Original Rosa's Has Pizza, Pasta And More

Original Rosa's Pizza and Pasta is a fixture in the Jackson Heights

shopping center it calls home. Its new owner, Phil D'Antoni, is committed to offering the same high quality pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches to the faithful clientele who have been coming to Original Rosa's for years. He's also added some new items that you ought to try.

It all starts with pizza, and D'Antoni insists on preparing his pizza dough and sauce fresh each day. The freshly baked pizza is famous for its crisp and tender crust and delicious toppings. Try the bruschetta pizza, made to order with fresh arugula and tomato atop a light and crispy crust. Another version piles freshly sauted broccoli rabe and spicy sausage on a hot pizza for a satisfying meal. There are also stuffed pizzas, vegetarian pizzas with eggplant and cheese, and meat lover's pizzas loaded with sausage, pepperoni and ham. Original Rosa's makes their own foccaccia bread, sprinkled with rosemary. You can have your own sheet of warm foccaccia topped with eggplant, grilled vegetables, cheese or chicken for something different.

"...freshly baked pizza is famous for its crisp and tender crust and delicious toppings." If you come for dinner, you'll want to start with a fresh antipasto platter featuring buttery soft fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, thin slices of salami and provolone and lots of lettuce, tomato and olives. You can also share Buffalo chicken wings, chicken fingers, which the kids love, or tender zucchini sticks.

One of the most popular entrees is Chicken Francese, which rivals that of some fancier--and pricier- Italian restaurants. Three supremely tender chicken cutlets are sauted in a lemon sauce and laid on a bed of linguine or served with a fantastic house salad ($12.95). Veal Sorrentino layers tender cutlets of veal with thinly sliced eggplant and mozzarella in a golden sauce ($13.95). Chicken rustico is a spicy, peasant dish combining boneless chicken breast with slices of sausage, mushrooms and hot pepperoncini peppers in a tangy sauce. The huge portion is only $12.95 and will satisfy even the largest of appetite. Wine, beer and soft drinks are available. All meat and chicken entrees are served with choice of spaghetti, ziti or Original Rosa's house salad. This substantial salad tosses fresh greens, tomato, cucumbers and mandarin orange slices in a zesty balsamic dressing. The dressing is so popular it is now bottled to take home.

Pasta dishes are another specialty, featuring choice of spaghetti, linguini, ziti fettuccine or rigatoni with any one of 14 sauces, all at an amazing $9.95 each. Their most popular sauce at Original Rosa's is the vodka sauce, famous for its creamy texture and tangy flavor. The red clam sauce, full of juicy chopped clams in a zesty tomato sauce, is also popular. You might also try the puttanesca sauce with capers and olives or the creamy carbonara sauce over spaghetti.

D'Antoni is offering a Pasta for 2 special, any style pasta prepared for two, with garlic bread and soda for just $15. An amazing Dinner for 4 includes any style pasta, a chicken entre, garlic bread and soda for just $45. Take advantage of this money-saving deal and enjoy a great meal with family or friends.

Original Rosa's is mobbed at lunchtime, with hot heros such as chicken parmigiana, veal cutlet, meatballs and more satisfying the lunch crowd. Tasty grilled chicken heros pair up nicely with a side salad. These dishes, served with bread, can also be ordered as a plate. Home-style soups such as pasta e fagioli, lentil and minestrone are very popular, too. Try a cup of soup with a healthy wrap sandwich filled with grilled chicken or vegetables. The home-style rice balls are excellent too. Original Rosa's $6 lunch combo specials are another selection worth a try.

Any item on the menu, from pizza to the delicious veal parmigiana, can be ordered for take out with free delivery to most surrounding neighborhoods. There's even an oven in their truck to keep your food warm en route to your home or office.

Original Rosa's Pizza and Pasta has good food at good prices and all entrees are cooked to order. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, until 10 p.m., 9 p.m. on Sundays. Let Original Rosa's cater your next party, whether it's a pizza party for a child's birthday or a sitdown meal for dozens.

Original Rosa's, keep up the good cooking!