Queens Gazette

BARTOLINO’S


 

 

Bartolino’s Italian restaurant is celebrating 33 years on Broadway in Astoria serving top notch, sophisticated Italian cuisine at affordable prices. This is the real deal where all dishes are made from scratch by an Italian chef and the service is extraordinary, even while you dine outside on the temporary patio.

Owner Bobby Puccio is a pillar of Astoria society and has lived through all the ups and downs of the city. He is a proud citizen, Italian-American supporter of the flag, the NYPD, and FDNY. Now, during these challenging times, it is more important than ever to give back and support Bartolino’s and it’s easier than ever with the newly expanded outdoor dining tent behind the restaurant. Puccio has always specialized in catered banquets, hosting up to 200 guests at a time for weddings, anniversaries, graduations, birthdays, and showers. I held my own milestone birthday dinner here and my friends are still talking about it. Now, adhering to all safety guidelines, you can host your family occasion in complete privacy and safety. A visit to the website gallery boasts photos of the outdoor and indoor dining facilities which are both elegantly appointed. Call to book your next affair and plan your menu with Bobby.

 

 

My companion and I were treated like royalty by Enrico, our veteran waiter, who waited on us hand and foot. We had a socially distanced table outdoors, surrounded by basil plants, flowers, and flags. The icing on the cake was live guitar music and singing by Larry Luger, who performs standards every night for your dining pleasure. He was so good that we danced a few times between courses which helped make room for more delicious cuisine.

The talented Chef prepared an appetizer of grilled octopus that was very tender, resting on a salad of greens, fennel, diced potato, and tomato in a vinaigrette dressing. Buttery burrata mozzarella was flanked with roasted beets, roasted peppers, julienne carrots, olives, and arugula. Few can resist Bartolino’s fried calamari, stuffed mushrooms, or fresh mussels Posillipo, swimming in garlicky marinara sauce that you’ll soak up with crusty bread ($14.95).

Bartolino’s pizza is legendary, served bubbling hot from the brick oven and topped as you like. Many choose to share a small pie as a first course or have your own as an entrée along with a Sicilian salad, Caesar, or tri-color salad. Pizza orders ring off the hook for delivery and take out, along with all their appetizers and entrees. You can order right on their website or through Seamless and Grubhub.

Pasta is a “must have” at Bartolino’s and with so many varieties, you can eat here every night and try a new dish. There are classics that include toothsome gnocchi Bolognese or gnocchi pesto, fettuccine Alfredo, linguine with fresh clam sauce, lasagna, and manicotti. Ravioli filled with porcini mushrooms are tasty pillows of fresh pasta topped with light marinara sauce and one of my favorites is al dente penne with broccoli rabe and sausage ($20.95). The Chef prepared his special fusilli pasta with juicy, plump shrimp and tender scungilli which is conch in English. Enrico warmed our dishes on a burner before he divided the pasta for each of us…very impressive! Save room for entrées that include the freshest fish and seafood like branzino, swordfish, sole, and shrimp. Our fillet of sole Francese melted in our mouths and was served with Bartolino’s famous, delectable potato croquettes and fresh, sautéed vegetables. Tender rack of veal is supremely tender as is veal Milanese, scallopini, Marsala, Piccata, and more. Chicken Vagostella is a house signature dish composed of tender chicken breast layered with prosciutto and mozzarella, sautéed in mushroom wine sauce ($25.95). Chicken capriciosa is a light dish of breaded filet topped with a vibrant arugula salad and zesty dressing.

After another dance we were ready to share a wedge of the creamiest marble cheesecake along with a cup of espresso. We were treated to limoncello liqueur and lingered as we soaked in the magic of the evening. The combination of excellent Italian cuisine, the fresh night air, soft live music, and the warmth and hospitality of Bobby and the staff makes any meal special so visit now and enjoy La Dolce Vita. (And, let’s give a special shout out to Bobby’s son Robert, 17, who was awarded a scholarship to Queens College for his outstanding baseball pitching, ranking 5th in the nation!)

You can order any of Bartolino’s fine dishes to be delivered or picked up but enjoy dining al fresco while you still can. Plan your family party with confidence at Bartolino’s expansive, safe, outdoor dining tent. Bartolino’s is open Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 11pm, and Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 12pm to 11pm. Grazie tanto per 33 anni!

ITALIAN RESTAURANT
34-15 Broadway
Astoria | 718.728.0430

www.bartolinosastoria.com

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