For many, the idea of driving one hour south on the Garden State Parkway for pizza and octopus seems outrageous, but these are not ordinary times, and going to Porta in Asbury Park, New Jersey makes sense. In the past, the rustic, cavernous restaurant would be filled with people enjoying the many variations of pizza that Porta serves. Now, cars lining up for curbside pickup has become the new normal, while the food remains the same.
 
Located on Kingsley Street across from the Stone Pony, Porta is committed to purchasing seasonal ingredients from local farmers and preserving the art of Neapolitan pizza. The “Purple Pizza Eater,” cooked in a wood-fired oven, and 12 inches in diameter, includes a fennel puree, purple potatoes, fontina cheese and olive oil. The pie is aesthetically pleasing – the thin-cut purple potatoes lay atop the pizza like a modern piece of art and has a crispy texture that floats in your mouth. The fennel complements the potatoes well, providing a sweet, spring-like flavor. The dough, cooked perfectly, has a fluffy texture that rises gently off the plate. The “Purple Pizza Eater” encapsulates what Porta is all about: creativity. 
 
As the pie enters the car, the warm, fresh smell provides a source of comfort. Although one cannot presently dine at Porta, the smell — your first interaction with the pie — will bring you right back to a Saturday night in the bustling restaurant, providing a much-needed escape from the reality of eating at home. 
 
Pizza isn’t the only thing prepared well at Porta, there’s also a variety of salads and other delicacies. The pan-roasted octopus prepared in lemon, olive oil and chervil has a tender texture like lobster and a rough, crispy skin that soaks up the lemon, olive oil flavor. It’s just as good as the pizza. 
Bruce Springsteen previously romanticized Kingsley Street in songs, and now the landmark is no longer just a lyric. Porta is Kingsley Street. Porta continues to proudly serve the community, reminding its customers that this pandemic will end, but until then, enjoy some great food.
 
Photo via pizzaporta.com