Casual Italian Family Dining
St Petersburg, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: Italian
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 1/5
Dined in: March 2018
Article Updated: June 10, 2018
Article Updated: June 10, 2018
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Portofino Zomato score:
Portofino is a fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline, southeast of Genoa City. Pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques, and seafood restaurants fringe its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbor, which is lined with super-yachts. A path leads from the Piazzetta to Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress, and museum with art exhibitions and panoramic views of the town and the Ligurian Sea. The description alone makes you want to book your airline tickets, doesn’t it?
Now, imagine a small restaurant in your typical American strip mall with a Publix shopping center on one end and a large pet store on the other. The restaurant’s doorways are lined with brick, and the expediting area from the dining room to the kitchen is built with Roman style arches from one end to the other. The Restaurant is called Portofino Italian Ristorante, and is family owned and operated, where the younger teenage daughter is the Hostess who greets you with a smile escorts you to the table, and as long as your first drink order is non-alcoholic, she will take that order for you.
Portofino Menu:
- Cold Appetizers / Antipasto
- Hot Appetizers / Antipasto
- Zuppe/ Soup
- Side Orders
- Pollo / Chicken
- Veal / Vitella
- Pasta
- Fettuccini Dishes
- Seafood
- individual Casseroles
- From the Stone Oven - Pizzas
My wife and I have been several times, and we have placed orders for pick-up when we just want to lounge around the house to enjoy a woodfired stone oven pizza. Their wine list is made up of several Italian, with a few Spanish, and American wines. One my wife and I have ordered several times are the Querceto Chianti DOCG, and according to the winemakers tasting notes are of an intense nose with oak and coffee aromas and a core of black fruit of dense cherry, plum and vanilla flavors, along with hints of spice and toasty aromas. This is a mouth-filling wine with soft, round tannins and an aftertaste of tobacco, espresso, and cocoa accents. Another is the Folonari Chianti DOCG, that is 100% Sangiovese vinified in stainless steel to emphasize fresh, crisp juicy flavors and fragrant aromas, this wine is fresh, fruity, full and harmonious, with blackberry and raspberry notes and toasted almond notes on the finish. The only disappointing item from the domestic and imported beer list was that they did not have any local beers, and the Tampa Bay area has some fantastic local brews.
 |
| Portofino / Pizza on the patio |
On another visit, my wife ordered the chicken scampi special with an alfredo pasta on the side. The presentation was very basic and nothing really to write home about. The dish had strong lemony, yet not much if any garlic flavor, a little of a turndown. Other chickens from the menu run the normal lineup of Italian classics like parmigiana, bolognese, piccata, valdostana, francese, and my order of a chicken marsala with fettuccini pasta. the dish was a little runny, thinner chicken breast that appeared to be poached then placed in the sauce. Also, there were not very many mushrooms on the plate. Next time I’ll have to try the veal or casserole dish sections. This may seem like a downturn based on my lack-luster enthusiasm of the chicken dishes, but the pizzas have always been a hit.
Portofino Desserts:
On another order, we shared a salted caramel cheesecake, which was sweet, rich, and very delightful. Other choices include Spumoni, cannoli, tiramisu, carrot, and chocolate cake.
