A friend and I were at an event this evening. As the ice-breaker, we all had to introduce ourselves and give 3 clues about the destination we'd most like to visit. We both immediate thought Italy. Ironically, on the way home a traffic light stopped us in front of a shopping center and I saw the word gelato (an Italian dessert akin to ice cream) illuminated in a window. Could it be true? A gelateria just a few miles from my house? We had to investigate.
I pulled into the parking lot to find Porta Via Italian Kitchen on White Bridge Road, across the street from Target. From the parking lot we could see wine bottles and gelato cases, so of course we were in! The perfect way to fulfill our dreams of Italy.
Once inside we were greeted by the friendly wait staff who informed us that Porta Via is a full-service restaurant that has been in operation for just over a year. (Side note: How have I missed this? I have not heard anything about this place and I frequently read about food in Nashville. However they did tell me they rely mostly on word-of-mouth promotion. Consider yourself informed.)
The menu features antipasti, Italian lunch-sized sandwiches, house-made pastas (brush up on your Italian to place your order!), hearty entrees, pizza, and of course the gelato. Also made in-house, Porta Via offered 6 or 8 different flavors. For $3.50, I got two plentiful scoops of smooth, fresh deliciousness. I mixed pistachio with hazelnut for a nutty combination. Light, smooth, but very flavorful, this was a perfect evening treat! Elisa ordered lemon and cinnamon, an odd combination but individually yummy. If gelato isn't your dish, Porta Via also offered a variety of Italian pastries, including two types of tiramisu, cheesecake, and a chocolate torte served with a scoop of gelato.
 |
| Hazelnut and Pistachio Gelato |
Despite the late hour and my doctor-recommended reduced-caffeine lifestyle, we were in such an Italian modo di essere, we had to order an espresso as well. Also house-made, the coffee was served quickly and in bright happy cups. The seats were also brightly colored, in red and lime green ostrich leather banquettes. I truly felt as though I were in a foreign cafe, not in a little strip mall shopping center off White Bridge Road.
Although I might be awake for the next 4 hours, the experience will have totally been worth it. I can't wait to return to Porta Via for dinner. And the next time I have dreams of traveling abroad, or even if I'm just having a bad day, I'm doing to skip over all those yogurt shops and go straight to this Italian getaway.
The End Notes:
- European-style gelato freshly made in Nashville. Modern fixtures create a contemporary cafe feeling in a cozy environment.
- Open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, but will host private parties on Sundays.
- Knowledgeable staff and chefs. Read about the restaurant's history here.
- A great place to go for an evening or after-dinner treat. Seating is limited, so if they're busy, you'll have to take your treat to go.
No comments:
Post a Comment