Gabbiano's Photos
Business Info
GABBIANO'S ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Gabbiano's
Recommended Reviews - Gabbiano's
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Back at it again!!! Thank you Carissa for the great service and wonderful experience yet again!!!
We stopped in for a light meal, having been in before we knew the menu had some nice options. We sat at the bar (we walked in without a reservation). We had the Caesar and Meatballs and then a chocolate budino for dessert. Unfortunately the Caesar was not up to par-over dressed and just below standard for this place. Bartender was understanding and took it off the bill. EXCELLENT customer service!!
Solid options with amazing food if you are in the mood for Italian cuisine. The inside can get loud but there is a smaller outside patio available. Great wait service. One of my fav neighborhood places to go!!
Went on a Sunday night around 8pm, was seated instantly. The restaurant has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Perfect spot for a date night but they had space to accommodate for bigger parties as well. The food was delicious! The focaccia came out hot and paired so well with the olive oil and balsamic dipping sauce. The classic red sauce was the most phenomenal red sauce I've had. You can add 3 meatballs for $10. The Dungeness crab alla vodka was yummy as well, lots of crab meat & you definitely can taste the chili oil so if you're sensitive to spice, I would skip this one. The pasta was divine in both dishes, it tasted so fresh. They say the menu is family style but the portion for the Dungeness crab alla vodka was not big enough for sharing. The spaghetti's portion was bigger but I do not see the family style they are talking about. It seems like normal pasta restaurant portion to me. Sure of course, you can share but I don't see why that is a focal point There is a 3% staff wellness fee included in all bills. Overall, this place amazed me & I will be returning.
My first stop was to find something to eat for dinner after getting off the flight. Gabbiano's was my first stop here and I found this spot from Eater as one of the top places to enjoy food. So I was really curious about it. When we walked in the entire place was completely full and even at the bar people were sitting there for dinner. We had to wait for a bit but we got seated in about 20 minutes. We were at a table for three and every dish we got we shared. We ordered a few drinks to start our dinner and they were delicious! The fried mozzarella is a must for sure. This came as three which was perfect! We also had the chicken park that was gigantic and very shareable. Don't forget to order a pasta dish from here. Overall delicious and the service was up to par with any LA joint.
Nice neighborhood location and very quaint setting. The staff was great, the drinks were strong, and the food was delicious. Love the setting and still need to try the patio on a summer or winter night(they have warmers) I went with the Chicken Parm(huge & fire), wifey went with Dungeness Crab Pasta(said it was spicy), we also had the meatballs, focaccia bread, and the Caesar salad. Everything was on point. They messed the additional pasta order to go with my chicken parm, but they quickly got it right, and without asking they gave us a dessert on the house. That showed the level of customer service. This is always a great stop for good Italian fare, and they change the menu so always check to make sure they have something you'd like. Everything is fresh and presented perfectly.
Excellent food, Excellent service. The atmosphere is cozy and we loved how all the plates were intentionally mismatched. We go here whenever possible
Everything was phenomenal like always! Gabbiano's is always our go to place for a nice dinner.
