The city of Hudson is an environment that flourishes with shops and boutiques around every corner. New and classic restaurants line the streets of downtown. At Hudson, there is an exceptional element of excitement, but with how beautiful Hudson is, it is impossible for the small town nostalgia to leave the air. This is the city of a tight-knit community that Hudson High School students are lucky enough to call home.
A special part of Hudson is that it never lets new buildings, franchises, or companies ruin the classical element that has lingered here for decades. Porta Rossa, the brand new Italian steakhouse is the definition of a brand new quality restaurant that fits the aesthetic of Hudson.
The Porta Rossa menu consists of an array of delectable cuisine that adds to the affluent aroma that the restaurant already possess. They serve a variety of unique pastas including lobster spaghetti, Angel Hair Cacio e Pepe, Clams and Linguine, house made Gnocchi, Lamb Spaccatelle, and Porcinini Ricciolina. All pastas are handmade with fresh local eggs and imported semolina flour, displaying the integration of high quality ingredients.
Porta Rossa offers five different steak options, each which are served with a skewer of fresh potatoes and sweet onions and your choice of house made sauce. In addition, they offer fine dining salads, and unique appetizers that typically are not found on menus all over. Some of these options include Ahi Tuna Cruido, Italian Sausage, Prime Beef Tenderloin Steak Tartare, oysters, octopus, zuppas and more!
Additional meals found on the menu are Maine sea scallops, Atlantic Halibut, Veal Parmesan and Chicken with blistered peppers, lemon, and roasted garlic. Sides may include frites or a variety of different vegetable choices cooked to perfection.
Not only is it the menu that brings such a pleasant experience to customers, but the restaurant itself is decked out in beautiful decorations creating the most charming atmosphere. Between the string lights strung across the ceiling and the captivating paintings sprinkled around the restaurant, the attention of guests is easily captured. Porta Rossa also offers a classy bar and tables with cursive lines of gold. The vision of a modern, yet classy, restaurant that Porta Rossa was going for was exceptionally done.
Jimmy Dykes is a waiter at Porta Rossa Hudson. He had worked as a server at One Red Door for five years prior to the up shutdown. Since then he has “worked for this company on and off for the past 3 years,” he comments. Shawn Monday, the owner of some of Hudson’s most popular dining spots, is the “company” that Dykes is referring to. Flip Side, 3 Palms, and now, Porta Rossa, which took the place of his previous restaurant, Red Door. According to Clevescene, “Last year, Shawn Monday made the decision to swap his side-by-side restaurants in Hudson, moving Flip Side to the One Red Door space and vice versa.” The name “Porta Rossa” pays a tribute to Red Door as it is the Italian version of the name. This rearrangement looks like it will be highly profitable for his company.
With my first visit at Porta Rossa, I ordered the Lobster Spaghetti. It was a delectable dish with pasta cooked to perfection, tossed in light, flavorful tomato sauce, with fresh cooked asparagus. Included was a butter poached Maine lobster, which pulled the entire meal together. The lobster itself is authentically served in a plentiful amount, and definitely the highlight of the dish. The chefs at Porta Rossa seriously know how to make pasta, as the soft texture of it was easily achieved. Even when it comes to the Angel Hair Cacio e Pepe, they achieved a delicious pasta dish.
According to Dykes though, their pasta dishes aren’t even the restaurant’s most popular cuisine. He explains that “there would actually have to be a tie between our most popular dishes; the Atlantic Halibut, Veal Parmesan, and the Prime Bone in Ribeye.” It was a surprise to hear the diversity of the most popular dishes, but it makes sense, because these meals are unique and items that other restaurants wouldn’t typically offer. In fact, the ribeye is one of Dyke’s personal favorites. He also likes the Ohio Wagyu Hanger. He explains that he “loves the steak here because it is wood fire grilled and creating a taste like no other.” Dykes favorite appetizer is the Sourdough Focaccia. It is a unique and fluffy sourdough dish that melts in your mouth, served with authentic Italian olive butter and quality olive oil.
It can be argued that Porta Rossa isn’t the most budget friendly dining experience. Whilst their menu fluctuates from more affordable to higher-priced options, this restaurant offers quality, which bumps up the prices. You are getting a taste of old Italy. This restaurant doesn’t strive to be like every other restaurant Hudson has to offer. It’s the perfect restaurant for special occasions, birthdays, dances, anniversaries and more!
On your next trip to downtown Hudson, be sure to check out charming Porta Rossa, the newest addition to Hudson’s dining experiences. Don’t miss out on the slice of Italian elegance that is right here in our home town! Its diverse menu filled with quality dishes will make your mouth water at just the first glance. And if you see server Jimmy Dykes, be sure to give him a wave!
