Me and my girlfriend decided to try out Portobello restaurant when we found it in our entertainment package. From the moment we walked in the door, we knew we were in store for a wonderful night. The restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere, from the decor to the music - everything just said 'romance'. The staff was energetic and friendly, and very helpful when I asked questions about their menu. They recommended several dishes that I hadn't had in quite some time, like the ossobuco, and the veal marsala. I haven't had an ossobuco like that in YEARS, and my girlfriend absolutely LOVED her marsala. For dessert we ordered the mini lemon tarts and a creme brulee. Both of them were absolutely incredible - likely because they were all made from scratch by the owner. You could just taste the quality and care put into each of these dishes. I would HIGHLY recommend Portobello to anyone one going on a date for the first time, or with a long time partner, or even with the family and friends. My only regret though, was that my stomache wasn't bigger so i could try some of the seafood dishes!

The UBC Food Society headed tonight to the Portobello Restaurant, not only to dine in, but to learn how to cook as well. The club approached Chef Roberto and Pasquale regarding a potential cooking class at the restaurant, and received a very enthusiastic response from both chefs. This being a very first class hosted by the restaurant and for the club, neither sides knew what to expect, but from my (student) perspective, it couldn't have been any better. The chefs opened the restaurant just for 20 or so of the students, and taught each of the club members how to roll their own fresh pasta dough, and make a fresh fettuccine carbonara in open kitchen. Chef Roberto helped us plate and create our own tomato and bocconcini salad. It amazed me as to how much attention and detail and prep time they put into hosting us, especially since we are not food critics, but simply a group of hungry university students. Even though we did not come for a sit-down dinner, all I can say is that we had a fantastic time, and those two chefs are not only knowledgeable in traditional Italian cuisine, but are passionate about what they do and considerate to those who walk through the doors of their restaurant. And of course, their fresh pasta is worth every bite. I highly recommend this restaurant and will be bringing my friends and family back in no time.

My meal at Portobello was a mix of highs and lows. It started on a low, when upon arrival we were greeted and offered any seat in the restaurant as we were the only patrons at 6PM on a Friday night. We chose a table and the server (manager as well?) came by and very quietly rattled off some specials. It was almost like a 14 year old asking a girl to a dance. He seemed nervous and uncomfortable, and spoke so quiet we could barely hear him in an empty restaurant.

After a few awkward trips to our table to bring some bread and the different menus we ordered some drinks and appetizers. The Bocconcini and Tomato Salad ($10) was good, nice and fresh. The size was also pretty good for the price, with a good amount of cheese. But beware, if you ask for it to share, they will bring it out on 2 plates (handy!) but then charge a $2 share charge on the bill.

They were sold out of Stella, disappointing but the wine selection was decent. Waters were brought out with lime but no ice. Strange.

Entrees were solid, but far from spectacular. Again, ordering was a challenge as the communication from the waiter was bad. It's hard to describe. He was not around much when you needed him, but way too much when you didn't. Regardless, our food came in a reasonably timely fashion. We had the Veal Parm, Salmon Fettucine, Rib Eye and chicken fettucine. The pasta was fresh and perfectly cooked, although the sauces were disappointingly bland. THe steak was a thinner piece, but cooked well. Veal was delicious, but the side of gnocci was disappointing. Prices were around $22 for meat dishes and $17 for pasta.

Dessert was the definite highlight. Tiramisu was good, and the Creme brulee was amazing. If I ever go back it will be for the creme brulee. Great vanilla flavour and a good way to end a so-so meal.

If this restaurant could inject some personality into their servers, and spice up the entrees a little more it would be a much better place. Props though for allowing us to use 2 entertainment coupons for our 1 table of 4.

Went into this restaurant with reasonable expectations for a great italian food experience, but I found the experience mixed.

The decor and atmosphere was very contemporary and felt quite cozy.

The appetizer (boccocini with tomato) was great and the portion and price were reasonable. Same with the dessert (chocolate hazelnut pear ice cream)

The service however was the weakpoint of the whole experience. The service staff were quite unfriendly and didn't even crack a smile through the whole time. We had to initiate all our requests as they didn't come by the table very often. Coffee served was not hot.

For the entree, the gnocchi that I ordered was also not as good as reviews stated. First they got the order wrong, and when I got the gnocchi, it looked like they just drained the sauce from the first dish and put in gnocchi to fix it. The portions were very small and bland and I felt it was overpriced for what I got.

I won't be returning to this restaurant anytime soon.

