
At a Cena, we share a love for simply cooked meals enjoyed with friends and family. We value fresh ingredients, local Portland area farmers, hand made pastas and cured meats, daily prepared breads, consistency, a well-matched wine list, and a seasoned and personable staff. With these elements, we strive to offer our guests a fine-dining experience with the comfort and warmth of an Italian country kitchen. Salute!
Housemade pastas & locally sourced Italian fare served in an intimate, warm-hued eatery.
Hours
| Tuesday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 5–9 PM |
| Saturday | 5–9 PM |
| Sunday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Monday | 5–8:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 7742 SE 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
Phone: (503) 206-3291
Website: https://www.acenapdx.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
a Cena: Come to dinner!
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A Cena | Portland Monthly
Reviews
Ordered the octopus, found out 5 minutes later they were out. So that is another reason why I wouldn’t eat at A Cena on a Sunday. I was really looking forward to it as this was my 60th birthday dinner.
When our entrees were brought to us we asked for two more glasses of wine, but the message never made it to our waitress. Halfway through the meal our waitress checked in and we were able to ask again.
Everything else was magnificent. The lobster ravioli and wagu steak are memorable and I’d highly recommend. The tiramisu was the best I’ve ever had, and the huckleberry Gelato was amazing too.
We really liked our waitress.
Then I had the rigatoni Americana which was so flavorful and the pasta cooked to perfection! My wife had the special ravioli and loved it. And then topped it off with a cannoli for dessert Also the service was very good! This is our new favorite Italian restaurant in the metro area!
Ill start with the main course because it was the star of the show. The day I was there they offered a ravioli special which was warm and felt like eating what the dictionary definition of good ravioli would feel like.
The calamari and our other starters were also quite tasty and although I had no room for desert my family I was with had some and thought it was great.
Kind staff and attentive hosts as well.
We always start our evening with cocktails before wine and this place makes some amazing cocktails including housemade Lemoncello and Nocino. Both of these are very well done and we have tried many, including the fact that we have homemade both ourselves!
For the Appetizers (Antipasta Course), the Polipo (Grilled Octopus) was shockingly our favorite dish on the entire menu!! This is an absolute party in your mouth (perfect on the texture and the flavor is unbelievable). I promise this is one everyone should try, even those that do not like octopus. There is a huge difference between Octopus done right and…well, when it isn’t. This place knows how to do it! The Beets (Barbabiatole) is also one of the best Beet dishes I have had (I have had many since it is also one of my favorites).
For the Pasta Dishes (Primi Course)
The Lobster ravioli (Agnolotti) is absolutely a crowd favorite and we see why! Apparently it is so popular and desired they always keep it on the menu. The Gargonelli alla Norcia is perfect as well! The most disappointing is the Rigatoni (which was actually the dish we were most excited about). Perhaps it was just disappointing because we have had much better. We love spicy, however it just seemed that this dish just had spice without a balance of any other flavors.
As for the primary dish (Secondi Course) You absolutely cannot go wrong with the lamb dish! We have had their different variations of this (they seasonally change the menu) and they have all been great. Our absolutely favorite was when they did the Lamb with the huckleberry..this was just a fantastic pairing!
The wine selection is also wonderful! You will find a great selection of Italian Wines including Barollos and Barbarescos!
As for the desserts…get the Tiramisu! It is so amazing!! And the Lemon Marscapone with Huckleberry is just perfect! I actually would love to do this as a course in-between the Primi and Secondi courses as a pallette cleanser. (This is our plan for our next visit).
A few months ago we were able to share this restaurant with another couple. Her husband is Italian, and because of how picky he is with Italian food, they refuse to go to Italian restaurants. We were able to convince them and he was so impressed they have now been back on their own!
The owner is also very sweet and made an effort to stop by our table and visit with us! 🙂