Bar Mingo Reviews

I work in NW Portland and Bar Mingo is our favorite go-to for happy hour, which frequently extends into dinner. The service and food are both excellent, their happy hour menu is first rate. The dinner specials on the board are always spot on, but some of the menu options make the choice tough. Some of my favorites - Cioppino, any lamb or pork on the daily specials, the charcuterie or the clams on the happy hour menu.. The Sunday Burrata...wow. And save room for the ricotta fritters :-)

Excellent Italian food and great service sets them apart. Intimate, quiet dining. And the staff was incredibly attentive. We were never rushed and everyone in our party raced about their meals. Excellent and varied wine list. Make reservations as it is fairly small!

Portland is know nationally for its food scene. Portland's restaurants go for the New Yorky Wannabe moniker. Portland's restaurant seekers go for the New Yorker wannabe seen at the newest, hippest place vibe. So, if that's not you, I suggest a place like "Luce" or "Bar Mingo". Mingo is noisy, small, young, and hip. But the food is legit Tuscan-style fare. In a recent visit with an old garment center friend from NYC that I haven't seen in over 30 years, we ordered and ate leisurely, as we were were wont to do in Florence long ago. No one gave us the Portland Precious Place bum's rush to turn the table, and we stayed long after the fashionable Portlandians went home by 8:00 PM. It's about the food. Get the corner table by the window.

Reminds me of an upscale modern NYC restaurant. Food was excellent but a little pricey for Portland and well worth it. Crowd was a little more sophisticated than the typical "peoples republic of Portland" set.

Since it's opening, this has been a gift to NW Portland. Good food, friendly service, and a cool Italian atmosphere. If you have not tried, go. Of course, Mingo, next door, is equally great.

We stopped in exactly at 4:00, so had no problems with getting outdoor seating. I enjoyed the happy hour martini at $6. Even though we had intended to eat off the reasonably priced happy hour menu, since there were some excellent choices, we found the special appetizers tempting-caprese salad with fresh mozzarella and vine ripened tomatoes and razor clams-so ordered these two dishes. Both were delicious. My only regret is that I didn't ask about the price, each around $16. My husband ordered the special pork with balsamic reduction, polenta and vegetables. Even though he sent the pork back half-way through dinner because it was pink, it was still a tasty dinner. Our appetizers and wonderful bread, refilled several times, left me very happy and satisfied, so I didn't order an entree. We had excellent service, good drinks and tasty food even though we had paid a bit more than what we had anticipated. I definitely will return.

On a Saturday night it was tough finding a restaurant for dinner, but Bar Mingo had exactly 2 spots at the bar. Best gnocchi I've ever had, and the sauteed spinach was perfect. Our bartender had a great sense of humor and she stayed right on top of things. We met some friendly locals who gave us lots of great tips on visiting Portland.

Cafe Mingo is one of our favorite restaurants and this version next door is just as good. A limited but delicious menu, friendly service, a substantial wine list, occasional live music but no TVs blaring, no-one asking if we are "still working on it" and located on 21st Avenue in the heart of NW Portland

We loved this place so much that we made a reservation for the same night, and same table, a week later! Yup... it’s great; hope you like it. Have the almond tort for desert...just do it.

The Bar is next door to Cafe Mingo which offers a more expensive and limited menu. We much preferred the Bar menu. Great choices and moderate prices. I had the Papardelle with Rabbit, and my husband had the Cacio e Pepe. Both were excellent. Service was also very good. My only issue was seating for 2 was uncomfortably too close to diners next to us so you could overhear conversations. I would come back!

We lived in Italy for a year and Bar Mingo brings back those fond memories in a way that few U.S. Italian restaurants do.

6 of us went here for my wife's birthday & we all had a great time. The average price on the menu ranges from $16-$25 for entrees. They have an excellent alcohol list & the service was excellent. There is a fun atmosphere in this restaurant too. We showed up at 6:30pm and got an amazing seafood risotto to share - everyone loved it. We also ordered lamp chops, seafood cioppino & our mothers split the lasagna. All of the food & drinks were very good & the bill didn't kill us when it came. This is one of my new favorite spots in PDX. The food was excellent & very well priced.

I had dinner with a business friend in this cozy neighborhood spot. Our waitress was a blast - personable, fun, knowledgeable and prompt. Sll of her recommendations, food and wine, were dead on. We shared the shrimp spiedini which was simply grilled with fennel and red pepper, along with the assorted meat plate. we could have stopped there, but my shrimp and pesto risotto was cooked to perfection, and my buddy's halibut was delectable. The bar dining room is pretty small, with close tables but surprisingly quiet.

