You think Astoria is just Greek food? Well, you’re wrong. Italian restaurants scatter the restaurant scenery, but Ornella Trattoria by far is my favorite. I’m actually second guessing putting them on blast here – I really want to keep this little secret to myself.
Tucked away on 23rd Ave in Astoria amongst a plethora of predominately Greek-owned restaurants is Ornella. The restaurant is run by its owner Guiseppe, and from what I saw his children also help serve at the restaurant which is named after their mother. While not a large space, it is accommodating enough and is usually always packed when I walk by on my way home.
One of their fresh pasta options was this Pasta di Castagna. The dough is actually gluten-free and made with chestnut flour instead of the usual all-purpose. The pasta is tossed with this creamy, nutty pistachio sauce drizzled in truffle oil – extremely dreamy and the definition of “al dente” (to the tooth) in all senses.
This beautiful dish was Linguine ai fruitti de mare, which translates to pasta with the “fruit of the ocean”. Clams, mussels, calamari, and shrimp were cooked in a tomato reduction sauce and the lovely oceany flavor permeated the pasta in the best possible way.
This is a classic Italian dish – Linguine al Pesto. Simple yet elegant with basil, pignoli, and cheese.
Although this particular pasta dough isn’t made in-house (like the chickpea pasta dish was), you can tell that these pastas aren’t your average grocery store brand. The added freshness and vibrancy from the sauce really brings it all together. Oh, and the extra cheese doesn’t hurt.
Now onto one of my most favorite pasta dishes of all time – Spaghetti Carbonara. Not gonna lie, I make amazing carbonara, but this blows mine out of the water.
Ending this post with seafood because I mean who doesn’t want a piece of this? Please just don’t flood my favorite Italian restaurant in Astoria.
Website: www.ornellatrattoria.com
Address: 29-17 23rd Ave,Astoria, NY 11105
taleitalei 