Tartuca

This experience will be what comes to mind with farm to table and seasonal dishes. We ordered the focaccia, albacore lentil dish, glass of wine, and gelato! Getting the recommendation on the wine tied together the pizza and wine experience. Thank you. I’ll definitely be back to check out the oysters and other delicious dishes that come out as the seasons change. Thank you again everyone!

I underestimated the portions but honestly everything was perfect. Not too much and not too little, felt like ratatouille for a little bit. Our server was amazing and the staff was very inviting!

I’m writing this review 3 years later because I am still thinking about this meal. Everything was fantastic. We got two specialties, a pizza and a pasta. Pasta was probably the best pasta dish I’ve ever had and I’ve been all over the world. Check this place out. It’s a do not miss.

This place a gem for Italian food in Portland. I had the course menu and every dish was simple yet delicious. The pasta was a standout! The cozy ambiance and attentive staff made the experience even better.

Came here for pizza week, and now I can't wait to go back. The pizza was awesome. So much flavor. Dough was that perfect dalmatian crust. I got the sheep cheese covered in hot honey with crostinis. Which was tasty and fresh. I saw someone order the Cesar salad and that looked delicious. Plus I made the mistake of not ordering any focaccia bread. That is a must for next time. Their wine somm made an excellent recommendation. Everyone is friendly, courteous and hard working. I came at the right time 430pm before the rush did.

Stopped in last minute on our way to the omsi nights event on the last Wednesday of every month. We ordered a couple of happy hour drinks and a couple of appetizers and shared a main course entree. First of all, I wanted to shout out the hard-working and amazing staff working tirelessly to prepare for the upcoming dinner rush. Secondly, the focaccia bread paired with the burrata was out of this world. Lastly, the pasta dish was prepared excellent and the presentation was also top notch. Would certainly come back in the future and so happy we found this gem on a whim.

To put it lightly, immaculate. Staff choices were perfect, waitress was incredible, dinner was even better. The kind of place you try hard to find in other countries! Duck and pasta pictured!!

Came for brunch. It was terrific. Dinner is always great. The chef, in my opinion, is supremely talented. Braised chicken in delicious polenta, beans, French toast made from homemade focaccia( which is also perfect before they turn it into French toast), frisée salad, everything so good. The Dutch baby is amazing! Highly recommend. Brunch or dinner, if you appreciate finely crafted food done by a talented chef, you can’t go wrong here.

We discovered this Italian place on Mississippi Street. It's the best to date Italian food we tasted in Portland. Pizza and Pasta are made from scratch and taste will cause tsunami of flavors in your palate. Must visit for locals and tourists. Highly recommended and will visit many times to come. Prices are very reasonable. Their cocktails 🍸 are really good and beer selection though fee are excellent. We didn't try their wines but it seemed good from the menu list. Please support our local restaurants and hope you enjoy good times with friends family at this sweet Italian place. Bon appetite 😇

Staff is very friendly and food is delicious. Highlights: - housemade focaccia w/ balsamic butter - lobster cappelletti - pork osso bucco (pictured, truly so hearty) - tiramisu bread pudding stole the show - Nonna’s Tea, for the martini lovers

Rounded up from a 4.5, because I felt like they deserved it. Here's why. Great Italian food in an intimate location off of Mississippi. Went on a midweek night out and we were able to walk-in for dinner without an issue. Service was great and the food also didn't disappoint. Some unique flavor combinations and generally didn't take too long for the food to come out either. After being hesitant to double up on lamb entrees, our server gave us the nudge we needed to just go for it. We're happy we did. After starting with the burrata salad (also good), and then dove into the Gemelli Lungo pasta & #4 Lamb Sausage pizza. We were definitely glad that we got a variety of different plates. The Gemelli Lungo was incredible and is definitely the dish I'd most recommend. Incredibly flavorful, but not too rich (which is tough to do with such bold flavor). The reason for a slight dock in points was that I was a bit disappointed in the pasta serving sizes, as there's no way just an order of pasta would've generally filled me. That said, you won't be disappointed as long as you aren't coming for too much of a "value" dinner but to simply treat yourself to a good meal! Would recommend, and would return!

I am so glad I saw a post about this place on Instagram, thanks to it we decided to give Tartuca a try and oh boy! Did we fell in love?! Every single item on the menu we tried was visually appealing, perfectly crafted and full of flavor, the cocktails were also made to perfection, the service was great! Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable, we will definitely return and recommend it to our friends.

Currently one of the most under-hyped restaurants in Portland. I’ve been here three times and have tried several dishes… and I still haven’t tried anything that wasn’t absolutely fantastic. The combinations of flavor, texture, and high quality ingredients have really stood out to me. Their hand made pasta is exquisite and I keep coming back for more. The menu is constantly changing but I suggest trying their burrata, gemelli, agnolotti, or any of the pastas with lamb or lamb Italian sausage. I could easily see this restaurant sky-rocketing in popularity in the coming years.

