Love love love this place! The food, the service, the atmosphere. Best Italian restaurant on this side of town hands down.
Jason Van Camp
Mamma Mia! We have a new favorite Italian restaurant!My wife and I were strolling through Multnomah Village area, mostly browsing, when we wandered by Casa Vacca and were immediately hooked by some of the dishes we saw being devoured by patrons with rapturous expressions on their faces! Specifically, my wife locked eyes on the Polenta Cakes and the Penne Gamberi, both of which she would end up ordering. Of course, we had to put down our names and wait an interminable 45 minutes (worth it!), so we grabbed a drink across the street at Renner's, hoping the alcohol would stun our stomachs into shutting up for the better part of an hour, while we waited impatiently for our turn!Belated spoiler alert!: you already known the Polenta Cakes would be ordered, but we also tacked on the Deviled Eggs, and only just barely resisted an order of the meatballs as well, as suggested by a couple of nearby diners. Not wanting to be gluttonous, we held back, and vowed to order them in the future. Now, I was previously unfamiliar with polenta, so this was a new experience for me. For the similarly uninitiated, the texture and flavor are similar to a softer cornbread, and in this case, drizzled with butter and gorgonzola, making it simultaneously light and rich, warm and with a slight crunch from the pine nuts. Really tasty! The Deviled Eggs were filled with a smooth and creamy whipped mixture that was flirting with the edge of being too soft, but when it hits your taste buds, all critiques fall flat!As for my wife's Penne Gamberi, the cream sauce was thick and plentiful, creamy and rich, enough to cover the penne without drowning them, and just a hint of spice to make it nice! As someone who avoids seafood, even *I* would have eaten that dish with relish! On my side, I ordered the Puttanesca (it was a toss up between that and the Bolognese, but the waitress' input on the matter settled the issue), which also had a very pleasant level of spice, oil and kick from the capers and peppers. My wife was envious enough to vow that she would be ordering it the next time we come here (I get the feeling it will be *quite* soon). We topped off the evening, and our stomachs, with an order of my all-time favorite dessert, Tiramisu, which I definitely didn't have room for, but sometimes, you gotta make sacrifices. At least, as far as desserts go, it's rather light, and had the perfect proportions of cream, ladyfingers and cocoa.As far as service goes, things started a little slow at first; it took a few minutes for our server to make her way over to us. Once things were underway, it was smooth sailing from start to finish. The owner even stopped by to check on things, and upon whom we lavished many praises for his remarkable establishment. Casa Vacca has earned its place on our restaurant list equivalent of "speed dial" - those few favorite places that will always be among our first choices for any dinner outing. Fancying ourselves as the Spanish and Italian explorers of old, there's still so many choices left on the map (menu) of Casa Vacca that need exploring! And unlike Columbus, we know where to find the good stuff!
MACKDUB
Phenomenal Food!! Great Drinks!! Amazing Atmosphere!! It's our new favorite place!!
Katy M.
Yum. The drinks were pretty good. The food was outstanding. The service was ok... got some weird vibes from the staff members? We sat outside when the weather was nice and it was lovely. The service was prompt. I know it's such a simple item, but I recommend the garlic toast!
Foxqrs
Cocktails are priced high, but they are decent. Food tastes like it came out of a box, and our server was rude, basically yelling at us because just two adults in our party of four ordered alcoholic beverages. It is too bad because the location is prime and we like to support local.
Travis Russell
So good! Had an amazing time! The food was sooooo delicious!
Fancy Pat Klimas
Went there last week (June 10) for dinner, good pizza! Was shocked that servers were not wearing masks though, virtually the only place in town I’ve eaten where none of the servers were masked.
Sean McCauley
Great pizza and setting.
evan s.
