Caffe Mingo

We arrived in the evening to be greeted by a nice man in red glasses who gave us a few options for tables, even though they were busy. We decided to wait for a table outside. The man, who we found out is the owner, offered us wine and kept us updated several times as we waited. After looking over the menu and still not being able to pick from all the great food, our table was ready before we knew it. We were quickly served water and bread with a plate of olives and garlic and olive oil and kosher salt. The waitress was more than nice and checked in just enough times to make sure we were ok. She recommended a red wine, that was perfect and then we recieved an appetizer sample complimentary of the kitchen. We ordered mussels (that were huge), pasta with sausage and margherita pizza. Then for dessert we shared a very rich chocolate mousse with fresh berries and cream and espresso. Everything made me feel like i was back in italy..the only thing that was missing was that guy that wouldnt stop trying to sell me an umbrella. Caffe Mingo is perfect for a romantic date, special meal out with the family or just a quick stop to get the best Italian food in Portland! It is affordable compared to a lot of the other dining establishments on the West side and a very enjoyable experience. more

All the people in my party had fantastic food. I would highly recomend! Pros: food, wine, service Cons: few tables, busy more

Caffe Mingo is a place where you are never disappointed. Yes, you may have to wait for a table, but once seated you feel comfortable and at home. You are treated to great, but simple, Italian food. Want a glass of wine, but are not sure about tonight's special red, just ask for a taste and then make up your mind. Some dishes are like old friends who never disappoint (Mingo salad...a light lemon Caesar dressing of inner Romaine; the Sugo...Penne intertwined with long braised beef in a Chianti/expresso sauce; or the surprising Prune dessert...sweet port/cinnamon reduction with marscapone dollop). And for groups their try Family Style which allows choices and fun. It is the single restaurant which I always am excited to go to. Pros: Wonderful food, Great service, A special place Cons: Popular so you wait more

In 2004, while most of the city slept beneath a sheet of snow and ice, Caffe Mingo instead quietly opened its doors for dinner. During one of the worst storms in a decade, there a full-staff tucked my beau and I in at a small table for a bowl of squash soup with freshly baked bread - comfort food at its best. I will think of that night, one of my favorite memories, at this time every year. And it's not every restaurant that can be named as another reason to look forward to winter! On even a day when the mailman was not able to deliver, Caffe Mingo showed its true colors for good service, good food and, above all else, romance. more

Excellent starters and salads. The Mingo Salad is not to be missed. The gnocchi is fantastic (polenta-based instead of the typical potato version). I've tried several other dishes and have yet to find even a mediocre entree. Everything is first rate and the staff is very accomodating. Give the kitchen table a try if you want to see how it's done. The chefs are friendly and will answer questions. While the ambience is lively, we find it neither pretentious nor brash (as indicated in another review here). Overall, this is our favorite Italian restaurant in Portland and highly recommend it. Pros: Fantastic Food, Excellent Service, Pleasant Ambience Cons: Sparse Street Parking more

I was so excited to try this restaurant during my parents' visit to Portland, but we ended up being very disappointed. Our service was very good and the bread, olives and olive oil was were quite tasty. But, the noise level was so high that we could barely have a conversation. The fish entree that my mother ordered (possibly halibut?, I forget) had an olive tampenade on top that was so salty and really tasted bad with the fish. My gnocchi dish was okay, but it's hard to get that wrong. The salads were quite good, but I really don't go out to nice restaurants for the salad... Pros: service, salad, bread, olives, oil Cons: , poor entrees more

In my opinion Mingo is the best place own town. Lots a charm this place has! I would never get bored of eating here. The food is both supurb and consistent. The service, whether your sitting outside, at the bar or in the dinning room, is excellent. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable, and will even recommend other great not so well known about places in town. With the exception of this place always being super busy and having to sometimes wait long periods of time to be seated, I see absolutely no other down side to Mingo Pros: Cozy & Charming, Flavorful food, Romantic more

