Alfred Portale, formerly the chef at Michelin-starred Gotham Bar & Grill, recently opened his own restaurant in Chelsea. Expect the same inventive and delicious cooking with a focus on fresh and local ingredients, but in a more casual setting. It is located near Union Square, and Portale gathers many of his ingredients from the local Union Square Greenmarket. Portale’s cozy, neighborhood-style restaurant serves delicious, hearty pastas and meaty dishes, like roast pork with peppers and mostarda, but also has lighter seafood-centric dishes, as well as market veggies, crudo and house-made bread. Portale utilizes seasonal ingredients in each dish and puts a contemporary spin on Italian classics — and each dish is plated to perfection. In terms of the beverage program, the Negronis here are of particular note: They have several lavish variations of the drink. Have one before your dinner, alongside bar snacks like sliders and meatballs. With dinner, enjoy wine from the extensive list, and a wonderful aperitivos after dinner to help you digest the hearty meal. The well-decorated space is a sleek metropolitan-inspired restaurant with warmth and comfort and was inspired by the glamour of mid century Milan. Textures like marble, burled walnut and brass accentuate the space. The restaurant can seat up to 114 people, and there’s also a private dining room upstairs.