One of the key issues with Italian-American cuisine in Portland is its intersection with the greater culinary culture. In short, it's difficult to tell when the local foodies love it and when they're outright making fun of it. Gabbiano's is a prime example. Before you even walk in the door, the branding's just a bit too winking. I've included the photo of their FAQ link that's basically a "what the hell do these people eat" take on their whole rainbow trout. Then there's the menu that goes with "calamari fritti" for the app, but "Classic Red Sauce(?)" for spaghetti marinara. Are we educating the rubes or are we assuming everyone's an adult and has done this before? The dining room design falls somewhere between rustic living room and disco lounge, but with just enough plates and cookbooks strewn about to reassure you: "Don't worry, there are ACTUAL chefs here, this is a CONCEPT." Heaven forbid someone actually get too attached to the cuisine, its background, or the more comfortable aspects of an Italian-American meal. That said, Gabbiano's is most definitely not playing games with its menu items. From the foccacia made in house and served with olive oil to the pork/beef/parm meatballs to the stracciatella, smoked salami, rainbow chard, and hot honey, the first course sets the tone. We bypassed the "red sauce" for dungeness crab alla vodka, which seemed to be a representation of the staff's inner turmoil over having a vodka-sauce dish on the menu at all. It's clear they don't think much of the lighter, creamier default and, instead, opted for a more chili-infused variety akin to what 3 Doors Down used to make. It's a nice pairing with the crab and the chili crisps, but vodka sauce it ain't. Finally, there's the showstopper: The chicken parm that's roughly the size of a manhole cover. I genuinely love how much effort went into hammering this as thin as it was, and how they're one of the few establishments that seasons the breading appropriately to complement the marinara and mozzarella. That said, the density of the breading layer is like crust, but--as I discovered bringing half of it home and eating it on half a loaf of Grand Central Como a day later--it softens up nicely on the second go-around. Gabbiano chef Liz Serrone deserves a whole lot of credit for introducing multiple Italian-American menus in this town (she's behind Take Two as well) right before it seemed everyone was doing the same. That timing came with a lot of risk, but it also allowed her to be more inventive than some of the places that came after her. I think of two of my favorites--Luce and Montelupo in Kerns--and realize that they're also a completely different take on Italian-American comfort (it could be argued that Luce dispenses with the -American part altogether). And I think that's where I also need to cut Gabbiano's some slack. Yes, its aesthetic seems a bit too much like an in joke at the expense of traditional Italian-American places. Yes, the approach can come of as a step too precious. But when you're the place that's bridging Portland from Ned "Edison Bulbs and Live Edges" Ludd and waistcoats to Sunday Sauce (designed by the same people as Gabbiano's) and family birthdays, maybe you're learning right along with everyone else. Definitely worth the time, and certainly worth staying around for after-dinner drinks at Take Two.
It was quite busy, we went across the street for a drink while we waited which was worth it. It's not quiet but I love the atmosphere. Everything that we ordered was exactly perfect. Granted this review is really late - I went a number of months back... I just want to throw it out into the ethers that I want to go back and realized I forgot to write a review. Better late than never! I cannot wait to return because my last experience was fantastic. Our service team was fantastic - I wonder if Laura is still working there!?
I had people visiting from out of town and they mentioned they wanted to visit Gabbianos after hearing about their fried mozzarella from a friend. Fried cheese!? Don't mind if I do. I was lucky to grab a dinner reservation right at opening so was able to get our pick of tables. It was a nice cozy feel to the place and staff was friendly We had a larger group so got to try an assortment of items such as their + Fried Mozzarella + Calamari + Classic Red Sauce + Chicken Parm + Lasagna (was a green one) ^^ I will say we probably ate with our eyes coming from a heavier lunch so the above was more than enough to share between 5 people. Our faves were definitely the fried mozzarella and the red sauce was a favorite for the table. The chicken parm is MASSIVE so you probably don't need to do two large entrees but order with your eyes. haha. We did have a green lasagna that we thought would be a unique item to get but it was not a favorite for the table. When we were packing up our leftovers we didn't ask for a box for the lasagna and they were nice to take it off out bill. Overall, Gabiannos is a solid Italian spot to come take people visiting or a nice date night.
Gabbiano's is delicious and thoughtfully curated. The restaurant is comfortable and warm. NOTE: there are no reservations. We arrived at 5:15 pm on a Saturday and sat at the bar (2). Parties behind us had a drink while waiting. Service was excellent. The restaurant is clearly filled with people who care. Once seated, the best non-alcoholic beverage menu I have seen in Portland awaits. The espresso martini with orange tasted like a chocolate orange in golden wrapping from Christmas with a cup of coffee. The "Pick Me Up" was beautiful too. But... the food is the reason to come. The spicy crab tomato vodka pasta was resounding like an epic rock ballad and the crab was plentiful. The agnolotti, stuffed fondue cheese pasta, in the French onion soup is genius. Very smart people work at Gabbiano's. The Caesar salad could feed a family of happy rabbits or two extremely hungry happy human adults. The croutons are like little meteors of flavor, the dressing is exceptional. Plan your night to possibly wait to get into Gabbiano's on a busy night, you will not be sorry!
