A Cena Ristorante

So, I waited to do my review on this place until after we had been here a couple times, and boy does this place not disappoint!!! This is a cute little Italian place in Sellwood that features linen tablecloths, great lighting and a full service bar. As for the food, wow!!! We have tried almost everything on the menu at this point, so I will try to give a quick rundown! We always start our evening with cocktails before wine and this place makes some amazing cocktails including housemade Lemoncello and Nocino. Both of these are very well done and we have tried many, including the fact that we have homemade both ourselves! For the Appetizers (Antipasta Course), the Polipo (Grilled Octopus) was shockingly our favorite dish on the entire menu!! This is an absolute party in your mouth (perfect on the texture and the flavor is unbelievable). I promise this is one everyone should try, even those that do not like octopus. There is a huge difference between Octopus done right and...well, when it isn't. This place knows how to do it! The Beets (Barbabiatole) is also one of the best Beet dishes I have had (I have had many since it is also one of my favorites). For the Pasta Dishes (Primi Course) The Lobster ravioli (Agnolotti) is absolutely a crowd favorite and we see why! Apparently it is so popular and desired they always keep it on the menu. The Gargonelli alla Norcia is perfect as well! The most disappointing is the Rigatoni (which was actually the dish we were most excited about). Perhaps it was just disappointing because we have had much better. We love spicy, however it just seemed that this dish just had spice without a balance of any other flavors. As for the primary dish (Secondi Course) You absolutely cannot go wrong with the lamb dish! We have had their different variations of this (they seasonally change the menu) and they have all been great. Our absolutely favorite was when they did the Lamb with the huckleberry..this was just a fantastic pairing! The wine selection is also wonderful! You will find a great selection of Italian Wines including Barollos and Barbarescos! As for the desserts...get the Tiramisu! It is so amazing!! And the Lemon Marscapone with Huckleberry is just perfect! I actually would love to do this as a course in-between the Primi and Secondi courses as a pallette cleanser. (This is our plan for our next visit). A few months ago we were able to share this restaurant with another couple. Her husband is Italian, and because of how picky he is with Italian food, they refuse to go to Italian restaurants. We were able to convince them and he was so impressed they have now been back on their own! The owner is also very sweet and made an effort to stop by our table and visit with us! :)

The service was excellent. We really enjoyed our experience. The food was also very good. The Agnolotti (Corn & Mascarpone Raviolini, Butter Poached Maine Lobster, chives) was the highlight of the meal. We also ordered Fritto Misto, Spaghettini, and the pork dish. Will definitely return!

Had a group dinner here and it was amazing! Service was perfect, wine list was great and food was delicious! Will definitely be coming back! Came back again, service by Josh was perfect and made even better by Loris who was extremely attentive and personable. Can't wait to come back again!

A real Italian gem in the neighborhood. Have never ordered a single bad thing and the service is just spectacular. Great wine selection. If you want authentic, give them a try!

a Cena is our favorite restaurant in Portland - hands down. The atmosphere is that of an authentic Italian dining experience. It’s an intimate space with beautiful decor. The staff are talented and knowledgeable in both the food selections and the wine pairings. Our ongoing experience has been that we can throw out what we are craving for wine that evening and our server will always give us just what we are looking for. Now, the food. Oh. My. Gosh. It’s unmatched! To start, we like to enjoy the burrata. It’s wonderfully chilled with the proper amount of seasoning and oil - melts in your mouth. The bread basket that is served when you’re seated is fresh, aromatic and full of flavor. Not to mention the addicting crispy breadsticks! On to the main course - if you come to a Cena for the first time and aren’t sure what to get, it’s easy. The Lobster Agnolotti will take your breath away. Topped with a generous serving of tender lobster that has been cooked to perfection, the Agnolotti is a wonderful pasta stuffed to the brim with a beautiful and delicate creamy corn mascarpone filling. A soft buttery goodness envelopes the dish and it makes my mouth water just writing this! To finish is the tiramisu. Always! It’s light and fluffy in all the right places and dense and filling in all the other right places! The flavors come together extremely well and leave you wishing you could indulge all over again! There is nowhere else like it! The owner Chris will come and greet you with his kind humor and love of food. He’s wonderful! The entire dining experience is one that you just have to have here in Portland! You will leave already planning your next visit back!