La Porta Restaurant

Amazing restaurant with plenty of gluten-free menu options that are heavenly

Stopped here after a round of Golf at Glenn Mills (has no bar.) Considered some of the "usual suspects" like Whelihan's, but this spot was recommended, and less than 10 minutes away. FAR exceeded our expectations. Tuscan fries were REAL hand-cut with strips of eggplant and zucchini.. treated with Aioli, Balsamic Reduction, Parmigiano. Hot and ADDICTIVE. Got a second order... likewise the spicy wood-fired "Bufala" wings... Spicy Orange Marsala Glaze, Gorgonzola, Apricot & Almond were unlike anything we'd ever experienced. Decided to try the spicy mussels, which were fresh and tender and just garlicky enough. Corstini were provided to sop up the sauce. Calimari were delicate, and delicious with tempura fried veggies. Had to try a dessert, and my Celiac-suffering buddy went for the flourless chocolate cake, topped with a few raspberries that cut the richness of the dark chocolate. Considering this was a bar menu, no more expensive than the chains, I consider this a hidden treasure. Great variety of drinks at reasonable prices, especially for the generous pours. Mature (but still attractive) all-female bartending staff teamed up and ensured we were never wanting for anything. Charming ladies. Will definitively return for dinner. If the bar foods are any indication of the talents of the kitchen staff, I'm certain the dinner menu will be outstanding.

Convinced my family to come here because the owner is intimately familiar with gluten free, which I require. Sadly, my “gluten free” gnocchi came with multiple strands of regular spaghetti. I was told the gluten free gnocchi had been cooked in water used for regular pasta. When I received a fresh dish, I was assured it was cooked in a separate pot, however, not trusting the protocols, I did not eat it. Cooking gluten free pasta in a separate pot should be the standard, not an afterthought when someone finds regular pasta in their dish, that would most certainly have ill effects if consumed.