Palermo Restaurant - Astoria, NY

Innovative Italian Cuisine that takes pizza and pasta to the next level.

There's definitely no shortage of Italian restaurants in the city of New York and it's no wonder. Italian food is, after all, one of the most popular cuisines in the USA. A nice slice of pizza and a heaping, steaming plate of spaghetti and meatballs has become almost as American as apple pie. The secret, though, is to find a place where the culinary tradition of Italy is honored, yet, the chef is not afraid to put a creative, imaginative spin on the classics. Well, if you happen to live or work in the charming neighborhood of Ditmars, Astoria you're in luck because that means you are not too far from Palermo, a restaurant that is a cut above the rest.

A haven of hospitality just steps away from the beautiful greenery of Astoria Park, Palermo Restaurant has been feeding hungry and discerning locals for well over a decade and it shows no signs of slowing down. The hardworking owners, Zikfrit and Kozeta Zoto, originally hail from the country of Albania. With the rousing success of Palermo Restaurant, this family has achieved the American Dream and then some. Palermo is beloved by one and all! Local parents and their kids adore the mouth-watering menu and the opportunity to get out of the apartment and enjoy a special meal. The romantic ambiance of Palermo is also ideal for date night. And, the restaurant is a favorite of Astoria's movers and shakers. What better way to close a business deal than with a power lunch at Palermo? Let's say that you've just gotten home from work, you're much too tired to cook and are not feeling yesterday's leftovers. Delivery is Palermo's forte. Your food will arrive in a very timely manner and they pride themselves on getting your order right the first time.

The secret sauce that's going on here is the careful sourcing of ingredients. A plate of food is only as good as what you put into it. The Palermo team has cultivated solid relationships with local purveyors of vegetables, meats, cheeses and the like, assuring you that everything is as fresh as can be. The Zoto family is known for their exceptional pizza, which is available as either a 12 or 16-inch pie. Palermo's signature pie is the Margherita. It is literally a taste of heaven on your plate. The crust is oh-so light with a slight char from the brick oven. Indulge your pizza cravings with thin slices of fresh mozzarella, and basil, which gives the pie a refreshing, unique flavor and a delectable tomato sauce that's not overly sweet. The Bianca,
( white pizza) is also worthy of your attention. In fact, the pizza at Palermo is SO good, dare we say it; if Neapolitan pizzaiolos were to taste a slice, they would be mighty jealous. If you want to jazz up your pizza, the kitchen offers a variety of toppings to customize things, ranging from ricotta, spinach, anchovies and artichokes to roasted peppers and kalamata olives.

As good as it is, Palermo is about so much more than pizza. You will find an extremely diverse array of dishes on their menu. Start off your special dinner with an appetizer like grilled octopus accompanied by roasted peppers and capers or eggplant rollatini which is rolls of eggplant stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, topped with the family's signature vodka sauce. You'll also adore the chef's made-from-scratch meatballs. Summer is the perfect time for a salad and they've got some nifty bowls of healthy goodness on offer at Palermo. The insalata Palermo consists of organic mixed greens, creamy slices of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, olives, peppers, julienned carrots, capers and artichoke hearts, and tossed in-house dressing. The Insalata di fichi is made with organic baby spinach, crumbled feta, crispy shallots and dried figs, accompanied by honey balsamic dressing.

Pasta selections include a divine fettuccine Alfredo, rigatoni with a Tuscan-style Bolognese (meat) sauce, lobster and crab ravioli as well as linguini carbonara with mushrooms, peas, pancetta, all in a creamy white sauce that is as delicate as it is delicious. Take a break from red sauce with the chef's rigatoni con la salsiccia which in English translates to rigatoni with sausage. As with all of Palermo's dishes, the portion is generous. You won't go hungry at this restaurant. The dish is made with chunks of butcher-block fresh sausages tossed with a veritable harvest of veggies: broccoli florets, red peppers, spinach and onions dressed in a broth of chicken stock, a touch of butter, garlic and olive oil. The taste is out of this world. Definitely, a one of a kind culinary experience.

There are bountiful meat and fish selections on the menu to tempt you. The whole Branzino served over asparagus is incredible as is the chicken Francese and veal Milanese. The chicken paillard is tender and tasty, but the highlight of the dish has to be the earthy grilled portobello mushrooms. Spot on, for sure. The kitchen also does justice to that all-time Italian restaurant staple, chicken parmigiana. There's more than enough melted cheese and sauce here to satisfy. But, you won't feel as though you're drowning in it, either.

When you dine at Palermo (or order from them), do try to leave some room for dessert. You won't be sorry; not with options that are designed to satisfy anyone's sweet tooth like Nutella tiramisu, chocolate lava cake and creme brulee cheesecake. The service is always friendly, professional and on point. And that's to be expected. When you dine out, it's only natural to want to be spoiled a little bit. Should you have a small gathering on the horizon such as a birthday, graduation, or anniversary celebration, please keep Palermo in mind. They will make your event a great success. Catering is second nature to the Zoto family. They LOVE to make people feel welcome and at home. In addition to the gorgeous interior, Palermo offers outdoor seating on their patio.

When Italian food is calling your name, pick up that smartphone and call Palermo for a reservation. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest. Make your evening special by toasting the love of your life with a glass of wine and an unforgettable meal at Palermo Restaurant.

Location and Hours:

Pistilli Riverview East
23-92 21st Street
Astoria N.Y. 11105
(718) 267-0010

Hours :

Monday to Friday 12 PM to 10:30 PM
Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM
Sunday 11 AM to 9:30 PM