Thanks for this great article! Cathy is an inspiration and I’m so proud of her! My mom worked with her at Genoa, years ago.🥰I especially loved your last question, connecting her two cuisines. 💕
That's fantastic! Thank you for reading. I loved her answer to that question, too. I wanted to put it higher up because it was so interesting, but it was a nice way to close out our conversation. Cheers, D
Thank you for sharing this. Loved loved loved reading it! Especially as a Portlander who didn’t know Nostrana was right under her nose! Will definitely be visiting.
Last spring I organized a special dinner at Nostrana for a friend's significant birthday. Five of us gathered in Portland from all parts of the U.S. for this celebration. Cathy and David met us at the front door and first gave us a tour of their stunning Enoteca next door. We were mesmerized by the fiber art decor on one wall and across from it, two stories of wine storage, all shelved in clear acrylic (or is it glass?). I'd last been in Nostrana a few years after it opened, well before the transformation of the restaurant's decor which was as exciting and compelling as every morsel of pizzas, pastas, and Italian cookies that we tasted. Between dinner and dessert we were treated to a guided tour of Nostrana's extensive gardens. Every guest at that dinner told me it was the best meal they'd ever had. The kitchen crew outdid themselves, and the service was warm and professional. I can't wait to return. Congrats to Cathy on the publication of her first cookbook and her continued success. It will be a real treat to see her when she comes to San Francisco on her book tour this summer.
What a memorable experience, Linda! Thank you for sharing it here. I am hoping to get back to Portland next year. Your description makes me even more motivated.
Such an interesting interview--a great story. A delicious way to start a Sunday. Thank you! Wish I didn't live all the way across the country from Portland.
Thanks for reading, Barb. I, too, wish I didn't leave clear across the country. It's been a number of years since I've been out that way; hoping to get back sooner rather than later. Cheers, D
Thanks for this great article! Cathy is an inspiration and I’m so proud of her! My mom worked with her at Genoa, years ago.🥰I especially loved your last question, connecting her two cuisines. 💕
That's fantastic! Thank you for reading. I loved her answer to that question, too. I wanted to put it higher up because it was so interesting, but it was a nice way to close out our conversation. Cheers, D
Thank you for sharing this. Loved loved loved reading it! Especially as a Portlander who didn’t know Nostrana was right under her nose! Will definitely be visiting.
Oh wow! I'm so happy to have introduced you to Nostrana. Don't wait another minute. You'll love it. Thank you for reading!
Last spring I organized a special dinner at Nostrana for a friend's significant birthday. Five of us gathered in Portland from all parts of the U.S. for this celebration. Cathy and David met us at the front door and first gave us a tour of their stunning Enoteca next door. We were mesmerized by the fiber art decor on one wall and across from it, two stories of wine storage, all shelved in clear acrylic (or is it glass?). I'd last been in Nostrana a few years after it opened, well before the transformation of the restaurant's decor which was as exciting and compelling as every morsel of pizzas, pastas, and Italian cookies that we tasted. Between dinner and dessert we were treated to a guided tour of Nostrana's extensive gardens. Every guest at that dinner told me it was the best meal they'd ever had. The kitchen crew outdid themselves, and the service was warm and professional. I can't wait to return. Congrats to Cathy on the publication of her first cookbook and her continued success. It will be a real treat to see her when she comes to San Francisco on her book tour this summer.
What a memorable experience, Linda! Thank you for sharing it here. I am hoping to get back to Portland next year. Your description makes me even more motivated.
Love this story, getting insight into the evolving concept of an "Italian restaurant" over 40 years in a foodie place in the US is fascinating!
Thank you! I enjoyed interviewing Cathy.
Thank you for this interesting and fun interview. I have met Cathy on several occasions and she is a favorite of mine. Love her energy!
Thanks, Terry. Agree!
Love me some Cathy Whims! Great read! ❤️
Thank you, Colu!
This recipe looks like it could go into Bill’s and my regular rotation. We love olives in pasta dishes!
I do, too, Coco. The combination of mushrooms and olives is surprising and delicious.
Thanks for sharing this Domenica. So interesting. The recipe sounds delicious too. I need to get to Portland, miss this resto last time.
Thank you, Dina. As Cathy mentioned in the recipe headnote, the mushroom-olive combination is surprising but really delicious. My family loved it.
Great interview, Domenica! I know my brother is going to enjoy this, too!
Thank you, Jolene
Such an interesting interview--a great story. A delicious way to start a Sunday. Thank you! Wish I didn't live all the way across the country from Portland.
Thanks for reading, Barb. I, too, wish I didn't leave clear across the country. It's been a number of years since I've been out that way; hoping to get back sooner rather than later. Cheers, D