Restaurant of Distiction!  No other place has the exciting Cultural mix that the Borough of Queens has.  There is Italian, Irish, Greek,Indian, Chinese and Spanish to mention a Few.  It is quite the diverse and colorful town... Being Italian, I eat at Italian restaurants quite often, and although most of them are very good, very few ever stand out.

...But when we walked in, my companion began marveling at how beautiful the restaurnat looked.  Fine Tapastries on the walls, crisp white table cloths, attractive greenery amd tiny flickering lights everywhere, I had to admit it was very chic and romantic.

 

...When I got a whiff of the great smelling hot antipasto platter coming our way, loaded with eggplant rollatini, baked clams, shrimps, stuffed peppers, and stuffed mushrooms, I knew Mario (Matre D)  knew what he was talking about.  Everything looked wonderful and tasted even Better!!!!

 

 

It was a sunny November gift of an afternoon when we met Bobby Puccio, The owner of Bartolino's. 

...This place eminates a love at first sight spark as only a great restaurant can... 

The celebration of food went on to be the best Penne Alla Vodka we ever had.  Perfectly al dente pasta absorbed in a sauce richly seasoned with onion, garlic,pancetta, vodka, marinara and a touch of cream.

The main cource was a rainbow of flavor, Chicken Florentine, topped with spinach and proscuitto in an alfredo sauce an

instant favorate.  The Veal Picatta sat beautifully in a tangy lemon sauce with zesty capers.  The Shrimp Orgenato was tender and  delectable.  Broiled Pork Chops were tenderized by the melting of their own butter-like fat topped with peppers. 

This is not just food, it's an opiate.    

 

Just when you thought you couldnt eat another bite, there was Chocolate Mousse Cake.  It was tall, dark and handsome.  I was already dreaming of who I could bring here next so I could relive the experience.

 

The staff makes service look like an art form.  Our plates and cutlery were always changed between courses and the food was always

luciously prepared.

...Manhattan may have the tourists but Bartolino's has a love affair with the locals that has continued for 17 years.