Per article in Just Out newspaper, December 17, 2004, page 34 HOME AWAY FROM HOME Dana Giardina, the lesbian proprietor of Portland’s best new Italian restaurant, has a signature dish chat is badly made and that’s not an insult. [further in the article] The result is Vitis Enoteca, tucked away on lower level of a warehouse building on Northwest 16th and Hoyt. The L-shaped layout with an open, inviting bar in the center and chocolate-colored walls lends itself to a + feeling airy and urban. But the atmosphere is just a backdrop for the incredible tapas-style dishes and exquisite wine list. [further in the article] Plus, Dana and her partner, Jacalyn Thompson, are great hosts and deserve support from their queer sisters and brothers.

Dana Giardina, born in 1959, was raised in the Bay Area.  She grew up surrounded by restaurants owned by her family in Napa, California.  The Depot and the Napa Valley Inn were opened by her Great Aunt Theresa Tamburelli and her Great Grandmother Rosie Martini.  After 80 years, the Depot closed in 2004 with the passing of her Aunt Angie Momsen.

After Dana graduated from the Hotel and Restaurant program at the City College of San Francisco, she found her comfort and passion from working in the restaurant and food service industry. She embarked on a path that would lead her to one day owning her own restaurant. This path took her to cities such as Denver and Seattle where she was able to hone her managerial skills working for ARAMARK as a location manager at companies such as Coors Brewing and Boeing.  Most recently, she was the District Manager for ARAMARK on the West Coast, based in Portland.

Dana has begun to fulfill her life long dream with the opening of Vitis Enoteca located in the Pearl District in Portland, Oregon. Getting back to her Italian heritage, Dana envisioned a menu of simple dishes of regional Italian food made well. The food is served on small plates with the idea of having a large selection of wines by the glass that would allow the customer to match a particular small plate with a specific wine.

Since Vitis Enoteca has opened for business in 2004, it has already received rave reviews from City Search Portland, Willamette Week, Northwest Examiner and the Mercury Portland. Not only does everyone seem impressed with the food and wine at Vitis, but also the service, value, knowledge, and ambience. All of this has truly been a dream come true for Dana who is also excited to carry on her family’s vision.