Campana Reviews

This was a big disappointment. As an Italian American and a chef, you learn there are approximately 3 types of Italian restaurants. You've got your really nice, fancy Italian spots, the ones that can do it all, from traditional to reimagined Italian-American, steak, pasta, you name it. That type of place where you get the best wine, handmade pasta, and desserts that practically levitate off the plate. Then you've got your mom-and-pop Italian spot - big portions, classic dishes, no frills - amazing. Gabbiano's, in the same neighborhood, gets that approach in a big way. Then you've got the unfortunate middle child - the place like Campana that has the culinary program of a trattoria but has the prices and attitude of a ristorante. Unfortunately, Campana is, as you might have guessed, the third kind. The food is bland, which is unfathomable to me. The half chicken was like something you can buy at Safeway, split in half and parched, with a "marsala jus" that amounted to little more than a spritzing of some brown, viscous liquid that failed to do its job. Simple, simple stuff - add a little more sauce. Put it on the side if you're worried people won't like it. Literally, not rocket science. The risotto and ravioli suffered from a a similar lack of development. I made the error of mistaking the understated descriptions on the menu for a desire to not give too much away - unfortunately, it really was that cut and dried. Parm, corn, risotto. That's it? The mozzarella plate was a similar travesty, with half of a Safeway mozzarella ball going for $18. Hard to rescue that. It's a hard time to be a business owner, but you can go to Gumba (again, same neighborhood) and a get a massive buratta ball and fried bread for $12 or something. Don't waste your time or money here.

Absolutely fantastic...very thoughtful and authentic flavors. Italian cuisine that looks and tastes like Italy. Great service!

So, we were looking for a place to celebrate our 30th anniversary and found the highly rated Campana. We went with friends and were very excited to try out a new place. The meal started well, with the mista salad reminding us of Italy.The bread was wonderful and the chianti very good, although very expensive. When it came to the main the meal changed. Both men had ordered the Cavatelli. The pasta came with almost no sofrito or meat at all and a very small amount of whipped ricotta. The dish was $26.00. My seafood dish had a thin broth that was fairly flavorful. The squid pieces were small but tender. The mussels were cooked about right, but the shrimp was very overcooked. My friend's chicken was the only meal that was good, and a decent value. I know that this place must have been good at one time but at least for our table they lost their way. I don't think we will be back.

All the great reviews were on the mark! Outstanding food & outstanding service in a friendly atmosphere. The food compares with any of the best Italian restaurants. All the selections were fantastic from the appetizers to the main course and deserts. We were just visiting but will go back to Campana any time we are in Portland.

As always the food and service were excellent. Bonnie was attentive without being intrusive. Salads are Crisp and well seasoned. Pasta dishes just right Al dente. Affogato perfect. Congratulations to owner and staff for maintaining excellence. Our go to place when in Portland.

Our visit to this place was a pleasure. Without the preciousness of many other restaurants in Portland, Campana made my wife very happy with a bright, flavourful heap of vegetables in the excellent pasta a la Norma, while I ate the best-cooked octopus I've had in the city. We had charming conversations with the manager, the waiters, and even the chef at the restaurant. We'll head back there, soon.

A delightful change of scenery to the SW dining experience, this restaurant offers a thoughtful menu but mostly just delicious italian cuisine. The Burrata for 2 was spectacular and soooo fresh. Amid the covid pandemic make this stop a must. You will not be disappointed.

We had a wonderful dinner here. The food was excellent- some of the best Italian we've had the pleasure of eating. We had pasta and meatballs, shrimp and rice and fried green tomatoes with delicious aioli sauce for dipping, as an appetizer. We appreciated being able to eat outside- the neighborhood is charming. The wait staff was careful with serving and making sure the tables were freshly cleaned. They took care of everything we needed. We will be back.

One of Portland's finest Italian restaurants tucked away in a great neighborhood. Savory food artistically plated with unique and flavorful cocktails. We love introducing friends to this gem.

I think Campana makes some of the best pasta in town. Flavors are excellent, noodles are cooked just right, and value for the money is solid! They also have excellent salads that can easily be shared between 2-3 people. Happy hour menu is a particularly good value.

