As a Pisces I love being near the water, so I was elated to hear that the old Beechhurst Yacht Club down by the Tropicana warehouse in Beechhurst also known as Whitestone, was rebuilt after being purchased several years ago by Joe Fashine. He has lovingly restored and enlarged the site that has breathtaking views of the Throgs Neck and Whitestone Bridges – hence the name, Due Ponte, two bridges in Italian. And what a wonderful Italian cuisine he has created with his world-class chef.
The menu they have created is as good as the views seen from the pier going out from the rear of the restaurant. There are tables set outside and seating inside for about 75 people. The night I was there several couples were enjoying the perfect summer weather and taking in the breathtaking sunset.
The dining room has been washed in a warm coral with handsome oil paintings of scenes from Italy. The hardwood floors add warmth to the room.
We sat by the window with views of the water and began our feast with dishes from the appetizer choices. We enjoyed the baked whole clams oreganata spiced well with light breadcrumbs. We also had perfectly cooked mussels in a red sauce and another order in white sauce. The crusty bread was a perfect way to sop up the sauces too good to be left in the bowl.
The tricolor salad was a large enough portion to be shared by two. We were then on to the main courses. The pastas are homemade and risotto mare we sampled was perfectly cooked.
The classic spaghetti Bolognese was the tastiest I ever had with a meat sauce topped with a garlic béchamel sauce. For meat lovers the tender butter like lamb chops were cooked to order and a large portion. I love a whole branzini and several of us ordered it. I can tell you they were cooked just how I like it – skin crispy and the flesh of the fish as juicy as I ever had. What a treat.
Of course no meal is complete without dessert and our hosts didn’t disappoint. The sumptuous closing included a creamy cheese cake from local Cascone bakery the award winning cheese cake baker. We also tried the classic Tiramisu and were pleasantly surprised with my husband’s favorite – blood orange sherbet.
It was a grand finale to a new favorite restaurant with wonderful water views.
DUE PONTI RESTAURANTE ITALIANO
154-11 Powells Cove Boulevard
(Corner of 154th Street)
Whitestone, NY
Telephone No.: 718-767-3100
Open for dinner: Tuesday – Sunday from 5 p.m.
Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m.
Catering Available
Extensive Wine list
Waterfront dining
