Do you enjoy great food, beautiful scenery, fine service, a romantic setting? Then run – don’t walk – to the new restaurant La Cupola Ristorante Rustica at the handsomely renovated, historic Douglaston Manor Mansion.
Having created a successful catering business, co-owner Claudia Hubbard has meticulously restored the glamour of the original North Hills Country Club house, overlooking the hilly Douglaston Golf Course. The setting itself is unique and made me feel like I was 60 miles away from the city.
Hubbard has used her magic in creating an intimate clubby feeling in her new restaurant. The deep salmon colored walls and rich woods are enhanced by a glass wall overlooking the terrace and golf course. I was lucky enough to be there at sunset and the sky was ablaze in red light.
We were a group of four, so we had a great opportunity to try a variety of dishes from the classical Italian menu.
Hubbard was smart enough to hire away premier chef, Franco Raicovich, from one of the best restaurants in Queens, and put her guests in the hands of an experienced restaurateur like Maître d’ Antonio Lofoco.
We began our feast with an appetizer of bruschetta with plum tomatoes, basil and chopped onions. The toasted Italian bread supporting the collection of flavors kept its crispiness.
Being a lover of mozzarella, I was impressed with its creaminess, enhanced by the roasted peppers and tomatoes surrounding it.
My friends had the La Cupola – a chopped salad that combined olives, sundried tomatoes, artichokes, pignoli nuts and pecorino cheese in a light dressing.
Of course, I had to try the fried calamari and it had just the right crispness and flavor, accompanied by a tangy, well spiced marinara sauce. The menu offers the classical Caesar salad and minestrone soup, but those will have to wait for my return visit.
Of course, there is a wide selection of pastas – and we tried several – but my favorite was the Oricchietti primavera, with perfectly cooked vegetables in a mouth-watering basil pesto sauce.
The ravioli is made on-premises and holds a tasty blend of spinach and ricotta cheese in a light Alfredo sauce. We also had a half-order of gnocchi in a classic Bolognese (meat) sauce, done with whipped ricotta – different and delicious. What a treat to have the pastas all cooked to perfection.
Then, with no need to eat more, we did!
It was main course time and we did ourselves proud. Our friends had veal chops that were the best they ever had. They were huge, delicious and soft as butter. My striped bass and Stu’s salmon were as good as we have ever had. The chef obviously has selected great purveyors to provide the best in meat, fish and vegetables.
However, as the saying goes, they saved the best for last.
Dessert was a must-have so we did – and we were in awe. The homemade cannolis were in a classic crunchy shell, filled with a deliciously rich ricotta filling. The tiramisu was a winner too, as was the Italian cheesecake.
The restaurant doubles as a showcase for the catering department; the new chef is taking charge of both parts of the Douglaston Manor dining experience.
How lucky we all are to have a premier site offering superb food and service. Try it you’ll love it!
La Cupola Ristorante Rustica
63-20 Commonwealth Boulevard off Marathon Parkway
Douglaston, New York 11365
Telephone: 718-224-8787
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 4 to 10 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. to closing.
Valet parking
Handicap accessible
Ceremony site, patio, courtyard, NYC skyline views
Spacious private Bridal suites and facilities for 50 to 250 guests.
