This might just be the absolute best intimate restaurant in Portland. We've been many times. Never disappointed. Traditional Florence inspired cuisine and a large and well curated wine list. Owners are there to serve and engage gracefully with clientele. read more

Amazingly attentive, friendly, and sincere service welcomes you and takes care of you throughout the meal. They made a suggestion that we have their pasta trio as an appetizer and it did not disappoint. The salads, cheese, and meat platters were great additions to our tasting tour. We also had a fish dish that was delicious. The cocktails were so well crafted that we were glad to have taken their recommendations. I am looking forward to visiting them again. read more

If I came back I would order the Strozzapreti, Prosciutto e Rucola! The noodles were thick and the sauce was salty. They have authentic mocktails/cocktails from Europe. Along with tasty bruschetta, and cool things like samplers to try different flavors. read more

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Not what a call a great Italian restaurant...mediocre at best. Had the chicken lemon with sliced potato...so so. Others had scallops with what looked like small salad...they said tasteless. The service was ok, but we had reserved a specific table a wk in advance, only to arrive and told it was given "by mistake" to others....not happy! Guess we'll write this place off. Oh yeah, I lived in Italy for two years and believe me, this place doesn't have the feel of a trattoria read more

After 13 years, Gallo Nero remains the best Italian restaurant in Portland. That's simply it. None of the other "Italian" restaurants come even close. The issue for some is that true Italian food isn't always appreciated. Many people prefer the Americanized versions of Italian dishes because their taste buds have been skewed toward overly fat- and salt-saturated flavors. At Gallo Nero, you'll have the chance to taste real Italian food - prepared, served, and paired as it's meant to be. You may discover you're not ready for that... or you may realize you actually Love the way it's properly done. The ingredients are top-notch: olive oil with virtually no acidity; fresh bread and focaccia; excellent, reasonably priced wines; fresh pasta cooked truly al dente; cheeses; vegetables that taste homegrown; sausages that are likely made in-house (they must be to be that good); and perfectly cooked (not overcooked) beans. The result was a ridiculously good, perfectly made and paired, legitimate Tuscan dinner. Perfect from the first bite to the last sip. Also, somehow recently they stretched out to an adjacent space. Now there is plenty of room for a nice romantic or work dinner. An absolute must for any Italian-food lover! read more

If you think of a fine dinner and celebrating a special occasion, even in a town like Portland with a food scene so diverse and delicious, there are only a few spots I would consider for celebration. One and front and center is Gallo Nero. So, when I was thinking about where to celebrate my husband's birthday and our anniversary, the decision was made quickly. Not only is the style of the restaurant just fitting (you have the old smaller guestroom that is directly at the kitchen, and so cozy and then you have the addition of a larger guest room) When we have the chance we try to sit outside on the small patio and watch the pedestrian walking by. Just like an Italian trattoria :) This time we decided to be in the room where it all began. But then you also have the great service that you want to have from an owner-run restaurant. Just a small team of people, you know, and more importantly, they know you. But of course, all that would not work if the food is not up to par, and not worried about you, like Italian food, you will not be disappointed. A small but delicious menu makes the choices easy; just go for ingredients you like, and they will deliver a great meal. We got the flight of bruschetta where you can choose the toppings (like mushroom, original Americana tomato basil lol, and Gorgonzola), then as a second we had the pear tortellini with sage butter. And then the special dish of the day, which was a sole, and I had the chicken with lemon sauce. Needless to say, it was worth our celebration day, and we enjoyed every bite and minute. We ended the night with a cheese plate and some hazelnut gelato. The gelato is not made in-house, but it is still the best in town. Thanks, Trattoria, for another amazing night. read more

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I ordered the pear Ravioli which was delicious and would order again. Also ordered the special potato stuffed pasta with lamb which was kind of bland and would prob not get again. Each pasta dish had only 6 noodles FYI so don't expect to get full from just the pasta. read more

Gallo Nero - Ravioli alla Pera - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This is hands down one of the best Italian dining experiences I've ever had. The traditional Italian cuisine is executed at an incredibly high level, and every dish is a testament to authentic flavors and exceptional quality. From the first bite to the last, the food was absolutely unforgettable. The ingredients were fresh, the flavors were perfectly balanced, and every plate was beautifully prepared. Beyond the incredible food, the atmosphere was warm, inviting, and made you feel like you were dining in Italy. What truly set this restaurant apart was the outstanding service. Everyone was welcoming, friendly, and genuinely passionate about making our experience memorable. If you're looking for true, authentic Italian cuisine with amazing food, outstanding service, and a wonderful atmosphere, I can't recommend this place enough. This restaurant is an absolute gem and is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates exceptional Italian food. Five stars all the way! read more

