Special occasion-type place in Queens? Or Roberto's in the Bronx?

[Olive123]

I have been meaning to eat at Roberto's and have just never made it over. We will be in Queens, pretty much just over the bridge, and I am thinking about heading over this weekend. As an alternative, I would also consider a special occasion kind of place in Queens. I honestly haven't eaten in Queens much recently (other than take out places) and I just can't think of anything for a date night dinner. The last couple were L'Incontro Trattoria (not impressed) and Cooking With Jazz (an old favorite in a new spot). Husband does not care for Chinese or Indian, but otherwise we are open to suggestion. I have also been meaning to try Sripraphai for years but I kind of want something more...special?

If we stick with Roberto's, would we be safe getting there around 5 considering the no reservations policy? This would be for Saturday.

Thanks so much! If we end up at Roberto's, the Queens recs will be used in the future!

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SriPraPhai
64-13 39th Ave, Queens, NY 11377

Cooking with Jazz
179-22 Union Turnpike, Queens, NY 11366

[hopkicker3]

Olive123,

I was just having this conversation with friends and family the other day...we were comparing ROBERTO'S to most of the Italian places in NORTHEST QUEENS and ASTORIA...and while alot of places have hype, glitz and are 'teflons" the consensus was that the only restaurant that we put up there with ROBERTO'S for food is VESUVIO OF WHITESTONE...a sedate little place in WHITESTONE run by a dedicated family from Southern Italy, I forget what town....you will not be disappointed..but ROBERTO"S is also a winner.

[Olive123]

Fantastic news! My parents live in Whitestone and we visit often (we are driving over to Roberto's from Whitestone, in fact). That will be a very easy option. Somehow I think I haven't made it to Vesuvio, but I do know where it is. Thanks so much for the suggestion!

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Vesuvio
7305 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209

[Olive123]

I think we are going with Roberto's! The pastas in foil sound interesting, and I am super intrigued by the pasta with cauliflower. And any app with fresh mozzarella. We will aim to get there around 4 so we can check out the shops briefly before heading over.

PV is definitely on the list for a future visit to Queens.

[Striver]

There are several good sources of fressh mozzarella in the area (not sure which one Roberto's uses; we like Casa Della Mozzarella the best), so a caprese is a good option (although best when tomatoes are in season)- but consider the scamorza, smoky and melted over sauteed spinach, as a starter. The specials usually have a mixed scallop and shrimp app, and that's also definitely worth considering. Enjoy - and do think about the specials first; it's been our experience (and that of others) that you'll get the best meal with that approach.

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Casa Della Mozzarella
604 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458

[Olive123]

The scamorza is what I was thinking of! And I have heard Joe's Deli is another good place for fresh mozzarella. Maybe a tasting is in order...

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Joe's Italian Deli
685 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458

Joe's Deli
43-02 48th Ave, Queens, NY 11377

[Striver]

Nice thought ;). Don't know of Joe's - are you thinking of Tino's? There's also Mike's Deli in the Arthur Ave Market, and Calandra's cheese store (good ricotta) - lots of excellent food shopping in a small area. Casa's my primary deli, though - I just find them a notch above the rest for most salumi and cheeses.

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Mike's Deli
2344 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

[erica]

I think you mean Joe's in Manhattan (??) Calandra Cheese is a great store and they smoke their own mozzarella. You cannot go wrong with the scamorza at Roberto"s!

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Calandra Cheese
2314 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

[Olive123]

This is the Joe's in the Bronx that I heard about: http://joesitaliandeli.com/

I was specifically directed to Calandra's for the ricotta. Sounds like a good recommendation!

[Striver]

Got it - and now I recognize it (it's on east 187th, near Terranova (a very good bread bakery). Must say, though, that we live in the BX and have been shopping on Arthur Ave for years and have never gone to Joe's (or heard any buzz about it). That doesn't mean anything in particular, and it could well be worth a visit - though I doubt it will be better than Casa for what we buy. :)

[Angela Roberta]

I've been to Joe's Deli in the Bronx. I like it a lot. The shop is wonderfully stocked, neat, and clean. The deli man gave us fresh-mozzarella samples, and we had to buy some to take home. Big recommendation.

[NewYorkNewHaven]

If you want want fresh mozzarella, go to Casa Della Mozarella. They supply Roberto's with their mozarella. Also heck out Calabria Pork Store.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/conte...

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Calabria Pork Store
2338 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

[Striver]

I agree on 5:00 as being reasonable - but no later, if you don't want to wait. Roberto's food is very good (stick to the specials on the board for the best choices, particularly whatever pasta "in cartoccio" they're serving), and we always enjoy dining there.

[erica]

My last visit was years ago, but this might be a contender:

http://www.piccola-venezia.com/

I wold think you would be fine at 5pm at Roberto's now that baseball season has come to a sad end.