Porsena
(Now Closed)Italian Restaurant and Bar$$$$
East Village, New York
The experts at Time Out New York and Eater recommend this place
71 Tips and reviews
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Renae MasonAugust 15, 2015The menu changes regularly but go for their signature salted cod dish if you can. Also, #summerofrose is an excellent way to try some dry, Italian Rose wines.
Standout dishes: octopus braised in a rich, spicy (almost briny) tomato sauce, anelloni w a hearty lamb ragu and mustard greens, and silky short rib lasagna. Chicken liver pate was excellent too.
Sveta KotletaDecember 8, 2015Very cosy place with great wine selection. Menu changes every day. My food was super delicious. Wd like to order the same again, but definitely coming back to see what else the chef can surprise with.
EaterOctober 28, 2013Brunch options include French toast with Nutella, orange-ricotta pancakes, fried eggs with porchetta hash, and a seared pork chop with polenta.
Bin YangFebruary 8, 2015Thank goodness that rich liver pate is always available. Any of the pastas/lasagnes that they're serving baked in a terra cotta is worth ordering. The veal and pork chops are great too.
Kate LaPortaNovember 3, 2013One of the best dining experiences I've had in a while. The lamb ragu pasta and the striped bass were amazing. The chef, Sara, came out to greet us with complimentary glasses of wine.
DensJune 9, 2011The mussels are fantastic. I may come back and just sit at the bar w/ mussels, bread and wine. ps: lamb ragu pasta + clam spaghetti also great.
Wilson ZhouApril 12, 2016Toothsome anelloni rings are tossed in a generous jumble of wilted mustard greens and house-made spicy lamb sausage, while a soothing mac and cheese features cannolicchi curls gooey. -TimeOut
Time Out New YorkOctober 5, 2011Try the green-bean salad. Crisp stalks of green beans, fried almonds, raw fennel and celery heart join forces in this crunchy, satisfying tangle. It’s one of our #100best dishes and drinks of 2011. Read more
CoverApril 28, 2014A perfect date spot - start off with the mussels and move on to any of the pasta selections on the menu. Pay with Cover and skip waiting for the check.- Time Out New YorkFebruary 1, 2012The latest venture from Porchetta’s Sara Jenkins is this date-night–friendly spot. Sample one of the unfussy pasta dishes, like anneloni rings tossed with mustard greens and house-made lamb sausage. Read more
Halstead PropertyJuly 25, 2011Owner Sara Jenkins kept the menu simple but appetizing, and we were impressed with spaghetti con le vongole. It was delicious with a perfect balancing of flavors and heaping portion of mollusks.
Tom MaximFebruary 15, 2015Good wine. Pasta is super fresh. Olive oil pound cake with lemon great for dessert:
Sandra RubinchikNovember 30, 2015There's a reason you keep hearing about the anneloni with spicy lamb sausage. Listen.
Marisa TomAugust 16, 2011Modern Italian with focus on pasta. Try the crostini salami, lasagna al forno, pasta al ragu. I thought about the ragu for days after. TMI?
Paula LeeDecember 14, 2013Free bread situation is legit. As is the lamb sausage pasta and the rigatoni. Pass on the mussels.
best pork chops in town!! meat ragu, vongole and the lasagna is awesome as well!~
Village VoiceFebruary 2, 2011Anneloni with mustard greens and spicy lamb sausage is a flavor bomb, rich and peppery, with a lush, springy texture to the pasta.
Porig SalbaJune 6, 2012Every pasta I've had is fantastic. Great place to sit at the bar for dinner. (4 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
RCSeptember 3, 2015Nice for a date, but a little expensive for the amount of food. If you're desperately craving pasta this might not be enough food but the ingredients are quality.
OonlineJuly 10, 2011Fantastic pasta. Eat at the bar and let the amazing Cynthia advise you on what to eat and to drink.
Andrea HongMarch 26, 2011Sit at the bar and take the server's recs on wine - Dominique recommended amazing ones. Lasagna and anneloni were both delish.
Chris FaileFebruary 4, 2011Adore this place, it's great addition to the neighborhood. Try the lasagna, you will not be disappointed. (Watch out, though, it's hot!)
Sit at the bar, order the mussels, and let the bartender recommend a good red wine.
Brice De La CorteDecember 4, 2011The food was delicious, but I can help being disappointed when I go out of a restaurant feeling I can eat something more. For the price the portion are a little bit too tiny.
Elizabeth MitchellMarch 11, 2011If you're having trouble deciding, ask your server-they've tried everything and won't lead you astray. Ate at the bar-fabulous wine reco's.
Andrea PagliaiJuly 10, 2011The most delicious family-style meal - Sara Jenkins and the crew are geniuses. Order the octopus!!!!
Sherry OJuly 2, 2011Skip the mozzarella crostini, it's cheese on soggy bread. The mussels were excellent as was the lamb ragu pasta. The walnut chocolate dessert was extremely disappointing. Bummer town.
Marlene MorenoDecember 29, 2011I love the bartender! If you want good company and conversation eat at the bar.
Amanda KludtJanuary 7, 2011I love the pasta with the cauliflower, olives, capers, and garlic. briny and delicious.
Jesse HutcherJanuary 20, 2018Don’t expect them to hold your reservation. Not worth the wait, try one of the other great pasta spots in the neighborhood.
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For weekly dinner events visit http://www.porsena.com/new-events-1/.
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon, Sun
- 5:30 PM–10:00 PM
- Tue–Sat
- 5:30 PM–11:00 PM
(212) 228-4923
View menu on http://www.porsena.com/#menu-section
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
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Dinner
Drinks
Wine, Cocktails
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