IL TOSCANO: 42-05 235th St.,
Douglaston: 631-0300

CUISINE: Italian

HOURS: Tuesday - Sunday: 5 to 11 p.m.

HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE: Yes

CREDIT CARDS: All major credit cards

For the past 13 years, Il Toscano has presented its guests menus one would expect to find in Manhattan, or even Italy itself, bringing upscale dining to all who step inside this ethereal restaurant.

The plates are decorated with sprinkles of bright green parsley and tiny cubes of red peppers which accentuate the pie-shaped Spiedino Toscano (fried breaded mozzarella, anchovy and porcini mushroom sauce for $10.00) sitting in the center. And this is only an appetizer. Entrees include Grilled Breast of Free Range Chicken (mixed baby greens, marinated tomato, pommery mustard vinaigrette for $17.50), Capellini Frutti di Mare (shrimp, scallops and clams, garlic, saffron, tomato for $18.50), Roast Honey Lacquered Duck (root vegetable and sundried fruit compote, tart cranberry jus for $24.00) and Grilled Prime Aged Shell Steak (sweet onion potato cake, Swiss chard, rosemary demi-glace for $28.50).

Nothing compliments a good meal better than a fine wine, and Il Toscano offers an extensive wine list.

Ten specials, which change daily, are offered every evening, according to proprietor, Mauro.

One thing, however, is constant - there is always game on the menu, such as squab, quail or venison - said Sous Chef Michael Riddle.

Riddle is also the mastermind behind all of the homemade desserts such as Praline and Chocolate Mousse Tart, Chocolate Pecan Pie served with sundried cherries and chocolate chip ice-cream (highly recommended!) and a similar dessert with macadamia nuts and white chocolate (a chefs favorite).

For the first time since its opening, Il Toscano will be open for Easter Sunday and is offering a wonderful, fixed price menu of $32.50 (plus tax and gratuity) which includes antipastos, pasta dishes such as Canneloni, ricotta, roast vegetables and herbs, tre pomodoro; and entrees which include Mustard crusted salmon, roasted new potatoes, mustard greens, caramelized cippolini jus; Veal scallopini, wild mushroom barley, spinach, candied pecans, roast garlic thyme jus and Leg of lam, Yukon gold goat cheese whipped potatoes, Swiss chard, sun dried tomato - rosemary jus.

Coffee, tea and a marvelous assortment of Il Toscano desserts ala carte is also included.

Free parking is available at the train station parking lot directly across the street, and an added room upstairs, recently opened last October, is available for private parties that seat 60. Adjacent to the room, which is complete with a maroon leather chair and matching couch facing a full bar, is a deck for quiet summer dinners outside.

So for a touch of northern Italy in eastern Queens, visit Il Toscano.