Cafe Portofino

I’ve been eating at Café Portofino for years. Last time I was there most of the wait staff had changed. When I was there last night the waiter was no where to be found. It took 30 minutes for someone to came over, we had to flag him down. Then he messes up a simple order, and when I told him it was like a deer in then headlights. The wait staff is inexperienced and clueless. I cant believe this is the best they could find! To make matters worse, they must has hired a new chief! The sauce had so much salt and pepper it could choke a horse. Very disappointed. I always liked the small table atmosphere, but I guess I’ll be looking for some place else.

3 days with illness due to this place over my vacation… i should have sent the meal back. Too long to be sick, and too expensive !!!

My wife and I visited this past weekend. We hadn’t been there in about 2 years. As always, the food was excellent! It is a traditional menu with plenty of good choices. The warm bread is always great as is the service. The ambiance is cozy and classy in a great town! Surprised by the bad reviews.

The place is always so nice to relax and not too loud for conversation. The drinks are good, the service is great. I ordered what they called chilean sea bass on special menu 26 bucks, it didn’t taste like chili seabass at all. It was slightly off, but i was too hungry to complain. Very disappointed to say the least. Didnt feel so good afterwards. In all fairness, it might not have been the fish. But, i doubt ill be back. At those prices i expect excellence.

If I could go zero I would. Italians steer clear — you’ll be offended… Actually anyone who likes to enjoy food would be offended… I listened to other reviewers thinking oh whyyy not! and made the trip across the bridge with high hopes of a good meal and it was far from that. We ordered the fried calamari which were mini ones — like out of a can– with no flavor and heavily burnt… We didn’t finish it but had a few bites and realize it was horrible. I ordered the seafood risotto, my sister had rigatoni alla vodka with shrimp. Anyone who knows Italian knows that when you go to grab the pasta it shouldn’t be so over cooked it’s falling apart and you have to shovel it on your fork… Not to mention the sause just tasted like fish and everything smelled like bad fish… And it was… Immediately I knew the risotto was noo risotto but sloppy unflavored rice with defrosted veggies in it non the less… Everything tasted the same– blan and just fishy. Even the bread and oil was bad. Yes the oil was bad. Not to mention the wine was watery. Very watery. Overall — even atmosphere here — no — the guy next to us had a spider crawling on him… Dusty and nasty and bad food = total fail steer clear… Not to mention the price! It was $ 100 for two people with one appetizer and a glass of wine and the two entrees… Comeon! If it was good food id say alright but it was good food — unfortunately I could have made a lean cuisine for 10 bucks and have had a better meal…

Excellent Italian. Pastas were great as well as the service. Fairly inexpensive for the area but the food is great. Very cozy inside. Sometimes they have live music that does not in anyway overpower the conversation at the table. If your in town stop by it’s worth it.

As bad as it gets for «italian «food. It is so horrible I don’t even know what to say… its a throw back to the 70’s of what people think Italian food should be. Modernize guys modernize… of and the bartenders need to be a bit friendly since they are first miserable thing you see when you walk in the door.

very overrated, even for a McTalian place. Food was average, and inferior to Confetti (another local McTalian joint). Staff was rude. Parking was a NIGHTMARE. drinks were either too strong or too weak. Won’t be back.

My Wife & I love this place! We live practically right across the river and it’s one of our favorite places in that area. Very warm, rustic, non pretentious vibe. Never had a meal that wasn’t excellent, the service has always been great, really good wines, and the owner, who I’ve chatted with practically every time I’ve been there (we’re both Vespa scooter enthusiasts, as well) is such a nice guy and has been nothing but friendly & gracious every time I’ve been there.
I really can’t understand the bad reviews listed here, my experience has always been awesome, and I highly recommend it.

I have eaten here about six or seven times and on every occasion I’ve had a really great time. The food is always fresh and delicious and they are very accommodating to dietary preferences, which for me is plant-​based. I really enjoy the wine here and the atmosphere is friendly and cosy. The people who work here are so open and nice that I always leave here wishing this restaurant was in my neighborhood.
I find the negative comments very surprising.

I read some of reviews and I thought I would share my experience. We went in late Sunday afternoon… myself, n my 2 teenage children. We walked into the bar area n we were finally greeted by a pleasant waitress. We were told that the cooks were getting ready for the evening so could we wait in the bar for a few minutes. No problem. The waitress came back to seat us n then there she came… the dreaded female, middle aged, depressing, sour puss bartender. She reprimanded the waitress n asked us to wait outside because the dismal dark dingy dirty bar was not open… what a horrible place… they should use the morbid bartender for chum in the Hudson River, where their fresh seafood comes from… HORRIBLE

Used to be the best — down hill big time over last few years —

Love this place. Nice menu, well prepared, good prices. Try the Shrimp Francese. Not your typical lemony sauce! Jack is great and staff friendly. Great clams Oreganato. Not overdone and rubbery.

We didn’t even sit down because we caught attitude from the bartender. We left and had a great time next door at Olar.

Upfront disclosure: We didn’t eat here — we ended up eating Italian some where else in Piermont BUT wished we ate here. But we stopped in for an after dinner drink. Warm, inviting, kitschy, and friendly — we were glad we did and the next meal is here.

Very nice place for Italian in Piermont. Great mussels, pasta and service. Mario, one of the servers is always pleasant and finds time to chat at the table. Cosy setting with 8 or so tables but probably the best food in Piermont. Only issue is they don’t take MasterCard or Visa, just cash or AMEX.

My favorite Italian restaurant. Relaxing setting, very nice staff, fresh food all at a very fair/​modest price. Specials are always tasty and all dishes individually prepared. Great selection of pasta dishes. Best chicken parm we have ever had. Fish dishes are always very fresh. Very nice bar and wine selection is very good.
My wife and I go there every couple of weeks and dinner during the week is nice way to spend quiet evening. No reservations, but wait rarely more than 20 minutes. Very casual attire.

I can only echo Matt’s comments. This place makes you feel like you are sitting in a great Italian-​American kitchen, and you are the guest of honor!
Start with a yummy salad, filled with fresh mozzarella and veggies.
Follow with any of the entrees in the pictures, from the seafood to the pasta, Café Portofino does not disappoint. If you’re looking for a quiet, delicious place to dine, outside of the city, then this is the place for you!