With the amazing food culture in Portland and our having only four nights there, it was nothing less than tragic that this experience was so disappointing. I had done extensive restaurant research before we left on this vacation, and this restaurant didn't appear on anyone's recommended list. But because Deven at Anne Amie winery had recommended it as a good Italian restaurant in NW (and b/c it was easily accessible by streetcar from our hotel), we decided to check it out. I continued to ignore my instincts as we approached Bar Mingo and bypass the two Italian food restaurants on either side that were both busier. As we listed with the hostess, we observed the inside was almost deserted of guests--except for one table of five--and all of the outdoor tables were full (there's only 4 or 5 of them on the sidewalk). Because it was a nice evening, we chose to wait for a table in the great outdoors and have a cocktail at the bar. I can't remember when someone has mixed a worse Cosmo. It tasted like straight lime juice. The bartender was nice and conversational, offering up her favorite items from the menu, but my drink wasn't good. The wait seemed unbearable. Another couple came in right after us and finally gave up on the wait and walked out. Finally, someone outside left and we were seated. The hostess's youth and inexperience became evident very quickly. She was unable to recommend any of Bar Mingo's specialty cocktails because she was "only 20--too young to drink." We asked for butter with the bread, and our server, Heather, walked by us five times before I had to remind her. Moreover, while we waited for a ridiculously long time for the butter and our entrees, Heather hung out inside chatting with the bartender and the table of five inside. It would be one thing to feel neglected by a server on a very busy night. This Wednesday was very slow. The one good thing about the experience at Bar Mingo is the homemade pasta--it was very well prepared. I had a pasta dish called Chitarra, and it was very tasty. My partner ordered the Vongole, and he was happy with it as well. The portions are not very large, though, so we asked for more bread. As soon as the hostess returned with it, she began to bus our table, picking up bread plates, butter, utensils--while we're still eating. Why would you bring guests more bread and then pick up everything on the table that accompanies it? We finished our pasta and asked for the bill; we observed a very curious method of billing from the bar. My cocktail was $7, but then another $2 was added to make it a Cosmo. His Woodford Reserve was $8.25, but another $2 was added to make it a Manhattan. I asked Heather about the additional $4 from the bar, and she just winked, smiled, and said, "Oh, that's the up-charge," as if she was congratulating me for noticing their gouging technique. So, I guess if I just verbally ordered straight-up lime juice it would've been $7, but because I called it a Cosmopolitan it was $9. There are simply too many good choices in Portland (just in the NW District, even) to waste your time here.

We don't go out much anymore so when we do we like to eat well and enjoy the atmosphere. This place hits the mark on both counts. Not too hipster, not too old school but a pleasant combination of a modern feel with good service and delicious bites. A friend and I sat for two hours enjoying the wine, delicious cheese sampler, lamb meatballs and other wonderful small plates during happy hour. We could easily talk and laugh as the environment wasn't too loud which is a pet peeve of mine. As always parking can be an issue in NW but well worth and it really wasn't that bad around happy hour time. This is one of the few places in town that I keep coming back to.

Called here as we are new in town and this is close to our hotel, after long train journey which was four hours late arriving. Eugene was most accommodating for our request for quick snack, my wife raved over her avocado starter, and I had a very nice blt beautifully prepared and presented. We both had soft drinks, so they are not going to make much from our visit, but we were made very welcome nonetheless. Thanks.

Having just read a review of this newly-opened restaurant, we had to try it for the good value, fresh and delicious food and reputation of the chef. Let's just say that it lived up to the review in spades. The appetizers of grilled calamari and lamb meatballs in a rich tomato sauce were instant favorites. The salad just as fresh. The red and white wine selections superb. Add the Happy Hour prices and we were more than happy. Very telling: our great waiter and other staff had not yet seen the review. I suspect that we will be returning often since we live in Portland.

Wow. This was our first time to Bar Mingo and some friends brought us and we will return. The service, food and atmosphere are wonderful. Our waiter was amazing and never rushed us and at the same time we never had to wait. Our meal was timed perfectly between apps, salads and mains. The food was Delicious!!!! Everyone else got a handmade pasta dish and they raved about them. I had Cioppino which as outstanding and one of the best I've had in a while. I would highly recommend Bar Mingo.

What a wonderful Restaurant! Nice atmosphere, plenty of drink selections and the food is tremendous. The mussels were great for a number of reasons, but it is nice to note that you can make a broth without dumping a ton of salt in it. Maybe some other chefs could take note of this fact by visiting bar Mingo. Also had the pork sugo pasta which was very good. All in all a very nice experience

Great homey Italian food. I had a rabbit papparadelle pasta. Perfect for a cool evening. Nice sized pour of wine if by the glass.

Joined family here for dinner. Drinks, appetizers, and main course all delicious. For starters the calamari was tender not chewy. Great alternative to deep frying. Lasagna was excellent. Wish there was more to take home but was adequate portion size. Ricotta fritters also great accompaniment for dessert. Hot, sweet, and delicious! Can't wait to explore other menu items. Although my lasagna was perfect, other family members complained that their pasta was too al dente. Something to remember next time we go and to mention to our server prior to preparation next time.

We recently traveled to Portland for a short vacation and stayed in the Knob Hill/Northwest portion of town. We chose to dine one evening at Bar Mingo. The restaurant is very warm and inviting. All of the staff was super nice and attentive. We started with a prawn and polenta appetizer. It was one of the best dishes that we had in Portland. For the entree, one of us had the pappardelle with braised rabbit and the other had a special. Both dishes tasted amazing and had appropriate portions. We finished with a dessert special. It was a light chocolate cake with gelato. The food was great and the staff so friendly. Good vibes from this place!

Sat at the bar for dinner. Heirloom tomato salad was great. I tried the chicken livers and anchovy based on the bartenders recommendation. Loved it. Staff is very friendly.

We had a great dinner here and loved all the food and the wine selction. There was a wonderful Pinot Noir offered from a local winery that we ended up going to visit the next day. Service was great. Would definitely come back.

