La Terrazza Italian Grill

At lunch time, guests queue up, and after reviewing a menu from a stand near the door, walk to the service counter, place and pay for their order, and receive a number used by the server to deliver food. Customers then serve their own beverages and obtain cutlery/napkins from another service area, and seat themselves. Once prepared, food is brought to the table by a server. Pros: Some good dishes, though pricey Cons: Deceptive tip policy; surly waitstaff and disinterested manager; not worth the money more

This place used to be a steal. Great food, great service, authentic Italian food (not your typical Americanized Olive Garden-esque chain store special). My fiance and I would go here on a what seemed to be a weekly basis. However, on our last couple visits we have had enough bad experiences to decide to never go here again (and this used to be our favorite place). Before you could expect consistently great food, made to order (hot), with knowledgeable kind service. It seems the management has changed and now the chef's don't seem to know how to cook. I was served their bolognese luke warm with huge chunks of meat in it (shouldn't be). When I asked to reheat it, the server acted as if I had stolen her first born. I think I've found warmer things in a refrigerator, I wasn't being picky. The tab took forever to arrive and every request for the waitress seemed to be the end of the world. Sad cause this used to be an incredible place, now it's only a memory of the past. Hopefully the old management has found a new home in Portland, because I would love to find it. Pros: used to be a great place Cons: service, food quality, management, value for dollar more

My husbands former boss was visiting portland she asked us to pick the resturant. After looking online I had 3 choices. She opted for Italian and boy were we glad she did. We had never been to La Terrazza before but it had the right prices and I had to belive it would be pretty hard to mess up spagetti. We were so impressed the food was to die for so fresh and perfectly served, our server was on top of our every need, I strongly recomend the Key Lime martini (super yummy) perfect and not over powering with lime. We had the creme brulee for dessert and it was perfect nicely set up with a wonderful crispy sugar top. It cracked when you broke it with the spoon. My husband had the Chocolate Tort with rasspberry topping and it didn't last long enough for me to sneak a bite. For dinner I had the Linguine Vongole the clams were so fresh they didn't have that fishy flavor you get sometimes when they are sitting in a refridgerator, my husband had a chicken dish with mushrooms and fresh vegtables it was also gone before I could get one bite, and his former boss had Fettuccine Alfredo With Grilled Chicken abd she said it was some of the best she had ever had. Pros: ALL PROS Cons: Nothing Negative to say more

Not only is there ZERO authentic Italian cuisine out here, you can't even get good service! Not like back home in Little Italy where great service and great food go hand in hand. \r \r Picture it: 2pm on a weekday afternoon, not a single soul in the place except me, who stops in to grab a quick tiramisu for my afternoon snack. (Quick being the operative word here!) The chick behind the register actually hands me a card with a number on it - what the hell for? Because of the crowd of one? A reasonable person would expect the girl to go into the kitchen, cut a slice of tiramisu and hand it to me in a box and say, 'Thank you'. Does she? Noooooooooooo! She stands around doing nothing but smiling and pacing back and forth. When I ask her again and again what's going on with my tiramisu, all I get is the same vapid smile - she doesn't even say anything! I see at least four other employees just sitting around talking about how no one can find Angel (some kind of drama going on there that I suppose customers are supposed to suffer for.) \r \r For what seemed like at least 7 minutes, not one single employee made an effort to get my friggin tiramisu for me! Finally, I asked for my money back and girlie-girl behind the counter had the nerve to give me an atty-tood about it. Puh-lease!\r \r Granted, I can't review on the food, because unfortunately I wasn't granted an opportunity to try it, but because of the awful service I received today, I have no desire to try it at all. \r \r Is everyone out West stuck in neutral? \r \r Oh well, there's always Olive Garden - even Portland hasn't managed to screw that up. Yet, anyways. Cons: Terrible Service more

my boyfriend and i love to try new restaurants and when we tried la terrazza last night we were not disappointed. i ordered the penne alla zucca which was delicious and he had pesto fettucinni, which was also pretty yummy. also, i had an italian margarita- REALLY good. but the server splashed my boyfriends drink- about 1/4 of it out of the glass and didn't offer to make him another one. not cool if you're paying 6.25 for a small lemon drop. so, the food and drinks are definitely recommended but our server is not. the other server seemed more attentive to her guests but, my boyfriend and i were definitely waiting for our server on several occasions. Pros: food, good date spot Cons: service more

The food was great. The service was really just ok but not bad at all. The atmosphere was pretty nice as well. The resturant seemed to be very slow and it was a Friday night. Pros: Great food Cons: Service ok more

This place is good for a quick sit down lunch break. Seating may be tough if the weather is bad and you don't want to sit at the bar. Specials are usually good. Fairly affordable. Chefs prepare pasta dishes right in front of you. Missing a little flavor though. Reminded me of the pasta bar at my dorm. Good bread to much. Pros: Quick and hot Cons: Lacking flavor more

