Solo Italiano

Short story: 4 Stars is generous for Solo Italiano, it's really a 3.5 and 3.5s aren't generally in this price category. The long story/the origin story: Coming south from Camden and Boothbay Harbor (which despite the tourism, has a fantastic Italian restaurant) we found a nice "baguette" at Rue 77 coffee shop in Damariscotta. Actually, it was incredible, like nothing since Paris. We ate it with butter that we happened to have in our cooler at a picnic table overlooking the Damariscotta river in blazing sunshine on a cool autumn day. Memorable. The next day we found ourselves craving that bread. I dug out the bag and it was stamped "Solo Pane" Bath, ME. Well, Bath just so happened to be on our way to Portland, so we made a diversion. There at Solo Pane e Pasticceria we found not only that our "baguette" was actually a stiratto (sure the Rue threw us off) but also they had pistachio croissants which we hadn't seen since Pescheria del Garda and this was just as good albeit bigger (this is the US). That bakery is amazing (separate review). They told us that hey BTW they also had an Italian restaurant in Portland, we were headed to Portland, so we made reservations for Saturday at 8pm, and went on our way with high hopes. A couple days later we arrived early for our 8pm, checked in and were told we might be able to get seated a little early - all good. The master of reservations, who clearly enjoys the power his job affords, seated several walk ins who arrived after we did before us, which really didn't sit well with me. I took the time to make a reservation, showed up, so seat me early if you have space, and give the walk in my reservation time. Seems logical. Play by the rules a bit eh? Even more so because they required a credit card to even make the reservation. Basics. Okay, I'm about the food mostly, so service isn't the biggest part. The place is nice, we've had a bunch of great meals on our trip to Maine so far, no mistakes. Seated we order some wine, peruse the menu and are informed that we need to order all at once and they/she will manage the pacing. OMG if I had dollar for every time this got screwed up. Okay, we'll play by your rules. Limits the time we have to make decisions, increases the importance of bring that glass of wine while I'm making these decisions. Some tables get bread, some don't , we can't figure it out, they own a bakery, that bakery's bread is incredible, we want bread, so we end up asking for it. The food, I honestly can barely remember what I had. It was all fine, beet salad, octopus something or other, but the service just obfuscated everything here. It is truly chaotic. Think the Apocalypse Now surfing scene, there's no chronological accountability, just reactionary impulse, you could order something, wait, someone at the table next to you orders the same thing later, and they get it while you're still waiting. Charlie don't serve. I jest a bit here, but really the service was not good. The food was, thankfully, better. Generally, when I stop taking photos, I've checked out, when places are good or great, I wanna pump it up, give kudos; when they aren't, I'm not taking pictures of measly bread services, absent waiters, and pompous seaters. You'll see almost all of my reviews are very positive. I only bothered here because that stiratto and that bakery were so damn good that I think the owner cares and his/her goal isn't to be a 4 star.

We came in at 9:30pm for the last dinner slot of the night and the servers and hostesses were extremely hospitable and friendly. Our server was so knowledgeable about the menu and friendly, one of the best servers we have ever had. This restaurant blew us away. The food was incredible and the attention to detail from our server to wait for us to finish one dish before immediately bringing out the next one fresh and warm was very appreciated. Everything we ordered was fresh, delicious, and perfectly executed. I’m convinced you could close your eyes and order anything off the menu and love it. We will be back soon, thank you for an unforgettable experience Solo Italiano!

The staff were amazing and friendly. Super thorough. We met a sweet old man who we were unsure was an owner or manger or just a friendly face but he was adorable and so nice talking about his wife and his 50+ year marriage. Food was top tier and would definitely get it again. We had gnocchi and pesto pasta!

The quality of the food, atmosphere and service is really good. It was just missing that extra bit of something to justify the price. We had the bolognese and the crepes. The bolognese lacked sauce and was just flavored ground beef. The crepes tasted like a ravioli dish but was a crepe instead. The focaccia was exceptional though! Like I said the quality of the noodles & ingredients were good it just wasn’t what I was expecting.

