First Communion Party Restaurant in Forest Hills, Queens
A blessed family gathering honoring your child's First Holy Communion in Forest Hills.
A Forest Hills Tradition for First Communion Celebrations
Portofino Ristorante on Ascan Avenue has hosted Queens First Communion celebrations for over fifty years, offering families a warm Italian setting to honor this sacred milestone, a neighborhood Italian landmark on Ascan Avenue where authentic cuisine and warm hospitality have welcomed celebrating families for generations.
A First Communion celebration at Portofino is a blessed family gathering with a traditional multi-course Italian luncheon that follows the ceremony. Our dining room, with its Italian coastal murals and warm mirrored glow, sets a celebratory stage for toasts to the child and the family that supported them. Our staff attends with care so the family can simply enjoy this sacred day.
Honoring the Sacred Milestone
We work closely with families to honor the spiritual significance of First Communion, coordinating timing around the ceremony and seating for honored family members. Tell us your family's traditions and we will help weave them into the celebration.
Traditional Multi-Course Luncheons
First Communion celebrations at Portofino typically feature a traditional multi-course Italian luncheon, with antipasti, fresh handmade pasta, main courses, and a dessert presentation for the child.
A Warm Queens Venue for Your Communion Celebration
Our Forest Hills dining room accommodates First Communion celebrations from intimate family gatherings of twenty to larger celebrations of sixty or more. The banquet area, with its warm lighting and Italian charm, transforms beautifully for communion decor and family toasts.
Located on Ascan Avenue in the heart of Forest Hills, Portofino is convenient for the family traveling from across Queens, Long Island, and Manhattan. The Forest Hills transit hub is steps away, and parking is available nearby for your communion celebration.
Custom Communion Menus
Choose from our Package 1 and Package 2 multi-course banquet menus for predictable per-person pricing, or work with our coordinator to design a custom communion menu. Add a dessert presentation and custom touches for the child.
What Your Communion Celebration Includes
Every First Communion celebration at Portofino is tailored to the family, but most luncheons include the following elements that have defined our Forest Hills hospitality for half a century.
Welcoming Antipasti
Begin with a generous antipasti spread as family arrives from the ceremony, perfect for mingling and toasts before the seated luncheon begins.
Fresh Pasta & Main Courses
A fresh handmade pasta course and main courses follow, served to encourage sharing and celebration among the family gathered to honor the child.
Dessert Presentation for the Child
Finish with our roaming dessert tray presentation and a candlelit treat for the child, presented with care to honor their First Holy Communion.
Plan Your Communion Celebration at Portofino
Booking your First Communion celebration at Portofino Ristorante begins with a conversation. Tell us about your event and our coordinator will craft a personalized Italian experience tailored to your celebration, your guests, and your budget. For immediate assistance, call us directly at (718) 261-1239.
Whether you are gathering twenty close family members or sixty friends, our event coordinator will craft a warm Italian experience tailored to the child and your family's traditions. We look forward to honoring this sacred milestone the Italian way, right here in Forest Hills.
Request a Quote for Your Communion Celebration
Tell us about your event and our coordinator will craft a personalized Italian experience tailored to your celebration, your guests, and your budget.
Communion Celebrations at Portofino — Your Questions Answered
How many guests can Portofino accommodate for a First Communion?
Our Forest Hills dining room seats First Communion celebrations from intimate family gatherings of twenty to larger celebrations of sixty or more. Full-room reservations are available for bigger parties. Contact our coordinator to discuss your guest count.
Can you coordinate timing around the communion ceremony?
Yes. We work closely with families to time the luncheon around the communion ceremony, including seating for honored family members. Share your ceremony schedule with our coordinator when you book.
Are there set banquet packages with per-person pricing?
Yes. Our Package 1 and Package 2 multi-course banquet menus offer set per-person pricing with antipasti, fresh pasta, salad, main course, and dessert. Custom communion menus are also available.
Are First Communion celebrations hosted as luncheons?
Yes. First Communion celebrations at Portofino are typically hosted as traditional multi-course Italian luncheons following the ceremony, though evening celebrations are also available.
Can we bring a custom dessert for the child?
Yes. You are welcome to bring a custom dessert or cake for the child, and our staff will present it alongside our roaming dessert tray. We also offer our own Italian dessert presentations.
Is Portofino convenient for out-of-town communion guests?
Portofino is located on Ascan Avenue in Forest Hills, steps from the Forest Hills transit hub, with parking available nearby. Family traveling from across Queens, Long Island, and Manhattan find us easy to reach.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions for communion guests?
We happily accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests, including gluten-free pasta. Inform our coordinator of any allergies or dietary needs in advance and we will tailor the menu accordingly.
Can we reserve the whole dining room for a communion?
Yes. Full-room reservations are available for larger First Communion celebrations, allowing you to transform the space with decor. Book early to secure your preferred date, especially during communion season.
Do you host communion celebrations on weekends?
Yes. First Communion celebrations are typically hosted on weekend afternoons following the ceremony. Weekend dates book quickly during communion season, so reserve early.
How far in advance should I book a First Communion?
Communion season is busy, so we recommend booking as early as possible, ideally three to four weeks in advance, to secure your preferred date, especially for weekend celebrations.