Bites Nearby:Pomodorino Ristorante Italiano

Overview: Pomodorino Ristorante Italiano is part of a small chain of family-owned Long Island restaurants that has recently branched out to Massachusetts. Hauppauge has been home to Pomodorino since the mid-1990s. A year and a half ago, Pomodorino moved to its  new expansive location on Adams Avenue, which includes a catering room perfect for seminars and private parties. The restaurant boasts a loyal fan base thanks to an intoxicating mix of fine Northern and Southern Italian cuisine prepared daily with the freshest of ingredients.

Decor: Owner Piero Casalicchio has an eye for interior design. Red and white checked tablecloths, trompe l’oeil murals extolling the joys of food and drink, and the abundant use of dark wood convey the charm and intimacy of an Old World trattoria. Richly hued walls and unique semi-translucent lighting fixtures in the main dining room impart a golden glow.

The Drinks: Pomodorino has a full bar, and stocks more than 30 bottles of wine, with the price per glass ranging from $6 to $9. Bottles range in price from  $18 to $65. As is customary in trattorias, bottles can be left on the table and guests will be charged “a consumo” or according to what they consume. There are five beers on tap at the bar.

Appetizers: House favorites include crispy and tender calamari ‘fritti’ served with homemade tomato and basil sauce ($9.95). Mozzarella Calda  ($8.95) showcases slices of fresh, homemade mozzarella, breaded and deep-fried, which is served with homemade tomato sauce. Vongole Al Forno, little neck clams seasoned with Italian breadcrumbs and herbs, and baked in a wood-burning brick oven ($9.95), will appeal to seafood lovers.

 Salads: The restaurant’s signature salad, Insalata Pomodorino, draws interest from a trifecta of Greenleaf lettuce, radicchio and endive, embellished by provolone cheese, roasted peppers, sliced onion, and tomatoes, and  finished with a balsamic vinaigrette ($9.95). Insalata Caprese, homemade mozzarella cheese paired with ripe tomato and shredded basil , and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil ($9.95), is a tried-and-true classic that never fails to delight.

Entrees: The exceedingly diverse menu, which is augmented by a rotating repertoire of specials, provides diners with a potpourri of inviting choices. Portions are generous and entrees come with a house salad. Tre Terre ($21.95) is a succulent medley of chicken paillard (pan-seared chicken breast pounded thin and seasoned with rosemary and olive oil), grilled New Zealand lamb chops, and grilled Portobello mushrooms. In contrast, Tre Mari ($19.95) features shrimp scampi, pan-seared salmon filet and clams which have been baked in a brick oven.

There are more than 20 pasta dishes including Ravioli Con Porcini ($15.95), pillows of perfectly prepared pasta brimming with chicken, herbs and ricotta cheese, bathed a porcini mushroom sauce enlivened by a touch of cream, is a stand-out. Pizza making is a fine art at Pomodorino and the menu boasts six different varieties ranging in price from $10.95 to $12.95.

Sides: Asparagi Grillate ( $5.95), grilled asparagus, dressed with balsamic vinaigrette, and sprinkled with Romano cheese, fresh broccoli rabe ($5.95) sautéed in imported olive oil and garlic, and Polpette di Nonna ($5.95), a generous serving of homemade meatballs in marinara sauce, are sought-after accompaniments.

Desserts: Those with a sweet tooth can choose from a potpourri of luscious homemade happy endings proudly displayed  on a dessert tray. Classic favorites include Torta di Formaggio, homemade ricotta cheesecake ($5.95);  gelato ($5.50), tartuffe, chocolate and vanilla ice cream adorned by a hard chocolate shell ($5.95), and tiramisu ($5.95), expresso-soaked biscotti, augmented by sweet pastry cream and Kahlua essence. There’s also crème caramel, homemade Italian flan (($5.95). The most decadent and irresistible dessert? Bomboloni di Cioccolato ($5.95), which area and marketing manager Sonny Awan describes as “a chocolate volcano cake” whose delicious liquid interior explodes when the dessert is heated. It is served with ice cream, and not to be missed.

Service : Pomodorino tends to be busiest at lunch and on weekends, but the staff is always extremely personable and attentive. If Awan is on the premises he’ll probably stop by your table to chat, and see how you are enjoying your meal.

Signature Dish: Chicken Parmigiana ($17.95) is, by far, the restaurant’s best-selling dish. The restaurant is also renowned for its Pomodoro sauce, the classic Roman-style tomato sauce accented by fresh basil and garlic, making Linguine Pomodoro ($11.95) a taste sensation.

Address: 160 Adams Avenue
Chef: Avido
Cost: $$