The Portofino Restaurant

We had a good experience here, all of the servers were fantastic. The veal was really good, and I liked how tender the lobster risotto was. All my life is never had spumoni in a chocolate shell and the last three places we've been all had them. Much better presentation than the slice I used to get as a kid. I also liked the Watergate cake was really good. My wife enjoyed the minestrone, but I didn't think the meatball soup was as good. The antipasto might be too fancy for me, lookout for the sardine if you aren't a fan. We'll be going back again soon.

This place was amazing; the service, the food, the atmosphere. It was all we could have wanted for a romantic evening. We will definitely be coming back.

We were recommended to go here and they were not wrong. Amazing Italian food. The Pollo Cha Cha was amazing. And the chocolate layer cake was to die for. The staff were attentive. We never had an empty glass. Great place for dinner after a long day of travel.

Cozy and phenomenal gem you must check out if in the area. Reservations are recommended as I lucked out with a table for two. I didn’t know what to expect waking up to the restaurant, entrance in rear, but it felt like coming home to Nona’s kitchen when I walked in. The food is superb, bacon wrapped monkfish was perfectly prepared in a capers lemon sauce with angel hair and vegetable mix. The other dish, a traditional baked lasagna was fresh and definitely in my top five best, if nothing else because the sauce was on point. Their hand crafted cocktail menu had something for everyone from strong to refreshing, I recommend the Limoncello Martini. As expected, the server’s wine recommendation was perfect with little direction to my normal go-to reds. Dessert was lovely, all fresh and not too sweet including lactose-sensitive options. The owner is very friendly, proud of the family establishment as was our server having worked there since it opened many years ago. Overall a wonderful evening, fantastic service and food that had me feeling good well after the dinner!

We wanted to find some romantic essential place where we could get away from the noisiness of the city and we found it! It wasn’t easy to spot, but when you get inside you are invited by the hostess who guides you to your table. The service, the food and the atmosphere is amazing! Cotton tablecloth, original receipts and the quality of food and service was outstanding!!!!! LOVE this place!!!!

Very good Italian options with a wide selection of daily specials. The veal special was delicious.

Good food, wine, and service. Vibes are quiet and a bit of an older crowd

We decided to sit outside—they have heaters and offer blankets. From the moment we were seated to the moment we received our food, it took a good 45 minutes. The waiter took quite a while to come to our table and take our order. After he did, it took even longer for the appetizers to arrive. At one point, he even asked if the appetizers had come, and we told him they hadn’t. He asked me how I wanted my lamb chops cooked, and I said medium. When I finally got my food, the lamb chops were well done. Our theory is that the dish had been sitting under the kitchen heater for so long that it continued cooking on its own, especially since there was a long gap between the appetizers and the main course. The food was okay—nothing spectacular. This will be our last visit.

Portofino was fun on a cold, windy week night. It was within walking distance of our Crystal City hotel. This is an old style Italian restaurant. The menu discusses the chef's career in Italy before he came to the U.S. Many of the dishes were supposed to be from northern Italy. I'm not a fan of creamy sauces or bechamel. I guess my ancestors were tomato and garlic eaters from the south. We started with smoked salmon which had been bathed in Aperol. Tasty. Then a lovely salad with pears, arugula and blue cheese. The segundo was pasta dish that was ok. Wasn't hot enough when it arrived and the lemon garlic sauce with clams, shrimp and scallops was, in the words of my wife, pretty boring. The service was great and they had a pretty good crowd for a Wednesday night. The Christmas music did not add my enjoyment of the meal.

Just a little date out after a long flight from OR. Such a sweet cozy place, with a warm homey feel. All staff were amazing and attentive, greeting us as we came in. It was New Year's Eve and the atmosphere felt festive and celebratory. Suggestions from Waiter were spot on. Dishes came out expediently and were steaming hot. All combinations of seasoning were decadent and the pasta cooked perfectly. Prices were not bad at all. Will definitely come back if in the area again.

This was a complete disappointment. First, they do not like well behaved children and secondly the portions were rather small. Finally, the food tasted more closer to a microwave meal than homemade cooking.

Had a very nice and quiet dinner here while on a business trip. The dining room was warm and cozy, and I had the impression that the restaurant had a sense of tradition and a long history of certain dishes. I had the Pollo Portofino and it was good - I totally went clean plate on the chicken and pasta, but the vegetables were a bit bland. Service was quiet and effective, and I was really happy I left the hotel and visited. Went back with a happy and full stomach!

