Iorio Restaurant

I went on a blind date and was told to go to iorio restaurant. New to me so why not it is all for the experience right. I truly have to tell others it was like being back in Italy just simply great. The date not so good but I feel I really came out the winner for finding iorio and by eating more, I had to do less talking and could just loose myself in the food. I think my date wanted to be exposed to food that is styled and touched by too many hands where like herself has never traveled to Italy since that is not the point in either place. Wonderful dinner new date needed for next reservation. I really am disappointed that they have been around for so long and I did not find out about them sooner. more

I went on a blind date and was told to go to iorio restaurant. New to me so why not it is all for the experience right. I truly have to tell others it was like being back in Italy just simply great. The date not so good but I feel I really came out the winner for finding iorio and by eating more, I had to do less talking and could just loose myself in the food. I think my date wanted to be exposed to food that is styled and touched by too many hands where like herself has never traveled to Italy since that is not the point in either place. Wonderful dinner new date needed for next reservation. I really am disappointed that they have been around for so long and I did not find out about them sooner. more

The best seafood. Coho salmon cooked perfect. If you want to be dazzled, this is not the place for you. I heard them say this about Raos NY last week on Top Chef. Simplicity at an Italian Restaurant is key. They nail it. more

Booked with reservation with colleagues based on it being rated Best in Portland...The service was great, but the food was a huge disappointment. The calamari was great, fresh and tender. But the gnocchi that was described as 'homemade fresh gnocchi with truffle oil and parmesan'. The gnocchi came and was in fact, deep fried and covered in pesto. Even though I don't particularly like pesto, I decided to try it. It tasted like a ball of oil. Maybe the oil wasn't hot enough; but I've never had gnocchi deep fried, so it's hard to say. The ragout of lamb came to the table cold and rather bland. The butternut squash pizza would have been better if the squash had been cooked thoroughly enough to spread. HOWEVER...the waiter was gracious and understanding when I sent the gnocchi back and offered me anything else on the menu. I replaced it with the broccoli cream soup which was good. He didn't charge me for either entree...so I would say it was worth trying again. At least they care enough to not cop an attitude and do the right thing. more

Booked with reservation with colleagues based on it being rated Best in Portland...The service was great, but the food was a huge disappointment. The calamari was great, fresh and tender. But the gnocchi that was described as 'homemade fresh gnocchi with truffle oil and parmesan'. The gnocchi came and was in fact, deep fried and covered in pesto. Even though I don't particularly like pesto, I decided to try it. It tasted like a ball of oil. Maybe the oil wasn't hot enough; but I've never had gnocchi deep fried, so it's hard to say. The ragout of lamb came to the table cold and rather bland. The butternut squash pizza would have been better if the squash had been cooked thoroughly enough to spread. HOWEVER...the waiter was gracious and understanding when I sent the gnocchi back and offered me anything else on the menu. I replaced it with the broccoli cream soup which was good. He didn't charge me for either entree...so I would say it was worth trying again. At least they care enough to not cop an attitude and do the right thing. more

Booked with reservation with colleagues based on it being rated Best in Portland...The service was great, but the food was a huge disappointment. The calamari was great, fresh and tender. But the gnocchi that was described as 'homemade fresh gnocchi with truffle oil and parmesan'. The gnocchi came and was in fact, deep fried and covered in pesto. Even though I don't particularly like pesto, I decided to try it. It tasted like a ball of oil. Maybe the oil wasn't hot enough; but I've never had gnocchi deep fried, so it's hard to say. The ragout of lamb came to the table cold and rather bland. The butternut squash pizza would have been better if the squash had been cooked thoroughly enough to spread. HOWEVER...the waiter was gracious and understanding when I sent the gnocchi back and offered me anything else on the menu. I replaced it with the broccoli cream soup which was good. He didn't charge me for either entree...so I would say it was worth trying again. At least they care enough to not cop an attitude and do the right thing. more

