Cafe Allora

We went to visit our friends in Portland this weekend and went to lunch at a very strange little place - Cafe Allora. It looks like NOTHING, you think it%26#39;s just a coffee place or a sandwich shop (very plain looking), then you are handed a very ambitious Italian menu. We all shared a delicious antipasto platter of wonderful meats, cheeses, olives, etc, then we each had a different pasta - they were all CLASSIC recipes (nothing weird or innovative), but every one was fresh, delicious, and you could tell made with the finest ingredients. We were the only people sitting downstairs, but upstairs was a very raucous birthday party which included lots of the staff. We were there at an odd time - maybe 2pm on a Saturday? Don%26#39;t be put off by the lack of any ambience at all, the food is really good. Someplace in the Pearl, I really have no idea where we were.

Cafe Allora

It is on NW 9th, between Glisan and Hoyt. I agree, it looks like nothing from the outside. We have only had a bite with coffee outside with the dog, but that was nice :)

Cafe Allora

I LOVE this place. My wife and I were referred by a friend of a friend of a friend%26#39;s connection, and haven%26#39;t been disappointed in any of the several meals we%26#39;ve had there. It%26#39;s not a Giorgio%26#39;s, Fratelli%26#39;s, or even Cafe Mingo. And it doesn%26#39;t try to be. Just good, simple, Italian fare. I remember best a simple salad of spinach, mushrooms, parmesan, ground pepper, and olive oil. I%26#39;ve been making that same salad at home for a couple years now; still one of my favorites.