Gilda's Reviews

This restaurant is a on a quiet street away from the more dense downtown neighborhood we were staying in, but we really enjoyed our food and the atmosphere. We recommend the pollo entree, which came with polenta, and pappardelle pasta with wild boar.

My husband and I wanted a restaurant close to our hotel. We looked online and this place had a good rating so we stopped. We were definitely not disappointed. It was just what we were looking for; small, friendly neighbor restaurant with great food. We started our meal with Minestrone soup (hearty flavor) and Formaggio (cheesy goodness). Both were just what you would want to begin a great Italian meal. My husband had one of the specials for the night; halibut over a crispy polenta with sautéed greens, tomatoes and a pan sauce. He said it was best fish prep that he remembers having. Coming from Hawaii where fish is a staple says a lot. I also had a special which was lasagne. The noodles were obviously homemade which tasted buttery smooth and soft but just the right amount of bite, perfectly blended with the all the filling that one can expect with a good lasagne. Yum!! For dessert we had Spumoni ice cream with a tangy cherry sauce. The velvety ice cream is also homemade and the cherries along with the sauce had the perfect amount of tang. My mouth is watering as I write this review. Our server was full of personality and attentive. We liked this place so much we went back for lunch the next day. Veal Marsala was really good.

A homey, elevated Italian restaurant with well spaced seating. This casual elegant dining spot considered by many to be one of the very best Italian restaurants in Portland.

Gilda's was two minutes walk from our hotel (Hotel deLuxe, also excellent) on a rainy night. Booked via Open Table about one hour prior on a Friday evening, the restaurant was quite busy. Good service and great food. The Caesar salad we shared was very tasty, a nice change from the heavy creamy dresses usually served, and the bread and dipping oil/garlic was so good I could have made a complete meal of it! I had the risotto and my husband had the salmon special, both were very good and accompanied by a decently priced bottle of wine. Glad to we had decided to venture out and give it a try.

Gilda’s Recently while visiting family near Portland, I had the opportunity to dine at THEE best Italian restaurant I have ever eaten at. As a person who is well traveled, I can honestly say I have eaten at a lot of Italian restaurants but none can compare to the service, quality of food and atmosphere offered by Gilda’s. Our culinary expert is Marco who will go to any lengths to insure a “perfect meal” each and every time. The evening started out with an appetizer of fresh salad with local nectarines sliced up and topped with light wine vinegar that was out of this world. The wine selection is very balanced with both reds and whites with an unbeatable selection. Our server/wine steward insured that the wine glasses were never empty and seemed invisible when serving and replenishing our wine. The entrée selection is ro’bust with very generous portions when served. I recommend EVERYTHING! But narrowed my selection to the fresh halibut. The fish was cooked perfect as so was my pasta. Be sure to save room for dessert or you will regret it. Marco has a great selection of homemade wonderful Italian treats that are sure to tease your taste buds. Gilda’s can be found in the heart of Portland at the corner of 16th and Morrison St. just a couple of blocks from the Providence ball park I rate Gilda’s with 5 stars.

My wife and I had a nice pasta with seafood dinner at Gilda's. I would have preferred a little more seasoning but the pasta was cooked correctly--al dente. The amount and quality of seafood was reasonable but does not come up to what we are used to in San Francisco.

This is our second visit to Gilda's just this past Saturday night; 02/18/2017. Still love it! We were nearly 30 minutes early for our reservations and were prepared to wait in the lounge but she seated us right away. I had the Wild Boar again, my husband and his son had the Veal Marsala special, we ordered a bottle of wine. Fabulous again. We had some more drinks in the lounge since last time we were there we did not have time to visit it. I love this too. Very nice atmosphere, great service. Not too modern but not "dated" look either.

Visited Gilda's on Friday night. I arrived shortly after they opened at 5pm. By 5:30pm all the tables were full. They are within walking distance of the theatre, which probably helps business. The food was good but not your typical italian. Maybe northern italian is more their thing? I had the spagetti and meatballs. It was very tasty, but the meatballs were falling apart. You could hear the chef in the kitchen telling the waitstaff "no more meatballs" something went wrong. It was still very good and funny to hear the chef saying what I was thinking. The waitstaff are very attentive and offered recommendations on wine, food, dessert. If the weather is nice, sit outside! Be sure to make reservations.

We have never been disappointed in our evenings at Gilda's! Since it opened we have introduced many friends to this diners delight, so they as well could enjoy not only the delicious food, but the exquisite decor honoring Grandma Gilda and the great staff that enhances the experience. I just had to review because of our most recent experience when the Roberti family was in house to celebrate with their relatives who were departing for home in Italy. Talk about festive, over 20 Italians who were all related, eating drinking and being merry....you can't create these moments! The specials (especially the fish) always entice, but we do have our favorite, the Ahi which is not to be missed! Salute!

Nice variety is offered. Good $5 pinot noir. Only reason not a full 5 rating is salad tends to be over-dressing'ed. Lettuce is fresh. Bread is good. Meatballs are fine.

First time downtown. Great Italian restaurant. Had the chefs family recipe, spaghetti and meatball, it was awesome. Downstairs is open seating and the bar staff was great!

I thought this was a very nice, small restaurant and I would recommend it to anyone who likes Italian food. It has a nice location, and the food was very nice! The pasta's are different and very enjoyable. The service was also on-point which added to the great food.

Even before I was served dinner I was impressed by this restaurant/bar The service was excellent at the bar lounge with a crisp solidly made Tanqueray martini done to perfection by friendly staffer Eleanor When it came to the food it was superb! Having traveled extensively it is great to find a restaurant that is homey without being hokey! The food was solidly prepared and executed The Frito misto was excellent as was the seafood tagliatelle!! Mangia mangia salud!

Six of us enjoyed great Italian food at Gilda's in Portland. The home-made pasta was the best I've had and my dinner companions raved about the veal. It's a very pretty place, with a picture of the chef's grandmother Gilda providing inspiration. This was my first visit, but certainly not the last. We all loved it.

While not our first visit, our recent dining experience here was "over-the-top" with menu selections that were bursting with flavor, exploding with flavor. The fabulous ahi tuna appetizer, the caesar salad with each leaf nicely coated with dressing, pappardelle pasta with sausage and mushrooms, and a saltimboca veal that was quite unbelievable...and more than generous portions... and then nicely finishing with a pear tart. Really good manhattan cocktails and a rich chianti, and Umbria coffee, to boot Yes, we ate too much but each mouthful was an expereince. As well, a regular patron was celebrating her 104th birthday while we were there. A good recommendation!

Family-owned restaurant in Portland that is friendly and serves delicious Italian cuisine. The atmosphere is warm and casual. We both ordered the Caesar salad and spaghetti and meatballs - absolutely wonderful.

Liked the reviews of this place so we gave it a try. It was crowded early on a Saturday night. This resulted in somewhat slow service and longer than desired times for the food to arrive. But each of the courses were tasty and we left satisfied with our choice of restaraunts for the evening.

Ate dinner here on a recommendation from our tour guide. I had the King Salmon entree and it was excellent. I washed it down with a pinot gris that was very good. The tiramisu for dessert was also very good. The service was also very good. I would recommend this restaurant for sure!

We came to celebrate Father's Day this year and it proved a wonderful choice for the four of us. We were seated quickly, our server was courteous and professional and quick to bring out our choices. Each selection was flavorful and well presented. The halibut special was the most tender and delicious I have yet experienced. We were so pleased with our meals. The restaurant is small and cozy but roomy enough to be comfortable. We are already planning a return visit to Gilda's.

This is the second time we've been to Gilda's. I just love this place! Last time, I had the best Saltimbocca I've ever had. Today, the Veal Piccata did not disappoint. The service truly could not be better. Try the Antipasta platter, too!

We have been going to Gildas's for years and working on increasing our frequency. Staff is friendly and always attentive and the food is always delicious. We had arancini balls for appetizers and chicken marsala with roasted potatoes with a mix of carrots, broccolini, red peppers, zucchini, and of course mushrooms with the chicken in a delicious sauce. Not loud and no booming music. Ask for Gabby Highly recommended!

New studies just released have discovered that lighting, china utensils cloth napkins and table cloths actually trigger in the brain responses that affect ones taste buds heightening anticipation, expectations and satisfaction that causes chemicals to be released that actually affect taste. Here lighting and presentation affect old standards of pasta and bread. We had veal Marsala. It was alright. Italy has so many mediocre restaurants, in addition to a few excellent but few and far between. This is somewhere in the middle. Not exceptional but adequately presented for the most part. Seems to be understaffed for the price points. Wine over priced and not the best selection, and studies have shown that expensive wines do not have a discernible taste and quality difference, as one has always assumed. House wines many times actually are overall the best option many experts have agreed. Overall this is an over priced spaghetti diner place with nice lighting and poor service.

