The Gigliotti family has hit a bull’s eye with their new restaurant Il Triangolo. Since the family owns the property on the corner of Corona Avenue and Junction Boulevard, the idea of owning their own eatery was born when the tenant left.
They have spared no expense creating a charming interior that made me feel like I was back in Italy sitting at a corner trattoria. With only 39 people to accommodate, the family took great care in using the space wisely. There are dark rich woods, a bar in the rear, marble bathrooms, a large mural of an Italian scene, tall glass doors looking out onto the street and tables with red and white linens.
But not only have they created an inviting environment, their food excels too. In fact, it was one of the best Italian meals I’ve had – here or anywhere.
It’s a real family operation. Mario Gigliotti is the host, making us feel welcome. His wife Pierina is a master baker who daily creates the breads, desserts and pasta. Their daughter Josephina tends the bar and handles the receipts, and their son Angelo helps wait tables. It doesn’t get more caring than this. You even feel the love of the family in everything they cook!
We started with warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven bread. I could have stopped here. The overflowing bread basket is in a category by itself. But almost immediately we were presented the antipasto of salamis, pecorino cheese, olives and wild mushrooms. We also shared the Capri in Boca a combination of fresh mozzarella, ruby red tomatoes, roasted peppers, olives, prosciutto and basil with extra virgin olive oil. Next trip I’m trying the baked clams and fried calamari.
We sampled the tricolor salad with gorgonzola cheese. Everything was delicious but we had only begun. After a few minutes break to sip their homemade wine, we were on to taste Pierina’s homemade tagliatelle with prosciutto, peas, onions and Parmigiano cheese in a gorgonzola sauce. Amazing! Then I tried their light-as-a-feather gnocchi. The homemade treat was presented in a Bolognese sauce. It was truly a dish to be remembered.
For our main course we had my favorite, salmon. It was broiled just as I ordered and delivered on toasted homemade bread. The dish had capers, rosemary, parsley and garlic drizzled with the extra virgin olive oil. The veal triangolo is a namesake not to be missed. The tender veal cutlet was on a bed of spinach, mushrooms and sundried tomatoes in a red wine sauce. Wow!
All the ingredients on the menu are handpicked daily by Mario, fresh from the markets he personally visits. It shows. Each dish was memorable and then there were Pierina’s desserts. She had just finished making the pecan pie and it was the best everyone had ever had. I sampled the homemade Italian cheesecake, just the right combination of richness.
Open for lunch and dinner, I recommend you run – don’t walk – to a meal you will never forget. Try it, you’ll love it.
Il Triangolo
96-01 Corona Avenue
718-271-1250
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday
Friday and Saturday, open until 11 p.m.; closed Monday
Wheelchair accessible
All major credit cards accepted
