Young, driven and ambitious are just a few words we’d use to describe this month’s First Friday feature, Arielle Horneck. At only 25 years young, Arielle is Porta and Brickwall’s Regional Manager. She and her team have certainly been quick to make a name for themselves as Porta has been featured in The New York Times, Tasting Table AND Food Network.
As the Porta prepares to celebrate their one year anniversary in Midtown Village, Arielle sits down with us to share her track to success. Find out where it all began and the details on each of these new Philadelphia restaurants.
Philly PR Girl (PPRG): Congratulations on all of your success! Take us to the beginning. Share with us where it all began before making your mark in the culinary industry.
Arielle Horneck (AH): In 2011, I started hosting at our very first Porta in Asbury Park. At 17 years old, I knew I wanted to grow with this company and learn anything there was to know to do so. For the year and a half that I worked in the Asbury Park location, I trained and worked in every front of house position. I soon fell even more in love with food throughout this time, which lead to applying and attending the International Culinary Center in New York City.
PPRG: What was your next move after culinary school?
AH: When I graduated Culinary School, I became the General Manager of The Monk Room. It’s a smaller version of Porta, where I had been assisting my General Manager while in school. There, I learned what it meant be accountable for employees, customers, and a restaurant space as a leader. At the same time, I was offered the General Manager position for our Jersey City location. That’s where I worked with the construction team in building Porta Jersey City—set to be our biggest restaurant space to date. I was a 21-year-old General Manager, taking on a new city, restaurant, and staff while the city was beginning to gentrify. Though The Monk Room has a special place in my heart, Jersey City Porta was a true test of my growth.
PPRG: How did you find your way into overseeing some of the largest restaurants in Philadelphia—Center City’s Porta and Brickwall?*
AH: In the spring of 2017, I was offered to come open Porta and Brickwall Philadelphia. I still remember the exact day! It was May 31st, I walked into Cella Luxuria (the furniture store formerly in that space) and immediately cried. I envisioned the space becoming our restaurants, and I felt the love and culture even while there were still sofas in the space. It was PERFECT. I moved to Philadelphia in October of 2017, and I worked with the development team. Working on the construction side of the restaurant was a first for me. I was able to learn how to lead the union workers and set up a restaurant from scratch. We opened our doors to the City of Brotherly Love in January 2018. While the restaurant was operating, I was also doing the construction management for Brickwall Philadelphia. This was extremely exciting to me as this was my first time ever opening a Brickwall. The process was a roller coaster ride, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.
PPRG: What can guests expect the first time they step into Porta?
AH: When walking into either of our restaurants, guests can expect to feel the love our company prides ourselves on. The welcoming atmosphere and the friendly staff truly make our restaurants feel like home. In big cities, with constant volume it’s easy to lose that homey, hospitable vibe. We strive to keep that energy alive no matter what circumstance. As for Porta, picture a high ceilings with a skylight that brightens the whole space on its own.There’s a graffiti wall, called our self-expression wall, filled with people and memories that have gotten us to where we are today. Porta takes up 12,000 sq. ft. of the building, so expectations can always turn into a surprise. Our core purpose is World Peace. Our intentions are always to bring people together for a good time, and what’s better than pizza to support us in that movement.
PPRG: Tell us more about Brickwall Tavern!
AH: Brickwall Tavern is American comfort food and craft beer focused. The process this time around was a lot easier for me because of everything I learned prior to this. When we opened the doors in May, it was a game changer. It allowed us to receive more foot traffic and show what we offer as a restaurant group. You can expect an enormous open dining room with red sexy booths. The Annex holds another bar and a room full of games. Brickwall Tavern is a place we built around feeling like a safe place. Our core purpose is the practical pig. It’s that place that you know you can go to any time of day, any day a week, in a snowstorm, or Christmas evening… you name it, we’re open!
PPRG: Being a young woman in a leadership role, what challenges have you encountered in the industry and how have you overcome them?
AH: Many of my challenges are ones that come from within. I believe that the training is never over. No matter how much experience I have, I am always open minded to what I can learn from other people. In having this mindset, I’ve gained a lot of respect from coworkers, employees and my employers. Trust me, there was a time before this point where I thought I knew everything… it wasn’t as fun, or easy.
PPRG: Speaking of those relationships, how would you describe your connection with the people you work with?
AH: Porta is my family. In 2014, I received a phone call that my brother Tyler’s life was tragically taken. My family lived in Central Jersey, while I was living in Jersey City. I felt lost, as if my whole world was taken from me and my family. When nearly 50 of my employees showed up to the services, I knew I had a home at Jersey City Porta—we all had a home in each other. This was a turning point in my career, and as most people would fall behind, I pushed forward. This showed me that this company was like no other. The environment, the morale, and the love we created through Porta has followed wherever we’ve decided to open.
PPRG: That is awe-inspiring. We also like to think of Philly PR Girl as a family. As professional women, a lot of people also ask us this… How do you do it all and keep a work-life balance?
AH: Starting my career at Smith Group so young, I was introduced to so many new experiences and opportunities. I have designed my life to not be half-work and half-play, but to live a life of fulfillment and peace. What motivates me the most is my brother Tyler. He always admired my work ethic and compassion for people. I keep him in my thoughts every day and start my day by making him proud.
PPRG: What’s one of the most memorable lessons you’ve learned so far in your career?
AH: I remember training alongside team members on our philosophy called Fish Bird. We describe this as not something you can process or do, but a shock wave to ride. You realize everything is made up and that there are no answers. To truly transform yourself or something, you must be open to the world of imagination. Fish Bird is my favorite part about working at Smith because it is the reason behind our restaurants. It’s what pushes me and the teams to set goals that seem close to impossible. Working so closely with the Fish Bird team built me up as a leader and showed my true strengths. Now, I can talk to groups of strangers and make a difference in their lives. I’ve realized I can shift a room with enrollment and trust, thanks to the lessons I learned from Fish Bird.
PPRG: What advice do you have for others looking to break into the culinary and management industry?
AH: My advice would be to not treat it like a job and to be light. Our job is to throw a party. We are here for the people, and the people come for us. With all the obstacles in a day-to-day at a restaurant, it’s easy to resort to stress or become emotional. I continuously remind myself to be present, and remember who we’re here for—the people.
PPRG: That’s such a good philosophy to apply to everything! Where can we find you in Philly when you’re not running a massive pizzeria?
AH: I always try to make the most out of my time when I’m not working. I love spontaneous trips to a new place or even an old one. I also enjoy cooking, concerts, anything involving champagne, good company, my French Bulldog, and sunflowers. My favorite places in Philly are Boku, Jaime French Bakery, Double Knot, and a Sunday at Garage Fishtown.
Stay up to date with Arielle Horneck’s hardworking efforts by following Porta on their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, as well as Brickwall Tavern on their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. We hope to see you there for their next delicious event!
* Porta and Brickwall Philadelphia are clients of Philly PR Girl.
