Nostrana

The food and drinks were delicious but the service was terrible, which really detracted from the meal. For appetizers, our group of three split a radicchio salad, an asparagus appetizer, and the burrata — all fantastic choices. For entrees, we split the zucca pizza — truly a standout — and the spaghettini alla’arrabiata with clams, which was a bit disappointing. The strawberry rhubarb crisp was phenonemenal. Great negroni, especially at the price ($ 9).
The meal totally fell apart when it came to service. We had to wait 15 minutes past our reservation for our table to be ready, which is annoying but understandable – restaurants can’t always control other guests. However, after we were seated it took another 10 – 15 minutes for our waitress to come over to take our drink orders. We had 6 different wait staff come to our table throughout the night, which made the service feel very disorganized. Despite this, it took forever to get their attention when we needed something. It took so long to order a second round of drinks that we just decided to pass. The whole meal took twice as long as it should have, which is perhaps why they were constantly running behind.

The wait staff was the best thing about this restaurant. OK, not really. The Caesar salad made with radicchio was phenomenal. And then i moved to my Dungeoness crab pizza, out of this world! Even the water tasted good. This was the first stop during our mystery date night. And it was a great way to start the evening. I would definitely recommend this restaurant when searching for a nice dinner, in a casual setting. We only spent $ 60 for two of us (this included two entrées a salad and a soda). But really, the waitstaff was superb.

Sooooo yummy! My family and I went yesterday for my birthday and it’s just delicious and simple. We ordered a charcuterie plate for an appetizer and we all ordered pasta dishes except my mom who got the salumi pizza which was really yummy and there was honey on it which was interesting but really good. Also ordered dessert and the chocolate pudding is really thick and rich. It took a while to be seated so not a good spot if you just want to eat and get out but great to enjoy with the fam or on a date cause I mean the foods delicious and the servers are really sweet so the wait is worth it. Also you get scissors when you cut the pizza so it’s pretty cool.

Nostrana has been our go-​to place for the past several years. The pizza has been among the best in town, the homemade pastas wonderful and the budino amazing.
Something happened the other night and we are hoping it was just an off night and not the new routine. The food was, to say the least, uneven. The pizza was so salty as to be nearly inedible (I think it was the sauce), the potato that came with the chicken was flavorless and the insalata Nostrana seemed to have shrunk from years gone by.
We aren’t giving up, but there is just too much good food in town to pay these prices ($ 250 for four including a $ 40 dollar bottle of wine, when two of the entrees were pizzas) if they can’t deliver.

Stellar Italian place on the east side, and has its own lot which is a big plus seeing how crowded pdx has become lately. We came after 9, so we took full advantage of their HH menu which has some excellent deals on their pizza and meat and cheese platter which we tried. For mains we got the Tagliata and the gnocchi both of which were very good. We finished off with the strawberry rhubarb baked pie which was strictly ok, expected better from this place. But they have a rotating menu so will be back in a while.

Totally excellent pizza for a tough audience. We ate here after spending two weeks in Italy and it totally lived up to our new snobby pizza expectations. They don’t over-​cheese the pizzas which is the common mistake in America. This will become a regular stop for every Portland trip in the future.