We were staying across the street at Hotel Deluxe and they suggested this restaurant. Very authentic Italian dishes and well prepared. Knowledgeable and attentive server. Salmon was excellent.

What a let down! Good publicity but the proof of the pudding lies in the eating. It all started off fine. Lower bar area was not too busy and service was adequate. Then we moved to the top room, the restaurant, on a Thursday afternoon at about 6 p.m. I chose the Fritto Misto as a starter which is prawns, scallops, fried calamari with a lemon aioli. I rather liked it until the entree arrived before any of us had finished our first course. I had heard of this practice before in America but had never witnessed it. None of us bolted down our first course with a result that the main course was starting to cool down before we were ready. We also chose a bottle of "Costamolino Argiolas" 2016 Sicilian white wine for both courses. Again the wine was acceptable but no knock out. You get what you pay for I suppose. Anyway, back to the main course which was now cooling down. I had gone for the Dungeness crab, mussels and tagliatelli. Normally this would have been a good choice but the food was far too salty. Disappointing.

This is one of the best Italian restaurants that I have eaten in on the West Coast. The one person in our party of Italian descent agreed. It has been so long since I have seen braciole on the menu and it was very good here. The owner chef is working hard in the open kitchen. The house wine is made by a relative. The namesake grandmother Gilda has her portrait on the wall. A very family-type place. Very good location! Close to the Deluxe Hotel, Artists Repertory Theatre and Jeld-Wen Field.

We have been here many times and the last time we had a Caesar salad with salmon which was exceptional. On Monday nights they have homemade lasagna that is excellent and sometimes it is left over for Tuesday. I have had that several times in the past. There wines are reasonably priced Italian vintages. Excellent service and coffee plus deserts. They even have cannolis which we have had on occasion.

Soup of the day was very tasty, they offer many special entrees every day, so the menu is more extensive than the one published on trip advisor. We have eaten in the bar and the restaurant. The dining room is much cleaner than the bar. The bar food is very good. The wine list is also very good. I believe the owner does research on the wines presented! My wish is that the bar was tidied up a bit?

We dined here on a rainy night in late December with friends. On arrival we were so comfortable in the bar that we decided to stay in there for dinner. Chef Marco's place, which he named after his Italian Grandmother, is excellent. The bar area has a Cheers-like ambiance of warmth and casual comfort with excellent service and caring staff. If only I lived in Portland this might become my "regular" place. That said, I think it is also worth coming down from Seattle for from time to time. Here is a rundown on what we ate: Antipasti: We tried the Calamari and Fried Ravioli. Both were perfectly done and not greasy or cold. Insalate: We shared some salads. Two of us split a caesar which was excellent and two split the wedge salad with blue cheese. Both were awesome. Pasta: For entrees we enjoyed the following- *Pappardelle alla Saliccia*- I had this and I'm still thinking about it a week later. The pasta was homemade and very fresh and the sauce and sausage was really REALLY good. *Tagliatelle ai Funghi* - my friend had this one and it was so good that after she gave me a taste of it, I kept looking over at her plate, imagining having more. It was creamy but not heavy or greasy and the mushrooms were so perfectly tasty. Another reason perhaps that I might be able to become a vegetarian. I hope to come back soon just so I can eat an entire serving of this. *Spaghetti with Grandma's Meatballs* - my nephew ordered this and before I had the chance to ask for a taste he had inhaled these meatballs, pronouncing them to be very very good. Good thing my other friend had also ordered them. I tasted the meatball and thought it was quite perfect. Dolce: We were stuffed but still decided to share one dessert. We had the black italian cherries over ice cream. OMG WOWZA. These were so good I can't imagine why i'd never experienced them before. Final notes: We were sitting for two hours and had no idea how the time passed so quickly. We had such a great time. The blood orange martinis were also great and we enjoyed a glass of red wine with the pasta. They also have a $5 wine special each night one white one red. I read one review where the diners were upset and argued with the chef because they were in a hurry and were watching every other patron to see who got fed first. Why add to stress of life by always being in a hurry and timing yourselves against others? I think food this good must be savored slowly and consumed in a relaxing manner. I would not suggest trying to come here and rush through the food just so you can rush on to somewhere else like a play. (If you want fast food go to Olive Garden.) I'm really glad my friend found this place and I will certainly return as soon as I can.

Great service, great food! Great evening! Grandson wanted spaghetti and concierge at our hotel recommended it to i Us! It did not disappoint!

We were staying at the Hotel Deluxe and found this delightful restaurant just around the corner. It was traditional Italian/American with a good, varied menu and average prices. We ate here 2 nights and were very happy with our meals. Service was friendly and professional.

We are regulars and we've decided that Gilda's has gotten too popular and it's affecting the food. Service still great but a bit hurried. The pear and blue salad has always been a favorite but last night it came to us drenched in blue cheese dressing with way too much crumbled chunks of cheese on top. We could barely see strips of pear and certainly could not taste it. They removed the delicious vegetarian option of a light pasta primavera. Major bummer as it's always ordered when we go. I had the halibut. Bring a magnifying glass because the 2 inch x 2 inch piece of fish was so small I could hardly find it on the huge mound of veggies it came on. Come on, charge a bit more and give a decent size piece of fish! I get that halibut is expensive - I don't mind paying more!! What I don't like is to be ripped off the way I was last night.

Amazing food and stellar service! Haven’t had food this good since our last visit to Italy! It’s a charming, somewhat casual space that is warm and welcoming. Highly recommend!

After extensively traveling and eating Italian food all over the country, I can tell you that the in house pasta they make here is one of the best I’ve tasted! Light and accompanied the sauce. I had the Dungeness crab pasta that was swimming in fresh crab with a light cream sauce with a touch of red pepper. The service is top notch and you are made to feel welcome. I ate in the bar which was cozy and great friendly bar tenders. Going to rave about the vesper martinis! Outstanding! Will be back!

We started with the Arancini Balls which had a great texture and wonderful marinara sauce. The Sea Bass special with pepperoncini, capers, and Polenta Cake was an interesting combination. The Pasta Genovese was nice in a very light sauce. We would return to this restaurant if we returned to Portland.

We both loved the cesar salad. he got lobster with pasta- lots of lobster, so much really! and it tasted so good. i got simple vegetables iwth pasta and was so pleasantly surprised. the pasta was cooked perfect al dente, the vege were so good, the marinara so good. this was much better than many other Portland Italian restaurants. very happy to have found this by accident.

We enjoyed a pleasant meal at one of Portland's latest additions to the Italian food scene. The room was small but not too noisy. The servers ware attentive. The menu was varied and the food came out hot and served in a timely fashion. I had the Frito Misto as a starter and the portion was quite large. Perfectly crisp scallops, calamari and 2 large prawns began the meal. I thought the Aioli was slightly over salted and a bit strong for the seafood but still it was a successful dish. My second dish was the Veal Forestierre. Perfectly cooked veal scallops with a Madeira wine sauce and Chanterelle mushrooms. Again I thought the chef a little heavy handed with the salt but it too was a nice dish. Polenta was creamy and vegetables were crisp.Spumoni ice cream as dessert for me was authentic. Hard to get a good Spumoni outside of Italy. Other dishes at the table included the house mushroom soup and home made papardelle and boar. All satisfying. Warm and friendly atmosphere. Will absolutely come again.

Delicious dinner in a cozy environment. Restaurant feels very cozy and the cooking feels like an Italian grandmother prepared it. I would definitely go back there again!

A great place for a date. A non-stuffy but elegant place for a fine meal. Never had anything on the menu that wasn't excellent. Or on a bar hopping type night, hit up happy hour downstairs and have a few drinks.

We have never been to GIlda's for lunch until today. We took our 88-year old friend their for her birthday. What a wonderful time. They had a decent, though not overly crowded, clientele, and the portions were comparable to the dinner selections.

Very friendly staff, clean and comfortable interior, great menu choices and reasonable prices. I had a lobster dish that was rich and full of flavor, a very generous portion. My spouse had herbed risotto that he thought a bit too complex, but I really loved it when I tasted it. I will definitely go back next time we're in Portland.