We were two couples that came here for dinner. Very authentic Italian! Linguini and lasagna were outstanding. We didn’t love the ravioli, but mainly because we were likely expecting a less authentic dish with more sauce. Would be a great place for date night!

★★★★★ An Unforgettable Trip to Italy, No Passport Required! As someone whose heart belongs to Italy, finding a place, like Bellagio, Italy, that truly captures its culinary soul is a rare and beautiful thing. From the moment we walked into Solo Italiano, I felt it. This wasn't just another Italian restaurant; it was a transportive experience. The atmosphere buzzed with the kind of warm, convivial energy that reminds me of late-night dinners in Bellagio. It felt like coming home. We started with a stunning charcuterie board, an absolute work of art laden with high-quality prosciutto, salami, and artisanal cheeses, perfectly paired with delicious fruit preserves. But the showstoppers were the crostini: one topped with the creamiest, freshest burrata over prosciutto, and another with a rich pâté that was simply divine. Every single bite was a testament to the quality of their ingredients. For our main courses, we were treated to absolute perfection on a plate. I had a handmade green pasta—I believe it was their Mandilli al Vero Pesto Genovese—that was as delicate and silky as any I've had in Liguria. The pesto was so vibrant and fresh it tasted like pure sunshine. My husband’s steak was cooked flawlessly, tender and juicy, smothered in a rich, savory sauce with gorgeous wild mushrooms. Even the cocktails were crafted with care, both refreshing and beautifully balanced. And you simply cannot leave without dessert. The chocolate mousse cake was impossibly decadent, and the hazelnut gelato was so authentic and creamy it was like being back in a Florentine gelateria. Solo Italiano isn't just serving food; they are sharing a piece of their culture and passion. For a few hours, we weren't in Portland, Maine—we were in Italy. If you are looking for an authentic, soulful, and absolutely delicious Italian meal, this is a must-visit. Magnifico!

One of the best Italian restaurants I've been to in the US. Service is attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu. The handmade pastas are perfection. We tried the lasagne this latest visit and it was incredible.

Everything was incredible! Best italian food we have every had. Thank you for a fantastic experience! Service was friendly and prompt, will absolutely be back many many more times

Have wanted to try Solo for a number of years, so for our 24th anniversary decided to make the reservation and make it happen. I was told the gnocchi was amazing so had my sights fixed for that. Reservation system was easy to use and sent reminders. We arrived a little early for our 5:30p reservation but were immediately greeted and taken to our table. The decor is elegant but not overly fancy, the exposed brick and decor blended nicely and gave a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We ordered a round of drinks which included a beer, glass of Moscato, and a house cocktail which I forgot to take a picture of. Quite good. The menu has many options for different palates. We started with the Capesante alla Moda and the Gonfietti con Prosciutto e Burrata. Both were A-maxing in texture and flavor, exquisite. Dinner was a tie for me either the Gnocchetti Al Carbonara di Mare or the Tajarin con Gran chio. I went with the Gnoccheti since it was highly recommended. My husband had the Ravioli Burto Al Tartufo which was absolutely AMAZING! Hit all the flavor and texture buttons and MORE! Magnificent! My son had the Linguine alle Veraci which also was very good. Sadly the Gnocchetti missed the mark COMPLETELY!! The gnocchi was more dense than the recommendation and only one, yes that's right, 1 large prawn for a bowl of approximately 35 gnocchi. I was left disappointed and hungry since there was approximately 15 gnocchi left and no more shrimp to cut the rich potato and cream sauce. I had to cut the shrimp into tiny pieces to accompany the gnocchi. Do NOT recommend unless you want to get filled up with potato. The Moscato was so delicious we ordered a bottle for the table. Dessert I was looking forward to their grappa, have not had since my early 20's so eager to see if I still enjoyed. Their Grappa Camomilla do Sibona was delicious, left with a caramel taste lingering after the burn. A wonderful way to end the meal. We will be back and I will try the Tarjarin next.

