Porta, the New Pizzeria on Chestnut Street, Has an Opening Date

Two New Jersey restaurants from the Smith group are heading to Midtown Village and the first is just about ready to open. Porta, at 1214-16 Chestnut Street, will start serving on Friday, December 22, with limited hours, and slide into a regular schedule after Christmas. Brickwall Tavern, connected to Porta, is opening later next year.

The two restaurants are going big, spanning 22,000 square feet with seats for 600. Porta, which has locations in Asbury Park and Jersey City, is known for its Neapolitan pies — cooked in pizza ovens brought over from Naples, no less. Expect Porta’s dinner menu to also include pastas and risotto, along with sides of house-made mozzarella and ricotta, meatballs, and roasted veggies. There’s a full bar and plenty of bar space for those who don’t want to settle in at a table.

Porta’s new Philly digs, in a former furniture store, will be open from 5 p.m. on December 22 and 23 and then close for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. The restaurant reopens December 26 with brunch and dinner. Once it’s in full operating mode, brunch will be every Saturday and Sunday. The 4-7 p.m. weekday happy hour kicks off December 27.

As for Brickwall Tavern, coming soon, it goes the pub route. The original Brickwall is in Asbury Park; it also has a location in Burlington. The menus include salads, sandwiches, burgers, a “meat & potatoes” section, and bowls of mashed potatoes with toppings like braised short ribs. To drink, look for an impressive craft beer selection.

Facebook