What was once a place where toddlers ate their first bites of spaghetti is now one of Stone Harbor’s chicest new restaurants. The storefront at 9426 Third Avenue once housed Italian Marabella’s Family Restaurant for 50 years, where pictures of messy-faced kids eating pasta framed the walls. But after the owner retired in 2022, the space became another restaurant, Venezia, for just one season. The owners of Stone Harbor eatery Quahog’s Seafood Shack saw an opportunity for their new concept: La Porteña. The Argentinian-inspired boutique BYOB steakhouse opened in 2025.
Spouses Chef Lucas Manteca and Deanna Ebner’s new concept embraces the seasons and the farm-to-table offerings of the Jersey Shore region. “At La Porteña, our menu is a living, breathing thing—shaped by the seasons, the weather, our curiosities, creative impulses and even your requests,” the couple says.
The Concept
“La porteña” refers to a woman from Buenos Aires, Argentina, or a “port city woman.” (Buenos Aires is a major South American port city.) The name is a nod to Chef Manteca’s Argentine roots. Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Argentina and the bounty of South Jersey farms, Manteca and Ebener have created an intimate fine-dining experience in the heart of downtown Stone Harbor.
Designed by Ebner, La Porteña’s space embodies a vintage-meets-Shore vibe. The tables have a driftwood feel with pale blue, tan and white touches throughout the space. The restaurant’s sign, the flag of Argentina, is framed and proudly displayed. While there are two dining rooms, only one has a view of the large open-concept kitchen. Four stools create the “Chef’s Counter,” where a small group can gather (when it’s available, for $210 per person) to watch the talented kitchen staff in action.
The Execution at La Porteña
La Porteña is a place you can visit several times during the season without seeing the same menu. The prix fixe menu is offered at $90 per diner. Enjoy all of the starters (“picadas”). Then, choose a main from the stove or wood-fire grill as an entrée. Add upgrades and additions like Carolina crab and blue cheese crust or tallow-herbed fries (at an additional charge) before being served a set sweet treat at the end of the meal.
Chef Manteca lets the season and his ideas drive the selections, particularly the starters. During our visit, the beef empanada arrived first, followed by white fish and Jersey melon ceviche. Next was a gazpacho of tomato, burrata foam and basil oil. Finally, the sweet corn chowder was served with popcorn garnish, for a unique, savory and crunchy twist.
For the main, guests choose from grilled meats, fresh seafood, daily homemade pastas and farm-fresh vegetables. For those seeking the ultimate steak experience, La Porteña offers prime cuts of local Jersey cattle from Argentinean farms.
The Experience
The meal ends with a small, sweet dessert. During our visit, we were served a delicious compote of chocolate pudding with citrus soft cream. Save some of your wine for relaxing at the end of the meal.
Manteca and Ebener want all guests to have the opportunity to slow down, savor the food and make memories at La Porteña. They say: “It’s our commitment that every guest who walks through our doors leaves with a full heart and a smile.”
La Porteña
9426 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ
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