Address: | 1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205, USA |
Phone: | +1 503-241-1133 |
Site: | grassapdx.com |
Rating: | 4.4 |
Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM |
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Nicholas Vacirca
Grassa sits nestled on the corner of 12th & Washington just next to its sister spot Lardo. If youve had Lardos exceptional take on sandwiches with "dirty" fries, then keep your expectations up and try to keep the saliva from overtaking rational thought. The menu-style is very Lardo-like as well - a simple board in the entryway speckled with everything from Italian classics a la Cacio e Pepe to tomato-braised lamb to sides to a house lager from Occidental. After very quick experience with a friendly hostess I was handed a table marker and found a comfy corner spot to await the to-order creations. On my first trip I decided to go as simple as possible. Cacio e Pepe. Garlic Bread. Lager. There are plenty of more exotic and possibly exciting things on the menu (the next table over had some squid ink pasta that looked amazing!) but I wanted to see if they could nail a humble dish. And boy did they! It was, simply, spectacular. I wound up mopping up what was left with the second half of my delicious-on-its-own and not-for-the-faint-of-garlic bread, and would happily order again, and again. Go. Its fantastic.
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Therdsak Suthanaviroj
07/30/16: 4.5 out of 5 - Came here with the wife and the mother-in-law. Place was full but things went quickly. Service was better this time around, the food was better, and the music was at a perfect volume where we can have a good conversation. Glad to see the place was exceptional today. 06/29/16: 4 out of 5 - Ive been here before, but this time I came with my Wednesday running group. As usual, we all ordered a variety of dishes to enjoy with each other. Overall, the food was good and the establishment is nice. The pasta is made fresh there with specials. However, there are two areas that can be improved on. First, the service, in my humble opinion, is at best, par. The staff can be a bit more cheery or just smile and be nice. Maybe it was just my visits, but there seems to be a pattern. Second, turn the music down a little. I absolutely do not like having a yelling conversation with the people next to me. Its a restaurant, not a bar or club scene. Like I stated, the food is good. So, try it once and decide for yourself.
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Pechluck Laskey
In case you were wondering, Grassa translated means “fat” in Italian, so he’s still celebrating it, and I’m right there with him! As soon as you walk in the glass door etched with their signature eagle, you are at an ordering counter. A chalkboard that extends up to the high modern workshop loft ceilings with the menu. After ordering, you are given a number and seat yourself in the airy space that makes it seem like you are sitting in an extension of their kitchen prep area, or in a cooking class, a combination of industrial modernity and functionality. The Bucatini with hazelnut pesto, zucchini, mozzarella crema- the pasta was toothy and the hazelnuts gave it some crunch while the mozzarella was the embrace of liquid love on top. Radiatore with tomato braised chicken, crisp skin, ricotta, basil- I loved the play on textures with the shapes of the radiatore and savory braised chicken and saved my last bite to be one of those bits of crisp skin.
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HowlingTurtle19
I was excited to go to this place because they have handmade gluten free pasta, which is hard to find, but the charge to substitute was $3. Im used to uncharges for gluten free, but in my experience they are never more than $1 or $1.50. Now, maybe it really does cost 3 extra dollars to make the gluten free pasta, but when my mom (who I was dining with) made a comment about it, the server at the counter got really pissed and had a bad attitude for the rest of the time we were placing our order. The food ended up being good, but I would have been just as happy with a cheaper, pre-made gf pasta, to be honest. Also, the music they played was a loud, raucous rock. It felt a bit out of place and was really annoying. You had to speak louder to be heard across the table, and it actually gave my mother a headache since she is sensitive to loud noise. I was really disappointed because I was very excited about this place. Too bad.
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Lisa Jolly
Came here first time since not Pastini... RUDE staff[WHICH WAS THE FINAL STRAW THAT MOTIVATED ME TO TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE THIS] LOUD music CHAOTIC Shotgun Ordering ... you stand in line and try to read the slightly illegable hand written order board. You have to grapple for a table. The staff doesnt seat you. Small drinks. Small variety WHEN EVERYONE WAS DONE EATING ... Then they brought the bread. Gee Thanks! If you want another glass of there tap wine, you have to get up and wait in line AGAIN! It is so loud its like being front row at Super Bowl. Allergies beware. They dont care. Im NEVER COMING HERE A GAIN AND IM TELLING EVERYONE I KNOW HOW AWFUL IT WAS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS MISERABLE IN ANY RESTAURANT I have never wrote a review like this. Doubt I ever will see worst service and a worst restaurant concept
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Andrew Zimmer
Our experience here was almost perfect! Initially I was a bit put off by the seating procedure, which entails ordering at the hostess booth and then having to find your own seat when there are open seats. However, the crowd moved quickly and we found an open seat for two at the community tables. We sat next to a lovely couple and spent the whole dinner time conversing with strangers.....it was quite refreshing. And the food.....The food was outstanding, especially for the price! I had the pork belly Mac and cheese, which melted in my mouth. Everyone elses plates looked just as appetizing. The wait staff was friendly and prompt. The only downside of the entire evening was the music, which was very loud and a bit coarse for my taste. Regardless, I would go back in a heartbeat and would definitely recommend to others.
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Ric Rini
Be prepared to hunt for a seat and be packed in when you find one because seating outs at a premium at this restaurant. Its popular, has good food and is still a novelty. All a mix for a crowd. All their pasta is fresh, made on premises and has such a could taste. The pasta dishes are all pretty trendy and unique. They all really sound intriguing. My wife and I got the calamari and I would pass next time. It was over cooked with to much breading. My pasta, the squid ink dyed with albacore tuna was very tasty and all at a reasonable price. My wife got the claim pasta. She really enjoyed it. Best part, the claims being fresh and the spices used in the dish. Very good place at reasonable prices.
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Evan Davis
This is one of the best pasta eateries I have ever had the pleasure of dining at. It seems like an extension of Lardo and it kinda is. They make pasta on site and the dishes are rather tasty. Ive had the pork belly mac & cheese, squid ink pasta with clams, and the carbonara. The pasta was perfect, the sauces were delicious, the presentation was good and the atmosphere was fun. You purchase your meal at the front counter and then wait at your table with a number. There is water at the tables and the wait staff arent hovering around. Why would you go to Olive Garden when you can get food that is better in every way for much less? The plates were $11-15 and I hope it never changes.