Menu Shines At Bel Posto
By The Foodies./ foodie@longislandernews.com

Live music and attentive staff is only the half of the beauty at Bel Posto in Huntington village.

Dimmed lights and walls with wave-like blue and gold paintings, it certainly makes for the atmosphere of an Italian restaurant in the heart of an Italian village. But it’s not until Chef Michael Ross’ food is served that you really think you’re in Italy.

We started off with a plate of Parmigiano Reggiano, Fresh Seasoned Ricotta and Prosciutto di Parma – they have a nice selection of different cheeses ($4 each) and meats ($5 each), most of which come from Italy. The ricotta was so fresh, it was as though there was a farm on the other side of those red drapes in the doorway.

Although that’s a traditional starter for some Italians, they have antipasti as well, including Calamari Fritti, which has chick peas, lemon and tarragon aioli ($9). Every dish is a unique take on the standard meals we have come to expect from Italian restaurants. Other antipasti include Grilled Octopus, with frisse, tomatoes, toasted garlic and chick pea vinaigrette ($13), and Arancini – fried risotto balls with roasted pepper, prosciutto, mozzarella and tomato sauce ($9). There are also Braised Meatballs, with Sunday sauce and ricotta cheese ($10).

Their salad selections include Roasted Beet Salad, with watercress, frisse, pistachio, gorgonzola and sherry vinaigrette ($9), Traditional Caesar Salad, with romaine, garlic croutons and Reggiano ($9) and Buffalo mozzarella, with tomatoes, roasted peppers, basil, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt ($13).

For a “primi” plate, we went for the penne, a generous portion with prosciutto, pancetta, onions, shallots and basil in tomato-vodka sauce ($18) – the prosciutto and pancetta really top it off for a nice taste. Other primi dishes that caught our eye include the farfalle, with spicy sausage, chick peas, broccoli rabe, tomato and reggiano ($18), the mushroom ravioli, with wild mushrooms, prosciutto and sage in a madiera sauce ($20), and the fresh ricotta gnocchi, with walnut sauce, zucchini, red onion and goat cheese ($20).

“Secondi” plates are the meat of the menu. We tried the Grilled Filet Mignon, with gorgonzola butter, demi-glace, asparagus and potato gratin ($28). The gorgonzola butter melted right off of the steak, while in the potato gratin, thin slices of potato were placed one on top of the other. It was certainly a fan favorite. Other secondi platters include Roasted Cured Pork Loin, with braised local greens, farro and mustard sauce ($23) and Eggplant Parmesan di Modena ($19).

The wine selection takes up the entire back of the menu, featuring specialties from Long Island, around the country and of course, Italy. They’re creatively featured by the bar, with rows of bottle holders running straight up to the ceiling. On Wednesdays, every bottle of wine is half price. There is also a prix-fixe menu available Sunday-Friday for $33, which includes unlimited house salad and Pinot Noir or Pino Grigio.
The menu doesn’t end there. For dessert we tried the Tiramisu Cappuccino, with lady fingers, espresso custard, chocolate shards and whipped cream ($9). The mixture comes in a cup, with every layer needed to satisfy the stomach. The Olive Oil Almond Cake, with orange vanilla syrup and mascarpone gelato ($7) was unlike anything we’ve ever tried before, with droplets of olive oil delicately splashed on the plate. Other desserts included the Chocolate Cherry Truffle Tart, with drunken cherries and cappuccino gelato ($8). Pair that with a coffee, dessert wine, specialty coffee or port, such as a Nespresso Cappuccino ($4.50) and you have the perfect ending to a delicious and authentic Italian meal.