CastagnaOne of the best restaurants in PDXI can not believe we waited this long to try Castagna. We will definitely be returning! Food was absolutely top-notch. A foodie experience but not over-the-top for the sake of "keeping Portland weird" if you know what I mean. Very good food, unique and creative combinations that work and beautifully presented. The wait-staff was friendly but professional and not hurried. A full experience, I just can't say enough. Keep up the good work!6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMCastagna Keeps ShiningI have been going to Castagna since the year it opened. I've watched the menu change and chefs come and chefs go. I was dubious when the format shifted to a quasi molecular gastronomy meal. And then the deft touch of Matt Lightner won me over. I was not happy to see him leave. I have had a few of Chef Justin's meals. All are good but there are times when they don't hit great. The meals my date and I had last Saturday night were beyond great. Everything was clicking and working. I'd have liked to see a few of the "snacks" as larger versions and as a real menu option. The flavors and combinations and platings on the snacks left me wanting so much more. The wine pairings were also spot on. I have been to Coi in SF. Give me Castagna any day.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMMagic foodCastagna is a very special restaurant. There are plenty of good food places in Portland, but not like this. The pace of the meal is just right and the quality of each morsel is mind-blowing. From the rye muffins (awesome) to the little egg salad snack (incredible), everything is spot on. The meal itself took us over 2 hours and while I had food throughout I didn't leave stuffed and uncomfortable. It's a delicate meal worth every penny.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMBest EverLoved Castagna ! All agreed, one of our best meals ever! Love the small appetizers that just keep coming. Love the server describing every dish being served. The flavors were subtle, surprising and always excellent! A wonderful evening!5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful night out!Castagna is a great place to go - it is more than just a place to eat, it's a culinary experience! The waitstaff is prompt, attentive and knowledgeable. The entire meal was delicious, adventurous and fun.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous meal. Very inventiveFabulous meal. Very inventive and delicious. I love coming here.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMMust go here at least onceThis is a place I would recommend everyone try at least once. It is a bit pricey so it would be more of a special occasion event for someone on a budget. The place is a bit small and the tables are too close together, but if you are there early enough they try to stagger seating so you aren't next to someone else. The wait staff was excellent and very attentive. As soon as we were done with one course they were there with the next course. It was fun to try the variety of snack items they keep serving. Food portions are pretty small. We left full, but not overly full. You won't be leaving with a doggy bag. All in all it was a very good experience and we hope to eat there again.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AM10 COURSE TASTING WITH WINE PAIRING10 COURSE TASTING WAS RIGHT OUT OF A TOP CHEF TV SHOW. THE WINE PAIRINGS WERE A PERFECT FIT FOR EACH COURSE. SERVICE WAS WELL PACED. ENJOYED... AERATED DISH (SNOW). SMOKED PORK. RIB EYE.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMI can't find words to expressI can't find words to express how good was this diner. It was perfect. Little pieces of heaven on your table. I loved it.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was inventive, funThe food was inventive, fun and excellent. There were some unusual items I have never had before. The thing that put me off about the experience was the prix faire menu. It was expensive considering the amount of food you received. I almost felt like I needed to go down the street for a burger afterward so I could be full.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMI was delighted by my mealI was delighted by my meal at Castagna -- I had the tasting menu, and each dish was prepared beautifully and served on an array of interesting plates/bowls. The actual food was well-balanced and intriguing, and I wish I had enough space here to describe each course. Of the 9 courses and 5 amuse-bouches I was served, I only had a problem with two of them, and that's saying more for my own personal tastes than it is the food itself.
The service was really just top-notch, with the servers being unassuming and extremely helpful, describing each dish well as they set it in front of me. I left feeling not overly full, but like I'd experienced something very special. Would that I could do this sort of thing every day.1/9/2013 12:00:00 AM