The waitstaff is straight out of The Godfather: subtly intimidating yet paternal figures with sage menu advice. Under their tutelage, diners are directed to the impressive list of daily specials and well-appointed wine list. The baked artichoke arrives encrusted with bread crumbs and wading in a light buttery sauce. Meaty and mild, the appetizer is a good introduction to the increasingly heavy entrees. Moving on to a pasta dish, patrons will find the mushroom risotto worth lingering over. With three kinds of mushrooms including delectable porchinis, the risotto is quite substantial and is best shared between two people with bottomless pits for stomachs. The sauce is pungent and envelopes the taste buds in a delicate dance between the musk of mushroom flavors and the pasta's supple texture.For the third course, an eye towards splitting is also recommended. Filet Mignon and chicken are offered as a single dish that arrives with the two meats separated by a single stalk of reduction-drizzled asparagus. The chicken is browned to perfection with a delicious egg-y Francese sauce that strikes an impressive balance between lemon notes, buttery taste, and white wine undertones. The Filet is the perfect, hockey puck size to enjoy its juicy tenderness. Prepared sparsely and served with minimal window dressing, the two elements make this a dish a must-eat. The prices are on the high side for a Broadway restaurant but between the front bar, piano player, and impeccable service, the premiums are more than worth it. The atmosphere is definitively upscale but never stuffy. If you're looking for a night out in Astoria to savor, Ristorante Ponticello will make you an offer you can't refuse.
INFO:
Ristorante Ponticello
4611 Broadway
(718) 278-4514
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2 comments:
I have ALWAYS been curious about this place! Piccolo Venezia is tops on my list of vaguely mysterious Italian offerings, but this is next.
I didn't see your comment from last month until now--sorry--I live near Plaza Cafe, which is disappointing. But it also means I live near La Nopalera on 29th Street, so the tasty-cheap-taco factor is a bonus!
Ponticello is really old school. Most of the diners know each other, and know all of the wait staff. It's like one big happy family. I myself can't afford to eat there, even if it was only once a month, but my neighbor takes us there every New Years Eve and usually it ends up being 10 or so of us at the table. And believe me there is always a ton of food, all of it really good. I wouldn't call it a red sauce type of place, but I wouldn't call it high brow either.
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