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 is Now Open - Here's their Menu

Ornella Trattoria, the Italian restaurant that has recently replaced Samba Grill is officially open.  They had their friends and family soft opening last week and now it's down to business - anyone can visit and enjoy.

I was able to get the menu, so here's a sneak peek.  Prices are moderate and the selection is plentiful.

Antipasti:
Calamari Alla Griglia - Grilled Atlantic calamari, field greens and cherry tomato...$10
Caprese Con Peperoni - Imported Bufala mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, roasted peppers and basil...$9
Gamberi e Fagioli - Broiled shrimp, cannellini beans, garlic, rosemary, tomato and olive oil...$10
Polipo alla Griglia - Tenderized Mediterranean octopus, tomato, capers, arugula, red onions, lemon and olive oil...$9
 
Pasta:
Gnocchi Alla Gorgonzola - Potato, ricotta, imported gorgonzola, dolce cheese sauce...$15
Imbustata - Oven baked envelope shaped pasta filled with roasted veal, chicken, wild mushrooms, homemade mozzarella, California spinach, mascarpone cheese, fresh tomato sauce...$19
Risotto del Mare - Arborio rice, shrimp, calamari, diver scallops, jumbo lump crambmeat, roasted artichokes, white wine, shallots and lobster broth...$19
Penne Integrali - Whole wheat pasta with oven roasted cherry tomatoes, basil, escarole, fresh mozzarella, garlic, parmesan and extra virgin olive oil...$15

Fish:

Gamberi al Limone - Broiled shrimp, olive oil, white wine, lemon and parsley...$21
Salmone Primavera - Broiled salmon, assorted julienned vegetables, mustard sauce...$21
Spada alla Livornese - Swordfish sauteed with olives, capers, onions and cherry tomato sauce...$23

Meat:
Costoletta ai Ferri - Milk fed grilled veal chop, roasted garlic and rosemary...$25
Vitello Pantelleria - Veal medallions, Sicilian caper berries, artichokes, white wine sauce...$21
Pollo Scarpariello - White and dark meat, roasted sausages, garlic, rosemary, white wine...$18
Agnello Grigliato - Grilled rack of lamb, roasted garlic, fresh herbs, classic garnish...$25

Ornella Trattoria Italiana

29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

Ornella Trattoria Replaces Samba Grill

The short-lived Samba Grill, which opened about a year and a half ago has been turned over to an Italian eatery called Ornella. I was shocked to find its cheery orange and white striped facade one day last week. While Meg warned me about it as well, Ornella just seemed to pop up from nowhere.

Not sure when it's opening yet but I'll get back to you with details. It looks like not many changes besides the evident cosmetic ones have been done to the place, so I'm assuming Ornella will open its doors soon. Stay tuned and feel free to chime in if you know more information. I'll follow up with a menu as soon as I get my hands on it.

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