Was the 23rd of December and our anniversary. Weather was terrible but everything else was wonderful. Food was supplied WHEN WE WANTED IT. Waiter was super helpful and pointed out some of the specials but told us of all the various dishes as to what to expect. I actually had them fix a appetizer as my dinner as I really like calamari and they did a wonderful job of it. My wife had the shrimp and they were fixed to perfection. Wine was a great match at the waiters recommendation and was the (House Wine). Everything was to perfection----made our anniversary very special.

We’ve been coming here for years and hope to continue that. We love the food, the atmosphere, and the service. The wine list is very food friendly, just ask for suggestions. We had the crudo, the chicken and the steak, but it was the poached prunes and marscapone that wowed us most. Especially with the sherry pairing! Just wow! Never change please!

The pasta and desserts are amazing, and the salad is also good. The map of Italy on the wall is a nice touch. Our favorite date night place.

My husband and I walked here from our hotel. Service was brisk and attentive. We shared an arugula, white bean and tuna salad and the portion was huge. I ordered the liver dish as a starter, and it was amazing, with onions, mushrooms and bacon. It wasn't gamey, very tasty. Also ordered mussels from the "first plate" menu, and shared it with my husband, there was so much food. The broth was delicious. They have an extensive wine list; we ordered a 1/4 carafe, which is about a glass and a half. Everything was well done.

We were in the neighborhood and decided to stop by. Their sister restaurant next door was packed, and we decided to sit in their lounge area to see what it was all about. We ordered our drinks from a very polite server. The drinks arrived-they were great- and then we placed our order. We received our Lamb meatballs within a short time and they were disappointing. The meat was undercooked and the flavors were to strong, the sauce was overwhelmed by the lamb. We decided not to stick around and ordered our check. The meatballs were removed from the check and the staff apologized. I'll be willing to try it again, it has a very appealing menu, great service, and beautiful decor.

My wife and I had tried to go to Bar (and Cafe) Mingo a few times and always seemed to get there when they were the most-crowded but, luckily, we tried it right after they'd opened for Happy Hour and snagged a seat immediately (we were told the we'd need to be out by 6pm - two hours, no problem!). Taking advantage of Happy Hour prices on our drinks (wine) and appetizer, we had a very nice meal - including dessert - for just $50!. Fantastic pastas and appropriate (not huge) serving sizes made it all the better. We'll be back for sure and certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a great meal on 21st Ave.

Nice looking bar, great food, and friendly service. More of a restaurant than just a bar. Innovative menu.

Four of us had dinner here last night and everything was excellent. Our choices: crusty bread and yummy olive oil, sauted calamari, trout salad, white bean salad, halibut, pasta with clams and skirt steak.....so, so good. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the decor fun, and the wait staff is great. Can't miss here!

Went to Cafe Mingo with spouse and friends. Could not get in but directed to Bar Mingo next door. Had wonderful meal and attentive service. Spent the evening eating, drinking and chatting and was not rushed by wait staff

Ate here for happy hour, delicious fresh food, yummy wine, we had scallops, salads and will go back for pasta next time. I have only good things to say about this great find in Portland. So much flavor in these dishes.

Warm and welcoming. Fantastic drinks and the food is wonderful. It's the perfect place to meet friends and enjoy a conversation.

During our trip to our former "home" town of PDX, we got together at Bar Mingo with a large (12+) group of friends. Each plate was just right to share (a little bite) and the tastes were fabulous. The bolognese lasagna was my favorite, followed by the polenta. Service was attentive (hard to pull off with that many folks; but, they did it!!) and afterwards when I asked if the chef would share his recipe for the polenta, he actually came out & wrote it down for me, explaining in detail. I was impressed!!! I read that Bar Mingo is just a holding pen for folks waiting to dine at Cafe Mingo; but, I must say, I'd return here for their small plates in a heartbeat, if we didn't live so far away. Well, there's always next year's visit.

The staff, the atmosphere, and the food/drink all exceeded my expectations. Casual without compromising quality. Happy hour wine delish, rabbit pappardelle knocked my socks off. I will be back.

As much as we enjoyed sister restaurant Caffe Mingo next door; our meal last night at Bar Mingo was one of the finest we have ever shared. Everything about it, from the atmposhere to the menu; service to meal presentation was outstanding. The servers have very welcoming personalities that make you feel as if you are family. Beginning with our server's recommendation for wine, which was spot on--we then shared a smoked trout salad over butter lettuce--delicious! Then a pappardelle pasta with braised rabbit--easily one of the best pasta dishes I have ever tasted. The pasta is house made, and perfect. The portion wasn't huge--good for one person actually; so then we ordered a second pasta dish--basically thin spaghetti with cracked pepper and pecorino. So simple--and so memorable. This type of simple recipe only works with the very best ingredients--and it was really really special. If we lived in Portland--this would be our "go-to-every-week" restaurant. Enjoy!!

Had the pasta Vongole, just the right balance of garlic and spice, lots of tasty clams! Also the avocado salad was both beautiful and tasty, and the peach basil tart and the blueberry sorbet were to die for! Sam (female) was terrific at the bar! Thumds up!

