FOODIE
Italian Splendor At La Scala In Commack
By Leah & Erin/ foodie@longislandernews.com

Looks can be deceiving. The entrance to La Scala seems like every other pizza place in Huntington, but in the back room awaits the dining delicacies of classic Italian cuisine.

The Commack restaurant has been operating by the same family for more than 30 years, and the genuine care they put into their first restaurant (out of the five they now operate) is the reason for its success.

Nunzio Cusumano opened the pizzeria with his wife, Milena, and eventually passed it down to their daughter, Daniella Cusumano.

Daniella is the heart of the operation, pumping life into every vein of La Scala, from the ingredients, to the specials to the carefully selected wine list and recommended pairings, with help from her mom.

When Daniella joined her parents business a few years ago, she enrolled at The French Culinary Institute to become an expert chef.

The menu reflects careful consideration among a large variety of Italian dishes new and old, which are simple and exquisite.

Pizzas by the slice or by the pie and hero sandwiches were what inspired Nunzio to open up shop, but from there it has expanded into an Italian culinary empire.

La Scala specializes in seafood, while their other restaurants (O Sole Mio in Stony Brook, Caffe Amici in Selden, Olio in Commack, and Buona Sera in Smithtown) are more like Italian bistros, Daniella said.

As soon as you sit down at your table, a basket of warm garlic knots and bruschetta are placed before you.

The atmosphere is warm, inviting and quiet on a Wednesday evening after the dinner rush. Parents can bring young children where they can get a variety of child-sized (and priced accordingly) items.

Daniella recommended that we try any of the ‘stuffed items.’

We tasted the Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms ($9.95) and were overly satisfied by the seafood stuffing that had very little filler.

The Antipastos, hot or cold are great for sharing with a table of friends.

The Antipasto Freddo, ($8.95 small, $10.95 large) is a platter of imported meats and vegetables marinated in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

The Special Hot Antipasto ($9.95 small, $16.95 large) comes with stuffed shrimp, baked clams, stuffed mussels, stuffed mushrooms, stuffed eggplant and stuffed peppers. The large portion could be ordered as a delicious entrée.

The salads consist of fresh quality ingredients and chicken or shrimp can be added for a few dollars more. The Insalata Rustica ($7.50) is a combination of mesculine greens and fresh raspberries sprinkled with raisins and roasted almonds, topped with pan-fried goat cheese in a light homemade raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

Now on to the next course.

Don’t miss the Lobster Ravioli, which La Scala is known for. Check for it on the list of specials. Or try to the Gnocchi Bolognese ($12.95) a fresh ground hearty meat sauce with a touch of crème, or the Pasta Purses ($14.95) stuffed with four cheeses, sautéed in a roasted pepper sauce.

A unique concept available at La Scala is the combination dish. When many Italian restaurants serve their entrees family style, La Scala gives patrons many more options while creating tasty combinations to give patrons the ability to enjoy many of their favorite meals at once.

The combinations include: Ziti, Ravioli, Stuffed Shells and Manicotti parmesan style ($9.75), Meatball, Ziti, Ravioli and Manicotti parmesan style ($10.75), Veal Cutlet, Chicken Cutlet, Meatball and Sausage parmesan style with a side of spaghetti ($12.25) and last, Chicken Cutlet, Fried Shrimp, Veal Cutlet and Eggplant Rollatine parmesan style with a side of spaghetti ($12.95). Then there are your choices of Spaghetti, Ziti, Rigatoni or Linguine noodles, combined with meatballs, meat sauce, mushroom sauce, tomato sauce, butter, garlic and oil, marinara sauce, sausage, shrimp sauce, or filetto di pomodoro, all at reasonable prices.

Three different Fisherman’s Platters ranging from $19.95 to $24.95 include different varieties of scallops, calamari, clams, lobster tails, shrimp and mussels, cooked together in a spicy sauce that can also be made mild.

The Chicken and Shrimp Pizzaiola ($17.95) is a delicious combination of chicken and shrimp sautéed with mushrooms, onions and peppers in a light marinara sauce.

Other big hits are the Lobster Tail Fra Diavolo ($23.95) that comes with one 8 oz. tail, two shrimp, two clams and four mussels prepared in a marinara sauce that’s a bit spicy. The Shrimp Monachina ($17.95) is a breaded shrimp with peas and onions, topped with melted fresh mozzarella in a light marinara sauce. The Gamberi Della Casa Shrimp ($15.95) is sautéed with diced tomato, asparagus, a touch of fresh basil in a light marinara sauce with a touch of white wine.

If that isn’t enough, the homemade desserts are not to be missed, especially the fresh cannolis and the chocolate volcano cake.

La Scala
34 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy
Commack, NY
631-499-6049
www.serveyourfamily.com

Atmosphere: Relaxed Dining in Warm Atmosphere

Cuisine: Italian

Price: Moderate

Hours:
Lunch
Mon - Sat 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Dinner
Sunday - Thursday
4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday & Saturday
4 p.m. – Midnight

Main Menu