Hearty
Italian Fare For All
By Andrea and Sara/ foodie@longislandernews.com
Dining out is a way of life in Huntington;
families use the dinner hour to reconnect after work and school;
friends share a bite and a night out; and couples indulge
in the luxury of a well-cooked meal with none of the work.
Pomodorino on West Jericho Turnpike is the meeting place for
them all.
Dinner starts off with soft, robustly seasoned
breadsticks and a loaf of warm Italian bread and if you choose,
as we did, house wines are available a consumo — meaning
the bottle is placed on the tabled and you are charged for
what you drink. The golden Tre Bianco da Bruzo and crimson
Monte Pucino da Bruzo can be sampled by dinners for $6 per
glass and $18 per bottle.
For appetizers we chose Stuzzichini ($12.95)
and Gamberi Gonella ($10.95). The Stuzzichini is Pomodorino’s
version of the appetizer sampler and it gave us a chance to
taste the marinated Portobello mushroom, large shrimp wrapped
in pancetta, baked clams, and slices of fresh mozzarella and
tomatoes. Our favorites were the baked clams and the shrimp,
which are available in their own appetizer, Gamberi Gonella.
Both the clams and the shrimp were cooked in the restaurant’s
famed brick oven and the smoky flavor only enhanced the meal.
Very early on in the meal it became clear
that the restaurant owners Piero Casalicchio and Fabio Machado
know the value of prompt, friendly service and place as much
emphasis on the level of service as they do on the quality
of the food. At Pomodorino, there is no rush, though the wait
staff is conscious of patrons’ every move and collect
used plates moments after they are cleared. Our entrée
selections, steaming from the oven, arrived seconds after
our appetizer plates were swept away.
Pomodorino’s menu is vast so we decided
to sample three entrees. We ordered the ravioli special: several
square shaped ravioli stuffed with creamy ricotta cheese and
broccoli rabe were served under a spread of grilled chicken,
roasted red peppers, mushrooms, and a creamy pink sauce. On
our server Danielle’s recommendation, we also opted
to try the Penne alla Norma ($14.95), a more traditional,
comforting selection. A heaping portion of penne is served
in a lighter version of Pomodorino’s signature tomato
sauce, with diced eggplant and pieces of fresh mozzarella
cheese intermingling. Finally, with the sweltering heat we
wanted to taste a more seasonal plate, Tre Mari ($18.95).
This dish is a refreshing arrangement of tender shrimp scampi,
salmon with herbs, and a few more of those crispy baked clams.
For those who crave the comforts and intense
tastes and textures of Italian fare, a section of the menu
entitled Della Mamma is there for your pleasure. Cheesy Manicotti
($11.95), and Baked Ziti ($10.95) are favorites that, according
to the faces of our fellow diners who ordered them, more than
measured up.
Dinner was rounded out by a brownie ala mode,
or Bomboloni di Cioccolato ($4.50) and hot cups of Cappucino
($3.75) perfected by creamy foam and just enough fresh cinnamon.
The red checkered tablecloths, the exposed
kitchen, the rich ochre shades of the rustic Italian murals,
and the wooden trellised ceiling take diners from the hustle
and bustle of their hometown into a bustling Italian dining
room. Here, everyone is treated as a friend and regulars are
treated like family—a hug from general manager Fernando
Murta is not uncommon and friendly conversation is had by
all. Pomodorino has found the ideal balance of elegant setting,
delicious fare, and a child-friendly atmosphere. The Foodies
loved it!
Pomodorino
326 West Jericho Turnpike
Huntington
(631) 425-1196
www.pomodorino.com
Atmosphere: Rustic Italian
Hours: Mon.-Thurs: noon-3 p.m.
lunch; 4-10 p.m. dinner
Fri: noon-3p.m. lunch; 4-11 p.m. dinner
Sat: 4-11p.m.
Sun: 3-9:30 p.m.
Price Range: Moderate
Main
Menu
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