Cafe Porta Alba
Hilldale Mall,558 N Midvale Blvd, Madison, WI, 53705
Cafe Porta Alba Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
Hilldale Mall,558 N Midvale Blvd
Madison, WI, 53705 - Phone (608) 441-0202
- Website https://www.cafeportaalba.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Sean B.
Café Porta Alba is one of few restaurants in the country serving authentic, certified Neapolitan pizza, and it is some of the best pizza di Napoli that you'll find in town. The sauce is phenomenal, the cheese is sublime, and the toppings are perfect. The servers we've had have been exceptional. They're always friendly, quick, and on the ball with refilling drinks. My kids and I all give it two thumbs up!
(5)Darren B.
The only reason I don't give PA 5 stars is that I reserve those for extraordinary experiences. But it's really, really good. I lived in Italy two almost two years and it's pretty close to Italian pizza. It'll never beat Napoli but it's dang close.
(4)Anthony D.
My family has been going here for quite a while now - love it! Awesome Italian style pizzas and great antipasto and pastas. Wait staff is always attentive and well trained - way more friendly and polite than almost any other restaurant I've ever seen. Great place to have a good meal before a movie at sundance!
(5)Meghan H.
This pizza is the shit. Cafe Porta Alba is one of only thirty of so places in the United States recognized as serving authentic Neapolitan style pizza, certainly the only pizzeria in Madison to boast such a stat. San Marzano style tomatoes, bufala mozzarella cheese sourced from Italy, and dough that's hand-pressed with Italian flour, Cafe Porta Alba is the real deal. The quality of this stuff makes it for sure one of my favorite pizza spots in town, if not the favorite. We ordered the Quattro Formaggi (fresh mozzarella, parmigiano, fontina, gorgonzola, basil) and the Vomero (roasted peppers, soppressata, fresh mozzarella, crushed tomatoes, parmigiano). Both were of course killer, but I rank the Quattro Formaggi above the other. I'm biased towards white pizzas though. Both pizzas flaunted their fresh made mozzarella, and boy was that heaven. Having scanned through Yelp photos prior to our visit, we decided that no matter how full we were from the initial pizzas, trying the Nutella Pizza for dessert was necessary. And indeed it was. That Nutella Pizza was out of bounds. It is unquestionably one of the best things I've eaten in Madison and anywhere. A generous helping of the chocolate hazelnut spread is lathered on between two homemade portions of dough and prepared in their wood-burning oven, just as the other pizzas were. The cappuccino gelato we asked to be served a top this concoction took this guy to even greater heights. Both the savory and the sweet, this is pizza that I dream about; and at one bite, you will too.
(5)Nino R.
If you are looking for authentic "napolitano" Pizza , this is the place. I have traveled to many usa destinations and have yet to find a crust and fresh ingredients like this. Bravo to the owner, in which i met, very classy gentleman! And service was top notch! Grazie vincenzo, i shall be back
(5)Miranda J.
I cant wait to go back! Café Porta Alba's good aroma and service starts from when you enter the restaurant till when you leave. The pizzas are for personal size, they are delicious and exciting because you don't have to share them with anyone else. I had the classic Margherita pizza; which had fresh mozzarella, basil, and crushed tomato sauce. It was perfect for a first time pizza. We will definitely be back soon, we already have some favorites picked out to try next time.
(5)Michael T.
This place is a decent Italian spot. I went with the Paccheri Al Ragu Napoletano, which wasn't a huge portion, but my appetite wasn't quite as big that night. It was well-made and tasted good too!
(4)Courtney C.
Very nice service! Lovely decor. They only recieved a three star because the food is just okay. Bland sounds harsh but it doesn't taste very flavorful. Also, going into the restaurant I wasn't aware that there wasn't a bar. They just had a very low beverage selection ( they only have 3 beers and some wine).
(3)Kaitlin L.
The pizza was delicious and the perfect size for one person. Normally I do not like pizza crust, but this crust was so good. The only down side is that the venue is fairly small so you are sitting very close to other people.
(4)Nicole H.
My husband and I were kid-free and out on a Saturday night movie date so we decided to follow up our fun at Sundance with some yumminess at Cafe Porta Alba. This was my third visit and we were happy to return. We shared the Caprese salad to start. It was light and flavorful and fresh and lovely. The mozzarella was so tender. We would order it again. I had a glass of the Matane Primitivo, Puglia which was a nice big red. I only wish that for $8 the glasses weren't so tiny. In the past, I've always gone with their pizza for an entree because it's just so SO good. But I was feeling like having pasta that night so I ordered the "Ragu" as they call it (since the the name on the menu is long and difficult to pronounce without embarrassing myself - Paccheri al Ragu Napoletano). It was excellent - perfectly al dente pasta tubes with a rich, luxurious beef & pork ragu topped with freshly shaved parmesan. I absolutely recommend trying it if you're in the past mood. My husband had the Fritta Cotto (fried calzone) and he was in heaven. I had a bite and it was good, but a bit too doughy for my taste. However, he thoroughly enjoyed it and said he would get it again. It also came with a nice side salad. I'll end with the stellar service we received. I don't recall our server's name, but he was attentive and enthusiastic and even asked us if we were from town/recommended things to try next time. Cafe Porta Alba doesn't disappoint so give them a try.
(4)Grace L.
Food was good. The three stars were given to the dumb waiter. First, they he didn't know how to split checks. My friend and I ordered different entrees but shared a salad. He did t know how to spilt the check. We had no such problem before at any other restaurants. Second, I asked for a box for leftover. My bad that I forgot to take it and stepped out of the restaurant and then I remembered and came back, it was tossed. So why did I ask for a box? Anyway, my recommendation for the owner is to hire more capable people.
(3)Tenny D.
Loved the crust but not their topping so much. I have tried better pizza in Madison. The place was nicely decorated and the brick oven in the middle of the seating area was pretty impressive. Our waiter was pleasant and served us very well. I have 3 stars for their ambience and service. May be 2 stars for the food!!
(3)Sarah K.
A few years ago when I first came to Madison, I went to this cafe and ordered some seafood pasta. There was sand in the mussels.. So I never came back.. A few days ago I saw pictures of pizza sorbet in yelp and I couldn't resist! So I gave it a try! The pizza was fantastic! Even better than Pizza Brutta! The sorbet was also amazing.. I just had such a great experience here today.. Great ambience, nice music.. Just lovely! Don't miss it!
(5)Brian C.
I'm just gonna go out and say it-- I dont know if this is the best pizza in town, but I don't think anyone else can firmly beat it. Their whole just-shy-of-1000-degrees for a few minutes style of baking makes for a crisp pizza, and their options will please most people. Solid lunch spot. Try the Porta Alba Pizza-- buffalo mozzarella and lemon slices make for a happy diner.
(4)Scott G.
A little more toward 3.5 stars. Ordered the focaccia with a burrata ball (pretty good though it is just a pizza dough rolled out with herbs and oil, not really quite focaccia bread but it was good), a gorgonzola salad (a bit more gorgonzola would have been nice), a fried pizza called Montanara, and the Capricciosa (a bit heavy for our tastes on the ingredients - funny that that would be a complaint huh?). Anyways a fried pizza is interesting though not quite for me. I felt like I was eating a carnival fair concoction though it wasn't oily at all so it seems to have been done well just not my favorite. Finished of with a tiramisu which was a bit dry and kind of so-so. So although I wasn't a huge fan of the pizzas I ordered, it really seems that just my choice was not for me and that if I ordered a little 'safer' I would have thoroughly enjoyed the place. This and Novanta and must try places... Better than Pizza Brutta though they don't have the publicity campaign that brutta has I think. Side note I believe the owner was at the restaurant and although he appeared friendly, he kind of stood around staring out at the dining area the whole time... It was just kind of awkward. Reminded me of Chef Gordon Ramsey's show Kitchen Nightmares... that's obviously not a good thing. Anyways, this place has good pizza... come and get it!
(4)Kelsi B.
