Gathering Notes: Alice Rusotti & Francesca del Balzo of PORTA
On lifelong friendship, investing in your homeware, and building community
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Happy happy Thursday! If you celebrated Easter, I hope you had a wonderful time filled with all the delicious lunch treats and that you nabbed a serious stash of chocolate. And if it was just another weekend for you, I hope it was refreshing and sun-filled.
It’s another installment of Gathering Notes, the column where I chat with folks who are in the business of gathering. We’ll talk about their creative process, their relationship to food, how they find fulfillment in their craft, and of course, how gathering inspires them to build.
Today we are chatting wtih Alice Russotti and Francesca del Balzo, the inspiring duo behind PORTA, a charming home goods boutique located on beautiful Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn. Step into the store and you can see the pair’s love of artisan goods, their exceptional expertise and style when it comes to curating collections, their Italian roots, and English upbringings. Their previous work experience with Alice cutting her teeth at art houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s, and Francesca as an early hire at online retailer Moda Operandi, has been instrumental in selecting and curating the artisans that they work with to procure novel pieces and collections.
Their quaint and light-filled space reminds me of the adorable shops in London or Rome, where you’d pick up a unique coffee mug that makes breakfast more enjoyable or a plate to add to your mother’s already impressive collection.
Stick around to hear more about their philosophy in curating pieces for dining rituals, the secret to being a good host, and the meal that sparked the idea for the business!
Also, the PORTA team is giving Friends in Food (that’s you!) a discount code to spend in the shop. Use ABENAFRIEND15 at checkout for 15% off your purchase! I’ll share some of my favourites below, and I want to see what you’re eyeing!
Let’s dig in!
This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Where did you grow up, and how did food show up in your life?
Alice: Growing up in London, my mother and grandmother shaped my relationship to food. My mother was raised in this big, traditional Italian family with six children, and my grandmother was always feeding people. She used to have a pasta shop in Soho along with her mom, and although it had a tragic ending, being bombed in World War II, she would share memories and the books she saved from the shop.
Every Sunday, my grandmother would host lunch at her place and all the cousins would stop by. You could smell the food coming up the street(we don’t tell her that)! She would make three courses, that were delicious, big, and really filling. Eggplant Parmigiana was her specialty, and she made the best homemade ice cream.
Francesca: I also grew up in London with an Italian father who grew up in Rome and a half-English, half-American mother. Much like Alice, weekend lunches were also a big part of my childhood. My American-turned-English grandmother, even down to the accent, would host these long lunches where the whole family was dressed nicely and showing off their good manners.
If it wasn’t lunch at our house, my parents had a group of best friends with whom we would spend time, and I have these fond memories of all the children running around after lunch. I always enjoyed the dichotomy between a formal setting and then getting to be free after. It’s a fun interaction between food and gathering and just an expression of playful, abundant joy.
The idea of PORTA came about at a meal you shared. Tell us about that momentous occasion and how it sparked a business.
Alice: I would say the decision happened over the course of a few meals. We were both in the Hamptons, and it was during that period of COVID where we were all like “Should we see each other?” We sat apart from each other at the beach, sandwiches in hand, and started talking about doing something different and the desire to move away from our current roles. When we got back to the city, we decided to keep chatting!
At Colonie, over pasta and wine al fresco, Francesca told me that she had been thinking about this concept, and while she was eager to do it, she just didn’t want to do it alone. So I said I’d do it! To make sure it wasn’t just the wine talking, we got breakfast at Sunday in Brooklyn. We shook hands and off we went!
I love our relationship in that we are straightforward and honest with each other. I have a deep admiration for Francesca’s style and approach, which has been instrumental to our creatively open dynamic.
Francesca: I’ll also add that we’ve known each other forever! Our parents are best friends and live on the same street in London, we both went to the same college stateside, and we always found a chance to connect anytime we were in the same city. I think our history also gave us the confidence to take this leap in working together and embark on this adventure together. It’s been a delight, we have such a lovely dyanimc, there’s a mutual respect, and I think it’s thanks to our friendship!
Francesca, you worked in the fashion world at Moda Operandi before starting Porta. What were some lessons from your time in fashion that you think have been instrumental to building this business?
Francesca: I was number two on the creative production team during my six years there, and I built out all of the production for our photo shoots across the four major runway cities—New York, Milan, Paris, and London. I was really young at the time, and being part of a small company in its early days, with someone like Lauren Santo Domingo at the helm, was both inspiring and incredibly formative.