This is a beautiful restaurant. The food is truly wonderful. I had an octopus appetizer that was spectacular!!! The pasta/ravioli was perfectly cooked and all topped of with a perfect desert. You must try the blood-orange and Vodka drink. I had a couple and wanted more. The service was very friendly and professional. It is a place that I will return to when I am back in Portland. I have recommend it to several friends and they all loved it.

Actual Italian Cuisine. Not some sort of Americanized "Eye-Talian" chow. I'm more knowledgeable about the cuisine of the south, but each dish was what I would expect in a high-end Italian restaurant. The descriptions of the dishes had no puzzler ingredients like peas where no peas should ever be. Good Italian ricette executed with skill and care. Everything from the bread service, Focaccia, Mussels, Pasta, and Halibut were all excellent. You are paying Portland Waterfront prices but the ingredients and execution are top. I don't mind paying the bill if the dining experience is worth it. Solo is worth it. If I had to pick on one thing it's the pace of the meal. It seemed slightly rushed in a way that I can't imagine happening in Italy. It wasn't a panic but primi coming out while the antipasto is still halfway eaten wasn't great. The service and servers were very good, and maybe the kitchen was running a little fast. Not a deal breaker by any means but if I can't leave 4.5 stars I can at least be thorough about the experience.

Solo Italiano is an excellent spot for delicious and imaginative Italian food. Located right on Commercial Street, it couldn't boast any better of a location. Although I can't speak to their seafood, they know how to do Italian food right--I myself loved the Prosciutto Foccaccia (which was a crowd favorite) and the Tajarin con Funghi (mushroom pasta, pictured below). The portions were perfect--filling but not overwhelming, and each dish is filled with flavor. As someone with a general dislike (and lack of knowledge) of wine, I really enjoyed the Moscato D'Asti, a super sweet semi-sparkling wine. The service was great, and the waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and wine pairings. Would definitely go back!

Have been twice each time I was underwhelmed. The most recent time two orders of ravioli were ordered for the table of 6 to share. The same exact dish was completely different. The one that was salted and had a proper sauce developed was pretty good. The other exact same dish was so bland that it was comical in comparison. Not sure if it was made by two different people or what. Either way it speaks to bad quality control and consistency issues for a very expensive "high end" restaurant. The first time there, I ordered the special which was a hand made broad noodle. It has 4-5 noodles in some sauce. It's was that type of stuffy "haute" cuisine plating that is pretty disappointing when you want a plate of pasta. The interior is very lovely, the service is good but it's not worth the money.

Best Italian in Portland (close.... Bruno's), with exceptional service and a very clean, modern design. Small portions keep it from being 5

Great wine selection and the bartenders are spot on. The dinner was very good and the pasta tasted authentic. Will return. Also our server was excellent.

Wow- this place was unreal.. the atmosphere inside is super nice and has a few food stations where certain items are prepared! We sat next to the salad station. The menus are printed fresh daily because seasonal items are always being added on- I LOVE this concept!!! To start we got this fried bread with prosciutto on top, and the prosciutto was soooo fresh and soft. For my dinner I got the scallops and they were seared to perfection, I would eat that over and over again! Everyone else's entrees were honestly so amazing too. I think you could order anything here and be super satisfied with your choice! I will say the dishes here are very unique and not traditional so if you're looking for a traditional Italian spot, I would not recommend here, but this real fine dining and such an amazing culinary experience!

