QNE_p058

QC12122013

24 The Queens Courier • HOLIDAY • DECEMBER 12, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com  dining out OSTERIA ITALIANA: FOR A REAL ITALIAN EXPERIENCE BY LIAM LA GUERRE lguerre@queenscourier.com Looking for real Italian food, but can’t go to Italy? Then how about Maspeth? Osteria Italiana, which loosely translates to “Italian restaurant,” opened up over the summer on 61st Street near Grand Avenue with a familiar face. Head chef and part-owner Michael Zampitelli, who is an Italian native turned Maspeth resident, brings nearly 40 years of Italian cooking experience to the neighborhood. Zampitelli owned a popular restaurant in nearby Glendale, which was forced to close in 2008 due to high rental costs. Zampitelli, who has worked in the restaurant business starting as a teenager in Rome, wants to bring affordable, authentic Italian food to the neighborhood with Osteria. “Everywhere you go in the city, the neighborhoods are mixed. You can find everything,” Zampitelli said. “Personally I think in Maspeth there are no real Italian restaurants. You find diners and pizzerias, but no real Italian restaurants.” Aside from Zampitelli’s extensive Italian cooking experience, Osteria’s food is authenticated by the ingredients, such as cheeses and olive oil, which are imported directly from Italy. The menu at Osteria is wide and can satisfy many taste buds. Starters include soups, salads and appetizers. One appetizer, the eggplant parmigiana, is covered with fresh mozzarella and Parmigiano cheese with a savory marinara sauce.  Osteria Italiana www.facebook.com/osteria.italiana. maspeth 57-57 61st Street Maspeth, NY, 11378 718-894-4391 Hours: Monday-Sunday Noon-11 p.m. Cash only Wheelchair accessible Delivery Entrees include a range of pastas, chicken, veal and fish dishes. Zampitelli’s spaghetti alla carbonara is a masterpiece at $11.95, for those not watching their waistline. The pasta dish is a mix of pecorino cheese, a creamy sauce and bits of bacon. The chicken cordon bleu, at $14.95, is a hefty meal with big pieces of tender chicken, served with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Desserts on the menu include an Italian cheesecake with ricotta cheese and tiramisu, along with other Italian classics. And of course wines, such as merlot, are on the menu as well. With Zampitelli’s return, some of his long-time customers have followed him to Osteria. He believes it’s because of the quality of his food and the friendly way he treats his patrons. “Everyone who comes here we treat like family, that’s why they’ve follow me for many, many years,” Zampitelli said. View Over 200 Reviews at queenscourier.com THE COURIER/Photos by Liam La Guerre Since 1953 King Yum CHINESE AND POLYNESIAN RESTAURANT New Year’s Eve Celebration Tuesday, December 31st Full Course Dinner $6995 From 10pm-2am per person min. party of 4 plus tax & gratuities Minimum Party Of 4 Reservations Only. Deposit Required. Take Out Available. Regular Menu Served all Night In Our China Room. Open Bar & Champagne Toast, Party Favors & Noisemakers Dance to our Fabulous DJ Gluten Free Menu Available Handicap Access Restroom Available HOURS: Sun-Thurs: 12Noon-9:30pm Fri: 12Noon-Midnight • Sat: 12Noon-11:30pm 18108 UNION TURNPIKE FLUSHING 718.380.1918 • 718.380.1919 RESERVATIONS REQUIRED GRAND OPENING CHICKEN FESTIVAL Restaurant ROTISSERIE • BBQ RIBS • POLLOS A LA BRASA 10% OFF Eat In or Take Out With Ad Only Expires 12/26/13 THE TASTE OF PERUVIAN CHICKEN 196-17 Northern Blvd., Flushing, NY 11358 Tel: 718-224-0712 • 718-224-0713 FREE PARKING FREE DELIVERY • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK


QC12122013
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