BARba Mingo

What a wonderful night out with friends. Bar Mingo has a great atmosphere. We started at the bar enjoying house bread and a few glasses of wine while we waited for our table. The staff was super amazing and we never wanted for anything. The food speaks for itself. Just look at these photos. The lasagna was out of this world and I guess Wednesday are is Risotto night. I went home very satisfied

Pre covid this was a Sunday night fave. Two years later and we’re back. They remodeled the bar and created a nice outdoor seating area. Everything was fabulous. Service, food, and atmosphere. We’re glad to be back. We came during happy hour and had the mushroom bruschetta, salad and spaghetti bolognese from the happy hour menu. Come back and give them your business.

Pasta was good, but a bit too salty for me. I've had better in the neighborhood. Expensive. 3 stars. We got take out pizzas on a different day. They were awesome. Great thin crust and the toppings were great. 5 stars. Average to 4 stars...

Exquisite, upscale, Italian bar and lounge. Our server, Eric/D'Eric/James/Jameson, was patient, informative, and playful with our varied group of five. The Malbec wine was just what I wanted (a little bite, but full and smooth). The Zin had a deep, full body flavor. The oil and salt with the bread was simple in presentation, but a fantastic play of flavors on the tongue. The calamari was so much easier to eat not being fried, and the garlic aioli sauce that went with it was more than pleasing. Kudos to the bartender who made my Irish Coffee: it was the best made one I've had. Lastly, it was a wonderful experience that we were able to take our drinks with us, from Bar Mingo, to Caffe Mingo.

The food was ok a little bland, bread was hard. It’s definitely different from the restaurant next to it I love their food. This place is really just for wine/drinks. Kind owner he’s a nice guy.

Delicious salad with savory porchini mushrooms, peppery greens, sweet red onions, crumbly shaved parmesan and a toasted pine nuts vinaigrette. Delicate, pillowy gnocchi in a bright tomato-butter sauce. Crusty bread served with coarsely flaked salt and the most delicious fruity olive oil I've ever tasted. Also: thoughtful, friendly service. Comfortable seating, cozy decor. It may be Goldilocks’ version of upscale Italian dining. Everything was ... just right.

Bar Mingo has quickly become one of my favorite dining spots in the city. From a great happy hour, a decadent and delicious menu, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere and staff I'd highly recommend stopping by for a drink, some amazing food and service, and phenomenal dessert!

This is always a favorite of ours - a perfect spot in our NW neighborhood. The food is always incredible (especially the lasagna) and service can't be beat. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great Italian meal in Portland

This is my favorite neighborhood place. I come here at least once a month and almost every time the owner is present, and all servers are friendly. It's a pretty restaurant with a nice atmosphere but I always feel comfortable there even if dressed casually. Everything from the marinated olives to the pastas (try the wild boar ragu) specials & desserts are wonderful! Unique and delicious salads. Not sure why as I believe the owner is the same but I've found the food here to be superior to Caffe Mingo next door.

One of the best restaurants in Portland. From the appetizer to the salad to the main course, each item we ordered was a delight. This place is a must-try for out-of-towners and Portland foodies alike.

Quite possibly one of the top two or three all-time best meals my husband and I have ever had. Perfection of flavor - full but not overwhelming. Every bite was a delight to savor. The atmosphere was perfect. Our server was exemplary. We would return in a heartbeat.

Had a movie to catch in the area and was looking for a casual, neighborhood dinner spot. Bar Mingo is a small, neighborhood Italian restaurant and fit the bill . Made reservations via Opentable. Parking in the area can be challenging. I think they have valet, but I needed a spot given that we had a movie to attend. Found a close metered spot. You don't have to pay on Sundays. *Note: Cafe Mingo is next door to Bar Mingo, but its not the same restaurant. I went into the wrong one at first. Upon arrival, we were seated quickly. Waters and bread and olive oil were brought to the table. I ordered a glass of the Happy Hour red wine. It was very good and ended up having 2 glasses. As I had hoped the atmosphere was casual. We started with a couple of appetizers: Spicy Goat Cheese and Lamb Meatballs. Both were very good. The Spicy Goat Cheese is a chèvre in spicy tomato sauce. Lamb Meatballs were tasty with tomato sauce, mint, oregano & pecorino. For my entree, I had Tagliatelle with pork sausage. This was excellent. House made pasta and the pork sausage was a tasty add to the pasta. Couldn't eat it all, but happy to take home to snack on later. Tried a bite of the Gnocchi and it was excellent, as well. Finally, our service was spot on. Server took the time to chit chat and we were disappointed we couldn't stay longer. We would definitely return.