I cannot fathom how delicious this place is! If you're planning to try Solo Italiano, I highly recommend making a reservation as I've heard it gets pretty crowded on the weekends. Let's start off with the delicious food we had. We ordered the Carpaccio di Capesante (scallops from the raw courses). The scallops were wonderfully fresh and the cucamelon put an accentuating touch. The lemon zest also boosted the flavors. I am still thinking about the Gonfietti con Prosciutto e Burrata (fresh and soft focaccia topped with prosciutto and buratta. The combination was such a hit. We also got the Bucatini al Carbonara di Mare (shrimp and uni pasta). The gulf shrimp was so flavorful - though I wish there was more than one piece. The star of the show was definitely the uni. It was incorporated into the sauce, which made it such a creamy delight. Lastly, we went with the Petto d'Anatra con Tartufo (duck entree). The duck was so tender and cooked to perfection. The sauce was made with celery puree so I expected it to overpower the duck flavor but that was not the case whatsoever. Perfect balance. The service was wonderful and the ambiance was nice and simple - more of an industrial vibe. I would love to come back when I get the chance to visit. The alcohol options were plentiful but I went with a nice red to pair with the food. What a great experience!

I was disappointed. We went for a New Year's Eve dinner, the appetizers were great, but the entrees were lacking. My wife's ravioli was floating in butter, and my linguine with clams had a very strong, bitter taste(lime the clam juice you get at the supermarket). Service was okay, they were quite busy, but my experience should not have suffered as much as it did. I temper my expectations based on the reputation/price of the restaurant, and solo Italiano fell very short. I won't be going back.

We dined at Solo Italiano on a recent Friday evening while visiting Portland. The four of us enjoyed the fabulous food. I rate it 4.5*. VIBE: The space is festive and energetic (i.e., rather noisy), with a rustic, woody decor. SERVICE: Staff were cordial, polished, helpful, and attentive. The only glitch was that the kitchen was overloaded and our entrees came out about 40 minutes after our salads. FOOD: The food was terrific. All the dishes were delicious, perfectly cooked, and nicely presented -- the best restaurant meal I've had in recent memory. Favorites included octopus salad, scallops, halibut, and risotto. Bread was tasty, as was a pear crostata. Affogato was very good, but woefully small for $9. The wines I had were both nice, and the others who had mocktails said they were excellent. All told, a fine time, and a minor splurge -- everything was a bit pricey. Portion sizes seemed small for the price. The food was so good, though, that I'll look forward to visiting again next time I'm in the area.

Every dish at Solo Italiano was a masterpiece! From start to finish, each bite was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully crafted. If you're in Portland, don't miss out on this gem for an authentic Italian experience that truly stands out!

Solo Italiano is an experience filled with mouth watering, delicious cuisine! This dining experience taught me what a true five star dinning experience should be. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the dinner and wine menu. She broke down every appetizer, salad, and dinner and how that particular item of food was going to pair with their different Italian wines. I was truly blown away. The food was so great. The pasta, homemade and mouthwatering delicious! The wine list was all Italian and had some aged over a decade old. We ordered the Insalata D' Asparagi (so good), Tagliere del Contadino with a selection of Italian cheeses, Ravioli with Black Truffle, Con Pio Tosini, some desserts, paired with a beautiful bottle of Notarpanaro! I really appreciated the sweet anniversary wishes on our dessert plate! The cost was well worth the dinning experience. We will return!

We're doing a food-focused vacation in Portland (Twelve, Leeward, Chaval and a couple more are on the horizon as well) and this was a great way to start. Excellent wine service stole the show -- the server (blanking on his name -- sorry -- but thin clean shaven guy with a ponytail) had an incredible depth of information on the bottles, not easy to do with Italy, and he recommended two reds that I'd never heard of before which were dynamite. If management sees this he was great and you are doing a great job training your staff! The food was amazing as well -- our highlight was the scallops with polenta, but we also loved a very creative tuna crudo over "potato salad" presentation, as well as the NY strip. A tremendous experience, we're only sorry we can't go back on this trip!

