I’m only posting this briefly in hopes of contributing to the restaurant’s continued growth.
My partner and I have been coming here for years with friends and family, so we were familiar with the flavor profile of the previous chef before the change at the end of 2024. We’re well-traveled and respect and support the desire to take the menu in a new direction. That said, I’d recommend ensuring that as the menu evolves, it’s thoughtfully reviewed by the general public with purpose. Many people either offer minimal feedback— which is crucial for improvement— or simply stop coming, causing the restaurant to lose the loyal clientele and strong reviews that built its reputation.
The Prawns These were overly grilled and lacked seasoning. Prawns have incredible natural flavor, and a simple marinade of garlic, salt, and pepper would go a long way. Perhaps that was the intent, but with the excessive char, it was hard to tell. Additionally, I believe they’re being cooked too close to the wood, as the smokiness overpowers the dish, it almost tasted chemical. That said, I love the fresh, grilled approach— it just needs some refinement. A positive note: the heads detached easily, which is great for those who aren’t accustomed to eating them (even though that’s a shame, the Louisiana review below can stfu!).
Foie Gras Bruschetta The dish was good, but the elderberry was too strong, overpowering rather than complementing the flavors. While fig could potentially blend in too much, blackberries or raspberry’s might provide a better balance.
Black Truffle Campanelle I’ve always loved the pastas here, and I appreciate the addition of shaved black truffle— it’s a great experience for many. The initial taste was fantastic, but then I encountered a cold bite which was highly off putting, which turned out to be the crab meat. Serving cold crab on hot pasta didn’t work well; mixing it only resulted in a lukewarm dish. Additionally, the crab was heavily salted and acidic profile likely with lemon, which made the entire dish overly salty. The pasta’s cream-based sauce was excellent on its own, but the cold, salted crab detracted from the experience— and unfortunately, overshadowed the shaved truffles. I’d recommend a mushroom and sausage pairing with truffle, but if that feels too basic, a warm buttered crab, lobster, or Argentine shrimp would be a better alternative than cold. On a positive note, the fried chives on top were a great touch!
Pork Osso Bucco Before the sauce, I tasted the risotto on its own, and it lacked seasoning. The sauce— which I assume is the pork renderings— could benefit from thickening, as it turned the dish soupy rather than cohesive. However, the salsa verde was fantastic and essential for bringing the dish together as it needed more flavor.
We’ve loved this restaurant for years and respect the new direction. We don’t mind that the pizzas are gone, even though they were great— Portland is saturated with pizza, and it makes sense to try something fresh.
Maybe critics have already reviewed the menu, but their feedback is invaluable because it’s honest.
That said, I give full credit to the chefs and servers— you’re all amazing, and I fully respect any eye-rolls while reading this. I’m only saying this because we want to continue coming back and loving the food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Cole Collins
I’m writing this review 3 years later because I am still thinking about this meal. Everything was fantastic. We got two specialties, a pizza and a pasta. Pasta was probably the best pasta dish I’ve ever had and I’ve been all over the world. Check this place out. It’s a do not miss.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Fraser
Went to Tartuca to meet a friend for dinner. Got a great cocktail while the waiter checked with the kitchen to what they could do for a vegan. The answer was nothing. We cook the pasta and most of the veggies in duck fat. It’s been more than thirty years since I encountered an Italian restaurant where I could not eat. And Portland! There are ton of vegetarians and vegans here. Really.
Vegetarian options: No vegetarian options, other than salad.
Desi wiley
To put it lightly, immaculate. Staff choices were perfect, waitress was incredible, dinner was even better. The kind of place you try hard to find in other countries! Duck and pasta pictured!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Roxanne DuBois
This was the best. BEST. Ragiatori Bolognese I've ever eaten. There are 2 incredible gentlemen that I must praise to the rooftops. David and Jeff. You absolutely blew us away with your incredible service. So sweet. Thank you for everything. The wine pairing was stunning to say the least. I loved the burrata and focaccia. We will 100% be ordering the table-sized one for our next potluck and we will need business cards to distribute when we inevitably have to tell people where we got it. My husband (who doesn't drink wine...EVER) finished his glass with his meal of Pork ossobucco. It was the best meal he has ever eaten. Period. And the tiramisu bread pudding was phenomenal. Hats off to the entire crew at this establishment. The chefs are truly masters of their professions. I. Cannot. Wait. To. Return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bolognese Pasta
Eric Ingersoll
I mean, what the hell guys. I'm ruined. I can't go and explore new restaurants or eat anywhere else now, what's the point!? I've peaked!
