Restaurant
Of The Week
By Teresa Barile
Buon Appetit Deli And Caterers—Quality At A Great Price

Home of the specialty sandwich, Buon Appetit features some 70 varieties of handmade sandwiches and the list keeps growing. Bring a huge appetite when you order one of their colossal heroes, skillfully constructed by the crew and served fresh as can be. In keeping with the times, some new heroes have been added, one being the "Susie Q" hero. This hefty sandwich combines grilled chicken, grilled eggplant, mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and fried peppers at the amazingly low price of just $5. My new favorite hero is the "Soprano" which piles tasty grilled portobello mushroom, arugula, smoked mozzarella and chicken atop crusty Italian bread. There’s even a "Sammy the Bull" hero but I can’t discuss the ingredients with you or else. Even though the Giants lost the Superbowl, you’ll be a winner when you try the new "Giants hero" packed full of delicious ingredients. While most delis do prepare six-foot heroes, Buon Appetit goes a step further and offers six-foot heroes in any variety, not just plain cold cuts. A six-foot hot hero, featuring meat, chicken or sausage with all the toppings you desire, makes a complete meal at your next informal gathering, especially when accompanied by their delicious, fresh salads. Normally closed on Sundays, owner John Morana opened on Superbowl Sunday to prepare 45 such heroes.

No wonder Buon Appetit is packed with hungry customers at lunchtime. For the past 16 years, Morana, with his crew and chef, have been serving the Queens community, drawing steady clientele from LaGuardia Airport, TWA, United airlines, Rikers Island, Con Edison, Citibank and the New York City Fire Department. Morana’s home-style approach to food pays off for his customers in ways that will make your mouth water. Only the finest ingredients are used, including Madre Sicilia olive oil from Sicily, as well as fine roasted peppers, vinegars and olives. Buon Appetit’s special varieties of oils and vinegars has been packaged so you can bring those great flavors home with you.

In addition to their famous heroes, Buon Appetit also makes a daily array of hot entrees to take home for lunch or dinner. I highly recommend their homemade rice balls, prepared Sicilian style with ground beef and peas in the center and crispy golden on the outside. Morana’s Italian style meatloaf is delicious, with chopped portobello mushrooms in the mixture. Served with mixed vegetables or roasted potatoes, this makes a hearty meal at lunch or dinner. Also try their linguine with white clam sauce or fresh, sautéed broccoli rabe. Don’t cook tonight. Instead, pick up a number of homemade entrees that the whole family will enjoy. The stuffed flounder has shrimp wrapped inside the flaky fish, topped with fresh tomato and garlic. Buon Appetit also makes a wonderful roasted pork for hot plates or for layering into sandwiches.

With an extensive catering menu, featured in this week’s paper, it’s easy to see why so many families and businesses have chosen Buon Appetit to cater their luncheons, dinners and private events. Morana can do anything from a simple buffet to a complete, soup to nuts, sit-down dinner for hundreds. Buon Appetit has been named among Queens’ most successful caterers, customizing menus to suit every need. Remember them for your upcoming anniversary, communion, confirmation or graduation party and you’ll have time to enjoy your guests while they do all the cooking and serving. Call John Morana for more details and a complete catering menu. The prices are very reasonable and the food is so delicious that even your fussiest guest will enjoy it.

For world class sandwiches, hot entrees, Italian specialties and superb catering at very reasonable prices, visit Buon Appetit on Ditmars Boulevard between 36th and 37th Streets. See their menu in this week’s Gazette.

Buon Appetit Delicatessen

And Caterers

36-12 Ditmars Blvd.

Astoria

(718) 726-2794