TRATTORIA L'incontro

21-76 31st Street

Astoria, Queens, New York

1-718-721-3532

 

Absolutely a must do and worth going over the bridge for if you live in Manhattan. The restaurant is  traditional looking but warm and cozy feeling, with lovely art work and Italian background music as well. On most Wednesday nights, Mary is in the smaller side room playing Italian love songs, while you are sipping wine and feasting on divine dishes.

 

I have never heard of a list of specials of the evening that is so long, and each dish is prepared from scratch with the finest ingredients from either local farmers or special imports. The Owner/Chef  Rocco Sacramone is a true food artist, each dish is presented beautifully and made lovingly.

 

Even for starters they present you with a sundried tomato puree with great flat bread for dipping, they keep bringing it to you as it goes down so smooth and easy.   The salads are great and the mista salad I love is loaded with interesting olives. The choices of fishes is unlimited, as are the various pasta dishes and meats.  As an example one dish they pride themselves on is

Mezza Luna, which is a  half moon shaped ravioli filled  with mascarpone cheese and pesto with added  asparagus, brandy and a  walnut sauce. It gets better, trust me. You can also eat light, with simple grilled fish, or a flatbread pizza.

 

The prices are more than fair and its a total dining experience. Vinnie the GM is wonderful and really knows his customers and just so warm and friendly. There is also free valet parking as well.  Also very close to the N & Q trains. Don't miss this dining experience...