CBS2’s Tony Tantillo reports.
WE’LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN JUST A COUPLE MOMENTS BUT FIRST, IS THERE EVER A BAD TIME FOR GREAT ITALIAN TIME? OUR CBS 2 FOOD REPORTER IS IN THE STORY THIS WEEK AT A CLASSIC NEIGHBORHOOD SPOT FOR THIS WEEKS DINING DEAL. THIS IS CHEF AND OWNER OF LAN CONTRA, A MAIN STAY IN ASTORIA AND RENOUNED TO THE CLASSIC AND EVER EVOLVING ITALIAN DISHES. DO YOU CHANGE YOUR DISHES A LOT? ALMOST EVERY DAY. YOU DO? WHATEVER YOU FEEL LIKE DOING. ONE THING I DON’T DO, I DON’T SKIMP ON THE QUANTITY. IT’S ALWAYS MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. IT SHOWS IN EVERYTHING THEY SERVE. THIS IS A POLENTA, WITH A HINT OF TRUFFLE OIL AND COOKED WITH THREE TYPES OF MUSHROOMS, AND THINK IS ACTUALLY IT WAS MY SEASONAL DISH BUT NOW I CAN TAKE IT OFF THE MENU AND WHEN PEOPLE COME IN AT THE SUMMERTIME. THIS IS AN IN DEMAND DISH, SEASONAL, FOR $30, AND FOR $16 IT’S ALSO GREAT TO KICKOFF A MEAL AND PERFECT TO SHARE. OUR SEASONABLE NUTS, SOME OLIVE OIL, SOME BASIL, SOME FLAVORED SALT, PUT IT BACK TOGETHER. THIS BEAUTIFUL PASTA DISH GETS RICH YELLOW COLOR FROM ORGANIC YELLOW TOMATOES AND PANCHETTA. WE STARTED IT FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND OH, MY GOD IT JUST FLIES OUT OF HERE. AND THAT FINISH WITH THIS AMAZING $22 RAVIOLI. THIS IS SWEET POTATO AND GOAT CHEESE RAVIOLI. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT’S MY PLEASURE. YOU KNOW A GOOD DINING DEAL