My parents and I thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here. The prices are super reasonable, the ambiance is great and the service is fast. Not to mention the food is delish! I was the only hungry one in the group (go figure) so we didn't order that much food between the 3 of us, but it was still enough to satisfy our hunger. We started with the caprese salad as an appetizer. The mozz is so yummy, this hit the spot. Then we ordered one pizza for the 3 of us to share, the Salsiccia. It was so good. It really reminded me of the pizza they serve in Italy, and my dad even said it was better than some of the pizza he has had in Italy! I love the way they cook their pizzas too. It's one of my favorite things to have just the slightest bit of burnt edges around the crust. We ended the meal with the chocolate truffle to share, which was equally divine. Like I said, we left extremely satisfied and my dad requested that we go back the next time they are in town!
(5)Leslie W.
Lovely Neapolitan style pizza. Always delicious! We usually order pizza, we've tried the vegetariana, alifana, montanara, diavola, salsiccia, and prosciutto and arugula. The crust is scrumptious - just the right amount of chewy. Love the homemade mozzarella and fresh veggies. The service has also always been very good. Especially the last time we were there, we brought two friends and sat and talked for a couple hours over lunch. Our waiter didn't hurry our ordering, plate clearing, or check. In fact, he never hurried us even though we were squatting on one of his tables for a long time. If the weather is nice, you can sit outside. It's in view of the parking garage and kinda close to the street, but it's still great to be outside on a sunny day. Prices are reasonable for Hilldale. Strongly recommended for any occasion!
(4)Vicki T.
Best Italian restaurant in Madison! They have that amazing pizza and pasta. Make sure you have a glass of wine recommended by your waiter/waitress. They go so well with the food!
(5)Paola M.
One of the best pizza I had stateside. The crust is good and the sauce is simple but tasty. Now that I am writing about it, I feel like I should go there and have some more!
(4)Dylan K.
I so, so want to give this five stars. Badly. But, you know how we New Yorkers (okay, NJ/NY) are--we're pretentious dicks...especially when it comes to pizza. And so, because this place isn't in NYC or NJ, I have to minus it a star. I reiterate: pretentious dicks. Yup. Cafe Porta Alba is one of only a handful of pizza places in the US recognized by the prestigious Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana, which certifies pizza places as producing authentic Neapolitan pizza. Pizza made in this style is baked in a brick oven at extraordinarily high temperatures, with the pizza fully cooking in about 90 seconds. Naturally, when we heard about this place, we had to go check it out. We ordered three separate pizzas and split them all-they're about 12 in diameter and designed for one person each. We got a basic margarita pizza, another with fontina, spinach, and sausage, and then the one with olive oil, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, and arugula. True to their word, the pizzas each came out very quickly. The ingredients were fresh, high quality, and delicious. These pizzas have a very unique crust-thin and chewy, but absolutely superb. My personal favorite was the margarita pizza, with its incredible homemade sauce and fresh mozzarella...it's simply indescribable. It's always nice when a restaurant really puts the time and effort into their food to ensure that the quality of their product is exceptional-in this situation, that was absolutely the case. The total for all three of us, with tip, was $42, or $14 each. Pricey for pizza? Sure, but with this kind of quality, it's more than worth it. I would go back in a heartbeat, and certainly plan on doing so in the future. Thumbs up all the way.
(4)Sage H.
I take away a star for each major complaint. The pizza was too salty but still edible, flying insects bothered me the whole time, and a can of soda is $2. Not refills at a fountain. One can. The complimentary water is cold and refreshing though, comes plentiful in a cold blue bottle.
(3)Danielle T.
It's rare I give a 5 stars to a pizza place but the pizzas I had here (Alpina and Allegra) were really good. The crust was fantastic, and I admit I prefer white pizzas. The location is not really exciting, but at least parking is easy (and yes, also other shopping errands).
(5)D. M.
Light simple pizza with fresh ingredients, there are a few pasta dishes and often a couple of specials. This cafe fits right in between a quick place and a fancy place making it perfect for when you want a little something nice. A pizza a pasta choice and a salad can feed two with just a little left over.
(4)Jody B.
We were up in Madison with our daughter. It was pouring out and we were at the mall doing errands. We all decided we would stay in the mall for dinner so we wouldn't have to travel in the storm. We settled on going here. There is not much of a selection, but what they do have is great! We all got a woodfired pizza. Daughter took home the leftovers. :-) The pizza crust is so chewy and crisp at the same time.... with those fun "dough bubbles" that make a woodfired pizza the best! Hubby got something with sausage. Daughter and I got vegetarian ones we could share. Mine had smoked buffalo mozz, arugula, and lemon. It was very different, but great. Daughter and I said it was the perfect pizza to get if you are sharing since we wouldn't want ONLY this type to eat. She got a Veggie pizza. We all thought the pizzas were excellent. We had olives for appetizer. It was a nice nosh. I had a campari with prosecco. Hubby got a beer. They have wine too. Not dessert for us. We were going to a movie at Sundance and needed to save room for the great snacks they have there!
(3)Brian G.
Porta Alba seemed to be firing on all cylinders when I went for a lunch with colleagues. The space is open and inviting, classy, yet laid back. Great for a business lunch or a dinner date. We were immediately greeted by a friendly staff member and an equally friendly and helpful waiter. They serve a wide variety of Neapolitan style pizza options that you'll be struggling to narrow down your choice to just one pie. I ordered the Salsiccia, which was excellent - great topping to cheese ration, nice sauce, excellent crust. I did split it with a colleague who ordered a special of the day pie that had a pesto sauce and greens. Both were excellent, but I felt the special pie was a little too generous with the salt. If Porta Alba were in my own neighborhood, I would definitely be frequenting this place often to cure my pie fix.
(4)Peter C.
As a former Madison resident, I can confidently say that this is THE place to get authentic, gourmet pizza in town. Had the alpina pizza today. Crust was thin, and slightly crispy, properly sized, and tasted delightful. The salads are also very well done. Leaves are not smashed or overdressed, and the cheese is freshly grated. This place comes highly recommended.
(4)Kristi S.
Our pizza was delicious! And our wait staff was great. She encouraged us to sample wines until my partner and I both found wines we really enjoyed. Our salad was fresh and lightly dressed. It's located in an upscale mall, but don't let that dissuade you. The ingredients were simple, fresh and delicious. I'm from Chicago, and it's difficult to find pizza this wonderful. It was even fabulous reheated in the toaster oven the next morning.
(4)Jenn S.
Well-balanced and baked pizza and decent pasta. The seafood in the seafood linguine is very goood, but I personally think it's a bit expensive for what it is. Casual / comfortable place that is decently sized. Not the largest place, but I wouldn't worry too much about bringing a larger (~10 people) group here to eat. I have had some amazing pizza in my life (my favorite is surprisingly in New Haven) and I really dont think this place is up to par with some of my other experiences, but it is still very good for what we can find in Madison. Their tiramisu is really good, as well.
(4)Lexie G.
I won a giftcard to Cafe Porta Alba so I decided to make my work-wife chow down on pizza with me. We ordered a carafe of the red table wine, a margherita pizza, and a antipasti platter. The pizza and accompanying sauce were fantastic. The sauce had the perfect blend of salt, spices and just that hint of sweetness. The thin crust was cooked perfectly..soft but with the perfect amount of "bite" to it. The table wine was table wine (my thoughts on the wine are neutral.... I am a beer-girl by nature, so I know crap about wine. I drank it. Acquired a pleasant buzz. Great success). The antipasti was delicious as well...I believe we had the Antipasto de Casa. The amount of food was just right for two women. We ate the pizza and the antipasti and were pleasantly full. Our waitress was a little pushy. We went at 8 pm on a Friday night. All the tables were full, but there were no patrons waiting to be seated. I have not seen this friend of mine in a few weeks so we needed some time to catch up before we placed our dinner order. I appreciate prompt service, and I can understand our servers desire to place a beverage order for us, but I felt as if she was really rushing us out of there. We ordered our wine, and she kept coming back to see if we were ready to place our dinner order. We hardly had time to chat OR finally get around to looking at the menu between her coming and going from our table. Persistent waitress aside, I will be back. This is the best pizza I have found thus far in Madison. While I am not a NY pizza snob, I am a Chicago pizza snob. For now, this will suffice.
