Today, when one thinks of Italian
restaurants, there is a wide spectrum of choices. Too often these restaurants either lack
the culinary tradition of the past or are trapped in it. Capturing the spirit of the old
style Italian eatery and imbuing it with a modern sensibility, Cafe Classico is truly the
best of both worlds.
Situated in Great Neck, just a few minutes from Queens, for five years
the cafe has catered to an extremely diverse and loyal group of customers. As other
restaurants in this competitive neighborhood have come and gone, Classico has become a
fixture.
Family owned and operated, Classico’s intimacy is felt as much in
its decor as it is in its food.
For starters, we tried the Foccaccia ai Formaggi ($7.75), filled with
fresh tomato and melted mozzarella, swiss, and fontina cheeses. There is also a wonderful
selection of Foccaccia pizzas, like the Capricciosa ($5.50), which is topped with
artichokes, prosciutto, and mushrooms.
Other highlights of the lunch menu include the Pannini. We tried the
Capri sandwich ($6.95), which is grilled chicken breast with fresh mozzarella, peppers,
arugula and honey-dijon mustard.
If it’s pasta you’re after, you won’t be disappointed
— although you may have difficulty deciding on a dish. Choosing from one of six
different pastas, and from one of 8 unique sauces, there are a seemingly endless number of
combinations. But even perennial favorites like penne alla vodka, will take on new meaning
when you try Classico’s delicious homemade sauces.
Main dinner courses include veal, chicken, vegetable and fish dishes,
including the Vitello Portobello ($14.95), which is served with portobello mushrooms and
spinach. Also recommended was the pollo alla scarariello, which is sautéed chicken breast
served in olive oil, garlic, peppers, and mushrooms.
If you are more vegetable than animal or mineral, try the Melazane
Rollatini ($11.95), which is eggplant, mozzarella, spinach, and mushrooms in a cream
sauce.
For dessert, don’t miss Classico’s excellent cappuccinos,
their homemade pastries, and their wide selection of diet beverages and desserts. So
whether you are looking for an intimate spot for dinner, or just a place to get a late
night cup of coffee, Classico will hit the spot.
— Jeremy Olshan