Delicious brunch! Was able to see them maling the focaccia as I entered and teally got a sense that this place cares about their ingredients. Shrimp and grits was full of flavor, herbacious, and well prepared. The corn cake was perfect for someone who likes sweet but not too sweet. My only thing was a lack of sweetener for coffee (sugar cube only option) and milk was only creamer or non-dairy alt, but I wouldn't dock a star for that.

Great dining experience! We started with the cheese plate, which had three different cheeses, bread, and three accoutrements, and every combination I tried was full of flavor and well-paired! The gemeli dish had garlic and citrus which helped mellow the bitterness of the raab, and the pasta was soft. I ordered a custom pizza with green garlic pesto, mozzarella, mama lil’s, roasted mushrooms, and basil and it was a perfect combination of flavors. I would highly recommend the pesto and roasted mushrooms. The custom pizza and toppings were also a great value for the quality and flavor.

Super yummy chill spot! The pizza crust is so perfect, buttery soft with a subtle crunch. Our server was knowledge and gave us the perfect service timing. We were a two top, which they don't take reservations for, so we had a 45 minute wait. Plan to check in and not then go grab a drink next door! We'll be back for sure!

Every bite was divine. The drinks were tasty, the wine selection was vast. The back patio was so cute and cozy. The service was superb. Cannot wait to go back!

Some of the best pizza in Portland. This place is excellent for a date night and would definitely recommend a reservation. The beef tartare, prosciutto pizza, and strawberry gelato were all 10/10. The focaccia crostini tasted a little burnt. However the drinks were all amazing and they gave us lemoncello shots for our anniversary .

Some of the best pasta I've had in a while! I ordered the radiatori dish, and my friend ordered the gemelli lungo, and we both loved our dishes. Really fresh tasting, and lovely plating. I got the El-Aurian Elixir cocktail alongside food, and would rec of you like an herby tasting drink. Seating was tight but ambience was great. I was seated at the bar, and the server/bartender was very friendly and seemed well versed on the menu items and drinks. Also ordered dessert - don't remember the name of the dish, but it was an olive oil cake topped with whipped cream, blueberry compote, with a side of earl grey sorbet. Simple but a great combination of flavors. Really satisfied with my meal and definitely planning on returning again.

I mean, what the hell guys. I'm ruined. I can't go and explore new restaurants or eat anywhere else now, what's the point!? I've peaked! Jeff and David were absolutely awesome. Their hospitality, demeanor, and service were amazing. The wine pairings they offered with dinner and dessert we're on point, and I say that as a person who generally avoids wine. I also love the fact they talked about their chef and had an extremely positive attitude about their kitchen staff and the mission of the restaurant. Onto the food... go here. Get food. Eat food. Enjoy food. We started with the focaccia bread with burrata. You can tell how much love goes into those loaves. Huge rise, chewy but delicate, absorbs the olive oil and the burrata on top sealed the deal. For dinner, I had to ossu bucco, and it was, without a doubt, probably the best meal I've eaten in my 12 years in Portland. The pork was perfectly moist, fall-off-the-bone tender, on a bed of amazing risotto that matched it perfectly. My wife ate the radiatori pasta. There's a phrase for the perfect noodle in eastern cooking called 'QQ'. These noodles had the perfect amount of QQ, wonderful flavor, and the sauce provided a velvety texture with a pop of zest from the basil. The cocktails were delicious as well, my wife said the Old Fashioned was one of the best she's had, and I have the Amber Waves of Agave which was delicate and smooth. For dessert we had the tiramisu bread pudding which ended our fantastic night with warmth. Fantastic flavor, perfect texture, and paired with a wonderful wine recommended by Jeff that matched the warm and honeyed flavors. I have already recommended this place to several friends after we got home last night, and now, to you Google review reader, make a reservation now.

Wonderful experience with a group of us on the patio. Cocktails were all delicious! The pizza, pasta and especially the focaccia bread were fresh and perfect. The cheese and charcuterie boards were bursting with flavor. Great friendly, knowledgeable and attentive service.

Exceptional service complimented by inventive takes on classic Italian offerings. We ordered the carpaccio, lamb pizza (w/side of marinara), and the clam pasta. The clam pasta noodles had amazing quality to the noodles which were certainly homemade tasting in the best way. The flavors were bursting with fresh acid and tang. The clams were flavorful and held a good amount of the sauce for lovely little scooped bites. The carpaccio would have been the best carpaccio I’ve ever had if the meat was a little bit “thinner?” or maybe just easier to chew into bites. The toppings were unique and packed with special flavors. The charred kale, fresh dill, Calabrian chiles and pine nuts popped with texture and salty goodness. Highly recommend trying this for an app. The pizza was our least favorite, but we added a side of marinara and it made it back up to top notch along with the rest of the items we ordered. We had it as leftovers and it tasted better the next day, so maybe the other dishes were just so flavorful they overpowered the pizza. The back patio had a quirky vibe that was kind of like being in your friends covered back patio of their house. We liked it! Props to attentive and thoughtful service (we want on Wed 5/17). We will be back to try the olive cake with earl grey ice cream.

