La Terrazza
108-22 Queens Blvd. , Forest Hills

PHONE: 261-8713

Cuisine: Italian

Credit: All major cards accepted

Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. ; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. ;

Parking: Street

If pasta is your passion and marinara is a must, then the warm and friendly atmosphere of La Terrazza is the place for you.

The quaint, cozy and candlelit restaurant offers a wide variety of pasta dishes, from rich and delicious traditional favorites like Fettucine Alfredo ($10.95) or Lasagna di Carne ($11.95) to specialty dishes like Fettucini di Carciofi ($10.95), which is artichoke pasta with artichoke hearts and pesto sauce, and Raviolli di Salmone ($15.95), which is salmon-filled ravioli with salmon cream sauce.

The pasta is always aldente, and with 25 choices on the menu to choose from, there’s something for everyone. My companion and I opted for a small taste of several dishes, including the Pasta e Broccoli ($10.25) with garlic and oil, the Dolce Vida ($11.95), which featured spaghetti, roasted peppers, and eggplant with fresh tomato sauce, the Penne alla Capresse ( $11.25) with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, and the Linguine alla Vongole ($14.95), which is linguini and clams with either white or red sauce.

All of the pasta was perfectly portioned, seasoned and cooked, with zesty sauce and fresh ingredients. The mozzarella in the penne caprese melted in our mouths, the clams in the linguini were flavorful, and the garlic and oil in the pasta with broccoli was perfectly mixed and not overpowering. The Dolce Vida was a unique and wonderful combination with chunky vegetables that added a burst of flavor with every bite.

After we sampled the pasta, we struggled to choose between the Stuffed Artichoke appetizer ($10.95) with breadcrumbs and anchovies or the Mussels all Posilillpo ($7.95) in a spicy red sauce, but we finally elected to stay healthy and try a Casa Bianca ($8.95), one of the many fresh and crisp salads on the menu. It included the delicious combination of endive, mushrooms, mozzarella, and baby shrimp served in a creative parmesan cheese basket, and was the perfect way to clear our pallets before trying two entrees.

Although Chicken Francheise ($14.95), Chicken Marsala ($14.95), Broiled Lobster Tails ($24.95) and Grilled Filet Mignon over Arugula Salad ($24.95) are always tempting, we sampled mini-portions of the Chicken Rollatina ($15.95), chicken breast stuffed with fresh mozzarella and prosciutto in a mushroom sauce, and Veal a “La Terrazza” ($16.95), veal medallions sautéed with Portobello mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes.

The meat in both meals was fork-tender, with sweet wine sauces that were light and complemented the rich ingredients well.

Although we wanted to taste one of the fish dishes, like Red Snapper Americana ($19.95) sautéed with spinach, artichoke, capers and ginger sauce, or Shrimp Oreganatta ($16.95), with breadcrumbs and Italian seasonings, we skipped right to the Tiramisu, coffee and perfectly layered cappuccino, ending the meal with a sweet smile.

Add a full wine list, competitive prices and a catering delivery menu, and you have an establishment that could rival any of grandma’s Sunday dinners. This Queens Boulevard gem should not be missed by any fan of Italian cooking.