A review is written by one person, who ate one dinner, on one night. Nobody knows if the chef is having a bad night, or a spat with the server, or just got served with divorce papers or god forbid, bad news about a family member. The reviewer enters a restaurant to get a good meal. It's an unspoken contract with everyone working there, that they get the best the restaurant has to offer—that night, that seat, and that patron. So, I was told Campana was a friendly neighborhood kind of Italian restaurant. Not snooty, which for some reason has become a Portland norm. So the Woodlawn district has its roots deep in the working class. But, got gentrified. So, a bit of hipster snoot was expected and didn't disappoint. But it's more of an edge than an overt annoyance. The terms of the four entrees offered took some explaining. Not that I'm a neophyte, but if you're serving linguini, say so. Any other term is obfuscation and snotty. But we were off and running when the barman explained how the garlic was slow-cooked to bring out the flavor. In the bigger kitchens, we used to slow-roast the heads. The long slow cooking brings out the best a garlic can be. Combine it with Dungeness crab, and we have a winning combo. Or should. There is a big deal made about plating food, as there should be. It's not only about the presentation, which appeals to the eye, but it is also the final quality control of the food going out the window. It is the last chance a chef has to secure his/her reputation and the reputation of the restaurant. When I review, I only eat one dish. I only drink water with no ice. It is so my focus is entirely on THAT dish. So, the plating was simple and unadorned. Or, in my opinion, perfect. When there is a lot going on with extra garnish, you wonder why. It's like a magician trying to distract your attention. The flavor was a full-bodied garlic. High chops for that, and to the harried barman who knew what to point out about the garlic. (Don't worry, I think he was probably surprised and happy with his tip.) Next, the sauce. All too often, cooks believe a "cream sauce" is to drown the dish. And this did. The three small pieces (not chunks) of crab gave their all but were not able to rise above the flood of dairy. Only the garlic survived. So a hard mark down for poor execution of the sauce. But, as bad as the sauce was, the linguini was the fatal flaw. Linguini is a light flat noodle. It isn't easy, but if you're plating twenty or forty dishes a night. One should get a feel for it. If you must mix the sauce into the noodles... pay attention as you fork the noodles into the mixing bowl. NOT just dump them in and stir. Or, you will miss the large horse-choking knot formed from not stirring the noodles into the water to blanch. Every noodle should twirl onto the fork lightly. There is a reason a steak knife is not served with pasta. So, one night. One reviewer. One dish. With two strikes and two photos. The sad news is, there is Italian food offered on each of the four corners.

We recently had dinner to celebrate the holidays at Campana. We had excellent service, delicious drinks and a wonder meal. We've been to a lot of places in Portland over the years, and have all worked in the industry before - Campana gets it right on all fronts. Fun decor, attentive staff, top shelf drinkware, and a menu with lots of great options. Super happy and will be back again soon!

Good spot to meet friends for a great happy hour. Superb service. Great specials . Easy to hear one another while diming.

I ordered takeout for my son and me when we stayed in a hotel for the night nearby. I was just looking for something we'd both eat, but this was really excellent! I had the penne alla vodka and he had the kid's pasta with tomato sauce. We also had some garlic bread and some of the cannellini dip. We loved everything, but I want to especially rave about the cannellini dip. I was expecting something like hummus, but it was a little limey and spicy and even my son liked it. My only slight complaint was the takeout boxes were really big and kind of hard to eat out of them because the flaps get in the way. A very minor thing! Glad we checked it out. It looked like a good place to visit in the warmer months to sit outside and enjoy the neighborhood.

Consistently amazing food and excellent service! The risotto was to die for! A perfect place to take friends.

This is a hidden gem in a nice quiet neighborhood. The service, staff, food and wine are incredible. The chef came out and greeted the diners - making us all feel like family. We can't wait to go back for more

Reliably wonderful food and attentive service. Tender house-made pasta. We always get the broccoli rabe side. Highly recommended.

Lovely evening at a sidewalk table. The four of us shared apps, sides, mains, and dessert, as well as cocktails and wine. Great service - personable, friendly, knowledgeable. Excellent food. The eggplant caponata and the special pasta with smoky peppers were so flavorful. Always wonderful wine recommendations. Overall, a memorable dinner.

When we first walked in we got a nice vibe. The sounds and sights were inviting. Our waiter was wonderful. We started by sharing a caesar salad and the meatball appetizer. The marinara on the meatballs was better than most. I ordered the pasta with clams which was delicious and my husband ordered the special which was giant pasta shells stuffed with ricotta and spinach and topped with sliced sausage and red sauce with béchamel. The food was very good. The wine list could have had more choices.

Got a date night dinner in here before the COVID risk level clicked back up to high. Excellent on all fronts. Interesting space. Excellent mix of inventiveness and well made standards. Great service. Anyone nervous re: COVID, they had a very well thought out plan. Well worth a visit.

Burrata for two and the goat cheese appetizer were both great. Really liked the grilled pork blade steak - it’s large, you may want to share that one too. The crispelle was very good also. Nice outdoor seating. The menu had so many interesting sounding items and I wanted to order one of everything, so we will be back again to try everything else.

Campana has excellent food and service. We come here once a month and have never had a bad meal. Tim, Bonnie, Iraq, and Madeline provide the best service and personal attention. George, the owner and chef, is exceptional in his attention to detail to the food and wine. His sous chef Mike Stone will make surprisingly, delicious dishes. The atmosphere is ebullient, yet quiet on a certain level. It has become our oasis for a wonderful weekend meal.