a Cena

Nice place, great location, decent ambience. The service was courteous. .. BUT I'm wondering why for 6:30 PM reservations on a Sunday night in a restaurant only half full, the risotto special was already out as was one of only half a dozen dessert options.

Because the risotto special was out, I had to replace my order. I changed to braised short ribs on polenta. This came out at the same time as my partner's lobster raviolini ... which was cold. They had obviously held her order to accomodate my replacement order. But cold is cold. Shame, because it was lovely, quite a bit better than my order. The portion size of the polenta, which was indeed tasty, was absurd: best described as a polenta smear. The arancini was oddly bland, but at least it was hot.

Overall I'd say it was ok. I'd give it another shot, though it's likely not a place I'd take clients or colleagues. Just seemed like an off night for them.…

Another overpriced and overrated Portland restaurant. A friend and I went their recently for dinner with high hopes. Unfortunately, we found the menu to be overpriced and oddly unfriendly to vegetarian diners. That last part being odd, for a restaurant in SE Portland, where you might expect to see more vegetarian options on the menu that what a Cena offers.

I, the vegetarian, opted for a simple plate of penne with marinara sauce, which believe it or not had to be a "special order". This was a substitute of a menu item, penne with lobster. Basically, they took the lobster out of the dish, but then still charged me the full price of $17.00. No lobster, but I still was charged full price for what amounted to pasta with tomato sauce. I couldn't help but notice also that my friend's portion of potato gnocchi with rabbit was about 1/3 larger than mine, and we were still charged the same price for each of our entrees.

It was good, but certainly not great food, and the portions sizes were wan, I suppose so that we would know we were eating an "important" meal. I prefer to actually get my money's worth, thank you, and not be cheated because I happen to not eat meat. I'll spend my dining dollar elsewhere in future.…

Best meal of my life!. The food was absolutely amazing....AMAZING. Everything melted in my mouth and tickled the tastebuds. The calamari was unbelievable. The wine was reasonably priced and when we finished our bottle the waiter opened a new one and topped off our glasses free of charge. When I ordered a glass of after-dinner port, they brought a plate full of dark chocolates to pair with it(on the house). We were the last to leave. We thought the waiter was coming to kick us out but instead he offered to play us any song over the stereo at our request. What an amazing evening...I LOVE THIS PLACE!…