It had been some time since I was here last (read: years) but on my birthday I finally remembered that this place exists. I'm so glad I did, because I had a beautiful birthday meal here and I couldn't be happier. We walked in on a Thursday evening and the place was almost fully booked, so we waited in the little lounge area for a couple of spots to open up. I had wanted to sit outside, but quickly grew tired of waiting and opted for a couple of seats at the bar instead. I don't remember exactly what we had, but I remember it all being excellent. For our starter, we had one of the specials, a tuna and bean salad that was light, bright, and fresh. For my main I think I had the pappardelle and my mom had the gnocchi. I ordered an Aperol spritz to start and it was as big as my head - five stars for that alone! With dinner, I ordered a flight of three Italian wines that they were doing on special, and the bartender poured quite healthy pours for me so the flight ended up being a steal. The food was excellent, and the service was great. The atmosphere here is warm and convivial, almost like an upscale trattoria in Italy itself. They use fresh, quality ingredients, and the wine list is solid. I will definitely be returning more often!

Let's start with this now on my "Must Try" place list! Wow, wow, wow! From the awesome bar tender, fast, great drinks, to the incredible food! Great menu, fresh beautiful food. You can see the team in the kitchen preparing your food. Can't wait to come back!

Such an extraordinary experience. One of my favorite restaurants while visiting Portland. The gnocchi here is amazing! The tomato sauce here is divine. Truly something special. Wine selection is great. I dined alone and sat at the bar. The bar set up is very unique, and really helps add to a pleasurable dining experience. I was fortunate enough to sit next to one of the owners, and chat. She was very kind, and really made the restaurant seem cozier. The day I happened to come in, the restaurant provided a live band. Exceptional. Thank you!

What a disappointment! I had big expectations after reading the reviews on this place and I so enjoyed Cafe Mingo. I had the wild mushroom appetizer, it came wrapped and you couldn't even tell there were mushrooms in it. I had the Gnocchi for my entree and it was bland and cold, no flavor. I won't be back

Ordered happy hour appetizers and drinks. There was nothing that we didn't love. Ensalata was crisp and tangy. The fried polenta was soft and had fresh cheese added saltiness. The spicy goat cheese was amazing. In terms of price, food was on the high end, but worth it as a special treat.

Place was fantastic. On our drive from Boston to Seattle, with one night in Portland, we gambled and came here. Without reservations, you can only sit at the bar, which was fine with us. Bartender was friendly, made great drinks, and helped us piece together a delicious dinner. We were able to take part in the happy hour which was $9 for select appetizers. We had half dozen oysters, lamb meatballs, and the calamari. All very, very good. For dinner, we had the pan seared halibut, and I opted for the cioppino (I wanted to try the house made pasta, and they were accommodating and tossed in the spaghetti with the broth, was great!). We also had the pickled vegetables. Wine and drinks were awesome. I'd definitely recommend and come back if I was in the area!

Yum! I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here tonight. The Brussels spout salad is to die for and the Manilla clams were super delicious. For my entree, I had the sole piccata special and it was the perfect balance of buttery and lemony, and the fish tasted very fresh. The atmosphere was also cute and the service good. I can't wait to go back!

Absolutely delicious Italian food, and all food for that matter. When visiting Portland as a regular it's always fun to come across new spots, and this place which is been around for a while was, no exception. We came for happy hour and were delighted to find a wonderful selection of a delicious appetizers and great wine (although not much of a happy hour price for the wine, which was still a bit pricey). We enjoyed the food so much that we decided to come back for dinner a few nights later. Everything on the menu is fresh and delicious and is hard to beat with a wonderful friendly staff to match. We will be coming back here for the pasta and yummy appetizers when we return!

Perfect Friday Night! Hit Happy Hour about 4:15 today. Scrumptious offerings for $7 each. We ordered a few of them and then dinner as well. Perfect portions sizes, great wait staff and house wines were excellent! Will go again and again. Loved the calamari (fresh and not breaded), steamed clams, cheese platter. Petrole sole was the special but the most outstanding dishes were the lasanga and pappardelle Ragu dishes. My girlfriend ordered the chop salad--avoid this. Reasonable prices great busy vibe.