As a producer, you’re constantly put in situations where you need to be nimble—finding creative solutions and bringing ideas to life under pressure. That period taught me so much. It gave me confidence, leadership skills, and a network of friends and collaborators who made work genuinely enjoyable. Most importantly, it showed me that with the right attitude, anything is possible. All of that has carried over to building PORTA—it’s what makes it such a joy to roll up our sleeves, get things done, and create something meaningful.
Alice, I’d love to hear about your time in the art world. What role do you think art and design play when it comes to the craftsmanship around homeware?
Alice: When I first started out in the art world, I worked in auction houses—spaces that often felt quite removed from the artists themselves. While I learned a lot, I always felt like something was missing. Later on, I moved into curation, producing installations and exhibitions. That shift allowed me to work directly with artists, helping to bring their visions to life while staying nimble and collaborative. I’ve definitely carried those experiences into my work at PORTA.
I see craft as a form of art—one that’s both repeatable and deeply functional. At PORTA, we work closely with our artists to curate objects that not only reflect the maker’s skill and intention, but also feel considered and expressive. Every detail matters. In many ways, each product becomes its own kind of mini installation, and I feel a real sense of pride when we see it all come together.
I really love that this concept of elevating everyday rituals with quality items, and I think PORTA embodies this so well. Why do you believe it’s important to invest in the pieces that we use for everyday eating and cooking?
Alice: The things that you have around you and use affect you mentally and impact how you go about your day. When I think about my morning coffee, I want to have it in a cup or mug that really encourages me to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty and craft behind that piece. It should make you feel good. The practice of selecting items for your home, whether it’s placemats or plateware for hosting, sets the scene for your life. So, it’s important to pick things that you have a connection to, and it doesn’t have to be anything grand, as long as you feel good.
Your store in Brooklyn is adorable! It’s inviting, I love the dinner table set-up as a fun display to show your wares. How did you think about the design of the space and the shopper experience?
Alice: Both of us being from London, we had this nostalgia for the neighborhood shop that had this feel of domesticity. It was the type of place where you’d pop in to get gifts for friends but also pick up plates that you’d use around the home. We wanted the shop to be a location for discovery and wanted to create an experience that felt like stepping into someone’s home.
Francesca: We worked with an amazing interior designer and architect, Giancarlo Valle, who focuses on lived-in interior spaces. Creating a neutral space that spans a range of tastes makes it very easy for people to imagine what these objects could look like in their home.
We have this beautiful garden space at the shop where we can host cocktail parties and have people around. Alice and I frequently turn to each other and say, “Should we throw a party?”. Having this space has been another fun place for us to have people around. We are always hatching plans on how we can bring people together.
What I love about Porta is how rooted you are in community, from hosting events to featuring local tastemakers in your newsletter. Why is it important to invest in community when building a business, and what impact have you seen?
Francesca: Community is all about integrity and fostering genuine connection. We’re so fortunate to have our shop on a street filled with fellow business owners who are always ready to support one another. It’s been amazing to realize how much we share—not just challenges, but a commitment to lifting each other. We even have a WhatsApp group where we trade tips, like the best handyman to call when the ceiling caves in!
Alice: Our community constantly inspires us! We’re surrounded by so many thoughtful and creative people, and we love coming up with ideas together. That energy has been instrumental in growing Porta. As our network expands, we’re gaining new perspectives on food, dining, and hospitality—things we might never have considered otherwise.
We recently hosted an intimate pasta party with some of our chef friends, and it was pure joy to be in a room full of people who are truly obsessed with food. Creating a space where we can connect, collaborate, and just have real conversations with like-minded creatives is exactly what Porta is all about.
Francesca: And I have to shout out the Re: agency for helping us grow that network! They’re so intentional with their guest lists, and you can feel that at every event. There’s always a real sense of curiosity and care at the table—honest, dynamic conversations that remind us why we love doing this.
How do you approach hosting at home?
Alice: Working on PORTA has made me want to host more at home. Not just because of the lovely pieces that we’ve curated, but also in our messaging, we want people to enjoy the art of gathering and to have as much as they can with hosting.
My husband and I love hosting these drink parties at our home in Brooklyn. We open our doors up to neighbours and friends to come, we have lots of food and people just serve themselves, everyone is roaming around, sitting on the couch, or hanging out in the kitchen.
In the summer, I love being outside. We have a small cabin upstate, and when friends stop by, we like to have a long lunch that typically rolls into dinner. No matter when we host, it’s really important for the food to be abundant, fresh, nourishing, and delicious. Nothing fussy!
Francesca: When hosting a large crowd, a bartender is non-negotiable. I want to enjoy myself, my company, and not be frantically running around topping up everyone’s drinks. I’ll acknowledge that it’s a massive privilege, but I’m so fortunate to be able to do this, and it makes hosting more enjoyable.
