we had an amazing first time at portico! it's a beautiful restaurant - both inside and outside patio, nestled beside a garden with patio string lights. they have the world's smallest tables, however, so a table of four with appetizers and drinks came very crowded. i loved the complimentary valet parking too. the food, cocktails, and service were excellent! we tried several appetizers and each came out fresh and fast. the portions were massive! we took several apps home. the standouts were indeed the garlic bread and meatballs. the penne alla vodka was also very tasty, and the tequila cocktail was uniquely delicious. read more

Portico - bread for the table - Italian Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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KEY POINTS Beautiful location, facility, and grounds Average overpriced food Horrendous service MY EXPERIENCE I am unsure where to start. I had wanted to bring my wife to Portico for several years but never found the time. So on Friday, July 10, 2026, I decided we would try them out for lunch first before committing to dinner. So off we went with a well-behaved 3-year-old and 5-year-old. They were busier than I expected for a lunchtime and only seemed to have patio seating available, which we gladly accepted. So, we were seated and unfortunately waited an extreme amount of time (north of 12-15 minutes) for any contact to occur. The person who contacted us first was a host or runner who brought us water and told us that a server would be with us soon. So, they already had "strike 1" in my head. Another 8-10 minutes came and went... So, we are now at over 20 minutes with no server contact. At that moment, Madeline arrives. At this point, we had decided to place our drink and food order at one time to avoid further delays. NOTE: We were not in a rush at all but expected reasonable service. Madeline took our order and (I assume) placed it with the kitchen. We waited 20-25 minutes, which was not a terrible wait time, but for a lunch of two sandwiches and a small pizza, it was not an appropriate wait time either, especially given the over 20-minute wait to even see our server. OK, so our food arrives (it is not our server delivering our food), and of all things, the most important item was wrong!! We had ordered the Pizza Piccante with NO grilled spicy pepperoncini, as the boys (3 and 5) had requested. Well, it was covered in them--I mean, covered! So, we tell the food server it was wrong, and then we wait, and we wait, and nothing! So, finally, Madeline comes by and asks if everything is alright, and we say, "No, we ordered the pizza without peppers." She said she was sorry and said that she would put the pizza order back into the kitchen. I told her, "No, we don't have the time..." She then stood there kind of dumbfounded, and after a very awkward silence, she said she would take care of it and take it off. So here we are, having waited just under an hour with hungry children, and they have no food, or we can wait another 20 minutes for them to attempt to get it right... NOPE! Not happening. So we just shared our food (pork sandwich and club sandwich) with the boys. We would just feed them elsewhere... what a disaster. My surprise when I thought that was rock bottom... Now we sit with 3 out of 4 glasses empty and no Madeline... Oh, she was around, but not serving us any longer, apparently! Madeline walked by our table 6 (SIX) times and never looked our way or refilled our glasses, none of them! At this point I am fuming inside, so I requested my wife handle things from here and flag down Madeline for refills as we were consuming a dry pork sandwich and a pretty good, but average, club sandwich with two little boys who were amazing in their behavior even though they had not been served what they ordered. So Madeline refilled only one glass, my wife's iced tea... um, she had to be flagged down again to refill the boys' lemonade... wow! I was having water, so I just kept refilling mine from the other 3 glasses on the table. One of the last things Madeline did was offer us a remake of the pizza as a to-go item. Her exact words were, "Can get them to make you a new pizza to go." I said no, and then Madeline said, "On us." I looked at my wife, and she told her, "Sure." Ha ha ha... we were charged for it. I took the boys to the car, and my wallet handled the cash-out of our check. My wife wrote her a 'to the point' kind and gentle note on the guest check about how terrible this experience was... My wife also chose not to tip her and explained that we tip on service, not check total. A FEW NOTES: It has been more than 10 years since we have tipped zero and, in fact, have left several $50.00 tips on bills under $100. Additionally, maybe, just maybe I just didn't look right, though I was dressed in formal shorts and a polo shirt... I have a dark beard and a wrap on my head that makes me look a certain way, though I am Italian. Not saying that was the issue, but I very much stuck out in the crowd. Just a thought. I will not return to Portico ever. Here is my advice to any readers of this review: Food is average, cost is high, and the environment is worth the overly inflated cost of the food; service was an abomination. If you have that rich look (you know the one), like you have a child or grandchild at the University of Richmond or an Ivy League school... You should be fine. LASTLY, I have not written or left a bad review in many years. read more

