La Porta Restaurant is a whale-shaped restaurant that opened in Bologna in 2015.
Embedded in a hub of modern construction, the whale is pure architectural expressiveness.
The Porta restaurant is owned by the Unipol Group, and from the outside it reflects somewhat of the icy mood that usually envelops office buildings.
In fact, the restaurant is located in Unipol’s headquarters on Piazza Sergio Vieira di Mello and appears to be suspended above Via Stalingrado the street that runs through the Navile and Bolognina neighborhoods.
The ‘initial aesthetic impact is suggestive a la Blade Runner, but inside the Whale there is a warm welcome .
La Porta Restaurant is decorated with modern taste and few frills. A large central lounge dominates and then there is a cigar room adjacent to a small room reserved for events. Service is young and attentive.
You’re not at the Monte Carlo Fairmonts during Formula 1, but you can count on a few car passes to enrich this original atmosphere.
Original is also the gastronomic proposal real surprise .
Don’t expect reinterpretations of traditional Bolognese dishes. La Porta Restaurant is a fine dining creative cuisine that focuses on seafood and vegetarian offerings
Leading the kitchen is 31-year-old Guglielmo Araldi
A refined and at times experimental cuisine his that surprises by combining flair and taste with a great attention to the naturalness of raw materials and the sustainability and nutrition aspect.
The chef is originally from Vibo Valentia and has always worked in prestigious settings, from his debut in Milan with a collaboration with chef Felice Lo Basso. In Bologna he was executive chef of Deep, best seafood cuisine in the heart of the city. This was followed by the restaurant I Carracci at the 5-star luxury Grand Hotel Baglioni.
His cuisine, by family heritage, Mediterranean and Neapolitan meets with Emilian gastronomy
From fish to fresh pasta, from meat to garden produce everything is carefully selected and enhanced on the plate.
What we ate
Classic loaf of bread, focaccia, flaky bun, buckwheat breadsticks are served on the table.
To begin, a tribute to Calabria. From a typical Calabrian dish, bell bell pepper and potatoes, the chef proposes a red sphere composed of the same ingredients. Accompanied by gucamole, trout roe, waffles with salted seaweed butter and candied lemon
Starfish shaped zucchini lying on seaweed salad and vinegar gel
Champagne Aubert et Fils Brut
Spaghettone pastificio Mancini , roasted bell pepper, smoked eel
A complex and nuanced dish in taste
Snapper with ragout of sea snails parsley oil. A fish second course that once again highlights the creativity of the chef, who is capable of creating dishes where textures play nicely together with scents and colors.
Successful finale with dessert of Watermelon and Melon Ceviche accompanied by Sweet Polenta with Paloma cocktail pairing.
Three new tasting menus
Vegetarian – 75 per person
Kitchen welcome
Tomato – Bufala mozzarella, capers and basil
Onion – Onion and miso absolute
Tortello – Di parmigiano alla parmigiana
Grilled lettuce – Mustard, vegetable base, béarnaise
Coconut and rice – coconut, lemon grass kombucha, peach and sage
Small pastries
Territory 85 euros per person
Kitchen welcome
Guinea fowl house Rizzieri Spinach with sesame pine nuts
Homage to Bologna – Puff pastry filled with Bolognese ragout, mousse
with parmesan cheese and tomato
Green Puff Pastry Veal, mushroom and truffle, provolone cheese and licorice
Piglet – Suckling pig belly, coppa di Mora Romagnola, chard, apple and cinnamon cream, cherry
Snickers Peanut, 84% chocolate, caramel
Small
bakery
Passion for the sea 105 euros per person
Kitchen welcome
Langoustine – Almond, lime marinated mango, passion fruit
Tuna – Red onion, Daikon, citrus and tomato
Tagliolino – Mantecato with sour butter, mullet roe and tarragon
Snapper – Clams Mediterranean style
Black Yogurt, currants, smoked black tea
Small pastries
Rounding out the offerings is also a wide selection of labels on the wine list including fine champagnes and the possibility of ordering a good cocktail
La Porta Restaurant https://www.laportadibologna.it/
