In an old brick building along the old esplanade of Nelson Pde there is an old door. Behind this old door is a restaurant. The restaurant is
named 'Al Porto Vecchio' which means "The Old Port" disappointingly referring to the maritime history of
Williamstown, rather than any aged fortified namesake.
La porta di Al Porto
This restaurant has been around for some time (dare I say making it
old) and provides a decent feed at competitive rates. Though the eatery has an
Italian title and decorations to that end the cuisine isn't exclusive to this proud culinary nation. You can order a
pizza and pasta should you wish however - making the passing punter happy and appealing to the weekend Harley Davidson set frequenting the area - you can also get your typical pub grub such as steak, salt & pepper calamari and of course, the chicken Parmagiana.
The food of this licensed proprietor doesn't soar to any great heights, however you do get very good bang for your buck - observe the double parma I was treated to.
Al Porto Vecchio double parma
This goes doubly for breakfast time. Probably the cheapest big breakfast in the area is on offer on a Sunday and at $9.50; the full plate you get represents very good value for money. Cleverly averting any
dispute between which coffee you ordered they use porcelain instead of glass to serve their café lattes and flat whites.
Flat or fingers of foam?
They're also very generous with their condiments, so be warned should you select the Eggs Benedict. Fortunately I ordered my hollandaise on the side and thus was able to moderate my sauce distribution and hopefully put off the coronary bypass for an extra two or so weeks.
Hollandazed
The service is relaxed but efficient and you have your choice of seating out the front, watching the world go by, inside avoiding the world going by, or in the courtyard, forgetting the world is going by.
So if you're looking for gourmet, there's a
one or
two other places to go in the area, but if you're looking for a full stomach and a credit card not excessively assaulted, then this is your place.
Bang for your buck big breakfast
