La Porta Brings a Slice of Italy to Edgmont

Short of a vacation to Italy, it can be very difficult to find authentic Italian food these days, especially close to home and at an affordable price.

Fortunately, this isn't the case for residents of the greater Media area.

Since its opening on May 17, Edgmont's proved itself to be much more than the everyday, run-of-the-mill Italian eatery.

First-time customers may sit down wondering how Executive Chef Paul McAndrews could bring a genuine Italian menu to 1192 N. Middletown Road; however, they leave amazed and delighted by the foods that they were lucky enough to try—and often with plans to return.

"We like to think we're as close as we can be to a real Italian restaurant," said General Manager Ernesto Guzman. "It's been a successful story from the get-go."

McAndrews, a well-established and highly regarded chef around the area, has three restaurants and two sandwich shops in Philadelphia.

When the chance came for him to open a pizzeria, he jumped at the opportunity with a unique yet genuine interpretation of Italian cuisine that's reflected in La Porta's menu.

"It's all about textures and flavors, salty and sweet. The menu really sets us apart from other Italian restaurants," Guzman said.

La Porta offers brunch, lunch and dinner in its warm, lively atmosphere, as well live entertainment and happy hour. If you don't have time to sit in, they also have pizza, salad and wings available for take out.

Many of the ingredients that go into each dish are shipped from Italy; on top of their wide variety of classic Italian pizzas fresh out of the brick oven, some of the most popular dishes at La Porta are:

• Saltimbocca—"jump in your mouth," crispy zucchini cake, crab vinaigrette
• Portafoglio—crispy portobello "wallet," fried egg, sharp provolone, caper butter
• Barbabietola—salt roasted beets, mozzarella, sun-dried tomato, walnuts
• Tuscan Fries—house cut fries, eggplant, zucchini, onion, peppers, garlic aioli, parmigiana
• Paesano Burger—eight ounce sirloin burger, apple wood bacon, caramelized onions, garlic aioli, balsamic drizzle, fries on the bun

Check out the photo gallery above for a better look at La Porta's menu.

For more information on the hours and menu, visit La Porta's website or call 610-358-5104. 

La Porta was also recently featured in Main Line Today magazine here.