Yes, I said “perfect”. Every moment of my experience from arrival to departure couldn’t have been improved. There are several outstanding reviews on TA, so I’ll hit my own culinary high points. The pasta special was a lamb ragu gnocchi. The gnocchi were magical, both light and substantial; each bite of this dish made my mouth so happy! My other favorite was a lemon curd tart. My only regret is I didn’t have more room in my tummy!

This spot is always busy when we're heading to the Timbers' games so we finally stopped in. It was fun to sit on the sidewalk and the service was immediate and excellent. We had the rabbit ragu and the skewered shrimp on a bed of greens. The crispy bread chunks between the shrimp were absolutely decadent. Only down side was my choice of a "Samgria" drink - listed as the bartender Sam's own concoction. It was more like a watered down wine cooler. Otherwise, the meal was a good value and quite tasty.

Originally conceived as a place for people to wait and have hors d'oeuvres while waiting to get into Caffe Mingo, Bar Mingo has become a memorable restaurant all by itself. We had five dishes, all of which were superbly prepared and presented. We wanted smaller plates to share and asked if one if the main dishes could be made a half-size, and they easily accommodated us. The wine list has equal measures of marvelous Italian and American wines, all very well selected. You can't go wrong dining here.

Very nice place and consistently good. Opens early at 4pm and is very convenient for before or after theater/cinema goers. My favorite place in the NW part of town, very welcoming wait stuff, kitchen is innovative but not overly artsy. Mussels are always fresh and I love their cioppino too. Too bad they discontinued burrata Sundays but other dishes are excellent as well.

This place has been on my list to try for months. When I happen to be in town at the same time as my very hip nephew I decided it was time to give it a shot.The wine list includes several of my favorite Italian reds that are very reasonably priced. Our very cool waiter brought us some arrancini to start that were crunchy warm and delicious I was very surprised to find a rare dish on the menu that my Nonna used to make so ordered the chicken liver appetizer.It was simply perfect! My nephew and his beautiful girl shared a huge bowl of mussels but I am a sucker for anything Rabbit and when I find it with my favorite pasta, I'm all in. No exaggeration, the papardelle with rabbit ragu was as good as any I've had in Italy!!! Hand cut pasta, excellent service, solid wine list and top notch food. Its going to be on my very short permanent list of favs

Here I am in Italy enjoying great meals everywhere but still thinking wistfully of my favorite restaurant in Portland. Always excellent with a staff that is happy to be of service (smiling, friendly, wonderful people), we found every excuse to come to Bar Mingo many times. We brought our friends, sometimes we drove way out of our way to "stop by," and other times we would come only for drinks but would inevitably eat dinner. Right now, this minute, I am craving their Rabbit Pappardelle. Let me just say this: the Rabbit Pappardelle at Bar Mingo is the best I've ever had. The Pappardelle pasta is made in-house and the rabbit is prepared simply: braised with celery and carrot and some secret ingredient?? Other mentionable dishes: if it is on the caulk board try the Pesche con Pazzo l'Acqua. I really don't think you can go wrong here, and I echo other reviews listed below. While I like Caffe Mingo next door, Bar Mingo remains -to me- the best.

Fabulous food and ambience. Fresh and hip vibe. It doesn't feel like the typical look and feel of every other restaurant that is deemed the "it" Place by foodies. More of a California feel, which is welcomed. Always fun to stop in here!!

I used to live in Nob Hill -- a place absolutely filled with great restaurants, bars and brew pubs. This was/is one of my most favorite places to unwind, have a drink, and meet with friends. It is a modern Euro-feeling bar with a nice wine menu and good food.

Had a great meal at Bar Mingo. The waiter had been there 11 years—always a good sign. Everything was good. The gnocchi was a standout: light and fluffy with a great tomato based sauce. All of the dishes: starters-grilled calamari, pastas, cioppino and profiteroles with to-die-for fudge sauce made for a meal that was “fantastico”!

We have eaten here several times. The food is always innovative and fabulous. I have never had a bad meal here. The service is great and the wine list is extensive. I highly recommend eating here.

An amazing menu including different pasta dishes. We tried the gnocchi, which was the best I've had--soft, pillow-like and melt in your mouth good. And we were told, the head chef always makes the gnocchi--smart not to mess with perfection! We finished our meal with the chocolate pot de creme which was delightful. Also, the layout and atmosphere allows for elegant dinner, bar, or lounge seating options.

Stopped in for after dinner noshing...Sam works the bar on Tues., Friday and Saturday and makes the BEST Spanish coffees ever! Warm and luscious on a winter evening! Recommend the Chocolate Pot-de-Creme, rich and decadent with just a hint of expresso flavor! The ambience is relaxed yet trendy, warm and modern, a hard balance to hit!

The pasta was nice and was made in house, but the wine was really overpriced. The plates of pasta were on the small size, but the rustic bread was good. Would we come back, probably not.

Although we went to dinner at the cafe next door, we met earlier at this bar for drinks. The drinks and service were very good as they coordinated with the main restaurant by the same name. If you're not eating a large dinner you can order many smaller plates.

