La Rotonda Ristorante
Opens its New Eatery on Middle Neck Road
By Robin Frank, Robin Frank Public Relations

Fans of La Rotonda, the Bond Street eatery that earned rave reviews for its brick-oven pizza, tasty salads and Italian fare, can now get the same delicious food, plus an expanded menu, in a much larger restaurant that has opened on Middle Neck Road.

“People were waiting 45 minutes for a table at our Bond Street restaurant, and we wanted to expand to accommodate our patrons,” said chef/owner Luigi Muto. “The Bond Street restaurant is still open, but in our new location, we have multiple dining areas and much more seating.” The second location also offers a much larger menu featuring traditional Italian specialties, modern adaptations and lighter Italian fare.

Situated at 66 Middle Neck Road, patrons will find a friendly café ambience upon entering. During the warm-weather months, they have the option of enjoying their meal al fresco in a lovely garden setting that fills up quickly. Upstairs, a stylish, newly renovated dining room offers a cozy and intimate setting for an elegant gourmet meal. Warm wood tones, white tablecloths, fresh flowers and candlelight create a delightful ambience.
 
Muto opened the new location about a year ago with partners Jeffrey Frimet, Marty Bataan and Giorgio Pecoraro, the restaurant’s executive chef. “People in Great Neck and the surrounding towns appreciate good food,” Muto says. “It makes me feel good when people enjoy our dishes.” It’s not unusual for Muto to pay a visit to patrons at their table to make sure they’re happy with their meal and receiving excellent service.

Muto and Pecoraro are both from Italy and came to the United States in their teens. With more than 40 years of cooking experience between them, they take tremendous pride in the taste, presentation and freshness of their dishes. Muto, who came to New York at age 16, bought his first pizzeria in Queens when he was just 19 years old. Over the years, he has owned five pizzerias. He now dedicates himself to the Great Neck establishments.

From La Rotonda’s famous brick oven pizzas and panini to gourmet dinners, the ample menu guarantees diners will find something to their liking. An extensive selection of traditional Italian dishes and seafood entrées, nightly dinner specials, more than 20 varieties of brick-oven pizza, salads, wraps and panini grace the menu.

Many of the favorites prepared by chefs Giorgio and Luigi are hometown recipes from their native Sicily handed down from generation to generation. Home-style Lasagna, Veal Madeira, Chicken Rusticana, Bourbon Shrimp & Chicken, Basil-Encrusted Tilapia, Red Snapper Livornese and Lobster Ravioli are among the popular entrées. A variety of dinner specials are available nightly, including the tasty Oricchietti Pugliese (pasta, arugula and fresh tomatoes, a recipe from chef Luigi’s hometown) and chef Giorgio’s Mandarin Chile-Glazed Chicken.

Diners enjoy complimentary antipasto with their dinner and freshly-baked bread made right on the premises. When it comes time for dessert, La Rotonda makes its own gourmet gelato with an imported gelato machine and ingredients from Italy. In addition to the endless choice of Italian ice cream flavors, dessert-lovers will be hard-pressed to choose from Italian cheese cake, tartuffo, tiramisu, a decadent chocolate fudge lava cake and other selections.
 
A complete wine list is available, and for those who enjoy martinis, La Rotonda’s full cocktail menu offers chocolate, pomegranate and 18 other martini flavors. The restaurant welcomes corporate accounts and offers free delivery. A dining room accommodating up to 60 people can be booked for parties and special events.

La Rotonda is open for coffee, snacks, lunch and dinner seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to closing. Anyone who would like more information or reservations is invited to call 516-498-3890.