Queens Tribune

108-22 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills
(718) 261-8713
Cuisine: Italian
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 7 days
Parking: Free 5 p.m. to midnight
Credit Cards: Yes
Delivery: Yes

The first La Terrazza Traditional Italian Restaurant was a lot closer to Italy than the one now located on Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills. The restaurant’s owner Sam Multani opened the original La Terrazza in Germany. He then moved to Queens and cut his teeth at La Portofino – a neighborhood favorite – before taking the plunge and opening another La Terrazza. That was five years ago.
The name means terrace in Italian and appropriately enough, the restaurant has outdoor seating. Inside, one sits at round tables draped in white table cloths, topped with green bottles of Pellegrino. Fans spin overhead and bright paintings of Italian landscapes – Venetian canals, Tuscan hillsides, Roman boulevards – hang on the walls.
The atmosphere works for either a romantic date or a family meal. A pianist arrives in the evening for what Multani calls “light music.” Many of the diners stop in on their way to or from the movie theater next door. On game nights, the flat screen TV above the full bar may be on, but at a moderate volume.
Jamaica Estates resident Joseph Soto is a regular. Soto, who used to work for “Rudy,” said he comes so frequently he has to avoid foods he calls “abusive.” Today, however, is a “special day” and he plans on ordering the calamari, which is served fried with marinara sauce. Other traditional appetizers include Vongole Oreganata (baked clams) and a very affordable Bruschetta ($4.95).
Soto, admittedly health-conscious, sticks to the chicken and fish dishes. La Terrazza specializes in Chicken Rollatina – rolled chicken breast, stuffed with fresh mozzarella and prosciutto sautéed in a mushroom sauce. There are also the usual suspects: Marsala and Parmigiana – all served with bread and your choice of salad or pasta.
There’s a wide array of fish – everything from Filet of Sole and Shrimp Francese (dipped in egg, sautéed with lemon butter and white wine sauce) to Calamari Ripiene, squid stuffed with rice, scallions and crab meat served with a light tomato sauce.
Pork Chops are served “La Terrazza Style” with figs and roasted golden delicious apples. The restaurant uses apples in the Insalata Milanese as well, which is comprised of arugula, mixed peanuts and goat cheese in a vinaigrette dressing. The arugula comes chopped, the mixed peanuts compliment the sliced apples and the goat cheese is plentiful.
La Terrazza has more than 20 pasta dishes not including the “Pastas al Forno,” or baked pastas.
Desserts are primarily cold; tartufo, spumoni and sorbet are featured. Order a coffee, and the minute you’ve taken your last sip, a waiter dressed in vest and tie is there, ready to refill.
La Terrazza may offer a typical Italian menu, but it boasts some solid deals. The lunch special is $12.95 for an appetizer, entrée and beverage. The Sunday brunch is $15.95 and the Tuesday all-you-can -at Buffet is $17.95. The prix-fixe menu – available on Monday and Wednesday – includes appetizer, entrée, coffee and dessert or wine for $19.95. The wine list is extensive and bottles under $30 are on hand.