This Porta is nice. My server was Joe J, he was very nice, friendly and attentive. The ambiance is nice here, everything looks clean and the food was good.
Kenia Vazque
Joao ❤️
Service: 5
Jay Burroughs
A friend and I went to Sunday brunch and was told that they were out of Prosecco and therefore, bellinis, mimosas, etc. would not be available. Very disappointing- as it seemed that it would have been so very easy just to go to a liquor store (next door) and buy some. Then, due to a party upstairs, and some errand that our waitress had to do in the basement, we were often left unattended.
I expected a manager to come over to apologize, offer us a drink or dessert or something! But nothing! I guess those days are long gone.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Last Holdout
Parking: There IS an elevator.
Wheelchair accessibility: Elevator Available.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
bri faus
My wife and I came for New Year’s Eve. I’ve been to this specific location once before and sat outside with good service. The porta in Jersey city has always been a good to for me and friends. For the first time at the Montclair location I sat at the bar where I wasn’t greeted and was given menus while the bartender rushed away. After waving down the bartender, which he held a finger up to us while he finished clearing out some glasses, we then ordered and were served a beer each that came out WARM from the tap. The bar at the time had 6 empty seats so I figured it wasn’t too busy unless the bartender was handling tables outside of his bar (something which I’m familiar with since I’ve had experience as a restaurant manager and GM for fine dining restaurants in the past and have been the bar manager for some high places in nj). I understand what a busy night could look like for some employees, stressful and exhausting. Given that it was New Year’s Eve, and how busy it can be, I always had a level an empathy for employees during the holidays and tend to pay it forward.
This time around not so much, we were ignored almost our whole time there, from having to wave him down, to never being able to complain about the warm drinks because of his lack of ‘checking in’ on us never gave me the opportunity to switch out our drinks or even order some dinner. I’ve done employee trainings where we discuss S.O.S (steps of service) and what I would always teach is that my employees aren’t here to just take orders but to help provide an experience for guests. With that comes touching your tables after serving drinks and asking if they everything’s okay and if they need anything else. We were never approached to see how the drinks were or if we were ready to order food. I had to wave down our bartender to order the drinks and had to wave down to to pay so we could get out and order take out. Service makes up the experience all around.
Melissa
Met a friend for a catch up dinner. Nice area, clean was not over packed for a Friday night tho it was 6pm. There's a municipal owned lot around the corner but going level to level is tight (like I almost scratched my car maneuvering the levels) plan on street parking.
Food was good. They change the menu every season so definitely check the website..
Kiki was our server and excellent on recommendations especially for my friend who had never been.
I usually go to Porta in Jc because you can just catch the train but I would come to this one again for sure.
Pizza is solid, upstairs turns into a disco at night. Check this out the gem and grab a sweatshirt!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Adam Rodriguez
Family style restaurant. Pasta and house cocktails are delicious. This place is huge and it has an upstairs. Portions are generous for the price. Great place for a date night
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ms. G
Lots of fun .. they create an interactive atmosphere.. Great job!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Greg Deo
I went here with a friend of mine for dinner. We were seated in a timely manner and initially the waiter was prompt. That is where any postive review ends. We ordered calimari and mozzarella with italian bread, as well as a bottle of pinot grigio. After about 15 to 20 minutes of us reminding our waiter about the wine (and also other waiters trying to give us other customers drinks) we finally received our wine. The wine was old and tasted like straight rubbing alcohol. We also finally received our calimari and italian bread. When we asked the food runner where the mozzarella was she seemed confused. We had to remind our waiter again about the mozzarella and 10 minutes later it was finally received. The food was average to sub-par. The calinari was chewey and not tasty. The mozzarella was OK but missing something. We then finally recieved our main dishes about 25 minutes later. 2 orders of mushroom risotto and a table order of eggplant parm. Everything was luke warm to cold, which means it was sitting for a while. The risotto portions were to small and not very tasty. The eggplant was OK. I would say it was probably frozen and then heated before serving. I will never be visiting this place again. What a waste of my money.
The bar is not to be overlooked in this location . If you see a pair of seasoned bartenders named Liam and Pete I have one suggestion , Have anything they suggest. I've never met a pair that was more accommodating and pleasurable to speak to . They made my wife an amazing Mocktail and myself an almost illegal old fashion with how good it was . Good drinks are made with a smile as well as personality and these two aren't short of either . Head down to Porta sooner than later and stop wasting your time reading this.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Florence
Your door to deliciousness! With a charming rustic vibe of old doors, long wood tables and benches and a 2nd floor indoor and outdoor space, this casual spot impresses with great cocktails and excellent pizza. I visited with my hubs and while we were seated right away and given water, it took a while for our server to take our order. In any case, our Autumn Betty Pizza full of wild mushrooms, goat cheese, truffle pecorino, garlic, thyme, walnut oil, and evoo was perfect for the season! Though our Calamari arrived late and at room temp, I could tell how good it could have been. My Amore cocktail of Drumshanbo sausage tree vodka, pomegranate syrup, and lime refreshed and amazed me! I a-door this place! ;)
NOTES/TIPS: **Their restaurant is open on the 2nd floor. **Parking deck nearby at the Crescent Deck (Church St, Montclair, NJ 07042).
Parking: Parking deck nearby at the Crescent Deck (Church St, Montclair, NJ 07042) across from Raymond's.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Suzy Thompson
My husband and I had our wedding reception at Porta Montclair and could not be more thrilled with how everything came together! Brielle was fantastic to work with and always responded in a timely manner. We found the staff venue to be extremely friendly and accommodating. Our guests loved the food and cocktails (sooo much better than typical wedding fare) and the setup upstairs with the outdoor area and space for the band was perfect for our 100 guests. Pricing was very fair. Highly recommend for a wedding!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carlos Pacheco
Porta - An Unforgettable Dining Experience
Porta is a gem that offers a truly delightful dining experience. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that perfectly sets the stage for an unforgettable meal. The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, ensuring that every visit feels special.
The menu is a testament to Porta’s dedication to quality and flavor. Their dishes are fresh, creative, and beautifully presented. The pizza is a must-try, with its perfectly crisp crust and a variety of flavorful toppings. The pasta dishes are equally impressive—authentic and cooked to perfection.
The drink menu offers a great selection of wines and cocktails that pair perfectly with the food, enhancing the overall experience. The ambiance, especially on a busy evening, is lively and vibrant, making it a great spot for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings.
If you’re looking for a place that combines exceptional food, great service, and a lively atmosphere, Porta should be at the top of your list!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs
Nicole Lignos
As an MSU grad student & foodie this is my go to spot!!! Not only does it make me feel right at home (considering their other location is all down the shore by me), but their food/cocktails are just phenomenal & more importantly - consistent & great service too!! Highly recommend the roasted octopus, gniocchi & ricotta!😋
This Porta is nice. My server was Joe J, he was very nice, friendly and attentive. The ambiance is nice here, everything looks clean and the food was good.
Joao ❤️
Service: 5
A friend and I went to Sunday brunch and was told that they were out of Prosecco and therefore, bellinis, mimosas, etc. would not be available. Very disappointing- as it seemed that it would have been so very easy just to go to a liquor store (next door) and buy some. Then, due to a party upstairs, and some errand that our waitress had to do in the basement, we were often left unattended.
I expected a manager to come over to apologize, offer us a drink or dessert or something! But nothing! I guess those days are long gone.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Parking: There IS an elevator.
Wheelchair accessibility: Elevator Available.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I came for New Year’s Eve. I’ve been to this specific location once before and sat outside with good service. The porta in Jersey city has always been a good to for me and friends. For the first time at the Montclair location I sat at the bar where I wasn’t greeted and was given menus while the bartender rushed away. After waving down the bartender, which he held a finger up to us while he finished clearing out some glasses, we then ordered and were served a beer each that came out WARM from the tap. The bar at the time had 6 empty seats so I figured it wasn’t too busy unless the bartender was handling tables outside of his bar (something which I’m familiar with since I’ve had experience as a restaurant manager and GM for fine dining restaurants in the past and have been the bar manager for some high places in nj). I understand what a busy night could look like for some employees, stressful and exhausting. Given that it was New Year’s Eve, and how busy it can be, I always had a level an empathy for employees during the holidays and tend to pay it forward.
This time around not so much, we were ignored almost our whole time there, from having to wave him down, to never being able to complain about the warm drinks because of his lack of ‘checking in’ on us never gave me the opportunity to switch out our drinks or even order some dinner. I’ve done employee trainings where we discuss S.O.S (steps of service) and what I would always teach is that my employees aren’t here to just take orders but to help provide an experience for guests. With that comes touching your tables after serving drinks and asking if they everything’s okay and if they need anything else. We were never approached to see how the drinks were or if we were ready to order food. I had to wave down our bartender to order the drinks and had to wave down to to pay so we could get out and order take out. Service makes up the experience all around.
Met a friend for a catch up dinner. Nice area, clean was not over packed for a Friday night tho it was 6pm. There's a municipal owned lot around the corner but going level to level is tight (like I almost scratched my car maneuvering the levels) plan on street parking.
Food was good. They change the menu every season so definitely check the website..
Kiki was our server and excellent on recommendations especially for my friend who had never been.
I usually go to Porta in Jc because you can just catch the train but I would come to this one again for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Calamari, Margherita Pizza, Sausage Pizza
Pizza is solid, upstairs turns into a disco at night. Check this out the gem and grab a sweatshirt!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Family style restaurant. Pasta and house cocktails are delicious. This place is huge and it has an upstairs. Portions are generous for the price. Great place for a date night
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lots of fun .. they create an interactive atmosphere.. Great job!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went here with a friend of mine for dinner. We were seated in a timely manner and initially the waiter was prompt. That is where any postive review ends. We ordered calimari and mozzarella with italian bread, as well as a bottle of pinot grigio. After about 15 to 20 minutes of us reminding our waiter about the wine (and also other waiters trying to give us other customers drinks) we finally received our wine. The wine was old and tasted like straight rubbing alcohol. We also finally received our calimari and italian bread. When we asked the food runner where the mozzarella was she seemed confused. We had to remind our waiter again about the mozzarella and 10 minutes later it was finally received. The food was average to sub-par. The calinari was chewey and not tasty. The mozzarella was OK but missing something. We then finally recieved our main dishes about 25 minutes later. 2 orders of mushroom risotto and a table order of eggplant parm. Everything was luke warm to cold, which means it was sitting for a while. The risotto portions were to small and not very tasty. The eggplant was OK. I would say it was probably frozen and then heated before serving. I will never be visiting this place again. What a waste of my money.
Restaurantji Recommends
The bar is not to be overlooked in this location . If you see a pair of seasoned bartenders named Liam and Pete I have one suggestion , Have anything they suggest. I've never met a pair that was more accommodating and pleasurable to speak to . They made my wife an amazing Mocktail and myself an almost illegal old fashion with how good it was . Good drinks are made with a smile as well as personality and these two aren't short of either . Head down to Porta sooner than later and stop wasting your time reading this.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Your door to deliciousness! With a charming rustic vibe of old doors, long wood tables and benches and a 2nd floor indoor and outdoor space, this casual spot impresses with great cocktails and excellent pizza. I visited with my hubs and while we were seated right away and given water, it took a while for our server to take our order. In any case, our Autumn Betty Pizza full of wild mushrooms, goat cheese, truffle pecorino, garlic, thyme, walnut oil, and evoo was perfect for the season! Though our Calamari arrived late and at room temp, I could tell how good it could have been. My Amore cocktail of Drumshanbo sausage tree vodka, pomegranate syrup, and lime refreshed and amazed me! I a-door this place! ;)
NOTES/TIPS:
**Their restaurant is open on the 2nd floor.
**Parking deck nearby at the Crescent Deck (Church St, Montclair, NJ 07042).
Parking: Parking deck nearby at the Crescent Deck (Church St, Montclair, NJ 07042) across from Raymond's.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
My husband and I had our wedding reception at Porta Montclair and could not be more thrilled with how everything came together! Brielle was fantastic to work with and always responded in a timely manner. We found the staff venue to be extremely friendly and accommodating. Our guests loved the food and cocktails (sooo much better than typical wedding fare) and the setup upstairs with the outdoor area and space for the band was perfect for our 100 guests. Pricing was very fair. Highly recommend for a wedding!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Porta - An Unforgettable Dining Experience
Porta is a gem that offers a truly delightful dining experience. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that perfectly sets the stage for an unforgettable meal. The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, ensuring that every visit feels special.
The menu is a testament to Porta’s dedication to quality and flavor. Their dishes are fresh, creative, and beautifully presented. The pizza is a must-try, with its perfectly crisp crust and a variety of flavorful toppings. The pasta dishes are equally impressive—authentic and cooked to perfection.
The drink menu offers a great selection of wines and cocktails that pair perfectly with the food, enhancing the overall experience. The ambiance, especially on a busy evening, is lively and vibrant, making it a great spot for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings.
If you’re looking for a place that combines exceptional food, great service, and a lively atmosphere, Porta should be at the top of your list!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs
As an MSU grad student & foodie this is my go to spot!!! Not only does it make me feel right at home (considering their other location is all down the shore by me), but their food/cocktails are just phenomenal & more importantly - consistent & great service too!! Highly recommend the roasted octopus, gniocchi & ricotta!😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Octopus, Arugula
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