Enoteca Nostrana
Wine bar · Buckman
1401 SE Morrison St #105, Portland, OR 97214
Highlights
Stylish wine bar with chic decor and Italian small plates
Stylish wine bar with chic decor and Italian small plates
"Iconic in its simplicity, the butterscotch budino at Cathy Whims’ lauded Italian restaurant borrows from another female powerhouse chef — Pizzeria Mozza co-owner Nancy Silverton and pastry chef Dahlia Narvaez’s budino which has earned praise for its silky smooth texture and perfect sweet-salty balance. Luckily, Portlanders don’t have to make the trip to Los Angeles to try it. Nostrana recommends pairing with a glass of semi-dry Marsala oro for maximum enjoyment. Book through OpenTable." - Rebecca Roland
"Before chicory Caesars were ubiquitous at Italian restaurants, chef Cathy Whims’s simple radicchio salad became one of the city’s most famous, replicated by food bloggers and recipe developers around the country. The bitterness of the chicory is balanced by a satisfyingly Parmesan-cheesy dressing, with savory herbs like rosemary and sage balancing the acidity of the vinegar in the dressing. It’s best paired with the gnocchi in Marcella Hazan’s tomato-butter sauce, if available." - Ben Coleman
"On Thursdays, chef Cathy Whims observes the Roman tradition of gnocchi Thursday, swapping out Nostrana’s regular pasta dishes for hand-formed gnocchi specials. The soft, pillowy dumplings are comfort food at its finest, with variations including leek and pancetta, ragu di prosciutto, and saffron cream. Meatball fans should make a point to dine here on Mondays, when pork and chicken meatballs are served atop a bed of pasta or on wood-fired pizza." - Janey Wong
"The glitzy wine bar next to Italian institution Nostrana has transitioned away from regular service and is now more of a private dining space for the original restaurant, with two rooms seating 30 and hosting 40 for standing receptions. Menus can include house-extruded pasta, antipasti buffets, and fun desserts. Those interested can make an inquiry online for more information." - Rebecca Roland
"Lauded and spacious Italian restaurant Nostrana reserves its happy hour for late nights only, starting at 9 p.m. with Cathy Whims’ iconic pizzas on offer for less than $10 each. Capellini with the famous tomato butter sauce is $10, the amazing radicchio salad is $6, and glasses of select wine are $6, with bottles at $25. Happy hour ends at 10 p.m. (11 p.m. Friday and Saturdays), but those full of pasta wanting to keep the party going can head next door to the vividly modernist Enoteca Nostrana—happy hour starts there at 10 p.m. with half-priced bottles and glass pours on all wine." - Alex Frane