Avoid this tired place, with microwave low quality offerings. It feels very tired and whoever used to run this place with any care has left the building... Nothing we ordered was acceptable and it was overpriced.

Went here a few times over the years, not great enough to return again lately... rear entrance from parking lot is awkward, like you're sneaking in the back door... ambiance is meant to feel like that old school familiar Italian restaurant & staff but given the 23rd St location/ proximity to hotels, has more of a transient feel than neighborhood restaurant... service was slow, food was ok, price high for what you get... Food quality: 3/5 Service: 2/5 Ambiance: 1/5 Price/value: 3/5

Such a great, small establishment. The dining room has this old Italian home feeling. Another thing I love that they do is half-size pasta dishes. Allows you to get a few, smaller portions and try different dishes. Very reasonably priced with friendly staff.

This is a great place to take a group. They have a large round table that we seem to get every time. The food and service is always exceptional.

Came here for a group dinner with a large group. We were seated in the back dining room. We started off with some drinks, ordered appetizers and finally the entrees. It did take a while for all of our food to come out, given that we had such a large group. However, everyone enjoyed the food and company. Overall, it was a good experience and would recommend trying it out!

It's Italiano! The bread was fresh and warm, and it warmed our bellies after a long day of walking around DC in the cold! We didn't have a reservation, but they were kind enough to seat us. I ordered calamari for our table, and then we ordered dinner. The servers were nice and kept asking if we wanted more bread, which my kids also didn't say no to. The entrees were ok. The dish I ordered was way too salty for my liking. My daughter got half a portion of the Alfredo, but the full portion was almost the same price. It's a local restaurant with regulars that the waiters are familiar with! It was pleasant and had that old-school traditional feel. I think they have upstairs seating from other folks going up the stairs. They have parking in the back, and it could be a bit confusing if you do not pay attention to the sign at the front. I don't know if I would go back here, but we all have different taste buds, and this could be a place you're interested in checking out.

Dining at Portofino was such a treat. Great service and delicious home cooked Italian food. I only wish we lived in the area, because we would eat here often! Also, very reasonably priced.

Sir, the tiramisu here tastes like a stunning, bedazzled treasure. I can't describe with usual words. RIP to all other tiramisu as far as my taste buds are concerned. The staff is friendly, the parking behind the building is abundant. I placed an order to go, but then I really wished I had eaten in the restaurant because it's got such a beautiful and lovely ambience.

Excellent family owned Northern Italian restaurant on 23rd Street in Crystal City. Warm ambiance, with upstairs intimate room, and downstairs for large groups. Call ahead if you cannot climb stairs and they will open the street-level entrance for you. Food is excellent and they have a good wine list. Great desserts! Service is good. The Go-To place! Michael B

Overpriced bland food with small portions. There are much better options out there so do yourself a favor and head somewhere rise.

We had some family visiting the area who were staying at a nearby hotel so we decided to try the Portofino Restaurant. Unfortunately the food was mediocre at best. The menu is fairly small and does not include some of the usual Italian fare such as penne al a vodka or pizza. The staff and host were very nice and welcoming. Food needs a little work!

Just came back for the second time in a week. Fantastic atmosphere, great wines and the food is over the top! Multi-generational family restaurant. Great story and great experience.

In my opinion, this was a very nice restaurant, Northern Italian food. The soup was very tasty. The pasta was nice. Meat sauce. Very sweet Tables were evenly separated. Noise level very low staff. Very attentive I enjoyed my meal there but being from Buffalo New York When I order pasta they fill up the bowl. He don't leave hungry

This was a fine place to grab a bite for dinner. Food was good. Where we were sat was not in the main part of the restaurant, but it was fine.

First of all, the place is so so charming!! Service is A+! The food was amazing, my veal Marsala and my husband's veal Parmesan were excellent!! I so recommend this authentic beautiful Italian restaurant!!!!

50 minutes waiting time for a pasta is not acceptable. The place wasn't that busy. Food was just ok. Overall experience affected by waiting time. Service not good as well.Not happy.

Date night at Portifino. It was very ready to make a reservation for 2 at 7pm the day of. We went on a Saturday night and it was bustling. We had good service and the food was yummy. My friend got a Peroni beer and I got the Portifino Martini which was strong. I ordered a Orecchiete 4 Funghi as an appetizer and originally ordered a seafood plate for my entree. Didn't love it so sent it back and got a Melanze Portifino instead which was perfect. My friend for a Caesar salad and Lasagna, both of which she loved. We got the desert special which was pretty good.

