DONATO'S RESTAURANT AND PIZZA
50-22 39th Avenue, Woodside 718.507.4591
By Teresa Barile

www.donatospol.com

Celebrating nearly 9 years in Woodside, Donato's Italian Restaurant and Pizza epitomizes the neighborhood Italian restaurant. The secret to owner Pablo Donato's success is  in the delicious home style Italian dishes, the cozy dining room, warm hospitality and the friendly, attentive wait staff that makes every guest feel like a VIP. "Donato's is an extension of my own dining room," said Jodie M, a local resident and filmmaker who eats here at least once a week with her husband. "The waiters even kiss my hand," she added. Mr. Donato knows most of his customers by name and recently joined forces with the community to petition for Woodside's historic status, which was granted.

It all starts with great food and Donato uses only the finest meats, fish, vegetables and pasta to create their legendary dishes. Start with a fine wine by the glass or bottle, or perhaps a cocktail from the bar while you peruse the tantalizing menu. Appetizers include buttery, handmade mozzarella with paperthin slices of prosciutto, tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil. Whole clams, baked till crispy with a buttery oregano sauce are delicious and the shrimp in an aromatic garlic sauce are great to share. Dip the warm focaccia bread brought to your table into this delectable sauce. Zuppa di mussels are fresh and clean, made with garlicky wine and tomato sauce. The appetizer special of the evening was a whole artichoke stuffed with vegetables and herbs. Next time I'll try the golden crab cakes. Cold calamari and scungilli salad, arugula salad and tricolore salad round out your choices for starters.

Whether you choose a meat dish, chicken, fish or pasta entrée, you'll be assured a piping hot meal, made to order and beautifully presented. One of the restaurant's pasta specialties is Linguine alla Pablo, with sautéed broccoli, garlic, olives, capers and chunks of chicken over al dente linguine for a filling and delicious meal. Linguine marechiara is topped with a generous helping of shrimp, clams, garlic and wine ($15.50). Classic fettuccine Alfredo is decadently creamy and everyone will love the eggplant rollatini, filled with fluffy ricotta.

Donato's purchases fresh fish and seafood each day to create dishes such as fillet of sole Francese, which was perhaps the finest I've eaten. Tender and flaky, the fillet cuts with a fork and is gently sautéed with butter, lemon and white wine for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Plump shrimp are prepared a number of ways including Francese style, oreganata, with bread crumbs, butter and lemon, and fra diavolo, with a spicy tomato sauce. The catch of the day was swordfish, prepared alla meuniere, with white wine, capers and garlic. All dinner entrées are served with a side dish of spaghetti, or French fries or salad.

The expert chef prepares chicken alla Donato by sautéing chunks of boneless chicken and sweet sausage with white wine and garlic, served with sliced potatoes, making it one of the most popular items ($13.95). Meat lovers can opt for a juicy steak, thick pork chops or veal chops. Tender veal sorrentina is layered with eggplant, prosciutto and fontina cheese and you'll always find classic veal parmigiana ($15.95)

On April 17, Donato's invites you to an evening of live music, featuring a keyboard player and singer, playing all your favorite Italian and American standards. Donato's is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. The pizza oven in the front of the restaurant makes crispy pizza, hot heros and specialty sandwiches to stay or to go. There's free delivery too.

On Saturdays from 11am to 4pm and Sundays from 11am to 3pm, a special brunch is served at reasonable prices. Brunch items include eggs, omelets, frittata and more. Donato's is conveniently located on a quiet, residential corner, just down the block from the 52nd St. station of the 7 train. Come by for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch. Donato's can accommodate a group table of up to 20 people for a special occasion and can offer expert catering off premises. With top notch Italian cuisine, a friendly atmosphere and great service, visit Donato's soon. Don't forget the premiere of live music on Thursday, April 17.