We have been here many times over the years. I had the chicken and pancetta risotto tonight. Probably the best I’ve ever had in my life. The seafood pasta is also amazing. Highly recommended

We went to Gilda's on the recommendation of our tour guide Sean from sea to summit tours. It was the perfect end to a perfect day of wine tasting. Sean dropped us at the restaurant, Our waitress was fantastic! as was the food! The Frito Misto was my favorite with the meatballs coming in a close second. the only draw back was the wine list was a little expensive. Highly recommended!

We checked out a lot of Italian places - almost none of which offer any veal preparation - and Gilda's does a different Veal preparation each night. I started with the Pappardelle with Boar - which was remarkable. The Veal Marsala was good - and the roasted potatoes served with it were fantastic.

Last night we met friends at Gilda's because the reviews were positive and it was handy to our hotel. Since we didn't have reservations we were seated in the lounge. The server was very engaging and helped us to decide. We ordered appetizers from the bar menu: calamari, halibut cheeks, melted cheese and bread and beet salad. Our friends had a garden salad and vegetarian pasta from the restaurant menu. Everything was very good. Tonight we returned for a tangy, crisp, garlicky Caesar salad and creamy rich funghi risottos with juicy chunks of chicken. Everything was excellent. We're glad we returned.

Party of 4 Two of us had veal Marsala that was fabulous. Another had halibut and the fourth had pasta. It was easy to go over to the theater next door. Go early if you are going to the theather.

After a week on the Oregon seacoast eating fabulous seafood, Gilda's was picked at random out of the tourist magazine in Portland because it was Italian. We were not sure what to expect, but were most pleasantly surprised. This is a very nice small Northern Italian restaurant with the chef/owner clearly visible in the kitchen. It was quiet the night we went in as the theatre next door which provides much of their business was on summer break. The dining room has murals of Florence (IT not OR) around the walls, as well as a bust of Dante (we had to ask who it was, having mistakenly guessed one of the de Medicis). Knowing that Tuscan cuisine is some of the most revered in Italy, we felt we had landed in a good place and the food definitely proved us correct. We shaved a lovely burrata and tomato salad to start, then I had a nice piece of halibut prepared "piccata" style and my husband had a steak done with the traditional rosemary and olive oil. Both just excellent with a nice accompaniment of roasted baby veggies and a polenta cake. Just wonderful.

The service was very attentive but not overbearing, suggestions did not disappoint, and the food was excellent. They happily made a dish vegetarian that ordinarily would not have been, and I ate the entire thing, despite having already been full from the appetizers and salad. Prices were also reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food in downtown Portland.

The risotto was amazing. Probably the best I've ever had. Service was friendly and quick. Highly recommend.

Tired of the American interpretation of Italian cooking (pasta drowned in cream with any kind of strong flavor) we were looking an authentic Italian restaurant and found it with the help of a Portland. All dishes from straight forward fish to linguini al frutti di mare were perfectly seasoned and delicious.

Very nice Italian restaurant with attached separate bar. Interesting menu with a few specialties. Very friendly service. Very nice Italian restaurant with separate bar. Interesting menu with some specialities. Very friendly service.

The best Italian food I have ever enjoyed. So fresh and clearly made with lots of love for fine dining! Amazing and I recommend this place to anyone traveling to Portland.

During our trip to Portland Oregon in June, we visited a few classic spots. One of them was called Gilda’s Italian Restaurant. From their website, it is stated that “for Grandma Gilda, food was love.” Now, her legacy continues on, by her grandson Marco. We got to meet Chef Marco, he was extremely nice, welcoming, and really fun. We arrived just 10 minutes before they close between lunch and dinner. With that, the restaurant was empty, and we were worried that we were too late. But the server Stephen welcomed us with excitement. Thank you! Stephen was extremely friendly and talkative. He gave us recommendations on not only what to order, but what to see in Portland. He was simply awesome! The dish he recommended above everything else was Pappardelle “Alla Panna.” To be honest, it didn’t sound like much, not something I would've chosen over other really tasting sounding dishes. Guess what? It was super delicious! Every bite was heavenly. Creamy white sauce that I might say the best I’ve ever had. I could have a huge bowlful of this every day… We also wanted to try another dish, so we ordered Spaghetti with Grandma’s Meatball & San Marzano Tomato Sauce. It comes with one HUGE meatball. The meatball was juicy and packed with flavor. Sauce was earthy and tomato-y. We enjoyed this dish a lot also. But if I have to choose between the two, I would have to say Pappardelle takes the center stage. To finish off, the server Stephen recommended us to try their house-made ice cream or sorbet. At this point, we had 100% trust in Stephen. LOL. We got Strawberry Mango Sorbet with his recommendation. It was refreshing, with such strong fruity flavor, as if you are eating the actual fruits. What a way to end the epic lunch! We had a fantastic lunch here. Stephen and Chef Marco made the experience extra fun. Food was excellent, we enjoyed every bite from the beginning to the end. I definitely recommend vising Gilda’s if you are in Portland area. And If you don’t know what to order, just ask Stephen for recommendations, and he will set you straight, and you will sure to have a great time!

Being in need of a place to eat close to the theatre we were going to attend, we were recommended Gilda's. We were seated quickly and served in a timely manner. The service was excellent. The food was well worth coming back for. Fresh ingredients and great melding of flavors. We started our meal with a drink, ended with dessert; and, we got to the performance in time. A lovely evening!

New to the area and very pleasetly surprised with Gilda's. I was only looking to explore South West Portland for maybe a drink. I found Gilda's and fell in love with a wonderful nook on the side of the street. I ordered a polenta cake and a IPA. The fried polenta was crisp and exquisitely creamy and beautifully balanced with fresh garden mix of salsa style mix. Presentation of a beautiful new Italian tradition to Portand was a nice welcome to S.W. Portland.

We had another lovely meal at Gilda's. Go now and order the heirloom tomato caprese salad. It was devine. Summer veg pasta delicious, too. Unfortunately, we went on a night that there was a soccer game. Don't go on a night when there is an activity at the PGE park!!! There were two large groups and they were so loud! Really made us mad. They were inconsiderate and the restaurant's acoustics could not handle that noise level. Otherwise, Vunderbar!

We love Gilda's and the food is really delicious, but we found the service during our last visit to be subpar...and we don't feel it was a particularly busy night. The dinner was rushed and the pasta was served before we could finish the salads. we had to ask for bread...after the server said it would be brought to the table...and there was sediment in the wine. This coupled with place settings not properly arranged told us they were not paying attention to details. But most of all we did not feel welcome this evening. The server did come back and check on us twice, perhaps sensing something was amiss. But upon leaving the chef did say thank you and bid us a good evening, which was heartfelt and sincere. We will come back again and hope the service rises to the level of the food next time.

We went with friends and family on a lead about this restaurant! It honors Grandma Gilda ! The sauce was wonderful and the menu had plenty of wonderful Italian selections. It is not large: glad we had reservations! Come with an appetite and you won’t leave disappointed.

We attended an afternoon matinee at Artists' Repertory Theatre and walked just 2 blocks to Gilda's. It was 4 PM and the restaurant didn't open until 5 PM. We headed into the lounge and were greeted by Karen who told us about the restaurant and gave us a menu to order from the lounge. We ordered a pizza, Caesar salad and prosciutto wrapped dates for dinner - all were so delicious! I had heard about their homemade ice cream so we shared two scoops of espresso ice cream - flavorful and creamy. Karen was a great wait staff! We'll be back!

Chef owned hidden gem with excellent pasta dishes. Scallops done to perfection. Veal done right. Great service. Highly recommended.

I ordered the special which was a delicious halibut dish. Yumm. They have good pasta dishes and the atmosphere is cozy and romantic. I've noticed many single 'date' couples the 3 times we've been there.. Good deserts, too.

The fish and pasta are always fresh and well prepared. I particularly enjoyed their home made Italian sausage. All in all, it is an excellent place to eat but it is not inexpensive.

I really wanted to like this place and while there were signs that it can be better then what we experienced I’m afraid our initial visit was average at best. From a food perspective – the experience was mixed. We started out with the Polpette (Grandma’s Meatballs) – which I found to be very tasty and the sauce was delicious. Unfortunately, they were delivered lukewarm at best, which was a disappointment. For dinner I had the Tagliatelle with Lobster & Prawns, which was delicious. My wife had some type of chicken wrapped in prosciutto, which was also very tasty. For dessert, we ordered the Cannoli – what a huge disappointment. The menu said it was a “Sicilian pastry shell filled with sweetened ricotta cheese, vanilla & pistachios” but I beg to differ. Maybe I got spoiled by the homemade cannoli’s my mom use to make when I was growing up but the inside of a cannoli should include a rich, thick, tasty mix not some Redi-whip like texture that could have come out of a can. As for the service, when the waitress has to start every sentence with “I apologize for the delay” you have a problem. When it happens the first time, you simply accept it and move on. When it happens a second time you wonder if she is new to waitressing. Every time it’s said after that you are only reminding the customer that the restaurant is short-staffed or the service is less than optimal – neither of which you should be happy about on a Saturday night. Like I said, I have mixed feeling about this place as I think it can be better, unfortunately, I can only offer comments on what I experienced. With so many restaurants to choose from in the Portland area, I’m not sure I would go back to Gilda’s.