One of my FAVORITE restaurants when visiting Portland. I came here last year and absolutely loved it and knew that coming back to this restaurant we would not be disappointed. My group of friends ordered Calamari & the Fried Mozzarella for appetizers, and we all shared a very LARGE Chicken Parmesan, Dungeness Crab alla Vodka, and the Shrimp Scampi. Everything we ordered was so flavorful and delicious and for a group of 5 we were very stuffed & fulfilled. I really loved how our server was constantly checking up on us and always filling up our water without us having to ask. The atmosphere of this restaurant was very nice and appealing as the restaurant was nicely dark & lit up while it being very chatty. Please be aware that coming here a 20% gratuity charge will be added no matter the party size! Other than that, I can confidently say that this restaurant is part of my, "Top 5," places to eat in Portland.
3 months ago
I absolutely love Gabbiano's. The service is always great and the food is always in point. I had the Caesar of course which is always yummy. The chicken Parmesan, they had agnolotti on when I went which was delicious, and spaghetti and meatballs. We always get the fried mozzarella. It's so good. Also have to start with the house made bread with vinegar and oil. It's such solid food I keep going back. The tiramisu is always a must here. The drinks are delicious and it's such a cute space. I recommend it to everyone who asks where they should go eat! Can't wait to go back. read more
i came here at 6:30pm on a monday and i really wish i made a reservation because it was insanely packed. we waited nearly an hour before we were seated. i also brought a cake to eat inside the restaurant because it was my birthday but i was told that they would have to charge $20 if we ate it inside. that felt very unreasonable especially since they didn't make the cake. the food took very long. i can't remember anymore but it must've been around 40 minutes. the fortunate thing is that the food was very good. i usually don't like calamari but they made it very well. everything was pretty good but the chicken parm and spaghetti were extremely salty. i liked the chicken parm best and overall felt like the flavors all complimented each other very well. i had a lot of critiques of this place but at least the employees were all very kind and tried their hardest to make up for all the unfortunate events. i'm not sure if i would come back here since it was very expensive and salty, but i do think it's a good place to check out once. read more
3 months ago
Gabiano's is Italian done right. First things first: order the fried mozzarella balls. Non-negotiable. I've worked my way through a good portion of the menu over the years, I have a few friends that love love coming here and for good reason! They do not take reservations so be sure to get here when they open to get a good seat if you're coming with more than a party of 4. And while the chicken parm wasn't my favorite, literally every pasta dish I've had has been excellent. Also the penne cotta? Wow. The wild mushroom ragu is rich! My personal favorite is the squid ink pasta with scallops - I've ordered this one a few times and it always slaps. Don't skip the focaccia. The bread with their olive oil is simple but truly unforgettable. The cocktails are consistently great, the atmosphere feels on brand without feeling stuffy like olive garden, and it's perfect for a date night, anniversary dinner, or catching up with friends. Portland has a lot of Italian restaurants, but Gabiano's remains one of my favorites. read more
2 months ago
We stopped in for a light meal, having been in before we knew the menu had some nice options. We sat at the bar (we walked in without a reservation). We had the Caesar and Meatballs and then a chocolate budino for dessert. Unfortunately the Caesar was not up to par-over dressed and just below standard for this place. Bartender was understanding and took it off the bill. EXCELLENT customer service!! read more
3 months ago
Solid options with amazing food if you are in the mood for Italian cuisine. The inside can get loud but there is a smaller outside patio available. Great wait service. One of my fav neighborhood places to go!! read more
