Portofino's Italian Restaurant & Pizza

"Went for the first time for a birthday dinner. So glad we got there early as there was a wait; but I can now see why. Amazing, Fresh bread, delicious pasta and tasty steak. The service was wonderful. We love the homey vibe... felt like family. We will be back."

"This place was incredible! The food was delicious and huge servings, the bread alone will be reason enough to go back! Our waitress Angela was top tier! She was so personable, funny, and made the experience even better! And we can't forget about the bartender who made the most delicious drink! If you love Italian food and a great atmosphere this is somewhere you are going to love!"

"Not the biggest restaurant or the fanciest, but the food is wonderful! I don't dine out based on what the restaurant looks like, I go for the food. We have been to Portofino's many times and have tried many different dishes. (And we've done take out. Hot and delicious!) We've been with large groups of people on several occasions and ALWAYS everyone commented on how good their food was. I've loved everything I've had from there, from lasagna to pizza to their Rib Eye Marsala! Best steak I've ever had - and steak is one of my favorite foods. Chocolate cake has to be my favorite food. Portofino's chocolate cake is heaven! And did I mention the bread? I grew up in the south near a tiny town that was almost entirely Italian. They had two restaurants that people would travel for miles and miles to dine at - long lines out the doors. The rolls at one was the reason people went there. They were delicious. But I tell you what, Portofino's rolls are far better! I've even had them with my leftovers right out of the fridge and they're still delicious! Oh, and we have NEVER had even a so-so waiter. Even the girl we got on her first night there was amazing! Please support this business! I want to keep them here in Ankeny! One last comment, we often took my 90 year old mother-in-law who used a walker. The staff was always VERY accommodating for her and patient with her slow movements. So kind to her!"

"In the area almost exactly a year, have taking in all the restaurants and this is my first review. Portofino’s- Seated immediately, great atmosphere. Free/fresh garlic bread, honestly I could have eaten just that and brought 4 more home! Fresh, hot, still steaming to our table food! Chicken and Shrimp Milanese-with so much to bring home easily one more meal. Kids baked zeti with meatballs, easily 2 portions for a younger kid, maybe another half portion came home for my 7 year old. Cannoli-AMAZING. Finally 2 fountain drinks. All for only $40.02 Everything was excellent! Some of the best food we have had! ”The world’s best cannoli and meatballs” from a 7 year old little girl. Personal observations and highlights for me if you made it this far! (I have many family members in the restaurant business even owning high end restaurants in Denver). Although they were assigned specific tables, I have never been to a restaurant where every server acknowledges every table and adresses a need as they walk by. Servers seating new guest, filling drinks of other tables, clearing other tables, the list goes on and on! All working together, I did not see many tasks being completed alone. I didn’t not get a drink from the bar but I noticed the bar tender did not just fill the order and let it sit for the server. He personally took the drinks to the table if he noticed the server was busy(also I assume there may have been servers under 21 honestly). The service I witnessed tonight really showed a family, locally owned business with great leadership. Clearly employees who are well cared for and love their job. Loved that it was packed but I did not hear the table to either side of me very much. My daughter and I had a conversation and played a game while waiting for food just fine. Enjoyed that there were babies to elderly all seated in the same area around the restaurant. Let’s be honest most places seat all the families together away from couples, ect. This did not appear to be the case here. Big groups to a single person all treated with the same excellent service. Definitely family friendly or a place for a nice date night! We will be back A LOT! Pizza is next! That was the plan for tonight but that quickly changed when we looked at the menu. Looking forward to the many years this family restaurant will be feeding my family and many others! A true dining experience!"

"Best rolls I’ve had in a long time - they came to the table nice and hot, and were so good. The salad was fine - I really liked the tomato vinaigrette. It was delicious and something you can’t get everywhere. The chicken picatta was delicious. The entire meal was really good! Our server was very kind to my kids, quick with anything we needed, and very efficient. Highly recommend!!"