Loved this place. We sat at the bar and the service was very attentive. They had delicious potato chips that were complimentary. The drinks were great. We were bar hopping so we didn't get to try a ton of food but the meatballs we did have were superb. The bread was so delicious. Will definitely go there again the next time we are in Portland.

We went here tonight! The food and service were both outstanding! We made reservations, so there was no wait time. Our host was prompt, as was our server. Everything from the bread, to the pasta, to the steak was great! I WISH I would have had room for dessert. The special (lemon tart with blackberries, and blackberry sauce) sounded to die for. My sister order the pappardelle pasta with braised rabbit and sauce. The sauce and pasta was amazing! The pasta just melted in my mouth! She said the rabbit was very tasty too! As for my steak and thinly sliced potatoes on a bed of arugula, covered in a herbed butter sauce! OMG HEAVEN! The steak was tender, juicy, and cooked perfect! The potatoes were perfectly seasoned. The peach Bellinis were great! It had a nice somewhat trendy atmosphere, and I enjoyed the 90s r&b music! We will definitely be back!

There was a lady had a $5, and drinky was her plan-o... B-I-N-G-O.... Bar Mingo, or "Bingo" as we lovingly refer to it, does throw down a mighty fine happy hour from 4-6pm. And although they no longer offer the $4 Stoli martini, they have added a $4 Bellini and a $4 Sauza Margarita which easily catch my attention. (Yeah...not quite stoli, but I'll still be able to sleep tonight...) Drop a $5, get a drink. clap, clap, N-G-O....

One thing is for certain at Bar Mingo: anything you order will be delicious! JP and I were invited here this past Saturday to join two friends for dinner. We noticed that Bar Mingo's sister establishment next door, Caffe Mingo, was closed for a special event. Our experience was a little interesting because one of our friends has had extensive business dealings with Bar Mingo, and was very familiar with the staff. Dinner was also interesting because this was the first time I have been exposed to the concept of corkage fees. Our friends brought many, many bottles of wine with them to the restaurant, and this is perfectly legal. You just have to pay the restaurant $20, per bottle, to uncork and serve your wine. Seems an expensive way to drink. Being the defiant one, I passed on the vino and ordered a martini. I was disappointed that there was only one gin drink on Bar Mingo's cocktail menu, and it contained rosemary syrup. The concept of rosemary syrup (or rosemary anything) makes me want to head for the hills. By the way, the liquor pours for my martini were, frankly, chintzy. So now let me ooh and ahh about the food. Each dish was fantastic. The Lamb Osso Bucco with Polenta came with a generous serving of meat and the tasty polenta was ultra creamy. The Lamb meatballs (with tomato sauce, mint and oregano) were seasoned wonderfully. I especially liked the Manila clams, served out of the shell and with pancetta. I had no idea that a clam could contain that much meat! We also much enjoyed the Mussels served in a fabulous white wine broth with shallots. The pappardelle (rabbit ragu with parmesan cheese) was outstanding. JP and I split the gelato affogato for desert. The affogato is served with a shot of espresso and topped with whipped cream - a very rich, cold and tasty dessert. To accompany our dessert, we ordered grappa. This crystal clear grappa, powerfully strong as a good grappa should be, possessed a memorable bright fresh flavor. As a complimentary dessert from the house, we received the Chocolate Pot De Crème, a dark chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream. Very good! I do have to mention service. Our server may have been laid-back casual because she knew our friends, but her service was so-so: minimal and slow. In fact, dinner stretched out to three hours, though the silver lining on the cloud is that allowed us to spend more time with our friends. But all things considered, a great dinner!

Great Italian food. The pasta, which our waitress pointed out is made daily on-site, was fresh and perfectly cooked. For our table of four we tried the rabbit pappardelle, the tagliatelle, shrimp spiedini, and vongole. All of these were great, but if I had to make a recommendation for one thing on the menu (and the one dish I didn't get a photo of), it would be the crispelle. Order it! It's heaven on a plate. Four stars only because the cannoli disappointed. For anyone experienced with good cannolis, the ricotta will seem way too liquid and mushy, the shell not crispy enough, and the overall flavors off-base. Try another dessert.

