Ottawa Foodies

Quite disappointed with the food. The restaurant was busy around 5:30 on a Friday. Service was prompt. We had the fried calamari and mussels in white wine for appetizers. The calamari was tender but many pieces were stuck together in large clumps. The 2 dipping sauces would seem to be commercially prepared. The mussels were plentiful, but I had 2 on my plate which hadn't opened their shells, which I mentioned to the server. The chef should have checked and removed them from the plate before they left the kitchen. The mussels were inconsistent in size, many small and quite tough. The bread, warm and quite good didn't arrive until just before our mains. For mains we had the linquine pescatore in an alfredo and the veal parmagiana. The linquini was ringed with the same tough mussels, the menu billed it as mussels, clams, shrimp and crab. The clams, if present, must have been finely diced, the shrimp were tough, tiny little things that screamed that they had come out of a frozen bag, and the worst was the "crab". It wasn't crab but rather 1/2 inch cubes of imitation crab set on top of the linguini. The chef couldn't even bother to pretend it was crab by flaking it, and it sat perched unappetizingly like lego blocks on top of the noodles. We asked the server about the "crab" and she returned some minutes later to inform us that the chef was in the process of changing the menu and that yes, it was indeed imitation crab. Must be a long process as I can see from another users post in May 2007 the same blocks of imitation crab atop the linguini. Another dish was offered but my wife didn't want to have to watch me eat while waiting for another dish.
My veal parmagiana arrived covered (and I mean covered) in a nice, fresh tasting tomato sauce topped with what tasted like supermarket mozzarella. It came with spaghettini also in the same tomato sauce. The spaghettini for some perverse reason had a huge amount of butter mixed in with it, completely overpowering the taste of the sauce and noodles, giving it a very greasy, unpleasant taste. The veal was quite tough, with a large piece of gristle in it, and the bread crumbs quite soggy and mushy. Not at all pleasant.
With a bill of $69 with one glass of wine and a tea, it was not anywhere near worth it. Italian food is all about fresh, quality ingredients prepared with care, and we did not find that here. We won't be returning as the story we were told about the "crab" is ridiculous--don't tell me you're using crab when it's imitation crab. I don't mind paying for good food, but I do mind paying for sub standard food. I hope the owners will rework the menu and bring the quality up before the novelty of their restaurant wears off with the local customer base as they do have great promise. And don't lie to your customers.

Started out the long weekend early with a lunch on Friday afternoon at La Porto a Casa. It was nice to have lunch here, because they weren’t too busy, versus the evenings now when you must make a reservation days (or a week) ahead. We received a friendly greeting from Caroline, one of the owners, and were quickly seated. The exact same menu applies lunch and dinner, however they also have a lunch hour daily pizza, panini or pasta dish. We decided to opt for two pasta dishes from the regular menu, “The Man” chose Nonna’s Spaghetti & Meatballs, while I settled on the Penne Giovanni. We also ordered a half-litre of the House Red Wine (Donini). Our server brought us our wine, and a bread basket with warm rolls. While we sipped our wine, we noticed that there was a small feature board on our table that said the newest addition to the wine list is two offerings from Mondolin, a Cabernet Sauvignon for the red, and the white is a Chardonnay, all are available by the Glass, Half-Litre or Bottle. As we are both lovers of the Mandolin Cab. we were somewhat disappointed that we hadn’t noticed this earlier, but now we figure we just have an excuse to go back.
;-)

Our food arrived quickly, Nonna’s Spaghetti & Meatballs looked fantastic, bright red sauce (a sign of fresh tomatoes) and the meatballs were larger than golf-balls (“The Man” wasn’t willing to spare a bite… a sign that they were yummy indeed). My Penne Giovanni was a bowl filled with pasta and topped with Chicken, Mushrooms, and Parmigiana Rose Sauce. It was absolutely delicious. In the end there was just too much for both of us to eat… our server was happy to pack up the leftovers.

All in all a nice afternoon get-away. Can’t wait to go back for lunch again.

Had reservations here on a recent Saturday Night… and you need to make reservations about a week in advance. Even Anne DeBrisay said in her recent "positive" review in The Ottawa Citizen that she couldn’t believe how popular this spot is. This is part of the deceptive character of La Porto A Casa, a very unpretentious spot hidden away in a stripmall on Fallowfield Road in Barrhaven. The décor is very basic (think Early Pizza Parlour) and only sits about 40 people at tables covered with plastic red & white checkered tablecloths. But for what this spot lacks in fancy-schmancy, it more than makes up in attitude both in and out of the kitchen. The greeting is friendly, the smiles are real, and the family run business is happy you stopped by, just think it as your Italian relative who wants to feed you their best home cooking.

