Don't Miss Pork Night Tomorrow at Ornella

I'm delighted to tell you about a very special pork themed event happening at Ornella tomorrow.  For one night only, the talented culinary cognoscenti at this delicious establishment are cooking up a four-course dinner that shines a light on the ever-so-wonderful, pork.  From smoked pork to slow roasted pork and even a pork dessert (yes...dessert), this is one dinner you shouldn't miss.  Especially if you're a pig fan like me!

Ornella's Special Pork Feast

Tuesday, January 25th

Course 1: Antipasto - Prosciutto and mozzarella burrata
Course 2: Intermezzo - Pamatielli with pork ragu
Course 3: Main - Roasted porchetta with broccoli and country potatoes
Course 4: Dessert - Sanguinaccio, black pudding and chiacchiere fritters (wow!)

$50/person including wine, tax and gratuity.

Talk about a rich offering with lots of meat on the bones!

Ornella Trattoria Italiana - 29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/Q Train to Ditmars
www.ornellatrattoria.com

Ornella - The Mighty Duck Meatball Delivers

As I mentioned last week, Ornella has once again brought us something new and exciting, elevating the scale of deliciousness to the next level. And that something is their duck meatball, a dish I've never tasted before but will absolutely have again.  That I can say with certainly.   Aside from this scrumptious Ornella newbie, Dan and I had the pleasure of indulging in some new pasta options as well as a fabulous pork dish that's perfect for the fall.

Duck Meatballs - I wasn't sure what to expect from this dish.  "Would they be small bite sized rounds or larger, more substantial in size?" I wondered to myself.  Surprised at actually how large they were (maybe a tad bigger than a golf ball), I eagerly split them with a fork to reveal a creamy ricotta surprise in the middle.  I smiled to myself and thought, "this is gonna be good." And it was.  The glaze on top was sweet with hints of orange, which complemented the duck meat very well.  And speaking of the duck meat, it was divine.  Moist and bursting with flavor from all the wonderful fresh herbs in it, it had a rich meaty bite that was highly addicting.  I'm telling you...these are an absolute must.

Pasta Gone Nuts - Giuseppe, Ornella's co-owner also raved about a new pasta dish he just put on the menu, which is made with pistachio sauce.  I love the earthy taste of pistachios and the fact that it was served with one of my Ornella favorites, chestnut pasta, sold me then and there.  When the plate arrived, I could smell the delicious pistachio sauce and an essence of truffle oil, which finished off this creamy indulgence.  The chestnut pasta was the perfect vehicle for transporting the sauce, as it clung to the pasta dutifully and stood up to its hearty texture.

Pappardelle with Oxtail - Another menu newbie, Dan ordered it to try a meatier dish.  I had something similar this summer, which had wild boar in it as well as the same, delicate homemade pappardelle pasta.  The oxtail was slightly richer in body than the wild boar and because this dish is on the heavier side, mixed with button mushrooms too, the thin pasta was appropriate.  Overall, a perfect fall recipe.

Stuffed Pork Chop - Just when we thought the feast was over, Giuseppe convinced us to try the stuffed pork chop with cheese, prosciutto and herbs.  It was a large, beautiful hunk of meat as you see here, surrounded by button mushrooms and handmade spaghetti alla chitarra, which I've helped make at the restaurant.  The dish was lovely and again due to its size, a perfect thing to share with someone.  The pork was flavorful and a nice sleeve for the delicious salty goodness of the prosciutto and the melted cheese inside.  Just another example of Ornella's creativity and innovation.  Molto bene!

Ornella Trattoria Italiana29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.94
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.ornellatrattoria.com

Ornella Welcomes the Mighty Duck Meatball

My beloved Ornella Trattoria is yet again not resting on its laurels. What I love about this homemade Italian eatery is the fact that they're always refreshing their menu and experimenting with innovative dishes that are far more interesting than your customary eggplant parm or penne alla vodka.  This time...Ornella introduces a duck meatball, which headlines their 4-course Tuesday/Wednesday dinner for $35 only (including wine).

