Castagna

What Justin Woodward does with food is like modern art. The plates that come out of the kitchen look so seemingly simple, yet they’re so complex in flavor. If you want a complete experience, order the chef’s tasting menu. It starts off with a series of snacks, which are fun one-biters that punch you in the face with flavor. The […]

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Castagna

Photo: Mei Lin

Castagna in Portland.

What Justin Woodward does with food is like modern art. The plates that come out of the kitchen look so seemingly simple, yet they’re so complex in flavor. If you want a complete experience, order the chef’s tasting menu. It starts off with a series of snacks, which are fun one-biters that punch you in the face with flavor. The portions don’t get much larger over the course of this eclectic menu, but what you’re getting is a lot of variety and a chance to see where Woodward draws inspiration. It sounds cliché, but his menu is very ingredient-driven and feels very Pacific Northwest. Equally as talented is pastry chef Geovanna Salas, who mirrors Woodward’s vision and creates beautiful plates like the caramelized potato-skin ice cream with toasted meringue. Castagna one of my favorite restaurants in Portland.