Assaggio is Italian for a sample or a tasting, and the owners use that idea as this restaurant's guiding philosophy. The neighborhood spot features a well-stocked enoteca (wine bar), with new bottlings added frequently. Some wonderful fish, meat and chicken dishes grace the menu, but Assaggio is mostly known for its pastas, which might include bow ties with woodsy wild mushrooms in a light...
This trattoria in the Sellwood neighborhood focuses on pastas and wines; the menu lists lots of pastas, and the wine list includes dozens of Italian wines, some of which are rarely encountered in the U.S. The atmosphere in this tiny place is theatrical, with indirect lighting, dark walls, and the likes of Mario Lanza playing in the background. Don't be surprised if after taking your first bite,...