Just ate here with a group of 6, they do add 20% gratuity automatically for groups of 6 or more which is not a bad thing. The food isn't horrible but don't expect to be wowed by any means. It is pricey for what you get. The menu changes daily and portions are on main course aren't that great hence the menu style. Our dessert had a metal wire in it, it was brought to the servers attention and you would think they would remove it from the bill but did not. Honestly if you ate here and you probably wouldn't be going back, especially the price, many shells in my crab pasta. We don't mind paying for good food and service. Go else where if you have a choice. Hope this review helps.

Amazing food! Envelope pasta very unique silky and light ~ rack of lamb fantastic Top Notch 10/10

We came in for an early dinner at the bar. The bar area has great people watching and watching how the pasta was made. Our waitress was nice and recommend some cocktails- aperol spritz and old fashion with chai was amazing. We went with a bottle of Toscano she recommended. Bread sticks basket in front of us was kinda empty compared to the others. They want you to order all your food at once which was interesting. The house salad was great and light. The seafood pasta was really tasty with a ton of muscles. My pasta with truffles was good, but mostly the pasta. Otherwise it was a bit dry and lack luster and for $40 with no meat in the dish, I kind of expected something a bit tastier. I'm sure the truffles add to the cost but other then the noodles it wasn't worth the cost. We ended the night with some apertifs and took our gorgeous wrapped half bottle of wine to go. We were celebrating our engagement that day but there was no real celebration with the staff which was a bummer. Best Italian in Portland but not best Italian I've ever had.

Great food, service and ambient First class Italian cuisine Highly recommended for special occasions

After a wet and cold boat tour, I wanted something warm in my belly, and Italian food always satisfies! I got a reservation for here at 5:30, not our typical time to eat dinner, but we took it. I will keep this review brief: Out of all the amazing places we ate while in Portland, this was our favorite meal! The service was top-notch, the wine was luscious, the food was savory, and the prices were on target with what they served. I wish we'd had time to eat there again!! Make reservations and make time to eat here!

Absolutely delicious and they treated our large group to extra special service. Be sure to try a variety of the focaccia. All the pastas are wonderful, but the Mandilli al Vero Pesto Genovese is worth the trip.

Because of some recent negative reviews, we almost didn't come here. We had a previous amazing experience, but I was super hesitant. It was still amazing! Our waitress was super helpful and helped everyone get cocktails and beer. If you need a big portion go to Olive Garden if you want amazing food and cocktails this is a must do!

Amazing food . The handkerchief pasta is a must . All the pastas were wonderful. The service is top rate ... Our server Debbie was wonderful and really made our experience memorable. I highly recommend Solo Italiano.

Very pretty Italian place right on commercial street in the old port. They have a nice big bar and lots of seating the service was great and we got a nice bottle of wine she suggested. This could almost be a 4 but the food was great but just missed the 4 star review. Our favorite dish was the octopus. The rest of the dishes were just okay and at a high price. The cocktails were great, just wish the food was a little better. I would go to the bar for a cocktail and an app but not do a full meal here again anytime soon.

Enjoyable experience. We had a wonderful server who gave great food advice. Hope to return next time we're in Maine.

Yup yup yup!! First stop when we came back to Portland was Solo - our fave restaurant from our last trip here and baby, it lived up to our memories and is officially our favorite restaurant in Portland! Food = perfect. Drinks = perfect. Service = perfect. I would eat here every night if I could. They do high quality, scratch made northern Italian food and they do it impeccably well. I've now had two of the best meals of my life here. Can't wait for more.

This was the best Italian food I have had in forever. The homemade focaccia bread was the best bread I think I ever had the burrata was amazing as well !! The pasta was the perfect amount without being enough to make me feel bloated. And my friend got this amazing mushroom beer. If we are ever back in the area we will have to return !!

The food was excellent! The service staff was excellent! The female bartender was incredibly rude and very much a bitch to us throughout the meal. We have been several times and love Solo Italiano but have never experienced the rudeness of this woman.