After greeting us by name (there is something really friendly about this, and good PR, it makes one feel so welcome to a restaurant) we were seated at our RESERVED table and immediately brought glasses of chilled ice water on this hot summer’s evening. “The Man” ordered a cocktail, and I sat back to peruse the extensive menu. Since La Porto A Casa’s opening two years ago, they’ve gradually been adding new items onto a solid foundation of favourites. Since our last visit, they've again managed to step up their game (a game that was already way ahead of the competition). They’ve recently added more appetizers, veal, chicken and pasta plates as well as some great gourmet pizzas. Additionally their wine list has expanded… bringing the current wine selection to 11 Reds and 10 Whites. The House Red is Donini Merlot, and the House White is Soave Folonari, both are available by the glass, or in half-litre or one litre pitchers. Other bottles (750 ml) range in price from a low of $ 19.95 to a high of $ 48.95 The Canadian featured winery is Strewn from Niagara, with either their Cabernet Franc at $ 23.95 or the Gewurztraminer-Riesling at $ 22.95

“The Man” and I decided to share an appy, and chose the Crostini al Salmone, toasted garlic bread topped with smoked salmon, Quebec goat’s cheese, red onions, capers and olive oil. This was amazing! Next up was the bread basket… to be honest this isn’t bread per se, but rather some of the largest crusty rolls that I’ve ever seen. They are served hot, and when topped with butter are worth fighting over (no worries, you can always get another). For mains I chose the Pollo Orsini, a boneless chicken breast with spinach and artichokes in a creamy black peppercorn sauce. I have several favourites at La Porto A Casa, and this one tops my list… this is so yummy, that I crave this when I don’t get a fix often enough! “The Man” chose the Pollo Boscaiola, a boneless chicken breast with shallots, prosciutto, mushrooms, in a black peppercorn, sage with brandy cream sauce. Both our mains came with a side of pasta in tomato sauce (alfredo, rosé, or meat sauce is also available).

We finished up the evening with coffee and cappuccino, didn’t have room for dessert or an after dinner drink, although they have a good selection of both. We have grown to love this spot for so many reasons, beyond the delicious food (probably the best Italian in Ottawa) we also like the service... We will be back again, we just have to remember to plan for it and make a reservation ahead of time.

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One of the small things I like about La Porto A Casa is that they have a supply of RESERVED signs. So even though a walk up patron may come in hoping to get a meal, it is quite evident that the pre-set tables are merely awaiting their charges. A simple step that is so visual, and thereby makes it easier to take than the sight of otherwise empty spots when you walk in off the street, only to be told by the Hostess that the Restaurant is fully booked.

After hearing so many great things about this restaurant, my expectations were high for lunch yesterday. Amazingly, this place exceeded all expectations! It was delicious.
I had one of their pizzas; with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, a pesto base and fresh tomatoes. Excellent. My wife had a tortellini dish with shrimp and a rose sauce that I cannot remember the name of but we both agreed it was some of the best pasta we had ever had.
We brought our baby (8 months) with no issues, they seem very willing to accommodate a family and all stopped by the table to say hi to her.
I hope to make this a regular stop, it was so good that I could go back today. If you can't get a table, they also offer take-out.

linguine carbonara with pancetta, onions, black peppercorn and eggyolk in a a white wine cream sauce.

the folks @ work have been raving about this place for months that finally its time to check out my favorite pasta pastime while passing by la p o r t o a casa. linguine pescatore was incredibly delicious with baby shrimp, clams, crab, mussels in a garlic white sauce and also the linguine carbonara with pancetta, onions, black peppercorn and eggyolk in a white wine cream sauce. now i understand why this l'il ma and pa shop is so packed, the flavors that the people make is out of this world with such simple ingredients. the party was in my mouth baby. the decor (which screamed the need for an interior design) was 50s style malt shop and clear plastic sheet coating the tables were overlooked because the food was so good.

pictured is the linguine pescatore.

Like the previous reviewer, I've never had a bad meal here either, and I go at least every two weeks. I love to have lunch here on my day off, and even have a regular table. Reservations don't seem to be required for lunch, but definitely for dinner since there are only a few tables and they are usually almost all reserved.

This is excellent Italian food, and take out is just as good as eating in. I love the friendly service, the portions are generous, and the quality is consistently great. Give it a try!

To die for! Have never had a bad meal (both dine in and take out). Price and quality you can not go wrong. Definitely make a reservation for dine in as it is always packed. Small but decent wine selection and decent prices. Pasta is fresh. I have had the cannelloni and Veal Gorgonzola. Both delicious. Husband usually always goes for thin crust pizza, but tried spaghetti last time and he was not disappointed. This will become a regular spot for us.

La Porto A Casa is a hidden gem in Barrhaven that offers a variety of Italian Dishes and Pizza. Stopped in here for take-out on a day when dinner was to be a hit and run affair. La Porto A Casa offers pizza in two sizes, Small and Medium, and the current menu offers 10 choices. However one can mix and match toppings if that is your desire. I chose a Medium (12 inch, 6 Slice) Combination. So although I chose the Combination (Canada's favourite pizza) on this occasion, I have previously enjoyed their more “gourmet” style pizzas than those otherwise found in Barrhaven (those that list toppings like fresh herbs, portabello mushrooms, eggplant, salmon, goats cheese, artichokes or bocconcini cheese).

The Combination was a thin crust perfectly done and topped with pizza sauce, pepperoni, mushrooms and red & green peppers and melted cheese. Due to the fact that the La Porto A Casa prides themselves on quality ingredients, the pizza continues to exceed expectations. Makes you wonder why the other Pizza Joints in Barrhaven are still in business.

The rolls that are served here are amazing... they are not your usual dinner rolls. They are more of a crusty roll / bread; soft in the middle, which when served warm and spread with butter melts into a delicious combo, enhanced by the outside which is crusty and with just enough chew. I have inquired and have been told that they come from a Portugese Bakery... they are absolutely delicious!