(4)Jesse V.
My wife & I come here regularly for a taste of Italy. This is the closest we can find to the authentic pizza of Italy. They have wonderful combinations and my favorite has become the Valero.
(4)Becky L.
So I'll be really honest, I normally I don't like eating pizza, but I decided to give this pizza a try. And boy I'm glad I did! The toppings vary from more well known ingredients like sausage, salami, and mozarella, to some more unusual items like prosciutto and parmacotto. I got the prosciutto, arugula, and mozarella pizza, and it was great! The saltiness of the prosciutto compliments the bitterness of the arugula and rounded flavor of the mozarella. But the real star of the show is their dough! All their pizzas are flash fried for 90 seconds in a 900 degree oven, which gives them a unique texture. The dough is soft and chewy with a slightly crispy exterior that has a lightly charred taste (that's a good thing!). Also it is surprisingly filling given the size of the pizza. Everyone at my table was happily full at the end of the meal. Now for everything else: the atmosphere was very cozy and warm. Service was friendly, and our food came out fairly fast and steaming hot. Only thing to complain about was that the wait to get seated was long, but I suppose that's to be expected on a Friday night. Overall it was a great experience.
(4)Z C.
Amazing Montanara pizza! The crust was crispy, the sauce was fresh and not too salty. The smoked buffalo mozzarella tasted like meat. Brian, our server was attentive and polite. Closest Italian Neapolitan style pizza outside of Italy. Madison is lucky to have such an authentic italian pizzaria.
(5)Michelle S.
The very best pizza in Madison!!
(5)Craig W.
We came here and dined al fresco on a late-summer Wednesday night for my son's birthday dinner. He picked it. He's 10. Whatever happened to Chuck E. Cheese, kiddo? Just kidding. I'm glad he has champagne taste (even if it's on my dime), and I apologize to Cafe Porta Alba for mentioning CEC in the same graf. It goes without saying -- there is no comparison. I work near Porta Alba's sister pizza joint, Novanta, on the west side, and I have raved about the pizzas there so I won't go into detail other than to say they're the same: fast yet of the highest quality, creative combinations, sauce better than your mama's -- don't even try arguing with me -- and the mozzarella and basil are fresh and that matters, big time. The ragu guardaporta -- doorman's ragu served over ribbons of pasta -- is classic Neapolitan comfort food at its finest. Guard the door if I'm around, because I will steal seconds... and thirds. The only nitpick on this otherwise outstanding experience is that while the pizzas are fast, the service can be a little slow. We've experienced this before. The speed of the brick oven makes up for it, but we did sit for a long time before ordering drinks. If the umbrellas had hinges and could be turned toward the sun to block it, the patio dining experience would be primo belissimo, but it's still belissimo and fine by me.
(4)Matt J.
This is authentic Italian pizza at its best. I've eaten pizza in Italy, and this takes me back every time I go here. We recently went for my birthday, and I was once again pleased with the outcome. Both pizzas that we ordered came out piping hot in no time at all. Ingredients tasted fresh. Toppings are not heavy, but the flavors are strong due to the high quality of ingredients. It's exactly how authentic Italian pizza is supposed to be. It was a nice atmosphere, and service was efficient. We even ended with the nutella pizza for dessert. My one and only complaint, is they gave us a small amount of gelato for the size of the nutella pizza.
(5)Rebecca S.
On a Friday night after work, I want good food, but not a lot of fuss. Porta Alba definitely delivered! Our wait was minimal, the staff was courteous and helpful, and of course, the food was delicious! I had the diavolo pizza which had just the right amount of heat without overpowering the cheese and crust (as I also want to taste those). My husband had the carbonara as he was in the mood for pasta, and it was nice to have both of our cravings so well met.
(4)Gracie G.
Nice atmosphere. However I found their personal pizzas under-cooked. The crust was rather doughy.
(2)Isaac R.
My favorite place in the city, hands down. This place is freaking fantastic. TRULY authentic Neapolitan pizza cooked in an brick oven the owner imported from Italy, its so soft and doughy and delicious. The ingredients and toppings are top notch, and the wine selection is great. Definitely try the suggested wine, the Gragnano, its a frizzante red that goes amazing with the pizza, the owner imports it specially from Italy, you can't get it anywhere else in Madison. As an indication of just how awesome this place is, when we asked where we could get the wine and found out it was imported specially, the waitress offered to sell us a bottle for a discount to take home! Try the Maialina, or the Alpina, and prepare to be amazed. And don't fill up on dinner, because the nutella dessert pizza is incredible.
(5)Emigh C.
Been here a couple times and enjoyed it immensely. Can't remember the exact pizza that the Mr. & I had the first time on a lunch date, but it was vegetarian and delicioso! There is some magic in their crust, I'll tell you that much. We also love it when we see a Montepulciano on a wine menu. It's not as common as it ought to be. Saturday night around 7:30 we decided last minute to go out. We tried 3 super swanky restaurants and they all had 1-2 hour wait times. We inquired at Cafe Porta Alba and were told 10 minutes. Que buona fortuna? There was live music and it was cheery without being too loud. How many restaurants have the owner working in the kitchen, who then stops cooking long enough to jam with the band? Cafe Porta Alba does! Other than an Italian film playing on a flat screen, there wasn't much wall decor, but that shouldn't matter because the art is on the plate. My hubby enjoyed the Barbera and I was happy to see two Chiantis on the wine list...though I wish I would have had a glass of each instead of two of the same. Guess I'll have to go back. See how sad I am about that? We both had the Seafood Linguine and the noodles tasted like they were freshly made. Bonus! The sauce was light and fresh, and the seafood was rich; a perfect balance. The mussels were a little salty but very tender and I gobbled them up. The shrimp was cooked to perfection, and the scallops seemed carmelized and had a smokey flavor that made me want to keep eating even after I was getting full. The portion sizes were very sensible. My hungry hubby finished his dish, but I set aside some of mine to leave room for dessert...AND to have a fantastic lunch the next day (the leftovers were so good I ate them cold!). Speaking of cold, we ordered the Chocolate Truffle for dessert, and I don't know what zabaione cream is, but it was surrounded with chocolate gelato, sprinkled with carmelized hazelnuts, and then the whole thing was dusted with cocoa powder. I took the smallest bites I could just to make it last longer. Our server Clay (I think!?) knew how to perfectly pace the entire meal, and on this busy Saturday night he was courteous, collected, and efficient. He also paused while taking our order to give applause to the live musicians, and since I'm married to one, I was tickled that he took the few seconds to show his appreciation. A++ for him! One of the questions Yelp asks: Is this good for kids? Errrr...I'd say maybe the 6+ crowd, IF they're the well-behaved ones who can QUIETLY sit still through a meal. If they're expecting Chuck E Cheese cardboard & grease pies, don't ruin everyone else's night when they're subjected to REAL food and throw a tantrum. Not a lot of room for baby carriers either, so if that's what your packin', come by in the off hours and you'll have plenty of room.
(5)Taylor M.
After trying to find someone to venture all the way to Hilldale with me from the far East side simply in the name of pizza, I finally got to try some of the wonderful Neopolitan pizza that they are serving up at Cafe Porta Alba! I tried the Salsiccia, which included italian sausage, mushrooms, garlic, and homemade mozzarella. It was absolutely delicious and I loved that each slice had the perfect proportion of each topping! As many other reviews have mentioned, the crust was also amazing, soft and toasty on the inside and crispy on the outside. Besides the spectacular pizza, I really liked the restaurant's atmosphere! It is the perfect mix of classy and cozy that makes it perfect for either a date or a dinner with family and friend. Also, I really liked the large variety of pizzas they offer, making it easy to find one to fit everyone's taste. I will definitely be back soon!
(4)Katie W.
