MARCH 2011

Agostino’s Brings Fresh Flavors to New Rochelle!

Agostino’s Restaurant moved to the Pelham Road shoreline last May from its original home on Rt. 1 in New Rochelle. Chef Anna Catalano prepares everything in her regional Italian kitchen from scratch: her sauces, the pastas, right down to the fresh cannoli shells and desserts. You must visit and let Anna, her husband Antonio and brother Gasperino Di Fabio guide you thru their authentic home style favorites.

Walk in to this unpretentious spot and you will be charmed. The place has been warmed up by its new tenants. There is a cozy enclosed bar area. The 58-seat dining room is dressed in burnt orange and white tablecloths with glistening mirrors and warm curtains, Italian decorative artifacts, vines running along the ceiling, and an authentic ‘Chitarra’ ( a tool used to make some of Anna’s handmade pastas) often hanging near the entrance to her kitchen. It beckons: good things are on the way to your table.

And once you begin to taste her work, as we did on several occasions recently, you’ll be smitten! There’s the regular menu and daily blackboard specialties and the staff gushes when describing each and every dish. Try such tasty Antipasti as: Anna’s elegant Burrata con Verdure Grigliate, fresh mozzarella filled with cream served with grilled vegetables; Portobello e Polenta alla Griglia con Gorgonzola; Vongole Oreganata, chopped littleneck clams covered with seasoned bread crumbs and baked in a white wine sauce; or her delicious Vongole Casino, chopped and baked with fresh herbs, bell peppers and crisp bacon.

Fresh Pastas di Casa include: Spaghetti alla Chitarra alla Pescarese con Frutti di Mare, seafood in a light marinara sauce; homemade Ravioli di Aragosta in Salsa Rosa, with lobster in a light cream sauce with touch of tomato; Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, homemade pasta in a lovely Bolognese sauce; Pappardelle alla Montanara, homemade wide noodles with ragu misto and porcini mushrooms; Gnocchi di Patate al Pomodoro Fresco, potato dumpling pasta served in a fresh tomato sauce; or her classic Linguini alle Vongole, in a red or white clam sauce. Anna’s multi-layered Lasagna alla Bolognese with ricotta is to be reckoned with too.

Main course we can recommend include: traditional Zuppa di Pesce all Mamma Lucia, with clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari, scallops, octopus and fish of the day with linguini; Pollo alla Scarpariello prepared here on or off the bone sautéed with garlic in a white wine sauce; or Involtini di Anna alla Fantasia, stuffed with provolone and shitake mushrooms. A daily blackboard augments the regular menu.

For meat lovers, there are hefty cuts of NY Shell Steak, Costoletta di Vitello, Filet Mignon and Costolettte di Agnello as well.

Special Hint: Braciole Sundays are a traditional treat, and if the house made meatballs are available don’t miss them. If you want some of Anna’s fresh made-to-order pastas for take home just call her in advance.

And, oh those wonderful desserts! Try to save room for the homemade cannolis prepared from scratch daily, also Anna’s Tiramisu. At the end of the meal, the fresh biscotti go well with that final cup of cappuccino.

Agostino’s Italian Ristorante is located at 336 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. The restaurant is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Main courses at lunch: $14. to $23. Dinner main courses: $$15. to $30. Wine list in the $30. range. Cozy bar/cocktails. Catering by advanced order. Major credit cards. Proper casual dress. Free street parking and at rear of the building. Valet weekends. Reservations accepted. Phone: 914-235-6019.

(Morris Gut is a restaurant consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the dining scene in greater Westchester for over 25 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)

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