2008 Woodie Awards
Dinner Without a Movie: Il Porto
Kelsea Wilks and Mike Fitzgerald
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Campus Life
- Page 1 of 1
We ventured across the Hudson again this week to the South Street Sea Port in downtown Manhattan. The trip was simple; we hopped on a PATH train to WTC and then walked straight down Fulton Street. The pier offered lots of fun shopping options as well as numerous restaurants. We debated between a well-priced Mexican restaurant and Il Porto. Il Porto offered a variety of sea food dishes and we decided this was more appropriate to the location.
The atmosphere of the restaurant was very much integrated into the feel of the port. We were immediately seated next to the front wall of the restaurant, which was glass and could be opened on warmer days. We delighted in the view of the docked ships and bustling people. The centers of the wooden tables were tiled in the middle and painted with vibrantly colored fruits. Our table was set with cloth napkins, oil for our bread, and bread plates that matched the color scheme of the table - they were rich yellow and blue ceramic.
Our waiter brought us water and warm bread topped with rosemary without delay as we perused the menu. The wait staff was pleasant and timely during our entire experience.
Kelsea was sure she wanted pizza, but debated between several enticing options. She narrowed the options down to prosciutto and four cheese, and based on Mike's input, decided on the four cheese pizza. The pizza had a thin crust and was loaded with cheddar, mozzarella, bleu, and goat cheese. Although it was delicious, since the pizza was comprised of so much more cheese than crust, eating the whole thing was difficult. Unless you enjoy cheese for dinner, this dish is more appropriate as an appetizer to be split amongst a couple people.
As soon as Mike opened the menu, he was drawn to the lobster salad sandwich. We both agreed that the seafood at Il Porto was probably very good. Turns out we were correct. The lobster salad was fresh and packed with plenty of lobster. The salad was made similar to tuna fish - chunks of lobster tossed with mayonnaise and chopped veggies. The sandwich was a nice size for the price. The menu said that the sandwich was served on sourdough, but a potato bread roll was actually used. The sandwich came with a mound of French fries, which were crunchy and tasty.
Mike's lobster salad sandwich was $14.50 and Kelsea's four cheese pizza was $13.50. Il Porto does a tricky thing with the receipt. A 16% suggested tip is included in the bill, but a line below the total still offers a place for you to put in a tip. So be careful not to be fooled into tipping twice!
The location of Il Porto is ideal and promises a fun excursion. Il Porto was a good experience, but it is only one of the many lovely restaurants in the South Street Sea Port. The port offers fancier, more expensive dining as well if you are looking for a special night out.
The atmosphere of the restaurant was very much integrated into the feel of the port. We were immediately seated next to the front wall of the restaurant, which was glass and could be opened on warmer days. We delighted in the view of the docked ships and bustling people. The centers of the wooden tables were tiled in the middle and painted with vibrantly colored fruits. Our table was set with cloth napkins, oil for our bread, and bread plates that matched the color scheme of the table - they were rich yellow and blue ceramic.
Our waiter brought us water and warm bread topped with rosemary without delay as we perused the menu. The wait staff was pleasant and timely during our entire experience.
Kelsea was sure she wanted pizza, but debated between several enticing options. She narrowed the options down to prosciutto and four cheese, and based on Mike's input, decided on the four cheese pizza. The pizza had a thin crust and was loaded with cheddar, mozzarella, bleu, and goat cheese. Although it was delicious, since the pizza was comprised of so much more cheese than crust, eating the whole thing was difficult. Unless you enjoy cheese for dinner, this dish is more appropriate as an appetizer to be split amongst a couple people.
As soon as Mike opened the menu, he was drawn to the lobster salad sandwich. We both agreed that the seafood at Il Porto was probably very good. Turns out we were correct. The lobster salad was fresh and packed with plenty of lobster. The salad was made similar to tuna fish - chunks of lobster tossed with mayonnaise and chopped veggies. The sandwich was a nice size for the price. The menu said that the sandwich was served on sourdough, but a potato bread roll was actually used. The sandwich came with a mound of French fries, which were crunchy and tasty.
Mike's lobster salad sandwich was $14.50 and Kelsea's four cheese pizza was $13.50. Il Porto does a tricky thing with the receipt. A 16% suggested tip is included in the bill, but a line below the total still offers a place for you to put in a tip. So be careful not to be fooled into tipping twice!
The location of Il Porto is ideal and promises a fun excursion. Il Porto was a good experience, but it is only one of the many lovely restaurants in the South Street Sea Port. The port offers fancier, more expensive dining as well if you are looking for a special night out.
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