Do you want a small place, good energy, fabulous food experience? The room is small, but isn't noisy- it feels intimate. The marble tables are elegant. The service is perfect. Really. Not annoying or syrupy, but intelligent and attentive. Even to the collection of my coat at the end of our evening. I stood up and the hostess appeared with my coat! Our server, whose name I did not catch, was professional, helpful and good. She helped us make choices and was correct every time. We made a reservation as I had heard they were busy. I was seated immediately even though all tables were taken. A friend from Seattle joined me and we ordered wine with help from our server. She aided our selection and both wines were spot on to our requests. We had the cheese plate and soup, salads as starters. Yum. That soup was so good. A bean in light tomato base with mushrooms. I could have eaten a pot of it. So good. The cheeses were interesting and pungent. It isn't a large serving but it was just enough. Salads: delicious. The bread is good and I sopped up everything with it. My companion tried the fig sausage, and said it was good. We had beets -oh my gosh, if you like beets you must try these! The ravioli was just right. I used the bread to delicately dip into every last bit of the light, garlicky sauce. This was so much food and good wine, but we wanted to try dessert. The chocolate pot was the best I have ever had. We had been joined by another friend for coffee and that chocolate was quickly consumed-so delicious. Not too sweet, but texture and flavor was rich and flavorful. We also tried the cannoli. Very good. Do you want to try a Portland restaurant with a good atmosphere, service and delicious food? This is the place. There is a reason why all my friends sigh when thinking about meals they have had here.

We stumbled on this spot while wandering on a beautiful summer evening, looking for an interesting place to eat. Just by chance, there was a table outside on the sidewalk which gave us a front row seat to some fine people watching and basking in a nice breeze. The bread was incredible...we could have eaten it all night, but we ordered dinner instead! Meals were great, but a little pricey for the portion size. Recommended.

I have never felt so unwelcomed in my entire life. Food was wonderful, great wine list, but service was inexcusable.

Very hip place - great help from our server Patty. Started with the chicken livers with sage, capers, onion and anchovy - very savory, along with a salad of field greens, pears and gorgonzola with candied walnuts and walnut vinaigrette - terrific. Their pasta with clams did not disappoint, nor did the pasta special with wild mushrooms, and they were nice enough to add sausage to one of the orders. Pasta is all handmade and tastes it. We were all very pleased and sadly no room for dessert!

We had unbelievable great fortune last night when we decided on a whim to see if we could get in to Cafe Mingo or Bar Mingo at 7pm on a sunny Friday night. We were able to snag an outdoor table to boot! Wonderful fresh cocktails, and best gnocchi I've had in Portland. My husband had the lamb special which he reports was wonderful.

We just stopped for some drinks and a quick snack. The wine was great and the cheese board as OK. But the menu looked great! I hope I get a chance to go back.

We are visiting Portland and had tons of dining options. After last night's brilliant dinner at Bar Mingo, our game plan changed today and we headed back for an even better experience the second time. The fettucini with onion confit was so perfect that I thought I was back in Italy. The lasagna was best we have ever had in the states (including in little Italy in NYC). The lamb meatballs was full of flavor (mint and other fresh herbs) and even the green salad with shallot and vinegar was top notch. Bottom-line a must do for Italian food lovers!!!

Mingus and Bar Mingo have long been our go-to places in NW Portland. This last visit to Bar Mingo was "just okay". Our server was a little surly and the food was average at best. We did fine s little late (9pm), but expected a better experience.

We make a habit of getting a small meal here before going to the theatre or a concert. The food and wine are always superb. After many trips to Italy, I find Bar Mingo's food to be authentic to that country's delicious cuisine. For carnivores, the lamb meatballs are terrific. However our favorite dish is the Papardelle with rabbit ragu. And, if they happen to have it on the menu, don't miss the olive oil cake! We have been served by every one of the wait staff and they are always knowledgeable, friendly and make the meal perfectly enjoyable.

Did happy hour at the Bar having done dinner next store in the past. Charming bar with great food menu. Had 4 small plates which was enough food for two people for sure. Calamari was the spiciest i've had and i loved it. First bite was a surprise. Cheese plate was varied and simple, enjoyed. Insalata was sweet- literally as the dressing was sweet. Lamb meatballs were a perfect topping to it all and filled us up. Simple Gin martini was consumed without a problem! Other than a family gathering, I would go to the bar rather than the cafe-- especially during happy hour. Dinner for two with drinks was only $60 with tip.

Great appetizers and creative drinks. Even their simple pasta dishes were delicious. Cute sidewalk seating. Very memorable meal!

My wife and I enjoyed the cacio e pepe tremendously. Just like Italy. Very nice ambiance and great service. Best meal in Portland.

Nice spot for drinks, Italian food, people watching. Enjoyed our meals and glad we left room for desert! Liked the ambiance and the service and will return!

Visiting friends in Portland, they suggested we try Bar Mingo. Concerned about parking on a rainy night, we opted for Uber and arrived 20 minutes early. The hostess directed us to seats at the bar...and, before we could finish our drinks, had a table ready for us. We ordered two of Bar Mingo's craft cocktails while we waited for our friends. Once they arrived, our server took our orders, poured wine and quickly returned with a very tasty amuse bouche. Our entrees were plated beautifully...and were delicious. We lingered over the well-prepared entrees and wine...then, finished with a very creative dessert. Olive oil cake with plums poached in nebbiolo wine and served with a dollop of mascarpone. We will return soon (...I hope).