Jeff and David were absolutely awesome. Their hospitality, demeanor, and service were amazing. The wine pairings they offered with dinner and dessert we're on point, and I say that as a person who generally avoids wine. I also love the fact they talked about their chef and had an extremely positive attitude about their kitchen staff and the mission of the restaurant.
Onto the food... go here. Get food. Eat food. Enjoy food. We started with the focaccia bread with burrata. You can tell how much love goes into those loaves. Huge rise, chewy but delicate, absorbs the olive oil and the burrata on top sealed the deal.
For dinner, I had to ossu bucco, and it was, without a doubt, probably the best meal I've eaten in my 12 years in Portland. The pork was perfectly moist, fall-off-the-bone tender, on a bed of amazing risotto that matched it perfectly. My wife ate the radiatori pasta. There's a phrase for the perfect noodle in eastern cooking called 'QQ'. These noodles had the perfect amount of QQ, wonderful flavor, and the sauce provided a velvety texture with a pop of zest from the basil.
The cocktails were delicious as well, my wife said the Old Fashioned was one of the best she's had, and I have the Amber Waves of Agave which was delicate and smooth.
For dessert we had the tiramisu bread pudding which ended our fantastic night with warmth. Fantastic flavor, perfect texture, and paired with a wonderful wine recommended by Jeff that matched the warm and honeyed flavors.
I have already recommended this place to several friends after we got home last night, and now, to you Google review reader, make a reservation now.
Parking: We parked a few blocks away in the nearby neighbor and walked in.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bill Bush
An exceptionally tasty and fun night on the town with our two daughters.
Went in not knowing much about the restaurant or what to expect but found a consistently delightful experience. Our daughters ate everything the restaurant could put in front of them and were ready to lick the plates if we had allowed it.
Kid-friendliness: A very adult restaurant but very accommodating of kids and families
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrata Salad, Bolognese Pasta
hayden honrath
Amazing atmosphere and service however, the food was way too salty. I don’t remember it being this salty the last time I ate here although, that was over 2 years ago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
O W
Tartuca was delicious. The food was on point and cooked right in front of you. Reservations are recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonah Higgins
One of the best Italian meals I’ve eaten. For an appetizer, we got the focaccia with burrata. For our main dishes, we got the black truffle vampanelle and the radiatori which were phenomenal. Highly recommend.
Absolutely incredible. Wonderful vibes, the food was delicious, and the staff were helpful! We didn’t feel rushed, but our waitress was attentive. Food came out at a perfect pace, and honestly, everything was good! Make a reservation, they’re busy for a reason!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris May
I've been here 4 times now. Everytime has been a joy. Great food, great drinks and the service is stellar. They could have the best bread in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi, Custom Pizza, Burrata Salad, Caesar Salad
McKenna Burke
Updated 1/24: We still loved this place but bumped a star off because they don’t serve pizza anymore! We were so bummed! We were still happy with both of our pastas and cocktails, but the pizza was truly the highlight of our meal last time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bolognese Pasta
stephanie villalobos
Wonderful little restaurant on mission street. Very intimate and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The prawn appetizer was by far my favorite. I wanted to lick the plate because the sauce was so good. The bolognese was good but very rich . Would have been nice to have some acidity to cut through the richness but overall delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bolognese Pasta
Deborah Alexander
Fabulous place to celebrate our 31st anniversary. Jeff was most knowledgeable about the wine list, even creating it himself, and enthusiastic about what he genuinely sees as the perfect pairing to Tartuca's menu and atmosphere. Michael was the best, providing us with privacy and time balanced with attention. Wine list is superb, food is incredible and ambiance is perfect. Have never been and will be back!