Here are the deets about the dinner and the menu breakdown.  If you haven't tried this place yet, I think it'll be time and money well spent.

Ornella's Tuesday/Wednesday Prix-Fixe Dinner

$35 for 4-courses including wine (tax and gratuity not included)

Antipasto: Duck meatball - stuffed with mild cheese and topped with orange and brandy reduction

Intermezzo: Chestnut pasta - with chestnut flour, arugula, shrimp, cherry tomatoes, garlic and olive oil sauce

Main Course: Choice of one of the following:

Short Ribs - braised in red wine and served with gnocchi

Pollo al Pistachio - chicken breast encrusted in pistachio and sauteed in light brown sauce with anise and dry apricot

Pork Chop - stuffed with prosciutto, fontina cheese, sauteed in madera wine and mushroom sauce

Dessert: choice of Italian ricotta cheesecake, tiramisu, chocolate mousse, lemon cake and chocolate eggplant cake (the latter is to die for!)

Ornella Trattoria Italiana29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.94
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.ornellatrattoria.com

Fun (and Affordable) Specials at Ornella

Ornella, one of my favorite places to have a homemade Italian meal is running two fabulous specials on Mondays and Thursdays. They're both very affordable, presenting a great opportunity to treat yourself to great food on the weekdays. And given their generous portions, you might have some leftovers to last you into the weekend.

Mondays:

Vegetarian Night - All vegetarian dishes are $10 from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Thursdays:

Pick Your Pasta Night - Any pasta on the menu is just $10 from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Enjoy these specials with friends, a loved one or go solo and soak up the warm atmosphere.

Ornella Trattoria Italiana
29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105

718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.ornellatrattoria.com

Ornella's Sweet Reinventions Never Cease to Amaze

Last weekend, Dan and I had a lovely dinner with friends, Meg and Tom at one of our all time favorite Italian spots, Ornella.  For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know how much I care for their homemade pasta dishes, which are renditions of regional delicacies straight from Italy.  I'm always impressed when co-owner Giuseppe rattles off a plethora of new items they've added to the menu and the unique story behind each one of them.  So in addition to eating like kings and queens every time we visit Ornella, we also receive an interesting history lesson on Italian culture and cuisine.  What more can you ask for?

Here are some of the new and wonderful delicacies that we're still thinking about:

Appetizers:
We ordered a couple of starters for the table, including the burrata and prosciutto special, the zuppa di pesce as well as gnocchi Gorgonzola.  We haven't had the first two yet at Ornella but the gnocchi was a repeat order.  I'm happy to say that it's gotten even better than the last time we ordered it.  The gnocchi recipe has come a long way from torpedo-shaped pieces with little ridges, to soft, smooth, pillowy bits of heaven.  They're a lot lighter now and together with the sweet-tangy cheese (they use Gorgonzola dolce instead of the sharp) they just melt in your mouth.  It has to be said that Dan and Tom who normally don't even look at Gorgonzola, devoured this.

The burrata was soft as cream and quite wonderful when paired with the smoky prosciutto.  I like that it came with a generous helping of arugula, which gave it nice pepperiness.

As for the zuppa di pesce...well just look at it.  The presentation was really lovely, with a round piece of toasty bread, nestled on top of a round bowl, topped with a baked clam.  Its contents were so fresh - luscious pieces of seafood such as mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp and more. A true mixture of seafood goodness!

Entrees:
Ornella's menu is quite diverse and that's why we each went for something completely different.  Meg had her favorite, chestnut pasta, Tom went for the short ribs and gnocchi special, Dan got the traditional chicken parm and I tried a vegetarian risotto dish.  We also indulged by receiving a fifith entree, our all time favorite Imbustata (a pasta envelope filled with mushrooms, veal, chicken, mozzarella, spinach, mascarpone cheese - simply...the works).

