The Bottom Line
L'Incontro in Astoria is the neighborhood's long-running champ for upscale Italian dining. Looking in from the exterior, it can seem a little too loud, a little too proud. Step inside, however, and it's a different story.
Your waiter might talk himself dry reciting more than a dozen specials, but if you love Italian food, it's a list of love, nothing dry about it. The best course of action is to bring a large group and put yourselves in the hands of the chef. You'll enjoy an epic feast in the neighborhood.
Pros
- Delicious, Italian specialties, traditional and innovative
- Excellent seafood and fresh pastas
- Upscale local scene
Cons
- Expensive
- Difficult to find street parking
- Large dining area, but can feel crowded
Description
- Address - Trattoria L'Incontro, 21-76 31st St, Astoria, NY 11105
- Phone - 718-721-3532
- Subway - N, W subway to Ditmars Blvd / Astoria (the end of the line)
- Prices - Expensive, but still a value compared to Manhattan
Guide Review - Trattoria L'Incontro - Restaurant Review
Trattoria L'Incontro tries to be a great and local restaurant and it suceeds if you relax and enjoy the ride for a special occasion. It has its foibles, especially the loud and overwhelming central dining room, but its merits -- gorgeous food and excellent, warm service -- more than make up for it. L'Incontro is easily one of the best and most innovative Italian restaurants in Queens.
In a 2008 roundup of Astoria's Italian restaurants, guest reviewer Judith Klein called the restaurant's cuisine "inventive Italian with traditional roots." She recommended "green apple and mascarpone ravioli ($18)" and "pear and gorgonzola risotto ($23)" as well as "fresh spaghetti with juicy meatballs ($15) and creamy penne alla vodka ($13)" and the crispy crust of the pizza.