First off, let me say that I love Cafe Novanta on the west side, which is owned by the same people. However, Cafe Novanta hires outgoing competent employees, which Porta Alba lacks. After a gruff "two?," without a smile, we were seated and given menus. Our server did come over and greet us and asked if we needed some time. We told her we did, and she left for what seemed like eternity. Looking at my cell phone clock, it was in fact 10 - 15 minutes. When she returned we placed our orders, which included an appetizer of the focaccia bread. We then waited 30 minutes to receive the appetizer. At one point, after 20 minutes, I heard the server ask the cook where her focaccia was. He shrugged and indicated he didn't know about it. It then took an additional 10 minutes. After we received and at the focaccia, it then took another 20 minutes to receive our entrees. After finishing the entrees it was another 15 minutes to get the server's attention to get the bill. The food was quite good, just like Novanta. However, the service was terrible. I was shocked when the focaccia appeared on the bill. I thought for sure there would be no charge. By the way - the place wasn't even crowded, so there was no excuse for the slow service. There were roughly 6 tables with parties of two at each. There were two servers from what I could tell. If the kitchen was the problem, they need to hire another cook. Go to Novanta would be my recommendation - the staff there is wonderful and speedy!
(1)Nancy W.
Really hoped to like this place as I had heard so many people did, but found it to be mediocre. None of our food was hot (we had a panini, a pizza and a latte) everything was lukewarm. Neither of us liked the salami that was used on the pizza. When you have a choice between here and Pizza Brutta, I don't know how you would not choose Pizza Brutta. Maybe we just hit it on a bad day, but probably won't be back.
(2)Alper S.
I'm sure the group I was with had something to do with it, but I had a ball last night at Porta Alba. Good wine, good company, courteous service, fantastic pizza, and nomnom deserts. I had the Capricciosa pizza (mushrooms, olives, artichokes) and added prosciutto on top. I was expecting tiny tiny pieces, but I certainly got my +$2 worth!! Huge pieces draped over the pizza. This heavenly creation also cemented my belief that pizza should always have artichokes on them, it is simply sooo good, especially paired with olives and ham. Other people had the mussels and they looked pretty good, though the sauce looked super thick like others have said (just an observation; it's great for mopping up with the flatbread). For dessert? Chocolate gelato with an espresso shot over it (affogato). Why get anything else?!
(5)Deborah C.
I'm on Yelp tonight to report a religious experience, a euphoric climb to the pinnacle of pastadom. I am referring, of course, to the ravioli nannina. The ravioli was filled with parmesan and cooked to perfection. It came in a walnut cream based sauce that was earthy yet sophisticated. The rustic walnut sauce was perfectly set off by the dried cranberries sprinkled about - adding just the right sweetness and acidity. I am now a convert and I have to say it - holy ravioli! I will be very disappointed if this does not make the menu. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Rebecca H.
Great service. Our waiter was absolutely amazing. He was attentive, but also respected that my girlfriend and I were having a serious conversation. I liked my pizza, although I normally prefer crispy crust and the Nutella Pizza is TO DIE FOR. If you like Nutella you have to get this pizza, totally worth it. Wine glasses are small for the price (mostly a 4 becuase of this).
(4)Brian B.
After years of hearing how great Cafe Porta Alba is (both at the former Butler St. location and its current Hilldale spot) my wife and I checked it out with friends last night. Now I can tell you about how great Cafe Porta Alba is: it's pretty great. Our service was efficient, friendly and helpful. The only complaint I might have is the sheer number of amazing pizza selections. All of them sound wonderful. We went with a mushroom pizza and another that was flash fried with smoked mozzarella cheese on top. Both were astounding. The pasta dishes are few in number but delicious. The ragu is rich and flavorful if not quite as tender as I anticipated (which is by no means to insinuate the meat was tough). We will definitely be back. Maybe they'll get an additional star by having coffee beans to float in the Sambuca. How do you serve espresso and not have a few coffee beans around?
(4)James R.
Cafe Porta Alba is a traditional Neapolitan pizza restaurant adjacent to Hilldale mall. The interior is simple but traditional, with a very high ceiling, polished concrete floor, marble tables, and slightly battered wooden chairs and benches. In the rear, a huge wood burning pizza oven made in Italy dominates. Silverware, glasses, and plates are all basic and sturdy, but not cheap -- everything comes off very traditional and authentic. The food was just was traditional and pure. I had a small plate of marinated Cerignola olives and salami to begin. The salami was good but unremarkable and a few of my olives were a touch overripe. There's not much in the way of seasoning in the marinade, so the flavor of the fat olives comes through. The pizza oven is at 900 degrees and the pizza cooks in just 90 seconds, so don't expect a long wait. My pizza Regina was perfectly prepared and delicious. The toppings are crushed San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo milk mozzarella imported from Italy, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. the crust was moist in the center and dry and puffy around the edge, just as it should be. The char on the bottom was minimal and did not interfere with the pizza's flavors in any way. Excellent. The recommended wine as a chilled and slightly fizzy red from Italy. It was an excellent complement to the pizza and worth the $8.00 charge for a glass. The menu had quite a few pizza options, 3 or 4 simple pastas, and several salads. All looked good and the salads I saw others had were quite large. The dessert menu had traditional desserts and a good spread of Italian aperitifs, both with good explanations of what they are to the uninitiated. It's obvious the owner takes a lot of pride in his work. I'll be back with a friend to split a salad and a pizza. It would be a perfect lunch or light supper with a date or a friend.
(4)Sheena L.
I got take out from here recently and the pizza I received left much to be desired. Though the staff was very friendly and fast. As someone who has lived in both Italy and new York I like to think I know good pizza and this is not it! I usually love thin crust brick oven pizza however this pizza was constructed very poorly. To start with the crust was burnt so most of the flavor was killed by that right off the bat. The artichoke hearts were completely dried out and there was hardly any cheese on the pizza. The ham also left much to be desired, it looked like cold cuts that had been torn up and tossed on the pizza. Finally seasoning, there was none! It was so bland, no basil, no oregano, not event salt or pepper. I would not eat here again
(2)Rachel B.
After searching around the Cleveland area for great pizza, I found some excellent ones. But NOTHING, not even some of the best in NY, beats Porta Alba for me. I love this style of pizza, but often it is just not filling enough. Not at Alba. The pies are as hearty as they are light, if you can even imagine. I haven't been to the Hilldale location, just the old one downtown, and that particular space was wonderful. Intimate and cozy, you feel as though you've been invited to dinner at someone's house. The owners are so nice. The wine is a perfect complement to the pizza. And the tiramisu was among the best I've had. I dream of this pizza!! Also, my friend Leslie sings there pretty often -- go and see her; she's amazing!
(5)Nicole K.
I love love love this place!!! so delicious. The owner is actually from Naples so you know you are getting the good stuff! If you want good, fresh, italian pizza I would definitely come here.
(5)Rebecca L.
Dinner 10-26-12 Football in Madison Weekend! Checked out this restaurant before a movie at Sundance. Food: Pizza-we did our own thing because my friend is dairy sensitive and doesn't like meat. So we minus cheese and add oven roasted mushroom and truffle oil. It was great! We also ordered gnocchi and again they accommodated us by substituting an alternate sauce so we could skip the major cheese. For dessert we had the hazelnut/chocolate pizza--It was BOMB! A tad too large for 2 people but we were happy to try and eat it! Drink: We got carafes of white and red house wine. Nicely priced and pleasant to drink. It can get a bit crowded and they don't take reservations though if you are on your way to the restaurant they will put your name on the list which I think is pretty nice. I am sure its more like 4 star food but our waitress was very nice and when we made special requests it was no problem at all. I appreciate the service.
(5)Shea F.
I tried the mussels, based on a previous review and they are definitely NOT the best in the world. The sauce was too thick (supposedly white wine, tomato) but it was more like a marinara. They also added parmesan cheese on top...not a huge fan of cheese on seafood (even in Wisco), exception being cream sauces. The mussels were cooked well though, I'll give them that. I also tried the pizza and found Pizza Brutta to be much better. If you want good Neapolitan pizza, I would suggest going there first. Overall not bad, though I probably won't go back for awhile.
