Doing It ‘Family Style’ For The Holidays
By The Foodies./ foodie@longislandernews.com

The holiday season is a time for families. It’s also a hectic time filled with errands, shopping trips and holiday parties. That makes it the perfect time of year to scope out those restaurants that serve “family style.”

Family style service brings together the best of both worlds. It’s a home-style meal where menu items are served on large platters at the table – just like you’d do at home. But it’s a restaurant, meaning all the worries about preparing food, serving it and cleaning up the mess fall on someone else.

There’s no shortage of restaurants in town – from the upscale to the affordable – that serve family-style meals, and all offer a la carte menu options as well. At this busy time of year, it’s a great way to get together with family and friends without the worries. Following are some of the restaurants in town with family-style dining.
Porto Vivo (7 Gerard St., Huntington 631-385-8486 www.porto-vivo.com) is known for its upscale dining and vibrant nightlife, but its roots are in rustic Italian traditions. Under new Porto Vivo’s new executive chef Joseph Balbo, Porto Vivo has introduced “Pass the Meatballs Night” on Sundays and Mondays. The $25 per person family-style prix-fixe starts off with a large salad, and a first course featuring a pot of meatballs in San Marzano sauce with choice of pasta dishes. Selections change weekly and recently have included a buffalo mozzarella ravioli, ricotta gnocchi, fresh linguine with roasted mushrooms and black truffle cream. Dessert is apple ricotta zeppoles with a caramel and chocolate dipping sauce, or artisan sorbet or gelato.
Matteo’s (300 W. Jericho Tpke., Huntington 631-421-6001 www.matteosristorante.com) first opened in New York City 25 years ago serving platters of what the founding Sorrentino family like to call “Italian comfort food.” Today, the Huntington Matteo’s is one of nine locations in New York and Florida. The family-style atmosphere is casual, but the culinary experience is upscale. Favorites include Matteo’s famous baked clams, Penne Amatriciana, and entrees such as the veal chop Valdostano that easily serves two people, or Chicken Matteo, with Italian sausage and roasted vegetables voted by customers as the best dish by all. Desserts are classic Italian: cannoli, fresh fruit or tiramisu.

Andrea’s 25 (6300 Jericho Tpke., Commack 631-486-7400 www.andreas25.com) is the new kid on the block, having opened earlier this year at the former Red Dish. Chef/owners Salvatore and Matthew Sorrentino of the original Matteo’s Restaurant family, along with chef/owner Peter Campisi, have made the restaurant a favorite among locals. Patrons embrace the casual atmosphere and fine culinary traditions. Menu selections are ala carte and available family style.

Piccola Bussola (970 West Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-692-6300 www.labussolaristorante.com/huntington) is known for its wide selection of family-style dishes. Shrimp Arreganati, Steak Pizzaiola and Chicken Napolitana are some of our favorites, along with a pasta to please anyone’s tastes. Best of all, the Bussola Restaurant Group is family owned and operated, and its roots are as authentic Italian as you can get. Three generations of the Lubrano family have been serving hungry residents of Long Island for 30 years. Pasquale Lubrano came to America from Italy in 1957. In 1980 he opened La Bussola Ristorante of Glen Cove. The business grew and expanded to Huntington and Mineola, and each of the four Lubrano boys joined in the family business. Tony, John and Carlo each manage a restaurant while executive chef Marco oversees the kitchens for all locations.

La Villini (288 Larkfield Road, East Northport 631-261-6344 www.la-villini.com) has the portions and variety you crave. Under chef-owner Frank Catania, it offers its customers a menu of deep proportions. Almost every full-sized dish serves two or more people. Whether it’s a meat, a pasta, or even just an appetizer you’re looking for, anyone can find their favorite meal here. We love the Fried Calamari La Villini, a home recipe, soaked in a white wine butter pepper sauce. Servers say the Zuppa di Clams ($18.95), Scungilli Marinara ($21.95) and Pizzaiola-styled Steak ($54) are popular draws. And remember, today’s leftovers from La Villini can be tomorrow’s main course.

Prime – An American
Kitchen and Bar
117 New York Ave., Huntington
631-385-1515
www.restaurantprime.com