Enoteca Nostrana
Wine bar · Buckman ·
Stylish wine bar with modern Italian small plates & wine
Stylish wine bar with modern Italian small plates & wine
"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
"Proof of vaccination is required to sit at the six bar seats at Enoteca Nostrana; unvaccinated customers can sit outside." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden