Chic Italian in a restored carriage house w/ rustic charm. Creative dishes & killer cocktails.
Nestled in a beautifully restored 19th-century carriage house, this Italian gem offers a chic dining experience with a touch of rustic charm. Chef Alfred Portale crafts contemporary Italian dishes with a Mediterranean flair, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients. Standout primi courses like the ricotta agnolotti with lamb ragu and artfully presented main dishes such as seared Ora King salmon showcase the kitchen's precision and elegance.
The cuisine is contemporary Italian with Mediterranean influences, noted for its seasonal ingredients and elegant presentation. Highly recommended dishes include the agnolotti, particularly the seasonal variations, and the duck breast. Pasta dishes are consistently praised as being exceptional. The restaurant also boasts a negroni menu.
"The seasonal agnolotti is highly praised, as is the duck breast and the pasta dishes in general. An olive oil cake is also recommended."
Customers generally have a very positive view of the restaurant, praising its food, service, and ambiance, with many recommending it for special occasions.
Important Note
One user noted initial reservations about rushed service and pasta prices, but ultimately found the food to be very good.
"This commenter recommended Portale as an Italian dining option for a romantic anniversary, alongside other suggestions."
Positive"This commenter expresses strong positive sentiment for Portale, repeating "I love Portale.""
Positive"Portale is suggested as a recommended Italian restaurant that is not too far away."
Neutral"The olive oil cake at Portale is recommended as an alternative to the one at St. Anselm."
Positive"The user suggested Portale, mentioning that it has private rooms available on the second floor."
Neutral"This restaurant was recommended as an option for a group visiting the Chelsea area, potentially fitting a steakhouse preference or being open to other authentic food choices."
Neutral"Despite initial reservations about the rushed service and pasta prices, the commenter found Portale's food to be very good, precise, elegant, and filling."
Positive"Portale is highly recommended as one of the commenter's favorite restaurants in the city."
Positive"This user found the food slightly better at Portale, but preferred the vibe at Cafe Carmellini, noting the excellent service at Carmellini on their wedding night."
Positive"This commenter found both Cafe Carmellini and Portale to be good, but considered Cafe Carmellini to be more memorable."
Positive"This commenter believes Portale looks awesome but has not yet visited. They also suggested other Italian dining options like Marea or Santi."
Positive"Portale is recommended."
Neutral"Portale is suggested as a dining option, with a note to consider the bar seats."
Neutral"The user suggested Portale as a place that might have a pork chop dish similar to what the original poster was looking for. The dish mentioned is a country-rib pork chop with polenta cake and baby peppers in a roasted plum sauce."
Positive"The user shared an anecdote about a restaurant in London where staff called no-show diners late at night to inform them the kitchen was closing, finding the action amusing and commendable."
Positive"The user suggested that a $50 cancellation fee, or even full payment, might be justifiable for extremely popular and high-demand restaurants, questioning the policy's necessity if the restaurant isn't that popular. They also recalled an incident where a chef publicly shamed no-show diners."
Neutral"This commenter explained that a $25 per person fee is reasonable, especially for larger parties like a six-top, which often occupies prime seating. They noted that such tables can be lost revenue if canceled last minute, and suggested that fees should be waived if the restaurant can rebook the table."
Positive"This user agreed that $25 per person is reasonable, explaining that it's proportionate to the average menu prices. They also noted that restaurants often estimate potential revenue per person when setting such fees."
Positive"The user expressed that if one cannot commit to a reservation, they should not expect the restaurant to hold the table, highlighting that cancellations and no-shows are a significant issue for the restaurant industry."
Neutral"The user acknowledged they might be in the minority regarding cancellation fees and stated they wouldn't be able to expense the fee, deciding to find another restaurant due to the risk."
Negative
