portaVia — Restaurant in Dalton

UPDATED Feb 16, 2024

We have been regulars at portaVia since they opened, but we are reconsidering our weekly dinners there.

The challenges we've been having lately are that a) the food has become increasingly inconsistent, and b) the cost of a meal there has become excessive...and is also inconsistent from one visit to the next.

The food can be great -- really great. And both the food and drink menu are "fun," playful in a way you really don't often find in the Pittsfield area. My wife and I have a number of favorites (chocolate martini, on-tap ciders, meatballs, chicken wings, Caprese salad, GF pizzas, Alfredo pasta, mushroom soup, etc.). However, lately our favorite dishes have become increasingly different from one visit to the next -- in their quality, taste, texture, and price. For example, the Alfredo pasta sauce may be creamy and light one day, cheesy and thick the next, salty the day after that, then more garlicky on the next visit. Likewise, the same pizza might have generous toppings, cheese, and sauce on one visit, then sparse toppings, cheese, and sauce on the next. It's often good eating, mind you...just seldom the same experience.

The pricing variations have been a little more concerning for us. Sometimes our bill has been $12 to $15 more for exactly the same meal and drinks we've ordered on a previous visit...with the prices not matching what is listed on the menu. Unfortunately, we have also noticed new up-charges for things that never cost extra before -- and on the one occasion we sent something back to the kitchen, we were charged for it anyway. When we catch a problem on our bill, Jay is always happy to fix it for us...but this has happened multiple times. Apart from the new variability of prices and up-charges, the already above-average menu prices have also begun to rise, with some changes not making a lot of sense (a glass of carbonated water from the soda dispenser is now inexplicably $4).

What has kept us coming back has been the really friendly and helpful service and festive atmosphere -- especially when Matty or Jimbo are serving at the bar. portaVia is an Italian restaurant, but has the noisy, cozy, gregarious feel of an Irish pub. When sitting at the bar, we often have conversations with friends and neighbors in the community, and have even made some new acquaintances. But....if we don't know what, exactly, will arrive on our plates each time we order...or how much, exactly, those meals will cost...it does take a bit of fun out our...

We have been to Porta Via many times now and it is outstanding. Porta Via is a smaller restaurant which allows them to focus on quality, quality, and most importantly, quality. Whatever the wing specials are the night you go, just get them. They'll be delicious. The pizza? I feel its the best in Berkshire County. It really is. The texture of the dough, the attention to detail in the way they bake it, and the flavors they put together are outstanding. My favorite is The Rocket Jam and it never disappoints. We've also sampled other items from their menu and we've always been very happy but I always go back to the pizza. Although, I was watching some pasta dishes come out of the kitchen tonight and I have to say I was envious! They looked incredible! I've always appreciated the effort they put into marrying flavors and it shows in the final product. The service? Always top notch, attentive, and professional. We have never had a bad night out at Porta Via and I always look...

Went here for the first time with my sister last spring and then had to go back on my most recent visit home a few weeks ago.

I know my sister loves this place and they keep going back. It is now one of my favorites in Western Mass as well.

Great service, amazing food and drinks, and the live music and atmosphere are wonderful.

I have liked everything I have tried here but...PAY ATTENTION.... THE MEATBALLS are a MUST ORDER. There is a place in the North End that makes amazing meatballs as well but these, THESE are perfection. I have never had better meatballs anywhere. Melt in your mouth, tender. Delicious.

The chicken wings as well are done so well. A tip, we order them extra crispy or a little extra charred (depending on the type we get).

You also need to get Pappas Grappa. A perfect house made infused grappa with raisins and other dried fruits.

Great time had with family sharing food and drink and conversations with owner James and...