We had a wonderful dinner here everything was perfect. So far it was one of the best dinner experiences I have had in the Portland Metro area. Chef Vincenzo is an up-and-coming chef and has so much to offer to the Portland food culture. From appetizers to deserts everything was absolutely perfect thank you for an amazing experience!!

MMMMMmmmmm...those lamb meatballs though. Great place to eat and have some beverages. Nice HH menu too. Definitely try the meatballs. My group ordered a few apps, (cold meat plate, cheese plate and the lamb meatballs). Once we devoured those, we went on to the main course...dinner. I chose the lasagna because I saw pictures of it beforehand and I really needed it in my life. Someone ordered the gnocchi and then a pasta special was ordered by another member of our group. We all tried bites of each others food and all of it was tasty. Fresh pasta, fresh ingredients. The wine menu and ambiance ....just another reason to dine here.

This is a great place to get wonderful pasta without having to wait at the caffe next door. The house made pasta is terrific and they have a terrific Italian wine list. The ambiance is wonderful too and there is quite a bit of sitdown space as well as a lounge and barstool area. The pappardelle was wonderful and a good serving size. The lamb tagliatelle was spicy and still allowed the great flavor to come thru. We finished with the lovely smoked trout salmon. The smoking was great and it was salty as is often the case. This is a crowded place so either get here early and enjoy the terrific happy hour before 6. Or be prepared to wait. But it is worth it!

I can only imagine the in Portland if a restaurant is typically viewed as average it won't survive, because of all the above average competition. Bar Mingo is that competition in spades. Firstly it's next door to its sibling Restaurant Mingo. But the drunken brother Bar Mingo still walks upright and produces excellent fare. Firstly the staff is wonderful, sassy ( I've never used that word ) and attractive. All three are pluses, but bottom line she was a vetted professional. I had simple fare tonight of parsnip soup and steamed mussels. The soup was excellent, flavorful and silky smooth. The mussels well also five star. Not a tainted or turned on in the batch. The broth was lite, buttery and flavorful. I wonder if since there are so many excellent restaurants in Portland, if complementing them is meaningless.

Totally yummy/ Went here just for HH. We had the cheese plate with fig salami, the lamb meatballs and the calamari. Man, I would come back here just for the sauteed calamari seeped in butter and garlic and spices. fabulous. We sat at the bar. Service was impeccable. The happy hour martinis were wonderful. Wish they would have told us when HH was over but aside from that I can't say one negative thing about this place. I definitely would look forward to coming back for dinner!

This has become a gem in NW Portland. The wonderful food they create in a small kitchen must involve magic. The daily specials are always great and highlights include the gnocchi (light pillows of deliciousness) and calamari. But it's all great - really you can't go wrong. The menu is creative and homey at the same time. The homemade pastas bring a happy smile to my face - they know it's not just about making pasta - you have to cook it right. And they cook pasta to perfection. The daily fish special (such as ling cod) and meat special (such as lamb chops) are always fantastic and recommended. You will not be disappointed. There has been a significant increase in quality over the last year so if it's been awhile since you ate here, you might want to revisit. Reservations highly recommended. It's a tight space and understandably crowded so come with a good attitude, be a little flexible on time and enjoy. Any wait you have to endure will be worth it. We live here in Portland and Bar Mingo has become our favorite place to eat in the city.

Always consistently great! Best lasagna in town! Great food, wonderful servers, drinks are excellent, good wine selection, everything is top notch. The fresh heirloom tomato caprese salad was to die for!

Yesterday I had Happy Hour in the Bar. We ordered several dishes. It took some time for our hot food order to come out. One item, the Lamb Meatballs, were very pink in the inside. The texture was paste. I asked the bartender if the meatballs are always served this way. He assured me they were perfect. I was sick all night. They were raw. Some advice: Temp your meats or tell your guests they are getting undercooked meat. I will not return. Ground lamb should not be served less ^than (^edit) 160F.

I love being able to come to an upscale place in my neighborhood and get a great glass of wine and some delicious food. I have to be honest I come for their happy hour as I am single and this seems very much like an amazing date restaurant. I have had some of their cocktails too and they are really good! The bartenders are attentive and friendly and have started to recognize me....I think that's a good thing for a place like Bar Mingo!

