Ribollita

Forget any post that is negative about this place. Excellent food cooked to order (that means time) that comes out piping hot. Order some wine (well stocked and reasonable) and plan on being here 2 hours. The menu is wonderful, everything is fresh and tasty and there are specials. Save room for desert! The seats near the front door can be busy, avoid them by calling ahead. This is not a chain restaurant and can be confusing to the crowd looking for gushing service. Been going here for 6-8 years and it has never flopped. I've brought lots of friends, and never had to apologize. Pros: Excellent Bread, Reasonable Prices, Friendly Cons: What are the drawbacks? more

If you are in the mood for authentic Italian in an intimate location, Ribolitas is the place. Anytime I have been it has been very romantic with great food, great service and a little humor. I recommend it to everyone, especially for a date! more

I note that someone calling herself princess on wings says the staff was rude and condescending. She walked out after five minutes, or maybe simply took wing. What an exercise in self parody that was. In a city noted for great restaurants, this is in the top tier. I have dined there many times and no one has ever been anything but genuinely friendly and helpful. This is a place to savor wine and a meal for an hour or two. If you need gratification in five minutes go to the golden arches. For me, dining is about the food. The osso buco will send you home happy. The polenta encrusted salmon is a treat. Veal meatballs are a great choice for an appetizer. The little place gets busy. Make a reservation. If you drop in, plan on a couple drinks next door at Norm's East End and your table should be ready when you return. I can hardly imagine anyone could be disappointed with this great restaurant. It is a place where you can't go wrong. I seldom effuse, but this place is the best. Pros: Great food from a creative menu, friendly service and at a bargain price. Busy for good reason. Cons: None. more

My boyfriend and I ventured here when visiting Portland recently. Despite some of the negative comments about the service and attitude of the staff previously posted, we decided to chance it because we were impressed by the wine list. We made a reservation, but we never even stayed long enough to order! From the moment we walked in, we felt uncomfortable and unwelcome! The hostess was extremely rude and condescending, and although we sat at our table for at least 5 minutes, no server came over to greet us. Cons: rude attitude of staff more

Favorite restaurant, hands down! Excellent service, incredible food, extensive wine list and a fantastic, intimate bistro setting just off Portland's Old Port! Genuine Northern Italian fare rather than the amalgamized version found at bigger restaurants, the wine list was entirely Italian and paired perfectly with the menu at all price points, and the atmosphere, though somewhat simple, makes perfect use of the small space. The staff is extremely knowledgable and ready with recommendations and suggestions, and encourage you to dine, not feed. This is dining in an Old World style: call ahead for reservations, expect a little wait for your table, expect time between courses to digest, and ask the servers for their input, they won't steer you wrong. Do not, however, expect troughs of pasta and singing birthdays...anticipate, instead the wonderfully flavored meal you're about to enjoy... Pros: Wine List, Service, Menu Cons: Accessiblity, Parking more

We recently dined at Ribolita, four of us seated by the door, one wedged upon a wall, and another in the path of busy waitresses, and the doorway with customers coming and going. Our reservations were 5:30 we left at 7:30. The time between our salads and meal was a full hour. We asked the waitress twice where our meal could be? She was rude and with an attitude told us next time to tell someone first! it was very busy that night! The resteraunt is too small, NO excuse! The meal was served at 7:10, was unbelievable. In an Italian resteraunt, usually the pasta is more than a half a cup! The four of us very dissapointed in our meals, not enough time to complain never mind eat! The salads and prices were the only thing going, if you want to pay for bad food and bad service! more

While looking at another restaurant that was recommended to us on our first weekend away in Portland, we noticed Ribolita's across the street and decided to try it instead. It was well worth it! All four of us loved our meals, a first! Reservations are a must on weekends and you still might have to wait, they do not rush people which adds to the charm of this place. Pros: great food, nice wine selection, reasonably priced Cons: small waiting area more

Inexpsensive, delicious, simple food with a comfortable and unassuming atmosphere. more