The profiteroles were three tennis-ball-sized choux puffs filled with a light (in texture not flavor) chocolate cream and covered in chantilly creme drizzled with chocolate sauce. Really delicious and enough for two people, especially on a belly full of pasta, but I'll know next time. Unfortunately they were out of cannoli, which H had been in the mood for, but they were nice enough to bring him a more expensive dessert for the same price, a gelato affogado which he said was better than the one he just had at Cafe Castagna.
Service is brisk and efficient, friendly but not intrusive. It's not as smooth or studied as most of its Pearl neighbors, but it has what I can only describe as an East Coast vibe, which I personally find charming and genuine. The service, food, and atmosphere suit the niche they are trying to fill. Total for the meal including wine was $67.50 before tip and very reasonable in my opinion. It's really nice to know that there is this kind of place in town for when I don't want fancy or nouveau. Just simple, classic, decent food in a welcoming atmosphere.
Piazza Italia
1129 NW Johnson
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 478-0619
www.piazzaportland.com
Monday-Saturday 12pm - 10pm
Sunday 12pm - 8pm
It's a small but airy room, with two walls of huge windows. The decor is comfy and casual, consisting mostly of signed futbol jerseys, Italian art, bric-a-brac, cured meats, bottles of red wine, deli/prep counter, and a couple of tv's. It's not the quietest or most romantic restaurant, but I have to say pdxnewbie described it perfectly- it's just so comfortable. We were greeted warmly even though we've never been there, and we both got a low-key family vibe off the staff. We ordered:
antipasto plate
bucatini amatriciana
lasagna
2 glasses of Sangiovese
2 double espressos
profiteroles
gelato affogado
The antipasto plate had four different meats, two cheeses, and some really delicious olives. They were green but didn't have that bitterness- they were buttery like black olives. The plate was pre-made, but not by more than an hour or so judging by temperature of the meats and cheeses and lack of dryness from air exposure
The bucatini was delicious, with a little more depth than I was expecting from a tomato-based sauce. (I think I just conveniently blocked the pecorino and pancetta part of the menu description from my mind. Hehehe.) The thicker pasta held up well, and the acidity of the tomatoes cut the richness of the pancetta just enough to keep the dish from being too heavy. H's lasagna was ooey gooey cheesy and exactly what he was craving. Servings were ample and filling, yet we both cleaned our plates. I didn't notice many fellow diners leaving with to-go containers, so I think they've hit upon that elusive perfect portion-size-to-entree-price ratio.
The profiteroles were three tennis-ball-sized choux puffs filled with a light (in texture not flavor) chocolate cream and covered in chantilly creme drizzled with chocolate sauce. Really delicious and enough for two people, especially on a belly full of pasta, but I'll know next time. Unfortunately they were out of cannoli, which H had been in the mood for, but they were nice enough to bring him a more expensive dessert for the same price, a gelato affogado which he said was better than the one he just had at Cafe Castagna.
Service is brisk and efficient, friendly but not intrusive. It's not as smooth or studied as most of its Pearl neighbors, but it has what I can only describe as an East Coast vibe, which I personally find charming and genuine. The service, food, and atmosphere suit the niche they are trying to fill. Total for the meal including wine was $67.50 before tip and very reasonable in my opinion. It's really nice to know that there is this kind of place in town for when I don't want fancy or nouveau. Just simple, classic, decent food in a welcoming atmosphere.
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