(3)Katie R.
Pizza. Fresh ingredients. Quickly made. Very, very tasty. The only negative is the close layout of the tables, but we will definitely be going back!
(5)Nancy N.
Madison has so much good Italian that it can be hard to choose. So we read all of the yelp reviews before making a decision about where to go last night. We decided on Cafe Porta Alba and their promise of authentic neapolitan pizza (admittedly, due in small part to having recently watched Anthony Bourdain's recent travels through Naples). Based on the reviews, we expected great pizza, hit or miss mussels, and poor service. Instead what we found was: 1. Crazy, good pizza! Best I've had in Madison. Makes you wonder why Americans went and ruined pizza. 2. Amazing mussels! Prepared in a hearty red sauce, each mussel was fresh and meaty. And it's served with bread, so good I nearly cried. 3. We LOVED our server! An example of her greatness: We were about to order a bottle of the primitivo when she stopped us to say we'd probably be happier with the barbera, then offered to bring us a taste of each. She was right and our meal was that much better as a result. Plus, she was darling and personable and gave us great pizza recommendations. 4. Bonus! There was live music (it was a Saturday night) that made for a lovely ambiance, especially since (as other reviews have pointed out), the decor isn't much to speak of. We loved it. We're going back. You should too.
(5)Robert T.
I am going to have a plethora of reviews coming because I have been slacking for a month. So, lets get to it! So my wife, daughter and I were at Hilldale and decided to try Cafe Porta Alba. First off I want to say the food was decent, I enjoyed my Pizza that was non-filling but was not a happy camper from the time I saw the menu. I am a simple man with a pizza fetish and seriously all I want to do is order a Sausage and peperoni pizza. Is that so hard? Well, I got the Sausage at Cafe Porta Alba and yes...it was good. So why the bad review? WELL, from the minute we sat down we felt unwelcome. The waiter who waited on our table was snobby, unhelpful, and arrogant. Seriously when I want to order a "Sausage and Pepperoni" pizza you do not have to respond with "Ugh, we don't have Peperoni." Ok, how about you say it without the attitude dude! So I ask for a Sausage pizza and he responds by pointing at the menu, "you mean a margherita pizza with sausage added to it." Arrogant asshole.....just get my pizza! Yes it was good but I am sorry you are an arrogant prick and that was just 1 example of it throughout the dinner. Besides the ass who served us the closeness of our dining neighbors was like a piercing in my ears since they were like 1 foot away from us. I now know that this guy Loves the Sopranos and his date (1st or 2nd date) hates his conversation so much that the needlepoint deer on her sweater even covered their ears. Can we spread the tables out a bit so we can have our own convo without having to hear others and have them hear us? Honestly, the food was good but the experience was terrible. Normally I would finish with some funny line here but I can't because "ugh, I don't have one"
(2)Peter D.
Another great, multi-meat pizza, plenty of portion, the great Neopolitan pizza of crust heaven, and at a more than fair price. I am always happy when I'm out that way (form downtown, by bus) to know I will stop in here and enjoy. Also love their american coffe = espresso and hot water, yum. I'd give it 5 stars, but, as good as it is, it is only pizza.
(4)AJ S.
I have dined here on multiple occasions. The pizza is very good. I just have a few issues with the place. First, they only have beer and wine. No rum and cokes for me! Secondly, most of the pizzas don't have meat on them. As a carnivore I want sausage and pepperoni! Third, they don't have much for kids. Overall, I would say the place is ok. Just very convenient when you live 3 blocks away!
(3)Kurt B.
Definitely one of the best pizza places in Madison, probably in my top 3 or 4. They do a Neapolitan style, but with a soft crust and olive oil on the side for dipping. Their special fried pizza with smoked mozzarella is ridiculously good and decadent. I've been through most of the pizzas here and they're all of good quality--I do like anchovies on this kind of small personal pizza, though not on a 'regular' large pizza, and they make a good rendition here. Pastas are also very good. Their seafood pasta is a steal at $15 and comes with three large scallops. Their carbonara features cream instead of egg yolk as a base, the addition of fresh green peas adds a sweetness and depth that further distracts from the dish's authenticity yet strengthens the overall flavor. Desserts are prepackaged except for the Nutella pizza, which is a little too rich for me. High Recommendation.
(5)Rachel N.
This is the place I compare all other neopolitan style pizza to. So far I haven't found any place that's better. One of my favorite restaurants in Madison!
(5)Ariel W.
Went Here on a Thursday night for a class on how mozzarella is made and their pizza. It showed how much they love their food, passionate about it and want people to understand and love it also. During the class we had their pizza(Regina, Allegra) and tiramisu which were all delicious. The waitress was friendly and helpful and the owner greeted everyone. Been here another time and the owner was also present. Something you don't see very often anymore and should.
(5)Jolenta A.
Slightly slow service but well worth the wait. Fantastic pizza, pleasant service, and authentic Italian atmosphere. Forgot I wasn't in Italy! I would give it 5 stars if they had more menu items to choose from.
(4)Jo C.
Best mussels EVER. I've been to Cafe Porta Alba several times (I go back for the mussels in red sauce), but every time I am pleasantly surprised. The food is great, and I will undoubtedly go back. My only criticism is of the service. The servers here are very pleasant, but a little slow and inexperienced. On our last visit, our server was very nice, but didn't really know how to serve us a bottle of wine, pour a taste, and offer to refill our glass, which actually didnt bother us at all (we know how to pick up a bottle and pour it ourselves) but this might upset certain other diners who are less forgiving. Maybe the issue is simply teaching the staff how to pour wine? Who knows. All in all, I love the place, and I'll be back.
(4)Veena T.
Eh. Not the best pizza of this type I have ever had ( Try Pizza Bruta, but that's a review for a different day). Atmosphere was nice, prices were decent, but the food really wasn't as good as it was cracked up to be. Worth a shot though.
(3)Genevieve P.
Very simple. I LOVE this place. I love a restaurant that picks one thing and does it well. I usually get the Regina, and will sometimes try the special. There is a good selection of reasonably priced wines and the dessert is also pretty fantastic. I have always had great service and recommend the place with frequency. Yum!
(5)Brooke S.
Had a very good dinner here. Went with a party of 5 & a baby to celebrate a birthday. The service was great and we received our food very quickly. They made a small mistake on one order but fixed it easily and promptly. One pizza was enough for two(my husband and I do not eat a lot) or one hungry person. The pizza was very good. Not the best I have ever had, but very good. A little to much crust and the sauce could be better. The sausage pizza was very good! t was a good place to take a loud one year old too. Their were lots of other children there. The atmosphere was relaxed & what we wanted for the occasion. Went on a Sunday night. It would be nice if they were open later than 8 on Sunday. I recommend this place for a relaxed dinner.
(4)Sarah S.
Cafe Porta Alba is true happiness in restaurant form. My boyfriend and I walked past the storefront and noticed just how amazing it smelled. Unfortunately we had already eaten lunch, so we didn't go in. After walking around for a little while, our curiosity got the best of us and we checked it out. I had no idea what a treat I was in for. This is INCREDIBLE pizza. 900 degrees in 90 seconds pizza. A whole 12 inches full of wonder. Amazing, simply amazing. I ordered the pizza primavera, which is topped with spicy eggplant, zucchini, peppers, mozzarella, and magic. Now, these are FRESH ingredients, so as time went on, the juices from the toppings (note: the mozzarella did NOT become oily on top as other pizzas do, this is a great quality cheese) ran towards the center of the pizza and it became a little bit soggy. But you know what? It still tasted incredible. I couldn't believe it. Before I knew it, I had finished my entire pizza, and a glass wine even though I was still full from the lunch I had already eaten! We went back 2 more times in the following 4 days with some friends. The second time I had the gnocchi, which was very good, and served in a perfect portion. The third time I went I couldn't refuse the pizza primavera again. If you want dessert, the gelato affogado (gelato drowned in espresso) is great. They seem to have different flavors of gelato every day, I've tried the strawberry, green apple, and hazelnut, all of which were fantastic.
