![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/hugs1.jpg\" "\\"hugs1\\"")
<\/a>Located in the former haunts of Johnny\u2019s Bistro, Hug\u2019s Italian Restaurant<\/strong> is rapidly assembling a fan base that includes regular patrons of the original Hug\u2019s at Sugarloaf Resort (opened in 1985 and still going strong) as well as newbies like us.<\/p>\nHungry for some zesty food, we start our meal with a bottle of Chianti Ruffino ($28), chosen from the list of reasonably-priced Italian wines.<\/p>\n
The eclectic menu champions family-style dining, with extensive options for sharing. Our gorgeous, fresh salad arrives in a big bowl, its dressing in perfect balance, with none of the acidity of a typical \u201cItalian\u201d dressing. It\u2019s addicting<\/em>.<\/p>\n My Veal Francaise ($23.95) is an ample serving of tender, boneless breast lightly battered in egg and bread crumbs, its flavor highlighted by lemon butter sauce and mushrooms. The accompanying pasta (your choice of angel hair, fettuccine, shells and penne, or linguine) is superbly al dente<\/em>, smothered in your choice of red sauce or garlic butter. Unable to decide which way to dress my fettuccine, I ask to have it tossed in garlic butter with a side of red sauce, since it\u2019s a point of pride here to respond enthusiastically to special requests.<\/p>\n My partner\u2019s dream dish tonight is spinach-and-roasted-garlic raviolis ($20.95), tossed Mediterranean-style with artichokes, broccoli, mushrooms, kalamata olives, and pine nuts and saut\u00e9ed with olive oil, butter, garlic, and lemon. A generous smattering of fine feta adds the perfect touch.<\/p>\n