While looking for a new genuine European family-style restaurant for my social group to dine at, I decided to check out Portobello Ristorante on Broadway for a quick lunch.

The interior is clean, tidy and updated well. The background music contemporary italian, but maybe a tad to loud for an empty restaurant. Yes, empty at 12:30pm on a Thursday.
Well, ok, there was 1 other guest. Maybe italian isn't the hottest thing to go out for, but that doesn't explain an empty place at the peak of lunch hour. Maybe it's the timid young server, who can't remember the price for beer or how to smile. Maybe it's the unmotivated chef, that prepares oily pasta to match his hair. Or his recommendation against Parmesan cheese on my partner's vongole pasta, yet pairs his Scaloppini al Limone with spaghetti tomato sauce. Tomato sauce with a white wine lemon sauce on the plate ?? I did request the spaghetti to remain plain without the tomate sauce, hoping it wouldn't incur the "change fee" of $6 on top of the $16 entree. Yes, $16 for a lunch entree.
While the portion was decent, it was too big and pricey for lunch. Yet, quantity never substitutes for quality. The al limone sauce was bland, acidic and contained too much gelatin, flower or some other thickener. Instead of serving the spaghetti in the white wine sauce that's already on the plate, it came with an orange-colored oil that I couldn't identify. It was tasteless and boring. The espresso was ok, but not much above Starbucks quality.

$40 for 2 at lunch with only 1 beer & 2 mediocre plates is way too much. I'll be looking elsewhere to take my group of 25.

Wandered in on a whim on Friday night and were pleasantly surprised. Neither of us was in the mood for the usual South Granville spots and restaurant chains. The menu was simple (that's rare!) and we both opted for pastas.

My girlfriend had the spinach and ricotta agnolotti with tomato sauce. The flavours were so naked that on first bite it tasted like nothing I've had before. But it was so refreshingly simple, and the quality of ingredients and preparation were so high that I couldn't stop stealing bites from her plate. I chose the house-made gnocchi, which was tender and simple in an equally simple rose sauce. The flavours were subtle but beautiful, and the light wines that we chose seemed more full-flavoured than usual in context. We agree with previous posts that the fresh flatbread was fabulous. Portion sizes were perfect - not too large or too small.

The service staff did seem inexperienced, though very polite and friendly. For a Friday night the place was very quiet, maybe three other tables at 8pm. Has a nice Italian family vibe and it was great to see the chef preparing meals in the small open kitchen close by. Atmosphere is cozy and inviting. A nice quiet dinner escape amid the noise of Granville and Broadway.

Will definitely go again soon!

2 of us went there on a cold Friday evening.

A very nice busy, but not too noisy, ambience.

The moules starter was very good, but the soup of the day was basically mini cheese ravioli in chicken stock.

The mains consisted of 2 different veal dishes. Both were pretty good and a decent sized serving. There was a good sized serving of vegetables with each.

The tiramisu & creme brulee desserts were well prepared & tasted good.

Service was attentive & polite.

A very nice evening out for a reasonable $80 (without wine or tips)

I have to disagree with previous review on over hyped, and on portions size. I don't think there really has been much hype about this restaurant, but the food quality certainly deserves it. As for price, it's a lot cheaper than some other really over-hyped Italian restaurant that I can think of.
The portion sizes are smaller than what we've grown to expect from Italian restaurants, but I thought the portions were perfect for me. Any more and would have been a waste.
Service is their only real weakness. Indifferent, rushed, and not particularly friendly. Hopefully, this is something they can fix, they would have the potential of being great if they did.

We were in the area and wanted to try the new location of Portobello and see if it was a good as we remembered a number of years ago when it was on west 4th avenue . Arrived at 5.30 P.M. without reservations and rather than make us feel like how could you even think of eating here without reservations on a Saturday night they smiled and took us to a very cozy table . The waiter was most charming and the food was nicely presented and tasted great . This is not the most creative menu but the items are what you expect from a traditional Italian trattoria type menu . the mussels wer an excellent started and the freshly baked pizza type buns were incredible . My wife ordered the tiger shrimp in a very tasty sauce and I asked if the veal Scallopina could be cooked with a Lemon sauce instaed of Marasal and the waiter instaed of having to ask the chef quickly responded that it would be no problem . one of the highlights of the meal were they vegetable acompliments that were both varied and properly cooked . All this combined with a great bottle of Volpocella made happy diners and we will be back .

We had a big group. 15 of us crammed into this tiny restaurant and you know what, everyone left happy. The service was very slow - but the ambiance was outstanding and food was very decent as well. One of the best "little" places in Vancouver.