The phrase “classic Italian restaurant” immediately conjures up images of well-dressed waiters pushing antipasto and dessert carts through a classy dining area with tables covered in white linen.
That image of yore is alive and well at Arturo’s, a Zagat Rated, family-owned and operated restaurant in Floral Park. Owner Antonio D’Anna, a fixture in the dining area, worked with the original owners for close to 20 years before deciding to buy the restaurant.
D’Anna said that his restaurant serves traditional Italian, with many old world dishes that patrons would be hard pressed to find in other eateries. Another element of surprise at Arturo’s is the tableside cooking, as the staff prepares certain dishes and sauces right at your table – even on busy evenings.
“We are very proud of our service,” said D’Anna. “We do things differently – the way things are meant to be done.”
One such noticeable feature at Arturo’s is the giant wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano in the bar area. D’Anna can often be found at the wheel, hacking away with a knife and serving it up to bar patrons.
Upon reaching your table, the server will offer one of the restaurant’s most popular antipastos, the Torta Primavera, a savory cake stuffed with layers of vegetables, cheese and meats. It is a superb combination of Italian aromas and flavors – salty meats, pungent cheese and a mixture of bitter and sweet veggies.
The Torta Primavera is just one of the items on the antipasto cart. Others include mussels, clams, stuffed mushrooms, imported Parma prosciutto, fried calamari, smoked salmon and a wide variety of rotating dishes.
As for entrees, Arturo’s has many signature dishes. The penne cognac is a crowd favorite with prosciutto and onions in a light creamy marinara sauce, flambéed tableside with cognac. D’Anna also recommended the chicken scarpariello with sweet Italian sausage, the jumbo prawns stuffed with crabmeat and veal sorrentino with eggplant and mozzarella.
However, the standout dish turned out to be a fairly low key one. The gnocchi Bolognese is homemade in the Palermo manner – far less mushy than the northern Italian style, which loads gnocchi with ricotta cheese. Arturo’s gnocchi is fuller and has far more bite than gnocchi by any other name.
When it comes to dessert, D’Anna recommends a dish that is both authentic and hard to find at most contemporary restaurants. Zabaglione is a simple custard dessert made with sweet Marsala wine, draped over vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries. This dessert, prepared tableside, is a rich and perfect ending. The warm custard mingles with cold ice cream, creating a wonderfully comforting taste sensation that will stick with you long into the night.
Arturo’s
Ristorante Italiano
246-04 Jericho Turnpike
Floral Park, NY 11001
Tel: 516-352-7418
Fax: 516-352-2277
Hours: Monday – Friday
Lunch: 12 – 3 p.m.
Dinner: 5 – 10 p.m. (Friday 11 p.m.)
Saturday, 5 – 11 p.m.
Sunday, 3 – 9:30 p.m.
Catering
Private Parties
Take Out
Full Bar
All Major Credit Cards Accepted
Prix Fixe, Monday – Friday, $24.95