This place is a must go ! I am here from California and if California would have an Italian resturant like Laterrazza I would not be moving here. I am moving to Portland and am happy I can bring my family to a resturant that has excellent food , service and atmosphere. I really love this place, the food and service is as good as it gets.. Pros: The food is excellent and the service is very good Cons: Been 4 times not disappointed yet more

Since the new owners took over La Terrazza last summer, they have really done an awesome job. It was good before, but there have been some definite improvements...mainly the consistency of good quality food and service, as well as the drink selection. I absolutely love the Pesto Ravioli, Lasagna and Bolognese (I think that's how you spell it.) Also, the outdoor patio is very nice on summer nights. I would think that the patio would be a great place to have a rehearsal dinner or something. Great food, great value, highly recommended! Pros: Lunch - Fast, Tasty, Friendly Dinner - Nice Ambiance Cons: They often get really busy at lunch...try to get there early. more

I love eating here..i've ate here a million times and don't ever get sick of it. the food is great and the service is awesome. My favorite dish is the Penne Zucca which has is penne with squash, garlic, and other vegetables. Pros: Very tasty, great service, Delicious Cons: Crowded more

I think the previous reviewer is NUTS. This is a nice little place to grab a good lunch or dinner. Sure, it is not fine dining, but for 7-8 dollar huge plates of delicious pastas and salads what more do you want? I am addicted to the penne ala zucca. Portion sizes are very generous, the food is tasty, well made and reasonably priced. It is always super busy at lunch time with the courthouse nearby, but I prefer to go on the weekends for lunch or during the week for dinner when it is a bit more quiet. Give it a try!! Pros: yummy food, QUICK service, clean & comfortable more

Used to like this place. It was a regular lunch spot. Last few weeks service and food have gotten REALLY bad. This place is going thru some really bad times. It is now NOT on my good list. Doubt I'd go back again! Pros: Inexpensive Cons: Service, Food, Service more

I was frustrated with La Terraza because of the price, ambiance, food, and value. The decor was comparable to a cafeteria and the food was overpriced for the taste. The bill was close to fifity dollars. I can think of a million other satisfying ways I could have spent this money. The service was very friendly and that was the only good thing about La Terraza. Pros: service Cons: value, ambiance, food more

I visited this place with a friend of mine who just raves about it. I guess whether you like it or not is more a matter of exposure and taste--I thought it was very hum-drum. I ordered the ravioli, which came entirely drenched in some sort of tomato sauce and lacked any seasoning or flavor (even jarred Ragu is better). The poor little raviolis were entirely lost in it and I could not discern any flavor to them. I have to laugh at the categories for this place--if people think this is ""romantic,"" then I pity them. Barring having to return to this restaurant because my friend won't go anyplace else, I would never return. Pros: Fast Cons: Noisy, Little or no service, Uninspired cuisine more

We stayed at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront, and wanted an Italian restaurant within walking distance. I am SOOOOOO glad we chose La Terrazza! The menu had a great variety. Between my meal (gnocchi - with chicken, gorgonzola cheese, broccoli, and tomatoes - the BEST I've ever had, for only $10.95!) and hubby's meal (fettucine bolognese - with the most delicious meat sauce, for only $9.95!), we didn't have room for dessert. All I can say is that, if you're ever in Portland and looking for awesome Italian food, I cannot recommend La Terrazza enough! We'll be sure to go back on our next trip to Oregon! Pros: food, price, location more

I have said it before and I will say it again, my favorite Italian food. La terrazza is consistently makes great food. My sister told me about this place last year and I have been loyal ever since. She took my family their for dinner a few times and they loved it to. If you still have room after your meal. try the homemade cheesecake. I just found out that now they have a happy hour from 3-6pm too! I am excited to try it out. Pros: Great Cheescake, Great Prices, Too Much Food more

The appetizers were pretty small, but we had a coupon for a free one and it was really tasty. That was the only downside. The entres were very good and the waitstaff was very friendly. The environment was very mellow up fairly classy for a counrtyboy like me. Pros: Near the bars, Great bread, Good service more

Go there for dinner prepared to leave with a bellyfull of the yummiest italian food that you will find. The waitstaff are really friendly and supremely efficient. When superheroes got done battling their enemies they come here to recharge their batteries with the really healthy, tasty culinary masterpieces that is La Terrazza. Pros: Excellent service, Inexpensive, Really good food more

We were a little worried when we saw how low the prices were, but it was clean and very comfortable looking...in fact it was very nice! The host was very nice as was the waitperson, and she put up with us! The food came and it was delicious! The appetizer (shrimp) was awfully sparse but other than that, everything was great. We will go there again. Pros: good service, atmosphere(clean), inexpensive Cons: appetizer too small more