Dearest gentle readers,…read more A most scandalous correction must be issued how careless of me. The establishment in question is none other than the divine Grassa, a name that now rolls off the tongue with the same richness as its most indulgent fare. And oh, what fare it is. Here, along the lively stretch of Portland, one may witness noodles brought to life before their very eyes fresh, authentic, and handled with a confidence that borders on audacity. These delicate strands are then enrobed in a mac and cheese so decadently composed, so brazenly elevated, that it dares to redefine comfort itself. And just when one believes it cannot be improved enter the pig belly. Crisp, tender, and unapologetically rich... a finishing touch that transforms the dish into something whispered about in only the most exclusive of circles. Yes, dear reader, this is the sort of indulgence that lingers long after the final bite... the kind that ruins lesser versions without remorse. And so, with that final truth properly set, I take my leave once more. The tales of this fair city draw to a close, but not without leaving behind a most delicious legacy. Until our next adventure ever eastward. Yours most faithfully,

Visiting Portland and found this local chain of Italian restaurants. Everything we tried was…read moredelicious. The pasta was perfectly al dente. The sauces are flavorful. The food was freshly prepared and served promptly to the table. They have a selection of alcoholic beverages as well. You order at the counter so that could be a little time consuming and the food is served to your table. The seating is a mix of booths and communal tables. Definitely would visit again if the occasion arises.

Incredible little grocer that has a huge wine selection, cute gift area, tons d European dry goods,…read morefresh produce, fresh bakery and a incredible ready food deli area. You can spend hours in this store looking through the store, prepping dinners or gift shopping! Worth the stop to check it out.

Providore is a feast for the senses and a great place to treat yo self! Like other reviewers share,…read moreit's not the place to go for your regular grocery resupply, but for items where you want something unique, elevated, and special, this is the place. The market is well-stocked with unique shelf items from around the world-- pastas, jams/jellies, biscuits, oils, vinegars, tinned fish, and legumes. They have a vast deli case with meats, cheeses, and prepared items. The meat and fish counter is magazine-worthy and they feature some hot-food specials using meats and sausages from their counter. The wine selection is expansive-- we even saw a few bottles from the Loire region of France which we had the great fortune decades ago to visit family friends. It was the produce area that really made my heart sing and my eyes bug out. The produce section is colorful, artfully arranged. I could practically feel the antioxidants beaming into my body! I have never seen SO many varieties of alliums in my life. They had four different types of "green onion" (scallion, green garlic, calçot, and red spring onion), plus mahoosive leeks. We had a great experience with service which was friendly, helpful, and prompt. Since we were out and about doing other things we didn't get anything that required refrigeration like cheese, meats or produce, but we did have sandwiches from the deli case which were tasty. I look forward to going back for some of the produce and cheeses.

I ran into Foglia at the PSU farmers market. They put out a display of their beautiful ravioli and…read moreit caught my eye. I'm not sure they even had a sign with their business name as I had to look them up later. But they know what they're doing, as seeing these beautiful mountains of stuffed dough got the sale! All of their pasta is naturally colored with juiced kale, peppers, carrots, turmeric, tomatoes, blueberries, and beets. They don't use food coloring. It's truly a beautiful product. Of course then the question is, does the taste match? And I'm happy to say it did! These were tasty, made with both a red sauce and a butter sauce at home later. And I'm not really a good cook, but ravioli are hard to mess up with ~5 mins of simmering in boiling water. I got all of one flavor and would like to try a variety next time. These would be great for a dinner party where you want the aesthetics to match the deliciousness!

Haiku for pasta-makers at Foglia…read more Birthday party food Delicious and beautiful Dream about it still Raviolis please Melt in your mouth flavorful One in every color Chicken Alfredo Delectable light lemon Flavorful surprise

Consistently great food! Lots of outdoor seating - any season. Wonderful owner and staff!!read more

Definitely a hidden gem in the NW area. Fresh pasta made everyday! They have been in this location…read morefor over 20 years now. Clearly they're doing something right. They are always busy so come at a good time! Reservations are only for 8+. They have a nicely heated patio area. Amazing drinks and super friendly staff! We love the pesto here that's also made fresh daily. Ample wine selection and free fresh bread! Portions are just right and their food is not heavy at all! Everything about this place is fresh and amazing! You need to try them!

