Queens Tribune

That’s Amore
171-53 46th Ave., Flushing
Cuisine: Northern and Southern Italian
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Parking: Street side

New York City loves Italian restaurants. These days it seems there’s one on every street. But it’s easy to fall for the assembly-line corner-pizzeria menus or Olive Garden-esque franchise traps, when you’re looking for the real-deal. Authentic Italian restaurants can be a rare commodity, but you can find them if you know where to look.

That’s Amore in Flushing offers true Italian cuisine from all over the peninsula – from the lighter Northern Italian and Tuscan fare, to the red-sauced-southern varieties we all know and love – all in an inviting dining area featuring a full bar and including an outdoor enclave during the spring and summer months. Whether you’re looking for a creamy risotto or hearty veal parmigiana, you can find it here.

Appetizers range from light mozzarella dishes to fresh seafood, and just about everything in between. The stuffed-peppers, sweet Italian reds wrapped around fresh-breaded-prosciutto and fontina cheese – are just light enough to keep from spoiling your appetite, but still rich enough to keep your stomach happy until the next course. The restaurant also offers fresh-salads and hot soups to start off if you’re in the mood for something lighter.

Those looking for a genuine three-course Italian meal will find a lot to love on the pasta menu. You’ll have a variety of pasta and sauce combinations to choose from to compliment the main courses. The lobster ravioli, doused in a creamy pink sauce, is light and mild – the sauce perfectly complimenting the subtle seafood flavors. But be careful with the grated cheese, it only takes a few flakes to throw off that balance.

Main courses include a full range of chicken, veal, seafood and beef dishes – as well as the chef’s risotto specials. The risottos, Italian rice dishes, are thick and creamy but light on the stomach. The tender-veal-special, topped with toasted almonds and covered in a barrolo wine sauce, is fantastic, surely a favorite for faithful customers.
If you can still eat – there’s also a full selection of classic desserts, including cheesecakes, ice cream and tiramisu. You can also wrap things up with an after-dinner coffee, espresso or cappuccino.

The restaurant – which shook things up recently by adding new managers, Chef Paolo Altieri and co-manager Bobby Strang, to reinvigorate the menu – is also easy on the wallet. Most entrees range from $10 to $16. They also feature lunch and early-bird discounts before 6 p.m.
Whether you’re looking for great Italian food, or just a friendly place to sit down and eat without busting the budget, there’s a lot to love at That’s Amore.