Took my wife and daughter there fir the first time last night, very happy with the meal and service! It was 1st Friday in the Village and they were slammed but the wait for a table wasn't unreasonable, our order came out quickly and although the waitstaff was harried, they were super friendly and efficient. My family ordered pasta and several of the small plates, all were very tasty and well prepared, however everything is heavy on the fat and salt, ( and flavor!) so go easy and include a salad to go with dinner for some relief! We were much too full for dessert. Maybe next visit!
Cap’n Foody
The pizza is better than Tastebud and they don’t charge $3 for parmigiana cheese.
Just a really good, neighborhood Italian restaurant. We're so happy Casa Vaca is in our Village and have access to their flavorful food often. Try them!
morgan ritter
Very cute ambiance, can’t wait to dine in here post Covid. They do have some nice outdoor seating options during the no dine in order. We picked up the pizza and polenta cakes to go. Loved the polenta cakes, not the best pizza we’ve ever had but it was good!
Brian Cekoric
COVID puts a crimp on fairly assesing any venue. Given that, this place is stellar! No sit down dining, no bar service - no matter!
Anno D.
Took a chance and tried the new-ish Italian place on the corner in Multnomah Village. Happily surprised with top shelf food. Was amazing. We ordered: Lasasagne, Shrimp Puttanesca and the Ceasar salad. All exceeded expectations and equal dishes that might be served in a well known long standing high class restaurant you would come across in a city with more Italian immigrants than ours in PDX typically are. The attention to detail here did not go unnoticed. Lasagne: bechamel sauce is exquisite. Shrimp Puttanesca: balance of flavors is a wonder of nature. Caesar: the best tasting and carefully prepared I've had in Portland in recent memory. You can tell all the dishes were well thought out and the execution is five star. I've lived in this area 30+ years and this is stand out Italian fare that will become a go to for mom n pop Italian. Highly recommend!!
David M.
Don't know how I haven't been here before. Start off by saying service was very top notch and real! The feeling of love in Casa Vacca is noticeable as soon as you walk in. Spaghetti and Meatballs and Puttanesca were amazing and Daughter loved the butter noodles. As a business owner in the area myself Im instantly calling this one of my new favorites. We'll be back! Love This Place.
Love love love this place! The food, the service, the atmosphere. Best Italian restaurant on this side of town hands down.
Mamma Mia! We have a new favorite Italian restaurant!My wife and I were strolling through Multnomah Village area, mostly browsing, when we wandered by Casa Vacca and were immediately hooked by some of the dishes we saw being devoured by patrons with rapturous expressions on their faces! Specifically, my wife locked eyes on the Polenta Cakes and the Penne Gamberi, both of which she would end up ordering. Of course, we had to put down our names and wait an interminable 45 minutes (worth it!), so we grabbed a drink across the street at Renner's, hoping the alcohol would stun our stomachs into shutting up for the better part of an hour, while we waited impatiently for our turn!Belated spoiler alert!: you already known the Polenta Cakes would be ordered, but we also tacked on the Deviled Eggs, and only just barely resisted an order of the meatballs as well, as suggested by a couple of nearby diners. Not wanting to be gluttonous, we held back, and vowed to order them in the future. Now, I was previously unfamiliar with polenta, so this was a new experience for me. For the similarly uninitiated, the texture and flavor are similar to a softer cornbread, and in this case, drizzled with butter and gorgonzola, making it simultaneously light and rich, warm and with a slight crunch from the pine nuts. Really tasty! The Deviled Eggs were filled with a smooth and creamy whipped mixture that was flirting with the edge of being too soft, but when it hits your taste buds, all critiques fall flat!As for my wife's Penne Gamberi, the cream sauce was thick and plentiful, creamy and rich, enough to cover the penne without drowning them, and just a hint of spice to make it nice! As someone who avoids seafood, even *I* would have eaten that dish with relish! On my side, I ordered the Puttanesca (it was a toss up between that and the Bolognese, but the waitress' input on the matter settled the issue), which also had a very pleasant level of spice, oil and kick from the capers and peppers. My wife was envious enough to vow that she would be ordering it the next time we come here (I get the feeling it will be *quite* soon). We topped off the evening, and our stomachs, with an order of my all-time favorite dessert, Tiramisu, which I definitely didn't have room for, but sometimes, you gotta make sacrifices. At least, as far as desserts go, it's rather light, and had the perfect proportions of cream, ladyfingers and cocoa.As far as service goes, things started a little slow at first; it took a few minutes for our server to make her way over to us. Once things were underway, it was smooth sailing from start to finish. The owner even stopped by to check on things, and upon whom we lavished many praises for his remarkable establishment. Casa Vacca has earned its place on our restaurant list equivalent of "speed dial" - those few favorite places that will always be among our first choices for any dinner outing. Fancying ourselves as the Spanish and Italian explorers of old, there's still so many choices left on the map (menu) of Casa Vacca that need exploring! And unlike Columbus, we know where to find the good stuff!