Out of all these dishes, I loved Tom's short ribs the most.  The tender meat was slow cooked in a 70 year aged wine from Giuseppe and Ornella's private family stash.  I thought this was super cool and we were given a little whiff of the pungent liquid, straight from the bottle.  If you happen to be there on a night they feature this dish, I'd highly recommend it.

I liked my vegetarian plate of risotto too, which was enhanced by pieces of bitter radicchio, sweet chunks of pears and salty, sharp Gorgonzola.  It was just delicious and very, very filling. I can confidently say that I didn't miss the meat at all.

Dessert:
Surprised in a good way, we received an entire dessert platter of Ornella's signature desserts and some new ones too.  I'll only talk about the latter here and they included an unusual but really delicious eggplant cake as well as a lemon custard cake.

For adventurous and curious palates, I highly recommend the eggplant cake. It has an interesting texture and tastes wonderfully refreshing.  And just so you know, it's not all eggplant--what makes it a true Italian dessert is the rich ricotta, mascarpone cheese as well as chocolate. YUM!

The lemon custard cake is perfect for the summer, sporting a sunshine yellow color.  The taste is clean and refreshing and overall it's a light way to end your meal.

Service and Cost:
The service at Ornella is always second to none. As I already explained, not only do you get welcoming, personal treatment, you also get a helpful history lesson. It's really wonderful to see the passion behind each menu item and how much owners, Giuseppe and Ornella enjoy what they do.

We paid about $60 per couple for the aforementioned meal including tax and tip.  The dessert and the extra entree were on the house.

3 Passionate Mmmms

Ornella Trattoria Italiana
29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.ornellatrattoria.com

Ornella Serves Unlimited Cocktail Brunch

Things have changed at Ornella since they first started serving brunch back in January.  And I'm happy to report that the change is a good one.  The menu is now more focused, with a few new items added and some standbys that remain, but there's also a $13 unlimited mimosa or bellini offering that you can take advantage of with your meal.  I think it's a pretty fantastic deal that can't be found anywhere else.

Here's the menu:

$13 Brunch with Unlimited Morning Cocktails (Mimosa or Bellini)
All dishes below are served with country potatoes & coffee

Tomato & basil omelette
Eggs Benedict
Eggs Florentine
Selection of Italian cold cuts with seasonal fruits
Seasonal Vegetable Frittata
Shrimp & Artichoke Frittata
Chicken Caesar Salad
Pressed panino with fontina cheese & arugula
Pressed panino with mortadella & fresh mozzarella
Pancakes topped with nutella or maple syrup

Ornella Trattoria Italiana
29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.ornellatrattoria.com

V-Day at Ornella Delivered the Goods

 

  

  

  

Valentine's Day turned out great this year - not only did I have a wonderful, relaxing day, Dan and I had an amazing dinner at one of my Astorian favorites, Ornella.  I was really looking forward to my meal and couldn't stop thinking about the imbustata, a dish that made a big impression on me last time. 

Below you'll find the highlights of our meal - including a couple of new things we tried:

Nduja Crostini - "This is something really special that you won't find anywhere else," Giuseppe, Ornella's co-owner explained.  So what is nduja?  If you think it sounds and looks like the word andouille, you're right.  The root of the word is the same, and even though this product is Italian, its influence is French.  A soft pork sausage originating from the Calabria region of Italy, it has a smoky flavor with a spicy twist.  It's absolutely delicious and mouth-warming, served on a crispy piece of bread that Dan and I devoured in seconds.  I loved its texture, which behaved very much like a spread.

Pizzoccheri Della Valtellina (Homemade Buckwheat Pasta) - Another interesting specialty that Ornella was particularly proud of was this delicate buckweat pasta.  The recipe comes from Northern Italy, very much influenced by the mountanous regions where savory cooking is common.  That's why the accompaniments for this slightly thick, noodle pasta were hearty vegetables such as cabbage and potatoes.  It might seem unusual to have these in a pasta dish, but they were delicious and certainly did a good job of warming us up.  The sauce was a light garlic/butter sauce that went down smoothly.

