Have you heard of SMITH? Not yet? Well, it’s only the coolest hospitality, marketing and design firm that turns around historic buildings and infuses them with new life as hip restaurants. Headquartered in Asbury Park, SMITH has a handful of restaurants in that storied beach town, as well as places like Jersey City and Newark. You can learn more about them by visiting their website but if you’re hungry for something different for your next venue selection, take a look at Porta.
Located in Asbury Park, right across from the beach, Porta is located in one of the oldest buildings in town. For all of you Springsteen fans out there (and really, if you live here, who isn’t?), Porta bears the distinction of being the meeting place of Bruce Springsteen and his longtime saxophonist Clarence Clemons. They first played here, but Porta is also across the street from the legendary Stone Pony.
It’s not just about the past at Porta…it’s about what’s happening now, and that happens to be fantastic food. This classic Neapolitan pizzeria with a lively ambience showcases wood-fired brick oven pizza and local farm-fresh produce from Co-Executive Chefs Grace Crossman, Paul Holzheimer and Chris Calabrese, as well as Head Pizzaiola Frederica Vilardi. There are 16 pieces to choose from, including the savory Carbonara with guanciale, parmigiano reggiano and roasted egg, or the Betty Pie with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, goat cheese and sliced heirloom tomatoes.
The restaurant opened in 2011 and was recently rated “Excellent” by the New York Times. But it’s not just a laid-back restaurant…Porta has two private rooms. The Monk Room accommodates up to 50 seated and 75 standing, while the Abbott Room is larger and accommodates 125 seated and over 200 standing. If you’re looking for something more casual and fun, consider Porta for your next event. There’s also a sister location in Jersey City.
