Mingo

I am writing because after a recent visit to Mingo in beaverton ( I rarely eat in the burbs) I checked city search for the website and noticed the last review was negative. I don't eat out too often, but this place was perfect. The service was really friendly, professional but casual. And the food was really approachable and really good. I was impressed with my rigatoni dish with onion ragu, and their version of a ceasar salad called the mingo was even better than its inspiration. Yeah, parking wasn't perfect but it's better than downtown. The only downfall is that they close slightly early for my taste. I will certainly be back, even if it's in Beaverton. more

if you're lucky you can get a parking space before your next birthday. Is it ""cool"" to serve Huge plates with Little bit of food? I practically had the dish thrown on the table, and the waiter was really brusque. I've been there Once, and i shall not be returning. Pros: Nice looking place Cons: Everything else more

Six of us went to Mingo's last night and all of us were delighted with the service and quality of food. The atmosphere and just everything about the restaurant was perfect. All of us are in the Restaurant industry as we manage private clubs and in reading some of the past postings, I wonder if they went to the same restaurant as we did. Granted, the place was not packed, but did have a fair amount of guests and we could not have been more pleased. As to the picing, I will say that it is fair in todays market and for the quality of food and service. Pros: atmosphere, Food Quality, Service more

Some family and I ate at Mingo last night for the first time. 6 out of 7 meals were absolutely fantastic. Very authentic dishes. The pasta dishes were very good, the chicken dishes were excellent and they came with fetuccini mashed potatoes that were mouthwatering. They have little bread twigs at the bar that are really good. The decor was nice. I've read questionable reviews about the service, but we all thought it was actually great. The dinner was a little expensive and it took awhile to get the food, but it was well worth the money and wait for such original and delicious meals. Overall it provided a very nice experience for our family. Pros: Excellent food, very nice decor, great experience Cons: Nothing more

At the time we made reservations for 6 people at Mingo's for 3:30 pm, we were told that if we wanted to stay after 6 p.m. we would have to order from the main menu. Upon arriving at Mingo's we were told every few minutes that we could not remain after 5:30. It became a joke. Here's comes the waiter again to remind us we must leave at 5:30. We were ordering from the bar menu as well as the main dinner menu. We had ordered three bottles of champaign which the waiter took upon himself to bring another set of glasses and pour before we had finished the second bottle. We all had two glasses of champaign in front of us. Never seen that before! We had also ordered three complete dinners to go plus dessert, which they brought before 5: 30pm. We are all excutives and were celebrating the birthday of the President ond CEO of a Fortune 500 Company. How embrassing. The food was good but the service was laughable. Pros: good food Cons: unprofessonal waiters more

As a culinary enthusiast, Mingo is the supreme example of fine dining forced into a suburban environment. Spawned from Cafe Mingo in NW Portland, this restaurant cuts no corners when it comes to authenticity, ambiance, and excellence. I first dined at Mingo when they had been open for barely a month. The food was amazing but the service was shaky. Although it was probably due to the hype and newness of it all. \r \r In every time since then, the service has been knowledgeable, engaging and genuine. Not only could Mingo survive on their menu alone, they choose to have amazing food with warm and professional staff. \r \r This is ""THE"" place for patrons looking for a downtown experience just around the corner. They have a unique, fabulous wine selection, great seasonal entrees and a rustic Italian approach that gives any Portland Restaurant a run for their money. --HANDS DOWN!\r \r Thanks Mingo :o) \r more

Went late on a Friday night - wait staff was friendly and helpful but not too instrusive, steak was perfect, atmosphere warm and inviting. more

Mingos has great italian cuisine. The happy hour is very nice and gives you the opportunity to taste some of the signature dishes in a smaller portion. The food is wonderful. The suga pasta chinati beef pasta dish is the best. I have made this at home and my guests love it. The salads are very refreshing. The patio in summer is very welcoming and relaxing. The staff is very attentive. The service is great. The bartenders are very helpful with ordering just teh perfect drink. Mingos has great classes and special events. The wine selection is very nice. Best place to eat in Beaverton! more