Went on a Sunday night around 8pm, was seated instantly. The restaurant has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Perfect spot for a date night but they had space to accommodate for bigger parties as well. The food was delicious! The focaccia came out hot and paired so well with the olive oil and balsamic dipping sauce. The classic red sauce was the most phenomenal red sauce I've had. You can add 3 meatballs for $10. The Dungeness crab alla vodka was yummy as well, lots of crab meat & you definitely can taste the chili oil so if you're sensitive to spice, I would skip this one. The pasta was divine in both dishes, it tasted so fresh. They say the menu is family style but the portion for the Dungeness crab alla vodka was not big enough for sharing. The spaghetti's portion was bigger but I do not see the family style they are talking about. It seems like normal pasta restaurant portion to me. Sure of course, you can share but I don't see why that is a focal point There is a 3% staff wellness fee included in all bills. Overall, this place amazed me & I will be returning. read more
5 days ago
9 months ago
My first stop was to find something to eat for dinner after getting off the flight. Gabbiano's was my first stop here and I found this spot from Eater as one of the top places to enjoy food. So I was really curious about it. When we walked in the entire place was completely full and even at the bar people were sitting there for dinner. We had to wait for a bit but we got seated in about 20 minutes. We were at a table for three and every dish we got we shared. We ordered a few drinks to start our dinner and they were delicious! The fried mozzarella is a must for sure. This came as three which was perfect! We also had the chicken park that was gigantic and very shareable. Don't forget to order a pasta dish from here. Overall delicious and the service was up to par with any LA joint. read more
8 months ago
Nice neighborhood location and very quaint setting. The staff was great, the drinks were strong, and the food was delicious. Love the setting and still need to try the patio on a summer or winter night(they have warmers) I went with the Chicken Parm(huge & fire), wifey went with Dungeness Crab Pasta(said it was spicy), we also had the meatballs, focaccia bread, and the Caesar salad. Everything was on point. They messed the additional pasta order to go with my chicken parm, but they quickly got it right, and without asking they gave us a dessert on the house. That showed the level of customer service. This is always a great stop for good Italian fare, and they change the menu so always check to make sure they have something you'd like. Everything is fresh and presented perfectly. read more
6 months ago
One of the key issues with Italian-American cuisine in Portland is its intersection with the greater culinary culture. In short, it's difficult to tell when the local foodies love it and when they're outright making fun of it. Gabbiano's is a prime example. Before you even walk in the door, the branding's just a bit too winking. I've included the photo of their FAQ link that's basically a "what the hell do these people eat" take on their whole rainbow trout. Then there's the menu that goes with "calamari fritti" for the app, but "Classic Red Sauce(?)" for spaghetti marinara. Are we educating the rubes or are we assuming everyone's an adult and has done this before? The dining room design falls somewhere between rustic living room and disco lounge, but with just enough plates and cookbooks strewn about to reassure you: "Don't worry, there are ACTUAL chefs here, this is a CONCEPT." Heaven forbid someone actually get too attached to the cuisine, its background, or the more comfortable aspects of an Italian-American meal. That said, Gabbiano's is most definitely not playing games with its menu items. From the foccacia made in house and served with olive oil to the pork/beef/parm meatballs to the stracciatella, smoked salami, rainbow chard, and hot honey, the first course sets the tone. We bypassed the "red sauce" for dungeness crab alla vodka, which seemed to be a representation of the staff's inner turmoil over having a vodka-sauce dish on the menu at all. It's clear they don't think much of the lighter, creamier default and, instead, opted for a more chili-infused variety akin to what 3 Doors Down used to make. It's a nice pairing with the crab and the chili crisps, but vodka sauce it ain't. Finally, there's the showstopper: The chicken parm that's roughly the size of a manhole cover. I genuinely love how much effort went into hammering this as thin as it was, and how they're one of the few establishments that seasons the breading appropriately to complement the marinara and mozzarella. That said, the density of the breading layer is like crust, but--as I discovered bringing half of it home and eating it on half a loaf of Grand Central Como a day later--it softens up nicely on the second go-around. Gabbiano chef Liz Serrone deserves a whole lot of credit for introducing multiple Italian-American menus in this town (she's behind Take Two as well) right before it seemed everyone was doing the same. That timing came with a lot of risk, but it also allowed her to be more