Il Porto Restaurant
| Address: | 200 S Market St, Frederick, MD 21701, USA |
| Phone: | +1 301-620-7480 |
| Site: | ilportorestaurant.com |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 8
MI
Mike Chittenden
We recently dined here as part of a group (of 10) for a birthday. In general, everyone enjoyed their food and it was good. The baked ziti was very good and they were willing to make it without the sausage and shrimp they usually include for my vegetarian wife. The spaghetti carbonara was another high point, loaded with bacon. My nephews split a tomato and cheese pizza, which came on a thin crust, with an excellent sauce and tangy mozzarella. There were a few hiccups. I had ordered the fried mozzarella appetizer (two of them) and the fried calamari appetizer for the table. We were brought the mozzarella caprese instead of the fried mozzarella. No biggie, we enjoyed it. The tomatoes were a little mealy and pink--not the bright vibrant red tomatoes that one would hope for in such a simple dish. The mozzarella was good and the fresh basil was in good shape. The dish was a bit pricey for what it was. The calamari was okay. I thought they lacked a little in salt and were slightly overcooked giving them a rubbery texture. The service was generally prompt. One major service snafu occurred, however. Our 20-month son was dining with us. They offer a 1/2 portion of a number of their dishes for children. We ordered him the half portion of the spaghetti with oil and garlic (hes a huge fan of garlic). When they delivered the food, they delivered his first and set down a very hot bowl of pasta and oil directly in front of him. Before I could even reach him, he had his fingers in the spaghetti and let out a scream. I scooped him up and tried to comfort him, and used cool water to try to take the sting away. I touched the pasta myself and it was exceptionally hot, even for me, and had clearly just finished being cooked. I dont fault the restaurant for serving hot food, but their servers should know better than to put something mere inches away from a toddler without even so much as a warning that it was exceptionally hot. The only way we could get my son to calm down was to take him outside away from the bowl. My wife, mother-in-law, and I took turns walking around outside the restaurant as the rest of my family finished my mothers birthday meal. Any attempt to bring him back inside resulted in immediate crying (and were not going to let him ruin other peoples meals) No apology was given for the restaurants careless act. As a final note, the tables in the restaurant are exceptionally small. The bowls that the pasta is served in barely fit two across the narrow tables, leaving little room for the condiments, cheese, olive oil, bread, and balsamic that are on the tables.
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A Private User
Ive eaten there quite a few times and have found their food to be quite good. Prices are lower than what you would typically find on Market Street. The atmosphere is quite intimate and lighting is really low. No question it is a great place for a date but as a personal opinion I would hesitate on bringing small children in there only because of the atmosphere. Its a great place to start or end up while you are visiting downtown Frederick. They do have a great selection of wine and creative mixed drinks. It seems to be a very clean environment all throughout and I catch them changing the tablecloths after every meal which I admire. The service is very quick and the wait staff are all friendly. They also have a small bar and do offer on-site food pick-up if youd rather pick up an easy meal for the family. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is only because the tables seem too close together and the tables are very small.
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A Private User
Ordered the Lobster/Seafood linguine. Offered with in a red or white sauce. My girlfriend and I elected to have it with the white sauce. I was thinking this was going to be something like an Alfredo sauce or something. Basically what they served us was a plate/bowl of noodles in water with an assortment of sea creatures on top. I think they may have used the excess water from steaming the shellfish as their base but I cant be sure. We asked for some Alfredo sauce because the dish was absolutely bland. Furthermore I bit into a squid to happily find its beak still attached! Wont be going back. They offered to give us something different but weve all seen the movie Waiting.. You never send food back. They should have given us a refund but instead they gave us some shots for free at the end of our meal.. They tasted like butane. Server was good, atmosphere is decent but needless to say we wont be going back.
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Jennie Glover
My sister and I hosted our parents 40th wedding anniversary there earlier this month. The restaurant and wait staff were very accommodating to our party of 16. My sister and I were able to make a customized pre-fix menu for our guests. Everything was wonderful from the calamari, salads, soup, entrees (veal parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana, spinach ravioli, meat lasagna, and shrimp with garlic and butter), and dessert. My parents raved that the veal parmigiana was the best veal they had in awhile. The guests raved that their entrees were delicious as well. We selected basic dessert (gelato and sorbet) since they allowed us to bring in our own cake. My uncle said he would return to il Porto just for the dessert alone!
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Paul Forrette
Went here as it was recommended by the Weinstein Center before attending the David Sedaris performance. As a European I simply cannot find good food in America unless I make it myself, but this was a complete breath of fresh air!!! Absolutely fabulous. I will now drive from the DC area to eat HERE!!! when I want to enjoy a meal. PS: for those very few that wrote reviews about the food tasting bland or something was not to your liking, please understand that the food is cooked as food is to be cooked, without dousing it with processed sugars that you are accustomed to to give something that taste?! The food is originally prepared, natural and is delicious!!!!!!!!
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Alexandra Matos
I love this Place. I took my Mom here for her Birthday and the owner and the host treated me and my guest great. they gave us everything we asked for and even Helped us decided on the best choices for the Right price. It was romantic setting and warm in side. I have recommended ppl to this Place every time some one ask me where should they go for Dinner. The prices are Great and the Food is Amazing.
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Do Yunkyung
I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant. The food was good and the staff was very friendly. On Mondays, they have half priced bottle wine day. The restaurant isnt too busy so it is such a perfect quiet dinner night. They have a pretty strict policy with your ID when you order booze. So please make sure you have your valud ID ready if you decide to enjoy some wine or other booze.
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MysticalMomma
Ill Porto never disappoints me. The food is always fresh and well-prepared and the service is friendly and attentive. My favorite dish is the FRESH clams and linguine in their signature marinara sauce. Best white pizza Ive ever had....with or without cheese. Portions are generous and the prices are moderate. This is the best Italian food in Frederick.