As a longtime efficient out of Italian cuisine and someone who looks a bunch of it and has been to virtue, good, great and bad Italian restaurant in various cities across the globe this one was mediocre at the. Ravioli was undercooked. There was a three dish pasta, special and different size. Raviolis and chef special took forever to come out yet. It was undercooked not al dente but only Dante the bruschetta was not crispy. It was almost soggy so while my weight staff was good. The preparation by the chef was less than adequate. At some point, they figured out that I was less than happy so First the server came over and asked me if I wanted a box for the uncompleted meal that I left half eaten I said no thank you I was at a hotel then the chef stopped by and asked the same question and finally the person who was fairly rude to me when I first came in and didn't offer you a seat at the bar that she had a big party asked me the same question. I did mention that the pasta was undercooked, and I found that strange since it was a three dish sample of. Be careful to be totally clear from I'm from New York and we take our restaurants fairly seriously and we expect servicing in good food. This place seem more like a tourist trap for people that happened through and don't understand what good food or good service is about. So it's not to say the food was terrible. It's just to say that it wasn't worth the effort or time. read more

Very friendly staff is a standout. Dishes do take a long time to from order to table, not sure if it was an off night or they're trying to mimic the European mindset. The meal started right with the light and refreshing the gin and grapefruit cocktail. Ample pour and not too strong. My favorite dish of the night was the Verza E Asparagi. In addition to the wonderful taste medley, the texture of the greens was a big plus. The Bruschetta - two different varieties - was kinda a letdown. Not only regarding portion to price, but overall taste. The bread was almost undistinguishable from a regular side. The Polenta "fingers" were a miss. Pici was delicious, and thankfully, not too al dente. It reminds me of a lighter Carbonara. Lasagna and some sort of seafood pasta were both very good. Skip the Tiramisu (didn't try it) and opt for the Torta Bella Nonna. Sweat cream gelato was smooth, real good. Cappuccino was freshly ground and a good portion. They might have overcompensated with AC, way too cold. Solid spot. read more

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Amazing food and wine, great service. Perfect for a date or celebration night. Never had an issue with parking. Love this place. read more

Gallo Nero - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The service was friendly and helpful. The dining room was very pleasant and comfortable. Great menu, and the specials were all interesting. The food was presented beautifully and was delicious. Everything served was excellent. We had a really nice experience here. I wish they were in our town!!! read more

A local recommended this restaurant to us and we're so glad we tried it for our last night in Portland. We were warmly greeted and seated with no issues around 5 pm. The ambiance is very pleasant. Our server recommended a fantastic bottle of wine along with his favorite dishes when asked; everything we tried tasted fresh and exceptional. The bruschetta options are tasty and reasonable portions make it possible to try several things. My husband enjoyed a sampler of three dishes and raved about them (he's an excellent cook). I tried the Vongole pasta - the clams, herbs and portion were perfect! We finished up with the best coconut ice cream I've ever had. Highly recommend! read more

The food was very good but the wine was 5 stars. From our party of 4, we all had good experience with our dishes. read more

Gallo Nero - Table Olive oil - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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My husband and I are free Saturday night to have a date. Ever since I came back from Rome I can only have freshly made pasta. They taste way better than the rehydrated ones. I went online and found this place. We had the vegetarian pasta dish. The risotto is amazing. The ravioli is good too. The bread is sooooo good. Basically everything is good. Definitely will go back anytime. read more

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The food is excellent and the wait staff very attentive. The menu has many options, yet quaint at the same time. We went for lunch and dinner on the same day and both meals were excellent. Their, "made from scratch dessert", is worth it too. read more

Everything we ordered was excellent. Our servers were friendly and attentive. Great atmosphere. Burrata salad for appetizer was perfect. They served a Variety of breads to enjoy it with. read more

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food service and ambiance all 5 stars. they also have an incredible wine list. Tuscan food at its finest

If you want to have a nice dinner not far from Powell Books, this is a fairly decent choice. Reasonable supply of Italian options, which by definition has to be accompanied by a wine cellar that would keep a city lit for about a decade. Price not unreasonable, and one can people watch, using the passersby on 9th street and the nearby Hampton as their targets. read more