Disappointed. Picture this: party of 6 young professionals choose to have a birthday dinner at a well known Italian eatery that most of us have had pleasant enough experiences eating at in the past. We drink, eat– appetizers and meals– and even dessert. Great, easy table for any seasoned waitress to desire, considering you’ll get your automatic 18% gratuity. Right? WRONG! Our seemingly nice enough waitress suddenly is bent out of shape when asked to split off some of the check amount to separate credit cards: «We don’t split checks.» Yes, okay but certainly you can put certain amounts on certain cards… Dare I ask? «Well, then I would have to calculate that,» she said rolling her eyes. So I offered to add it up with a pen very generously, but instead she began fidgeting in her apron and abruptly reached for a pen, and then stopped and ran off to return with a calculator. Perhaps she had a moment of clarity realizing that she could be of more assistance if she helped? Then she proceeded to punch in numbers AT THE TABLE like an accountant on tax day sighing and groaning. When it was time for the date to cover the birthday girl– she again sighed and snapped– «what did you two have?» Prompting everyone at the table to glance at each other with significant unease.
While she was running around acting as if we had violated restaurant policy 101, I spoke to the hostess about her behavior. She stared blankly at me and repeated the policy, bc I definitely needed to hear it AGAIN, like a robot. Then I asked for a manager and some odd man came within two feet of me as I was speaking, asking how he could help. Again, I said I wanted a manager and he said loudly, aggressively, and condescendingly– «what can I do for you» staring at me and seeming quite annoyed that I dared to voice my issue meanwhile never saying who he was– manager or otherwise. (And to the creepy guy in the khaki ensemble, you know who you are, personal space much?!) I explained the mood was ruined by the waitresses unnecessary antics– and he said he would speak to her. Evidently he was annoyed to be dealing with service issues being that he may be the «manager» working in the SERVICE industry. The waitress, she never apologized, simply came back to the table with the remaining checks and gave her first smile of the evening saying a forced «thank you.» Not only was she a mess, and she knows who she is– but the «‘manager» experience was truly twilight zone like.
These people are pretentious, frankly rude, and can’t be bothered to do the work they choose to. I even made the comment to the hostess and said «manager» that I simply wanted the waitress to do her job without the theatrics as she was making us all uncomfortable. Instead they stared as if I was insane.
All in all– good enough food, but the service is far from. It is truly unfortunate as I have met the owner and one of the chefs in the past, and they seemed to be wonderful people. Maybe they should ask the staff if their calling truly is the service industry because you wouldn’t expect it. Evidently your money, if split up, simply isn’t good enough for them?
I have never felt compelled enough to use Unilocal to write even the semblance of a negative review, but to ruin the mood of a celebration warrants an apology. One we never got. I may never go back. Go for the food, but if the attitude rubs you the wrong way– be sure to be heard!

Not the best pizza (even outside of Italy) but very good brick, wood-​fired oven pizza. Very cool ambiance and décor. Awesome wine list and true to Italian rustic ingredients.

If you’re looking for food recommendations on these reviews, don’t bother. The menu changes just about everyday. If you’re looking for a testimonial to the quality and authenticity of the food: It’s delicious.
We shared a pizza for an appetizer. Note that you can add toppings such as pastrami and egg. Do it. They make you cut the pizza on your own as a show of Italian originality. We had the seafood fehttuchini and another pasta dish for our first round and let me say don’t get the pasta. Not because it’s not good but it was just «okay» compared to everything else. Nothing special there. So onto the best parts… the pork belly dish was phenomenal! The Italian steak was out of this world!!!
The wait was long though. If you’re showing up on the weekend, unless you don’t mind an hour long wait.

My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful meal at the bar top (much shorter wait time) of Nostrana for our 2 year wedding anniversary. The service was wonderful and the restaurant had a great atmosphere. I went with a capellini dish that had one of the tastiest sauces and my husband had a pasta and meatball dish (the meatballs were delicious)! We also ordered a Pinot noir and Riesling that did not disappoint. Once our server/​bartender found out it was our anniversary he treated us to two flutes of champagne and also a adorable rooster candle and some of their house made cookies! This was a wonderful experience and I hope to visit again!

Great food. Amazing service and ambience. They have different Menu everyday for lunch and dinner.
Very less vegetarian options but the they were able to accommodate our asks. We ordered chef special pizza and it was delicious. Pasta was ok — too dry and we got it without the veggies (just the pasta and the sauce. Overall great place.

Buddy and I decided to try this place after catching a prescreening of Divergent. I had to convince him to eat here rather than club 205 (I couldn’t believe it either). Anyway, we came in after 9pm so they had happy hour going on and it was really busy for a Wed night. We sat at the bar and ordered off the the happy hour menu. Small selection of beer but good selection of everything else. We ordered the margherita pizza with anchovies and an order of the hh pasta. The past was cooked just right and had a perfect balance. Here is my warning — the anchovies are on steroids. I love anchovies and the kick that you get when they’re on a pizza but in this situation it kind of took away from the pizza. But that was my fault and there’s a reason you don’t put anchovies on a margherita pizza. Def a must try if you’re in the neighborhood and def a good choice for happy hour.

