Restaurants, Dining - Portland Italian, Pizza, Pasta, Lasagne

Noodles Restaurant. Not to be confused with the chain, this indie eatery provides upscale flavors at bargain prices. Gourmet pastas that never waver in quality or a sense of the homemade. Lunch and dinner usually under $10. Spaghetti marinara with choice of Italian sausage or mushrooms, fettucini alfredo, an innovative take on Mexican pasta, glorious mac n' cheese given the gourmet treatment with smoked turkey, and a soft, unforgettable braised beef with rotelli pasta in a red wine sauce and gorgonzola. Look for ethnic re-inventions like Thai chicken linquini, or there is the hearty beef stroganoff, chicken picatta with a lemon cream sauce, garlic shrimp in a citrus cream white wine sauce, bay shrimp in basil cream and artichoke hearts, and enormous ravioli with spinach and cheese. Garlic cheese bread is famous for a reason; stunning epicurian salads. Kids menu and out of this world housemade desserts. Gluten free and whole wheat pasta available. 6830 Southwest Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Portland. (503) 292-6480. www.noodlesportland.com.