We had a very pleasant dinner at Bar Mingo. The food was 5 stars. The service, although friendly and well intentioned, was disorganized and sort of bumbling. It was a Monday night, so perhaps the restaurant was understaffed, but even so, the restaurant was busy and crowded, again a testament to the quality and deliciousness of the food. Now onto the food and wine which was wonderful. We started with a white bean, arugula, tuna, and pickled vegetables salad which was absolutely delicious. We followed that with a sauteed and slightly charred squid appetizer which was stupendous. The squid was tender and scrumptious. The seasoning and sauce were perfect. We finished with a house made pasta with shrimp and a light creamy roasted tomato sauce. Again wonderful and delicious. Finally, I wanted to mention the wine list which is well thought out, varied, and affordable. The list is split between red and white and then further between Italian and all other. We tried the Italian Chardonnay, clean and un-oaked; and the Italian Pinot Grigio which was dry and very slightly effervescent. Both were delicious and perfectly complemented the food. Overall a great meal. I hope the restaurant can improve the service.

Honestly, I dislike Italian food, but the Ravioli with Ragu sauce is maybe the best food ever. Get the Ragu sauce. I would honestly order it by the gallon and use it on everything.

I am so disappointed that we chose to spend my birthday dinner here. Simply bad food. Terrible attitude from the servers. Now I know why we always have sat at the bar here in the past - the bartenders are both exceptional but apparently when you are sitting at a table it's an entirely different atmosphere. I also know that the kitchen here is capable of producing delicious meals and I'm super sad they let us leave hungry and unhappy after the kind of money we spent. My lasagne was actually cold in the middle. Also, the server wouldn't let us take home the unfinished bottle of wine that we had purchased with our dinner (the only yummy part of the night) claiming this is illegal to do (?) but we couldn't stand to sit there for another minute to finish drinking it so that poor paretaio had to be wasted. We will never be back to either Mingo restaurant.

We were a group of four looking to get only dessert. We all got something different. I've never had a cannoli before. Am I glad I got it here! The cream was soft and not too strong in any flavor. It was a light lemony flavor. I should have picked it up and bitten it. But I don't like getting food on my fingers, so I did the fork and knife thing. It's very difficult to cut a cannoli without hitting the knife on the plate and making a loud clinky noise...and then the cream squirted out a little. The ends of the cannoli were dipped in chocolate. I'll post a pic of it. It looks a little phallic though, ahaha.

My wife and I sampled only three items. The first was a simple salad. It had nice color with red peppers,hearts of palm, and artichoke . The leaves were fresh and properly coated with a vinaigrette. The second item was a tagliatelle. The pasta was freshly made, and the very definition of "al dente." It was combined with mild sausage that opened with a fennel taste and finished with peppery notes. Wilted chard, parmesan, leaks, and garlic, added depth to the dish. The pasta was coated in a light butter sauce. As good as any pasta dish we've ever had. The last item was cod "aqua pazzo" with spinach. This cooking technique poaches the cod leaving it tender and moist. It was over a bed of spinach and had a wine poaching liquid that contained tomatoes, garlic, and shallots. The spinach tended to compete with the more subtle cod flavor, so I chose to eat it separately. Still, based on these three dishes, Bar Mingo gets 5 stars.

What did we NOT have on the menu???? Seriously pretty much everything. Literally everything on the happy hour menu, including several thing off the regular menu. All were really good! Prices decent, wait from kitchen was better than most, and taste was better than average. Server (heather) was phenomenal. Attentive and provide her POV when asked about menu items. Obviously great recommendations when we sit there on uncomfortable outdoor seats. Will be back!! Everything was great!

went for valentine's day and they were surprisingly empty, so I was kind of nervous at first. We ended up being one of the last customers of the night and it felt like we had a private space. Really good food, wonderful service, would definitely go again and recommend to others. I have dreams about the lasagna

It is always a pleasure to dine at places where you can tell they love food and wine like you do. Our waiter was excited to share selections that matched our choice of wine and dietary constraints, made everything easy and pleasant, conveyed genuine excitement and warmth, in short acted like an old friend who was happy to have us back, though we'd never been before. The food was perfectly executed, and we all enjoyed our choices. After such a positive experience, we will definitely return and introduce more friends. GF Heads up: A fair selection of choices are available. If you're a fan of calamari, they do an unbreaded calamari that was perfectly tender and tangy, with just enough richness to feel like a luxury. Pro Tip: One of the better, if not best, restaurant polenta dishes in Portland. And, the calamari, must have if you're a fan!