One of those restaurants where you can’t wait to run through the main course only to excuse yourself with the heavenly array of mouth-​melting desserts (crisp, gelati, etc).
I came primarily for and expected too much of the neopolitan pizzas (typically, good for 1, stretching for 2) but I arrived back on earth not completely dissapointed. Perfectly prepared dough, the ‘divola’ (sausage, peppers) tastes better the older it gets (yes, I spared leftovers, leaving room for dessert, remember).
Ok, so on to the house made gelati. Almond liquor flavor with chocolate fudge sauce was my pick. And boy, it didn’t dissapoint (sorry, dessert haters). Best gelato ever had? Close close. Best with a side of sumptous biscotti. Yes yes!
Ok I hear you, I will eventually get to the main pasta course someday next time.
Nostrana is a beautiful restaurant with warm décor, inviting bar but quiet it’s not, like a busy Italian convention this. Oh, the business of food must go on.

We really wanted to try this place but we didn’t have the chance to.
Valentine’s Day disaster,
I arrived with my girlfriend ring in my pocket all dressed to the nines, ready for a big night. I had several things planned out on a schedule.
We arrived on time for our reservation at 9:30pm, she said the table was finishing their wine and then our table would be ready. 9:45pm rolled around no update I walked up to the stand and said «I see your taking drink orders is there anyway you can take our dinner order so the food will be ready when we finally get seated?» She rudely responded «we don’t serve dinner out in the waiting area only cocktails» I chuckled and explained again we were hoping to just get an order in so that we can make our next engagement and tried to whisper about my surprise. She responded again irritated «I’ll have to speak with someone» and walked away. I was so upset 10pm now I’m out of time and decided to just walk out of how rudely I was treated
I ended up having to rearrange the night and went somewhere else @10pm for dinner when most nice places where closed. We had to pick something else. It worked out and I spent $ 400 with them.
It’s just a shame I see great reviews and high ratings but horrid customer service and making customers feel like we are a bother is extremely troubling embarrassing and just plain awful.
Unfortunately my experience killed it for me. I won’t be returning.

While visiting Portland for a few days, Nostrana was recommended to us for pizza.
They did not disappoint.
Seated at the counter, we got to watch our Diavola pizza being prepared and cooked in their wood burning oven– it was perfect! The corona bean and albacore tuna insalata was also tasty.
Service was prompt and very friendly. Will definitely return on our next visit to Portland!

I was in the area and stopped at Nostrana for lunch to try their pizza. It is tough to find high quality Napoli style pizza, and so I’m on a quest to find the best in Portland. Nostrana was rated on Foursquare as having one of the top 10 pizzas in the city, and so, as any right-​minded pizza judge knows, you have to evaluate a place based of their simple margherita pizza.
I was satisfied overall, but I’m hoping to find better pizza in Portland. Nostrana has a delicious crushed tomato sauce that is simple and true to Napoli. Their mozzarella is made fresh in house, I believe, and while good, it wasn’t the best I’ve had. The crust was also well executed, but I still prefer that of Settebello, which is the most authentic Italian pizzeria I’ve experienced, with locations in California, Utah, and elsewhere. The basil on Nostrana’s margherita was to big… large leaves neatly presented atop the pie. While the presentation was nice, the giant leaves of basil were more difficult to eat, and flavor dispersion was hindered.
I’m obviously getting nit picky over this evaluation, but I will do just that if I’m going to find Portland’s best Italian pizza! If you aren’t as particular, then you should love this place!
Overall ratings
Crust: ⁴⁄₅
Sauce: ⁵⁄₅
Mozzarella: ³⁄₅
Basil: ³⁄₅
Overall flavor: 3.5÷5
Apart from the pizza, service was excellent and the atmosphere nice and business casual.