inventive than some of the places that came after her. I think of two of my favorites--Luce and Montelupo in Kerns--and realize that they're also a completely different take on Italian-American comfort (it could be argued that Luce dispenses with the -American part altogether). And I think that's where I also need to cut Gabbiano's some slack. Yes, its aesthetic seems a bit too much like an in joke at the expense of traditional Italian-American places. Yes, the approach can come of as a step too precious. But when you're the place that's bridging Portland from Ned "Edison Bulbs and Live Edges" Ludd and waistcoats to Sunday Sauce (designed by the same people as Gabbiano's) and family birthdays, maybe you're learning right along with everyone else. Definitely worth the time, and certainly worth staying around for after-dinner drinks at Take Two. read more
It was quite busy, we went across the street for a drink while we waited which was worth it. It's not quiet but I love the atmosphere. Everything that we ordered was exactly perfect. Granted this review is really late - I went a number of months back... I just want to throw it out into the ethers that I want to go back and realized I forgot to write a review. Better late than never! I cannot wait to return because my last experience was fantastic. Our service team was fantastic - I wonder if Laura is still working there!? read more
1 year ago
I had people visiting from out of town and they mentioned they wanted to visit Gabbianos after hearing about their fried mozzarella from a friend. Fried cheese!? Don't mind if I do. I was lucky to grab a dinner reservation right at opening so was able to get our pick of tables. It was a nice cozy feel to the place and staff was friendly We had a larger group so got to try an assortment of items such as their + Fried Mozzarella + Calamari + Classic Red Sauce + Chicken Parm + Lasagna (was a green one) ^^ I will say we probably ate with our eyes coming from a heavier lunch so the above was more than enough to share between 5 people. Our faves were definitely the fried mozzarella and the red sauce was a favorite for the table. The chicken parm is MASSIVE so you probably don't need to do two large entrees but order with your eyes. haha. We did have a green lasagna that we thought would be a unique item to get but it was not a favorite for the table. When we were packing up our leftovers we didn't ask for a box for the lasagna and they were nice to take it off out bill. Overall, Gabiannos is a solid Italian spot to come take people visiting or a nice date night. read more
Gabbiano's is delicious and thoughtfully curated. The restaurant is comfortable and warm. NOTE: there are no reservations. We arrived at 5:15 pm on a Saturday and sat at the bar (2). Parties behind us had a drink while waiting. Service was excellent. The restaurant is clearly filled with people who care. Once seated, the best non-alcoholic beverage menu I have seen in Portland awaits. The espresso martini with orange tasted like a chocolate orange in golden wrapping from Christmas with a cup of coffee. The "Pick Me Up" was beautiful too. But... the food is the reason to come. The spicy crab tomato vodka pasta was resounding like an epic rock ballad and the crab was plentiful. The agnolotti, stuffed fondue cheese pasta, in the French onion soup is genius. Very smart people work at Gabbiano's. The Caesar salad could feed a family of happy rabbits or two extremely hungry happy human adults. The croutons are like little meteors of flavor, the dressing is exceptional. Plan your night to possibly wait to get into Gabbiano's on a busy night, you will not be sorry! read more
One of my FAVORITE restaurants when visiting Portland. I came here last year and absolutely loved it and knew that coming back to this restaurant we would not be disappointed. My group of friends ordered Calamari & the Fried Mozzarella for appetizers, and we all shared a very LARGE Chicken Parmesan, Dungeness Crab alla Vodka, and the Shrimp Scampi. Everything we ordered was so flavorful and delicious and for a group of 5 we were very stuffed & fulfilled. I really loved how our server was constantly checking up on us and always filling up our water without us having to ask. The atmosphere of this restaurant was very nice and appealing as the restaurant was nicely dark & lit up while it being very chatty. Please be aware that coming here a 20% gratuity charge will be added no matter the party size! Other than that, I can confidently say that this restaurant is part of my, "Top 5," places to eat in Portland. read more
8 months ago
