A look at Il Solito PDX

I’ve been a fan of Chef Matthew Sigler since he arrived in Portland a few years ago – he’s been making my personal vote for best pastas in Portland. Recently, he made the move from Renata to open Il Solito, which is conveniently even more closely located to my house and by my favorite beer bar. They just opened this week on April 17, but I had a chance to try some of their dishes at a media preview, and I was there on opening night  paying my own way. Il Solito is located downtown, at the previous Pazzo space as part of Hotel Vintage, at 627 SW Washington Street. Here’s a look at Il Solito PDX so far. I usually wait a little bit for a new restaurant before I give my thoughts, but some places seem to be firing on all cylinders right away – Il Solito appears to be one of them.
A Look at Il Solito PDX A Look at Il Solito PDX

The space has been updated to have lots of light and feel airy, but at the same time with plenty of nods with framed photos, plates, Italian tiles, a nod to Italian family and nonna, Michelangelo’s David- of Italian American classic restaurants. There is a cheeky bit of decor intertwined though- a perfect representation of the intent of the menu, traditional and familiar but also unexpected fun modern touches.
A Look at Il Solito PDX A Look at Il Solito PDX A Look at Il Solito PDXA Look at Il Solito PDX A Look at Il Solito PDX A Look at Il Solito PDX A Look at Il Solito PDX A Look at Il Solito PDX

I always have mixed feelings about whether to dine alone or with others. If I dine alone, then I don’t have to share the pastas – I never know which one is going to blow me away and that I want the whole dish. And there may be times I might appear just for a pasta dish. But, if I bring friends, then I can order even MORE food from the menu – there are sooo many dishes I have liked.
A Look at Il Solito PDX, bringing fine dining Italian that ixes Tuscany and Italian American and some modern touches to the table

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A look at Marmo Deli & Bar

Update: Marmo has closed.

There are many delicious options at Marmo Deli & Bar but I’ll cut to the chase and tell you my top favorite meal there.

First, I get the Frittata Sandwich with five herb frittata, housemade foccacia, arugula, radicchio, endive, lemon vin, aioli, pecorino. It brings together their light and airy frittata (which you can also get on it’s own) with their buttery soft homemade foccacia. I will not tell you how often I have inhaled this sandwich. You can also just get the frittata with salad and cut out the carbs, but I would not personally give up that foccacia. This is currently my favorite egg sandwich in town that isn’t a breakfast sandwich.
Frittata Sandwich with five herb frittata, housemade foccacia, arugula, radicchio, endive, lemon vin, aioli, pecorino Marmo Deli & Bar Frittata Sandwich with five herb frittata, housemade foccacia, arugula, radicchio, endive, lemon vin, aioli, pecorino

To wash it down I order the housemade Marmo limoncello.
Marmo limoncello Marmo limoncello

The cocktail the Marmo Cup during the summer with Campari, basil, lemon, strawberry, cucumber and ginger beer goes down so easily. Many times it has been much needed refreshment after I get off the Max all the way from Hillsboro to downtown. The San Remo which is a regular thorugh the seasons offers Cynar, Marmo Limoncello, mint, prosecco is also a classic.
Marmo Cup with Campari, basil, lemon, strawberry, cucumber and ginger beer Marmo PDX's San Remo with Cynar, Marmo Limoncello, mint, prosecco

The inside of Marmo is small and clean, a mix of black and white and marble. Despite the name of deli, it is much more sophisticated inside than the expected glass counters of meats. It’s more of an Italian cafe and bar really.
Marmo Deli & Bar, exterior Marmo Deli & Bar, exterior Marmo Deli & Bar, interior Marmo Deli & Bar, inside center is the bar

Other delicious options on the menu include Pesto Deviled Eggs and a Charcuterie Plate with cured meats, parm, pickeld veg, baguette if you are looking more for a snacks rather than a meal.
Pesto Deviled Eggs Charcuterie Plate with cured meats, parm, pickeld veg, baguette

On the more substantial side then these small snack items is the Strozapretti Pasta Salad with fresh squid ink pasta (sourced from Rick Gencarelli’s Grassa), cured salmon, dill crème fraîche, cucumber, capers, and bread crumbs for a lunch that fills you up but won’t make you overfull so that you’re are sleepy when you go back to work.
Marmo PDX's Strozapretti Pasta Salad with fresh squid ink pasta, cured salmon, dill crème fraîche, cucumber, capers, bread crumbs Marmo PDX's Strozapretti Pasta Salad with fresh squid ink pasta, cured salmon, dill crème fraîche, cucumber, capers, bread crumbs

For more comfort, go with a warm small plate like this Mac ‘N Cheese with fontina, ricotta, asiagio, parmesan, bread crumbs and candied bacon on top.
Marmo PDX small plate of Mac 'N Cheese with fontina, ricotta, asiagio, parmesan, bread crumbs and candied bacon Marmo PDX small plate of Mac 'N Cheese with fontina, ricotta, asiagio, parmesan, bread crumbs and candied bacon

And then, there’s the very filling (you could order one so split between 2 people… or have half for lunch and half ford inner and get a side to enjoy it with, which is my play) Italian Sub with Mortadella, finocchiona, spicy coppa, shredded romaine, provolone, pepperoncini, red onion, oregano, aioli, Italian vin, all on a roll.
Marmo PDX sandwich of Italian Sub with Mortadella, finocchiona, spicy coppa, shredded romaine, provolone, pepperoncini, red onion, oregano, aioli, Italian vin, all on a roll Marmo PDX sandwich of Italian Sub with Mortadella, finocchiona, spicy coppa, shredded romaine, provolone, pepperoncini, red onion, oregano, aioli, Italian vin, all on a roll Marmo PDX sandwich of Italian Sub with Mortadella, finocchiona, spicy coppa, shredded romaine, provolone, pepperoncini, red onion, oregano, aioli, Italian vin, all on a roll

Their happy hour offers 3-6:30 and offers $1 all food items and $4 beers. With wine, you can get whole or half bottles during happy hour are priced at $7 glass $21 carafe.

Have you been to Marmo? Have you had a frittata sandwich on foccacia before? And why is this not a more popular sandwich – it’s much tastier than egg salad!

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