When we want a great meal, or are celebrating someone's birthday, we go to Mingo in Beaverton. I love the Ravioli. The Ravioli changes nightly. My favorite is carmelized onion ravioli with a light cream sauce. The service is great and there is a good wine list. We like the atmosphere, the service and the food. We live in Beaverton and it is nice that we do not have to go to Portland anymore to get good Italian. Pros: Great Food and service Cons: can be noisy more

I had been to th original Cafe Mingo a few times, and although I liked it, it's small size kept me from being a regular. Mingo is the answer! I completely forgot it even existed until an out of town friend asked for a recommendation for Italian in Beaverton. I went to Mingo with him, and now I feel stupid for waiting so long to go! Absolutely great food and very friendly service. I will be back again and again. Pros: great food, friendly more

After reading other reviews, I see I am not the only one with this complaint. I spent an enjoyable evening here with friends. The service and atmosphere were fine, nothing special. I ordered risotto with beet greens and flank steak. The steak was great, but the risotto was ruined with too much salt, and pepper also. The seven-layer cake was a good choice for dessert. While waiting to be seated, we noticed the strong odor of industrial kitchen cleansers being circulated into the bar area by the ventilation system, which was unpleasant.\r \r Pros: Location (opens up to an airy public square, great during warm weather) Cons: food too salty more

I recently discovered Mingo while I was visiting from NYC where I write a food blog! I have to say when my friends said we were going to the burbs for high-end italian I was doubtful! Much to my joy it was real italian! I travel to Italy alot! This is it! Matt choose the perfect wine to compliment our meal. The food was outstanding. The fish, the flavors, the seasonal menu, the attention, I couldnt get enough. In the land of chain restaurants and strip malls this is unheard of. I didnt understand why they opened in soccer mom hell! Then I asked, the answer was to bring real food to the people! Simple as that! 'Simple ItalianFood!' The owner Michael T. was extremely charming and knowledgeable and the Chef was actually working side byside with his cooks on the line then swung by our table cause he is a fellow New Yorker. We felt like family. Thank you Michael and MIchael! \r I had to laugh at some of these reviews. Semolina Gnocchi vs. Potato gnocchi, if you dont know what your ordering ask! The staff is extremely knowlegeable. Thank you Matt! Real San Daniele prosciutto vs. ham... and I could go on, its the New Yorker in me! \r It was very busy and everything was very cool and calm! I just want to thank Mingo for being Mingo! It takes alot to open a place of such class in the land of Sysco supplied troughs! Pros: real solid italian food Cons: a bit loud more

My wife and I are regulars here. We sort of stumbled upon it when taking the MAX back home one evening when we first moved here from Ohio. We have yet to be disappointed by any of the dinner choices we/ve had in the last year and a half. There's always something vegetarian on the menu, and often one of the daily specials, for those who want that choice. The menu changes with the seasons and is always a fun place to go. The staff is always glad to see you, whether it's your first or 100th time. One of last summer's sausage & pasta dishes was especially memorable. There were at least six distinct tastes, and they were all there in the right proportions. Once in a while, some of the sauces can be a little heavy, but overall this place gets a 10 from me! Extra bonus points for being on the MAX line!. Pros: Service, Selection, Varied menu, overall ambiance, on the MAX line Cons: Parking more

this restaurant looks like a way-cool trendy place to dine in up and coming beaverton. and, while the environment is super hot, the food is not. it took us a while to get seated because we made the mistake of not having a reservation. wine selection was good and our bartender was knowledgeable and effective. i had the mingo salad to start, which i felt had too much dressing. i tried the pizza with prosciutto and arugula and it was like eating a salt-lick. i had the gnocchi with gorgonzola and salsa rosa, which was also disappointing. the gnocchi came as long tubular breaded masses, sliced to resemble backgammon pieces, and had about as much flavor. no one finished their dishes that evening. Pros: environment, service Cons: food more

