Ava Gene's
5-Course Roman Renaissance Tasting Event
This SE Division St trattoria is one of Stumptown’s true classics, and, in fact, Bon Appétit called it one of Stumptown Coffee founder Duane Sorenson’s basically perfect restaurants. Infatuation agrees, placing Ava Gene’s on its 2026 list of “25 Classic Restaurants in Portland,” while Eater gave it a place on its 2026 List of “Best Italian in Portland.” Ava Gene’s Roman-inspired menu showcases the best of local produce and meats raised by Pacific Northwest farmers and ranchers, with a menu that features antipasti like arancini with sungolds and meatballs with basil and parmesan, primi like tagliatelle with eggplant, tomatoes, and sultanas and farfalle with lamb ragù, and secondi like stuffed cabbage with mushrooms, chicken with fregola and zucchini, and pork with cassoulet beans and nectarines. Grand desserts too, like tiramisu and chocolate semifreddo. “Glamorous, refined, sexy, and one of the city's best Italian restaurants, Ava Gene's is packed every night of the week,” says Condé Nast Traveler, so, naturally, we are over-the-top excited for our evening here. We hope you’ll be able to join us!
About the Host:
Samuel Meono Salazar
Executive Chef
Chef Samuel Meoño Salazar leads the kitchen at Ava Gene's with a style shaped by his career spent in some of the country's most celebrated restaurants. After discovering his passion for cooking in Northern Virginia, he trained in kitchens including Uchi, Rose's Luxury, Volt, Pineapple & Pearls, and Superiority Burger. Those experiences refined a philosophy rooted in thoughtful hospitality, seasonality, and allowing exceptional ingredients to speak for themselves.
The Lineup
Courses #1, #4 & #5 will be individually plated; courses #2 & #3 will be served family-style. This menu will be Shellfish, Peanut, Tree Nut, Soy & Mushroom Free. For a list of restrictions/allergies Chef is accommodating, click here.
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Albacore Crudo
serious goose cucumber, candy snap grape, basil
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'Nduja & Sweet Pepper Fonduta
eloisa's jimmy nardello pepper, chile de agua, brad's sourdough
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Caramelle
corn, ricotta
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Roasted Beef Strip Loin
sungold tomato, crispy shallot, cherry bomb pepper
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Lemon Tiramisu
preserved lemon curd, mascarpone, limoncello
Ava Gene's
3377 SE Division St
Portland, OR 97202
More Event Info
Dietary Restrictions Accommodation Policy:
Due to the large-format nature of this event, all accommodation requests must be Added To Your Profile, or Emailed To Us no later than 72 hours before the event. Requests submitted after this date will not be accommodated. Additionally, Ava Gene's will only be accommodating certain dietary restrictions/food allergies, and they are unable to make menu adjustments based on distaste for specific ingredients/flavor profiles.
See below for guidance on whether or not they will be accommodating your restriction. Or, if your restriction is not represented below, Contact Us prior to booking tickets for guidance.
- Vegetarians: There is Tuna in Course 1, Pork in Course 2 and Beef in Course 4. Substitutions will be provided.
- Pescatarians: There is Pork in Course 2 and Beef in Course 4. Substitutions will be provided.
- Gluten: There is Gluten in Course 2, Course 3, Course 5. Substitutions will be provided for Course 5 ONLY.
- Dairy:
• Butter: Butter is in Course 3, Course 4. Substitutions will not be provided
• Milk/Cream: Milk/Cream is in Course 2, Course 3, Course 5. Substitutions will be provided for Course 5 ONLY.
• Cheese: Cow's Milk Cheese is in Course 2, Course 3, Course 5. Substitutions will be provided for Course 5 ONLY.
- Shellfish: This menu is shellfish-free.
- Fish: There is Tuna in Course 1. Substitutions will be provided.
- Eggs: There are Eggs in Course 3, Course 5. Substitutions will be provided for Course 5 ONLY.
- Peanuts: This menu is peanut-free.
- Tree Nuts: This menu is tree nut-free.
- Alliums: There is Scallion (Cooked), Garlic (Cooked) and Shallot (Cooked) in Course 2, Chive in Course 3 and Garlic (Cooked) and Shallot (Cooked) in Course 4. Substitutions will not be provided.
- Mushrooms: This menu is mushroom-free.
- Soy: This menu is soy-free.
Handicap Accessibility:
Have Additional Questions?
Check out Event FAQs or Contact Us for assistance.
