Carina Lounge

We went here to celebrate Mothers Day and it did not disappoint. The food took a little while to come out but understandable since they were so busy, but it was well worth the wait. Everything was seasoned and cooked to perfection, including the Bavette Steak and Salmon Risotto. Service was excellent and we couldn't be happier with the experience. I will recommend this place to anyone who loves authentic and fresh Italian food.

If I could give Carina Lounge 10 stars, I absolutely would. This place is a hidden gem in Portland that deserves to be shouted about from the rooftops--especially after the experience my husband and I had! We first heard about Carina Lounge in the most serendipitous way--chatting with the owner at The Salt Line Hotel during Christmas. He casually mentioned he ran a restaurant and the moment he said "Carina Lounge," my husband and I lit up like a couple of starstruck foodies. We knew right then: we were going. And let me tell you--it exceeded every expectation. We finally made it there for a long-overdue date night, also doubling as my husband's belated birthday dinner. And as fate would have it, there was a city-wide food contest going on: order the featured pasta special and you could win it for free. Um, yes please? Let's talk atmosphere. It's giving sultry, moody elegance with a hint of Japanese influence--dim lighting, a gorgeous bar setup, and flickering candles on every table. Parking was a breeze (yes, free lot--hallelujah), and the vibe instantly had us in relaxation mode. Our server? An absolute gem. I could write a love letter about the banana daiquiri she made me--hands-down the best I've ever had. It was dangerously smooth, with that perfect balance where you don't realize how strong it is until you're halfway through your second. A+ mixology. We started with the meatball appetizer: juicy, flavorful meatballs smothered in a sun-kissed San Marzano tomato sauce, topped with fresh basil, pecorino, and parmesan. Paired with that Crostini baguette? Chef's kiss. My husband devoured them like a man possessed (in the best way), while I saved room for the main event... My goat cheese ravioli. Oh. My. Gosh. As a goat cheese lover, this dish was my personal nirvana. The ravioli texture was silky and tender, stuffed with a vibrant, tart goat cheese filling that danced in harmony with the velvety parmesan cream sauce. It was tangy, bright, and luxurious--like being wrapped in a warm, cheesy, edible hug. My husband got the burrata & Italian sausage penne--the contest dish--and the man looked like he was falling in love all over again. He said it was the best pasta he's ever had (aside from my ravioli, of course), and I believe him, especially given the huge smile he wore the entire time. Then the magic happened... As we were finishing up, our lovely server came back and casually let us know my husband WON the pasta contest--his dream dish, totally on the house. I could've cried. It was such a thoughtful, joyful surprise, and truly the cherry on top of an unforgettable night. Bottom line: Carina Lounge is doing everything right. From the food, to the drinks, to the service, to the vibe... we were blown away. Whether you're celebrating something special or just want to treat yourself to an exceptional meal in Portland, GO. And order the pasta. Trust me.

We came in a bit late but they still seated us and took great care of us. Really good service and notably good food. They have a "Meatball" dish with spiced eggplant puree that was absolutely phenomenal. The portions are excellent too. Not too huge but definitely enough to fill you up. We will absolutely be back.

Each dish we tried was cooked to perfection, we will definitely be back to try more! The staff was welcoming and attentive and the atmosphere was nice and relaxing. Highly recommend for drinks and small plates as well as full dinner.

Met a couple of friends for dinner here. It was my first time visiting this restaurant. The food was good and the service was excellent. The happy hour menu had a wide variety of items so we ordered our entire meal from the small plates menu. We had steak bites, chicken, prosciutto, clams, bread, cauliflower and ravioli among other things. Definitely would recommend the clams and brussel sprouts. Those were our favorites. Prices were decent and the portions were fair. I enjoyed sitting by the window, watching the ppl walking by, while feeling the warmth of the sun on one of the few sunny days in March. Would definitely recommend checking this trendy place out.

We asked a friend for recommendations of a place to be "wowed" and WOWED we were! Carina Lounge feels like the type of place locals go, and all the staff knows them. It's in a great place in Nob Hill for vintage charm and people watching. The staff were very kind, attentive enough without being smothering, cool, and very generous to us. I forgot to take a picture of the meatballs, but they were divine. Perfect marinara flavor with cheese, and French bread. I can never get Brussel sprouts right, but I do enjoy them by someone who knows how. The vinaigrette glaze was delicious. My husband decided to be adventurous and get the Salmon risotto. He loved it, and even ate the skin. The risotto was a perfect flavor that I can't quite figure out aside from the cheese goodness. I do love salmon, but also a lemony chicken. So I went with the Lemon Caper Chicken . It was the perfect blend of comfort food, with exquisite flavor. Plus, I love carrots! Of course we had to have room for dessert, and went with their gelato to which they obliged my request for a neopolitan dish. Then add a homemade biscotti on top, which I LOVE, and my husband always thinks its funny I get excited for them. The next time you want to venture into Portland for a great meal and atmosphere go here.