I struggled with this review. Somewhere between a 2 and a 3. Came here with a big party for a corporate dinner. We had around 18 people. The service was very slow. The cocktails were not great. Trying to put an Italian spin on some classics, but it didn't work (for me). Wine was better. The main dishes were average Italian fare. I had hoped for something more creative. We got a few appetizers, calamari, antipasto, and mushrooms with polenta. They were all meh. The mushrooms were suppressed to be a medley of wild mushrooms, but seemed to be just button or maybe baby Bellas. I got chicken stuffed with prosciutto and cheese with a side of homemade pasta. Again. It was fine, nothing special. And the desserts were not great. Cannoli didn't have enough chocolate chips, IMHO.

Great spot. Authentic Food, truly delicious. Nice servers, funny and chill. The place was pretty clean, classy, and overall a great experience.

Portofino in Old Town Alexandria was small, cozy and totally delightful. The owner, Maria, was so lovely and welcoming. Our meals were quite enjoyable, totally delicious. Chicken Picatta and Veal Parm. SO good. I very much appreciated the Birthday dessert and sweet song from her staff. A very memorable visit for my Birthday!

nice quiet place with great food, we loved it. has parking but we made a wrong turn at first. will go again soon maybe tonight!

The Portofino Restaurant has become a long standing tradition for my family and I since moving here 25 years ago. The Owner & Chef Greet you like long lost friends every visit, the atmosphere is a classic home in Italy, the wait staff is a highlight especially Julio who makes it look easy. Food is fresh and made old school. Cannot recommend this Gem highly enough.

Just mediocre Italian food the limoncello martini was just okay. Really would not come back nothing was great. Presentation was okay. Server kept looking at my chest and it was just a very bizarre experience overall. Not a great experience at all.

Well, the food was delicious. We stopped in with a very large group so things were a bit chaotic. It was a busy place as well. Since we stopped in with such a big group, food orders were brought out at different times but the staff was very friendly and the food was delicious. Great place to enjoy with friends or family, really has the traditional vibe.

Amazing old school traditional Italian resturant with fantastic service and outstanding food and menu. Old school charm of the whole resturant is great.

Eggplant appetizer came Luke warm at best. My daughter's gnocchi was also cold and the sauce was very bland. I had ordered their chicken specialty which was very good however, it came with sautéed vegetables which were also cold!! Server, although attentive, was very pushy about getting our order and getting us out. ( many open tables). The restaurant seems family oriented but definitely needs updating. My husband who use to frequent this establishment in the late 90s had suggested it. Unfortunately we won't be back and won't recommend to others. Too many other great options in the area.

Ohhhhhh yes delicious and perfectly cooked and dare I said moist chicken! The customer service was lacking- long wait, confused about menu and packed up left overs in leaking containers- The food itself was delicious! Definitive it a try!

My wife and I started to coming to Portofino when we moved to the area in 2023. It was our go to spot for date nights and special occasions - and eventually became host for our wedding parties, families coming to town, etc. The food is always great - I always get the Pollo Portofino, and I have never once been disappointed. My wife enjoys more variety with the menu, and she's always enjoyed her meals. The wine selection is great, as well. The restaurant itself gives a great family-style vibe, and it hosts fun events here and there that showcase local vendors. I am always drawn to "neighborhood" restaurants, so Portofino has always been a favorite of mine. I have always had attentive service as well, and the owner does a great job of checking in to make sure everything is going well. Cannot recommend this place enough!

Old school Italian restaurant in heart of Crystal City Food and wine reminiscent of days gone by Service was great

I had an AMAZING experience here!!! It was very close to Little Eataly in New York. All pasta tasted like a handmade. I just LOVED chewiness! perfectly Al Dante pastas! Great portion! Authentic Italian paste! We also loooooved gelato. It was like homemade black cherry and none like the other! I visited here on Friday lunch. It was a cute, romantic local place. The server was so kind and knowledgeable. Everything on the menu looked so good so we couldn't decide, and the server kindly came to rescue us lol. He really spreads happiness with great serving, and food also came out just in time! ALSO there is a parking lot for this place!

