Isa Bistro - Portland

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1. SM

   StephenM

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   The weight staff were phenomenal in terms of attentiveness and level of service to our table. The menu was quite intriguing and it took us a while to figure out exactly what we want it. Simply put, it could not have had a better meal; every dish was perfectly prepared, beautifully presented, and scrumptious.

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2. JC

   JaneC

   New England

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service4ambience4

   Consistently great. Relaxed atmosphere. We never feel rushed. Drinks and food are delicious.

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3. T

   Tevere

   New England

   15 reviews

   5.0

   15 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   I'd forgotten how much I like this restaurant. They call themselves a neighborhood bistro and that's what they are, in the very best sense of the term. Warm and welcoming casual but professional; interesting, thoughtfully curated, blessedly brief wine list; delicious, unfussy food very well made from carefully sourced ingredients. In a town with too many restaurants, and too many of them focused on swarms of summer tourists looking for lobster rolls, Isa is a refreshing, maybe even essential alternative.

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4. AD

   AlexD

   New York Area

   2 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Wonderful Friendly Service! And Food was Amazing! Loved it !

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5. SH

   SteveH

   New England

   8 reviews

   4.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   We ordered focaccia bread, fennel salad, eggplant lasagne, garlic shrimp and coconut cream pie. Everything was tasty, but the shrimp dish was disappointing. The garlic shrimp was more a pasta dish than seafood, but that was not reflected by the price. The six medium-size (had to be 41-50/lb count) shrimp were overcooked and looked pretty tired, one had the tail broken off. Unless you want to include quality shrimp with the dish, please change the name to spicy shrimp pasta or similar.

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   I was with a couple that didn’t drink so it threw me off. I didn’t know when to have a sparkling water and when to have a water. I had the shrimp which was good. The salads were great. Dessert, coconut cream pie, good - I thought the crust was a bit much. The waiter was terrific. It’s a little noisy, but then, I’m old! I thought it was very nice. I wanted to go 4 1/2 stars, but that wasn’t an option! I would recommend Isa.

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7. l

   lisam

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Fabulous meal best eggplant lasagna I have ever had. Delicious bolognese. Creme brûlée perfect size for sharing; creamy and flavorful.

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8. p

   portlandliz

   London

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   This is really one of our favorite spots in Portland- the quality of the food is fantastic- innovative but not way out, the offerings are diverse, and the wine selection excellent. Great service and lovely atmosphere!

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9. AS

   AnnS

   New England

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Great food - very creative but down to earth at the same time.

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10. FC

    FloridaCouple

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Cozy little spot, excellent service. Really enjoyed the lobster tostada, and the pork chop was amazing. Beet and goat cheese salad was awesome. Overall we highly recommend it and we will be back.

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11. F

    Fireman

    New England

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We received excellent service. Small restaurant but full of life. Food was beyond our expectations. Would recommend this place to anyone and will be going back as soon as possible

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12. LD

    LisaD

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovely little restaurant, delicious food (grilled octopus appetizer was amazing) nice wine list, friendly attentive service. Looking forward to going back!

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13. RK

    RichardK

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    This was a spectacularly fun and satisfying find! Thank you, OpenTable. The limited menu is obviously well-rehearsed and expertly executed. The onion soup was among the very best ever. The fennel salad was excellent and very refreshing, unexpected on a late winter’s night. The pork chop with red cabbage and puréed squash was, in a word, perfect. The side of sinful fries was generous and the ideal of French fries, the best I’ve had this side of Brussels. And the topper? The service was impeccable, just the right balance of welcoming, expert, accommodating and unobtrusive. We are Fore Street regulars but this neighborhood find was a real gem. Thank you!!

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14. LT

    LaurelT

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very impressive & will be back soon! Each dish was great & plated pleasing to the eye!

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15. G

    Gene

    Washington DC

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always up to expectations, and we have high ones! Accommodating, friendly and above all super food

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16. JD

    JohnD

    New England

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Interesting menu and very well prepared, perfect portion sizes and delicious

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17. e

    eternallytnb

    New England

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything that we tasted was fantastic. The service was excellent. We will definitely be back.

