Ava Gene's

“My best meal in PDX on this trip. Delicious and unique pastas. The bread trio is fabulous. Flavors abound. We licked our plates clean. Friendly service.”

“Loved Ava Gene's and will definitely be coming back!! We came in for Portland Dining Month and the menu was great. The beet salad was unreal - and something i'll be coming back for again and again, possibly the highlight of the night. Pasta was cooked to perfection, and had great flavor. The cream on the tiramisu was also perfect. Off the dining month menu, we also got the broccolini, meatballs, and rabbit pappardelle! My boyfriend loved the pappardelle - it had incredible depth of flavor. Our server was really friendly, attentive, and helpful. Will absolutely be coming back!”

“Ava Gene's in Portland continues to impress with its inventive Italian-inspired cuisine, emphasizing hyper-local, seasonal ingredients that shine in every bite. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and securing a spot at the chef's table was an absolute treat, providing an intimate glimpse into the kitchen's masterful orchestration. The new head chef proved exceptionally friendly, engaging with diners and genuinely appreciating feedback on the evolving menu— a personal touch that elevated the entire experience. My conversations with him and his personal travel experiences really made me feel welcome Standout dishes began with the vibrant beet root salad, featuring roasted beets, juicy citrus segments, crunchy pistachios, and a creamy burrata centerpiece that tied the sweet, earthy, and tangy flavors together in harmonious balance. Next, the grilled bread arrived with a deeply savory mushroom duxelles topping, nestled alongside tender white beans in a fragrant, herb-infused broth—rustic yet refined perfection. The mafaldine pasta was a creamy delight, twirled with fresh herbs, crispy pancetta morsels, and toasted breadcrumbs for texture, achieving that ideal al dente chew. For the main, the seared duck breast was cooked to medium-rare tenderness, accompanied by charred Brussels sprouts, dotted with mustard seeds, and draped in a velvety, rich jus—elegant and deeply satisfying. The meal ended with an extremely decadent mushroom ice cream dessert (featuring candy cap and another earthy mushroom variety), offering a bold, umami-rich indulgence that lingered long after. Service was fantastic, attentive without being intrusive. A must-visit gem for any discerning food enthusiast in Portland.”

“Came for my birthday and had an absolutely lovely dinner. Really appreciated the zero-proof options and would definitely recommend the “pinky swears.” Between the two of us, we ordered 7 small plates and ran out of room for our entrees. So, would recommend just 3-4 small plates plus entrees for two people. Surprise favorite was the Corona beans, which we’ll order any time we come back. Cacio e pepe potatoes were pretty heavy on the pepper and the only thing I wouldn’t necessarily recommend. Fennel, beets, and greens were excellent. While the menu doesn’t explicitly identify vegan dishes/options, there were a number of options for my friend to choose from/that could be modified for vegan diners. Atmosphere is warm and inviting, staff is very friendly and helpful. Dessert-wise the torta caprese was interesting, and I’m glad I ordered it. But it isn’t very sweet, and I probably wouldn’t get it again. Thankfully the rotating menu means there will always be reasons to come back, and I am confident of a delicious meal, regardless of what is available. Will definitely be coming back!”

“Overall the food here is great. My lady is from Italy, so she is the real barometer of Italian food. She said the pasta dish she had was cooked perfect as the pasta was not soggy and had firmness to it. I had a dish with Salmon in it and I was surprised at how good size the salmon was...us fat american's like lots of meat so good on them. The dish I had (see pics) was delicious and very well prepared and tasted good when it was all mixed together. My only complaint is that no pasta came with it and my lady reminded me that in Italy, pasta is a separate course or something. At the very end, we had tiramisu and some chocolate dish with gelato which was also great. Prior to the meal, we had some bread and the one crunchy bread was on point especially when the butter was spread on it. As for the atmosphere, the place is small and the tables are super close together so I don't recommend any intimate dinners here as the next table will hear your conversations. Also, we were close to the door and it was cold so every time someone came in or out, it got a bit chilly. We sat for a few before someone came over to get our drink order and I'm currently not drinking and they didn't have any non alcoholic beers...maybe an IPA that that's some nasty crap so I won't drink that when I'm desperate. Cool bathrooms. And this place is on the Resy app, so use your Amex.”