2nd time ... The first time I had specials so this time I had the calamari appetizer and the sausage. Both were good but seem to get more salty as I continued to eat. Whether it was the preparation that evening or whether it's my taste buds I'm not sure ... or maybe they spoke with the restaurant where I ate lunch (where the food was definitely bland & not salty LOL ;) Anyway, it was pretty good & I'll definitely go back. Contrary to others experiences, during my visit the service was very good. Also I like the space ... it is a combination of new and old that just seems to work.

We found this place on the strength of a recommendation of the Nob Hill district by our hotel - the menu was really interesting so we went in. Decor was warm, inviting with some touches that make the place feel cosy such as the large banquette echoing the shape of the bar which has a retro type fabric covering. The staff were very welcoming, friendly and genuine. Professional and unfussy. Our waiter let us know wines were available at 40% off the menu price as it was Monday night so we decided to try the local Pinot Gris which was really good - crisp and clean. The food was exceptional - I had the perfectly cooked calamari to start and my partner had the chickpea, Swiss chard and tomato soup. Our main courses were the homemade garlic and fennel Italian sausage with polenta and spinach and the lasagna. Both were delicious - one minor criticism was that the chunks of garlic in the spinach were not pleasant to eat (too strong, almost raw tasting) and IMO not necessary. I'd like to say we shared the almond torte for dessert, but that would be untrue: I let my partner taste it and wolfed it down myself! We would definitely go back if we had the opportunity.

On Sunday, I called to make reservations for a Monday dinner at Mingo Caffe, only to find that they were not open on Mondays. The person on the phone said, "Try Bar Mingo" next door - they are open on Monday". I answered, "oh, I don't want a BAR..." and the person said, "no, they are not really a bar - check out their menu...you'll love it!" So I di. Wow. Wonderfully light and clean Italian food, creatively prepared. Happy Hour starts early. Very reasonably priced. I ended up having a wonderful meal and experience...on a MONDAY! Highly recommend this place in NW Portland.

Bar Mingo is loosely based on Italian influences. They have a fairly wide selection of small plates, appetizers, and entree's. At our table, we had lamb meatballs, rabbit pappadelle, ravioli in sage butter, a fennel sausage and taglietelle dish. The salads had some very tasty options, including beets, my wife's favorite. The chocolate pot, and the profiteroles finished us off in style. They also have some traditional steak and potatoes on the menu. The food was extremely well done, and the service was attentive, professional and friendly, but never overbearing, and we were never rushed. They have a wine list that offers a very good selection; many are moderately priced. Bar Mingo really exceeded our expectations, given the casual atmosphere. The flavors are the star of the show, and we will definitely recommend it to others. Reservations are required, but it's not a great solution if you have a large party. I guess about 8-10 would be the maximum party they can easily handle. The only reason I give them an average on value, is that dinner can be a bit pricy, with drinks and wine.

So, my husband and friend had reservations at a very trendy restaurant but got downtown early, and wanted a cocktail. We really were ready to eat, having to take a flight the next morning rather early. We were told we might grab a cocktail at Bar Mingo down the street. It didn't take us long after Patty, a knowing and sensitive server, welcomed us in wholeheartedly to comfortable seating and a wonderful drink list. I picked a basilicata, an amazing concoction of fresh basil, edlerflower liqueur, light rum and pineapple juice. We looked at one another, and it was a given: see if they can accomodate us here? It wasn't being fickle since the other restaurant was crowded and noisy and we would have had to wait a bunch. In any case, I can say the restaurant was super, and superb. Our waiter was Eric, an interesting and interested young man who knew the menu and was available without being pushy at all. I had pasta with rabbit, an amazing appetizer with fresh anchovies and wonderful desserts. The exact dishes are fading since it was a couple of weeks ago and all the three of us could share was that the entire experience was amazing. Nothing bad, the wine was perfect and reasonable, as well as desserts. Interesting, because I usually remember, but it is that the entire experience as a whole melded into a memorable experience, something to remember and come back to. And honestly I put a 3 on the dollar sign, but we remember it as being reasonable. How's that for a nice evening, a wonderful if vague but delicious memory, and we've been to enough places over enough years to know it wasn't just a dream.

A small and pricey restaurant in the popular NW Portland area..Beyond that, the food is very delicious..Try the Lasagna, better than any you have ever had..good salads and wines by the glass are great..as well as a bottle of course.... Somewhat small tables, but there is also outdoor dining on a nice evening.. Very friendly staff..good happy hour as well...

Met up with family who suggested meeting here for dinner while in town . It didn't disappoint. Two of us had fish which they raved about with each bite. One of us had the tri tip and I had the lasagna. All delicious. Service was efficient and attentive. We lingered long after dinner without the feeling to hurry . Beautiful night for outside seating .

Loved the food here. It is really excellent. Also, be certain to order the chocolate pot de creme for dessert. We heard they run out frequently.

OMG!! Shut the front door!!! Explosion in my mouth. Can't wait to come back. The Kale is sautéed to perfection. The mint is soft but perfectly balanced. I love you!!!

I enjoyed the drinks and the service at this bar. It's located in a nice area of Portland, lots of restaurants. I was a little taken aback by the profiterole I ordered for dessert as I was expecting it to be cream filled, but was gelato filled. I realize this is still within the confines of what a profiterole is, it just wasn't what I was expecting. Still tasty though.