JAM and I came into Bar Mingo on a whim last Friday night before heading to a concert. I love Caffe Mingo next door, and had only ever visited the bar side to grab a cocktail while waiting for a table there. I have heard good things about the menu at the Bar, so we decided to check it out. The host was very nice, and was able to accommodate us immediately with a nice little table for two. The server was also cordial, and I think he liked us just because my husband ordered the barrel-aged negroni. I can't drink right now, but the bartender whipped me up a nice orange-soda water mix, not sweet and on the tart side, exactly what I'd asked for. As far as the food goes, the bread and olive are the same as what they serve over at the Caffe. The olive oil is amazing. I ordered the salad with walnuts and blue cheese, which was a generous portion and delicious. The nuts had a bit of a spice, unexpected but a very nice flavor. JAM's gnocci al sugo was good, he had no complaints. I ordered the tagliatelle with sausage and chard. It was delicious, and while I thought the serving size appeared small my eyes proved far bigger than my stomach. Next time we'll come with either more people, or more of an appetite. I hear the lamb meatballs are a must try!

Great vibe a good meal at the bar. Vanilla gelato w espresso is on my top 10 EVER list. I could not stop eating it.

Shake, baby, shake, you know I can fit you in my arms Brake, baby, brake, taking me in with all your charms To celebrate my 500th review, I'm gonna do a throwback to the good ol' mid 90s because hitting 500 reminds me of this song called "500" by this group called Lush (whose lead singer's bright red hair inspired me to do the same to mine back then) and it's fitting because this review is about a bar and well, I'm LUSH myself. I've said this before: I love happy hour. It's one of my favorite activities. This place does happy hour right: many selections for just $5 each. Red or white wines for $5 (or 2 PBRs for $5), certain liquors for $5 and a small but decent bar bites menu. Ended up drinking two glasses of white wine and sampling two plates: the salumi platter (3 types of cured meats--so yummy) and the fried garlic/rosemary potato cubes with a fried egg on top. It was a great spot to have light bar food and chilled wine while seated outside on a HOT day. Service was friendly (amusing, even) and always filled the water glasses. It was a hot day, after all.

I had high hopes for Mingo, but sadly I'm only able to give them 3 stars. It isn't the food, that was all pretty tasty, and the price seemed about right for what we got - 3 plates for $21 (although I noticed a menu choice of pasta with olive oil and garlic for around $11, which seems pretty steep considering that's what I make at home when I have no money to buy real food). So why only 3 stars you ask? Honestly I'm not really sure, except that we really didn't have a good time there. Maybe it was the obnoxious yuppies we were seated next to, or maybe it was that the tables were a touch too small and just a little too close together. Who knows, but the whole time we were there neither of us could relax and enjoy ourselves. So take that for what it's worth, neither a glowing review, nor a concrete reason to stay away. If you do find yourself at Mingo, I'd recommend trying to snag a table that's a little more out of the way. And if you find yourself craving garlicky pasta skip Mingo and swing by my place, I'll make it for you for a buck fifty.

What?!?! A $4 martini... served with Stoli?? REALLY??? Sold! Now my new favorite stop for happy hour tinis!!! Oh, and the food kicks @$$ too!

We came for a friend's birthday and ate in the bar. I can see why my friends love the place so much, the server remembered her from last year's birthday! I was dining with mostly meat-eaters but there were a few vegetarian options too. Good ones!

It's easy forget but this a great little gem on 21st with great staff and good Italian food at reasonable levels. Had the papardelle with rabbit ... and a great glass of barbera !!

I love wine and I love home made fresh pasta. I love that Bar Mingo offers the best of both worlds into one. SERVICE: ** 5 Stars ** If you want great service - this has to go out to Bar Mingo. After dining around PDX - this place takes care of you from reservations to the bill. They are quite exceptional! APPETIZERS: ** 3 Stars ** Calamari was not your typical fried version, but their own take upon it. I did like the aioli dipping sauce, but was not fond of their version of the fresh calamari that I consider it to be. Cheese Plate consisted of four different types of cheeses. Which was decent for a group of seven. ENTREE: ** 5 Stars ** Filet - ordered it medium rare (which actually came medium rare! That is amazing since not many places cook meat to the temperature that you ordered it for!!!) with a choice of two sides. I opted for their fall squash and polenta. DRINK: ** 4 Stars ** I love that they offer a laundry list of wines (reds, whites, bubbly) and a few of their own cocktail creations of their own. Overall, I enjoyed my meal with my fellow grubbers at Bar Mingo. It was a lovely evening and we were well taken care of. I would definitely come back here and possibly try their happy hour!