Our group planned a reservation, but decided to cancel…read more Despite that John and his team were very accommodating to our needs. During the reservation process, they were very responsive and helpful with the process. Gumba will definitely be a must dine-spot when we return to Portland

Portland is full of pasta-bilities, and Gumba is definitely one of them. I made the reservation…read morethrough Tock, and the process was simple and convenient.When we arrived, however, it still took quite a while to get seated, which did make me wonder how much difference the reservation actually made. We started with a round of cocktails and a few shared bites for the table. The Fry Bread a Neapolitan-style bread served with Parmigiano and garlic-rosemary oil, alongside burrata was a great start. We also ordered the Charred Calamari, marinated with mint, parsley, chive, and red bell pepper, which was fresh and flavorful. For the mains, everyone ordered their own entrée, and the table generally seemed happy with the dishes. The Autumn Harvest cocktail ended up being a crowd favorite and paired really well with the meal. I also tried one of their vermouths, which I enjoyed. Overall, it was a good experience with solid food and drinks. However , nothing particularly stood out to me in a way that would make me rush back anytime soon.

Let me start by saying I didn't take pictures. For anyone who reads my reviews, that's a big part…read moreof them: ALL THE PICTURES. Presentation, portions, half eaten, etc... but I didn't. Because the food was so damn good. Look - I'm going to start off by saying I grew up practically on The Hill. Out here, you'll have to Google it (make sure to add 'RI' to the search or you'll get some political BS), but back east, "alls you's have ta say" was those two words and anyone would know you knew your Italian, food and otherwise. There isn't anything on this coast that vaguely compares to The Hill's food, but walking into and biting out of Geraldi's was having a little piece of home. There's this little shop in the old town where the owner knew your voice when you called to order... you'd walk in, and you heard "hey cousin!" whether you were or not, and that's the vibe you get from Geraldi's. The food is much the same - you get something that looks like Nonna was at the range all day with her sauce (it's not gravy - no meat) and you came home looking like you haven't eaten in weeks: "I'm gonna fatten you up before you leave" and you walked out the door with a sub (sandwich, that is - not a submarine) that weighed the same as a newborn. We got three of those babies: a Chicago Beef (seal of approval from the orderer - only 'complaint' was that they had to eat it all in one day because the bread was quote too soggy to make it to lunch the next day - travesty), an Italian sausage (just as delicious when 1/2 was reheated the next day) and a Chicken Parmeroni (I thought somehow even better when 1/2 was reheated the next day) and I could have absolutely gone back the next day if it weren't for A. the leftovers 2/3 of us had and B. the meal planning we'd done for the week. I also grabbed a side of giardiniera because I will get it anytime I see it available and I inhaled it - I need to know if I can by it by the vat instead of the side cups because it too was similar to what I can find at home (about practically nowhere out here) and amazing!! I'm still upset I didn't take pictures though!

Locals mentioned this spot when I asked about good sandwiches! They were not lying!…read more A small spot with pizza, subs, and salads. I can only speak to the sandwiches. I started with the Spicy Geraldi, which is normally cold - but you can get it hot - highly recommended! It was toasty and amazing! Packed full of meat - the half would have been enough for me - but the whole left some for later! I will be back to try more. Prices are moderate.

I wanted to try something new and add to my ever-revolving places to grab food from on non-cooking…read moredays. I stumbled upon this place while waiting for a 5pm massage appointment at a place on the 2nd floor. I was immediately welcomed with a smile by the guy working behind the counter. As soon as I told him it was my first time here we struck up a great conversation. He showed me what types of foods they had and after I settled on a lunch box that included a panini, salad and other goodies, he mentioned that they switch out their salads every Wednesday to mix up the variety. I settled on a Lasagne slice, a Prosciutto Panini and an additional one to go with my lunch box. Their side wall was adorned with pickled and jarred items as well as pastas the like. On the far wall had their beverages and my lunch box came with my choice of drink. I settled on some Italian orange soda. Not sure what it tastes like but I will tomorrow for my lunch. They also have panini press machines. The nice guy offered to toast my panini. I only have a microwave at work so using that will just turn my panini into a solid rock. Microwaves and bread don't do well with each other. Overall a neat experience indeed. I think on my next visit I'll bring my wife with me so that she can try other things. She has a better eye at finding great things to eat more than I do.

Nice place for grab & go Italian food - we often pick up lasagna, pasta, and paninis from here to…read moreeat at home. The food quality is top-notch. A. bit pricey, but the quality makes up for the higher cost. Their cannolis are also pretty impressive. Give it a try.

The cheese mongers know their stuff! Delicious cheeses and reasonably priced. They have a nice…read moreselection of pastas and charcuterie items as well!

If you're a cheese lover, Cowbell Cheese is an absolute game-changer! From when you first step in…read moreto this small shop, you'll be blown away. The fromagers are kind, knowledgeable, and intent on sharing their expertise, humbly. Plus, their variety of cheeses ensures there's something for every palate, from sharp and tangy to mild and buttery. And lots of other great products including pasta sauce, sides for a great charcuterie board, and an excellent baguette and fresh sandwiches. Beyond the taste, I appreciate Cowbell Cheese's commitment to quality and freshness. This shop is a true delight for any cheese enthusiast!