Melt in your mouth steak, fine wines, and impeccable service with a smile — this is Nostrana.
The pros in the kitchen know what they are doing. They know how to select fresh ingredients and how to highlight them and present them in a way that pleases. Staff is incredible and lovely and warm and really made our evening special.
Take them up on the suggestion to share plates with the table. It can be hard to do, but you will get to sample more that way. If you can do gluten — the cobbler is a non-​negotiable. Order it when you order your main so you don’t have to wait an extra 20 minutes for dessert.
Our friends are die-​hard fans, but we all agreed the food tasted a touch oversalted overall. It was a decidedly off night — I look forward to trying again and re-​rating this lovely establishment.

I thought Nostrana was at a different location and moved but maybe I have never been here before and thinking of another restaurant. Tonight, I was definitely there.
It was my best friends’ birthday yesterday and his mom came to town last night so we celebrated this evening. In the mood for Italian, he decided on Nostrana. He arrived before us, around 5:37pm, and was told that they could seat us but we had only until 7pm since we had no reservation. The attitude from the hostess and servers came off as pretentious. We were lead to a table and my first impression… the layout of the dining room is awkward, our table wobbled, and chairs, not only, didn’t fit the décor but «uncomfortable». I handed the host a cake and the respond I received «Do you want us to hold onto it for you in the refrigerator or did you want to eat it here?» No shit, we want it after dinner – I didn’t bring it for no reason. They charge a cake cutting fee of $ 3/​person. Fine. Our waitress came by and her personality came off very abrasive. No greeting, just «what do you want to order?» Throughout the meal, her checking in on us didn’t feel genuine.
Let’s talk about the food. The reason you got three stars instead of two stars. We ordered the grilled octopus, insalate Nostrana, Margherita pizza, Pizzoccheri, and pork shoulder. We do it family style so we could try multiple dishes. Bread with olive oil was served before we got our meal. Love Artisan bread! The grilled octopus and Pizzoccheri stole the show for me. You only get one tentacle but it was so tender and the acidity from the green complimentary the flavor well. I was skeptical of the buckwheat noodles in the Pizzoccheri but it wasn’t dense and the combination of ingredients are unique, I wouldn’t have put cabbage with potatoes in a pasta dish. It was a cheesy mess but so tasty. Radicchio salads are delicious in general, the bitterness works well with a creamy rich dressing. The pizza, meh… crust is too rubbery for my taste and needed more char. If you have a wood fires oven, the pizzas should look like it came from it. Pork shoulder was nicely braised but underwhelming in flavor profile.
The cake was brought out after the leftovers got boxed. I am not sure why the waitress didn’t pack up the bread too – it seems wasteful to throw it away, it’s not like they could re-​serve it. No «happy birthday» from the waitress or singing, just «this cake for you?» toward my friend. They put one candle in the cake and he blew it out then it got taken away to get cut… unevenly, not cut directly horizontal in the middle but we got two wedges and a square. Okay, not worth a $ 9 fee. I understand bringing your own dessert takes away from you purchasing the restaurant’s desserts. However, if you charge a cake cutting fee, do it right. And where’s the wishing chicken we heard about?! He was so disappointed.
Some of the dishes are great but the overall experience does not make me eager to return. There are other Italian restaurants in town with bad service that I rather go to than go out of my way to dine here again.

Food was excellent. Horrible service, and filthy bathroom.
Our waitress (picture attached) acted as though she has been appointed ruler of the castle, but was then told to wait on tables as her mortal punishment. Always missing in action when needed, always came across that giving help or information was beneath her.
Bathroom (picture attached) shows how little the management cares about details. Makes me wonder how dirty the kitchen is.
While the food was worth the 70 minute wait, nothing else was.

Nostrana has been on my short list of places to eat.
I am not a big fan of huge menus at restaurants. Having said that, I thought this menu was a little on the small side as far as choices.
I tried the Flat Iron Steak (medium rare as they strongly recommend), it was just OK. it is served on a bed of dandelions? I think. I also had the Chicken, this was good, it had a nice smoke flavor to it, the polenta that it is served with was a little on the pasty side for my taste. definitely better than the steak though, the best thing I tried was the Insalata Nostrana Salad.(their version of a Caesar) this was very good!
Service had some misses, but recovered well.
All and all I would come back for happy hour and get this salad and share a margherita pizza.