Baked Clams - A classic Italian appetizer, it happens to be one of Dan's favorites.  I tried it too and loved it - the clams were super fresh and the breadcrumb filling was golden brown and crispy on the outside but slightly doughy on the inside. 

Italian Wedding Soup - Since I went with the V-day prix-fixe menu, I chose this as my starter.  The broth had a comforting essence, which reminded me of chicken soup and the meatballs were nice and light.  Small bits of pastina and pretty green ribbons of escarole swam in this liquid of goodness.  The portion was more than generous and enough to take home for seconds.

Chicken Scarpariello - Dan wasn't disappointed with his entree, which is another one of his favorites.  The chicken was nicely browned around the edges and was smothered in a fragrant white wine sauce.  Although the meat was off the bone, I think they usually serve it on the bone for extra flavor.  In addition to the chicken, you also got some tasty bites of roasted Italian sausage and sweet roasted red peppers.  Dan nearly licked his plate clean and used the extra bread to mop up that gorgeous sauce.

Service and Cost:
Customer care is personal and warm, and I can honestly say that you're treated like family.  The minute you come in, you're greeted warmly and your bottle of vino that you bring along is uncorked and your glass is filled.  Dishes come out in good time and you're not rushed to leave, instead you feel comfortable to linger and chit chat to your heart's content.

Prices are reasonable and this place continues to be BYOB.  Brunch is served on weekends and a veggie menu has recently been rolled out.

3 Mmmms

Ornella Trattoria Italiana -29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.ornellatrattoria.com

An Astorian Valentine's Day

  

Valentine's Day is this Sunday.  With so many fun goings-on in Astoria and LIC, you won't need to schlep into the city. Here are 10 V-day choices that offer something for every kind of palate.

Vesta - All I can say is try Vesta for V-day because you won't regret it.  Dan and I went last year and were so impressed with the whole evening.  It felt special.  This year, they're offering three seatings at 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. for $55 per person for a 3-course dinner.  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550

Testaccio - This Italian newcomer is already causing a stir in LIC.  Known for their delicious pizza and rustic Italian fare, they're having a 3-course V-day prix-fixe for $55/person, including a glass of champagne.  47-30 Vernon Blvd, LIC.  718.937.2900

Seva - If you're looking for a non-traditional V-Day meal, Seva shouldn't be missed.  In addition to amazingly flavorful Indian dishes, their 4-course prix-fixe is incredibly wallet friendly at $20 per person and $38 with a wine pairing.  30-07 34th Street, Astoria.  718.626.4440

Ornella - Their romantic menu looks enticing with plenty of homemade pasta options including their signature dish "the imbustata," which is to die for.  A 3-course prix-fixe will set you back a well spent $35 per person.  Remember that this place is BYOB so bring a bottle of vino with you.  29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.9477

Ovelia - You can always count on Ovelia to do something creative for a special occassion.  For V-Day, they'll feature a special aphrodisiac menu and even a chocolate buffet for dessert.  34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.7217

Mundo - This intimate eatery has quite the evening in store for lovers.  There are 3 seatings available, at 6:15, 8:15 and 10:15 with a 3-course menu for $80 per couple.  A cup of warm spiced wine comes with your dinner as an added bonus.  31-18 Broadway #E, Astoria.  718.777.2829

DiWine - Enjoy a chic atmosphere at DiWine with a 4-course V-Day menu and a glass of wine for $55 per person.  There are two seatings - one accommodating the early crowd at 5:30 p.m. and another one for the night owls at 9 p.m.  41-15 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.1355

Bistro Les Minots - Have a very French Valentine's Day at this little brasserie on 30th Avenue.  The V-Day menu offers classic French specialties such as French onion soup, mussels and an assortment of crepes and other French desserts.  A 3-course prix-fixe is $34.95. 47-16 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.606.2535

Marshall - An Astoria newbie, it serves Balkan specialities such as cevapi and pljeskavica.  Their V-Day menu includes a hefty 5-course prix-fixe for $40 person, including a glass of champagne and live music. 35-03 Broadway, Astoria. 718.545.3500