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18. M

    Msavage444

    New England

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful experience! We were greeted by the hostess and seated right away. Simple but wide variety of starters and entrées and salads as well. Grilled octopus was very tender and tasty. My wife had the lobster tostada which she loved. Joy, our server was extremely pleasant and very helpful. Will definitely be back again!

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19. JG

    JimG

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    This was the second visit to Isa for my wife and I. We had previously been there for dinner, which moved it to the top of our Dining in Portland list. We were not disappointed this time, either. We shared an app of cod fritters, followed by a beet & avocado salad for me, a mushroom salad for her. Loved every bite; I find their use of dressings and sauces just wonderful. Looking forward to the next visit.

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Second visit to Isa, exceptional food and service at a reasonable price

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21. t

    trician59

    New England

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We've been to Isa several times and the food is always exceptional! The service is attentive without being intrusive and the vibe is terrific - brick walls, black ceiling, cool bar, intimate. Such a great experience every time!

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22. m

    mikew

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Isa is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is excellent— imaginative, with an emphasis on local. The service is excellent—casual but professional and attentivE. The ambience is comfortable and warm. It’s just a great place.

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23. L

    vickyL

    New York Area

    41 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Best meal I’ve had there, yet! Seared seafood Branzino was excellent

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24. JL

    JohnL

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a great dinning experience. Flavor’s of every dish come together leaving our taste buds very satisfied.

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25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    We had the mushroom salad, bread, bolognese, and cavatelli pasta dish. It was all very flavorful. A bit on the pricey side and we don’t like paying for bread. Overall we enjoy Isa and will dine again there but not our everyday go to because of the pricing.

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26. CD

    CandaceD

    New Orleans

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Perfect little bistro in Portland.

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27. l

    lisaloo

    New England

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious pasta and fish dishes. Simple and the right amount of food. Left room to try three desserts: crème brûlée, coconut cake and special mascarpone cheesecake! Yum and great service!

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28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing food, start to finish. Small, tight restaurant that makes it very quaint. Open kitchen too. Great staff and service. Worst part was having to leave!! 10/10.

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29. S

    Suss

    Detroit

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 23, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Isa is our go to restaurant when guests come into town. Consistently great food and lovely space in which to dine.

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30. WI

    WIlliam

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Thrilled to return post-COVID to ISA, we were greeted warmly (as always) at the door and enjoyed reserved bar seating. The inventive food, wine list and pride in preparation defines this coveted neighborly bistro. A perfectly executed steak, hand-cut fries...and oh, the best salad in Portland...shaved fennel, grapefruit and pecorino with a translucent vinaigrette. Kudos to owners Suzie St. Pierre & Isaul Perez and the Isa Team for standing tall among Portland's food scene. Isa is a gem.

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31. PD

    PaulDAndrews

    Phoenix

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was absolutely delicious. I had halibut. Service outstanding. Drinks were excellent!

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32. LI

    LifeIsGood

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Isa is one of my favorite places to dine. The eggplant lasagna is ALWAYS delicious. Thanks for another great meal and memory!

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33. P

    Phili

    New England

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was excellent and the server was very attentive. This was our first experience here and we are looking forward to going back.

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing meal! Worth a visit!

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35. KD

    KarD

    New England

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Isa never disappoints. We eat here often and highly recommend. The food, waitstaff and ambiance are all outstanding.

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36. AO

    AnnaO

    New England

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food, exquisite seared halibut dish paired with white wine from Macon (that sauce with mushrooms mmmmmmm), appetizers were wonderful but price wise it’s very expensive. My friend had steak with au gratin pomme de terre. I think he liked it as well. And steak was beautifully medium rare. Overall it was excellent dinner and experience but prices surprised me.

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37. CF

    CynthiaF

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Very very delicious food - especially the eggplant lasagna!!!

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38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    everything was incredible! perfect location for a valentine’s day dinner.

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39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Valentine’s Day As always Susie greeted with big smile and re affirms our “ regular” status

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40. BS

    BryamS

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Perfect meal from the first sip of wine to dessert. Each course was prepared very, very well!

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