The Bottom Line
Porto Vivo opened in August 2009 in Huntington. Housed in a former antiques store, the newly-designed building features two elegant dining floors, plus another floor with a stylish marble bar. The restaurant's talented executive chef is Steven Lecchi, formerly of NYC's Lespinasse, Italy's Bellevue Beach Hotel Milano and one-time private chef to celebrities Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. Lecchi has created a superb menu along with consulting chef John Doherty, a native Long Islander, who was the executive chef at the Waldorf=Astoria hotel for the past 23 years. I'd suggest this restaurant for a romantic first date.
Pros
- Delicious food
- Great value for high-end meals
- Good presentation of meals
- Beautiful design
- Friendly service
Cons
- None
Description
- Porto Vivo address: 7 Gerard Street, Huntington, NY
- Phone: (631) 385-8486
- Cuisine: Rustic Italian, steaks, seafood
- Range of prices per dinner entree: $16-29.
- Hours: Dinner: Sun.-Thurs. 5:30-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat.: 5:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Bar: Sun.-Thurs. 5-11 p.m.,Fri.-Sat.: 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
- Porto Vivo website
Guide Review - Porto Vivo Restaurant Review
As my husband and I entered through Porto Vivo's entrance, with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows and marble tile, we were suddenly inside an elegantly designed space. The decidedly upscale look of this building with muted tones and soft lighting is matched by the superb flavors of its imaginative menu. The surprise here is that you get true value for your money. Here, you'll pay the same price for an entree as you might for appetizers in other restaurants.
I sat in a plush chair at our sleek black table, where a candle flickered, not far from the working fireplace. We started with the savory roasted fennel and also ordered the roasted beets and ricotta salad with pistachio oil. Because we were both very hungry, we ordered a third appetizer, which we split: the feather-light, hand-rolled goat cheese and ricotta gnocchi. All three appetizers were heavenly.
Entrees include tasty flatbread pizzas, and a wealth of pasta dishes. Meat dishes include certified Black Angus filet mignon and organic chicken. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the grilled branzino, a light and tasty fish, which came with a fresh arugula salad. I ordered the slow-roasted wild salmon, served with roasted fennel puree and salmon caviar. We also split a side order of delicious grilled asparagus with parmesan cheese.
Desserts are delicious and decadent. I recommend the warm peach and almond tart, served with raspberry sauce. I'm not a fan of super-sweet desserts, and this luscious dessert comes with just a hint of sweetness, but is filled with rich flavors.
I sat in a plush chair at our sleek black table, where a candle flickered, not far from the working fireplace. We started with the savory roasted fennel and also ordered the roasted beets and ricotta salad with pistachio oil. Because we were both very hungry, we ordered a third appetizer, which we split: the feather-light, hand-rolled goat cheese and ricotta gnocchi. All three appetizers were heavenly.
Entrees include tasty flatbread pizzas, and a wealth of pasta dishes. Meat dishes include certified Black Angus filet mignon and organic chicken. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the grilled branzino, a light and tasty fish, which came with a fresh arugula salad. I ordered the slow-roasted wild salmon, served with roasted fennel puree and salmon caviar. We also split a side order of delicious grilled asparagus with parmesan cheese.
Desserts are delicious and decadent. I recommend the warm peach and almond tart, served with raspberry sauce. I'm not a fan of super-sweet desserts, and this luscious dessert comes with just a hint of sweetness, but is filled with rich flavors.
