Porto Leggero - Jersey City

Decided on Porto Leggero for my 31st birthday w/ my boyfriend! We went out on a rainy and cold Saturday but the delicious dinner made up for it. Reservations are made via phone so call ahead of time. Parking is free and is located right in front of the restaurant. We were looking for an actual lot but when we asked the host, he said we could parallel park in front. Just make sure to double check with them bc it's Jersey City, ha! If you're taking the train, it's steps away from the Path and light rail. Porto Leggero is such a warm and cozy atmosphere. They have an extensive wine list and a couple of cocktails. I had to start the night with the Rosa Margarita which caught my eye bc one, it has tequila and two, any drink with agave, fresh lime and pink rose it my JAM. After the first sip, I pat myself on the back since I made such a good choice! My bf ordered the Nero Old Fashioned which he loved the hints of aromatic bitters and orange. The waiter came around with three servings of complimentary bread; one paired with balsamic vinaigrette olive oil, one topped with caramelized onions (I think) and one with a delicious eggplant spread. Definitely started to fill me up before my app and entrée! One of their specials was the burrata salad which was absolutely DELICIOUS! I thoroughly enjoyed every bite. I usually shy away from burrata bc it never stood out to me but this one really put it back on the map! And I dislike figs but paired with this I'll eat it every day. My bf ordered the Portobello Milanese which he devoured in 5 minutes, haha. Now, the Pappardelle con Vodka was the meal people kept writing about in their reviews so I had to order it. Never had pappardelle before either! The menu stated it's cooked with prosciutto but I was able to order my meal without it which is always a win. My bf ordered the Agnello Arosto (lamb shank over saffron risotto) and enjoyed it. All in all, service was great, food was delicious and it was the laid back/fancy dinner I was looking forward to! Would definitely visit again; I NEED to try the watermelon salad and butternut squash ravioli.

Nestled in the modernized and updated jersey city area, this Italian restaurant offers great dishes. As a local, we started visiting here almost 8 years ago and now this place has become an annual staple for my friends and I. The ambiance is low key modern. Like a big city steak house, they have very dark wood and low light so you can enjoy your company and the food without distraction. The food is amazing. It has not changed over the years which a good and a bad thing. The taste is great and will leave you salivating. I have had the entire menu so I can tell you every dish os really good. Love the watermelon salad and the steak giambatta the best. The ravioli is very good also. The bad is that in all my years coming to this establishment, they have added cocktails to the bar, but the menu is the same. I know you don't mess with perfection but when it comes to food it might be nice to add some different dishes. The service is always great. When we come it is with a crew of 5 to 6 couples and we get loud. They wait staff is always great to us.

Pretty good spot spacious with good service. We made a last minute reservation for a party of 6 on a holiday weekend and they were able to accommodate. We got appetizers to share pomodoro and buffalo, caesar salad, and clams in a wine sauce; the clams were a standout. For entrees, we went with a variety around the table, but the most notable was the lamb shank. However, the sausage in my penne con salsiccia were weirdly hard and chewy, which was disappointing. For dessert, we got the tiramisu and apple tort to share, and both were hits. The tiramisu was heavy on the espresso, which I very much enjoyed.

Slightly on the expensive side, this place has a pretty nice ambience. The food and service are pretty good as well. I'd give it a full 5 stars if it had enough vegetarian options (I find them limited compared to other places).

This place is a wonderful dinner or date night spot. I came for dinner party of two. Got there earlier than the reservation and was seated immediately. The staff is beyond friendly and knowledgeable about the food and wine. Everything we ordered was based on a suggestion and it was all perfect. The fried calamari is a great starter with two dipping sauces, they also provide some bread and oil, and two started breads; one with garlic and onions and another dish with bruschetta. Main course of the panko crusted halibut was one of the best halibut dishes I've tasted.