A true authentic Italian restaraunt! Being Italian it's important to give props when props are due! I grew up with My mom & grandma always in the kitchen, whether it was baking or cooking, they did it and always included our Italian ways in each dish. Portico was amazing! I have never had fried artichokes! My fav! I have eaten artichokes in various ways, but never fried! It's a must to try! The Penne a La Vodka was great!! The spaghetti with meatballs/meat sauce was amazing. The calamari was so good, it was fried, but a lightly crunch, it was amazing. The aïoli and the marinara tasted like they were homemade. I tried one of the seasonal drinks for charity and it was tasty! Delicious! Our waiter knew the menu like the back of his hand so I appreciated that! The tiramisu was so good! A true Italian dish! I ended up getting it to go because I was so stuffed from eating all my food and I forgot to take a picture when I ate it, sorry! The outside area included a huge fireplace, which was a great vibe. The inside was super cute including a bar. I would recommend making a reservation if you're going to go on a busy day or evening, but we got there on a Sunday evening for dinner and we're able to be seated right away. The complementary valet took me out! Everywhere we go valet is at least $20 so I appreciated the complementary ballet even though of course we did tip! Please be sure to tip your Valley driver! I would definitely go back! read more

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Love this casual hideaway restaurant! If the weathers good, the outdoor seating area reigns supreme! We've dined both inside and outside! If you get seated in the larger area inside, it gets pretty loud, so opt for a table in the front, much quieter. The service was lovely, friendly, and efficient. The food is terrific! The lunch menu is extensive. I've had their several of their salads, which are fresh and healthy! Love the Caesar! And more recently, the BLT with handmade chips rocked!! In the evening, a touch more elegance is added, and we had our anniversary dinner here as well. read more

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Food has always been good at this location, but tonight 's service was a little on the less than what I expected side. Our server was pleasant, but had to be reminded several times to bring certain items to the table. As we have experienced at many restaurants in the area, prices have definitely risen, but the portions still appear to be adequate. Since this is a rather small setting for indoor eating, sometimes it was difficult to carry on a conversation due to the crowded condition. Parking is definitely not on the plus side! Our other concern was that a couple of the meals for our party of six came out on the lukewarm side and had to be returned to the kitchen, not what I would expect at a fine dining establishment. It is my sincere hope that this Restaurant is not resting on its former laurels, and letting certain basics of fine dining slip away! read more

This was our second visit, and once again, Portico did not disappoint. Both our main courses and dessert were delicious. The service was quick, and our waitress was super sweet. It's such a great date-night spot away from the city. TIP: Make a reservation! It's a small place, and it fills up quick. read more

Fabulous and quaint spot that isn't to be missed! The Italian food is delicious--my husband had the stuffed shrimp, and I had the tuna special--but the whole menu looks divine. Excellent cocktails and lengthy wine list, too. Service was impeccable. read more

Portico - Italian Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

My wife and arrived 5 min. before open trying to squeeze in with no reservation...we got in no problem and within 15 min, the patio was packed, and no wonder--it's beautiful. We ended up going through 2 bottles of one of the best rose wines I've ever had. I wish I had remembered to take pics of the label and the menu along with the patio, but at least I remembered pics of the food. We split a wedge salad that was good, but a little balsamic under the blue cheese dressing would elevate it w some fresh cracked pepper and maybe som disced tomatoes over the slices. That being said, the garlic bread was delicious, and beautifully presented, although because of the balsamic drizzle over it, a little difficult to eat cleanly. My veal picata was outstanding, as was the potato gniocci (wish I could spell this) which had a great sauce. The menu was huge and I can't wait to get back. Service was excellent, too. The music playing outside was very good. This place pays attention to details. It's my new favorite patio in Richmond. 5 stars. read more