My husband is the chef, and I’m in charge of the decor. It’s nice having our silos. We like to keep the menu simple with big salads and pastas. On warmer nights, he’ll fire up this old-school Argentine grill, and he’ll spend hours tending to the fire with lots of vegetables, fish, and meats. I like to focus on the table, picking flowers, and the right tablecloth that brings the whole meal together.
You also carry some impressive vintage wares, from silverware to old school glassware. What sparked the decision to include these treasures? How do you think about sustainability when it comes to your business?
Alice: I think incorporating secondhand pieces—items that have had past lives—adds so much charm to a home. They can be just as delightful as something brand new. Sustainability is always on our minds, and our pieces are really meant to be purchased with longevity in mind.
We’re definitely not a throwaway shop. We think carefully about sustainability, including our packaging, which we're currently reevaluating. It’s an ongoing consideration for us, especially since, as a business that sells physical products, there’s always that tension to navigate.
That’s part of what makes vintage silver so special—it’s a beautiful reminder that something crafted in, say, 1824 can still be used and appreciated on a modern table today.
Francesca: Just to riff on that point a bit—take something like a vintage milk jug. Originally, it was meant to serve cream in a beautifully set tea service, part of this elegant, complete set. But then, we placed a simple bouquet of tulips inside and set it on a side mantle, and suddenly, it became a piece of art.
I think that kind of reinterpretation—seeing new possibilities for how vintage items can be used—is something we love encouraging people to explore.
With the tariffs on foreign goods coming into effect, how does this impact your bottom line and the nature of your business?
Francesca: As a small and young business, this change has a very real impact on our bottom line. We work closely with small-scale European producers to bring our audience a tightly curated selection of tableware that prioritizes tradition, craftsmanship, and quality—so there isn’t much room to maneuver when costs rise.
Our margins are already conservative, and our producers operate at fair, often non-negotiable pricing that reflects the integrity and labor of their work. With tariffs now in effect, we’re actively working through how to adapt in an environment that’s both unpredictable and constantly shifting.
Over the coming days, weeks, and months, we’ll need to remain flexible and thoughtful about where and how these added costs are absorbed. Realistically, the burden will likely need to be shared—between us, our producers, and our customers. It's not easy, but we’re committed to staying transparent, responsive, and true to the values that shape our business so that we can make it through this storm.
What are some pieces you’re loving in the store right now? And what do you wish to be carrying in the future?
Alice: We’re currently loving our hand-painted Catalina and Esmerelda dinnerware—they’ve been such a hit with our customers that we had to reorder almost immediately after the first shipment arrived! We’re also having a bit of a moment with salt and pepper—small but impactful accents that bring lightness and charm to the table.
As for what we’d love to carry in the future, the list is long—but right now, we’re especially interested in expanding into small objects for the home. Think: beautifully made trays, letter holders, blotters for the desk... even the perfect doorstop or a set of sculptural bookends. Quiet details that bring form and function together, and live beautifully beyond the table.
What does being a friend in food mean to you?
Alice: Nourishment. A friend in food makes me think of someone coming over and thinking about what they need.
Francesca: Connecting. Whether it’s one-on-one time or having a huge dinner party, it’s all about creating nurturing spaces where the focus is on connecting with your loved ones around a good meal.
Thank you to Shannon Loughran and Piper Brecher of Re: Agency for their support!
Your Friend in Food Selects for PORTA
These egg cups will bring some brightness to soldiers ( that’s British for a breakfast of soft-boiled eggs and thin strips of toast). And you can scoop up those golden yolks with these adorable spoons. This set of bowls will come in handy for everyday eating or even apertivo hour. Think of all the dips, olives, soups, savory oatmeal, or even a bowl of late-night ice cream. In this house, we stan Alessi and how cool would this striking kettle be on the corner of your stove.
Stepping into hosting mode, this radicchio platter would (ironically) be great for a sweet treat like a berry-topped pavlova. Sticking on theme, this patterned blue one would be great for a big piece of fish or Ina’s cherry tomato pasta. Lay out these radicchio salt and pepper shakers in case anyone needs more flavor.
Fun candles in this deep jade candelabra will make for moody lighting and could be a vibrant element to your living room or as a centerpiece on the dining table.
If anything catches your eye, use ABENAFRIEND15 for a 15% discount on future PORTA pieces.
That’s it for this edition of Gathering Notes! Do you know any folks who are in the business of gathering and love chatting about food? Send them my way!
Eat well and be well!
Your friend in food,
Abena
One of my favorite shops in Brooklyn. No wonder it feels so welcoming - when you run a shop with your childhood friend!!!