Food and Drink
Vesuvio ( stuffed pizza )
Flambéed Portugese Chorizo
Salumi E Formaggi
The ArtofPizza
WRITTEN BY KIMBERLY WILSON
Tucked away right off River Road , one can find this little gem known as Porto by Antonio . There ’ s something that sets this wood-burning pizzeria aside from all the other places that offer pizza . Maybe it ’ sthat owner Antonio Dinis makes his own dough from delicate flour imported from Naples or that he pushes the envelope with some of the menu items like the fried pizza , La Montanara , and the stuffed pizza , Vesuvio – hehit a home run on both .
La Montanara islightly fried dough topped with oven-roasted tomato sauce , imported mozzarella du bufala , basil and shaved grana Padano , and finished in the oven .
To make the Vesuvio , Dinis stuffs the crust with mozzarella , fresh ricotta and soppressata . Then he tops the pie with
•$$
• BYO
• OPEN 7DAYS
• RESERVATIONS ACCEPTEDFOR PARTIESOFSIX OR MORE
• FAMILY-FRIENDLY
more mozzarella , grana padano and tomato sauce . When put in the 850- degree oven that was imported from Naples , the crust puffs up and vents , much like the famous volcano , Mount Vesuvius .
Porto is not only known for the pizza – they pride themselves on their pasta dishes , including the infamous pappardelle , which Dinis makes himself . They also offer a handful of delicious appetizers , such as Flambeed Portugese Chorizo , fried dough puffs and the antipasto platter for two with house-made bread .
Nutella is a big theme at Porto , whether it ’ sbeing displayed
NorthBergen
PORTOBYANTONIO
8921 OLD RIVER ROAD ( 201 ) 941-7107
on shelves , used as apizza topping or drizzled over zeppoles .
This brick-walled restaurant in North Bergen is filled with dramatic modern art of Ronaldo , Michael Jordan and others . Youcan grab atable or sit at the counter in front of the pizza oven and watch the masters go to work . Bring a bottle of wine and order some red or white non-alcoholic sangria mix by the pitcher while you enjoy the bustling atmosphere and wait to indulge on all the tasty treats . ◆
Antonio Dinis , owner of Porto by Antonio in NorthBergen , shows offsome signaturepizzas .
MARKO GEORGIEV AND KIMBERLY WILSON
64 MAY 2016 ( 201 ) GOLDCOAST