Portofino Ristorante has been a Forest Hills tradition for 53 years serving the Queens community and beyond. Recently, Portofino Ristorante has been completely renovated and redecorated under its new ownership with the same Italian passion for fine Italian cuisine. Thankfully, the menu and service have remained the same with even higher quality ingredients, ensuring that at least 53 more years of superb Italian food, wine, and service shall continue at Portofino!
You won’t recognize the new, elegant dining rooms at Portofino Ristorante which was completely refurbished and outfitted with chic, ivory, quilted chairs around tables dressed in crisp white linens topped with soft lamps and fresh flowers. Private parties can be accommodated in any of the three separate dining rooms, for 35-85 guests. Portofino is an ideal venue for private family parties, corporate events, holiday parties, and funeral luncheons. Live music fills the air from the grand piano in the main dining room on the weekends and warmth and hospitality exude from veteran servers, George and Rigo.
Start with a signature cocktail or glass of wine while you settle into the comfortable seats. Botanical martinis, French martinis, and Cosmos are served in chilled metal stems that keep your drink cold as you sip. While you peruse the menu, warm garlic bread and crusty slices are presented with fine olive oil and vinegar for dipping. My companion and I shared a hot antipasto platter with its lavish sampling of broiled shrimp, stuffed mussels, golden baked clams, stuffed mushrooms, and their famous eggplant rollatini full of fluffy ricotta adorned with fresh basil leaves ($28). Grilled octopus is supremely tender, perfectly charred, and laced with garlic, lemon, and fine olive oil. Our roasted beet salad combined yellow and red beets with baby greens, creamy goat cheese, orange slices, and pistachio nuts with a zesty citrus vinaigrette ($21). All salads and appetizers are served in generous portions meant to be shared.
In Italy, the “Primo” is the first course of pasta. Portofino’s handmade pastas cannot be surpassed for the quality and flavors. All the Portofino favorites that you love are still here such as farfalle with crumbled sausage, broccoli rabe, cannellini beans, lots of garlic and fine olive oil. The signature spaghetti Mare e Monte combines shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes with garlic and oil for a scrumptious and satisfying dish. Gnocchi with pesto bursts with aromatic basil and pine nuts while rich, creamy risotto is made with woodsy mushrooms, or fresh seafood. Fall is the perfect time for ravioli filled with butternut squash and parmigiano, shrimp with asparagus tips, or spinach and ricotta.
For your “Secondo,” the chef at Portofino makes delightfully tender chicken or veal marsala, piccata with artichoke hearts and capers, Francese style with butter and lemon, or classic Parmigiano with mozzarella and marinara sauce. Chicken Portofino with scallions, tomato, basil, garlic, and a touch of pesto can be grilled or breaded.
Only the highest quality fish and seafood are personally purchased by new owner Michael, who owns three restaurants in Forest Hills. Branzino, roasted salmon, and filet of sole Meuniere are just some of the choices.
Save room for dessert at Portofino where a platter of artisanal desserts includes house made tiramisu, cannolis, limoncello tart and more.
Michael, the proud new owner, says, “Welcome everyone to Portofino with a new generation of superb, high quality Italian cuisine, fine wine, and excellent service.” They’re open seven days a week from 11am to 10:30pm weekdays and 11:00pm on Friday and Saturday. Relax on elegant leather stools at the bar for a daily Happy Hour from 5-7pm with 50% off wine and beer and complimentary nibbles from the chef. A sumptuous Sunday Brunch Buffet is served, followed by dinner service. Welcome new ownership to a Forest Hills tradition at Portofino Ristorante!
www.portofinoforesthills.com
Dining and Cooking