Phenomenal Food!! Great Drinks!! Amazing Atmosphere!! It's our new favorite place!!
Yum. The drinks were pretty good. The food was outstanding. The service was ok... got some weird vibes from the staff members? We sat outside when the weather was nice and it was lovely. The service was prompt. I know it's such a simple item, but I recommend the garlic toast!
Cocktails are priced high, but they are decent. Food tastes like it came out of a box, and our server was rude, basically yelling at us because just two adults in our party of four ordered alcoholic beverages. It is too bad because the location is prime and we like to support local.
So good! Had an amazing time! The food was sooooo delicious!
Went there last week (June 10) for dinner, good pizza! Was shocked that servers were not wearing masks though, virtually the only place in town I’ve eaten where none of the servers were masked.
Great pizza and setting.
Took my wife and daughter there fir the first time last night, very happy with the meal and service! It was 1st Friday in the Village and they were slammed but the wait for a table wasn't unreasonable, our order came out quickly and although the waitstaff was harried, they were super friendly and efficient. My family ordered pasta and several of the small plates, all were very tasty and well prepared, however everything is heavy on the fat and salt, ( and flavor!) so go easy and include a salad to go with dinner for some relief! We were much too full for dessert. Maybe next visit!
The pizza is better than Tastebud and they don’t charge $3 for parmigiana cheese.
Restaurantji Recommends
Just a really good, neighborhood Italian restaurant. We're so happy Casa Vaca is in our Village and have access to their flavorful food often. Try them!
Very cute ambiance, can’t wait to dine in here post Covid. They do have some nice outdoor seating options during the no dine in order. We picked up the pizza and polenta cakes to go. Loved the polenta cakes, not the best pizza we’ve ever had but it was good!
COVID puts a crimp on fairly assesing any venue. Given that, this place is stellar! No sit down dining, no bar service - no matter!
Took a chance and tried the new-ish Italian place on the corner in Multnomah Village. Happily surprised with top shelf food. Was amazing. We ordered: Lasasagne, Shrimp Puttanesca and the Ceasar salad. All exceeded expectations and equal dishes that might be served in a well known long standing high class restaurant you would come across in a city with more Italian immigrants than ours in PDX typically are. The attention to detail here did not go unnoticed. Lasagne: bechamel sauce is exquisite. Shrimp Puttanesca: balance of flavors is a wonder of nature. Caesar: the best tasting and carefully prepared I've had in Portland in recent memory. You can tell all the dishes were well thought out and the execution is five star. I've lived in this area 30+ years and this is stand out Italian fare that will become a go to for mom n pop Italian. Highly recommend!!
Don't know how I haven't been here before. Start off by saying service was very top notch and real! The feeling of love in Casa Vacca is noticeable as soon as you walk in. Spaghetti and Meatballs and Puttanesca were amazing and Daughter loved the butter noodles. As a business owner in the area myself Im instantly calling this one of my new favorites. We'll be back! Love This Place.