PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

You can find a great Italian restaurant in every neighborhood of Manhattan, but in Astoria, Queens where Greek food flows like water, it's often hard to find a really good eggplant parmesan. But skeptics beware, you'll find an authentic Italian dish at the lovely Trattoria L'Incontro (2176 31st St.).

Settled in the hub of a busy intersection of Astoria, this restaurant is a great escape. Chef Rocca Sacramone is behind this gem of a restaurant – and is often seen table hopping to ensure that everyone is enjoying their meal. The theme of the restaurant seems to be bigger is better. The interior and décor is grandiose, wine glasses are the size of your arm, and my knife seemed more suited to carve a turkey rather than cut my lamb chop. Even the menu is large. Our waiter rattled off 32 specials (a fellow diner counted) from appetizers and salads to fish and meat entrees. I felt overwhelmed by all my menu options and wished they would have put a simple insert in the menu – there was no way to remember even half of the specials.

I started off with a calamari salad with cannelloni beans and red onion – which was delicious. My entrée was a stuffed veal chop that was surprisingly small (though the plate was gigantic, of course). Our waiter was a bit stiff and often slow, though not entirely his fault since this restaurant is always packed. You'll rarely find a night where you can just walk in and eat – so calling ahead for reservations is a must. With a packed house comes a lot of noise, making this a great place to go with a big group of people, which they can easily accommodate. Overall I enjoyed my experience, though for all the pomp and grandeur, I wish the food had delivered a bit more, though I think it definitely deserves a few more visits. At least I know I can get a great Italian meal in Astoria without hopping on the N back to Manhattan.