Cavo - Praised to be one of the most romantic venues in Astoria (I agree), they're featuring a 4-course prix-fixe menu at $65 per person.  Sure it's expensive but you're paying for your surroundings as much as the food.  Service starts at 1 p.m. 42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.1001

Happy Valentine's Day Astoria! xoxo

Ornella Now Serving Brunch

Great news! As of this weekend, Ornella Trattoria will be adding brunch to their delicious offering.  The menu contains traditional egg dishes as well as various paninis, light pasta and other house specialties such as a potato pancake with pancetta, polenta with gorgonzola, a nutella filled crepe.  Need I say more?

When I looked at the menu, my eyes got wide and my stomach rumbled.  I hope it inspires you too!

Brunch service starts this Saturday, 1/30 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Brunch Menu

Entrees: (include choice of coffee or tea)

Selection of Italian imported cold cuts, dry figs, honey and gorgonzola cheese...$11

Uova Alla Benedettina Canadese Con Aragosta - Eggs Benedict, poached eggs, English muffin, chunks of Canadian bacon and chunks of Canadian lobster, hollandaise sauce...$9

Uova Alla Benedettina - Eggs Benedict, poached eggs, English muffin, Canadian Bacon, hollandaise sauce...$8
Uova Alla Fiorentina - Eggs Florentine, poached eggs with toasted bread, spinach and parmesan cheese...$8
Panino Di Pollo - Pressed panini with grilled chicken, fontina cheese, and arugula served with shoestring potatoes...$9
Panino Alla Giovanni - Pressed panini with mortadella, buffalo mozzarella and tomato...$9

Panino Alla Pino - Pressed panini with bresaola, porcini mushrooms, mozzarella cheese served with shoestring potatoes...$9
Frittata di Asparagi - Italian frittata with asparagus...$8
Frittata di Gamberi - Italian frittata with shrimp and artichoke...$10

Frittata Di Fegato Di Pollo - Italia frittata with chicken livers...$10

Bistecchina Alla Angelo - Very thin sliced beef steak, sauteed in extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, served with shoestring  potatoes...$11

Frittelle Di Patate Alla Massimo - Potato pancake served with pancetta...$8

Spaghetti Carbonara Vegetariana - Vegetarian carbonara made with seitan wheat...$13

Crespella Alla Nutella - Crepe with Nutella filling...$10

Polenta Con Gorgonzola - Cornmeal with melted chunks of gorgonzola cheese...$10

Sweets:

Torta Di Ricotta - Italian cheesecake, made with ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese...$6

Torta Di Cioccolato - Choccolate Mousse Cake...$6
Tiramisu - Ladyfingers, espresso café, coffee liquor, mascarpone cheese...$6
Budino A Modo Nostro - Flan with amaretto glaze...$6

Ornella Trattoria Italiana
29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.ornellatrattoria.com

Ornella - Respecting Food from Generation to Generation

 

Ornella Trattoria Italiana
29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.ornellatrattoria.com

Last week, Meg and I had the great pleasure of attending a tasting at the new Ornella Italian restaurant.  Located on 23rd Avenue near 30th Street, Ornella recently took the place of the Brasilian barbecue joint, Samba Grill.  Although Samba wasn't the right place for this location, I believe that Ornella will have better fortune.

Atmosphere:
Ornella doesn't try to pretend to be something that it's not, an uber modern restaurant.  Instead, it does a good job at painting an image of comfort, family and tradition.  Its deeply seated Italian roots are proudly on display - as in literally depicted on the walls, which showcase a hand-painted mural with the names of the owner's four sons.

The dining room is narrow but cozy and can accommodate small intimate parties, perfect for a romantic dinner or larger parties, great for families.  The vibe is mellow and relaxed, allowing you to carry an easy conversation without having to raise your voice. 

