Pepi’s Cucina Di Casa: Corner of
22nd Avenue and
Utopia Parkway, Whitestone.
352-6738.

Cuisine: Northern Italian

Parking: Lot in the rear

Hours: Opens daily for dinner at 5 p.m.; Sundays 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Credit Cards: All major cards.

Any eatery can slop some marinara sauce on a few entrees and call itself an Italian restaurant, but it takes the skill and painstaking preparation of Pepi’s Cucina Di Casa to truly qualify.

Offering everything from pastas to seafood, this Whitestone establishment — now in its fifth year of business — serves up first-class Italian cuisine.

Nestled on the corner of Utopia Parkway and 22nd Avenue, Pepi’s décor is simple and intimate and can accommodate a broad clientele.

The restaurant is perfect for dressing up for a romantic dinner with your significant other, or just dropping in for a casual meal with some friends.

With a variety of appetizers to choose from, I kicked off my dinner with a helping of fried calamari. The service was quick, and the portion easily could have satisfied two or three customers.

From there I moved on to my main course of penne pasta in a delicious pink vodka sauce.

Though the entrees will leave you thoroughly full, be sure to leave room for the cappuccino and peanut butter mousse cake (unbelievable).

Thanks to a new deal available at Pepi’s through Feb. 28 on Sunday through Friday only, 25 percent of the bill was knocked off.

With a private room available for up to 60 people, the restaurant is also open for special parties and engagements.

In a borough that sports some pretty stiff competition in Italian food, Pepi’s Cucina Di Casa has managed to carve out a distinctive spot in the mix, making it a must-do for local restaurant-goers.