Bar Mingo and Café Mingo are.....sisters that agree to disagree.....They are those fraternal twins.. related , you can kind of see the resemblance but certainly not identical....they may have on the exact same outfit...but the colors are dramatically different. I'm focused on Bar Mingo ....the small plate/ wine bar and gathering place on NW 21st. as opposed to Café Mingo -the restaurant. The crowd "older"...mid thirties and beyond...and you sense the crowd ( and its usually busy ) are all on their best behavior and first "dates" together......I don't know, maybe they have a secret affiliation with match.com but that's just my personal assessment. I've enjoyed the place generally, although it feels a bit disconnected from the , creative and eclectic beauty that the Portland bar/restaurant culture usually gives off. I'll use the word ...staid. A good happy hour with $6 dollar plates and buckets of PBR's (so totally hipster in a decidedly non-hipster environment)......Cocktails ...happy hour price is right ..nothing extremely exotic. A nice vino selection...... I'd describe the cuisine as "new" Italian...The Penn cove Mussells, Oysters and lamb Meatballs stick out as favorites. If you know Portland ...parking in NW is extremely challenging ..if you get within 2 blocks of Bar Mingo after 5 pm you've had a good day. Certainly not a bad environment to start the evening off in....match.com profiles not required:)

Attracted by the all-day Sunday Happy Hour, we decided to try it out. Loved the atmosphere, nice bartender, complete Italian wine list - both Soave and Gavi - doesn't happen that often - but not very interesting farms/wineries. Still happy to have a complete wine list. A little limited on the HH drinks. How about a "real italian" aperitivo - Negroni or Americano? We tried a couple of the dishes - good food. Would have liked to see more "appetizer" type food - we came expecting it to be more of a bar, less of a restaurant . Go next door for a dinner. Minus one star for selection - but this place kills Basta's across the street. We will most certainly be returning. A presto!

Do you like calamari? I call it under the sea spiders. Well they have it here graphic style, because they do not deep fry it.. and it's wonderful. They have it for 6.00 during happy hour.. We then ordered their 3 different types of cheeses: cow/goat and giraffe, oh, I meant sheep, very tasty indeed, including - wowza! - fig salami, sweet flavor complements the cheese.. They have no problem bringing that bread any time, and will even ask YOU if you would like more. Also ordered the baked polenta... with their tomato sauce/mozzarella over the top.. to die for ok? So we had to have the manilla clams as well, nice broth and generous with the clams. This is all on their happy hour.. it made us very happy.. and not broke.

Oh so good! On the expensive end, but worth it for a special night. Had the Brussels sprouts salad, rabbit dish, and bolegnese ravioli. All were impeccably delicious.

Tried to get in on a Friday night and was told that the wait was over an hour. We decided to make reservations for Saturday and just come back. We arrived a few minutes early for our reservation and were shown to the waiting area. We were informed that our table was finishing up and would be ready shortly. After waiting a little bit the hostess came by and told us that our table was paying and would be done any minute. This reassurance happened multiple times. Finally 45 minutes after our reservation time we decided that it wasn't worth the wait. There were 2 tables that we were told had been there for hours and were just sitting and talking / having a cocktail. There were open spots at the bar, entry seating area, and 2 top tables that these folks could politely be asked to sit at. Instead the staff rather have them take up a 4 top with just chit chat after already paying. The best part is when we asked to speak to a manager we were informed that there was no manager on duty in the whole restaurant. This seems like a very poorly run establishment - take caution when making plans to eat here - they may not honor them and you will be looking for other options!

This is probably one of the worst pasta I ever had. Tagliatelle is so lack of flavor and the noodle texture is really close to premium instant noodle. I have to say their cocktail is pretty good and our waiter is nice and friendly too. Overall, this is a pretty good bar with good bar food and cocktail. Just don't come here if you are looking for some good pastas as we do.