Bar Mingo has great items on their regular menu, but the specials are often particularly appealing. We particularly enjoyed the shrimp (regular menu) and the pasta from the specials. When we couldn't decide between two wines, our server brought us a taste of each so that we could make an informed decision.

we met 4 friends for dinner last nite -- first time dining at this restaurant --crowded but an interesting cross section of diners enjoying a fine meal. extensive wine list ---- somewhat limited menu but what they serve is prepared very well i had a wonderfully tasty cioppino in a delicious broth ----- other dishes were sausage with polento ---pasta -- ribs ---------------everyone loved their meals -- professional wait service - a 20% tip is automatically added to the bill but i would have tipped that anyway so no harm no fould-- dont get downtown often but seeing the vibrant and alive NW 21st and 23rd streets on a summer evening was good for the soul

Hands down great food and great service! We're repeat customers and love this place. And, we're kinda picky.

My wife and I went out for a special evening -- our 53rd anniversary and had never been to Bar Mingo. It is well reviewed by both the public and critics, so what can you say? Well, this is one of the best meals we have ever had in this city, and we've had plenty. Another unnamed restaurant yesterday left us feeling like we never wanted to eat again, but we have recovered and just in time. The menu has something for everyone and seems more simple than Cafe Mingo next door. We started with a dozen oysters -- fresh and excellent with the mignon sauce and lemons. We accompanied them with a prosecco, Italy's answer to bubbly white wine, and it was excellent. We followed and shared the four cheese ravioli, which is so good words fail. It came with browned butter and parmesan, and we have never had one better, even in Italy. We then each had the special fish, a skate browned in a skillet with buerre blanc and capers, potatoes and sauteed spinach with garlic. This cannot be beat, and I would hope they include this often as it was again, one of the most excellent preparations we have ever had with this fish. We finished with an affogato, espresso poured over vanilla gelato, if you have never had one of these, we highly recommend it. We accompanied our food with a bottle of falanghina wine, a wine from ancient wine grapes of Campania (near Naples) that goes well with the food we had. The critics and the public are right -- this is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city, and that is going some.

My husband and I had the most unforgettable meal at Bar Mingo this weekend.  We arrived during happy hour, so we opted for several small plates rather than each ordering an entree.  It was fabulous.  At $6.00 a plate it was a bargain for our dinner.  Perfectly prepared calamari (not fried), clams, lamb meatballs, and  wonderful bread.  Their Berry Rita is is excellent, using tequila infused with berries (made in in-house). We sat outside, which was very comfortable. No foodie "snob" factor from the staff, just great food!

Loved the Sangria. Nice atmosphere and attentive waiter. Food was very good. A nice Portland visit. I don't understand why they make me write more. Stop it.

Next door is Caffe Mingo which is just hands down excellent. Bar Mingo is trendier with small plates and great drinks. Not a bad place, but there are far better in this area.

Let me start by saying that I've lived in Portland long enough that I remember what was there before it was the current establishment. That being said, I remember when Tuscany Grill was there before Bar Mingo. Tuscany and I had a very personal relationship and I've had some of my best dinners there. Perhaps, I've had a grudge again Bar Mingo for replacing Tuscany, but they can't be responsible for that. However, after my last dining experience at Bar Mingo I think I'm (almost) ready to give them their own identity. We grabbed an outside table at 9:30pm on Saturday night and the weather was warm and perfect. We enjoyed a long, leisurely drink and then ordered mozzarella sticks and rabbit papperdelle. Mozzarella sticks aren't an acturate description of the dish though. When I think of Mozzarella sticks, I thinik of Spagetti Factory or some other frozen, deep fried item. These cheese sticks start with fresh, homemade mozzarella which is kept in it's original round form. They are sliced, lightly breaded and fried. They come served with olive tapenade and are truely amazing. The rabbit papperdelle came with think homemade noodles and a light and flavorful sauce. Based on these two dishes and the service I received, I'll be back soon. Maybe tomorrow...

We love all three of the Mingo restaurants. Bar Mingo is the one we go to the most often because my husband likes their wine list and I almost always choose their pasta special. We go here twice each month at least.

5-star food, service, ambiance. Run, don't walk, to Bar Mingo for great Italian wines, food, and service. A do not miss for great Italian food in NW Portland.

We eat at the two restaurants down the block, but had not eaten here in years. We gave it a shot and everything was excellent from soup to nuts. It was fairly busy for a Wednesday, which is always a good sign. Our server was very attentive and great with wine and food recommendations. Everyone loved their salads, apps, and mains. Well done, Bar Mingo.

Small place but not crowded. Started with oysters on the half shell, some of the freshest we have ever had. They have a great wine selection. The food was excellent. Very attentive staff. Water always filled and they kept checking back to make sure our needs were met. This might be our new favorite place. We would highly recommend Bar Mingo to anyone asking.

2 minutes til happy hour ends, and they greet me with , "here's the happy menu". The calamari app with the crusty grilled bread, moving into another app that is with tuna and fava beans made me look around to see if I was being offered my last dinner of choice before death...to DIE FOR. Yes..not politically correct, but jeez, you'll be having a moment just like me, and you'll say the same thing. Wonderful bar-sit to chat up with friends, incredible wines at YumHour, and with all you read as a visitor to Bar Mingo..."too tough to get in"...it's worth it. Happy hour-yourself at the bar and just stare at the huge ornate amazing historic door behind the bar. You will want to be alone perhaps to experience this. Grab some you time by 6. Thank me? No..don't mention it. The truth doesn't hurt here.