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Went to portico with my grandparents tonight and it was a great experience. Right as we pulled up I felt like we were in wine country. Sat on the patio during sunset and everything we had was incredible. Great wine and cocktails, great appetizers with the burrata and calamari. Caesar salad was fabulous. Dinner portions were huge, have leftovers for days. Definitely a must go! read more

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I didn't expect it's going to be this good but it's great!! Very cozy place and well presentation of the food! Excellent service too read more

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My family and I had just finished hitting some golfballs and looked for a nearby restaurant. Glad that Portico popped up. It's tucked away in a wooded area. Serene. Looks like it was originally a house. The retrofit to restaurant was well done. love the atmosphere, decor, and windows. Italian food. Everyone enjoyed their meals. next time, we'll dine outside which looks inviting. Free valet parking. Well managed. We'll be back. read more

Outdoor dining and check out the specials. My wife is still raving about a lamb sandwich she had for lunch one day.

Despite the heat and humidity and chance of rain our outdoor experience was a pleasant family outing. We started off with some cocktails and mocktails with the highlights being the strawberry blonde and the reserved gentleman. Polar opposites, but both hit the spot. The strawberry blonde was a perfect drink for a warm summer evening. The mai time was a sweet and fruity mocktail that is also perfect for summer. I liked my strawberry blonde better though lol. For appetizers we got the meatballs and the caprese salad which everyone also enjoyed along with the free bread and tomato based dip that was a nice Italian touch. The meatballs were moist and flavorful and were great with the sauce. Just needed some more crostini overall ; the ones that came with it were a little sparse on actual bread since they had a lot of holes. The Caprese was a good choice for a summer evening but probably more shareable for three people than 5. Highlights for entrées were the pan seared tuna special which was a decent portion size; both savory and light despite being a Tuna steak over a tomato risotto with a butter sauce. The shrimp scampi is a regular menu dish that's always a winner if you like scampi (but priced a little high IMO) and the Bucatini special was also a decent size with noticeably fresh pasta and a zesty Amatriciana sauce. Also really liked the unusual take on lamb meatballs which is technically an appetizer but nice for a smaller meal. The New Zealand ribeye special had a delicious sauce but the ribeye itself was on the drier side. Nice cut of meat though with minimal fat and gristle. Service is always incredibly friendly and fairly prompt. Drinks from the bar tend to be on the slow side so be sure to ask for drinks to come out before appetizers if you prefer that. I always forget and the apps usually come first. The patio has a great vibe - breezy summer garden feel and we always enjoy ourselves. We would go back more often if the price point for the regular menu was a little lower. read more

Portico - Pan seared tuna special - Italian Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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Have to give them 5 stars after this last occasion. The service here is IMPECCABLE. Ambiance is perfect. Food is amazing. They impressed me even more than the last time. We had such a phenomenal meal and we won't forget it! read more

Location: for a romantic date night or intimate celebration, Portico is your evening of low-stim away from the hubbub. A little dream cottage, with ample outdoor seating. Valet parking welcomes you & it is encouraged you have a reservation. Tip for the seating: the outdoors is still nice if it's chilly or rainy. They provide heaters and umbrellas. Food: a lovely italian-centric meal. Afterwards, I explored a little and found their herb garden where they source their ingredients. They pride themselves on locally sourced and highlighted ingredients. For added charm, the Porticat may come and welcome you if you're sitting outside! read more

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Food was delicious, service was excellent and the ambiance is cozy and charming! I had the seafood crepes and hubby had the penne vodka with meatballs, highly recommend these dishes! We will definitely be back! read more

Portico - Penne A La Vodka - Italian Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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Cute venue in a relaxed setting and very good food. They have an outdoor patio area as well. Service is always good, and the menu varies according to season, which is appreciated. read more

WOW what a great Sunday afternoon for an early dinner... The atmosphere was just amazing, the outdoor Tables were great! Food and service are top Notch! You could make a meal out of the fresh Cesar salad.. the salmon was beautifully cooked, the penne with vodka sauce was probably the best vodka sauce I've ever had..the dessert was amazing but that lemon cello cake was 5 star! read more