Not for the faint of heart. The food is potent! It was an absolute privilege to dine here last weekend. My friends had been bragging about this place so much I simply had to see what the fuss was about. Classy ambience, excellent service, and like most good Italian restaurants, a subtle, yet obvious sense of pride carried by the staff. They KNOW they're good, but don't need to brag about it. The focus of this review will be on the pasta we tried, because on this evening, nothing else mattered.... although I have to give a small shoutout to their selection of burrata for the caprese- Exquisite!! First, the ravioli with truffle was absolutely potent. I have never been hit with such a strong truffle essence in all my years of dining. They matched the dish with a stalk of rosemary, which added a very interesting dimension to the palate, but was a tad bit over powering. Still, I was amazed! Next, the lasagna was a dish for the gods. The bechamel sauce was a powerful partner to the meat sauce, and is extremely rich. I don't recommend this for light diners. Highly recommend a red wine to pair with this dish, otherwise your palate may be overwhelmed. My absolute favorite dish was the sophisticatedly simple Strozzapreti, prosciutto e rucola. This fresh pasta was the star of the night. We had to order several servings of this as it simply wasn't enough. If there is one MUST TRY dish, THIS WAS IT! I highly recommend you order your pasta dishes to share. Each is distinctly diabolical, and may prove too much, almost like having the world's greatest lover kiss a virgin for the first time. All the desserts were good, but there was just something about their tiramisu that made the dinner perfect. It could have been caused by the potent pasta, or simply because their tiramisu is fantastic in its own right. Whatever the case, highly recommend you finish with this. High marks and I'll definitely be back here again, and again, and.... yes... again. read more

Gallo Nero - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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The food was fantastic! I enjoyed a pasta dish I had never had before. They serve fresh pasta and delicious bread made fresh in house. The service was spot on - attentive, without rushing. Prices are more than reasonable. Give this place a try!!!! read more

I went there tonight with a European friend. The waitress was very young. She apparently took offense about my friend's inquiry about substituting Brussel sprouts for potato and his mentioning his temperature request for the steak. The manager and owner came to us and told us not to be impolite to the waitress. We were not. My friend was insulted by the statement he was impolite (he was not) and the boldness of the manager berating him. We left, and I will never return there. This was an unimaginable, horrible experience. The manager insulted the customer in an attempt to assuage the feelings of his sensitive, inexperienced waitress. My previous review of Gallo Nero was positive. I removed that one and write this one. read more

The place is lovely, the staff are super friendly I went in on my birthday for lunch and it was the best choice the food was delicious the bread is delicious as if the Pici and the tiramisu 100% recommend. read more

Gallo Nero - Pici Al Tartufo - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This is an amazing restaurant! Service on point! Food amazing! Wine delicious! I highly recommend it

Soooo - my dearest friends have been talking about Gallo Nero forEVER. I've been on several occasions while home visiting family and was excited for our dinner this evening. Unfortunately it was not great, indeed with only 2 out of 4 plates decent, it's a strain to say it was even good. Plate #1: Halibut Special - edible but undercooked and bland; Plate #2 Pici - so salty as to be barely edible; #3 Strozzapreti, Prosciutto E Rucola: good; #4 Beef Medallions: super chewy/super not great. The Problem: waiter came over to ask how our food was. My friend with the beef mentioned that the meat was really chewy and asked what could be done. Waiter said smugly: I don't think there's anything .... And left the plate on the table. My friend with the salty pasta said nothing. Bill came - of course the uneaten beef was on the bill (even while the plate sat on the end of the table). When we spoke the to owner (??) he suggested that the beef was fine - maybe she just "couldn't chew it." Begrudgingly he removed from the check. Here's what - everything that comes out of the kitchen may not be perfect. What makes a great restaurant is the response to it. Here, the response was shite. Sadly, I will not be back. In the end, Gallo Nero is Gallo Nero Flaccido read more

This place was awesommmmeeeeeeee. Best Italian food I had on my entire trip to Portland, and the staff was very friendly. I enjoyed the aesthetic appeal of the restaurant as well. Definitely recommend! read more

Gallo Nero - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

First time here. Food specials were great and fair pricing. I had a beef dish with truffles and veggies and we tried the brodo ( ravioli soup) and prosciutto and burrata salad. Everything was very good. Great selection of wines by the glass as well as bottles. Try the Cigliuti Barbaresco. read more

This one has been on my Favorites List for some time now. Five stars for overall ranking. With the expansion I find that I prefer the original side of the restaurant. For me it's more cozy. I can't get enough of the focaccia and olive oil! I have serval food favorites so I'll just say try whatever seems most appealing at the time. Each time that you go something else might catch your eye! Vino! Yes please! As Rebecca and you'll get a wonderful! Recommendation. I always add chili flakes, extra olio and a 2 nd glass of vino to ensure a satisfied palate. Ciao! read more

Had a great meal here last night. Heartily recommend: Lasagna - I just got back from a trip to Northern Italy and honestly the two lasagnas I had there were inferior to the one I had here A drink called something like "Brooklyn Drink," basically a manhattan The tiramisu Everyone in my party loved everything they ordered. Service people were all great. Next time hoping to go in a smaller party so we can sit on the patio (4 tops max). read more

