Thursday, April 26, 2012

La Porta Restaurant, where are you?

Edgmont doesn't get many spot light events like we do here in Media, especially regarding the restaurant scene, but one big expectation is the opening of La Porta (translation - The Door).  I was surprised to learn it hasn't opened yet, as the podcast below interviews Chef Peter McAnderews stating it was slated to open on April 1st.  April Fools joke perhaps?

Though I never wanted to see the Locust Crest close, the suspense of this place opening up is driving the area crazy.  People stop by this site everyday looking for updates, so it's the least I can do to give you what i know.

Chef Andrews is a quite a big deal owning six popular restaurants in and around Philadelphia.  Bringing something out to Edgmont I'm sure was a challenge, but from what I've seen from the newly remodeled place (aka Old Locust Crest) this place can't miss.  It's the right setting, at the right place with the right food.  They even retained the working fireplace, which really shows the authenticity Chef McAndrews is known for.

The premise is a wine bar and pizzeria. They'll have spuntini (snacks), anti-pizza (before the pizza) and very authentic pizza.  It'll be wood oven setup, so I'm thinking something like Ariano's.  They'll even have pizza called the bizmark, which is a pizza with a fried egg on top.   As for wine, this should be quite special too.  You don't own six restaurants without knowing something about wine, and people sure do love a good wine. They'll also have craft beers and take-out.


 


21 comments:

  1. La Porta has zero chance of survival. This smells of a tax loss.

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    1. Cool comment bro, you're probably quite the entrepreneurial genius!!!...or just a hater...yes, actually you're just a hater. Pizza is the greatest food on earth. You probably spend most pathetic "anonymous" life at your computer eating dog food otherwise you'd clearly know the amazing potential of this place. It's obvious you've never ventured out Delco to one of McAnderew's restaurants before...get a life!

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    2. Where is the parking?

      I see the same few pickups. And the employee cars. In front. Super classy.

      Maybe 20 spots?

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  2. The super-government has thrust itself into the prevention of opening of a simple pizza place in the Republican township of Edgmont. The buzz around the opening of this place is unprecedented for anything the township has seen and it can be seen plainly from the windows that this establishment is ready to open. The only logical explanation for the delays could be regulatory (expectedly nitpicky) individuals picking at every nook and cranny of what will be a breath of fresh air for Edgmont.

    Anonymous - the only tax loss here is the lost revenue not realized each day this establishment's opening is delayed.

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    1. I sincerely doubt the republican government of Edgemont has anything to do with the opening of this restaurant!There are regulations in place for the patrons safety and once the business has met all the requirements, I am sure we all will be enjoying the food, beverages, and atmosphere at this location. I looked in the windows last Sunday May 13,2012 and it was easy to spot a wall still being under construction and electrical work still in need of being completed. Your logic is flawed or you are just hungry or thirsty. If you do not like Edgemont and its republican community MOVE OUT!and AWAY!AWAY!
      Frank May 17,2012

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  3. can't wait to have chef mcandrews magic here in the burbs ... may never go to the city again... he is brilliant... his food... pure perfection...

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    1. "chef mcandrews magic" would be in the city if that was the case.

      This comment would seem less like an insider prop up job if you had said Media instead of the city.

      The caliber of dining in Philadelphia is such that they provide fries to children. Grow up chef mcandrews.

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  4. This guy has one of the biggest egos on Earth! He been telling people who ask about his restaurant and what it's all about, "You should know who I am." ohh wow... are you Marc Vetri? George Perrier? Nice way to enter the neighborhood. Just what we need in Edgemont - another a-hole.

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    1. so agree just what we need another a hole!!!!!!!with a attutide like his it won't take long for people to go else where it's new people are checking it out!!!!!but really all over delaware county are some really good places to eat!!also where the chef's are really nice and the restaurant appericates your business!!!as for the lady who complained about the chef refusing to make a child a order of ff are you kidding me that's awful!!!!yes we are a family that enjoys taking our children out to eat with us and don't need to go there don't care if he is supposed to be a well knowned chef!!!!!!niceness counts in my world especially to the customers!!!get off your high horse and let your big ego go!!!makes a lousy impression to MOST decent people!!!!

