Bites Nearby: Classic Italian Stands Strong

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Commack Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

OLIO RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA

Overview: Olio is a local favorite known for its traditional Italian cuisine, in conjunction with it's partner restaraunt, La Scala. Great for a quick bite or a five-course family dinner, patrons never leave hungry.

Decor: Offering a slice of Tuscany, Olio employs Earth tones and exposed brick to set the mood. Tables are lined with crisp, white linen. Comfortable wooden tables line the front of the restaraunt near the pizza counter.

Appetizers: The usual Italian starters, though the mozzarella sticks ($8) are accompanied by fresh sliced tomato and a basil-infused sauce, with even more cheese baked on top for good measure. Calamari ($8.50) is served with a side of homemade marinara sauce. Pasta E Fagioli ($7) dominates the soup offerings, with an irresistable blend of pasta and vegetables with diced prosciutto. The house special is their Insalata Campagna, a bed of fresh field greens with walnuts, cranberries, roma tomatoes and crumbled gorgonzola cheese ($8). All entrees are served with warm bread and dipping oils.

Entrees: While this eatery is known for a number of sugnature dishes including Pollo Mona Lisa ($17) and Pasta Purses ($15), a twist on the classic ravioli, it's the combination dishes that really take center stage. The #4 offers a hefty plate of veal cutlet, chicken cutlet, fried shrimp and eggplant rollatine ($15) while the #2 serves up a classic quartet of ziti, ravioli, manicotti and a meatball ($12). Each combination dish comes with a choice of side. Other entrees include shrimp scampi ($18), Pollo Capriciosa ($16) and a delicate Salmon Cartoccio served in a white wine lemon sauce ($19).

Sides: Dishes range from an array of vegetables in garlic and oil, like spinach and broccoli ($4.50). They also have steak fries ($4) and the classic trio of meatballs ($4.75)

Service: Wait time for tables can be long—especially on weekends—but servers are quick to deliver drinks and bread once you sit down. Take-out orders are often served up surprisingly fast.

Signature Dish: Farfalle Olio

Address: 5990 Jericho Tpke.

Cost: $$