I was visiting Portland and found this place by accident... the food was rustic Italian, and they had a great cross-section of some very good Italian wines. I enjoyed the sausage ravioli, and the panna cotta was the perfect dessert. A great place to go and converse, laugh, and enjoy excellent food. Pros: excellent food, knowlegable staff more

while i have a few criticisms, the realization of this little joint is excellent. they're not trying to dazzle you with culinary imagination, they're just trying to cook well, which in my book is the Whole Game. most of the time they succeed (though i felt my pasta wasn't yet al dente, it was crunchy, and our ravioli was bland)--the venison pappardelle was exquisite. the wine list runs hither and yon; they care about their wonderful desserts; it's not cheap eating for a cafe; it's SO crowded and loud to the point of unpleasantness, i don't want to fight my way back. still, go! Pros: italian cafe!, mostly great food, finally good desserts Cons: CROWDED TABLES, not exactly cheap, listen t'yor neighbor more

Met two other couples for a great evening out. Overall food was very good. I would avoid the filet which my wife ordered and we both thought was average. Great antipasta appetizer and dessert sampler that we all shared. Spendy but not outrageous. We spent $100 per couple including gratuity - but this included 3 bottles of wine! I will definitely be back! Excellent service!!! Pros: Service, Atmosphere Cons: Food good not great more

Menu is limited but good. However, it is impossible to get a table most nights with less than an hour wait. They only take reservations of 5 or more people. Overpriced and overpriced. Much better atmosphere, food, price up the street at Lucy's Table. more

What a wonderful place to sit with friends in a bull-pen setting and get loud and eat incredible food!! We tried an Italian Valpolicella which was wonderful with the faire.......highly recommended.......GET A RESERVATION!! Pros: GREAT FOOD, GOOD WINE, GREAT ATMOSPHERE Cons: PARKING!!, SMALL, HARD TO GET INTO more

I recently was taken on a date at Cafe Mingo and was pleasantly surprised. I had never been there before, but now that I know what I have been missing I will be sure to go back! Great atmosphere, service, and food. Try their poached pear for dessert! more

Great food...Penne with Espresso Beef is perfect!Great Italain wines on the list. Great (and cute!)service. Pros: great food Cons: Long Wait more

So many people have raved about Cafe Mingo, that it would have been hard for it to live up to its own reputation. Even so, my wife and I left disappointed. The Penne made with espresso was pretty good, but the seafood special was so hot and spicy they might as well have used chunks of canned tuna instead of scallops and shrimp - you couldn't taste anything but red pepper! more

We have been going to Mingo's for sometime now. We have eaten there with small groups, large groups, single at the bar, take-out and occasionally they have delivered. There are very few restaurants in Portland worth waiting to get in to over and over again. Mingo's is one of those. Always a great staff, with many old friendly faces and some new ones recently. Keep up the good work, Bravo!!!!!!!!!!! Pros: Excellent Staff, Wonderful food, Good wine list Cons: Always a wait, Sometimes too noisy, There's only one more

Definitely one of the best Italian in PDX. You don't find Spaghetti Carbonnara at too many places, it was excellent here. However, The Penne with shredded beef, espresso and wine sauce tasted like Mexican food on pasta, creative, but I won't order that again. If they had used chicken or veal, it would have been better. The coffee was extremely aromatic, whatever beans they're using, buy some. Nice attention to detail, e.g., no salt shakers. Service was a bit slow, but somewhat friendly. The wait time for a table was very long, but the hostess was adorable. Pros: Carbonnara Cons: Penne with espresso more

My husband and I have been to Caffe Mingo a few times over the last couple of years and after this last visit we are reaffirmed and reminded that it is and will be our favorite restaurant. The air-conditioning can't quite cope with the crowd but that rather added to the atmosphere of happy people taking pleasure in their food. The service was prompt and friendly and paced oute meal so that we felt as though we could linger through our courses but not wonder if they forgot us. The manager sat the guests and was unobtrusive yet seemed sensitive to each tables occasion. (He sent us a dessert on him seeing that we were celebrating but never asked what.). And really the specials of the day are always fantastic! more

Expensive dinners. Food okay, pasta WAY undercooked, tomato/basil/ moz salad YUMMY. The Oregonian just gave this a B+, my husband and I would give it a C-. Our service was horrid, had to go to the bar to ask how we get wine just not happy, okay wine selection. I was expecting much more in the Chianti section if it is considered ""relaxed Italian"". Would not reccommend to anyone. Pros: good salad Cons: poor service, lack of italian wines, NOISY more

very, very, very good. great food, great wine, great atmosphere! what more do you need? more