2.5 stars This one hurts to say because I've been looking forward to checking this place out. They were pretty bush for a Tuesday night but we were able to get a table. The space is cute and cozy. We placed our order but our server wasn't very warm or welcoming. She cut me off mid sentence when I asked about a side of pasta but it was busy so understandable. Our appetizers took over an hour to make but they did come by with complimentary olives while we waited. That was a nice gesture. The focaccia was dry and cold so we asked for it to be toasted. Our mozzarella apps were bland and cold. The chicken parm was also bland. The spaghetti pasta was a weird texture and the meatballs were also dry and the flavor was off. My favorite part of the meal were the cocktails (limoncello cocktail is delish) and the calamari which was hot and crispy. It pains me to write this review but it was just not a great experience. read more
I really wanted to like Gabbiano's however it did not live up to the hype. It took over an hour to get appetizers. They did apologize for the wait and bought out olives and I appreciated that. Things didn't go up from there because the food was subpar. I will say the cocktails and calamari was the saving grace. Doubt I'll come back here. read more
4 months ago
The food was great! Real Italian food made with love by chefs who love their craft. That lasagna how do they get that little lemon flavor in there? The best garlic bread ever is at this place! A hour wait but was worth it!! The inside is live and happening. A great place for a larger group or just two read more
7 months ago
Chicken parmigiana Omg This dish is the best prepared chicken parm I have ever encountered! Flavorful breading that is both crunchy and full of the right spices plus moist thick chicken breast generous enough for a family of four. The sauce is fresh marinara with lots of perfectly melted mozzarella cheese. This masterpiece is accompanied by Italian seasoned cheesy garlic bread. read more
We were sat outside in their heated patio and were very comfortable. The light up bunches of grapes were adorable and added to overall feel of their patio. We ordered their focaccia, couldn't stop eating it. It was the perfect amount of crisp and had hints of garlic which we both enjoyed. I tried their spaghetti with meatballs and loved it. Their marinara sauce was delicious and their meatballs were very well made. My friend ordered lasagna and it looked incredible. We were well taken care of by a group of servers and were impressed by the restaurants policy to implement a wellness fee for their staff. Love supporting a restaurant that cares about their staff read more
Gabbiano's was more then fantastic to celebrate my boyfriends and I's anniversary. We wanted home style Italian food, and this place served it up to us. We were warmly greeted and sat quickly on the patio. Which was comfortable, it was quiet and away from enough people to hear our conversations. Our server Noah was great, making us feel special and welcomed. We ordered everything at once so the chefs could pace out our food, which was very refreshing! We were able to relax and enjoy each course before moving on to the next. The focaccia was so warm and airy, and the Caesar was so fresh and crispy. My boyfriend and I both got the classic red sauce, because we knew it was going to be to good to share, although everything does come family style. We were right, the pasta was homemade and the sauce complimented it perfectly. The meatballs with it were a perfect touch, packed with flavor. Don't get me started with the tiramisu, so light and sweet, you could taste every ingredient inside. This meal was so lovely, and we can't wait to tell everyone about Gabbiano's. read more
Do not.. I repeat do not get the fried calamari unless you want to be disappointed. Now that we have that out of the way, the best thing we had was probably the spaghetti and meatballs. The spaghetti sauce was flavorful and fresh, but everything else we got was pretty much alright. The fried mozzarella was good, but could probably do with a little more seasoning. The chicken parmesan was underwhelming with not much flavor and a bit soggy-not crispy at all. The fried calamari was so bland that even with additional salt, pepper and extra lemons it could not fix it. I would recommend fried calamari at Trader Joe's over these. It felt like all their breaded items were not seasoned before they battered it. When we first got to the restaurant, we were initially told a 35-40min wait for "any seating" and heavily encouraged to go their sister bar to wait. They only had 2 seats for people to wait. By the time we got our drinks at their sister bar across the street, they notified us our table was ready. It was only 15 minutes and we had to chug our $15 drinks. All in all, probably won't come again unless invited by friends or family. Not worth the wait or price. The ambiance and vibes were nice. Drinks were good and service was good. read more
