According to Bruce over at Eat. Drink. Think
., Alba Osteria is closing as of December 31st. “Apparently financial issues, as they seem to do all too often, played a factor. They are serving their last dinner December 31st, a 5-course feast that I’m sure will a worthy sendoff.”
Sad to see it go – I’ll miss those pastas!
Portland Food Adventures says
That’s a shame. While Portland has some special Italian places, proportionately in relation to all fare, very few. Now, one less… that was a tough location.
Food Dude says
It is the only good restaurant I can think of in the Hillsdale area
Rhi says
So sorry to hear that. My favorite gnocchi in town. Any news on their Autogrill?
Heather says
Alba’s famous pastas are available to go at the Cafe Autogrill. Gnocchi, Agnolotti, Tagliatell, and delicious lasagna too.
Food Dude says
I’m wondering if Autogrill will still carry their pastas
snacktrain says
Another problem with this restaurant is the name “Osteria”. I don’t know what an “Osteria” is, do you? For the longest time I thought it was another coffee house. Really hard to figure out that it was indeed an Italian restaurant, and now that I know, it’s too late.
snacktrain says
Oh, and besides being an “Osteria”, it is also an “Enotica”. Does that mean that Italian food?
jimster says
Is it closing January 1st and the last dinner is New Year’s Eve? Or is it closed? Presuming the former.
Huge drag. Living in the Lair Hill area there is not a lot of close by decent dining options that don’t involve going downtown. Alba was always an easy place to go for terrific pastas and a decent little Italian wine list. Good god do we have to resort to AquaRiva? Color me depressed by this news although it is far from shocking.
Food Dude says
Tabla has been putting out some pretty darn good food the last few times I’ve stopped by
Joisey says
I feel ya, snacktrain. I never knew what an “Alba” was either, and it scared me. I wound up going to Applebees instead.
The Wizard Tim says
“Osteria” is an eating establishment, “Enoteca” is a wine repository. Both are Italian dialect, like Al Enoteca in Canale, or Eno Club in Alba, both located in Piedmonte.
Joisey says
Tim, how did you find out such esoteric minutiae? You know, I wish there was a machine that you could type in a word or term you were curious about and it would give you information on it. Who knows, with today’s technology that day might not be far off.
polloelastico says
Worse yet, they serve “agnolotti”. If they would have just called it “baby ravioli” and fried them, maybe more soccer moms would have come here for white zin.
Food Dude says
I feel bad for the agnolotti. It’s true that they have made somewhat of a comeback since they were added to the endangered species list, but they still threatened by both Italians and Peruvians.
Joisey says
I heard that a customer complained about the agnolotti being on the menu and he was thrown out of the restaurant!
sideline says
Maybe snack train should go to crappy pre cooked pasta restaurants like le ole spag factory… I hear they like merican itaiian and keyanty.
Food Dude says
According to Kurt, Alba will remain open through December. Last chance to get your fix!
farmgirl says
Alba’s ricotta gnocchi is the most amazing textural/tasteful thing…going to get my fix for the last time. I dream of these soft lovely pillows when I go to sleep.
Jenny says
What sad news! I’ll be sure to visit at least once more…
Portland Food Adventures says
Three Square Grill is in that area. I’ve had some nice meals there.
Food Dude says
I had a pretty forgettable breakfast at Three Square a few weeks ago. I’m a bit hesitant to try them for dinner, but then it’s kind of off my normal area of travel anyway.
Tim says
Our warmest wishes to Kurt and the whole team @ Alba Osteria.
Your absence in the field of perfect handmade pasta will be missed, clear across the river.
Make sure to check in with us and keep us on our toes!
Happy Holidays!
The Staff of Genoa & Accanto
Amelia Hard says
I just found out about Alba closing, and I’m truly devastated. I can’t imagine not being able to have those perfect agnolotti any more. (The first time I had them, I actually got tears in my eyes, because they were so exquisite and because I know how much love goes into making them that perfectly.) And no more carne cruda, Piemonte’s amazing improvement on steak tartare…and no more of that killer caramel gelato!!
Kurt, sei un maestro, veramente. Ci mancherai. In bocca al lupo!
Amelia & Fred
Kate says
Sad to hear this news. Although,we do live up the street
within walking distance: we’ve been there twice in the year plus
we’ve lived in our home nearby. Mainly because we felt like it was
overpriced. Really good food, no doubt, but not enough to justify
the bill and the fact that we could hop in the car and drive 10
minutes to what we consider better restaurants. It’s mind boggling
to us that there aren’t more really good restaurants in this
neighborhood: yes, Alba is really good but was location challenged
and overpriced (kept us from going there on a whim), three square
grill is really good – we go there for breakfast regularly and it’s
solid – but it’s in an unattractive strip mall and they haven’t
done anything to make their interior feel like anything other than
what it is (in a strip mall). Other than that we have very, very
mediocre restaurants. I think someone who opens a restaurant in a
good location, good decor, and great food will do really, really
well. Can’t wait for that – meanwhile, lamenting the loss of Alba
and happy they opened Caffe Autogrill, we are regulars!
jules says
Oh no. :(
Amazing food. Lovely owners. Beautiful restaurant. And those beets!
That’s sad.