Amici Amore Boasts Great Food, New Wine Vault And Lounge

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mici Amore is one of my personal favorite restaurants in Astoria, and now there are even more reasons to like it. I've always loved their quaint, cozy location, just on the corner of Newtown Avenue and 30th Street. The French doors and fireplace inside always attracted me, and the food, of course, is consistently fabulous. Now, owner Dino Redzic has undertaken some major expansion efforts to include a private room called "The Wine Vault" and an adjoining wine bar and lounge, complete with comfortable couches, chess games and an extensive wine list and cocktails. The wine vault is decorated with a hand-made chandelier, of Dino's own design, of wrought iron and 23 wine bottles, each illuminated from inside. The back wall holds over 4,000 bottles of fine wine in all price ranges, and another 400 bottles are suspended from the ceiling. This quiet dining room holds enough tables to accommodate a private party of up to about 30 people, or private, intimate dining for couples or families.

Dino proudly announces their new chef, Michael de Prima, whose years of experience in some of Manhattan's swankiest restaurants is Astoria's good fortune. You'll love his take on Amici Amore's best-loved dishes, as well as the innovations he adds to the menu. The wine list has been expanded to include varietals from France, Italy, Chile, Greece, California, Spain and Croatia. They start at just $21 and Johnny, Dino's brother, will gladly assist with the selection. A good bottle of wine will enhance and complement a good meal.

Amici Amore uses only the finest, fresh ingredients, and makes their own pasta and desserts. Start with some appetizers such as the chef's new grilled mussels, put on the fire whole. The same fresh mussels are also prepared with white wine, tomato and oregano. Grilled vegetables dressed in olive oil offer a light and delicious choice to start and homemade grilled sausages with red pepper coulis are another winner.. A simple, yet flavorful dish of sautéed hearts of artichokes dressed in lemon and olive oil is served over arugula ($8). I loved the creamy texture of the chef's butternut squash soup, laced with diced squash and topped with toasted, slivered almonds. Beef carpaccio, another favorite of mine, is served over arugula and topped with shaved parmigiano and a dribble of white truffle oil ($9.50).

With so many choices for dinner, it's hard to decide among such entrées as osso bucco, a hearty braised veal shank. Served with toothsome risotto, this dish warms you to the bone ($18). Breast of Long Island duck is cooked to perfection, with virtually no fat, and served with wild rice and raspberry sauce. The chef prepares a special veal chop, cooked to order and served with oven-roasted potatoes and fresh vegetables. A superbly roasted Cornish hen is dressed with herbs and olive oil for a savory treat.

Amici Amore offers supremely fresh fish dishes each day, which an efficient waiter will tell you about. The whole Dover sole, white and fresh, melts in your mouth. This fish is cooked whole in the oven, then expertly filleted tableside. It is then finished with a butter and herb sauce and served with sautéed spinach and rosemary roasted potatoes. Grilled langostina can be ordered as a decadent first course, or a complete entrée.

Pasta dishes are all hand made and cooked to order. An old favorite of mine is orecchiete pasta (little ears) tossed with fresh rapini (broccoli rabe) and the Amici Amore's own sausage ($15.50). You'll want this dish next time. Homemade ravioli with fresh thyme and cream sauce has been named for a local councilmember who consistently orders it. A signature pasta dish is the rigatoni with eggplant, actually served in a hollowed eggplant for an eye-dazzling presentation. It not only looks great, it tastes delicious and has an almost addictive quality to it. We seem to order some each time we dine at this restaurant. All pasta dishes can be shared as a first course.

Owner Dino Redzic has undertaken some major expansion efforts to include a private room called "The Wine Vault" and an adjoining wine bar and lounge, complete with comfortable couches, chess games and an extensive wine list and cocktails.

Desserts are special—they're all made on the premises. Light, creamy tiramisu, cheesecakes, mousse cakes and special desserts will finish a meal nicely, especially when accompanied by a cup of espresso or coffee. Go to the adjoining wine bar and enjoy a glass of port or an after dinner liqueur. Relax and listen to music and continue to enjoy your evening.

Amici Amore is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. The new wine bar is open until the wee hours so stop in any time. Amici Amore will gladly provide catering off-premises or reserve the restaurant for a private affair. For great food in a cozy, comfortable environment, you'll love Amici Amore, now with an expanded dining room and adjoining wine bar and lounge.

Amici Amore

29-35 Newtown Ave.

Astoria

718-267-2771