247233 Sun Sep 04 23:37:56 -0700 2005 16 19 Outer Boroughs 0 1313960 Upscale dining in Astoria... any recommendations? Sun Sep 04 23:37:56 -0700 2005 0 paintbrush 1 1313966 Piccolo Venezia, fine Northern Italian. I know some people say it is atmosphere is stuffy, but the food and service are excellent. Mon Sep 05 09:58:06 -0700 2005 1313960 0 meb903 2 1313968 Le Sans Souci Mon Sep 05 10:54:48 -0700 2005 1313966 0 gastronaut 2 1313977 I am not a fan of Piccolo Venezia. Overpriced food and, yes, stuffy. I'd recommend Trattoria L'Incontro, which is about comparable price-wise -- maybe slightly cheaper -- and, imo, much better. The ravioli with apple and marscapone is excellent; so are the osso buco or short ribs with gnocchi. I always get the sardines appetizer (the clams can be good, but they are sometimes overdone). Excellent wine list too. And VERY friendly place. Mon Sep 05 15:03:11 -0700 2005 1313966 0 Dag 3 1313980 I think Trattoria L'Incontro is loud and the service is not outstanding. The food is good but not so, so wonderful and overpriced. We went there for lunch last week and had a pasta dish that was $18.95. Now that is not overly expensive, but the portion size was so small, it was ridiculous. It was basically a bolognese sauce although they called it something else. It was good, but overpriced, so I am not a big fan. Also, bring a tape recorder so that when the waiter tells you the 15 or so specials, you won't have to ask him to repeat it. He got a little testy with us when we asked him to repeat them. Mon Sep 05 15:54:46 -0700 2005 1313977 0 meb903 4 1314087 I've never found there to be a problem with service at L'Incontro. The waiters seem to know it's ridiculous the number of specials that they have there and never seem to have problem with repeating things. I think their portion size is perfectly acceptable as well. Wed Sep 07 17:29:54 -0700 2005 1313980 0 Rich G. 5 1314148 L'Incontro is insanely overrated. My last visit included a terribly sour pasta dish and roasted rabbit which was pasty, dry and tough. Add to this terrible service and a laughably long list of "specials" that no one can remember, including the waiter, and you have the makings of a long evening. Italian is not Astoria's strong suit as Amici Amore stinks and Thirty One apparently burned to the ground. Fri Sep 09 10:04:31 -0700 2005 1314087 0 astjoe 6 1314161 I will respecfully, but strongly disagree with you on this. I think Astoria is one of the best places in the outer bouroughs for Italian with L'Incontro, Ponticello and Piccola Venezia. I am sorry to hear you disliked L'Incontro, I have found it wonderful every time I've been, and would say it is the best Italian I have eaten. You might say that means I just don't get out much, but I'd say we are each entitled to our opinion. Fri Sep 09 14:51:25 -0700 2005 1314148 0 Astoria Lurker 4 1314128 >>...but the portion size was so small, it was >>ridiculous. For the record, I can't remember the last time I didn't bring home leftovers from L'incontro. :) Thu Sep 08 16:14:47 -0700 2005 1313980 0 Dag 3 1313982 Also at L'Incontro don't miss the grilled octopus appetizer, also the game specials (venison, rabbit etc) are excellent. If you like Italian wines, their wine list is spectacular, some great "Super Tuscans" (in all price ranges) as well as more traditional wines. Every time I go there I try something new and every time I am happy. The service is top notch, and they will seat you in the wine bar if you have to wait for your table and give you complimentary house wine and cheese. My only gripe with the service is that there is a huge list of specials, and often it can be hard to hear so the waiter ends up repeating it like five times. Mon Sep 05 15:59:42 -0700 2005 1313977 0 Astoria Lurker 4 1313983 >>My only gripe with the service is that there is a >>huge list of specials, and often it can be hard to >>hear so the waiter ends up repeating it like five >>times. So funny and true. The waiters are mostly from Montenegro from what I can tell (with a few Italians mixed in), with some pretty heavy accents, and the specials list is INSANELY long. Mon Sep 05 16:11:24 -0700 2005 1313982 0 Dag 5 1314241 I agree that the list of specials borders on the absurd. Why do they do that? Why don't they just print the specials so that people can make good decisions rather than just pick the only one they can remember (at least I tend to do that). Not to mention the fact that the specials list doesn't come with prices. ARGH. it's aggravating. Sun Sep 11 23:22:36 -0700 2005 1313983 0 hungryastorian 3 1314074 Had some of the worst service in my life at L,incontro. Wed Sep 07 12:02:33 -0700 2005 1313977 0 Nevin 1 1313975 Trattoria L'Incontro (my personal favorite), Ponticello, Le Sans Souci, 718 Mon Sep 05 14:55:14 -0700 2005 1313960 0 Astoria Lurker 2 1313981 i like Ponticello also. Mon Sep 05 15:55:24 -0700 2005 1313975 0 meb903 2 1313991 Thank you all for the suggestions! Will give Trattoria L'Incontro a shot... Mon Sep 05 20:26:57 -0700 2005 1313975 0 paintbrush 2 1316015 Le Sans Sounci is hardly expensive. I went there last night, and ordered the prix fixe. The prix fixe was under 30 dollars and was thoroughly delicious. My wife ordered a napoleon pastry filled with shrimp and the coq au vin, both of which were quite good. I had foie gras, which, while a bit more expensive, was certainly worth it, and the lemon sole panee, which was nice and crispy served with orzo and a spectacular lemon and caper sauce. The banana tarte was also very good. The candle-lit dining experience was relaxing and there was even an accordian player who played old french songs. The best part is that I can return frequently without having to worry about thinning out my wallet, since the prix pixe is such a good deal. Sun Oct 16 17:59:44 -0700 2005 1313975 0 tasteBUD