The menu is simple and available in both Dutch and English. As it says on the door out the front, all pizza and pasta main dishes start at €5 and they offer a good selection. Starts range from onion, tomato or minestrone soup for €3.50 to non-veggie Prosciutti Ham and Melon or at €7.25. Main course salads come in between €4.90 and €5.50 pasta dishes start from €5 and include standard Italian favorites including veggie lasagna for €5 and Tortellini ai Quatro Formaggi at €6.50. Pizzas also range in price from €5 for a Margherita or a Funghi to €7.50 non-veggie fare. Desserts include tiramisu for €3.60 and various ice-creams starting from €3.25.
My co-diner recommended the Calzone and we therefore went for one each. The meat version contained cheese, ham, artichokes, mushrooms and salami topped in a tomato-based minced meat sauce whilst the vegetarian option replaced the ham and salami with onion and green peppers and was topped off with a tasty tomato-only sauce. Both were large portions and reasonably priced at €6.50. Beer starts from €2.50 for a Heineken, and they offer a choice of one white or red priced at €2.25 a glass, €7.80 a half liter or €14.60 a liter, plus Lambrusco and a choice of spirits.
Service is friendly, and Porto Carrara is the type of place where they start recognizing repeat customers. My co-diner had not visited for over a year but was still greeted as an old friend, and we received complimentary plate of bread and garlic butter as a result. The portions were large, and the bargain pricing meant our two mains plus 3 glasses of wine and a cola came to just under €20. Great value for money and great food – so don’t be dissuaded by the ‘€5’ sign!
On the road in