We expected five but only four were able to come; the waitress asked repeatedly if we would be more comfortable at a table for four, not five. If she wanted us to move she should have moved us. We were obviously comfortable. We ordered appetizers, but instead of firing them and then coming back to take our entree order, the waitress had us keep our menus on our laps and the table while we ate appetizers. Finally, after clearing the appetizer plates, our orders were taken for the entree and the menus were taken away. The waitress got one entree wrong and brought out the wrong dish. They didn't bring our entrees all together, so two of us waited for quite some time for the other entrees to come. There were long waits between appetizers and entree, entree and dessert, and very little checking to see if we needed more drinks. The food was mediocre; I had pasta which was not very interesting or tasty; the tomato sauce was sparse and I had to hunt to find the chunks of meat that were supposed to be in the dish. The desserts were okay. The service would keep me from going back; it was cloying when present, but mostly absent, and ruined the dining experience. The food is not anything special and I'm sure other Italian restaurants have equal ambience and better food and service.

Pazzo offers Italian fare with a bakery attached. The 4 happy travelers were famished when Pazzo opened and we after being quickly seated we dug into some nice fresh bread which was really tasty. The service was efficient, pleasant, and helpful. The location is great for serving a number of Portland’s downtown hotels. However, the food is just average. The Totelli with pumpkin was a bit greasy and lacked flavor, the Risotto was nicely done, but the mushrooms had something gritty in them, the fingerling potatoes just ok and the northwest salad really quite plain. The panna cotta was the best item we had as the rest of the meal with rather un memorable. The location makes it easy, but if you want better food drive up to Mingo’s on 23rd.

My new husband and I visited the bar/pub part of the resturant, and oh my gosh, I wouldn't have had it any other way! We went Oct 22, 2005, Our wedding day! It was after our very hectic (though wonderful) wedding, a long stressfilled reception and finally checking in to the Avalon hotel In portland that we realized we were STARVING and really needed a drink! We started driving downtown and found this little, dimly lit bar/resturant that we thought looked perfectly laid back. It was all that and more! It wasn't nessasarily prompt service that made it special, it was that they gave prompt service when it was apparent we needed a drink and sustanance, and then gave us privacy when most waitresses would have hounded us. They anticipated our needs and gave seemless service. We were both still in our wedding attire, so it was very clear to everyone that we had just been married, but they were very curtious, not asking lots of questions or bugging us in any way. I had a strawberry mojito to die for and a simply delicious tomato basil pizza.

The atmosefere is really what got us. It is so warm and inviting, clean and classy. It truly felt like we were in an old world Italian family run pub. The design is a perfect fit. It is comfortable, has old world style, romance, and with great food and drinks to top it all off! We decided then and there that we would return here for our anniversery every year from now on!

Pazzo Ristorante was once a gem of a restaurant with knowledgable wait staff, a deep wide wine list and imaginative cuisine. We dined there often in the mid 90s. After a prolonged absence from Portland we returned to Pazzo for my daughter's birthday dinner. The menu lacked interest and the food was average at best. Wait staff was surly with the exception of a very attentive bus boy who diligently kept our water glasses full. Price was high, especially for the experience. I'd avoid this bogey if I were you.