La Porto a Casa
3500 Fallowfield Road
Ottawa
(613) 843-0825
Signature Drink: Vino
Signature Dish: Pollo Parmigiana
Rating: ****
Dinner & drinks for 2: $70
Walking into La Porto a Casa feels like getting a hug from your favourite Italian aunt — all warm and welcoming. “Bring it home” (the meaning behind the name) is a common option at this busy, Barrhaven restaurant where reservations are recommended, take-out is popular, and the service is friendly.
Although the decor is basic, the food makes up for it. The chef behind the heat creates authentic Italian food including a garlic-y Bruschetta ($8) that we devoured all too quickly. A table favourite was the Penne Giovanni ($14) with chicken, mushrooms and a perfect Parmigiana Rosé sauce (that re-heated nicely).
For the main course, I ordered a spectacular Veal Bocconcini ($22), stuffed with shrimp, broccoli, mozzarella, and drizzled with a creamy wine sauce. My partner had Pollo Suzanna ($20), a scrumptious stuffed chicken with fontina, and asparagus, ladled with a white wine mushroom sauce. In both cases, the sauces were smooth with just the right amount of seasoning and enough sauce leftover to sop up with the warm, flour-topped rolls.
The signature Italian dessert of Tiramisu ($5) tempted us and we weren’t disappointed. It was creamy, mocha heaven.
La Porto a Casa is a red-and-white checkered Italian gem that’s worth a reservation.