I’m only posting this briefly in hopes of contributing to the restaurant’s continued growth.
My partner and I have been coming here for years with friends and family, so we were familiar with the flavor profile of the previous chef before the change at the end of 2024. We’re well-traveled and respect and support the desire to take the menu in a new direction. That said, I’d recommend ensuring that as the menu evolves, it’s thoughtfully reviewed by the general public with purpose. Many people either offer minimal feedback— which is crucial for improvement— or simply stop coming, causing the restaurant to lose the loyal clientele and strong reviews that built its reputation.
The Prawns
These were overly grilled and lacked seasoning. Prawns have incredible natural flavor, and a simple marinade of garlic, salt, and pepper would go a long way. Perhaps that was the intent, but with the excessive char, it was hard to tell. Additionally, I believe they’re being cooked too close to the wood, as the smokiness overpowers the dish, it almost tasted chemical. That said, I love the fresh, grilled approach— it just needs some refinement. A positive note: the heads detached easily, which is great for those who aren’t accustomed to eating them (even though that’s a shame, the Louisiana review below can stfu!).
Foie Gras Bruschetta
The dish was good, but the elderberry was too strong, overpowering rather than complementing the flavors. While fig could potentially blend in too much, blackberries or raspberry’s might provide a better balance.
Black Truffle Campanelle
I’ve always loved the pastas here, and I appreciate the addition of shaved black truffle— it’s a great experience for many. The initial taste was fantastic, but then I encountered a cold bite which was highly off putting, which turned out to be the crab meat. Serving cold crab on hot pasta didn’t work well; mixing it only resulted in a lukewarm dish. Additionally, the crab was heavily salted and acidic profile likely with lemon, which made the entire dish overly salty. The pasta’s cream-based sauce was excellent on its own, but the cold, salted crab detracted from the experience— and unfortunately, overshadowed the shaved truffles.
I’d recommend a mushroom and sausage pairing with truffle, but if that feels too basic, a warm buttered crab, lobster, or Argentine shrimp would be a better alternative than cold. On a positive note, the fried chives on top were a great touch!
Pork Osso Bucco
Before the sauce, I tasted the risotto on its own, and it lacked seasoning. The sauce— which I assume is the pork renderings— could benefit from thickening, as it turned the dish soupy rather than cohesive. However, the salsa verde was fantastic and essential for bringing the dish together as it needed more flavor.
We’ve loved this restaurant for years and respect the new direction. We don’t mind that the pizzas are gone, even though they were great— Portland is saturated with pizza, and it makes sense to try something fresh.
Maybe critics have already reviewed the menu, but their feedback is invaluable because it’s honest.
That said, I give full credit to the chefs and servers— you’re all amazing, and I fully respect any eye-rolls while reading this. I’m only saying this because we want to continue coming back and loving the food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
I’m writing this review 3 years later because I am still thinking about this meal. Everything was fantastic. We got two specialties, a pizza and a pasta. Pasta was probably the best pasta dish I’ve ever had and I’ve been all over the world. Check this place out. It’s a do not miss.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went to Tartuca to meet a friend for dinner. Got a great cocktail while the waiter checked with the kitchen to what they could do for a vegan. The answer was nothing. We cook the pasta and most of the veggies in duck fat. It’s been more than thirty years since I encountered an Italian restaurant where I could not eat. And Portland! There are ton of vegetarians and vegans here. Really.
Vegetarian options: No vegetarian options, other than salad.