Amazing meal. This place is beautiful and authentic with extremely fresh food. They also were extremely accommodating to our gluten and nut allergy. The have unbelievable gluten free gnocchi!!!! We made a reservation nearly 2 weeks in advance to get in here. We ordered all of the waiters recommendations and everything we had was truly fantastic. Everyone ate everything. The portion sizes are perfect. The prices are expensive but worth it for the quality of food they serve. Inside is beautifully decorated and comfortable. I will definitely be back here.

Wow! I've lived in Portland well over a decade and just never ventured in here. A guest was in town so we went. Outstandingly delicious. Definitely a tablecloth place where people actually dress up for dinner. Everything we ate was absolutely delicious. Of course I was disappointed by the portion sizes and prices. We all laughed when one entree read something Italian-like "pasta and shrimp" and then literally came with ONE SHRIMP on top! Jeez. Fortunately, the bread basket helped us to not leave peckish. Dumb fat Americans, I guess, LOL. Our server was friendly & attentive enough, yet relaxed. STANDOUT dish was the famous Genovese pesto. It was not your standard harsh herby oily pesto -- it was smooth, creamy & delicate. Super unique and impossible to be disappointed. Guess I have to save up my pennies now and go back for that "special occasion." hehe.

Beautiful setting w/ clean authentic Italian food. The Services is very friendly and good w/o being stuffy. It feels very authentically Italian with bits of home comfort with an all over great dining experience.

Overall the experience was great and the food was delicious. The service was excellent, the place was cute. We had starters, such as scallops and focaccia, which were the perfect starts. This was followed up by two pasta dishes, one ravioli and the other a shrimp and guanciale pasta, both of which were really good. Dessert was pleasant to finish up the meal. The only reason for the 4 stars is because although everything was tasty, nothing really was extraordinary or imaginative for the price.

We came late on a Saturday night MLK weekend. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the environment was great. The gluten-free gnocchi imported from Italy to the restaurant was amazing. Light and delicious. They have VENTU wines with higher alcohol content which was something I've never seen, tasted or experienced. We started with the cheese plate and the salad with ricotta and field greens, both were great. The gnocchi converted me to a fresh gnocchi lover. You could taste all of the ingredients, the fresh pasta, the white wine, the duck, and the mushrooms, simply delicious. I wish they had a wine tasting sample because I didn't recognize any of the names and would have loved to sample the ventu wines. Highly recommend dinner here. Great atmosphere and very friendly knowledgeable staff.

Fantastic service! The wait staff was extremely knowledgeable of food, wine, and allergens on the menu. We had two types of white wine, prosciutto and mozzarella, Basil Pesto with gluten free gnocchi, and meat tortellini. The prosciutto was a bit fatty. The pesto was incredible - so smooth and cheesy! I'd recommend reservations if going during the summer. They were quite busy even on a Thursday evening.

This place is not easy to get a reservation in and once you get inside you know why. The interior is beautiful everything we ordered from drinks to dinner was amazing. Highly recommend!

Such a pleasure to walk into an Italian restaurant and not have to worry if it will be authentic. This restaurant is a wonderful breath of fresh air filled with warmth, welcoming vibes, and exceptional food. Thought Is put into everything and the ingredients used are all extremely high quality. You will leave this place either mesmerized that food can taste that good, or with high expectations satisfied. This is the second time we have been in. First time we sat at the bar and had a wonderful meal. Second time in the dining room which was also exceptional. Service on point both times even now when good service is hard to come by. Place is full every night. The prices are higher than your average restaurant and that should be expected given that most of the ingredients are imported. Stop here for an Italian meal you won't forget, and the fact that it's in Portland will blow your socks off.

