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| Northwest Wine Fan Visits Portello |
| Ambience: Located at Northwest Crossing, Portello is one of the nouveau style wine bar and eateries gracing Bend these days. Boasting rich dark-wood tables and walls in Tuscan shades of burnt umber, green and brown, a community counter, sofa chairs and couch settings, Portello has something for everyone. Whether it is snuggling on couches and chairs or at tables among the wine racks Portello has an ambience to please their patrons. Service: It always amazes me when a server can remember so much about a large group at a table. Our last trip to Portello consisted of twelve people, six different tabs and four bottles of wine that accompanied our food. Portello's staff made us feel like we were their only customer and when it came time to get our checks they were all spot on. From the wine service to Portello's staff joyfully making suggestions from their wine and food menus the service we received was wonderful. The Wine: Portello offers wine by the glass or you can choose a bottle of wine from their selections prominently displayed in the dining area. Wines by the glass include red, white and sparkling which range in price from $6 to $12. Selections include one of my favorites, a Vionta Albarino from Spain as well as Sharecroppers Pinot Noir by Owen Roe from Oregon and Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington. They also have a good selection of International beers on the menu. Their wine bottle selection is compact at around fifty selections but the choices are well thought out. Prices start at just $26 and top out at $103 with the large majoriy being in the $30 to $50 range. The wines from France, Italy and Australia are all worthy of trying. About half of the selections are from California (Caymus, BV Georges Latour and Hanzell) and the Pacific Northwest (Owen Roe, Sineann and Ash Hollow) to name just a few. There is something to please most everyone from a simple and enjoyable quaffing wine (a Tavel Rose) to a blockbuster like the Owen Roe Yakima Red. Wine Service: At Portello the simplest thing to say is wine service is what they do. And they do it well! When we made our bottle choices that included a Chablis, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah both white and red wine glasses appeared at our table. Seamless service! That along with the Riedel Overture stemware made our wine just that more enjoyable. Note to all establishments: Riedel, Spiegelau...OK? The Food: What a well thought out menu! Simple and good with lots of choices. A kind of plug and play menu if you will. "This and That" This section of the menu consists of assortments of olives, cheeses, assorted cured meats and antipastos. Be sure to try the Warmed Olives and the Charcuterie Plate. "Bruschetta" A big hit with everyone who goese to Portello is the Bruschetta section of the menu where for a nominal price you choose four Bruschetta items out of nine available for your order. Don't miss the Tuscan White Bean with Sun-dried Tomatoes and the Prosciutto with Brie & Fig Jam. "Salads" Portello offers five salads all at the same price and you can add smoked salmon, chicken or avacado for a small upcharge. Our favorite was the Blue Farm Salad consisting of mixed greens, Oregon blue cheese, dates, toasted walnuts and pears. "Panini" Several choices here served on either focaccia or ciabatta and once again all at the same price. Favorites here included the Grown-up Grilled Cheese: Simple and sensational melted Gruyere and Fontina cheese lightly scented with sage and white truffle oil (be honest didn't that just make you hungry?). Also, don't miss the Super-Tuscan: Soppreseata, dry salami, coppa, provolone and roasted red peppers. Overall Impression: A quiet neighborhood, great wine, food and service. What more could you want! Highly recommended. |
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| Portello - Wine Cafe 2754 NW Crossing - Suite 104 Bend, OR 97701 (541)-385-1777 Open Monday thru Saturday 11:30 - Close Proprietors: Lance Newman & Mitch Chamberlain Food Prices: Inexpensive Wine Prices: Value to Moderate Corkage: $12 Reviewed by Tim and Carolyn Sinniger January, 2007 |
| Talk To The Cellarmaster: |
| Name: |
| Tim Sinniger |
| Email: |
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