Not that great and overpriced. Nice waiter...maybe their other restaurant (Cafe Mingo...next door) is better. Probably won’t return.

We visited Bar Mingo September 24. The owner closed the bar to the public as we had a group of approximately 30 people. The food was outstanding as was the service. I highly recommend Bar Mingo!

I have eaten at the Italian restaurant next-door to Bar Mingo many times but never felt inclined to walk into Bar Mingo. Now I know this was a mistake. My husband and I both ordered the same dish which is very unusual for us. We both had pasta vongole (with clams). I have probably eaten this dish more often in my life than any other dish. Maybe hundreds of times. I think this was the best version I've ever had. The pasta was home made and had a nice texture. The sauce seemed to have some pancetta so beware if you don't eat meat. It was totally delicious. I asked her a little extra sauce and sometimes this is on the steak because it takes so long to bring the extra sauce that my dish gets cold but this time it came promptly and it was nice to have that extra delicious sauce on my pasta. I can't wait to go back and have this dish again.

We were fortunate to get a reservation on a Friday night but had to come early to do so. Our waitstaff was quite knowledgeable about the dishes and was able to recommend wine pairings that went well with the food. One member of the party was vegetarian and another was gluten free. Both found wonderful courses and had many choices. The braised beef was excellent and so was the salad. My cioppino was very flavorful but the calamari was a little chewy, The service was top notch. I would go back there again.

Stopped in for dinner. Not too busy so no wait for a table. Service is attentive and helpful. I had the rabbit pasta my wife had the mussels and we split a salad. The rabbit was good the mussels were a little inconsistent in size and texture. They have a nice selection of wines by the glass and quarter liter as well as by the bottle.

I went out to eat with friends who live out of town and we had a lovely dinner at Bar Mingo. It was a slow weeknight, so we were seated outside. Our server was wonderful and although my friend is gluten free, there were plenty of options on the menu. This is one of my favorite places in Portland, highly recommend!

We had a wonderful anniversary dinner. The atmosphere on a Tuesday was quiet and cozy Our waiter was very helpful and friendly. We started with a caprese salad, which was just as yummy as the ones we had in Italy, if not more so. Then we shared Cacio E Pepe, which I found to be a little heavy on the Pepe. But my shrimp spedini was good, and the grilled lettuce on the side was a great new discovery! For dessert I had the lemon ricotta fritters which were as delicious as they sound. We can't wait to go back!

Lots of very positive things to say about Bar Mingo. The location is good, although parking is probably awful. My wife and I travel by public transportation and by foot, so parking is no issue for us. The menu is varied and interesting. Lots of possible choices, which was fun. Prices were not beyond what we would expect, and going at Happy Hour on Sunday lowered our cost even more. Servings were generous and tasty, wine menu also was quite adequate and the pours were generous enough. Because we were earlier than most diners-- Sunday matinee theater ended at 4PM-- there wasn't much of a crowd and the service was quite prompt. Sounds great, and it was, although... Maybe it was because they weren't very busy, but I felt like the waiter was hovering over us too much. This made me uncomfortable. I tried to back him out of this as gently as I could, but he seemed defensive. I know he meant well, and O felt sorry about the unfortunate exchange. After the meal I asked for a coffee with amaretto. He brought it quickly, but in a wine glass. I have never had this drink served this way before-- always in a coffee cup, with the amaretto added or on the side-- so I was confused. I thought he was bringing me another glass of wine until I saw the steam and realized what it was. The thin wine glass was far too hot for me to hold the hot coffee. I mentioned this to the waiter who again became defensive and told me that the glass was entirely able to withstand the heat (not what I was concerned about!) and that I should hold the glass by the stem. Well, actually, due to hand tremors, that solution would be fairly dangerous to me; I didn't mention that, he moved on to asking about switching to a coffee cup, I agreed, and all was well. Again, no harm was intended. Just an unfortunate exchange between two people. But it is the kind of thing that brings down the quality of an experience, and is why this was not rated higher. Yes, I plan to go back and I hope for the best!

Came here on a Friday night for dinner. It was so good! We got the special, which was lamb gnocchi--it was some of the best gnocchi I have ever had! Lovely, intimate atmosphere.

One of the best values in Portland. Excellent crisp, green salad. Delicious calamari, perfectly fried and light. Great cheese plate! and a handmade mojito....who needs dinner?

I had dinner here 2 nights in a row while traveling on business. Lovely food with very attentive service (Patty was great!). The happy hour option is great! The oysters were beautiful, the pasta was fresh and creative and the salad fresh with great flavor. Even with the intense competition of restaurants in Portland, it is easy to see why this long standing restaurant still ranks high.

I think my problem is that I have not yet accepted the fact that Portland is getting pricier. It's just a little higher-scale than it used to be. Don't get me wrong - the pappardelle I had at Bar Mingo was delightful! But the portion size I got (which was honestly a decently-sized portion, not an "American" helping but not skimping by any means) compared to the price I paid just didn't *quite* compute for me. But, the restaurant is lovely, the location is great, and the food was tasty. So if you can adjust your notion of what a dinner in Portland should cost, you are good to go!