(5)Jake R.
Great Pizza!! Great Wine!! Walked passed their doors and the amazing aroma forced me in. I couldn't resist. I came back twice more the same week with friends. Highly recommended! Great place to hang out and eat with friends.
(5)Kelly K.
We drove up to Madison for the weekend and this place was on my list of must-eats, thanks to Yelp. First, because it's in a shopping center, this place has all the ambiance of an Einstein's Bagels. That said, the food and the service more than made up for the lack of character. We were seated immediately and greeted by a very young, friendly, knowledgeable waiter. We ordered the Carciofini to start while we decided which pizza to try. We decided on the Regina, which is Buffalo milk mozzarella from Italy, tomato, and extra-virgin olive oil. My husband is a Chicago pizza guy. The more cheese, the better. Whereas I like a more delicate blance of ingredients. This. Hit. The. Spot. The tomatoes were tangy and fresh, the cheese not over-abundant, the crust thin and tender-crisp. Our waiter was attentive without hovering, and when he learned the chef hadn't mad the tiramisu yet for the day (it was early) he brougt us some ladyfingers and marscapone on the house, to complement our coffee. This is true Neapolitan pizza. I wish I could find something like this in Chicago. Guess I'll just have to drive up to Madison more often.
(5)Christopher C.
We've given this several tries now, most recently tonight. Apologies to those that love this place, but the pizza is not great. Too doughy, too thick. Pizza Brutta is much, much better. So is Villa Dolce in Middelton. I will say the antipasti we had - the Parma - was good. Service is good, friendly and the food comes out fast. But the pizza is meh.
(2)Mary S.
Food is delicious, the crust is a delicacy in itself. The freshly made gelato is a great finish. The service a little slow but the staff are lovely.
(4)Karen H.
My family and I love to eat out; in fact it's our bona fide hobby. And while we're a critical bunch, we all LOVE Porta Alba. My husband, my two sons (ages 8 and 12) clean our plates - and guilt free too. Porta Alba's fresh, nutritious ingredients are lovingly prepared and leave us feeling full, but not "fat." We ate there tonight and my youngest proclaimed, "this is the only place where I can also eat all the crust." With a touch of salt and a sweetness I can't quite identify, the crust is sublime. On the note of taking kids - the listing reads - not good for kids. I disagree, Italians are famous for incorporating kids at restaurants and we've never had an askance look. On to the food. All of the pizzas are wonderful. I'm a vegetarian, so recommend the Alfina, topped with olive oil and fresh artichokes. My boys all love meat and rave about the pizza bambina with the added salame topping. You just can't go wrong with the menu. Pair with a good red wine (d'Abruzzo is affordable and very drinkable) or a Peroni and finish with some of the best gelato served outside of Italy. Porta Alba has ruined us for all other pizza joints in town. Brava!
(5)Jessie E K.
Terrible. Horrible. No good, very bad pizza. Brought my mom who was visiting and who is also allergic to tomatoes. Asked our waiter Ron which pizzas had no tomato sauce and he said they all do- no olive oil, no white pizza. We ordered a special quattro formaggio for her - hold the tomatos. When our pizzas came out mom's was the only one with tomatoes on it, while mine was literally just bread and cheese. Was asked and he was kind of a douche about it, and told us that "that was a Neapolitan pizza" like we hadn't asked him what wouldn't have tomatoes. We don't know everything, and we expect to be told correctly when we ask. He ignored us for the rest of the meal, and brought our bill and apologized saying he was new and didn't really know the menu. No discount, no offer to exchange our food, no attempt to apologize while the food was in front of us - and the bill was like $60 for 2 beers, 2 pizzas and a salad. SKIP IT! You want pizza in Madison - go to Roman Candle. Better pizza, nicer staff...
(1)Stacy S.
I went here last Sunday night with my boyfriend. We loved it! The food was so GREAT. I had the gnocchi, and he had pizza. We also ordered the bread which was also delicious. We wanted to order dessert as well, but they told us the kitchen was closed. That's the reason for only 4 stars. The service was pretty bad. They seated us, and then ignored us until we got up and asked a waitress to take our order. When someone finally came over to our table, she was pretty rude. But, overall the food was very yum, so I will definitely be back!
(4)Jack J.
Neopolitan style pizza done well. Salsiccia and a glass of wine make for a great dinner.
(4)Natalie R.
Absolutely delicious. The pizza was the best I've had since I was in Rome, and it was served within 5 minutes of ordering. Perfect for hungry girls. We got the Nutella pizza for dessert... chocolatey sweetness that was hard to stop eating. Glasses of wine were large for the average price tag. Our waitress was attentive, but seemed slightly chilly or bored with us.
(4)Barbara A.
Very very good pizza, and food served quickly so we could make our movie at Sundance. Good list of wines by the glass.
(4)Christopher S.
This is pizza like I've had in Europe. Fantastic crust. Gives Il Ritrovo (Sheboygan, WI) a run for its money. Prices seems fair and service was good. Nice atmosphere. Family friendly, date friendly. The espresso is Lavazza which is why I'm only giving this restaurant 4 stars: with all the great specialty roasters in Madison it would be nice to see non-institutional coffee served.
(4)Rob N.
Porta Alba is an "irish pub" of pizza. The sort of pizza joint that is commonplace in more affluent neighborhoods, offering a more "european" atmosphere and pizza. Don't be fooled. the pizza is nothing to rave about, unless you are impressed by paying over $12 for a small piece of dough with some tomato and cheese slopped on top. Here was our dinner: one personal pizza, one pasta entree, three salads and 1/2 carafe of wine (all of which was ok at best). The price: $80 including the tip. Estimated true value: $20.
(1)Mike A.
Cafe Porta Alba re-opened in Hilldale a few weeks ago! I've gone a couple times already and am happy to report it's back in full swing, and the new location seems to be getting a lot more traffic than the old spot. If anything, the pizza is more consistently delicious than it used to be. Maybe something to do with their brand new oven? Also they now have pasta as regular menu items rather than specials. The dishes aren't quite as elaborate as the old specials since they have to turn them out every night, but still tasty. Don't take my word for it, just go!!! They tend to be kind of busy on Friday & Saturday night but they'll take your cell phone # and call you while you find something in Hilldale to keep yourself occupied.
(5)Erin L.
Pizza... good. Service... good. Atmosphere... good. What I didn't appreciate? Being followed outside & accused of not leaving a tip on a $116 bill. We left $38. Funny thing is, our group of 6 were all restaurant managers/servers and would never think of leaving less than 20% on a bill for just ehhhh service. Want GREAT pizza, GREAT service, GREAT atmosphere? Try Pizza Brutta on Monroe Street. (am unaffiliated by the way, just my neighborhood pizza joint that never dissappoints.)
(1)Jeffrey H.
Not For Me Had a lunch date with my wife and was looking forward to a delicious meal. I was so disappointed in the experience that I will not be returning. Service was friendly but the waitress was new and could not offer explanations of the menu. I then spilled my water and while we remained dry the tablecloth was soaked and it was never addressed. No private conversation here - you are rubbing elbows with the people on either side of you while trying to balance all the dishes on the tiny table. Now to the food ... we ordered the EMILIANA salad. It was the usual mix of fancy greens but it had absolutely no flavor and few tomatoes. Next we tried the FOCACCIA. It too had no seasoning and was really just a pizza crust. Then came what I hoped was the highlight of the meal, the VOMERO pizza. The meat tasted so bad I had to remove it. The rest wasn't anything worth eating. $22.50 for the food alone was too much for this tasteless lunch. This date was a bust save for the company.
(1)Cheryl D.