Food:
I was fully enticed by Ornella's menu, which consists of a generous variety of fresh pasta, meat and seafood.  We ordered a plethora of dishes that were good for sampling, and even tried some specialties not on the regular menu.

Appetizers - Starting with a very special chestnut pasta dish that's made from scratch--incorporating chestnut flour--I was duly impressed.  The dough was thick and hearty and not unlike gnocchi, except that it wasn't round but stringy.  I loved the simple garlic and olive oil sauce that was the dressing, and the beautiful roasted tomatoes and wilted arugula added freshness and bite.  Note - this specialty isn't on the regular menu, so if you'd like to try it, please ask for it and reference my post.

Other appies we tried included the gamberi e fagioli, consisting of broiled shrimp with buttery cannellini beans.  I'm a big fan of these beans because they're filling and pair well with earthy spices such as fresh rosemary.  I'd recommend getting this dish in cold, winter months because it's incredibly comforting.

My dining companions ordered equally impressive things including the coveted prosciutto di parma plate, which besides looking absolutely gorgeous was just as delicious.  The prosciutto was of great quality and went so nicely with the sweet Bartlett pears and gorgonzola cheese that were also on the plate.  Yet another pleasing dish was the caprese salad, served with the milkiest bufalo mozzarella cheese--it was so decadent that it practically melted on the tongue.

Entrees - The feast continued with many stand-out entrees including my choice, the Imbustata.  I've never heard of this dish before and it was quite hefty, incorporating everything but the kitchen sink - a pasta "envelope" stuffed with roasted veal, chicken, wild mushrooms (yum!), homemade mozzarella, spinach, mascarpone cheese and fresh tomato sauce.  Mama mia it was big, but the flavors worked so well together, reminding me of lasagna on speed.  The luxurious creamy sauce on top was the best part, and it tied the dish together beautifully.

A close second favorite entree was the gnocchi alla gorgonzola.  If you're a lover of this fine, sharp cheese I strongly suggest you try it.  The texture of the gnocchi was divine--soft and fluffy--while the cheese was slightly soupy, a tad sweet with a sharp bite at the end.  It was spectacular and very rich.  Meg found it impossible to finish her large portion and took half of it home.  Right on!

I also tried the sauteed swordfish entree, which was embellished with olives, capers, onions and cherry tomato sauce.  It was a nice choice if you're trying to go with something light.

Dessert - Unfortunately, I can't say we had room for this but when the beautiful platter of homemade desserts came out, we didn't have the strength to refuse.  First we tried a whimsical dessert that was an inside joke - it looked like fried eggs with two bright yolks swimming in a white soupy broth.  But eggs it certainly wasn't - the two "yolks" were decandent peaches floating in a sea of aromatic vanilla bean gelato.  The dish was refreshing and a great way to cleanse the palate.  And just like the chestnut appetizer I described above, it's not on the menu so you'll have to ask for it specifically.

The other desserts we had are pictured above and included two slices of traditional Italian cheesecake, a chocolate mousse cake and tiramisu.  All desserts are made by Ornella (yes the restaurant is named after her!) and they come from deeply cherished family recipes.  The cheesecake was my favorite, as it wasn't heavy and used a hint of orange zest that made your tastebuds sing.  The tiramisu was a close second with a silky smooth mascarpone filling and pungent hints of good espresso powder! Mmmm....

Service and Cost:
Ornella's staff couldn't be lovelier.  We were joined for dinner by Ornella herself and her charming husband Giussepe, who had many interesting stories to tell.  From educating us about drying zucchini and eggplant to canning tomatoes, we were wholeheartedly intrigued and entretained.  One things's for sure, both Ornella and Giussepe have an incredible passion for what they do and their enthusiasm comes from the heart.  Everything about the service--and the food--at Ornella reflected that, and we felt at home.

Costs are moderate and provide great value, given the generous portions and the use of good quality ingredients.

Appetizers: $8 - $10
Pasta: $14-$19
Fish: $21-$23
Meat: $18-$25
Dessert: $5-$8

3 loud Mmmms