To put it lightly, immaculate. Staff choices were perfect, waitress was incredible, dinner was even better. The kind of place you try hard to find in other countries! Duck and pasta pictured!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was the best. BEST. Ragiatori Bolognese I've ever eaten. There are 2 incredible gentlemen that I must praise to the rooftops. David and Jeff. You absolutely blew us away with your incredible service. So sweet. Thank you for everything. The wine pairing was stunning to say the least. I loved the burrata and focaccia. We will 100% be ordering the table-sized one for our next potluck and we will need business cards to distribute when we inevitably have to tell people where we got it. My husband (who doesn't drink wine...EVER) finished his glass with his meal of Pork ossobucco. It was the best meal he has ever eaten. Period. And the tiramisu bread pudding was phenomenal. Hats off to the entire crew at this establishment. The chefs are truly masters of their professions. I. Cannot. Wait. To. Return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bolognese Pasta
I mean, what the hell guys. I'm ruined. I can't go and explore new restaurants or eat anywhere else now, what's the point!? I've peaked!
Jeff and David were absolutely awesome. Their hospitality, demeanor, and service were amazing. The wine pairings they offered with dinner and dessert we're on point, and I say that as a person who generally avoids wine. I also love the fact they talked about their chef and had an extremely positive attitude about their kitchen staff and the mission of the restaurant.
Onto the food... go here. Get food. Eat food. Enjoy food. We started with the focaccia bread with burrata. You can tell how much love goes into those loaves. Huge rise, chewy but delicate, absorbs the olive oil and the burrata on top sealed the deal.
For dinner, I had to ossu bucco, and it was, without a doubt, probably the best meal I've eaten in my 12 years in Portland. The pork was perfectly moist, fall-off-the-bone tender, on a bed of amazing risotto that matched it perfectly. My wife ate the radiatori pasta. There's a phrase for the perfect noodle in eastern cooking called 'QQ'. These noodles had the perfect amount of QQ, wonderful flavor, and the sauce provided a velvety texture with a pop of zest from the basil.
The cocktails were delicious as well, my wife said the Old Fashioned was one of the best she's had, and I have the Amber Waves of Agave which was delicate and smooth.
For dessert we had the tiramisu bread pudding which ended our fantastic night with warmth. Fantastic flavor, perfect texture, and paired with a wonderful wine recommended by Jeff that matched the warm and honeyed flavors.
I have already recommended this place to several friends after we got home last night, and now, to you Google review reader, make a reservation now.
Parking: We parked a few blocks away in the nearby neighbor and walked in.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An exceptionally tasty and fun night on the town with our two daughters.
Went in not knowing much about the restaurant or what to expect but found a consistently delightful experience. Our daughters ate everything the restaurant could put in front of them and were ready to lick the plates if we had allowed it.
Kid-friendliness: A very adult restaurant but very accommodating of kids and families
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrata Salad, Bolognese Pasta
Amazing atmosphere and service however, the food was way too salty. I don’t remember it being this salty the last time I ate here although, that was over 2 years ago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Tartuca was delicious. The food was on point and cooked right in front of you. Reservations are recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best Italian meals I’ve eaten. For an appetizer, we got the focaccia with burrata. For our main dishes, we got the black truffle vampanelle and the radiatori which were phenomenal. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Absolutely incredible. Wonderful vibes, the food was delicious, and the staff were helpful! We didn’t feel rushed, but our waitress was attentive. Food came out at a perfect pace, and honestly, everything was good! Make a reservation, they’re busy for a reason!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been here 4 times now. Everytime has been a joy. Great food, great drinks and the service is stellar. They could have the best bread in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi, Custom Pizza, Burrata Salad, Caesar Salad
Updated 1/24: We still loved this place but bumped a star off because they don’t serve pizza anymore! We were so bummed! We were still happy with both of our pastas and cocktails, but the pizza was truly the highlight of our meal last time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bolognese Pasta
Wonderful little restaurant on mission street. Very intimate and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The prawn appetizer was by far my favorite. I wanted to lick the plate because the sauce was so good. The bolognese was good but very rich . Would have been nice to have some acidity to cut through the richness but overall delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bolognese Pasta
Fabulous place to celebrate our 31st anniversary. Jeff was most knowledgeable about the wine list, even creating it himself, and enthusiastic about what he genuinely sees as the perfect pairing to Tartuca's menu and atmosphere. Michael was the best, providing us with privacy and time balanced with attention. Wine list is superb, food is incredible and ambiance is perfect. Have never been and will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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