Got to try Gabbianos on my birthday and it was good! I treated myself to two of the drinks the bartender recommended me one that was called the fly by night and it was very tasty. The bartender was super attentive and made sure to check in on me lots! The mozzarella was super tasty. The cheese was so stretchy and the outside was nice and crispy. The tomato sauce on the mozzarella was very nice contrast in taste. The red sauce pasta tasted very fresh and homemade. Would recommend going on a weeknight as it is slightly less packed than a weekend. read more
2 months ago
Absolutely top tier food. Forgot to get photos of the spaghetti and chicken parm but they were both delicious. Comfy romantic and casual vibe. Even on the patio it was attentive customer service. read more
Food - 4/5 Service - 4.5/5 Ambiance - 5/5 Waited 45 mins for a party of 3 on a Saturday night. Not bad for a place without reservations. The food we had was pretty good, I loved the freshness of the homemade pasta and ingredients. We also had the red classic red sauce pasta and the baked ziti. I was underwhelmed based off other reviews and how much the food gets raved about. I would definitely want to try again. read more
Cute neighborhood Italian spot. We came on a Sunday night around 6:30 and were able to be seated at the bar. I don't think they take reservations for small groups. I will say it was very hot in here, I don't think they have air conditioning which made the experience a bit uncomfortable. Small menu, very pricy but portions are family style. The spaghetti and meatballs were great. Loved the tomato sauce and lots of parmesan cheese they put on top. Focaccia was good too. Our server was very friendly. read more
1 year ago
Portland Charm, Mismatched Plates, and a Pasta Plot Twist Gabbiano's is tucked into that classic Keep Portland Kitschy neighborhood vibe: think chickens roaming front yards, "take me I'm free" boxes full of old Stephen King paperbacks and VHS tapes on the sidewalk, and raspberries growing with reckless abandon in someone's front garden. We were hit with a major Italian craving, and this cute little spot popped up on our radar. Drinks? A+. Refreshing, strong enough that I wondered if they were trying to keep us too tipsy to notice any flaws (just kidding... mostly). Plates are all wonderfully mismatched vintage, which adds to the charm. Salad was well dressed and massive--perfect to share--and generously loaded with parm. We got a side of meatballs that brought some heat (like they had opinions about being on the side). Good, spicy, in a chunky, well-seasoned red sauce. Then came the spaghetti... which, no joke, transported us straight to childhood because it was basically grown-up Spaghetti-O's. Nostalgic? Absolutely. What we were craving from an Italian spot? Ehhhh. I tried the seasonal pasta with spring peas and prosciutto. First few bites were solid, but it wore out its welcome fast. Needed way more little pops of prosciutto. Redemption arc? The espresso and tiramisu. Absolute stars. Big enough for two, and a reminder that even if the mains waver, the desserts were ready to save the night. Shoutout to the two cooks hustling nonstop in the open kitchen. Our server was polite, and dishes were dropped off by what felt like half the staff (teamwork makes the gratuity split work, I suppose). Bottom line? Super Portlandy, quirky charm, great drinks, solid apps and desserts. Maybe not your nonna's pasta recipe--but you'll have a good time discovering that for yourself. read more
Gabbianos was very busy on a Thursday night. The meatballs, mozzarella sticks, and corn shrimp pasta were all amazing. A few of the dishes had a good hint of spice to them, but overall can't wait to go back and try more dishes! read more
Went on a nice dinner date here! The food is 10/10 amazing and service was kind and attentive. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was nice and quiet. The crab pasta was amazing, and as someone who grew up on blue crab, I KNOW my crab! read more
1 year ago
This place was so good. I really enjoyed my experience here. Went to dinner with my mom before a show at the Alberta Rose Theater. Very quick service so we could make it to our show on time. Its a family style restaurant. Started off with an order of the focaccia beard and an espresso martini. We also order the classic red sauce pasta and shrimp and sweet corn scampi. I really enjoyed the classic red sauce pasta with the focaccia bread. My mother enjoyed her shrimp, she did mention that the pastas flour was not cooked enough, but I didnt notice it. I will be back soon, and will be sure to try their desserts. read more
