Remember that quaint little Italian restaurant on the corner of 5th and Main that satisfied your craving for fine cuisine and imported wine? It was called Portofino’s but now it’s gone…gone…GONE.
In it’s place...Diego Ortoli’s newest Downtown endeavor, 464, with a hipper, younger and more affordable new menu now specializing in HAMBURGERS & BEER.
Not just any old burgers however, but internationally inspired GOURMET BURGERS from all around the world. Downtown, say goodbye to the average burger and say hello to TASTE in over 15 different languages.
Diego Ortoli, originally from West Hollywood, via Italy, is a seasoned chef and traveling musician WHO FOUND HIMSELF in search of the “fun” lost in the hard work and dreary atmosphere of his old restaurant. While making an attempt to spruce up the old place he discovered a whole new concept, and with it, a whole new passion for Downtown.
Executive Chef, Diego Ortoli, talks about his new restaurant and what he discovered beyond the confines of old Portofino’s.
“I could have sold it to move to Paso Robles, but I just wasn’t done yet.
I really like this place.”
And what’s not to like? 464 is newly revamped, spacious and bright, but Ortoli admits it was all a bit unplanned and the new design happened almost by accident.
The old floor. Ortoli hated it!
Year after year, the damaged wood revealed in parts, an even more damaged unpolished tile. While his wife was away visiting family, he would surprise her with a whole new floor, but what was supposed to take just a few weeks turned into months. So with the restaurant closed for remodeling, and his wife returning, wondering what happened to the surprise, Diego decided to turn his attentions upwards towards the ceiling – another eye soar.
Should he tear it down?
Well, let’s just say the new table tops are now made from what used to be the old ceiling. Most remarkable the old ceiling used to hide the 100-year-old wood paneled piece of history several feet higher, that now gives his location its lofty open-air feeling.
A projector is coming for you sports fans and for you Burger lovers….
Oh my GAWD.
DTLA DO YOU LIKE
TO TRAVEL?
Lets visit Japan with a Kurobuta Pork Belly patty featuring a mushroom medley, miso sauce and lotus root chips. Fly over to Italy on a Rosemary Chicken Patty with Fontina cheese, leaning towards garlic aioli with white balsamic/lemon reduction and arugula.
Don’t miss the boat to Greece with a leg of lamb patty, jumping with lettuce and tomatoes, garlic aioli, grape leaf pesto and goat cheese Tzatziki.
Board the train to Korea riding on the rails of Angus Beef, red leaf lettuce, SPAM, sautéed kimchi and grilled green onions.
Planning a vacation in France? Take your Angus Beef Patty with Roquefort Blue cheese, garlic aioli, country ham, pear/cognac spread and a fried egg.
Why leave North America when you can have the Canadian Maple Leaf Farmed Venison with double cheddar and Canadian bacon.
Viva La Mexico with the Mexican, an all Angus Beef patty, blanketed in guacamole, roasted tomatoes and fresh cilantro. Plus you can substitute any meat with Buffalo.
There’s also an Indian veggie burger made of quinoa and mushroom – but if you really want a burger vacation of a life time go down under and try the Kangaroo Burger…464 is only a hop, skip and a jump away…