Dinner this time, stopped in as part of Portland dining month. Such a great way to explore new places. This was on the list. Glad we tried it, will go back. Our server was good. Food was good. Nice time all the way around. They have a small bar with happy hour, down the hall. Going back to try HH. We started with the mista salad and a caesar. Both were fresh, crisp and the caesar dressing was really good. Moved on to papparedelle with wild boar. WOW. Get it if you can. Mouth watering, tender and a good serving. The chicken was the other choice, done piccata style. Nice amount of lemon and capers. Yum. Dessert was a canolli, and for a change I liked it. I must have had some bad ones before, cuz this one was really good. Wine list is good and reasonable.

Superb neighborhood Italian restaurant with a great menu and wine list. I kept it simple: spaghetti and grandma's meatballs, Caesar salad and Montepulciano wine. Loved it all. Staff was friendly and attentive. Highly recommended.

Marco, the owner chef has established a wonderful true Italian restaurant. Many times over the last few years we have eaten there and thoroughly loved our meals and the ambience. The service has always been accommodating and and very good.

Dinner here feels like being part of an Italian family. Every course has amazing options and the daily specials make it hard to choose. Service is attentive yet relaxed. We never feel rushed, even when the place is full. There is a cozy bar attached that helps with overflow. We just love having this restaurant in our neighborhood.

Super Italian fare, just two blocks from DeLuxe Hotel. We ate there twice, and the food both nights was excellent. It's a neighborhood place, frequented by locals who really seem to love it. The second night's service, however, was quite disappointing.

We were visiting the Scottish Rite building opposite and asked for a local restaurant recommendation- the guys said we couldn't go wrong at Gilda's and they were right. We were quite a large party without a booking but they managed to squeeze us in. Great food and excellent service- hope I get the opportunity for another visit

Visited Gildas for a business lunch. Casual atmosphere and friendly staff. The meatball panini was delicious and my colleagues meals looked great too.

I have always loved the food and atmosphere but now they finally have a cozy bar which is great for HH or a good glass of wine. Their house wine is much better then average. Check out their new absinthe server. Very classy! Or have a cognac on your way home. This neighborhood sorely needed something besides a sports bar.

really good Italian food and easygoing service in a very well appointed restaurant. The bar is beautiful and they have Peroni on tap! How can you live in Portland for the past 10 years and never have heard of this gem? I don't know but this is Italian comfort food at it's best.

Gilda's was a small restaurant and it was cozy and inviting. The food was wonderful and full of flavor. All of the people in my party enjoyed their food. Their mash potatoes were the best mash potatoes I have ever had! Overall I would recommend this place to anyone and plan on returning when I go back to Portland.

Good food, decent prices, good staff, popular with families and couples, reservations would be a good idea to avoid waiting on weekends,

Walked in, heard a guest comment on how great the veal was. Nothing to rave about except the flavorfully tasty, tender yet crispy veal. My friend wished that he had chosen the veal as well rather than the ravioli special. Well, I guess the soup was also very good as were the roasted Brussel sprouts and peppers. I suggest that if you can't cut into pieces of thin, tender-looking asparagus with a table knife, don't bother preparing and serving it. The iced tea had an interesting, pleasant flavor. The service was friendly, informative and attentive. A pleasant atmosphere and décor, although I thought it was odd that other than the two tables occupied when we arrived, there was only one other table seated while we were there - almost two hours (by choice).

Very unassuming restaurant. Great service - simple and straightforward food but def tasty. No frills. Tiramisu was yummy. Misti mare and wild boar sauce good.

My husband loves Italian food, but a good one is hard to find, we looked up listings in YELP, and went to Gilda's. It was very good as described by other reveiwers. Worth going.

Absolutely THE WORST cannoli I have ever had. Dinner was okay at best. What they are passing off as tiramisu is a heresy. I'm an Italian from New Jersey and know the real deal when I eat it, and this isn't it baby. Who's fooling who here? Grandma Gilda ( an Italian named Gilda?) Is a nice story, she seemed a beautiful lady, but she must be sorrowful at what you are trying to pass off as authentic. Those desserts were made by a corporation somewhere else. Our evening there was a huge disappointment. Servers were very attitudinal as well. Don't waste your $ here. Not a shred of authenticity to be found. There are real places to be found in town. Don't go here.

Gilda's is an intimate friendly place in Downtown Portland which serves specially selected Italian lunches and dinners based on family recipes. Staff is friendly and very helpful with selections and provides efficient and prompt service. Special requests and needs are accommodated easily. The wine list fits the menu very nicely. The meals are carefully prepared and exceptionally tasty, with reasonable prices.

My daughter, 2 young granddaughters and I were looking for an Italian food restaurant prior to attending a concert. Requirements were organic, local, and sustainable ingredients. Google led us to Gilda's. We didn't have reservations, but our timeline was such that they were able to seat us immediately. The service was friendly and very helpful. The food was delicious and plentiful. We enjoyed sharing tastes with each other in order to experience various dishes. A perfect beginning to a fabulous family outing.

We found this place by accident looking for a restaurant after a concert. What a great place. Italian cooking at its finest in Portland. The owner went to cooking school in Italy, and named the restaurant after his grandmother. We split a bleu salad and the pork braciole. They both were delicious. Melt in your mouth yummy! Quaint ambiance. Staff was wonderful. Will definitely recommend this to our friends!

We found this restaurant on Trip Advisor and decided to give it a try. I had the Wild Boar and Pappardelle and my husband had the sausage special. The servings were huge and both were excellent. Even better was the service. Selena was so friendly and attentive. We highly recommend this restaurant.

Small, intimate restaurant that reminds me of Italy. Great fresco's on the wall and an overall cheerful atmosphere. The staff was all very friendly and the food excellent. Our party of six took in the baked cheese and honey served over garlic bread toast points for an appi which for $6 was a steal. On top of the bread and pesto that comes complimentary, it's easy to polish off the first glass of wine. Our dishes included the wild boar papparadelle, risotto with chicken and mushrooms, veal masala over crispy polenta, and soup. All of these were done really well, with moderate but detailed portions, well seasoned, and served hot. The pasta looked fresh made and delicate. Risotto had a great flavor and was creamy yet al dente. The veal was probably the smallest portion, but tender and served over root vegetables and a crispy polenta cake. Prices were decent at $18-$25 plate. Great traditional deserts and a decent selection of desert wines and spirits. There were two things that detracted from the evening and why I'm not rating it higher. First was although the wine list was fair priced, it turns out that they don't have much with any age, despite what the list says. If you order a 2011 Rosso from Montalcino or a 2006 Chianti reserve off the wine list, you will probably get one much younger since that is what was restocked from their supplier. As much attention they pay to their food here, it would be nice to see more detail paid to their wine selection and offerings. The second thing might have just been the night as they were full and possibly understaffed, but we had to pour our own wine. Ok I know, 1st world problem, but remember we had a mandatory 20% tip added on for our group including the wine, so I don't want to touch that bottle. After several minutes of empty glasses on the entire table, we poured the second wine. Later on we finished the pours even after the server had checked back in, as she made no attempt to make up for her earlier miss. Not a deal breaker, and will gladly return to this friendly place with yummy food, but only with my own bottle.

We were able to walk a block from the hotel and enjoy a warm welcome and wonderful food. The atmosphere was casual Italian. The food and drink menu offered a variety of options. There were three of us and we each had something different and found the portions generous and delicious.

We looked online for the "best spaghetti and meatballs in Portland" and this was highly recommended. The restaurant is lovely, the staff very attentive, and the food was great! The spaghetti and meatballs was, indeed, among the best ever! Don't miss their Tiramisu either. Everything more than met our expectations!

