Trattoria L'incontra

Well, just when I thought I have been to and tried every wonderful Italian restaurant in the tri state area, another one falls into my lap.

A good friend suggested for her birthday that we try a place one of her friends frequent in Astoria, Queens. Trattoria L'incontra. located on 31 st in Astoria.

The decor is quite contemporary- high ceilings cobblestone tile floors, huge hand painted murals of scenes from Italy adorn the walls, a large brick oven for their "Le Pizze", their 11 Individual Pizzas, fireplace and two large rooms in the main dining room and a lounge area with a wine bar directly across the street for overflow & those without reservation. **YOU MUST have one!

Vincent ("cousin Vinnie" as he is known to frequent diners, is the Maitre' D & a superb knowledgable director of this bustling very busy place.

He recites the more than 40, yes, 40 specials, so don't even bother reading their large menu, unless you feel you must, The specials are the way to go.

More than 12 appetizers, 12 pastas, and numerous entrees.

We left our decisions in his hands for the appetziers & pasta & seleceted our entrees.

It was all outstanding!! To start, in addition to 2 bottles of wonderful Brunello Wines, (that Vinnie recommended) we had the burrata with proscuitto (burrata is a combination of cows & sheeps milk mozzarella imported from Italy-melt in your mouth delicious .

Next, the carmelized fig and arugula salad- oh my!! And then, one of my all time favorites, stuffed zucchini blossoms- just spectacular!!

Next, the pasta.

He chose for us, the homemade tagalatelli with sun dried ZUCCHINI- yes, Imported from Italy and tossed with crumbled sweet sausage in a light tomato sauce- excellent. Next our entrees. Two of us had the veal chop special- a rib sauteed with wild mushrooms and served with sauteed escarole and julienne slices of potato- wonderful in a light but rich brown sauce.

The others were the DOver sole- served with the entire skeleton of the bone sitting on top of the fish with tiny fresh herbs adorning each spiney bone- fantastic! The other was also a special- the grouper stuffed with marscapone and spinach- and the freshest,greenest green beans lightly sauteed in garlic and oil. wow!!!!

Dessert was also wonderful and a must try, The tiramisu was baked to perfection and well as the Chestnut layered mousse cake.

This is a MUST go!!!!! A winner!!!!