i work for Nike and have been in the portland food scene for awhile. Caffe Mingo and Mingo are 2 of my favorite restaurants. I knew that Paul the Chef of Decarli's worked at Caffe mingo before opening his own place. So my friends and I decided to go. I have never been more disappointed. First it was freezing in there. Next the hostess/ owner sat us by slapping our menus on the table then returning to her friends at the bar not saying a word to us. Not a very warm welcome. Then as I look at the menu I was in disbelief. Half the menu if not more was an outright ripoff of Mingo/ Caffemingo. I understand being influenced by places you have worked. But putting items on your menu that are straight off another restaurants menu was unbelievable. The romaine salad and tre bruschetta just to name 2! I thought chef's opened their own place to express their creativity. Not the case here. He is stealing the wave and calling it his. Addias might as well put the swosh next to the strips and call it theirs. The food was just ok, if you want these items done right go to Mingo(beaverton) or Caffe Mingo NW. I will not return and think he should get a palate of his own. It is a shame this is allowed to go on. Beaverton needs more family owned core restaurants but not in this manner. It angers me. They can write all the good reviews they want of themselves but time will tell. Get a menu of your own. Dont let the other 1 star reviews fool you.
Pros: no wait
Cons: menu items from area restaurants
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