Inspired by a trip to Sicily,[14] Daniel and Elise Gold opened Sebastiano's on June 2, 2020,[6][15] in the space that previously housed Heartbreaker Neighborhood Kitchen.[11] The couple announced plans to launch a food cart for weekend operation in the deli's parking lot in 2021.[6] The food cart Aperitivo Sebastiano began operating in May.[16][17] Sebastiano's has been a vendor at the neighborhood's Thursdays on the Plaza market.[18]
For Thanksgiving in 2021, Sebastiano's collaborated with Dimo's Apizza on a takeout dinner.[19] In 2022, Daniel Gold testified at a hearing, urging Portland City Council to extend the cap on fees third-party delivery apps can charge restaurants.[20][21]
In 2024, the business relocated to Sellwood-Moreland.[1] The business began operating in the new space on March 7.[22]
Reception
In 2022, writers included the Eggplant Muffuletta in Portland Monthly's list of the city's eleven best sandwiches.[23] The magazine's Karen Brooks and Katherine Chew Hamilton included the business in an "opinionated guide to Portland's best bakeries", in which they said "the cannoli are the best in town".[24] Brooks also included Sebastiano's in Portland Monthly's 2022 list of "our favorite patios for drinking and soaking up sun".[25]
Brooke Jackson-Glidden included Sebastiano's in Eater Portland's 2021 lists of "ideal Portland spots to load up on picnic supplies" and fifteen eateries "where you can also buy your groceries".[9][8] The website's Alex Frane included the business in a 2022 list of fifteen "stellar" Italian restaurants in Portland.[26] He and Nathan Williams included Sebastiano's in a 2022 overview of recommended eateries in Montavilla,[27] and Michelle Lopez and Jackson-Glidden included the business in a 2022 list of "outstanding" bakeries in the Portland metropolitan area.[12]