Looking for the best Italian food representative of northwest Italy, then you've found it at Solo Italiano! Made with the freshest local, seasonal ingredients, Chef Paolo's puts his own touch on these classic dishes. Pasta and bread is all in-house made (fatta in casa) as is his classic Focaccia di Recco. If you're not familiar with Genovese style Italian cuisine, the staff is as well trained in describing both the spirit of Italian style dining as they are in describing the menu. And, if you are wondering about which delicious wine to select with your food choices, their sommelier can guide you through the robust list of fine Italian wines. If you like aperitivo, their bar tender makes a Negroni that puts Stanley Tucci's to shame (pace, Stanley). They also have the widest selection of grappa and amaro in the area.- Located in the heart of Commercial Street in Portland, the restaurateur is spacious, yet comfortable, able to accommodate small groups as well as intimate dining. It is decorated with tasteful art. Its not the most inexpensive restaurant in the city, but if you are looking for that special place to celebrate whatever is special in your life, then you've found the best place to eat this side of Genova, Italia! And cheaper than a plane ticket to the Italian Riviera...

Yaaaaas. Its all that. Foods are top notch. Tippy top. Tippy tippy top. Just order whatever you want and I'm certain you'll enjoy it. I had a delicious piece of halibut. Also the salmon ceviche thingy. Also some cheese. All good. Dining area layout is impressive; nice bar. Bathrooms are just fine. Service is friendly and helpful from the greeter through to the team that helps with your order and bringing the food to your table. Portland requires reservations for _everything_, so get online and reserve your table as soon as you realize that you may want to eat at dinnertime. Not a budget option. :)

Food was good but portions are small and way over priced. Service was ok. We were a party of 5 and a 2 year old. The tip was included for a party of 6 even though the baby didn't order anything and there wasn't a water cup for the baby. I don't understand the high ratings.

My friends are I came in for dinner on a Wednesday evening for dinner.The place is nice inside. The menu limited the food was average at best. Mussels were okay the broth seemed spicy. The linguine and clams was average. Small portion. It didn't need to be a pound of pasta but a little more then plated. There needed to be more clam broth the dish was dry. The flat bread pizza needed more cheese. The server was overwhelming at times and needed to slow down answering questions. For the amount of money spent for our dinner of five this will not be a place to revisit

For those not familiar with the Old Port, be prepared for metered street parking (cash or through an app) or garage fees in order to dine here. Reservations aren't necessarily required, but highly recommend, especially during peak tourist season. They can easily be made online. The interior or the restaurant is clean and sheek. Our waiter was European and had an accent that added to the Italian atmosphere. He was great at answering all of our questions and so patient with us when we were clearly new to dining at Solo. His service was outstanding. My sister and I peeked online ahead of time, knowing that we'd struggle with some of the menu item wording on the spot. To our surprise, the menu changes daily so some of the dishes we decided on were not available. No biggie, but we felt a little less prepared than we thought we were. We started with the Donna Scala (pizza) and Mandilli Al Vero Pesto Genovese (handkerchief pasta) as our shared plates. Complimentary bread and oil was also served. The pizza was delicious. The sheet pasta was something neither of us had tried before. Clearly, the pasta is made in house. The pesto sauce was flavorful but we both felt the dish could use a little more pizzazz. Our main meals were the Risotto Con Fungi and Malfadine All'Uova Con Sugo. The risotto was creamy, mouth watering and beautifully plated. However, the other dish was underwhelming. Again, it needed something to make it stand out. We joked about it basically looking like a fancy Hamburger Helper. Of course, it was more upscale that that, but the flavor profile just didn't knock our socks off as you would expect as a restaurant of this level. Although we both had a delightful evening out, we felt that when weighing the prices and flavor profiles against other restaurants in the area, we weren't wowed with Solo. If invited, I'd eat here again without hesitation but I wouldn't say it's my top recommendation.

Portions so small and quality was average. Prices very high for what you get. Service was fine.

Very good food. Wait staff led us through the menu with great suggestions. Don't overlook the cocktail menu - I was ready to move past, but she gave us an overview and very happy. The focaccia prosciutto buratta thing was a true delight.

