(portobellopdx.com) – Southeast neighborhood, Portland, Oregon

How I heard of this place: When in Portland, do what the locals do and take their advice when it comes to food. We did.

Type of cuisine: Italian-inspired vegan cuisine, including pizzas, pastas, and steak…with cashew cheeses, beet burgers, seitan, and portobello mushrooms!

Ambiance: Unassuming industrial exterior immediately adjacent to a tattoo parlor next to a hair salon, one would hardly expect the cozy, dim-lit interior. Uneven wooden planks against the wall, set with miniature intricate ornaments,

golden chandeliers overhead,

matching, streamlined chairs and tables, edging up to the bar,

with minimally decorated walls and intimate wooden booth seating.

What I ordered: A first visit for the five of us, we opted to sample two appetizers, including a house favorite, Beet Tartare ($9): diced, roasted beets with carrot aioli, fines herbes, & capers atop cashew puree with olive oil, sea salt, & toast,

in addition to the Sweety Pepes ($8): cashew cheese stuffed sweety pep peppers.

Our main entrées included two orders of an establishment staple, the Beet Burger Royale ($14 each): our housemade beet burger, cashew cheddar, caramelized onions, smoked portobello, carrot aioli, catsup, lettuce, onions, and tomato on a focaccia bun, served with pommes frites and housemade curry catsup,

one Winter Mushroom Risotto ($16): a creamy risotto with black garlic, black trumpet and pioppini mushrooms finished with truffle butter,

and a 12″ Neapolitan inspired Pepperoni pie ($13): marinara, cashew cream, garlic, & seitan pepperoni sausage.

What I loved: Sweety peps immediately became a table favorite, followed closely by the curry catsup. Beets galore = win!

Why I loved it: For the vegan craving Italian food. Vegan fare. Done right.

Cost: Average ($11 – $17 per entrée)

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