Finally had a Friday night off and was able to try out Gallo Nero. Made reservations for 8pm, no problem. We arrived right on time and were seated in the back. My boyfriend and I were both surprised at the size of the restaurant; for years I thought it was just the front area. We both ordered delicious cocktails (Grappa Margarita and Brooklyn) and a bruschette (Salsiccia E Stracchino). Both of our beverages were fantastic. I've never had Grappa before, but I've wanted to try it since watching Archer (yeah, you know that episode when he had a pint of Grappa). I would TOTALLY order both drinks again. I do want to try Grappa on it's on now. The brushette was dank AF. I do wish it had tomato and basil on it, in addition to the sausage and the cheese, though. Maybe I'll ask for it next time. My boyfriend ordered the risotto and I got the Strozzapreti, Prosciutto, E Rucola... which was apparently a popular dish. WOW!!! Just WOW!!! The portions were perfect. The risotto was rich and creamy. The porcini mushrooms were just buttery AF. So good. Real risotto. My strozzapreti was... ugh... so good. (As I write this hours later, I wish I hadn't eaten it all.) So, we found strozzapreti to be meaty like gnocchi, but in long cavatelli pasta form. I really like it. They DID NOT skimp on the prosciutto. And the dish was so good, even if they did skimp on the prosciutto I wouldn't be mad. (I probably shouldn't have admitted that.) We shared a special as secondi: Tagliata Al Tartufo (Painted Hills beef tenderloin cooked medium rare with garlic, fresh truffle and rosemary in a light cognac sauce, sliced and served on roasted potatoes and broccolini). Guys, there was legit shaved black truffle on this dish. I couldn't stand it... in a good way... I just kinda stared in awe for awhile (even after reading an article the other day about how BS truffles are... look it up, it was great). Our server suggested a bottle of delicious Chianti to accompany this dish: it was fabulous. Overall, I would totally go back to Gallo Nero tomorrow. The only thing I will say is, I feel like we weren't attended to as much as other 2 tops seated near us and close to the same time. My drink sat in the well for quite some time after it was made, and after my boyfriend had already received his. Regardless, the service did continue to improve through the night and we will return. I WANT SOME MORE OF THAT PASTA!!! read more

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A flat out embarrassment, literally no other description will suffice. From the waiter who defined absent, to the owner that loves to now make snide comments. It literally pains me to write this review as I was so looking forward to coming back in as I've missed dining at Gallo Nero something fierce. This was my go to place in Portland, and I've recommended this spot to all of my friends and even strangers, it was that good. After this experience, I will never return and I so wish it wasn't the case. read more

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Came here for dinner on a Friday night. We were told we had a strict 2 hour seating time; not a problem at all. The seating areas are split into distinct sections, so it felt like a smaller restaurant than it actually was. Feels a bit upscale but also approachable. Ideal for a date night/classier dinner. We ordered the Gorgonzola bruschetta, the special pasta for the night (cannot remember the name), and the lasagna. It was all great. My partner is Italian and has visited the homeland a couple of times, and he raved about how authentic all the dishes were. He said it was the best lasagna he'd ever had. We ended with an adffogato--the sweet cream ice cream was perfect. The service was good and very attentive. Overall, no complaints and great food. We'd definitely be back again when we're in the mood for authentic Italian. read more

Gallo Nero - Special pasta - truffle ravioli - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Celebrated my birthday here last night with 4 girlfriends; it was absolutely perfect. We had a resi for an indoor table; we were greeted immediately by our server Andrew who was completely charming. After a round of cocktails (Negroni on point!) we started with the antipasto plate. Absolutely delicious. There was some sort of horseradish pear sauce that was a marvelous surprise, and gorgeous meats and cheeses. My fave was the pecorino. I literally wanted to eat EVERYTHING on the menu, so my gals and I decided to go for family style sharing. Overhearing this, Andrew asked if he could just surprise us. Yes! He brought 2 salads: grilled shrimp and greens, and a burrata caprese. Divine. Then he gave us two bowls of pasta, and some lemon chicken and roast potatoes. One of the pasta dishes was with Gorgonzola, salami(?) and arugula and we loved it. But the table favorite was pappardelle with actual truffles. OMG. We had a bottle of Prosecco and when it was time for dessert, we chose a trio: Torta della Nonna, which was a delightful reminder of my Cajun grandmother's Chess Pie; flourless chocolate cake, and the BEST Tiramisu I've ever had in my life! ... and all the while, the staff conversed in Italian- it's legit. What a gem. We will all definitely be back. read more