What a great addition to the neighborhood! We were in the market for Italian and finishing errands when we stumbled by—the menu sounds great and tastes even better! Had two pizzas (the #5 and a custom marinara-moz-coopa-kalamata-mushroom), and two pastas (the orecchiette and bucatini) and ALL of it was fantastic! Half our party was early and shared a few vinos and oysters before the rest arrived, and the service was so attentive and thoughtful. Outdoor and indoor seating and great ambiance—we can’t wait to come back!!

Favorites items were budino and tiramisu, focaccia, red wines list, and the Radiatori with bolognase. Also liked the tagliatelle with boar and lamb meatballs. I was part of a big group with a pre fix menu so was a little nervous i wouldn't like the food, but it was great. I was able to try a little of most menu items, and that's why the meal was pricey.

Had a great dinner at Tartuca the other night. The service was super friendly and welcoming without feeling overbearing. We started with the focaccia, which was honestly one of the best I’ve had. The menu is small in the best way. Everything felt thoughtful and seasonal, and you can tell they really care about the ingredients. The wine list was also a nice surprise. There were some really interesting bottles that aren’t the usual picks, and the staff had great recommendations. Overall, it’s a spot I’d absolutely come back to. Great for a date night.

Delicious food and we absolutely loved our server! The Cesar perfectly lemony and not over dressed, the gnudi was a great texture, this season it's corn, which I'm into. Last we had the osso buco on risotto with pesto, their kind of signature dish. Definitely recommend. But the service was over the top great. Fun, informative, engaging, welcoming, just all the things you could hope for.

My husband and I went on a date here last night and it was so good- I felt like I needed to write a review (which I never do). The service was impeccable- he was so helpful and so fun. It really added to our experience. Kudos to you and THANK you for all the great help! On top of that- the food was by far the best italian we've ever had. Just so much delicious flavor in every bite. I cant give enough kudos- we will definitely be returning!

Mouthwatering perfection!!! I'm already dreaming of my next dinner here... it can't be soon enough! My girlfriends and I tried Tartuca for the first time and were all wildly blown away... every single item we ordered far surpassed our expectations--drinks, appetizers, main courses, and dessert. To say it was delicious hardly does the food justice... 100/10 stars if I could!!! The staff are friendly and warm, the space itself is cozy and inviting, and the food is what dreams are made of.

First visit to Tartuca. Sat at the bar. Loved the view of the open kitchen—truly added to the experience. Ordered the Burrata salad. Excellent gateway dish to the meal—beautiful sensory balance: delicate sweet-sour agrodolce sauce, crisp Belgian endive, silky burrata, crunchy-soft focaccia shards. Chose the Radiatori for its bolognse simplicity. Good sauce-pasta "grip," but oversalting blocked the meat and basil flavors. Wine recs were good! (Ugh... didn't capture what I ordered!) Loved the birthday Tiramisu and espresso. Excellent friendly service from the greeting to bar tend and food server. Thank you ❤️ Welcoming atmosphere—warm wood tones and lighting. I look forward to a second visit!

Decent pasta and pizza options out of the old Radar space. We were able to grab bar seats around 6:30pm Friday without issue after being turned away by the two hour wait at Lovely’s. Very friendly bartenders that made us feel welcomed and were great with helping us decide between dishes. Definitely one of the better pasta options in this area. We are not usually huge on olive oil cakes, but the one here was delicious and paired well with toppings/earl grey ice cream.

The taste of food was great, but salty in general. Maybe it's salty for people who drink beer and wine, I don't know, but compared to other restaurants, it was pretty salty. For me, the menu was also a bit difficult to understand. Wanted to see the pictures of each menu. Anyway, the food itself was good, and I might try one more time sometime later.

Came here for a special birthday dinner this last weekend. All in all place was good but lacked in some key areas that I figured worth noting. The ambiance is nice and quaint. The place is small so I would highly recommend a reservation. We were sat at the very end of the bar. Nice view into the kitchen even if tucked away. Food overall was tasty. Went with the asso bucco and the mushroom pasta. Everything was tender and portion for the bucco was large which I appreciate. However, everything did taste a bit too salty and my partners pasta definitely was noticeably salty which made it harder to enjoy. Biggest problem was certainly the service. It was slow. Table behind us got some of their meal compt for the wait and we also had quite a wait for food. Took a while for someone to initially take our order and then we didn’t get our mains for well over an hour from when we got in the door. We had an appetizer but still the slow service was a bummer. Solid food but likely wouldn’t rush back given the service.

