FOODIE

More Than Just Panini
By Danny & Sara /foodie@longislandernews.com

Any restaurant that boasts 68 panini might run the risk of typecasting. While La Bottega on Wall Street in Huntington has a lot to do with panini, it’s far from the whole show.

Guiseppe and his wife Marisa Ruta opened the inaugural store, located in Garden City South, seven years ago and have slowly expanded his network of restaurants.

“It was a small, cozy little restaurant and I think we’ve duplicated that well here,” said Greenlawn’s Joe Quirke, co-owner of the Huntington location with his wife Phyllis, Raymond Polito and his wife Rose, all of Greenlawn. “You hear the kitchen, the people next to you.”

Everything you eat is made fresh to order, including La Bottega’s trademark oiled and seasoned on the inside paninis – Guiseppe wouldn’t have it any other way, Quirke said. Be sure to call ahead and plan accordingly to eat – the food is great and the portions are generous.

Sit-down diners at La Bottega can pick from a selection of nine bruschette ($6 for choice of three, $10 for six), such as Gamberi, which combines cool tomato and hot pepper with roasted jumbo shrimp to create a lively starter.

Salad choices include the eclectic Frutta Secca ($7), which features goat cheese, mixed greens, walnuts, goat cheese and mixed dried fruit tossed in a peppery honey dressing in an inventive, delicious medley of textures and flavors.

The weekly pasta specials, all created by chef Antonio Lombardo, were about $15 when we visited. The specials included Strozzpreti al Pesto Siciliano, a basil and extra virgin olive oil pesto creation topped in parmigiano cheese, as well as a mushroom and fava bean dish called Risotto al Melfitano, which had an intoxicating aroma to it and a bold, satisfying flavor – the beans and mushrooms complemented each other well.

On the panini front, we opted for the Tonno ($7.50), a crunchy combination of smoky, savory marinated Italian tuna with baby arugula, salsa cocktail and fresh tomatoes on krispina that had a light note of pepper and had us hooked from the first bite. Check out the chicken cutlet, grilled chicken, steak, pork and vegetarian panini, dressed in just about any combination of goodies imaginable, each with its own unique name.

We didn’t touch the promising dessert menu, but swing by on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday for homemade cheesecake ($5.50). With its cozy surroundings and a lot more ground to cover on the menu, our travels will likely take us there again before too long.

La Bottega
9 Wall Street
Huntington village
631-271-3540

Cuisine: Eclectic Italian with a knack for panini and more

Atmosphere: Intimate, cozy dining

Price: Inexpensive

Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.,
Monday-Saturday
11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday

Main Menu