A hidden gem located near the Pearl District off of 16th and Morrison. Simple sandwich boards and a fluorescent "open" sign are your indicators, many people say they did't know Gilda's (pronounced with a soft "g") was here. The restaurant upstairs portion has been established for 8 years while the lounge downstairs has been running for 5 years. Gilda's is underneath the Commodore Apts which used to be a hotel years back. The decor is old style Italian with old school photos and statues, it's modest and painted in earth tones with low lights which creates a relaxing,casual, warm feel. Gilda is the late grandmother to Executive Chef, Owner Marco Roberti. Chef Roberti uses all traditional recipes from his grandmother. He also studied culinary, touring through Italy so there is no need to exclaim how his food is "TRULY AUTHENTIC!!!" If you have food allergies to gluten, dairy, butter, onion, garlic....etc...need not apply. Of course there can be some accommodations to people with deadly allergies. but sticking to their true recipes, this place is the real deal. Almost everything is made in-house from pastas, soups, sauces to every dessert. On top of a killer menu, Gilda's offers daily specials. There is always a seasonal seafood "catch of the day" a veal preparation. All carne is happy meat, local and sustainable. Examples of specials include: Oven poached Petrale Sole stuffed with Dungeoness Crab, pecorino and Chantrelle stuffed Raviolo with chili flake, lemon butter. Lasagne Brasato, 12 oz/48 day aged Prime Rib ....just to list a few. In the lounge the bartenders know how to build a delicious cocktail. They can play their own music, there are a few tvs but low lights and casual. This attracts more of a laid back feel than upstairs but with the same quality service and knowledge. The lounge has Happy Hour everyday and all day on Mondays. If you're downstairs you can enjoy both the lounge menu and the restaurant menu during restaurant hours. Upstairs you don't get the option to order a pizza. Sorry kids. All deserts are made in house and delicious. They do not offer creme' brulee or panicotta which I'd assume be requested quite a bit the other options are optimal. My go to is the flourless chocolate cake! My one complaint is the restroom. All of my readers know that restrooms are huge for me. For both upstairs and down there is one restroom for the guys and 2 stalls for the ladies. And the paper towel holder SCREAMS at you while dispensing paper towels. LOL! Prices are in the $$-$$$ but the portions are appropriate for the prices and the quality is worth every penny! I hope this place can make it! It's a favorite.

Friends suggested Gilda's as we had not been there before. Friends reserved booth in the bar. I brought a very nice vintage Nebbiolo I've had for years. The server started with the rules about eating there such as no bar menu even though the booth was in the bar. That's OK. But it took so long to get the martini I ordered, it was room temperature. But here is the part I've never had happen. Waiter declared there is a $20 corkage fee (I expected that) and she HANDED ME THE WINE OPENER AND LEFT. She never touched the bottle once. Front of House here appears to suck. Back of house has it together as the food was very good. Will I return? Not sure. Leaning toward no.

Always have wanted to try this place for years, finally did tonight with my family. Absolutely wonderful! Amazing flavors & wonderful selection of wines & food! Petrale sole special was divine! Spaghetti & meatballs was a hit with my kiddos & Caesar salad was fantastic! Super friendly staff, attentive & helpful in food selection! Atmosphere & ambience was delightful! We will be back!!

We learned about Gilda's from an ad in the program book at Artists Repertory Theatre, located just across the street. What a pleasant surprise. It is a cozy place with a small but interesting menu. We went early on week night before the theater and managed to get a table, but I'd recommend a reservation even then. Service was good and the PAPPARDELLE WITH WILD BOAR was excellent. Personally, I don't like the trend toward noisy restaurants and prefer someplace you have a quiet conversation. This fit the bill. We have not yet tried it, but there is a coctail lounge as well.

We chose to dine at Gilda’s as it was convenient to the ART. We did not get tickets to the sold-out play but are so glad we still dined at Gilda’s. The dining room is “homely”, decorated with old photos of the owner’s family, and the staff very attentive. The menu is not adventurous, but based on this one visit, the quality is excellent. We shared a Fritto Misto appertizer-easily enough for two-and the batter was crisp and light. My Braciola with truffled potatoes was fabulous, and my wife had veal which on that night was in a Marsala sauce with chanterelles. She said it was the best Veal Marsala she has had for a long time. The small wine list had some quality Italian wines and the glass pours were generous.

I hate leaving bad reviews, I always like to think that restaurants are making their best effort. Unfortunately, this evenings meal was a huge disappointment and was also falsely described. The only thing I can compliment are the surroundings and the welcome, the meal was most definitely not up to the standard I would expect. I started with the “Frito Misto” this should have been calamari, prawn and scallops. What was presented was the aforementioned calamari and prawns but, for some reason that was never mentioned on ordering, the scallops were substituted with deep fried salmon, not only was this overpowering when compared to prawns and calamari, I suspect it is a cut price substitute. To do this back home in the UK would be regarded as misdescription, I cannot believe that it is acceptable in the USA. To compound the disappointment both the prawns and calamari were over cooked and rubbery. Things then went from bad to worse when, with two of our party having not yet finished their starter, the main courses appeared and placed on the table. I’m sorry, but there is absolutely no excuse for this blatant effort to rush customers through their meals. The restaurant was not busy, there was no queue of potential customers waiting to be seated, this is simply rude, unforgivable and a sign of laziness by the catering staff. What was worse was that the main, described as being a “special” of tagliatelle with crab was far too salty. I can accept that shellfish will be salty but the ‘chef’ had been far to liberal with additional seasoning. I truly wish I had not exhibited the usual British reserve of accepting bad situations, and had sent back these sub standard offerings. This is not a restaurant I would ever recommend, admittedly it is unlikely that I’ll be returning to Portland but, if I did, I would certainly not frequent Gilda’s again.

Wow great Italian restaurant full of charm! My wife decided to eat here last minute. Called ahead to make a reservation and the staff was able to get my wife and I into a table in 30 minutes. We started with the Fritto Misto as our app. Delicious! My wife ordered the spaghetti and meatballs for here entree and I had the Tagliatelle with Lobster. The meatballs were huge and the chef did not hold back on the lobster with my dish (several large chunks of lobster unlike what normally happens at other restaurants). Very generous portions overall and delicious. Would definitely recommend and go again!

We had dinner here prior to a Portland Thorns game. The restaurant is one block from the stadium. Food was very favorable, expertly prepared, and there was a good selection of entrees. We had 4 different entrees and all were excellent. The service was exceptional. We had reservations and were seated promptly. We requested a change of table location and were quickly accommodated. The whole dining experience was pleasurable.

My friends and family have been enjoying Gilda's for years now and after yet another great dinner I figured it was time to write a quick review. Had family in From Hawaii this past visit and wanted to treat them to one of Portland's best places to eat. Starting with the incredible vinergarett salad to the main course, in my case the halibut special it was really good! Tasting most of them dishes at the table I cant say bad about anything it was all great! Keep up then good work Gilda's and we will see you again soon J

Another great meal at Gilda's last night - 'thought it was time to give a shout out. One in our group had salmon, another the sea bass, two the veal, and one risotto. (I could make a meal on the polenta accompaniment alone.) And we loved the arancini appetizer and the antipasto plate. Lots of local wines and Italian wines - all surprisingly reasonably priced. Topped it off with an assortment of desserts - including affogato and cherries amarene. All delightful. Service staff was friendly and attentive. We'll be back for more!

We went here with a group of eight colleagues. The atmosphere looked like something right out of Italy, the kitchen is open so that you can see your food being prepared, the entrees were excellent including the halibut special, the service was impeccable, the prices were reasonable and most of all for those of us over 60, we could hear what everyone at the table was saying. An outstanding evening!

If you are looking for the heavy red sauces of southern Italy then go to Olive Garden. At Gilda's we found the delicate touch of the Tuscan region. The staff at the bar are speedy and fun. The wait staff on the floor have always been pleasant, fun and efficient. Marco,(chef/owner and grandson of Gilda) even steps up to the challenge we gave him (on a slow evening) of making us whatever he felt like that wasn't on the menu. I have no idea what it was other than Salmon but I'd like to be able to create it at home! The wine is is well worth looking through. Try a different one each time you visit. We have been here a number of times and will continue to return.

After hearing much about this Gilda's we finally made it for dinner. The food was very good and the service excellent. I had pappardele with sausage and my wife a veal limone. Both were very good. Boith also were a far cry from the "standard Amrican Italian." We found the service both graacioua and attentive, If I were to be critcal of the food, I would say that the sauce for the papperdele was a bit too heavy. The veal was excellent, but again, th sauce could have been lighter. We ere so full (I also had an excellent minnestrone) that there was no room for deserrt. Including drinks and dessert, expect to pay around $70 for two. Thde other draback was that conversation was difficuklt; the noise level was a but high. We definitely plann a return.