We went here for my birthday last night and were very disappointed. This place has such great reviews which is confusing, so I'm wondering if we went on an off night. We ordered the calamari appetizer that tasted fishy to me. I thought it was the worst calamari that I've ever eaten, but my husband liked it...maybe because he covered up the taste with lots of dipping sauce. I also ordered the beet salad which I thought was good, but not fabulous. The yellow beets and goat cheese on the salad were delicious, but this was a small portion of the salad. The rest of the salad was ordinary. Our entrees were the gnocchi, which came with a super bland gloppy cream sauce, and the fresine with meatballs that had too little, bland sauce and dry meatballs. My husband woke up this morning with an upset stomach. I can't help, but wonder if that calamari was bad. more

We went here for my birthday last night and were very disappointed. This place has such great reviews which is confusing, so I'm wondering if we went on an off night. We ordered the calamari appetizer that tasted fishy to me. I thought it was the worst calamari that I've ever eaten, but my husband liked it...maybe because he covered up the taste with lots of dipping sauce. I also ordered the beet salad which I thought was good, but not fabulous. The yellow beets and goat cheese on the salad were delicious, but this was a small portion of the salad. The rest of the salad was ordinary. Our entrees were the gnocchi, which came with a super bland gloppy cream sauce, and the fresine with meatballs that had too little, bland sauce and dry meatballs. My husband woke up this morning with an upset stomach. I can't help, but wonder if that calamari was bad. more

We went here for my birthday last night and were very disappointed. This place has such great reviews which is confusing, so I'm wondering if we went on an off night. We ordered the calamari appetizer that tasted fishy to me. I thought it was the worst calamari that I've ever eaten, but my husband liked it...maybe because he covered up the taste with lots of dipping sauce. I also ordered the beet salad which I thought was good, but not fabulous. The yellow beets and goat cheese on the salad were delicious, but this was a small portion of the salad. The rest of the salad was ordinary. Our entrees were the gnocchi, which came with a super bland gloppy cream sauce, and the fresine with meatballs that had too little, bland sauce and dry meatballs. My husband woke up this morning with an upset stomach. I can't help, but wonder if that calamari was bad. more

We went to Iorio for my wife's birthday, and were very impressed with the incredible specials of the day, as well as the service. When I called to make the reservation I was asked if I had any dietary needs. My wife is a vegetarian, but that's usually pretty easy to figure out, but it was a nice touch. The specials of the day included multiple vegetarian options: roasted tomato bisque, gnocchi in a roasted pepper cream sauce, and vegetable ravioli in a pesto cream sauce. We ended up sharing the gnocchi, which were perfectly cooked, with an order of foccaccia with a yummy butternut squash spread. Then we shared a bowl of the bisque and a beet salad, with red and golden beets, gorgonzola and a house-made goat cheese. Wow - I *loved* this salad! Then I had the pork and my wife had the vegetable lasagna. The pork was so delicious, and I kept raving over how good it was during dinner, that my wife was almost tempted to try it just to shut me up. It was slightly on the sweeter side with a Madeira wine braise, and came with roasted vegetables and fried polenta. My wife's lasagna was filled with vegetables, the house marinara and lots of cheese, and was quite delicious, but I couldn't get past my pork! Then we shared the flourless chocolate cake, which was on the small side, but super-decadent, and a nice finish to a beautiful dinner. Our server was terrific, and made sure we were never wanting for anything. Our waters were always full, as were our wine glasses! Needless to say, we will definitely be back, and may even try to bring the kids, since they have a nice kid's menu. more

We went to Iorio for my wife's birthday, and were very impressed with the incredible specials of the day, as well as the service. When I called to make the reservation I was asked if I had any dietary needs. My wife is a vegetarian, but that's usually pretty easy to figure out, but it was a nice touch. more