I've been to Porta Alba a few times for the pizza and been over the moon about it! I love wood-fired pizzas and they offer some of my favorite toppings and let me make my own combination. So I was REALLY disappointed when I ordered pasta carbonara (which I had been craving for days) and it was like glue. Little flavor, the sauce tasted like flour and water paste. And after getting really good service in the past, our waiter on this visit was really blase. Normally I would have sent food this bad back, but I was with a group of new-ish friends and didn't want the buzz kill. But a really savvy waiter would have asked why I hardly ate anything and didn't want to take the leftovers. I'll stick to the pizza from now on.
(3)Taylor S.
Dear Yelp, unless I've started smoking crack again (unbeknownst to myself) and I was seeing things, this place is not closed! In fact, I just ate lunch here! After some fruitless shopping at Macy's (Wisconsin hates people with size 29 waists) the family and I decided to check out this little cafe. It looked pretty nice from the outside and was just as nice on the ins! Calm decor and comfy seating were key. I ordered a Panini with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil and it came with a salad. The kind waitress was nice enough to get it back to us quickly and here's my run down: Panini: Great bread. Good cheese. Fresh ingredients. Overall: A- Salad: Limp leaves. Drenched in dressing. Prickly and hard to swallow. Some of my step Dad's pizza: Little too undercooked (even by Rome's standards) and a bit bland. I feel like I may have ordered the best thing on the menu and would probably come back once more to give this place a redeeming chance. However, I do not live in Madison and cannot do that, and quite frankly I was just not impressed enough for the 4th star. If you're feeling famished after an hours worth of shopping and you're looking looking for a quick and easy bite of decent Italian, check it out.
(3)Midwest G.
While there are certain things to like about this restaurant (particularly if you have no reason to limit your carb intake), there was a recent decision by this restaurant to offer a more limited menu for dinner than lunch. This included the omission of soup from the dinner menu some while back. Even more surprising was their decision to eliminate chicken from the menu altogether. The remaining menu items, including their signature pizzas, pastas and salads are serviceable, but not memorable. Restaurants in a high profile location usually realize too late that limiting menu options, though a quick fix to their bottom line, will also ultimately limit their customer base.
(2)MontyPython L.
Meh is the perfect descriptor for Porta Alba. We went with a group of friends, of whom 2-3 had been at the old location. I have no complaints about the decor, and really none about service. Neither stood out for good or bad reasons. The food...yeah, meh. The pizza was okay. (And yes, I am aware this isn't supposed to be American pizza. I've tried pizza all over the globe and like each variation for its own reasons.) Even my husband, who will pretty much eat anything and at least say it was okay, was pretty meh about it. I had a special pasta dish. Just based on that, I would give a 3-3.5 however because it's not a normal option and what I tried of my dining companions' food was also meh, it's not enough to raise the overall score. Upon leaving the restaurant, my husband and I immediately named this a we-won't-pick-this-restaurant-again-but-won't-Âthrow-a-huge-fit-if-a-group-of-friends-want-to-go place. Thankfully, we haven't had to go back.
(2)brigette d.
I was in Madison for business and someone had recommended Cafe Porta Alba. OMG the pizza was so good it was cooked to perfection. Amazing you have to definitely check out this place. I will definitely be back.
(4)Joe D.
Great pizza from their Neapolitan pizza oven - Neapolitans invented it - how could it get better - pleasant atmosphere - unpretentious - reasonable price - wonderful pasta and gnocchi
(5)Mio S.
Had a pleasant Saturday night dinner here. The atmosphere and the chewy crust deserve 4 stars. Glasses of chianti with the view of firebrick oven and good conversation instantly produce the good dinner setting - I like this sort of thing. The appetizers my guy and I ordered - mussels in tomato sauce and the house salad (insalata di casa) were 'meh' side, but the chianti and our very polite waitress compensated for the ok-ness. I loved the elastic pizza crust. It resists just so slightly when you try tearing them apart - again, my kind of thing. It's a very pleasant consistency when sinking your teeth in. And let's not forget the bite of salt from anchovi. Very good. I was glad to see this little local place packed on the Saturday night. I hope they keep the fire burning at the new location.
(4)Sarah R.
My husband and I were visiting from out of town and stumbled upon this place. We had been out bike riding all morning and needed to stop somewhere to eat lunch. We were craving some specialty pizza and this place was close by and had good reviews so we thought we'd try it out. Hello!!!! The pizza here is delicious! They make a traditional type of pizza that is native to Naples and it reminded me of the pizza I had while in Sicily and Malta. It's 12 inches, plenty for two, and they cook it at 900 degrees for like 90 seconds. The food comes out fast, hot, and perfectly cooked. I wish I could have one right now!!!! If you are looking for some seriously delicious pizza this is the place to go!!!
(5)Laura F.
Absolutely wonderful! The food is top notch and the service is fantastic. Try the fritta mozza - amazing.
(4)Joan H.
Ordered something I can't remember the name of but it was this doughy piece of fried? bread the size of a football that should have been stuffed with ham, cheese and a sauce. What I got was a HUGE blob of bread with a very scant amount of ham, a few meager bits of cheese and no sauce that I could taste although there was a tinge of a pinkish moisture that I could see but not taste. The food took forever to get to us which was somewhat of a mystery since the place just wasn't that busy. Our server kept apologizing and he was attentive with a great personality but that couldn't make up for what was a completely unsatisfying dinner. Doubt there will be a next time.
(2)Vanessa M.
This place is amazing for pizza. The wood-fire, fresh veggies and meats make it unique and delicious. You must get to dessert and try the nutella pizza, it's an OMG moment! You can't get enough of it. It's pizza dough stuffed with nutella and baked in the same wood-fire oven. Truly Amazing! I've been there twice, the second time I had the seafood pasta (which my boyfriend loves) and I wanted pasta instead of pizza so I decided to try it. However, i thought it was a bit dry. It was still good and I was starving so I ate it all, but I would have liked it to have a little more of the sauce to stir my food in. We would definitely return, especially for the dessert!!!
(4)Tawnie R.
I've been here twice now, and I love it! Their Allegra pizza is divine! The only drawback to this place, is it's VERY noisy. Be prepared to practically shout at the person you're with to be heard.
(4)Jenny H.
Really wasn't impressed with Cafe Porta Alba. We ordered a pizza and pasta dish, which were overpriced in my opinion, and both my husband I left hungry. They boast about their 900 degree oven, but the pizza was really nothing special. Definitely wouldn't waste time or money there again. Check out the sushi place a couple doors down - now THAT'S worth the splurge!
(2)Nick H.
The pizza was just "ok" crust was chewy and undercooked in the middle while the edges were good. Pretty stingy with the cheese and toppings as well. Went back another time and the pizza was better, bumping review up to 3 stars.
(3)Cindy R.
Simple, Neopolitan-style pizza cooked to order in their brick oven. The crust is excellent, thin and soft. They have an espresso machine, and if you like cappucino be sure to order one after you eat. It was one of the best i've ever had.
(5)Geoff W.
If you think that good pizza = a toppings list that is a buffet table then stay with Pizza Hut. Cafe Porta Alba is the real thing but some people wont get it. That's ok with me. Its keeps the riff raff out.
(5)Oscar Y.
Have to qualify these comments [because my last two 'zas were a double-buffalo mozzarella at Da Micheles in Naples (tasted like BUTTER), and a prosciutto & funghi on Iesolo Lido that was like melting, exploding heaven] but the crust was a bit too puffy and bland (it was 430pm so maybe the oven wasn't zesty hot yet), the prosciutto was like the thin slabs in packets at Woodmans, the sauce had a strong tin-can tang (is the tomato paste opened and then refrigerated in the can?), and the miserly buffalo mozz (imported from Italy) on the 'regina' (might local be better?) got lost in the mix. $16 bucks for something scrimpy like that, without real freshness nor sizzling panache, doesn''t make sense. Though it's cheaper than a ticket to Naples. Nice looking oven though, and GREAT service.
(3)B Y.