We went here prior to a concert. The service and food were both good. We were able to get parking despite having inadvertently chosen to come on a night when the Timbers were playing in the stadium nearby. So, this is either a good restaurant to get to before a game - OR avoid game nights, since the city of Portland charges exorbitant street parking rates anywhere in the vicinity for these evenings. The only surprise that seemed totally at odds with the rest of the restaurant was the restroom. You have to go into what seems to be a shared area with an adjacent (and seedy looking) bar. The mens toilet floors were soaked, with paper towels strewn around. The lighting was dingy and the single stall didn't even have a door. I was not expecting such a manky set up, and it really detracted from the whole experience. One of the ladies in our group reported that the ladies facilities didn't seem to be anywhere near so dire.

Great food. Great service. Great ambiance. Will be back. The wild boar is excellent and they have good GF pasta so you don’t have to miss out if you’re GF.

Gilda never disappoints. They have a Happy Hour house red that is delicious, and all of the food was excellent! I strongly recommend the bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese!

Gilda's is a small Italian neighborhood restaurant with excellent straightforward food at a reasonable price. I had a salad for lunch which was tasty and filling, while other diners had pasta and/or meat dishes, with some customers lingering over a bottle of wine. Fish was also on the menu. No one was rushed. The staff was friendly and efficient without being cloying.

The service was great. My husband and I ordered the same dish which was their chicken piccata. It was spectacular. We shared a wonderful ceasar salad. The bread and garlic dipping sauce was also very yummy. Great wine made for a great evening.

We stayed right down the street from here, and great food! I had the special - Crab Taglitelle (sp??) good pasta and also the basil gimlet was SO good!

The authentic Italian food is outstanding - the staff is warm and friendly. Wonderful dining experience.

We live in Goose Hollow, about 3 blocks away. Tried Gilda's last night and what a pleasant surprise. Had the mushroom soup. Heavenly. Also the veal, Cuban wraps, and the wrapped dates. There is a lounge in the back so if the dining room is full just ask to eat back there. The bartender that night was Jessie. What a wonderful person. Lively, helpful, and caring. She made the entire evening special with her attention to service. The prices are a bit high but then given the level of food quality and the level of (Jessis's) service, it was worth every penny.

On a recent trip to Portland, I visited Gilda's with a friend. We each had a pizza, and shared the bruschetta. All I can say is.... Amazing. Best pizza I've ever had, and the bruschetta was an interesting - and excellent - take on the traditional version. We were served by a lovely young man named Mark, who took great care to see that we had what we wanted, and were happy with it. Thank you, Gilda's!!

I have never been in a restaurant that was unfriendly, no, nasty to children. If you have achild under rthe age of ten, go someplace else.

We dined during Portland Dine Out month and found on the list of participating restaurants. The lounge looked very inviting as well, but dined in main restaurant. Server was very friendly and attentive. We enjoyed the vegetarian pasta and lemon chicken. I would recommend.

Gilda's is a treasure. We met friends there for dinner, seated to the right of the door to the lounge. Even though the restaurant was full, it was quiet enough that we could carry on a conversation. Great start. Our waiter was wonderful, attentive but not hovering. Perfect. Then the food arrived. I wasn't in the mood for pasta (although our friends told us the spaghetti & meatballs are great) so ordered the halibut. It was cooked to flaky perfection, not overcooked as is so common. It was served with a delicious sauce that I could easily have licked off the plate, spinach and a small triangle of crispy polenta. Once again, perfect. I sampled my husband's risotto which was also delicious. I have a new favorite Portland restaurant.

We visited Gilda's at the recommendation of the Dossier staff. We each tried a different dish from the menu and all were outstanding. We didn't have a reservation but that was no problem. We were seated immediately. Before we left the entire place was full. Apparently, their reputation is well-known. The linguini de mar is my recommendation. Others in our party had spaghetti with meatballs and the pork chop. All excellent!

We had a celebration dinner at Gilda's tonight and our table of six ranged from 21 to 88. Everything we ordered exceeded our expectations​ - from the fresh pasta entrees to the halibut specials. The homemade ice creams and other desserts were terrific. We had a bit of a mix-up before we were seated but the staff resolved the issue quickly and completely... communication was excellent and service attentive and helpful​. We look forward to coming back soon. Thank you very much for a wonderful evening.

Our first choice was closed - so our friends suggested Gilda's. I thought I knew most of the restaurants in the Pearl - West End - Jeld Wen triangle but I had never heard of Gilda's. I am glad Corazon is closed on Sunday's - as I had one of most authentic Italian dinners I've had in Portland. The restaurant is nicely furnished and welcomes you in. And the food is outstanding. The brachiole with rigatoni was so good I had visions of my Italian Grandmother making it in the kitchen. The house cured pancetta adds a nice dimension . My wife had the linguine with asparagus which was also excellent. Nice wine list - and our server brought us our Riesling in a well chilled bucket. The olive oil tapenade on the table was a nice change from olive oil/balsamic you get elsewhere. I'll be back - the food is that good.

We recently ate at Gilda's for my husband's birthday and we had a great time. Our pasta dishes were all excellent, especially the spaghetti carbonara. Our daughter also tried the Caesar salad which had a bit too much dressing on it and seemed small in size. My husband and I split the beet salad which was fabulous. It was a busy night, so the timing of service for drinks was a bit slow. However the staff was friendly and flexible and made it an overall good experience.

If you want good honest food of high quality at a reasonable price served with a smile and a genuine conversation, this is the place for you. If you want polished service, go somewhere else. We had a great time and left feeling we had enjoyed a very good meal and with a smile on our faces. Also has great looking bar.

We are (were) regular. Plates have gotten very expensive. Salad looked tired. Service awful. Looks like none of the same servers from our last visit which is not a good sign. Seems to be a pattern around town (Eleni’s, Gallo Nero, etc). These places can’t handle the gross influx of more people.

We stopped for lunch at Gilda's. We shared a large Mista. I had the Alfredo Tagliatelle and she had an Eggplant Panini. The food was superb and the service excellent. We will be back.

A consistently outstanding restaurant. Last night my Wife and I celebrated our 52 Wedding anniversary. We enjoyed a complimentary dish of lightly cooked fresh peas in an incredible tomato sauce with fried prosciutto.We ordered and enjoyed the Buratta with wonderful cheese, prosciutto, peppers and tomatoes .I took Bill's suggestion and ordered the pasta special, a treat of pasta and fresh lobster.My wife loved the Linguine Al Fruitti Di Mare, loaded with seafood. In addition to the food was our incredible server BILL. He single handedly made our celebration very special.

We were very pleased with our experience at this SW Portland Italian restaurant. Pasta with seafood was cooked perfectly- al dente, the wild King Salmon was also cooked perfectly. The salmon had a flavorful sauce-touch of sage- dried cranberries, broccolini and other vegetables nestled against a polenta cake. We shared one of the most wonderful desserts I have ever had in my life! Unforgettable layered pear and walnut tart-graham cracker crust with salty caramel ice cream on top. Truly remarkable contrasts of salty, fruity, and warm walnut paste! Festy- lively atmosphere. Attentive staff. Timely service. Fantastic chef.

Family birthday dinner and Mom was craving Italian!! A little issue with our table not being ready on time when other tables were empty....but all prevailed and dinner was a very good experience! Two veal piccata dinners...one salmon, one hanger steak, one halibut special, a fritto misto pasta and a Grandma's spaghetti and meatballs! 7 happy diners!! Polenta with pork ragu sauce....terrific.....arancini...good but would love a little more cheese inside...and a bit more dipping sauce! Ambiance a needs a bit of a lift.....very dated and worn but all in all....dinner pleased the fan!! And Mama was happy!!

Asked a locals recommendation and this was the closest to The Mark Spencer. It was about 10 minute walk and was worth every minute. The pasta is made in house and is cooked perfectly, the sauces were great as was the service and surroundings.

Very average Italian food. Given the food options in Portland, I wouldn’t recommend. My meatballs were good, but the grilled eggplant was so-so and neither dish was very hot. My husband had a pasta dish that was okay but again not very hot. Service was efficient but not particularly welcoming or friendly. Overall it was disappointing

Great atmoshphere and food. The restaurant provides a romantic enough atmosphere with friendly staff. The lounge is just as pleasant if you want to grab a late night bite. I highly recommend the tuna tartata and bistecca bites.

Gilda's is usually very busy at dinner time, but we had a wonderful, quiet lunch here. The ambiance of the restaurant is delightful - very inventive and makes you feel like you're in an Italian cafe. And the wait person was attentive and helpful, particularly since she wasn't so rushed and busy. And the food! Our dining partner is Italian, and she raved about the food. Fresh, seasonal ingredients, traditional recipes combined with innovative selections, all starting with Gilda,the Italian mother's, old recipes.

