Since Chris was in the country for a limited time, we volunteered him to pick the first Italian restaurant. This way we knew he would be present for at least one of our excursions. The date was set for Friday, June 6th. I notified Chris that he had been selected to make the first dining choice. I also briefed him that this new series would be a competition to find the best Italian dining experience in the NY area. Without much thought, he said his choice would be a deli in Queens called Sapori D'Ischia. A deli? Huh? Did he hear what I said about the competition? I asked him for the web site. "Web site!? Did you hear what I said? It's a deli in Queens!" he replied. OK, no web site, but they've been reviewed by New York Magazine. Click here to check it out.
So we all met at Sapori D'Ischia in Woodside, Queens. Given the location, we were glad that there was valet parking. Unfortunately, since plans were made on short notice, not everyone could make it. Diners that night were me, Chris, Mike, Donna, Mary Jane, Dominick, and Joni.Holy Cow. What a surprise. This place was really cool. For originality and uniqueness, this one will be hard to beat. It really was a deli that transforms into a restaurant. We literally sat in the store area amongst the goods on the shelves -- boxes of dried pasta, jars of antipasto, cans of plum tomatoes -- all bathed in candlelight.
Unfortunately, since it's been over a week since we went there, I need some help remembering what we ordered, so please feel free to post in the comment section below, along with anything else you want to say about this event. I know I had the short ribs, which were great -- but the mashed potatoes that came with them were dry.
In the meantime, here are some pics and video clips for your enjoyment...
And what fun would dining out be without a left wing rant from Chris? Surprisingly (but maybe not to Chris), photos of Bill and Hill dining at this place were on display in an almost shrine-like manner. Hmmm... Dominick's Critique (yes, I know it's dark, but you can hear him)
Impersonating the evening's impersonator (also hard to see, but I'm sure "Elvis" here appreciates that).
2 comments:
Had a wonderful time with you all, as usual...Wondering about the hand gesture in the picture? Could it be my rating for the restaurant? The price for a jar of pasta faggioli on the shelf behind me? or, the number of times the waiter described an item on the menu as "beautiful"? As in, "You must try my octopus, it's beautiful". What's up with that? Tasty maybe, but beautiful octopus, really Nunzio? Strangely possessive about the food too. My this, my that. Sorry, perhaps I'm being too critical. For me, the stand out of the evening (besides Chris' rendition of a poor rendition :-), was the restaurant's signature dish. Our "Intermezzo Course", a fettucine in cream sauce and prociutto prepared table-side in a hollowed out parmagiano reggiano cheese rind. It was, dare I say it..."bee...u...ti...ful", and so tasty too! Chris, kudos on a great start to our new dining adventure. You're a tough act to follow (except for the singing:-)Thanks, Donna
Hard to beat? Come on. I have two words for you: Macaroni Grill. Let the competition begin.
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