I came to Oregon hungry for scenery and left completely obsessed with the tiny trattorias tucked along its winding streets—places that feel like grandma’s living room, only with better lighting and far more oregano in the air.
Each stop, usually hidden away on some quiet side street, taught me that recipes can carry maps, memories, and even a few mildly embarrassing moments, like the times I shamelessly begged for second helpings.
Come wander with me as we chase steam trails and stories, threading pasta through places where the sauce never stops simmering and the conversations never cool. If you crave big flavors with even bigger personalities, this is your table—set, waiting, and oh-so-inviting.
1. DeNicola’s Italian Restaurant – Portland
Fork-first, I slid into a red booth at DeNicola’s like I had been practicing for years. The marinara tasted like a choir singing in tomato, garlic, and patience. A server told me the family keeps the recipe in their heads, not a binder, because paper forgets…