Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Belmont Central / Cragin

What a pleasure it is to have an experienced, mature wait staff that knows the menu and is constantly reading the room for what guests may need and when. Several people around us were celebrating special occasions (including us) whose meals were capped by a beautiful message in chocolate on a dessert plate of chocolate brownie with a candle. Every dish we had was special (other than the Veal Milanese, which had a dijon base that I didn't love.). The room is buzzy, cozy, handsome. A special note: the restaurant is closing for two weeks which left them without a couple of dishes on the menu. Guests who couldn't order what they wanted were treated very thoughtfully by the wait staff and management. Deft handling of an awkward situation.

I recently dined at Pizza Portofino, and I was beyond impressed! The food was absolutely delicious, with every bite bursting with fresh, authentic flavors. The pizza had the perfect balance of a crisp crust, rich sauce, and high-quality toppings. What really stood out, though, was the staff—they were amazing! From the moment we walked in, everyone was friendly, attentive, and incredibly quick. Our food arrived much faster than expected, and the service was seamless throughout the meal. If you’re looking for a great dining experience with fantastic food and top-notch service, Pizza Portofino is the place to go!

Food was an absolute banger. My third time here and finally got the chance to try the burger, it didn’t disappoint! Service is also the best. Shout out to Miguel for being super attentive.

I made my reservation in December for Valantine Day. I ask for a special table. I was told they would try to accommodate me. I had no problem with that. What I am mad about is that the sat us at the smallest table in the restaurant. I did say something and did not get a response from anyone. This is not a Lettuce type management deal. I top of that a table next to us kept increasing the volume of talking louder. The other table was fine. We eat at Lettuce restaurants all the time. Management and service always concerned about their client's well-being.

The whole experience exceeded our expectations. Joshua, our server, was phenomenal and had great recommendations. The grilled broccolini salad was mind-blowing! The atmosphere within the restaurant was personal and warm. It was not too loud or too quiet. Every table has a gorgeous view of the city and river. Definitely a splurge experience, but so worth it.