The Portofino Restaurant was opened in 1970 by Chef Sergio Micheli alone with his father Adelmo.  They brought to Crystal City, for the first time, Fine Northern Italian Cuisine.  Through the next three decades, Sergio and his wife Pilar welcomed thousands and thousands of guests to their award-winning restaurant.

In 1993, three generations of Micheli chefs joined forces as their son Richard, a recent graduate of the famed Culinary Institute of America, began his work at the Portofino.  He has combined his skills from Culinary School with his father’s expertise to bring to Portofino’s patrons a unique dining experience.