PORTO BELLO
43-18 Ditmars Blvd.
Astoria, NY 11105
204-8766, Fax 204-8759

CUISINE: Italian

HOURS: 11am until 11pm Mon. thu Sat., Sun 12 noon until 10pm

PARKING: In shopping center

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE: Yes

CREDIT CARDS: Yes

SPECIAL SERVICES: Catering, Sidewalk seating (summer), Delivery available

Located conveniently in a shopping center, this 2 and a half year-old busy spot is both a pizzeria and a restaurant with comfortable seating and table service to the rear.

As you enter, check the display counter with many interesting appetizers/snacks. One of the Porto Bello originals is Panino ($3.75) made with chicken, eggplant or prosciutto with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and roasted peppers on panino bread with an excellent crisp crust. (Note: All breads are made on the premises.) Served hot Pinwheels of ham and pepperoni or chicken and broccoli or spinach and broccoli ($1.50) are also excellent choices.

The huge Rice Ball made with mozzarella, rice, meat sauce and fresh peas ($1.50) could be a meal in itself. For eggplant lovers, try the hot, freshly prepared eggplant sticks ($4.50) served with tomato sauce for dipping on the side- enough for two.

The pastas are offered in seven different shapes from Capellini to Ziti. Pricing is set by the sauce you select from simple Pomodoro (tomato) at $6.75 to Clam Sauce at $9.75. Or, try one of the special pastas such as Penne Palermo ($10.95) served with broccoli and sausage in a roasted garlic cream sauce. Another popular Porto Bello creation is Rigatoni Fiorentina- fresh chicken, spinach and mozzarella cheese topped with a creamy pink sauce ($10.75).

Steak and seafood dishes as well as assorted veal and poultry entrees, wine, beer and sodas are all available.

The house specialty is brick oven pizza ranging from the classic Margherita ($6.25) to the Fisherman Pie ($9.25) to traditional (thick crust) and Grandma’s (thin crust) Sicilian pizza ($12.95) cut into 8 portions.

Desserts include a lush Boston Cream Cheesecake- dark chocolate icing on a layer of mocha cream on top of a moist cheesecake. Or, try the large triangle of creamy Tira Mi Su.

The manager, Chris, and his staff are always at your service swiftly and attentively.