Each item we ordered was wonderful. Service is friendly, Small restaurant so make reservations. We have gone on a Saturday and Sunday. Both days busy.

If you like real Italian food, you will love Gilda’s! We can hardly wait to come back. We researched so much on Trip Advisor as we rode the train to Portland-and finally made our decision to come here, with no regrets! The bread alone is incredible. We had the beet salad, butternut squash soup, polenta with Ragu sauce, and then the pasta Frutti di Mare (seafood pasta in red sauce with San Marzano tomato sauce). Great desserts, and some of the best Lemincello ever. Got to spend time with the owner, Marco. He’s pursuing his passion, and it shows. Highly recommend!!!

I was looking for something other than bar food near Providence Park and this was the perfect spot. Really good food - might even rate 5 stars if I had ordered something else. I had the special pasta dish which had good flavor, but was not spectacular (and a little overpriced I thought). Others in my group ordered a salad that came with a large mound of fresh homemade mozzarella cheese that was quite delicious. My sister ordered a salad with seared ahi on top and she raved about it. For a restaurant that's only a few blocks from the Park (and it took reservations) this felt like a great find.

Eating here is like eating in Italy!!! Authentic cuisine - attentive staff, charming and friendly owner with roots in Italy and knowledgeable and able bartender. We will return again!

Who would think you could find old world Italy in downtown Portland? We did. My daughter and her boyfriend treated me (and I do mean "treat") to a wonderful dinner at Gilda's, a family owned smaller restaurant on the western downtown side of Portland. From the moment we were seated in a lovely oval shaped room with Italian scenes fresco'd on the walls and amazing odors wafting from the open kitchen area, we enjoyed a wonderful dining experience. Not being drinkers, we didn't look at the wine list, but their wine wall was impressive. The three of us all had different things; linguini ai frutti di mare (muscles, scollops and prawns), linguini pomodoro with roasted organic tomatoes and garlic, and a great Rigatoni with Ragu Bolognese. I started with the butternut squash soup - fabulous. We also had a caprise salad with organic veggies and fresh cheese = again fabulous. Little things made such a difference. The bread is perfect, crusty and warm, served with an olive oil / tapinaude blend... we ate it all. Our waiter was outstanding and delightful with his Italian accent and continental manners. We were chums by the end of dinner. The chef makes the rounds himself to make sure the meals are to ones liking. He, also, is a delight! I highly recommend Gildas for any occassion. They were full up on a Friday night at 6:30 but tables were available by 8. If word spreads - there will be a wait list all the time, which this place richly deserves. I can't wait to go back again. Buon gusto!

Due to covid was only able to get the food to go. When we picked up our food we got a tour of the place...I cannot wait to try this place dine in. Beautiful location. And the food. So so amazing. We've ordered twice this month. Im pretty sure I will never make own spagetti again

We were in Portland for a couple of days and our hotel valet recommended this Italian restaurant, Hands down, the BEST Italian dishes I've ever had! Even in Italy!! Casual little place with a great wine list. For starters we ordered the Burrata, prosciutto di Parma, Burrata cheese, roasted peppers, oil cured tomatoes, arugula, frisee, Banyuls vinegar & extra virgin olive oil and it was awesome! For my husbands main course he ordered Grandma's Meatballs which he thoroughly enjoyed. I ordered the Tagliatelle all’ Aragosta, Maine lobster, wild Gulf prawns, garlic, shallots, Sambucca,& basil, with a touch of cream and tomato. Honest to Heaven, if this was my last meal on earth I would die a happy woman. I savored each and every bite. They did not skimp on either the Lobster pieces or the Gulf prawns. Truly Heavenly!!

Within walking distance of Providence Park, the lower level lounge is our go to spot before a Timbers or Thorns game. Great Happy Hour menu.. I recommend the Tortellini, the beet salad and the Tiramisu. Good wine and beer selection. Upstairs is a nicer restaurant with a more extensive menu, though the dinner menu is available in the lounge after 5 pm.

I ordered three different meals from last time I was there, and once again, they were delicious. I definitely think this is going to become one of my favorite restaurants in town. Service was also excellent and the ambiance for business meeting was good as it was quiet during the late lunch hours.

We had a lovely dinner here before going to the symphony. It's not too far of a walk to all the downtown attractions. I had the veal piccata and my husband had risotto with mushrooms. Both were excellent. The only drawback was they were out of chardonnay. It's next door to Artists Repertory Theatre, so can make for a very nice dinner before a play. Staff is friendly and knowledeable.

My in-laws took us there for my birthday dinner and it was "fabulous"! It was the first time they had eaten there!! Great food, great atmosphere, and good company!! Prices where good also!! Will definitely be going back!

We have had dinner at Gilda’s at least five times and were always very happy with the ambience, food and service. Not so on our last visit on Friday March 15th. We had a reservation for 5:30, made through Open Table and in the reservation we requested to be checked out by 7 PM as we had a play at ART. We were the second table to be seated that evening and ordered two salads and two main dishes. AS we waited for the salads we noticed that patrons who had arrived after us had already their appetizers and salads. Especially a couple next to us, who arrived about 10 minutes after us got their salad almost immediately after ordering. Still waiting we asked our waitress what was going on and she replied that she had put our salad order in at the earliest opportunity and that she would check. A few minutes later she brought our salads. Next we were waiting for our main courses. Again, our neighbor table and two others got served before us and again we had to ask the waitress what was going on, reminding her that we had a hard stop at 7 PM. It took a few more minutes before we finally got our dinner, 45 minutes after getting seated. Our table neighbors were already half done with their main course by the time we got ours dinner. By the time we were done eating there was no time left for dessert, given the slow food service we were experiencing. We asked for the General Manager and she came and apologized, even took the salads off our bill and when we told her how unhappy we were with the slow food service she offered to take over the entire bill. We refused as the food was excellent as usual. On the way out the owner/chef asked me in a very uncaring manner “what the problem was”. I explained that we got our salads and main dishes much later than people who arrived at the restaurant after us and that I thought it was first come first serve. He almost became hostile lecturing me that it took 20 minutes to get our salads and another 20 minutes to get our main dishes and that ”is acceptable” . I reminded him about our time restriction, the fact that other tables got served food before us which lead him to the comment that “we should eat at McDonalds instead”. Now that added insult to injury and we left the restaurant and will not return. There are many other restaurants where the owner and chef does not have such a customer unfriendly attitude and those will get our business.

Have the house-red wine-of-the-day, and share the following your mate: 2 pizzas, 1 salad, and spumoni ice cream with maraschino cherries, eat what you can and take the rest home. Then go back for the spumoni ice cream with maraschino cherries, again, and again...

Had a celebratory dinner here with 5 other friends and couldn't have been happier with the food and service. 2 of us started in the lounge which is heavily Timbers soccer club themed, as the location is so close to PGE park. Attentive service and well-made martini's. The restaurant has Italian food with great seasonal items as well as some classic items. The antipasto plate was beautiful and had many more items than most antipasto plates. I recommend the beet, citrus and chevre salad. 2 of us had the linguine with mixed seafood and 2 of us split a farfalle pasta with wild boar. The food was sooo good. I plan on visiting again very soon with other friends.

The only thing this restaurants is ambience. I've only been here for lunch and I have ALWAYS had a very good experience. The salads are fine and the entree choices are good . There is always a veal dish and a fish entree generally salmon or halibut . The pasta dishes are also very good.

Was in Portland for business. Went here for take out on a whim based on it's reviews and proximity to my hotel. It was delicious! I had the veal special with a side of pasta. This restaurant may be a little far from downtown but it's well worth it. The owner is so approachable and friendly as are his servers. And I already mentioned how great (and we'll priced) the food is. Go here! You won't be disappointed!

My parents and I went here for dinner a few nights ago. My dad and I both had the pappardelle special and it was honestly too spicy and could have had more flavor.

A small traditional Italian restaurant with a warm welcome. Good wine list with some local wineries. We had a very good pino noir. Go with the specials. The green salad was fairly ordinary, but my salmon and the lobster pasta were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Veggies were to die for. For dessert the rasberry and cream on filo special was light and satisfying. Cost of $45 per person including wine was reasonable for such high end quality. The wait staff was friendly yet unobtrusive. Grand dining experience. Make reservations. They were full on a week night.