I adore having Mingo in our neighborhood. Beaverton is growing up and getting so many wondeful new restaurants and Mingo is at the top of the list. We often go there just for a glass of wine and appetizers and it is a perfect meal. I would recommend going for dinner over lunch as the menu is much larger. Pros: easy parking, Cons: can get crowded quickly more

I only end up at Mingo, because my friends love it and I just go with the flow. Last night was my fifth try and I have to say if I'm invited again I will have to pass. The food is terrible, especially the pasta. My fourth time was a disaster, al dente to Mingo means to pass the pasta over the boiling water. You need a toothpick to get it out of your teeth. After sending my linguini back twice,I switched to gnocchi which was mush except for the frozen part in the middle. By the way their gnocchi is not potato gnocchi. To be safe this time I ordered pizza. They took it upon themselves to cover it with salt and pepper, which ruined it. I guess the only way to go is have a glass of wine at Mingo and go eat somewhere else for a lot less. Italian food can be so much better. Cons: Horrible food,Parking, Noisy, Expensive more

Lovely space. Friendly and attentive service. Tasty cocktails. Good wine. I didn't find the prices to be too high, but for what we paid, I was hoping to be more impressed. The food was good but not great. We had the Chianti pasta which was a bit bland and burnt tasting. Its good that I am not afraid of oil because my fish had a HEALTHY (understating) dose of it. I have heard enough good things about other dishes that I might be convinced to return, but I would have to be convinced. Pros: Atmosphere, Service, Drinks Cons: So-so food for the price more

My wife and I have been to Cafe Mingo in Northwest Portland for many years, but this was our first dinner at the Beaverton location. Food was terrific, period. But what I want to stress was the great service from our server, Amy. I'm a snob when it comes to service, and Amy was as close to perfection as anyone could come. She was attentive but not hovering. Her friendliness and enthusiasm were incredible. I will always ask for her station in future visits. more

I thought this would be a fun place to eat as I had heard so many great things about Portland's ""Mingo."" While the restaurant is nicely decorated and has decent service, the food was awful. My husband's pasta was so-so and my osso bucco was tough and had to be sawed with my knife. I was very disapointed since I had sprung for one the higher priced entrees as a treat. I would maybe try again with a different entree, but proabbly not. Pros: Ambience Cons: Food more

I ate here for the first time on 10/16/2006. I recently moved here from Chicago, and travel frequently, which I mention only because it gives me a wide frame of reference. My conclusion is that the reviews below that say prices are too high, portions too small, are off base. I think that the excellence of the food, and the atmosphere, fully justify the prices. To be clear, they are higher than average (our tab for dinner for two, incl. salads, one side, bottle of lower-priced wine, tip, but no appetizer, no dessert, was $104). The portions were adequate (not huge) and I'm not a dainty eater. My spouse even had some pasta left to keep for lunch the next day. But I do think that if you charge these prices, service should be flawless or at least close thereto. Besides minor things like never having a second glass of wine poured for us, there were two glitches. First, pepper is not available at the table, which we noticed only after the server had brought our salads. Had to wait and ask her if any was available. She should have offered it when she served the salads. Second, both the kitchen and the server forgot about my side of roasted squash. When I inquired, I was told ""sorry!"" and it was brought about 5 minutes later. The 4 slivers of acorn squash would have been worth the $5 if they had arrived with my pasta, but under the circumstances, I think the server should have said ""these will be complimentary tonight."" After all, that would have cost Mingo about 50 cents (the price of a whole squash right now at Lamb's), gotten the server at least a 20% tip, and ensured a return visit by us. I just don't get it: a restuarant like this needs regulars to survive. We will return, but if the service continues in this vein, not for long. Pros: beautiful space and excellent food Cons: see the review--hopefully a one-time lapse more