Food - I had the Salsiccia pizza, which came with cheese, Italian sausage, mushrooms, and green pepper. It was decent pizza, with thinner crust and meltier cheese than you would get from most fast food pizza places. The size was just like a personal pizza you'd get at CPK or elsewhere. Price - Paid about $15 for the pizza, When I ate at CPK, I had a much better personal pizza for a lot less. Another friend who ordered pasta paid about same price as me but his portion was tiny. Overall - We were there for dinner and the place was quite full, I liked the atmosphere and location of the place, it's right outside of the Hilldale Mall area and you can walk to a lot of places afterwards to walk your food off while shopping. I don't think I will be coming back to this place any time soon though.
(2)Matt E.
The Porta Alba tucked just off East Wash on N. Butler hides away an overlooked cubby that quite surprisingly holds a little Italian caf/restaurant complete with a wood burning oven featuring some very light and pleasantly simple pizzas and other Italian antipasto, striking at more of a vegetarian and earthy eater while still offering some carnivorous options. Its tucked away location actually well representing what Alba serves as, not a heavier more played up restaurant like Peppinnos or Tutto Pasta but rather a nice weeknight or lower key place still serving fare that is a clear step up from what it could be. The pizzas are on the doughier side, containing rich cheeses, flavorful vegetables, and the all important balance of flavors is established. My only issue was the pizzas were containing of a bit more bottom crust than I wanted, albeit tasty, but still too much in comparison to the toppings. In addition, to a menu pizza and a daily special pizza, a house salad had rich sweet and vinegary dressing with nice crisp greens. Finally, a dessert pizza basically consisting of two thin layers of pizza dough and Nutella was initially tasty but left unappealing after one slice, my mild frustration in the crust proportions again reverberating. This isn't to say, the Porta Alba isn't satisfying because it is without forcing heaps of food and heaviness onto you. It's a refreshing option in light more Italianesque pizzas and dishes which taken in the right contexts are quite agreeable.
(3)Veeder V.
First, the pizza - it grew on me. Its simplicity fooled me at first but after a few pieces I began to crave more. My only complaint is that it could have used a few more minutes in the oven. The crust was a bit doughy for a thin-crust pizza. The caprese salad was decent but not outstanding. It was served ice-cold and tasted much better toward the end of the meal once it warmed a bit. The wine was served in 'juice' glasses which was a cool touch of authentic Italian dining. The service was pleasant but not fancy. The semi-prominent gas fireplace 'doesn't work because we have no gas'. Okaay. Overall a decent place. The prices were ok and the pizza does have something special. Probably better for lunch or a weeknight than a Saturday night dinner.
(3)Jeremy K.
Not your delivery pie. Claiming to follow an 200 year old pizza recipe handed down by the gods or something, Porta Alba features a wood fired pizza oven right in the dining room. Tasty pie. A nice crust and not overbearing with the sauce and cheese. My date said that the sauce was too acidic but she's totally crazy. Still no Greenbush though.
(4)Eric T.
Not really such great pizza. They are trying to make authentic neapolitan pizza and even have a wood-fired oven, but the pizzas are pretty mediocre. If you can make a succulent margherita pizza, then you've earned your neapolitan stripes, but the margherita at this place is sodden and boring and you eat it just to make it gone. The place is just not up to speed. Lombardinos is far superior, and they don't even have a wood fired stove. Café Montemartre is also better, as is Natspil.
(2)chris m.
Nice atmosphere, Great pizza. A little slow on the service but worth it. Had a chance to speak with the owner/operator. Apparently the secret is in the dough. He lets it rise a gazillion times so the yeast is fully risen and doesn't make you bloated for hours after. Try it, it's true! The sauce is a simple tomato which is perfect. 4 stars because the espresso was...meh.
(4)Karen S.
I would give the pizza a solid 5 stars, but the service, as another reviewer indicated is horrible. Every time I wanted water I had to ask for it, and the waitress served us the wrong salads. In order to keep a business dinner running smoothly I had no choice but to ignore the waitresses gaffe. If they get new servers, this could be the best pizza in Madison, despite the relatively high prices.
(4)Laura N.
Amazing pizza!
(5)Sara B.
I'm not sure if this place's Napolitana cuisine is legit, but whatever kind of Italian it is, it's good! I took my mom here for a birthday lunch recently and we were both pleasantly surprised. The restaurant was only 1/4 full, and our service was very good. The menu is a bit limited if you don't like olives, goat cheese, or ham (like me), but there are still options. We decided to split a caprese salad and a vegetariana pizza, which turned out to be the perfect amount of food. The salad was fresh and tasty, and the veg pizza was very robust flavor-wise. We ordered a tirimisu for dessert, which was later taken off our bill when my mom casually mentioned it was her birthday. It was different from any other tirimisu I've had--not as strong espresso flavor, coated in chocolate--but still good. I'd go back soon (if I lived in Madison).
(4)Jonathan B.
This is the only place in town to get gnocchi done right. I had the gnocchi gorgonzola. The dumplings had the perfect texture and sauce was a nice compliment to it. I also enjoyed the atmosphere. It's a mix of modern design with classic pieces, such as the wood fire oven. They have a flat screen tv on the wall that does not play the sports game. Instead they play La Vita Dolce and play opera over the radio. The only downside was having to give my email to find out where there new location would be.
(5)Jen J.
Absolutely LOVE their pizza. Have been to Italy and this is the real deal. It can be noisy and crowded, but the pizza is well worth it. My husband and I won't eat any other pizza as none compare to Cafe Porta Alba.
(5)jennie b.
Yummers! Wood-fired pizza! Better than Pizza Brutta!
(4)Amy S.
The pizza and salad are incredible as is the fireplace. Again, I went here during lunch and it was not too packed.
(4)Pablo E.
Hellz yes. Pizza in 90 seconds. And very, very good pizza at that.
(4)R. G.
This place is terrific! Whenever I go back to Madison it is on my list of places I must go to for two reasons. First, the pizza is really good, and I particularly like the one that has a walnut puree on it (I think it is called the Alpina). My father is from Naples and I've visited several times. This place does Neapolitan pizza correctly. Thin crust that is chewy but fluffy around the edge. The second reason I like to go there is that it is a locally owned restaurant and the owner, Vincenzo, is a very nice guy. I met him when I went into the restaurant once to have some lunch. I was sitting alone and he came over to ask how everything was. He clearly cares about the experience of his guests. The only thing I don't like about the place is the location. I really preferred it when it was off Washington and you could walk there from the State St. area. Now it is right in the mall parking lot. Bummer. Oh, well, go there anyway. The food an ambiance inside are worth it.
(5)Bobby O.
Excellent Italian style (from a wood-burning oven) pizza...as good as it gets for that in Madison and the salads are great too...now that they have been open a while, they are in a nice groove, so get there early because it fills up...!
(5)Vickie M.
I never went to this place in its old location, but since it arrived at Hilldale I have been at least 6 times. Having eaten Neopolitan pizza in Naples, this is authentic, with the salty, chewy crust I remember and love. And I love the little bit of char on the bottom of the crust from the wood fired oven. However, American pizza it ain't. The amount of toppings is not what we are used to here - it is fair to say that they are sparse. Therefore, I always get the plain Margherita pizza with mozzarella, fresh clean tomato sauce, and a wee bit of basil. Once I tried the Regina (with buffalo mozz) but I didn't think it was better, so I save money and get the Margherita. The salads are very nice - creative mixes of ingredients, like figs and pear, with fresh greens and a little cheese. Since I have a thing for gnocchi, I did try it once (though they only serve it after 5:00). It was good, not great, and even though it came with what was called a gorgonzola sauce, I tasted only the 3 other cheeses - no gorgonzola. It was a bummer. For dessert, their Chocolate Truffle - a frozen custard/gelato ball - is quite good and very sweet. The nutella pizza wasn't what I was expecting. It's a pre-made pizza shell filled with nutella - I was hoping for a pizza with bubbling nutella right out of the oven. Oh well. The coffee is strong as can be, which I love. My kids love the pizza like I do (mostly for the great crust) so we will keep going back for it. Service is usually fine, but a couple of times it seems like the wait staff were wishing they were somewhere else, as in not waiting tables. The price is reasonable overall.
(4)