I can't believe I am giving this location of Mingo a 2 star rating, but I'll explain. It really ought to be 2.5 stars because It's mostly ok, but not in an "a-OK" and yes-I'd-go-back sense, just in the acceptable-for-now sense. The money to experience ratio is consistently too high here.
First for background - I LOVE the downtown Mingo and yet find myself currently living in the 'burbs. Not a lot of food is the same caliber out here so I was really excited that one of my favorites has a location near by. I've been to the original restaurant a number of times and have some stellar memories of the food, the service and the atmosphere - simply amazing. I've been to the Beaverton location a number of times and may never go back after this evening. Nothing dramatic happened but it was just one more underwhelming turn and honestly not worth the money.
I noticed the overwhelming preference for reservations as soon as we walked in; also, oddly, a lot of tables continued to sit empty through our whole dinner even though we were told they were fully booked. Some people must have been extremely late for their reservations. This is not what I would expect going on the legacy restaurant - just an observation and not a criticism - but do make reservations and request the kind of seat you want when you do so, or you could end up in an odd spot (there are a few in this place because of the building layout). If you have kids, my guess is that a booth location is going to be the most comfortable. If you get chilly easily, ask to be away from the glass wall/garage doors unless it's the middle of the summer. Overall impression based on many visits: weird seating experience.
The food is good. In terms of the neighborhood, it is the best food you will get for a sit-down dinner. The entire menu is almost-but-not-quite authentic Italian recipes. It has definitely been tailored to the clientele in the way it differs from the other location. Heavy on the meats and some more rustic/authentic choices like rabbit. Their dipping oil is great and everything is fresh in the way you would expect and hope for. I think that most people wanting a good dinner with their spouse or maybe parents (siblings, etc.) would be pleased with the food. There were a lot of 60+ couples and families here this eve. Check their website for the menu before you go to make sure the offerings are to your liking. Not a meat eater? Might not be your place.
Each time I have been here, the food quality meets a basic level of expectation I have for quality and presentation but it has never wowed me. And it's not cheap - $14 for the least expensive entree, $20 typically - prices do reflect the quality of their ingredients. The service is uneven in the timing of food coming out of the kitchen and the wait staff, while friendly, is also uneven. We have one waiter who started with us tonight that was inattentive and slow. His backup/water and busboy was amazing, though, which did make up for it. (I know who will be advancing in whatever they choose for their career and it wasn't the first waiter.) This is typical for this location - a lot of slightly slow and choppy service/timing, forgotten requests for specials information or another drink, very slow to take our orders, lots of dead time between courses. Not relaxed, just dead time. Overall I have higher expectations for a place where we can easily spend $40+ a person with one drink, entree and dessert. More if you have apps or a salad course or more than a single drink.
I will say, a standout menu item is the panna cotta with amarena cherries. If you have never had it, go just for dessert and espresso. There should be a separate rating for just that - and I'd give 5 stars regardless (almost) of the service.
Aside from that, though, not enough to get up to that third star. read more