 |
| Portofino / desserts |
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
European Union:
Italy:
Other Noteworthy Italian Cuisine Articles and Restaurants similar to Portofino:
Alioto’s Restaurant Historic restaurant serving Sicilian-infused seafood in San Francisco, California
BiCE Restaurant, Dubai Marina Acclaimed upmarket classic & innovative Italian in Dubai, UAE
BRIO Tuscan Grille Relaxed Tuscan-inspired Italian chain eatery, reviewed in Sarasota, Florida
Gratzzi Italian Grille Traditional and classic Italian plates in St. Petersburg, Florida
Gino’s East Pizzeria Chain serving Chicago-style deep dish pizza & other Italian eats in Chicago, Illinois
Greystone Restaurant Italian CIA School restaurant in Calistoga, California (Now Gatehouse Restaurant)
La Petite Maison Relaxed French-Italian restaurant at the DFIC in Dubai, UAE
Locale Seasonal Northern Italian at the De Bortoli Winery in the Yarra Valley, Australia
Pia’s Trattoria Tuscan-themed old-school Italian restaurant In Gulfport, Florida
Pizza Republica Trendy Italian trattoria and pizza restaurant in Centennial, Colorado
Ponte Vecchio Fine dining Italian classics in the Fallsview Hotel, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Prato Rustic Italian bistro with modern takes on classic dishes in Winter Park, Florida
Roberto’s Ristorante A walk into the Piemonte with a contemporary twist at the DIFC, Dubai, UAE
Sea-Guini Chic restaurant with seafood & Italian-inspired cuisine in Clearwater Beach, Florida
The Garlic An old world approach to Italian with Mediterranean classics in New Smyrna Beach, Florida
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other St. Petersburg, Florida restaurants, and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
|
Lively Bar and Grill
At the Hollander Hotel
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Cal-Italian Cuisine, At the Sundial
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Laid-back dockside spot for global eats
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
|
Casual American eats
At The Westin Harbour Island
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
A Chef driven Beach-style Bistro
Holmes Beach, Florida, USA
|
Eclectic Beachside Bistro at the Grand Plaza Hotel
St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations, and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Overall from this experience, and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give Portofino’s a 1 out of 5 stars, meaning that they were an average dining experience like most restaurants, but they surpassed basic restaurants and certain chains.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings for Portifino
|
Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
|
Total Points deducted:
|
Ambiance
|
10
|
9
|
1
|
Food quality
|
8
|
6
|
2
|
Plate presentation
|
11
|
6
|
5
|
Customer service
|
12
|
7
|
5
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
8
|
5
|
3
|
Total regular points awarded
|
49
|
33
|
16
|
Total percentage — less the Bonus
|
0.673469387755102
| ||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
|
0
| ||
Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
|
0.673469387755102
| ||
Stars Awarded (see chart below)
|
0 - 5
|
1
|
**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
|
1 of 5 Stars:
95% Rating with a 2 point “wow” bonus
An Extraordinary Dining Experience
|
Portofino Wine rating:
|
3 of 10
Old World selections:
Italy, Spain
New World selections:
Argentina, California
|
Corkage fees:
|
This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
|
Restaurant style:
|
Casual dining
|
Cuisine Style:
|
Italian
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Gluten-free, Pescatarian, Vegetarian Options
|
Reservations:
|
Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
|
Dress code:
|
Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wear’s flip-flops!
|
Child policy:
|
The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
|
Experiences:
|
Contemporary, Modern, Good for special occasions, Beautiful décor, Classy, and a Neighborhood Gem.
|
Payments:
|
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
|
Parking:
|
Portofino has a public lot
|
Wifi
|
The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
|
Noise level:
|
Low to Medium
|
Smoking:
|
Nonsmoking restaurant
|
Patio or terrace:
|
Yes
|
ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS ARTICLE ON PORTOFINO ITALIAN RESTAURANT SO FAR? PLEASE CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TO RECEIVE NEW POSTS OR SHARING ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA!!
Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
|
Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$
|
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
|
£
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$$
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥
|
European Union (EUR)
|
€
|
Alcohol prices:
$20.00 USD
Portofino Italian Ristorante:
5035 34th Street South
Saint Petersburg, Florida
33711
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
| |
Maître d or host:
|
+1 727-864-2800
|
Email Contact:
| |
Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
|
Mon-Wed:
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Thur-Fri:
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat:
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sun:
Closed
|
Social Media
And
Accolades for Portofino:
| |
****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
|
Eclectic tavern for Surf 'n' Turf in Griffin, Georgia, USA
|
Nautically themed eatery with crafted cocktails and raw bar
Sarasota, Florida, USA
|
New American Cuisine, tapas, and exotic cocktails
St Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
Other Portofino Pictures:
 |
| Portofino / Front foyer |
 |
| Portofino / Wine racks |
 |
| Portofino / Dining room |
 |
| Portofino / Specials board |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
