Via Vai, Best New Italian Restaurant in Astoria.

The creation of chef Antonio Morichini and his wife Cynthia, Via Vai in Astoria redefines the Italian restaurant scene in Queens, NY. Culinary magic and eye-striking decor come together at this unique new local gem. An attorney by profession, Cynthia moved to Rome, where she met her husband, Antonio Morichini. Four generations of Cynthia's family have lived in Astoria, and once they decided to move back to the States, Queens had to be their home. The word Via Vai is a popular phrase in Italy used to express conviviality and movement, people passing by and coming together. Chef Tony's domain is the kitchen, while Cynthia is responsible for the overall decor and management-side of the restaurant. Chef Tony attended culinary school in the Piedmont region of northern Italy.

After graduating from the culinary Institute Antonio worked in Chiavari, a seaside town in Liguria, not too far from Genoa. It is there that he learned different ways to prepare fish and pair them with his pastas. Returning to his native Rome, Tony soon gained quite a reputation as a talented Sous Chef and Chef de Cuisine. It was while working as a pasta chef at Convivio Troiani that chef Antonio met Christina Bowerman. Christina was a young chef who had come to Rome to learn how to cook the Italian way. Antonio took Christina under his wing and taught her the secrets and techniques of making pasta.

Since working with Tony, chef Christina has gone on to achieve great success in the highly competitive Roman restaurant scene. She is the chef and co-owner of Glass Hostaria, a Michelin star rated restaurant that has become one of Rome's trendiest spots. Recently, chef Christina had the honor of being asked to appear on the Italian version of the hit show "Master Chef." Chef Tony believes in serving food that utilizes simple, time-honored ingredients, but is also big on flavor. The chef wants to create a healthy and tasty dinning experience for his guests using locally sourced veggies, only the best cuts of meat and pasta made in-house.

The Roman influence is everywhere, from imported Italian coffees and teas to traditional Morichini family recipes that go back generations. From pasta dishes that are the heart and soul of Via Vai to authentic Roman-Style individual pizzas, Chef Tony enjoys putting his own spin on every dish, creating entirely new tastes and flavors for his guests. Popular selections include: pizza Fungi e Salsiccia (mushrooms, sausage and fior di latte), Gorgonzola (fior di latte, gorgonzola, arugula and truffle oil), pasta Amarticiana (vermicelli with cured pork cheeks, onion, tomato sauce, black pepper and just a touch of Pecorino Romano), Agnello (pappardelle noodles with white lamb Ragu, asparagus and truffle oil) just to name a few. Save room for Chef Tony's Tiramisu. Its light creamy texture and very soft, airy sponge cake instead of lady fingers will have you ordering seconds.

Recently added to the menu  as an appetizer are Lasagnetta. These delectable bites are mini lasagnas consisting of housemade lasagna noodles, porcini mushrooms, smoked mozzarella and Beschamel. This dish is a treat that is totally unique and totally Chef Tony. His signature appetizer, by the way, are the wildly popular Polpette (meatballs.) You could and perhaps, should, make a meal out of them. The Morichini family will make you feel like an honored guest every time.

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Location & Hours

31-09 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
(347) 612-4334
 
Mon
Closed
Tue-Thu
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
                        
                        
Fri-Sat
12:00 pm - 1:00 am
Sun
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm