A project from French Laundry alums Nick and Sandra Arnerich, Renata is the latest addition to industrial Southeast Portland’s flourishing culinary corridor. Behind a glowing sign reading “Mi Piace,” (“I like it” in Italian) over the open kitchen, Matthew Sigler (previously of San Francisco’s Flour + Water and Quince) mans a wood-fired stove where he gives local ingredients an Italian makeover. Hand-rolled pastas are topped with lusty combinations like lamb sausage, clams and charred leeks; trout gets grilled and paired with white beans and a pistachio-currant relish. Wine director Chris Wright follows suit with a list focused on the Pacific Northwest and Italy, including gems like Pievalta’s sparkling verdicchio from Marche as well as a pinot meunier from local-favorite Teutonic Wine Company. Arrive early to dinner and visit the other two tenants in the historic building: Ancient Heritage Creamery—the city’s first urban creamery—and Alma Chocolates.
626 S.E. Main St., Portland, Oregon
Italian
503-954-2708
This story appears in the print issue of February 2016.
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