4 1/2 Stars

Many are surprised on their first visit to Genoa to discover what lies behind the door of the unassuming storefront. Stepping inside, guests leave urban Portland far behind and travel to another world. As a guest to Genoa you can expect to begin your meal with an aperitif or cocktail and leave completely satisfied.

Nostrana, translated as “ours,” focuses on sharing simple, pure food with its guests in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Earning the Best Chef Award by the James Beard Foundation in 2010, Nostrana’s menu is built around regional Italian classics like pasta and traditional Italian-style pizzas including the Dicembre with collard greens, garlic, mozzarella, red onion, and cracklins. For meat-lovers, the diversity of the food offered is evident through menu items like the Sunday Roast Lamb, Idaho Trout and Flat Iron Steak served rare. To round out the meal, a lengthy wine list has wines by the glass, bottle, or region-specific flights.

Located in a charming old Victorian home, Paley’s Place offers Southern French and Northern Italian influenced Pacific Northwestern cuisine. The result, orchestrated by skilled 2005 James Beard Award winner Chef Vitaly Paley, is nothing short of culinary excellence. Whether it be a table on the porch or in the intimate but casual dining room, there’s no bad seat in the house to enjoy some of their seasonal organic specialties such as the Rabbit Ravioli with house bacon, mushrooms and summer squash or 40-Day Dry-Aged Highland Oak Ribeye with sweet onion rings and creamed greens.

Restaurateur Bruce Carey’s Bluehour, named for that ethereal time between day and night, is a sophisticated take on Northwest-inspired Mediterranean cuisine. The sleek, contemporary dining room is a harmony of dramatic high ceilings and austere décor. With an intimate private dining space with a wall back-lit with 3,000 wine bottles, this is the ideal gathering place for a group of up to 100 people. Executive Chef Kenny Giambalvo’s fresh menu changes with the seasons but fear not, his signature dishes are as constant as the blue hour that the restaurant is name for.

Sitting on the 30th floor of the US Bank tower, Portland City Grill boasts the best view in the city, with a spectacular panorama of the Cascade Mountains. The cuisine is an imaginative blend of Asian, island, and northwestern influences bestowed upon USDA Prime steaks, seafood, and an extensive sushi menu. With a fantastic bar scene and an even better happy hour, it’s a popular spot for after work drinks and small bites among friends and co-workers. If you have the fortune of dining there, don’t miss out on the Misoyaki Glazed Oregon Black Cod or the Dungeness Crab Stuffed …

El Gaucho steakhouse in Portland is one of four popular locations in the Southwest; well-known for their charcoal grilled steaks, chops, and seafood.

Boasting an expansive sun-drenched dining room and a luscious outdoor patio space, the Stockpot Broiler entices visitors with its welcoming atmosphere and sophisticated fare. Executive Chef Brett Tuft artfully melds international and local ingredients to create the unique fusion menu he dubs as “classic Northwest cuisine.” Details make the difference between a true dining experience and a meal; from the eye-catching use of copper accents in the dining room to every exquisitely plated dish that finds its way to the table, each guest partakes in a rewarding culinary experience at the Stockpot.

Saucebox prides itself in serving pan Asian and Pacific Island cuisine that has never been so “sexy, delicious and swanky.” Restaurant not only serves high quality, authentic, yet inventive cuisine full of flavor, and original cocktails, but also provides a club venue atmosphere. Music is as much a part of this eatery as what comes on the plates, and resident DJ, Mr. MuMu makes sure the music leaves its mark with diners, whether it’s a soft background melody or the pulsing beat of one of their dance parties!

Xia Long Bao - plump and so incredibly tasty! Like a non crispy potsticker or dumpling. I would absolutely order this again. Sesame beef - perfect balance of textures! Chewy, but not tough, meat sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds on a bed of crispy rice noodles. Champagne orange chicken - delicious plump white meat mixed with bell peppers and onions and a surprise twist of Mandarin oranges make this utter perfection. Complete heaven in my mouth!! I'm so confused of why we were the only ones in the restaurant. This place is a gold mine! I visited there once several …

Portland locals like their dining the way they like their lifestyle: comfortable, unpretentious and high quality. Castagna delivers on all three counts. The décor in the restaurant is understated and neat, leaving diners free to focus their attention on the exquisite food. The dishes originate from classic French and Italian cuisine, but also highlight ingredients particular to the Northeast region. Expect to see local seafood and several varieties of mushroom sprinkled throughout the rotating menu, which includes such delectable offerings as Grilled Cattail Creek Lamb or Muscovy Duck Legs. For a slightly more casual meal, they also have an informal …

Amadeus Manor is steeped in the kind of history and tradition that only comes with being in existence for almost a century. After coming under multiple ownerships through the years, this historic landmark has found its footings as a dining destination for fine Austrian cuisine. Old World charm and contemporary hospitality converge to transport diners to another place: an oasis that elevates classical fare to the stature of timeless music. Such prized dishes include the Brie Encroute, the Pork Leopold, and the Schnitzel Amadeus. With such thoughtful care given to both the authentic cuisine and service, it is no wonder …