Having travelled across the length of Italy many times and dining in probably far too many pizzerias, one thing I have discovered is that eating out in Italy is a family occasion; from grandparents to children the whole family appears to dine out en masse.
Usually there is a television in the corner blaring out the latest pop music, game show or sports channel.
Thankfully my visit to Portofino in Newcastle had all the hallmarks of a classic pizzeria; blackboards highlighting the specials of the day, a warm and welcoming atmosphere along with friendly staff minus the distracting loud television!
The restaurant situated on Mosley Street is easily accessible from Central station. The historic Grade II listed building was originally a branch of the Prudential Assurance Company designed by a prolific 19th Century architect Alfred Waterhouse who also designed the National History Museum in London.
The interior of the restaurant is lined with faience tiles produced by the famous Burmantofts pottery in Leeds.
The Italian Job
Anyone who has been to the original Portofino in Italy will know that the resort is expensive, exclusive and elite. Luckily, the Newcastle restaurant has a menu that will please your wallet – and taste-buds too.
The Happy Hour menu available Monday to Friday from noon to 7pm and on Saturday from noon to 5pm represents excellent value with most pizzas and pastas costing £11.00.
A bottle of house wine starts at a reasonable £18.00.
My starter of soup of the day was a wholesome vegetable soup (£4.00) served with a hearty bread roll that could have come from Naples, not Newcastle.
A welcome surprise was to find a Quattro Formaggi (4 cheeses) pizza on the Happy Hour menu. This Italian staple found everywhere in Italy seems to have not found a home in many pizza restaurants in this country – except at Portofino. The authentic pizza was just as good as any I have sampled in Italy as the Goats cheese blended in amongst a seriously strong Gorgonzola. Molto Bene (very good) – as they say in Italy.
La Dolce Vita
With a tempting array of sweet treats to choose from my Lemon Pistachio Polenta (£6.00) came thoughtfully with a spoon and fork. As many restaurants these days think you can eat a dessert with just a spoon, it was the attention to detail here that made all the difference.
The tangy and moorish cleaned my palate along with an Americano coffee (£3.00) that came with a biscuit – as you would expect in Italy, another nod to the authentic experience that Portofino excels in.
The service was attentive yet not obtrusive, the atmosphere buzzing and friendly, the food excellent and overall this hidden gem is somewhere I would return to without any hesitation.
Portofino, 12A Mosely Street, Newcastle NE1 1 DE
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