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Lovely evening at Portico for a special occasion with my hubby. The valet parking was great on arrival, but a wait when we left. Seating was outside and after a nice meal, no one was in a rush. Beautiful setting with indoor and outdoor options. Kayla was our server and was attentive to our needs. My favorite item was the Artichokes stuffed with goat cheese- fried - and topped with black olives and surrounded by a basil sauce. I could have those for dinner all by themselves next time. We had cocktails before dinner which were good - I had the French 75 / husband had the Limoncello cocktail. A good balance with sour and sweet. Salads were fresh and generous. Salmon Roulade and Shrimp Scampi were good - not over cooked. The sides served with the salmon were OK- I didn't find them exciting. Just good old mashed potatoes and sautéed veggies. Desert was the Chocolate Budino - which was a first for me. Beautiful end of the meal paired with a Cappuccino for me and espresso for my husband. I would love to return for a lunch and enjoy the outdoor seating with a pizza! read more

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We had Sunday brunch here and it was very enjoyable. I had the farmer's omelette with breakfast potatoes and fruit on the side. While it was all very tasty, I did feel that the amount of potatoes should have been more generous. Our server was very friendly and helpful, but a little on the slow side. It was busy; so I think she was doing the best she could, considering she really had her hands full. The restaurant itself is very charming with a large patio area. We opted for indoor seating, however, because April pollen in Richmond is ridiculous. There's a full bar and enough options on the menu to satisfy most all tastes. Parking can be a little challenging because it's just a graveled area without lines. Some people are better at parking than others. All in all it's a very nice restaurant that's worth checking out. read more

Portico - The pancakes are generous portions and very fluffy. - Italian Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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This place feels like a Nancy Meyers movie, in the best way. The patio is beautiful and perfect for the warm weather. We had the baked spaghetti w/meatballs. Extremely flavorful, although it was a bit heavy on the cheese, it was absolutely delicious. The bruschetta with garlic toast was so good. The basil and balsamic complemented the dish so well. It was the best thing we tried. The pizza dough was a bit thick, and the toppings made it feel very heavy but, overall, quite tasty. The cocktails and wine selection are top tier and thoughtful in relation to the season. The staff were friendly and attentive. An amazing first impression. read more

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The service was good, the food not so much. The margherita pizza was awful. It was a cheese pizza with no tomatoes or basil, during the summer tomato season. The crust was very tough and bland. Could not even finish one piece. Very disappointed. read more

The meal here is always fabulous and the service excellent. Reminds us of quant little places in Santa Barbara. We dine here frequently and in our opinion is hands down one of the better values in the west end of town thanks to the quality of the food, service, charm and consistency. I've come just for the calamari and a wedge salad. Know that on weekends all parking is valet, so don't forget to tip the valets read more

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Pretty average to be honest. We wanted to go somewhere else for lunch on a Friday but that place was closed, and we saw Portico was close by so went here instead. The restaurant is a bit tucked away in the middle of the trees, and has its own parking lot and what looked like beautiful, Italian-inspired outdoor seating. Service was fine, nothing too crazy but not bad. We shared the Portobello Sandwich and Gnocchi with vodka sauce. The sandwich was actually a burger and was fine - mushroom, cheese, arugula, tomato, sauce between two buns. Nothing revolutionary but pretty decent! The gnocchi was served super hot and the sauce was pretty good - creamy and rich, with parmesan shavings on top, but nothing mind-blowing. Overall not a bad spot for lunch especially if you come to dine outdoors on their gorgeous patio. read more

Portico - Portobello Sandwich - Italian Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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Want a great place to dine and relax inside or out with great food? This is your place. Italian fare but a nice mix of seafood and meat choices as well. We went with meatballs and wedge salad for starters for 3 people and was perfect starter. We then indulged in New York strip and lamb risotto. Great choices. Steak was tender and large portion shared well amongst the three. Lamb was tender and tasty. Lots of drink choices. Make your reservation today. read more

