FOODIE
Enjoy Fixed Price Eats At Orlando’s
By Luann and Margaret Ann/ foodie@longislandernews.com

The Foodies are always in the mood for Italian, so this week we ventured beyond the doors of Orlando’s in Commack. We found a comfortable dining experience matched by an appealing fixed price menu that made for a nice Wednesday night out.

This month marks 10 years that Orlando’s has brought its take on Italian to Commack Road with a kitchen staff that has been with the restaurant since its early days. Brothers Jack and Manny, who have 25 years in the business, own the place, and on the night we were there, Jack was bopping about the dining room with a smile, mingling with patrons.

What makes Orlando’s different is the fixed price menu, offered seven days a week, that attracted both small parties of two and larger parties of six on our most recent visit. For $20 a person Sunday through Thursday, $20.95 per person on Fridays and $22.95 per person on Saturdays, patrons can enjoy an appetizer, main course, coffee and dessert. Large groups can also opt to dine family style, where dishes come portioned to serve two-three people each.

When you walk into the restaurant you are brought to a large dining room with about 12 tables with plenty of room. Tablecloths and fresh pink carnations adorn the tables, topped with napkins folded in the shape of a fan. The décor is simple, with neutral colored walls that are lined with white molding. A center chandelier provides most of the light.

On our last visit we enjoyed appetizers of melanzana napolitana, rolled eggplant with creamy ricotta, tomato and mozzarella, and a refreshing and crisp spinach salad. This time, we started with one of the specials, a flavorful Bolognese meat sauce over penne pasta. Creamy, but light, the sauce was flavorful but not overwhelming and came plentiful in ground meat that held its own taste against the Bolognese.

Clams casino topped with a square of bacon was notable for its sauce, a good olive oil substitute for those who like a little something to dip their bread in.

For our entrees, we were torn between the three specials - duck, veal chop, and tilapia – but when Jack told us the duck was one of the more popular choices, we knew we had to try it. A generous portion of Long Island duck, the dish comes topped with apples and drizzled in a sweet raspberry sauce. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, the meat was so tender we needed only a fork to pull it apart. Each crispy bit exploded with flavor.

The chicken cutlets in the pollo sorrentino with prosciutto, eggplant and mozzarella cheese were of good quality, and came in a zesty combination of marinara sauce with a touch of brown sauce.

Bringing a classy touch to the restaurant, a variety of desserts are wheeled out to you on a serving tray. After you make your selection, the cakes are cut in front of you and placed before you. Last time we went to Orlando’s we loved the flan, dripping in a thin caramel sauce. Expanding our sweets horizon, we tried the chocolate mousse cake and the tiramisu, a classic choice.

With its familiar faces and attractive price fixed menu, Orlando’s provides for a nice night out with good food at a good price. It’s also a good place for parties and showers, featuring a private room. Be sure to watch for it as your drive down Commack Road – it comes up quick!

Orlando’s
285 Commack Road, Commack
631-462-2999
www.orlandositalianrestaurant.com

Cuisine: Classic Italian
Atmosphere: Family friendly, comfortable, tablecloth dining
Hours: Mon-Thurs noon- 2:30, 5-9:30 p.m.
Fri. noon-2:30 p.m., 5-10:30 p.m.
Saturday 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Sunday 2 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Main Menu