We went to Iorio for my wife's birthday, and were very impressed with the incredible specials of the day, as well as the service. When I called to make the reservation I was asked if I had any dietary needs. My wife is a vegetarian, but that's usually pretty easy to figure out, but it was a nice touch. The specials of the day included multiple vegetarian options: roasted tomato bisque, gnocchi in a roasted pepper cream sauce, and vegetable ravioli in a pesto cream sauce. We ended up sharing the gnocchi, which were perfectly cooked, with an order of foccaccia with a yummy butternut squash spread. Then we shared a bowl of the bisque and a beet salad, with red and golden beets, gorgonzola and a house-made goat cheese. Wow - I *loved* this salad! Then I had the pork and my wife had the vegetable lasagna. The pork was so delicious, and I kept raving over how good it was during dinner, that my wife was almost tempted to try it just to shut me up. It was slightly on the sweeter side with a Madeira wine braise, and came with roasted vegetables and fried polenta. My wife's lasagna was filled with vegetables, the house marinara and lots of cheese, and was quite delicious, but I couldn't get past my pork! Then we shared the flourless chocolate cake, which was on the small side, but super-decadent, and a nice finish to a beautiful dinner. Our server was terrific, and made sure we were never wanting for anything. Our waters were always full, as were our wine glasses! Needless to say, we will definitely be back, and may even try to bring the kids, since they have a nice kid's menu. more

Dear Reader My family started going here in October 2009. Yes I remember the day. It was the best tasting food I've ever eaten. Awesome! A little costly though. more

Dear Reader My family started going here in October 2009. Yes I remember the day. It was the best tasting food I've ever eaten. Awesome! A little costly though. more

Dear Reader My family started going here in October 2009. Yes I remember the day. It was the best tasting food I've ever eaten. Awesome! A little costly though. more

I would have never known but a friend bd heard about Chris's place from the neighborhood. What a delightful treat. more

I would have never known but a friend bd heard about Chris's place from the neighborhood. What a delightful treat. more

I would have never known but a friend bd heard about Chris's place from the neighborhood. What a delightful treat. more

Chef Chris Thompson has done an incredible job of presenting excellent Italian Food that compares with the East Coast Italian Dining Experience. We were asked when making our reservation, if anyone in our party had a food allergy the chef should be aware of. A huge bonus before we even arrived. When arriving, we were greeted by a delightful hostess who seated us right away even though our dining companions were running a little late. Erin, (our charming, beautiful, intelligent, and personable waitress was marvelous) assured us not to worry and we had wine and some of the best calamari ever while waiting. When our friends arrived, they were seated immediately and had wine and salad, after which our orders were taken for entrees. Two lasagnas, one catch of the day, and one pasta specialty of the house with Italian sausage. All four, perfectly prepared, served eye appealingly, and delish beyond words. I was invited to come back to the kitchen to meet the chef after offering our compliments via Erin, and apprising her that I was a retired certified exec chef and culinary arts teacher (retired after 40 years) in Philadelphia. Chirs and I became immediate friends during which time he has invited me to go fly fishing with him when his schedule permits. I can assure you we will be regular faces at Iorio. I give it one of the best of the best. Pros: Fantas tic more

Chef Chris Thompson has done an incredible job of presenting excellent Italian Food that compares with the East Coast Italian Dining Experience. We were asked when making our reservation, if anyone in our party had a food allergy the chef should be aware of. A huge bonus before we even arrived. When arriving, we were greeted by a delightful hostess who seated us right away even though our dining companions were running a little late. Erin, (our charming, beautiful, intelligent, and personable waitress was marvelous) assured us not to worry and we had wine and some of the best calamari ever while waiting. When our friends arrived, they were seated immediately and had wine and salad, after which our orders were taken for entrees. Two lasagnas, one catch of the day, and one pasta specialty of the house with Italian sausage. All four, perfectly prepared, served eye appealingly, and delish beyond words. I was invited to come back to the kitchen to meet the chef after offering our compliments via Erin, and apprising her that I was a retired certified exec chef and culinary arts teacher (retired after 40 years) in Philadelphia. Chirs and I became immediate friends during which time he has invited me to go fly fishing with him when his schedule permits. I can assure you we will be regular faces at Iorio. I give it one of the best of the best. Pros: Fantas tic Cons: NONE more