We went there yesterday for lunch. Service wasn't very good because we had to keep asking for refills and condiments. Two of ordered burgers (one medium and the other medium-well) and both were overcooked but we had to wait so long, we didn't send them back. Not sure I'd return. read more

Super cute italian restaurant with great food. Apps, drinks, main, and dessert were all delicious with a well done presentation. The patio has such a great ambiance and heat lamps for the chilly fall nights. read more

Portico - Penne A La Vodka - Italian Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

Tonight at Portico was such a treat! The restaurant is small, but the patio looked roomy from where I was inside. Definitely make reservations! We sat at a table in the corner of the bar and it was great. Oh yeah, the parking situation...it's valet. Thank goodness with the teeny parking lot and definitely no street parking on river road. Service was on point. Kept drinks full/refilled and gave plenty of time between courses. Did not feel rushed and felt we had enough attention. The food was very good. We started with calamari that was cooked perfectly. Not chewy and not too fried. The aioli dip it came with was herby and delicious! The garlic baguette was also very flavorful!! Colleagues got a black bean soup and Caesar salad. Both were good size servings! They enjoyed them as well. For dinner I had the seafood fettuccine special. It had shrimp, baby clams and crab in a seafood tomato sauce that was divine. It was a large serving, and soooooo good I couldn't stop eating it! Everyone was pleased with their meals. Dessert had to be the tartufo for me and I really enjoyed it. I took my time and tasted each flavor. My only complaint is it should've been bigger, LOL. It really was a fine size, I just wanted more!! The cheesecake was a hit with my friend. I really can't believe I have never been here or heard about it from friends. It is now on the restaurant list that I keep for hubby and I to try with our best friends! Can't wait to go back! read more

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Went here on a whim to try a new spot ! Was thoroughly surprised by the small, quaint restaurant! They are a bit pricey versus what it's labeled as online, but it's definitely still worth a trip ! The food was very good and they had a few options for vegetarian options. The desert was honestly such a great addition to my dinner. The service was lovely and quick with what was requested. read more

Portico - Italian Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

Portico is one of those spots I keep coming back to. It's a cozy little Italian restaurant and the patio is super nice--definitely recommend sitting out there if the weather's good. The food here is consistently great. My go-to appetizer is the garlic baguette--it's simple but really good. For mains, the rosemary chicken is easily my favorite. Portion sizes are solid too. I've also tried the penne al pesto--I liked it, but probably wouldn't order it again. Cocktails are okay. I had the Peary-me-banana and the strawberry Negroni. I preferred the Peary-me-banana--more fruity and sweet--but my friend was into the Negroni, so I guess it depends on what you like. Desserts here are amazing. Highly recommend the sformato and the tiramisu--both are worth saving room for. Didn't love the Tartufo as much as the other two. Overall, Portico's a great spot. Chill vibes, great food, and I've never had a bad experience. Service was amazing and I'd come back again! read more

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Wait, staff, service and food is ALWAYS superior. Never had a bad experience. I love that it's tucked away. On a sunny day, the patio is the best place to sit and have mimosas. Love it here! read more

Great service We loved sitting outside in the cold with the heat lamps. The fireplace was nice too. read more

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Caprese: mozzerella and tomato were sooo fresh, the pesto was delicious, wish I took a picture but we ate it so fast, great portion for the price and how fresh it tasted, could've done without the micro greens on top Salmon Roulade: cooked perfectly! the salmon was moist and the brown butter was delicous, the vegetables with the brown butter was a 10/10 Lasagna: portion was large and super cheesy, seemed like it was seasoned in layers Great for a date night spot! We were able to get a cappucino and glass of wine and sit outside after dinner. read more

Portico - Salmon Roulade - Italian Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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Portico is a hidden gem, at least to me who rarely ventures in that area. I'm shocked by the low rating as I had a wonderful experience. The food was all great, the service was outstanding, and the restaurant itself is charming. We sat indoors and the weather was nice enough that they had the windows open. They also have a patio. The gnocchi was pillowy and saucy; I do wish there was more eggplant. The portobello app wasn't served how we pictured so we weren't exactly sure how to go about eating it at first. I practically swallowed the tiramisu whole. Our server was super attentive and checked on us several times. We felt comfortable staying and chatting since there were a few open tables. They never rushed us. They have a small parking lot. At night it was kind of difficult to find the place as it's really dark in that area. Reservations can be made on OpenTable. read more