4.5 Burrata salad was super good! Salmon dinner was very good too. Rosemary gin tonic was super good. The not so good: Prices seemed higher than they should be read more

Gallo Nero - Rosemary gin & tonic - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Service overall was friendly and enthusiastic, if a bit ragged. We were asked immediately if we'd like bread for the table which never came until asked for. I got the feeling staff expected us to reuse silverware, and courses were brought out without silverware being replaced first. Bits of debris, like wine foil, were left on the table instead of being cleared. Food overall was rather mediocre. The charcuterie plate was good. Salad with orange and fennel was good. A cabbage salad with Gorgonzola and asparagus had just a tiny dollop of cheese and the asparagus was hot. Most of the table liked their ravioli but the spaghetti with seafood lacked any sauce and was otherwise pretty bland. Desserts were pretty good, especially the lemon custard cake with pine nuts which wasn't too gooey, and the sorbets. But, at over $450 for four adults and two young children, with two very moderate bottles of wine, all the food should have been excellent, and the service more refined. All of that might explain why the restaurant was only half full on a Friday night. read more

Had a pasta feast here w family last week. Perfect cold, wet night food and wine. Our server. Gianna (hope I spelled right) was awesome, and patient with us as we navigated the menu and cocktails/wine. Highlights were the Tortelli Risotto, and Pear and Gargonzola Ravioli's. Good selection of Italian wines and a full bar. Every neighborhood should have a place like this too eat good, simple Italian food. read more

Small spot, minimal seating, not so comfy chairs, a bit loud, and pretty expensive. AND...outstanding service, outstanding wine selection, beyond superior food; quality, quantity, creative, fresh, fabulous ingredients. If you're looking for a special occasion - go! If you're looking to entertain friends/family/customers or co-workers, go! If you're looking to WOW someone or just treat yourself-go!! It'll be pricey, but you'll leaving looking for a reason(s) to come back as soon as possible!! read more

This restaurant exceeded all expectations. Went in for a snack and wine and ended up staying for a couple bottles, snacks, dinner and dessert. It is pure authentic Italian. Started with the cheese plate, meat plate and bruschetta with chicken liver and anchovy spread. All were fantastic. We followed up with the Spaghetti Al Frutti Di Mare (with seafood, white wine and cherry tomatoes) and Garganelli Al Pomoodoro (garlic, basil and tomato sauce with chili flakes). These two dishes were as authentic as any I have had in Italy. Truly special. Also - huge kudos to our server Andrew who made our day complete with the right amount of service and entertainment!! I will be back to this wonderful little gem over and over again in the future. Just a wonderful find in Portland. read more

Gallo Nero - A wonderful dry sparkling Rose Metodo Classico Doc Cesarini Sforza. Inexpensive too!! - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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My friend met the owner during a shift at work and he suggested that she come to his restaurant, so that we did! Located in the Pearl district, this is a smaller sized Italian restaurant with a truly authentic feel. So please don't come here with Olive Garden type expectations in mind. Notes-- *Low-lighting; great for romance. *Nearly all of their very extensive drink menu is in Italian, so it may get very confusing. Ordered: Pelligrino($3)-- The flavors were in Italian, so I did not know that "pompelmo" meant "grapefruit". It was still good, I just wasn't expecting it. Americana($9)-- Appetizer consisting of 5 pieces of bruschetta with chopped tomatoes. Came a bit burnt, but was still pretty decent overall. Scappolina($14)-- A simple dish consisting of a decent amount of chicken, which was dressed in a very delicious sauce. The chicken itself has a very refined taste to it, having been almost perfectly cooked. Tasted very fresh. Though it came with no sides, I found myself surprisingly satisfied. Moscato($6)-- I don't remember the name, but it was the only moscato on the list. Very, very sweet, with barely a hint of alcohol being detected. This worked out for me, since I'm sensitive to alcohol. Apple Torte($8)-- An Italian cake with apples baked into it. Came with sweet cream flavored gelato and sliced apples. Service: Excellent. From the owner to the waiter (a dark haired Italian fellow), to the hostess who occasionally helped the waiter with the table. They were very welcoming, and the waiter even suggested a wine that ended up being very delicious. Wait time: 10 minutes for the bruschetta and 15-20 minutes for the entrees. Bill: $$$ read more

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An amazing restaurant with excellent food, wine and service! The ambience was cozy and friendly. I don't eat a heavy meal at night, so my server suggested the Burrata alla Caprese and a glass of Montepulciano! What an experience, perhaps the best Caprese I have ever had! I could only eat half, but what a pleasure it was! read more