Well, forget about caesar salad without anchovies -- "the guy who makes the dressing is off today". I guess fresh doesn't work, and though at 6:00 with barely a peep in the dining room the "chef" couldn't take 2 minutes to whip up a fresh serving of dressing sans anchovy! (FAIL). No 1/2 orders of Pasta as an appetizer (FAIL). And the food was underwhelming (the veal and vegetables were to buttery/greasy and somewhat overcooked) (almost fail). The polenta cake was delicious and the least greasy of all. Mostly for the price it was not very good. The lack of interest in accommodating food allergies is a bummer but what is inexcusable is the $1 charge for bread that is good -- fantastic NO! (FAIL). I stay in the neighborhood when in Portland -- Italian is my favorite food, I have had 100's of excellent meals in Portland -- this is at the bottom for me. With all that said, the waitress was a delight but not worth going back for.

We dined here whilst staying at the Hotel de Luxe, the restaurant was really busy and for good reason. This was some of the best Italian food I have ever had in a restaurant, all our dishes were beautifully cooked and generous portions. Excellent service, too. Good value for money for food of this quality. It’s a fairly small place so reservations recommended.

Will preface this with confession that our late evening dinner took place in the lounge (not restaurant), due to the hour we arrived. Decor: Simple yet cozy bar with a handful of tables; we were seated at the table surrounded by remembrances of Italy. Menu: Several choices, across pasta dishes, among others. Service: Very friendly & helpful. Quality: The tagliatelle was really good, driven from the freshness of the pasta & the tasty sauce. The risotto was fairly good, but had a tad too much pepper in it. Same went for the seafood pasta dish. Portions generous. Value: Average; would rate higher if the food quality were a bit better & the space was a bit more spruced up.

Went here with the 4 of us and sat downstairs where we were treated like royalty. You can get the full, wonderful, menu down there but we had many drinks and appetizers... the margarita pizza, beet salad, pork lettuce rolls, Caesar salad, and fried calamari. Each dish was properly prepared, a good value, and fun to eat.

This was not our first trip to Gilda's, but it was still one of the best. We have always enjoyed our meals and keep trying new selections. The "misto fritto" was a delicious array of calamari, shrimp and scallops. We shared a refreshing beet salad with goat cheese and arrugula. Our entrés were the wild boar pasta dish and carbonara. Both were fresh, seasoned perfectly and served with the best al dente pasta I have ever had. Combined with a bottle of pinot grigio, this was a perfect way to celebrate our anniversary. Our server, Nichole, was also very friendly and attentive, as was her co-worker and hostess.

Gilda’s food was perfectly done. Sublime attention to details. If you want corporate food don’t come here; this is real food well executed. Yummy. As great as any food I‘ve had in Italy.

homemade italian food and we both enjoyed our meals immensely---just walking along a commercial area and there it was

This place was recommended by Josh of "Sea to Summit Tours and Adventures" in Portland--we had spent the day touring Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge and we had asked for a recommendation for our last meal in Portland--Gilda's was recommended as he is the owner's friend, but more importantly, the place has a fabulous menu. The atmosphere is wonderful -- at times, you look up on the wall at photos and feel like you are with family, as warmth is felt with decor and with the staff. We couldn't have asked for a better ending to our wonderful week in Portland :-)

I can say just that the food is fantastic and authentic Italian food. The environment is very nice, tranquility and friendly. The waitress was very helpful and gave us a good recommendation.

By chance, my wife was walking from the MAX to the Theatre and she spotted Gilda's Restaurant. We decided to try it after we left the theatre. We did and it was excellent.

Not much anymore sad to say... The best I could rate this 27/30 zagat rated restaurant with an impressively restrictive menu is "mediocre". The star of our meal was the local Willamette valley Pinot noir. We started with the sformatino and the arancini. The sformatino was rich, but flavourful and nicely presented. The arancini were dry and nondescript. Hubby ordered the blue salad which he enjoyed. The hazelnuts were especially nice. The mains (scallop special and rigatoni) were, overall, disappointing. The scallops were cooked perfectly, but the saffron "risotto" was really mor like rice, not risotto as we know it, which he felt was ok as the risotto we are accustomed to would have been too rich. The rigatoni pasta was far too heavy to be accompanied with walnuts and pancetta, and the Gorgonzola I expected to see on my plate was apparently incorporated into the "sauce". The description in the menu far exceeded the presentation and taste. Dessert again was more successful for my husband, who ordered the Italian cherries with spumoni. I went with the Napolean, which sounded wonderful but was not only challenging to eat...almonds were incorporated into the pastry, which made it quite hard and difficult to pierce without flattening the dessert. This would have been fine except that the strawberries in the dessert were not fresh! Unforgivable. Our server did take it off our bill, which was appreciated. Really, the chefs appeared to be going through the motions...no passion or pride apparent from our view. Too bad. Probably used to be an exceptional experience. We did end with very good cappuccino, but I would not return and cold not recommend this restaurant :(

We were staying in the neighborhood and wanted to get out of the hotel without trekking far. Gilda's is quaint, with lovely murals, and serves a satisfying array of authentic Italian dishes. We also enjoyed a moderately priced Chianti and professional service. Before we knew it we were closing down the restaurant...and they made us feel that we could have stayed on. Sweet.

Another great evening and finely prepared food at Gildas. I caught up with my cousin before going to a concert at the Moda center. Service was spot on. We had amazingly tender calimari, meatballs (2x orders) and a perfectly dressed Caesar salad. Very reasonable prices as well. Atmosphere was low key which was great for conversation. Highly recommended!

We've enjoyed dinner at Gilda's several times over the years, and stopped in last week for another excellent meal. As always the place was cheery and comfortable, and we were greeted warmly both by our hostess and the chef's in the open kitchen. The four of us made only two entree choices, but each of us was very happy: the crab wrapped sole, and veal marsala special were excellent. Our waitress was attentive, the place was animated and food excellent. Another great evening at Gilda's.

I was walking home after soccer game and stopped in here for dinner. I was seated in bar and order two appetizers. They were amazing I am coming back for dinner.

My husband and I went here last night. Food was great and service was top notch. I recommend the blood orange Cosmo! And the meatballs. During a conversation with our server, we mentioned we were on our honeymoon and she returned with 2 complimentary glasses of champagne. Totally unexpected and appreciated. No big fuss made. Just a simple cute gesture.

If you want to experience one of the most memorable meals of your life-Gilda's is the place for you. The pasta-you name it-is always cooked to perfection. Whatever your choice, the meal and wine will place you in the heart of Tuscany. For the most extraordinary dessert, try the pear and walnut frangipane. Happy Birthday to me!

We had a business dinner here...loved the place. Small and you can hold a conversation and hear each other. The service was very good. The food was nice. A good wine selection. It was all good. I will be back next time in Portland. Thanks

This sweet little neighborhood restaurant got good reviews, and since we are new in town, we decided to try it. Everything was perfect, down to the desert. Good vegetarian options for pasta, not your average spaghetti and the cannoli was fresh and tasty. There are not very many tables, so it is fairly quiet and the waiter was friendly and helpful. We will definitely be back.

A small neighborhood restaurant with friendly service. The meals we had were very good, the brochetta was excellant. Only problem is they ran out of 3 dishes on the menu and it held up our dinner as the chief had forgot to notify the waitress. They took 1/2 off for the dish that that held up our dinner. It was a Monday night and wine under $40 a bottle was 1/2 price. I would go back again.

My husband and I had dinner at this popular no frills (no table cloths, lacking ambiance) restaurant and while I liked the food we ordered it was not prepared in a typical Italian style of cooking that I am familiar with. I had butternut squash soup=good, halibut prepared with capers and brown sauce and roasted vegetables. The halibut was delicious. Our dessert was tasty spiced pears with frangipane, in graham cracker crust with salted caramel ice cream. Service was efficient and with a smile.

I chose Gilda's for dinner after seeing War Horse. I read reviews on here and thought it would be a good choice. The location is kind of in between as it is near the soccer stadium but not really in the restaurant rich areas of downtown, the pearl or northwest. The place is kind of small and might need a bit of updating on decor. We were seated immediately though we were early for our reservation. Our server was very helpful, friendly and seemed to be a professional server. We ordered wine from a pretty decent Italian wine list and were told of the specials. We settled on a chicken saltimbocca, the spaghetti and meatballs and the special tagliatelle with sausage. We chose a housemade mozzarella and prosciutto appetizer that was delicious. Our entrees came with only a short wait and each dish was amazing. Very fresh ingredients, rich sauces and very flavorful. We ended with some espresso and a chocolate cake with amaretto cookie crumbles. The service was great, the food delicious. I would highly recommend this place and will definitely be back.