After watching my nephew get a standing ovation as Bruce in his elementary school production of Matilda, his whole crew of supporters celebrated with dinner nearby at Sotto La Luna. What I learned: Greek is usually the go-to in Astoria, but you’re very much still in luck if you want Italian.
This Italian spot with an open kitchen is industrial but warm. And they are serving up amazing food. Anytime you can get cacio e Pepe prepared tableside in a giant wheel of cheese, you can guess you’re in for a good meal.
We shared a couple of apps: the calamari, the zucchini tartare (with toasted almonds and lemon mint pesto – unique and fabulous). I couldn’t resist a bite of my neighbor’s cacio e pepe (great), but really enjoyed my pasta choice of calamarata, ring-shaped pasta with salmon, radicchio, and a pistachio pesto sauce. I love pesto and I love pistachio – not a shock that I enjoyed this sauce. Also, the pastas are very clearly homemade and a cut above.
Peaches to Apples 