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| By Helen Kyrillidis |
Photos By Jessica Navay |
Elegance In Little Neck |
December 2001 |
249-11 Northern Blvd.
Little Neck, NY
718-428-8800 |
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 Every now and then, you find a gem of a place where dining out truly becomes a joy. The new Conti’s Restaurant is such a gem. The food is fantastic, the service is impeccable and you are not only treated cordially but as if you’ve been invited to the Conti Family home.
I loved everything about this place. It has elegant décor, simple and stylish, accented by a full bar on the right, by graceful paintings of Italian towns and by wonderful lighting – bright enough to see the menu without straining your eyes, soft enough to create an ambiance. The food was obviously the main event but I would be remiss if I did not take the time out to mention the staff, especially the Conti Family which own and run the place.
Even if he does not seat you, you’ll notice Walter Conti. He’s the one constantly on the move making sure everything and everyone is well attended to. When he does finally get to your table, you’ll think you’re the only party in the place. He’s friendly and warm in the sincerest way, greeting you and making sure everything is to your liking. You’ll feel like you’re one of the family. For instance, the chef will happily honor special requests if you do not see what you want on the menu.
Not that the menus is not complete enough! It is chock full of wonderful items. Among my favorite appetizers: amazingly mouth watering mussels in a garlic-white whine sauce, fried calamari, stuffed shrimp, calamari oreganato, and a delectable seafood salad.
Among the 10-plus pastas, my favorites: the always pleasing Penna Alla Vodka, the Gnocchi Della Nonna in a delicious veal sauce, and the Penne Al Porcino Alla Conti’s with scrumptious imported dried Porchini mushrooms giving this pasta dish a very deep, smoky flavor.
Choosing an entrée will be your most difficult decision of the evening. Every one of them sounds delicious and all of the entrees I tried were delicious. However, I must point out my favorites and space prevents me from listing them all: Grilled succulent tuna topped with caramelized onions, porterhouse veal chop perfectly seasoned, and grilled and roasted Long Island duck in a rich Grand Marnier orange sauce.
At Conti’s, they warn you ahead of time to leave room for the last course by having a dessert stand front and center when you enter the restaurant. Plenty to choose from but you must try the Zabaglione, freshly made each day by Walter’s wife Hilda from his mother’s family recipe.
All in all, my dining experience at Conti’s have been unmatched. From Alessandro Conti’s superb service, to the fabulous dishes as well Hilda’s fantastic Zabaglione and Walter’s extra attention to detail and old-world charm, you’ll feel like you’re one of the family.
CONTI’S RESTAURANT
249-11 Northern Boulevard
Little Neck, NY
718-428-8800
ATMOSPHERE: Elegant and Warm
SERVICE: Impeccable
VALET PARKING: Fridays and Saturdays
HOURS: Mondays to Thursday 5 – 10:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 5 – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday 2 – 9 p.m.
OPEN AT LUNCH TIME FOR PRIVATE PARTIES UPON REQUEST.
APPETIZERS: $7.95 - $9.95
ENTREES: $12.95 - $24.95
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE: Yes |
Dining Hours: |
MON, WED, THURS
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5:00pm - 10:30pm
SAT - 5:00pm - 11:30pm
SUN - 2:00pm - 9:30pm
FRIDAY
Open for Lunch
12:00pm - 11:30pm
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Address : |
249-11 Northern Blvd
Little Neck, NY - 11363 |
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Telephone & Fax: |
Tel: (718) 428-8800
Fax:
(718) 428-2790 |
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