Bites Nearby: Ciro's Bigger Location Adds Even More Flavor to Standout Restaurant

Overview: Ciro’s Italian Restaurant, which has been in Kings Park for five years, moved to a larger and more gracious location on East Main Street last April. The reputation of this restaurant, known for its elegant presentation of fine Italian cuisine made from the freshest ingredients, continues to soar.

Decor: Tin ceilings, wooden beams, and exposed brick provide a touch of warmth while multi-colored blown glass lamps and vintage-style posters, extolling the wonders of wine and pasta, add panache and style.

The Drinks: Ciro’s stocks more than 30 bottles of wine, and the price per bottle ranges from $20 to $100. White wine is generally $6 a glass, red, $7. Martinis are also a specialty here. The bar boasts about a dozen brands of beer, including Stella Artois and Peroni.

Appetizers: House favorites include baked clams (whole little necks, oreganata style), which are $16.95 for a full order and $8.95 for a half order. Another palate-pleaser is the fried calamari, which is served with marinara sauce ($11.95)or arrabiata-style with marinara sauce and hot cherry peppers ($13.95). The grilled vegetable platter ($10.95) featuring Portobello mushrooms, red bell pepper, squash, eggplant, zucchini, and carrots dressed with balsamic vinegar, is also a great way to start a meal.

Salads: The baby spinach salad ($8.95), dressed with raspberry vinaigrette, is a tantalizing mixture of textures and flavor, thanks to the caramelized walnuts, tomato, cucumber, and red delicious apples which adorn the diminutive leafs. Fresh mozzarella cheese and sliced beefsteak tomatoes ($6.95), a tried-and-true classic dressed with salt and vinegar, never fails to please.

Entrees: Frutti Di Mare ($22.95), a succulent medley of shrimp, clams, mussels, and calamari presented on perfectly al dente linguini, is a real showstopper. It can also be prepared with garlic and oil. Chicken Sorrentino ($16.95) masterfully combines tender sautéed chicken breast with eggplant and mozzarella cheese in a brown sauce. Pasta lovers have a large variety of choices, and will find linguini, rigatoni, penne, fettucini and capellini served with white clam sauce ($14.95) or meatballs ($13.95) to be a veritable feast. Gnocchi and cavatelli are also available for a $1 more.

Sides: Home-fried potatoes ($4.95), burnt broccoli ($8.95), spinach ($5.95) and broccoli rabe (P/A) are sought-after accompaniments.

Desserts: The Napoleon ($5.95) is Ciro’s signature dessert, but luscious cannoli , cheesecake and tiramisu also provide the perfect finale. The desserts are made to order, and sometimes you can watch them being created with great finesse at the counter in front of the kitchen.

Service: You won’t find a more personable staff, and they’ll not only recognize you on a return visit, but may very well remember your favorite dish. Ciro’s is very family-friendly, especially on Tuesdays (Pasta Night) and Wednesdays (Parmigiana Night). Why not include the whole family on Tuesdays, when, for $11.95, you can enjoy any pasta from the regular menu with soup or salad, dessert and coffee? On Wednesdays, guests can enjoy any parmigiana entree with soup or salad, dessert and coffee for $13.95. You might have to wait on weekends or on Pasta or Parmigiana Night, but it’s well worth it. The attractive foyer with its comfy sofa, faux wood-burning fireplace and flat screen TV is ideal for socializing while your table is being prepared.

Signature Dish: Chicken Ala Ciros. Very generous helpings of roasted , bone-in chicken pieces paired with sausage, roasted potatoes, broccoli, onion, and red bell pepper are $24.95 for a full order, and $17.95 for a half order.

Address: 74 East Main Street
Chef: Roberto Mejia
Cost: $$