HIGHLY recommend! Service was great & the food was spectacular! The meat & cheese board were divine! The pesto pasta was FANTASTIC! Linguine & clams exquisite! Halibut amazing! Scallops stellar! Dessert - Tiramisu (best we've ever heard & we are all italian) & cannolis were yummy! They adjust the menu every day though! Drinks were good & fun! Wine = fabulous! Wine list was extensive!

Came here for dinner with my girlfriends on a trip to Portland and it was pretty good. I got the seafood linguini which was pretty tasty. One of my friends got lasagna, another got halibut and another got ravioli. We all liked our food and we really liked the bread - the foccia (spelled wrong I'm sure) which was so good and ought that it melted in your mouth. The only complaints I have were the cocktail menu was limited. The meal was good and left you satisfied but not full, so we still had to get something to eat after - perhaps if you come here, you should do appetizers, salads and a meal. Also, I would say that the temperature inside was so cold. Literally freezing. Aside from that, it was a nice evening out.

The nice atmosphere and great service is a 5 star but the food fell slightly below our expectations. tuna tartare: We started off with the tuna tartare - fresh but not too much flavors and wish there were more than just the two crisps that came with it. warm octopus salad: the octopus had great texture and was meaty. The greens paired well with the hints of cherry tomatoes and the sauce. It also had these awesome crispy bacon like bites. I would recommend giving this a try the famous handkerchief pasta: I was super excited to try this as this seems to be such a signature dish. The pasta was superb - had such a great bounce and texture. The pesto sauce however was slightly too salty in addition with the cheese sprinkled on the side of the plate clam linguini: I expected this to be a more basic marinara almost but to my surprise there was a great blend of flavor - just slightly too salty. The clams were fresh and sweet! : gulf shrimp, artichoke and truffles pasta - super creamy and flavorful but definitely on the heavier side. The shrimp was sweet and well cooked. Slivers of truffle was a nice touch. Overall, we had a good dining experience and would be willing to go back again but prices here are definitely pretty high (small quantity but good quality food though!)

Simply Magnificent ! Food was exceptional. Ambiance beautiful and lively. Servers were very charming and attentive! Portions were a bit small and price point was a bit ridiculous but I'd be happy to go back anytime!

Our goto spot for amazing Italian. Our favorite appetizer is the prosciutto topped with fresh mozzarella.

Look, if someone else is footing the bill, go and enjoy it, but there's a whole lot of ego and pretense (Paulo this and Paulo that, lol). Some of it is likely because they've been written about in several publications, some is having an attitude to match the price point (or maybe an attitude to match the customers' attitudes that don't mind that price point). It's also near the end of a long tourist season so maybe the staff is just plain tired of dealing with people and their dumb questions. It is one of the more expensive restaurants in Portland but at least the food is decently substantial so it's not like you're eating 5 small plates and leaving hungry. I didn't want to like the Genovese pesto since we make our own often with homegrown basil, but it is admittedly delicious even with the hype train. I enjoyed every bite. The consistency is a tad bizarre as it's blitzed into an almost creamy sauce as opposed to having any texture, but it's hard to go wrong with fresh pesto and fresh pasta ($32 with no sides or protein). The focaccia with the prosciutto and ricotta was delightful and very filling. The bucatini just had one overcooked shrimp and the uni wasn't very noticeable. Here's my bottom line: if you're looking for fresh pasta and a slightly fancy atmosphere in the Old Port, and money is no object, take a date or a colleague here and hope you don't ask a question that makes you look like an idiot. If you don't mind a little more rustic simplicity but equally delicious fresh pasta (and much cheaper prices and wine list) I would go to Leeward.

Food and ambience were great. I would highly recommend the ravioli, absolutely delicious. I would say the dinner sizes were average, so would order an appetizer next time. Overall, great experience.