Welcome Party Restaurant in Forest Hills, Queens
Give a warm Queens welcome with an abundant Italian feast in Forest Hills.
A Forest Hills Tradition for Welcome Parties
Portofino Ristorante on Ascan Avenue has hosted Queens welcome parties for over fifty years, offering families and neighbors a warm Italian setting to greet new arrivals, a neighborhood Italian landmark on Ascan Avenue where authentic cuisine and warm hospitality have welcomed celebrating families for generations.
A welcome party at Portofino is an abundant Italian feast that gives a warm Queens welcome to new neighbors, visiting relatives, or returning family members. Our dining room, with its Italian coastal murals and warm mirrored glow, sets a welcoming stage for introductions, toasts, and the joy of greeting someone new. Our staff attends with care so the hosts and their guests can simply enjoy the moment.
New Neighbors & Returning Family
Welcome parties at Portofino greet new neighbors, visiting relatives, or returning family members with the warmth and abundance of an Italian feast. Tell us the occasion and we will tailor the celebration.
Abundant Family-Style Sharing
Welcome parties often feature abundant family-style antipasti and heaping plates of handmade pasta, encouraging sharing and conversation as hosts and guests come together.
A Warm Queens Venue for Your Welcome Party
Our Forest Hills dining room accommodates welcome parties from intimate gatherings of fifteen to larger celebrations of sixty or more. The banquet area, with its warm lighting and Italian charm, transforms beautifully for welcome decor and toasts.
Located on Ascan Avenue in the heart of Forest Hills, Portofino is convenient for hosts and their guests traveling from across Queens, Long Island, and Manhattan. The Forest Hills transit hub is steps away, and parking is available nearby for your welcome party.
Custom Welcome Party 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 welcome party menu. Add a Prosecco toast, curated wine pairings, and a dessert presentation for the guest of honor.
What Your Welcome Party Includes
Every welcome party at Portofino is tailored to the hosts and their guest of honor, but most gatherings include the following elements that have defined our Forest Hills hospitality for half a century.
Welcoming Antipasti
Begin with a generous antipasti spread as hosts and guests arrive, perfect for mingling and introductions before the seated dinner begins.
Fresh Pasta & Main Courses
A fresh handmade pasta course and main courses follow, served family-style to encourage sharing and conversation among the hosts and their guests.
Dessert Presentation
Finish with our roaming dessert tray presentation and a candlelit treat for the guest of honor, presented with care to welcome them in style.
Plan Your Welcome Party at Portofino
Booking your welcome party 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 fifteen close friends or sixty neighbors and family, our event coordinator will craft a warm Italian experience tailored to your guest of honor and your celebration. We look forward to welcoming your loved one the Italian way, right here in Forest Hills.
Request a Quote for Your Welcome Partie
Tell us about your event and our coordinator will craft a personalized Italian experience tailored to your celebration, your guests, and your budget.
Welcome Parties at Portofino — Your Questions Answered
How many guests can Portofino accommodate for a welcome party?
Our Forest Hills dining room seats welcome parties from intimate gatherings of fifteen to larger celebrations of sixty or more. Full-room reservations are available for bigger parties. Contact our coordinator to discuss your guest count.
Do you host welcome parties for new neighbors and returning family?
Yes. Welcome parties at Portofino greet new neighbors, visiting relatives, or returning family members with the warmth and abundance of an Italian feast. Tell us the occasion and we will tailor the celebration.
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 welcome party menus are also available.
Is the food served family-style for welcome parties?
Welcome parties often feature abundant family-style antipasti and heaping plates of handmade pasta to encourage sharing and conversation, though plated multi-course service is also available.
Do you offer a Prosecco toast for the guest of honor?
Yes. We can arrange a complimentary or custom Prosecco toast for the guest of honor, along with curated Italian wine pairings. Our daily happy hour from 5 to 7 PM also offers 50% off wine and beer for early-arriving guests.
Is Portofino convenient for out-of-town welcome party guests?
Portofino is located on Ascan Avenue in Forest Hills, steps from the Forest Hills transit hub, with parking available nearby. Hosts and guests traveling from across Queens, Long Island, and Manhattan find us easy to reach.
Can we bring a custom dessert for the guest of honor?
Yes. You are welcome to bring a custom dessert or cake for the guest of honor, and our staff will present it alongside our roaming dessert tray. We also offer our own Italian dessert presentations.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions for welcome party 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 welcome party?
Yes. Full-room reservations are available for larger welcome parties, allowing you to transform the space with decor. Book early to secure your preferred date.
How far in advance should I book a welcome party?
For welcome parties, we recommend booking one to three weeks in advance, depending on the size of the party and whether you need a full-room reservation. Contact our coordinator to secure your date.