Pizza cooked in a true wood burning oven possesses a flavor profile unlike anything that ever came out of the gas-powered pizzeria versions. The crisp, thin crust and unique smokiness born from wood makes everything else taste as though cooked with a Zippo lighter.
Luigi’s Restaurant in New Hyde Park is one of a few restaurants in the area with a wood oven that doesn’t use any gas boosters – reaching 900-degrees with wood and only wood. These ovens cook simple, rustic and authentic 16-inch pizzas made with imported Italian flour, San Marzano tomatoes and imported cheeses.
Their signature pizza, Straciatella, is made with imported soft Buffalo mozzarella, fresh plum tomatoes, baby arugula, prosciutto di Parma and extra virgin olive oil. They also offer a Mediterranean pie with spinach pesto, grilled eggplant, oven dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and goat cheese; as well as a Fungi pie with wild mushrooms and goat cheese.
Of course, Luigi’s is so much more than pizza. Owner and executive chef Vincent DiRico created an atmosphere reminiscent of his Italian-American childhood – overflowing with warmth and high quality, home-cooked meals.
Vincent’s mother, Giovanna, inspired the menu featuring antipasto, wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas and assorted entrees. Start your meal with a basket of zucchini chips, fried calamari or a plate of assorted Italian meats and cheeses.
Pasta is serious business at Luigi’s, as many of their dishes feature fresh pasta, handmade on premises. Standing out is the Mezza Luna Ravioli – half moon pasta filled with spinach, ricotta and goat cheese in a champagne truffle cream sauce. These raviolis are silky, comforting and will stand up against any grandmother’s ravioli dish.
Impressive entrees line Luigi’s menu, including lobster and shrimp risotto, salmon, meatloaf, steak and lamb chops. Perhaps the most impressive dish is the one that seems so run-of-the-mill. Every restaurant does chicken parmigiano and most patrons have eaten it so many times that they are rarely excited to see it on a menu.
Well, it’s time to get excited about chicken parmigiano again. Luigi’s version of this classic dish is everything it should be and so much more. The chicken itself is wonderfully breaded and draped with pomodoro sauce and freshly prepared mozzarella cheese. That’s right – the mozzarella is made twice daily on premises. The three main ingredients – chicken, sauce and cheese – come together for a singular experience that will erase all other chicken parmigianos from your memory.
Luigi’s also offers a wine list that might be as important as the food itself. An award winner for the last 11 years, the wine list is a valued element to the restaurant’s vintage air.
Luigi’s Restaurant
265-21 Union Turnpike
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Tel: 718-347-7136
www.luigisny.com
email: info@luigisny.com
Hours:
Lunch: Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dinner: Monday through Thursday, 4 – 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 4 – 11 p.m.
Sunday 2 – 10 p.m.
Full Bar/Wine Bar
All Major Credit Cards
Take Out
Delivery
On/Offsite Catering
Private Parties