Salads: The first salad was presented beautifully and had a tangy, nutty flavor. However, it was bitter. We returned it and opted for the smoked trout Caesar salad instead. The Caesar salad was also a little bitter, but it was much more flavorful. The crispy capers were a standout addition, adding a delightful crunch and saltiness to the dish. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the smoked fish flavor—it was subtle yet impactful, elevating the salad. Bucatini: The bucatini was the highlight of the meal. Each bite was packed with flavor. I could taste the garlic and onions. The tender meat melted in my mouth and paired beautifully with the broth-like sauce, which was so good my husband drank it after finishing the dish. It was phenomenal. Be sure to twist the noodles in the sauce to fully enjoy the layers of flavor. We would come back to Tartuca for this dish. Steak: The steak was tender and cooked well, with a crispy exterior and soft interior. The accompanying sauce had a slight kick to it, which was enjoyable. The steak had delicate flavors that some might appreciate. I prefer a bolder punch in my steak, which this lacked. Surprisingly, the salad served with the steak had more depth. Given the price point, I would skip the steak in favor of other options on the menu. Dessert - Budino: The chocolate budino was a delightful end to our meal. Its nutty caramel flavors balanced beautifully with the rich chocolate, creating a satisfying and indulgent dessert. Conclusion: The bucatini was exceptional, and the steak was disappointing. The dessert rounded out the meal wonderfully. I’d return for the bucatini in a heartbeat!

We had a good experience at Tartuca. My wife and I order and loved the focaccia. It was one of the best we have had. We also started with the sheep cheese on the focaccia crostini. Both dishes are highly recommended! The rest of the dishes left something to be desired. The salad was way overdressed making everything mushy, the pasta was way too salty (and we are chronic over salters ourselves), and the prawns were overcooked so they didn’t have the right texture. The concepts here are fresh, new and unique. This would make for a fantastic experience if it was executed a better.

As another reviewer wrote, the focaccia and burrata are amazing! The flavors are delicate and fresh. Will go back for that! However, the pasta dishes were not out of ordinary. [p.s. they do not serve pizza anymore]

I really wanted to give more stars and like the place more but the food was decent, not great. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it and The taste was definitely there... But, for instance- I ordered the braised beef and I thought there was going to be a bunch of meat in it. Nope! I seriously got like one shred of meet it was a literally a bunch of dough balls in barely any sauce. A friend of mine wanted one of the noodle dishes but without me and they told her that they would make it and add a bunch of different vegetables for her- it came out and was just a bunch of noodles came out but only had 1 vegetable in it and not much of it either. They try to get too fancy or something with their dishes and are missing the mark. It's expensive for what you get.

We came here based on the great reviews, the focaccia bread and burrata salad were FANTASTIC. Burrata salad was bright, fresh, and unique. Bread was so fresh with good quality olive oil. Our entrees were where it gets a mixed review - the radiatori, and sunchoke pasta were the best. The bucatini was flavorless (watery almost?) and campanelle was just eh. The menu seems to change which is nice but just know there isnt pizza on the menu anymore. The man over the phone (whos name I didnt remember to get) was very sweet and inviting! However our server didnt sit quite right with us and we were bummed one of our orders was sold out after the fact we had ordered it. Also we were told the patio had heaters which it did not and we were frozen eating out there. Overall a solid dinner but we were a bit disappointed with some of the entrees.

We chose this brunch spot from a foodie blog. They allow reservations, which is great. We were able to find parking pretty easily, but the area can get busy so a lot of it is luck. The seating inside is spacious and quiet enough to allow for easy conversations. Unfortunately, the service was confusing. Our waitress was difficult to flag down. Food was slow to come and even though the waitress offered to serve the Pavlova first, she seemed to forget. The food was good, but not great. The highlight was the Shrimp and Polenta, which was delicious. The Frittata and the Lamb Sausage Hash were over salted. All in all an average brunch experience.

The attention, service, and atmosphere were all great, and the pasta dishes were excellent. The only issue was the osso buco with risotto. Unfortunately, the risotto was overcooked and clumpy, with a watery texture that wasn’t creamy at all—it honestly felt like eating Mexican red rice. I really wouldn’t recommend it. We waited about 25 minutes for this dish, which cost $36, so I expected much better quality for that price.

After a dozen or so return visits to the restaurant, it saddens me to report that the experience at Tartuca has fallen off a cliff and the death knell has been sounded. They no longer serve pizza, which is a shame because I feel like it was a top 10 pizza in the city. The pasta itself is not enough of a draw, with only one or two selections standing out. We also had a 45min ticket time on pasta for our party of two, with the restaurant at half capacity or less. Considering the slow service, pizza off the menu, and average offerings, there is really no reason to return.