One did not need an umbrella during my visit to Pioneer Square, in Portland, Oregon.
Within the last month and a half, we’ve each made trips to Portland, Oregon.
For both visits we stayed in the Portland Marriott City Center hotel, which is located near Pioneer Square just two blocks from the MAX Red Line.
While there are many things we love about visiting Portland, enjoying the local food and wine is near the top of our list.
One of our favorites is Pazzo Ristorante, which features “regional Italian fare using Pacific Northwest ingredients.” The restaurant, bar and bakery cafe are part of the Vintage Plaza, a Kimpton Hotel.
We like that Pazzo is located just across the street from the Marriott, and that it has a friendly bar that serves the full dinner menu.
Mr. Jones hates peas.
Ravioli filled with English peas topped with Dungeness crab at Pazzo in Portland, Oregon.
He raved, however, about the Ravioli that’s filled with English peas, then topped with fresh Dungeness crab and served in a butter and chive sauce.
Of course, I had to try it during my first visit.
Dungeness crab is one of the foods that we miss the most from our 12 years of living on the West Coast.
This dish is rich and delicious.
There are so many fantastic restaurants in Portland. But I was drawn back to Pazzo for a second consecutive evening.
The bar area is a comfortable and friendly area when you are dining alone.
The bartenders are terrific – one has been there for 18 years and the other one for 15 years.
They know the wines that they pour by the glass or the carafe, a mix of Italian and Oregon wines, with a few Californian ones to round out the list.
Tagliatelle pasta is served with a Bolognese-style ragu at Pazzo in Portland, Oregon.
For my second visit, I chose the tagliatelle pasta with a Bolognese ragu of tomatoes, veal, pork and beef, topped with Reggiano Parmesan cheese.
It was the perfect food for trying two different Italian red wines.
On past visits to Pazzo, we’ve also enjoyed the pizza and the risotto.
What’s your favorite restaurant in downtown Portland? Please share in comments below.
Other posts on Portland and the surrounding areas to check out…..
- Highlights of a Drive to the Oregon Coast from Portland to Astoria
- Weekend Wanderings: 7 Reasons to Visit Portland, Oregon
- A Peek Inside the Portland Marriott City Center Hotel
- Touring the Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook, Oregon
- Destination Discovery: Dundee Hills AVA, Oregon
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