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I would give this restaurant a 10 star review if i could. To begin, the outdoor space is incredible. It's beautiful in the spring, green and vibrant and it gives you the feeling of dining in the French countryside. Honestly worth a visit just to sit on their covered patio. The food was incredible, we got penne ala pesto, with a hearty serving of penne noodles and incredible fresh pesto sauce. So good. We got a pizza as well, which was as good as the penne, albeit a little small for the price. I would consider the pizza almost the size of a personal, although it's up to your party. We had a nice waiter named Elias who checked on us and had no issue splitting our check the way we requested. Really nice spot, go when it's nice weather to sit outside and enjoy your food and a drink! read more

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Cute vibes. Food is good but not great! Caprese: 6/10, hard to mess up, tastes like every other Caprese I've ever gotten except with less basil Garlic baguette: 8/10, garlic bread with bruschetta was still refreshing Lamb risotto: 7/10, lamb was a little chewy and risotto was good but nothing crazy, the sauce and overall flavor was good Penne alla vodka: 6/10 pasta was consistently mildly over cooked (my friends' pastas as well) sauce was okay Desserts: 6/10, tbh nothing special! Strawberry Negroni 11/10, amazing if u like gin, not too sweet read more

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Third trip for our daughter's birthday, 6th trip overall. Sadly will be our last. The food is always good, unfortunately, the last two times, both for our daughter's birthday- the service has been awful! For the prices we are paying we expect good, if not excellent service and truly in this economy and eating out - not that hard to do your job! read more

We enjoyed our dinner selections and desserts! Big portions and great menu selection. Reservations recommended unless you go early. I would recommended updating the chairs in the dining room. Watch your fingers or you might easily pinch them! Our waitress was great! Her name was Sierra, but I am not sure of the correct spelling. read more

Great food and a great place for a date night, we sat outside by the garden. It was a bit crowded but a good experience. read more

Portico - Italian Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

I made a reservation here a few weeks ago for my boyfriend's 30th birthday dinner (party of 2). I used the OpenTable app and someone from the restaurant called to confirmed the day before. I loved being able to adjust easily the time as I had moved the reservation back the day before to 7:30pm. I'm always hesitant to dine at establishments (bad service, lack of menu items, etc.) close to their closing time and when I moved the reservation back I didn't realize they closed at 9pm on Mondays. However, Portico exceeded my expectations. The hostess wished my boyfriend and happy birthday once I confirmed my name, loved that! The restaurant is beautiful and I can see why the patio is so popular. There were people dining on the patio as it was covered and looked heated. The indoor setting is very intimate so I think it'd be great for a date night! I had to take a picture of our receipt because I forgot our server's name at the end of the night but she, Cora was great. Cora was very patient, polite, and gave great details. She also didn't make us feel rushed once! We followed just about all of her recommendations and they didn't miss. My boyfriend got the brown buttered old fashioned and ranked it as his all time favorite cocktail and I had the Buckshot which she recommended because I like ginger. Now Italian is the cuisine I eat the least and never really crave (I ate too much spaghetti as a kid) so I wasn't sure what I wanted and went with Cora's favorite dish, the gnocchi. I wanted to add a protein and took Cora's rec for the sausage as opposed to shrimp due to the red sauce and she was right! The flavors were amazing and everything was cooked perfectly. I've had gnocchi 2 other times and this is by far the best. I also added a Caesar salad to my dish and it was big enough to split and was brought out before our entrees. I asked to remove the tomato's and kept the artichoke and both my boyfriend and I agree it's in the top 2 of best Caesar salads we've ever had, and we love those! My boyfriend had the NY strip steak and loved it, it was cooked and seasoned just right. We opted out of apps and desserts because we went to a HH beforehand. The portions were perfect as we both had leftovers for lunch today. I absolutely will be visiting here again when I can enjoy the patio in warmer months, 10/10 recommend! read more

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