a Cena Ristorante
Italian restaurant · Sellwood-Moreland ·
Housemade pastas, seasonal Italian fare, intimate, warm-hued dining
Housemade pastas, seasonal Italian fare, intimate, warm-hued dining
"A homey, romantic Italian restaurant, A Cena (pronounced ah-chay-nah) has remained a staple of the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood for years. Often changing with seasonal ingredients, it offers more robust pasta dishes made in-house (think hand-rolled penne in a hearty sausage-mushroom cream sauce, or tagliatelle in a lamb, pork, and beef Bolognese), as well as some meaty mains and fun sides. Grab a Negroni at the bar; this is a fun spot to dine solo, if that’s your thing." - Eater Staff
"Since the late aughts, seafood lovers have headed to Sellwood’s main strip for this Italian restaurant’s signature agnolotti dish. Tender chunks of butter-poached Maine lobster are nestled among golden parcels of corn and mascarpone raviolini. Pair the decadent dish with wine from Piedmont, Tuscany, or Veneto." - Janey Wong
"A Sellwood standby, this tiny Italian restaurant is a popular spot for pastas like corn-and-mascarpone raviolini or hand-rolled penne, plus standards like eggplant Parmesan and fritto misto. The space is intimate, warm, and inviting, often populated by regulars; you can often walk in with ease, but to be safe, you can make a reservation online." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden
"This intimate Sellwood trattoria, packed with regulars, serves a very buttery burrata of medium firmness, changing its preparation depending on what’s in season. On a recent visit, the cheese appeared with hunks of heirloom tomatoes and gorgeous, in-season Maryhill peaches. A tiny drizzle of reduced balsamic played off the sweetness of the fruit, while the addition of thinly sliced alliums grounded it in savory territory. The complimentary bread and breadsticks, which come before any meal, are worthy vehicles for the cheese once it arrives." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden
