Queens Gazette

Più Bella


 

 

Let’s start 2022 with more love, more kindness, more beauty, and more great food at Più Bella, which means “more beautiful” in Italian. Your host Antonio Giaimo welcomes all to his warm, modern, yet rustic Italian restaurant and adjoining wood-fired pizzeria. Antonio hails from Sicily where his family has a history in restaurants and bakeries, and he brings his culinary expertise to Più Bella to the delight of his loyal customers. A fine meal here is a great way to start the new year!

Leather banquettes grace one side of the spacious dining room with tables for families and couples on the other. Black and white photos of Sophia Loren and Italian scenes along with industrial lighting and background music collaborate to create a delightful ambience. Più Bella is the ideal venue for a family celebration of up to 70 people so plan your event now. Start with one of Più Bella’s Italian-inspired cocktails such as the Amalfi mixed with limoncello and white rum, or the Stoli Espressotini with vanilla-infused vodka and coffee liqueur.

 

 

Italian rice balls called “arancini” are a Sicilian specialty and Più Bella offers them two ways: a large rice ball filled with peas and ragu, or mini, crispy risotto balls with bits of prosciutto and cheese in a delicate sauce that are perfect for sharing ($12). The antipasto board is a crowd pleaser, generously layered with sopresata, salami, prosciutto, Reggiano Parmigiano, olives, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers and burrata mozzarella. Più Bella offers a very unique dish of mussels, prepared with either tomato or white wine sauce, served in a bowl made out of their light, crisp pizza dough, baked to a golden finish. The savory juices from the mussels seep into the crust, making a delicious treat as you slurp them up and there are plenty of mussels to share ($18). Order the Più Bella salad for the table, or a classic Caesar, quinoa, or Summer salad.

Più Bella’s wood-fired pizzas are made with home- made dough, San Marzano tomatoes and the finest ingredients to render outrageously good pies. Share one as a starter or eat a whole 12” pie yourself. The tri- color pizza is a picture topped with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and dollops of creamy ricotta. The balsamic drizzle brings together all the wonderful flavors and the crust is light and crisp. The Parma pie and classic Margherita are popular among all 17 varieties to be enjoyed here, to go, or to be delivered. Check out some mouth-watering photos on Instagram.

Pasta rules at Più Bella, all made to order with fresh ingredients. Classic spaghetti carbonara with bits of smoky pancetta is a house favorite, as is the home- made lasagna, just like nonna’s. Gnocchi and ravioli are tender and tasty, and risotto is a great winter dish prepared with either mushrooms, seafood, or asparagus. There are four new pasta dishes on the menu so come for the pappardelle with prosciutto and mush- rooms, or the zuppa de pesce seafood and saffron feast over linguini.

Dine like you’re in Rome with a beautiful platter of chicken Saltimbocca topped with Fontina cheese and prosciutto in savory sherry wine sauce. The veal chop Milanese is a hefty chop that’s pounded thin, breaded and lightly fried, topped with a vibrant arugula salad, shaved red onions and balsamic vinaigrette. The stuffed pork chop is a hearty meal filled with provolone and mushrooms and a side of sauteed broccoli rabe. Juicy, grilled salmon is served with spinach and roasted potatoes and Branzino filet is prepared with garlic, lemon, and white wine.

The friendly, efficient servers, Gio and Kate will take good care of you while you try to make room for dessert. I loved the homemade banana pudding and tiramisu, both made by Antonio’s mom. Kids will love the cannoli chips with cannoli cream for dipping, and there’s cool tartufo ice cream as well. Have an after-dinner drink and a hot cup of coffee or espresso and start thinking about your next visit.

Più Bella has lunch specials from 11am to 3pm with reduced prices on all pasta dishes and entrees. Più Bella is open seven days a week for dining inside, outside, take-out, and delivery from 11am to 9pm weekdays and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Plan your next family or business event at Più Bella or they can cater to your premises as well. Start the new year off on the right foot with a homestyle Italian meal, vino, and dessert at Più Bella. Buon Capodanno….Happy New Year!

79-16 21st Avenue- East Elmhurst | 718.721.6500 www.piùbellapizza.com

Follow them on Instagram – Grubhub – Uber Eatspiù

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