Still one of my favorite restaurants, but I felt this last visit came down a notch from other 5star visits. The Alfredo dish was lacking in a few ways. The peas weren't plump and many were rather hard and not sweet in taste. The pasta that's being used in this dish is frumpy, much more like dumplings than a pasta noodle. The crispy procuitto is a nice touch but sadly doesn't save the dish. The spicy crab pasta was quite good, but I wish there'd been a nice fat piece of crab on the top, instead of shreds thru-out. The waitress pushed the focaccia as a starter and we went for it but it was not freshly made or soft and had some hard edges no one enjoyed. We also got the chicken parm, the Cesar and the arugula salad, and an order of calamari -- all tasty and well prepared as usual. As for the ambiance, it was super hot outside on the patio, and I wished we'd been lucky enough to be sat at a shaded cool table inside. That patio I've found, is either way too hot or way too cold! All in all, not a terrible visit but I hope next time we go I order something super delicious instead of just ok. read more
Came in on a Sunday evening and even though it was packed, was able to grab seats at the bar. It was pretty hot that day but was greeted swiftly with water! I always enjoy sitting at the bar because of how enjoyable it is to watch the bartender make the drinks! Ordered the food and it all came out pretty quickly and it was timed perfectly! Beware- the salad portions are HUGE, perfect shareable I should add though. The focaccia was alright but what made it stand out was the olive oil, could drink it, that's how good it was. The salad and the fried mozzarella were alright, nothing to brag about but hit the spot. However, the pasta- AMAZING. Would come back for drinks and apps/just the pasta. Overall, a very fun cute date night spot for you and friends! read more
2 years ago
Service was good - our server was friendly and offered accurate advisement on number of dishes required. The Dungeness crab alla vodka and fried mozzarella stood out. Caesar salad and focaccia was good as well. We also ordered calamari, chicken parm, romanesco calabrese - all satisfying , and another pasta that was just okay. Drinks were okay. They accommodated our 7 person group fairly quickly and with ease. Overall, I'd return! read more
2 years ago
OMG! Let me just start out by saying this is one of the best meals I've had ever! If I ever decide to move to Portland, you will be one of the reasons! We were up super early to get into Portland and had a very full first day. Our first evening in Portland, I wanted something yummy and comforting for dinner. Yelped around and ended up choosing Gabbiano's. Cute restaurant nestled into the neighborhood, you could easily pass it up. We sat at the bar with the garage storefront door open. It was a perfect summer evening! For drinks I had the Lavender lemon honey Italian soda (no oat milk) and the hubs got an old fashioned. The Italian soda was refreshing and very sweet. I also had sparkling water separately, which I added to the soda which helped cut the sweetness. We did dinner served family style. We started with the Focaccia bread, served with olive oil and balsamic, it was absolutely perfect! Just the right amount of fluff with a perfect crisp crust. We also tried the Classic red sauce spaghetti, and the Hot Italian pork chop. The pasta was perfect, the angel hair pasta made all the difference! Great flavor, just enough sauce, not super heavy or filling. The Hot Italian pork chop was amazing! Who doesn't love a perfectly cooked pork chop! I do and they are so rare to come by! Perfectly cooked, it was thick, juicy and tender with just a touch of heat. The caramelized pearl onions put it over the top for me. Pure comfort! Staff were really friendly. Parking on the street was easy. I always want every meal to be amazing, and this was it! Dinner was so enjoyable! Everything about it! The ambiance, the vibe, the food just put it over the top for us! I could've died and went to heaven right there, happily with this as my last meal! 2024: 37 read more
Page 1 of 9
More info about Gabbiano's
5411 NE 30th Ave
Portland, OR 97211
Concordia, Alberta Arts District, Northeast Portland
Directions
(503) 719-4373
Call Now
Visit Website
http://gabbianospdx.com
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
More Info
Health Score
Gabbiano's Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Gabbiano's
Can we get a reservations for mother day?
they don't do any reservations but they're worth the wait
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
9 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
3 years ago
10 months ago
4 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
