Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Lakeview / East Lakeview

I recently dined at Pizza Portofino, and I was beyond impressed! The food was absolutely delicious, with every bite bursting with fresh, authentic flavors. The pizza had the perfect balance of a crisp crust, rich sauce, and high-quality toppings. What really stood out, though, was the staff—they were amazing! From the moment we walked in, everyone was friendly, attentive, and incredibly quick. Our food arrived much faster than expected, and the service was seamless throughout the meal. If you’re looking for a great dining experience with fantastic food and top-notch service, Pizza Portofino is the place to go!

It was Valentines Day and they ran a tight ship!! We were sat right by the kitchen door upstairs and it did continuously slam against the wall inches from my date and had her on edge the whole night. Other than that, service, food and ambiance were perfect for a romantic date!!

The food we had at Mia Francesca’s was great, but what really set it apart was the service. Ben was a fantastic waiter: extremely kind, personable, and offered stellar menu recommendations! We are very glad we chose Mia Francesca’s for our Valentine’s Day celebration and especially grateful to Ben for going above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience. Would recommend to anyone looking for a lovely night out.

I made my reservation in December for Valantine Day. I ask for a special table. I was told they would try to accommodate me. I had no problem with that. What I am mad about is that the sat us at the smallest table in the restaurant. I did say something and did not get a response from anyone. This is not a Lettuce type management deal. I top of that a table next to us kept increasing the volume of talking louder. The other table was fine. We eat at Lettuce restaurants all the time. Management and service always concerned about their client's well-being.

The whole experience exceeded our expectations. Joshua, our server, was phenomenal and had great recommendations. The grilled broccolini salad was mind-blowing! The atmosphere within the restaurant was personal and warm. It was not too loud or too quiet. Every table has a gorgeous view of the city and river. Definitely a splurge experience, but so worth it.