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  5. when for dinner yesterday really looking forward to the opening of this place I live in the area!!!!!!WHAT A BIG LET DOWN!!!!the chef refused to sell a side order a french fries for a child to eat real nice guy are you kidding me NOT KID friendly At all WOULD NOT CONSIDER THIS A FAMILY PLACE!!!!would not EVER go back food was weird!!!!menu very small!!!!but the tuscan ff were good DUFFERS you'll keep our business this is a working class neighborhood!!!!TOO SNOBBY for me other restaurants in this aREA HAVE nothing TO WORRY ABOUT!!!!dON'T SEE THIS PLACE DOING GOOD AT ALL!!!AND BY THE WAY CHEF ANDREWS NEVER HEARD OF HIM AND WHO CARES AS LONG AS THE FOOD IS DECENT!!!!not impressed at all!!!

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    1. Your right lady....it's not for children...it's a wine bar/restaurant for adults!!! Go to McDonalds if you want some extra fries for your kids! The food there probably fits your taste better than eating at an establishment headed by a world renowned chef like Peter McAnderws. We are extremely fortunate to have a restaurant like this in our midst!

      -The Mailman

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    2. WEll such a class act you are mr mailman PEOPLE DO HAVE CHILDREN THEY TAKE OUT TO LUNCH AND DINNER!!!!!!!JUST SAYIN WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF THE CHEF WOULD NOT HAVE FLAT OUT REFUSED TO MAKE JUST A ORDER OF FF FOR A CHILD I WAS NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO WANT THERE AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME THING OH AND BY THE WAY I DON'T LIKE MCDONALDS IT ABOUT AS CLASSEY AS YOU SOUND GROW UP AND ACT LIKE A ADULT MR MAILMAN CARRIER!!!!!!

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    3. WELL I SO AGREE WIT U .. I WAS ALSO THERE AND TOOK MY KIDS THERE ... I THOUGHT IT WAS A KID FRIENDLY PLACE IT HAS HIGH CHAIRS .. BUT I GUESS .. NOT I DONT CARE IF HE IS A world renowned CHEF ..... HE SHOULD BE NICE TO THE PEOPLE WHO COME THERE TO EAT ....... I MEAN COME ON MAKE A ORDER OF FF AND HE SAID NO WOW??? AND AS FOR U MR MAIL MAN .... BEER AND WINE I GUESS THIS IS WHAT DELAWARE COUNTY NEEDS ANOTHER BEER AND WINE PLACE FOR ALL ITS DRUNKS ......

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  6. Was so excited for La Porta to open and went for the first time this weekend. It was incredible! Definitely worth the wait. Try the Bistecca salad...

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  7. The Sunday special "Beef filet" was out of this world.. I'm going back!

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  8. One of the best restaurants in Media! Kids or no kids, who cares, they still serve delicious food!

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  9. Food was good, everything else was TERRIBLE...was left waiting to be seated while 2 hostesses chatted, left alone after being seated, finally had to ask for a menu...asked for water with lemon, got water, lemon came later on a paper cocktail napkin. When apetizer was quite long in coming, manager tired to expedite. As I was finishing apetizer (cozze), bread finally arrived at table nicely wrapped in linen cloth, dont know why, bread certainly hadnt been warmed. 2 table of patrons who came in after me were served before me because the waitress "fogot" to order my pizza. While I waited, went to restroom, came back, busboy had totally cleared my table! Watched an elderly couple stand waiting at door while hostess was off chatting. Couple at table next to me were also unhappy with their long wait just to have their order taken. Hostesses, waitress busboy all were incompetent. I had the malfatti pizza, the service and total experience was "proprio malfatto". Glads they had other customes becasue I certainly wont be going back again....

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  10. I had a similar experience to the one above. Staff was poorly trained in regards to ingredients on the menu. Over priced food with not much quality and small portions.

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  11. Man you people have way too much time on your hands to bitch this much. Just stay home

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  12. My husband and I have visited 3 times since it opened and had an incredible dining experience all three times. Non of the problems listed above. We love all the restaurants in Media, especially Fellini's and Ariano's and have to say this is our current favorite. Yes menu is limited, but we have tried something different each time we went and have not been disappointed. It doesn't have a kids' menu, so it might not be the place if your kids are picky eaters. If your kids eat pizza you'll be fine. All dishes are prepared to perfection. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to my closest friends.

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  13. We just stopped in tonight. We had a great drink. But the Calamari appetizer was sparse for $11.00 and not that appetizing. The meatball starter was quite odd, but not good. The Caprese salad was disappointing to say the least. One tomato thick wedge with a thick piece of Mozzarella, and way too much balsamic vinegar. What a disappointment. Then the pizza, Pepperoni, where was the pepperoni, and the sauce had basically no flavor except for the charred bottom crust. Quite disappointing, and definitely not a return to be made here.

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