Portofino - Pátzcuaro

So 4 couples walk into a restaurant....and there is nobody there! Well, the owner/chef was there. He is apologetic as it's a bit late and had sent his server home. We're easy...so we start setting the table and pouring our own drink while he whips up appetizers and 8 plates of unforgettable food. Subtle sauces that enhance the flavour but make the star of the plate the actual STAR rather than being smothered. Wish we had eaten there the first night because we would have repeated.

We wandered in to this nondescript hallway to find a sweet courtyard and a warm welcome from the owner, Alejandro, who produced a delightful meal. We shared a delicious ensalada Cesar and the house specialty Pasta Porfino. Alejandro loves Italian cuisine, so be prepared to enjoy the real thing. We savored a fine vino tinto from Baja. Very good. Will enjoy it again!

The courtyard has a large tree with stunning orange flowers and this was the setting for an enjoyable Italian dinner. The service was good and friendly. The pasta dishes were well flavored and huge. Of course we ate everything on our plates because the food was delicious. My husband's Pasta with Alfredo Sauce didn't have a cream sauce which we found a bit strange. The wine selection was very limited. Overall, we enjoyed this dinner and would return.

I don't know if this place is going to make it as it had a shaky start. 2 people opened it a few months ago, then one left, the place closed, and then re-opened by the partner left behind. The decor is nothing, not even a painting of the picturesque port of Portofino. On the night we visited there was no staff...just the owner/waiter/chef but what a job he does! On weekends, he does have staff to help. The big thing here is the food and it is truly delicious. Caesar salad can be shared. And if you want a pasta that is not on the menu, the chef will make it for you, but he apologizes that it will take 12 minutes to do so. Shrimp scampi was to die for and the other 3 in my group loved their entrees. Prices are reasonable and it's one of the best places to eat in Patzcuaro. I'd put it in the top 3!

A delightful meal of pasta, salad and desert. Very inexpensive. Downsides are: 1) difficult to find (no signage, you have to look for the address, #20, on the front of the building and then go down a hallway to the courtyard) and 2) limited menu, mostly pastas. Host and owner, Alejandro, worked in Italian restaurants in Dallas for 5 years and has excellent English. Friendly guy. Dinner for 2, including Ceasar salad, 2 pasta dishes, postre and a bottle of wine, came to 500 pesos. We'll return!