Probably the best Italian food I've ever had (granted I've never been to Italy)- such a sweet staff and amazing service, very quaint and authentic setting perfect for a group dinner or dates

Food wonderful! Service wonderful! Ambiance magical! Absolutely recommended for great Italian evening!

A friend and I were in the neighborhood and spontaneously stopped in for dinner, without knowing much about it. Overall, it was a really good Italian meal, adequate service, in a place that historically may have been charming, but now appears a little outdated. The entrance has a lot of steps, but can make accommodation to get inside through another door.

I kept coming back because I thought this would be a good place over a long term. But it's still hit or miss. The beschemel sauce is mostly bland, and they put it on everything. The olive oil is butter, inedible but the bread is still good when it's warm. I've eaten here eight times now and every time it just gets a little worse. I'm disappointed.

Absolutely incredible food, service and ambiance. Our server was outstanding, and the Omaggi di Nettuno was a showstopper. 2 of our table of three got this, and we were thrilled! The third got the gnocchi and was equally pleased. Should be rated 5 stars all day long.

The Portofino excepted my large party midweek at a busy time in Crystal City. The service was pleasant from reservation through dining and the food was filling and authentic. We all enjoyed the food, dessert, and drinks.

The lasagna needs improvement. Maybe it was just a today thing, I don't know. There was no flavor so I had to add salt and pepper, which is not ideal. Please consider revamping the recipe if this isn't a fluke.

Excellent food especially the daily specials. Happy hour wine special bottles are half price.

Always a fantastic meal and experience at Portofino! Can't beat a private parking lot behind the restaurant- rare for this area. Delicious hand made pastas and many daily specials. Great wine list too. Outstanding, knowledgeable and friendly servers. Richard - the owner and chef - often greets you at the door.

Enjoyed dinner here on a Tuesday night. It's a pretty big place with a lot of tables but I would still recommend s reservation. I got the Gamberi al Burro which was shrimp sautéed in lemon, butter, garlic and white wine sauce over my choice of pasta. My friend got a salmon special with steamed vegetables. It's a little odd that the entrance is in the back but it's not too hard to find. There is a free parking lot but the spaces are quite tight and if you're double parked they ask you to leave your keys with the cashier.

1/21/23 Its a Saturday and we are here to celebrate the birthday of a family member. One of my family members love coming here and she chose this restaurant. This restaurant has had some complaints as does nearly all businesses. I found this restaurant to be exciting and worth visiting at least once. I saw there is a downstairs that could be for additional customers and/or parties. It could also be for the beer and alcohol; as well, as storage. We were seated in the main dining hall. The dinning hall is one room away from the bar and bathrooms. My wife and I were the first to arrive and park as guest, but since our party had yet to arrive, we were the second guests to enter the restaurant. The choices of food for me came down to chicken alfredo or lasagna. I decided I wanted to try the lasagna from an authentic Italian restaurant. The lasagna was delicious. There is one small recommend for the lasagna meal. It needs chopped up vegetables or some kind of side dish to go with the lasagna. The lasagna by its self wasn't enough for me. I did also try the Chicken Alfredo and I am glad I did not go with this as a meal. The Chicken Alfredo was very bland. I reccomend adding more flavor to the Chicken Alfredo. The crew members we met were very helpful. I appreciate the great attitudes from them; as well, as the manager on duty. I am not sure when we will be coming back here, but it is bound to happen at some point.

One of the best places I've been to, food was amazing and top tier, the people were extremely nice and tentative and drinks were great as well, all around amazing experience, highly recommended to anyone in the area or anyone visiting!!!

Awful service. Table olive oil was rancid. Walked out before ordering. Fearful of getting food poisoning.

Very small and cute Italian restaurant. The bread that was provided was delicious and the staff was very accommodating to my friends and I. I liked that they offer appetizer portion sizes of the pasta that way you can save room to share or try other items. For dessert we had the pistachio crème brûlée, the down fall was that it was very nutty that took away from the sweetness.

We started with Minestrone soup and an appetizer portion of tortellini in alfredo sauce. Both were delicious. Next we had our mains: shrimp scampi, seafood stew, and orechetti with mushrooms in a garlic cream sauce. All were delicious. I prefer smaller pieces of green pepper with the shrimp but it was still delicious. Service was terrific and they kept our glasses full. We had a Nutella mousse pie and limoncello sorbet for dessert. The pie was rich and creamy. The sorbet was perfectly cold and tart. We definitely will go back.