I’m a New Yorker, see. Don’t get me wrong, Portland is my home, and always will be. But my hometown, the place of my birth, the first piece of my heart, that is the Big Apple. And everyone knows New Yorkers are picky about their pizza, right?
Well. Yeah, I appreciate a good slice of pie, with a nice thin crust, not greasy, nice and foldable, fresh ingredients. But even more than a perfect slice of New York pizza pie, my New York soul flutters with joy at the thought of a real, honest-to-goodness authentic cannoli.
I must admit, Portland…I had given up hope. After years and years and years of sampling cannolis with mushy shells, or too-sweet filling, or horror! stale offerings of this divine Italian dessert, I had come to the sad conclusion that Portland would never offer me a decent cannoli, and that was that.
Well color me wrong. I’ve found your most awesome cannoli, Portland, and it is as good as any that New York (or even Boston’s Little Italy) could offer! And even better – you can get some truly fabulous pizza pie here too.
There I was, perusing the sights and sounds of Alberta Street’s Last Thursday, um, last thursday, with a friend. We decided to pop in for a pie at Al Forno Ferruzza, at 2738 NE Alberta. What a wonderful family owned pizza place this was! Stephen Feruruzza, taught by his sicilian father and aunts, also apparently runs a food cart near PSU. Truly authentic ingredients, all fresh, homemade, fabulous. The proprietors were great people, but then, fellow New Yorkers tend to have this unwritten bond, see? Sorry, you Portlanders wouldn’t understand, capish? The list of available toppings vary by day, depending on what’s good and fresh. We ordered a pie with mortadella, walla walla sweet onions, and pepperoni. I thought that was a phenomenal slice of pie, and was prepared to walk out satiated, when I saw the handwritten sign: “Cannoli, $4.00″.
I told Alexis, the lovely girl behind the counter, that I had never found a decent cannoli in Portland. Turns out she made this batch, and gave me the last one, albeit with a bit of nervousness. No fear Alexis! – it was phenomenal. Crisp fresh shell, light and flaky. Amazing homemade!!!! ricotta filling, with a light citrusy vanilla flavor, not too sweet. Light dusting of powdered sugar.
Welcome to Portland, my lovely cannoli. I’ve missed you so.
So check out Al Forno Ferruzza for a truly authentic Sicilian experience. Stop by for a cappuccino and a cannoli. Bring some friends and share a pizza pie.
2738 NE Alberta, corner of NE 28th and Alberta
503-AL-FORNA (503-253-6766)
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You found that, I finally found real Nawlins’ Cajun (That’s New Orleans properly spoken). It bothered me that Montage and several other places had popped up with their little renditions, but as Bobby Flay got whooped every time he tried to challenge a Nawlins’ Chef on a dish of Jumbalaya or Etouffee, so did Portland.
Fortunately I found the ultimate in Nawlins’ Cajun at “My Brother’s Crawfish” located out on 82nd and Harrison. The place ROCKS with boiled crawfish, etouffee, jumbalaya, gumbo, corn bread, and a host of other awesome Cajun Dishes! Absolutely go check it out of you want some proper, authentic, perfect select of Nawlins’ Foods.
Great review, I can’t wait to try this place. And I had no idea that food cart web site existed, so thanks for that!
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