Da Mikelle II Offers
Fine Kosher Dining

Queens is a diverse tapestry of cultures, religions and ethnicities that converge to create the greatest borough in the greatest city on earth. Da Mikelle II on Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills adds another stitch to the tapestry, offering fine Italian and Russian Glatt Kosher cuisine to the public for weekday lunch or dinner. On the weekends, Da Mikelle is the scene of private parties with a largely Russian clientele, though French, Persian and Italian families also choose this fine restaurant and catering facility to handle their large gatherings.

Only the highest quality meats and fish can garner Glatt Kosher status for a restaurant. With such delicious antipasti, fresh salads, pasta, veal, chicken, steak and fish, the absence of dairy products at Da Mikelle II is scarcely noticeable, and its Glatt Kosher standing is well deserved.

Enjoy a cocktail or bottle of fine wine while perusing the appetizer selections. Paper-thin slices of marinated fresh salmon are drizzled with olive oil and topped with lemon, red onion and capers ($6.95). Carpaccio of prime rib of beef served in similar fashion just melt on your tongue. A platter of smoked fish with boiled potato is a great summer starter. Tender, handmade crepes called blinis are served with high quality caviar. Hot appetizers include grilled Portobello mushroom with garlic, oil and balsamic vinaigrette. Fried zucchini sticks are crunchy and golden, perfect for dipping into homemade tomato sauce ($4.75). There are more than half a dozen salads to choose among as well, some topped with grilled chicken, smoked salmon, or avocado.

For an entrée, try the tender veal scalloppine, sautéed with shallots, mushrooms and marsala wine ($12.95). A hefty veal chop can be prepared similarly, or just ask for it broiled with a wedge of lemon on the side for optimum flavor. Lamb spiedini, the Italian version of shish-ke-bob, with tender chunks of lamb, grilled tomatoes and onions, is served with rice and salad for just $11.95. Chicken, beef and even salmon can be ordered as spiedini as well. Tender chicken dishes, such as pollo Santa Elena, sautéed with artichokes and mushrooms in a champagne sauce ($11.95) are prepared on the spot.

If you crave fish, Da Mikelle II serves the freshest salmon, red snapper, fillet of sole and tilapia. Whether you order your fish selection oreganata style with wine, herbs and bread crumbs, or Livornese style with black olives, capers, onions, tomato and wine, you cannot go wrong. We had wonderful tilapia fillet wrapped around a chunk of salmon. This inventive dish is assembled to resemble a flower and tastes just great.

Pasta dishes are served in large portion and make a great lunch or weeknight dinner. Tricolored pasta is tossed with mushrooms and onion in a light sauce, while spaghetti alla Romana is prepared with garlic, olive oil and fresh parsley ($6.95). Penne primavera combines diagonally cut pasta with a bounty of fresh veggies for a light and healthy meal ($7.95). Da Mikelle II offers bargain lunch specials for just $8.65, served Sunday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Dinner specials are just $15.95 and are served Sunday through Thursday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m.

Da Mikelle II’s owners opened their first restaurant in Russia in 1985. After migrating to Vienna, Austria, the family opened three more successful restaurants. Now making Queens their home, owner Ilya and his family also operate Da Mikelle Palace, an elaborately decorated nightclub just around the corner from Da Mikelle II’s Queens Boulevard location, and which features live music, drinks and food from all regions of Russia and former Soviet republics. Exuberant crowds sing and dance the night away at Da Mikelle Palace.

We witnessed a birthday celebration where we saw traditional platters of house-cured pastrami and veal being served along with fresh slices of salmon, white fish and sushi rolls. An assorted salad platter featured fresh beet salad, cabbage salad, spicy carrots, potato salad, mango and pineapple. Next came warm bread, baked on the premises, and delicate pastries filled with meat and herbs, with bright flavors of mint and cilantro making these savory morsels extra special. Bottles of cognac, vodka and champagne were offered to guests while live music played. The service was excellent and the prices, we were told, are great.

Visit Da Mikelle II for delicious Glatt Kosher Italian cuisine for weekday lunch or dinner. Weekends are reserved for private parties, so consider planning your next affair or business dinner at Da Mikelle II. Music, drinks and food can be had just around the corner at Da Mikelle Palace, too.