Via Porta is the family culinary venture from siblings Simon, Jonathan and Ryan Consentino. Initially, a croissant and cafe empire, Via Porta is stepping up a notch, offering an evening dining experience.
“Whenever we would get together there would be an abundance of food, that’s a big part of our heritage that has stuck with us... that’s what drives our business, it's about food connecting us and offering that to other people,” says Jonathan.
Just after the initial eatery debuted in Mont Albert in 2019, the collective expanded with stores in Hawthorn and Kew. While the various venues have their own identity, in essence, they are unmistakably related. The latest addition introduces evening dining at its OG Deli location.
The menu reflects none other than the Italian philosophy— encouraging patrons to share their family’s Southern-Italian tradition of gathering around the table for Nonna’s quality feeds. You can expect an authentic experience from the meticulously curated menu, starting with a selection of share-style antipasti (starters) that tantalise sweet, acidic and salty elements with the eggplant arancini, octopus salad or a salumi plate.
Using only the finest seasonal and local produce, the main meat and fish dishes are on a monthly rotation — 500g Sirloin on the bone, Chicken Cacciatore and King George Whiting may make an appearance. Crowd-favourite pastas include crab spaghetti generously coated in a saffron sauce and the classic spaghetti Bolognese lathered in a stracciatella and basil pesto sauce.
You can conclude the hearty feast with aclassic— Tiramisu — as well as rum baba (small cream cake) complimented with a digestivo, think Boatrocker limoncello, Averna Amaro or Nonino Moscato Grappa.
The beverage menu showcases local and Italian wines, designed to pair well with its dishes, offering a 2022 Airlie Bank Pinot Noir straight from the Yarra Valley to a 2018 Fratelli D’Anna Rosso Di Montalcino from Tuscan vineyards in Italy. The cocktail selection is also far from lacking, featuring Italian non-negotiables— Aperol and Campari Spritz as well as an espresso martini.
The eatery-deli menu can be overwhelming with choice, options like the French toast with poached pears, an almond crisp and a caramel sauce is understandably a crowd-pleaser. More savoury takes like the crispy eggs are a remnant from the brother's first cafe endeavour, Mr Hendricks, it’s stacked with smoked ham hock, sweet potato puree, with gouda cheese on slices of thick-cut sourdough toast.
The hybrid of eatery-deli allows visitors to experience Via Porta in-house and in the comfort of your own home. The deli is stacked with carefully selected charcuterie, cheese and antipasti products for you to shop from local and international suppliers.
A right of passage of any Via Porta visit is to stock up on the pantry staples from the retail section, foremostly the Marinara sauce whose recipe was passed down from the boy’s Nonna herself.
While Via Porta is now offering evening dining, its cult-following croissants and baked goods— some of the finest in the southeastern region of Melbourne, will by no means be neglected, offering kale, silverbeet and feta croissant as well as the cherished twice-baked croissant filled with zesty lemon curd and a soft almond paste.
The interior draws inspiration from the laneways and villages of Southern Italy, depicting its history, food and culture, immersing you in a welcoming and homely trattoria-like atmosphere.
Pronto by Via Porta is a spin-off tucked neatly down Fenton Way just off High Street in Kew, it’s an intimate shop and the perfect pit-stop for a coffee and pastry. The display cabinet is stocked with an all-star selection straight from Via Porta Bakehouse, while the fridges loom large with pre-made take-home meals like their infamous lasagne.
The final piece of the trilogy is the Via Porta Bakehouse, the viennoiserie shop front is located on Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn. There is a seamless transition from the counter to the pastry kitchen thanks to the open-plan layout so you can ogle the sweet treats being made as you order. Now you can get your hands on one of Via Porta’s Italian and French-inspired pastries straight from the source. Take your freshly baked croissant to go or stay a while and people watch from a window seat.
“For us, it’s more than just food, service is as important and ambience is as important… it's about the whole experience at Via Porta,” says Jonathan.
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Image credit: Studio Estata (supplied)