Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in Sunnyside

A neighborhood gem. Great food theatre I how they prepare some of their fare at the table before serving. A rare treat for diners. Food and service were great.

We had the most amazing time at Aunt Jake's Pasta Making Experience. From the moment we arrived, I just knew it was going to be fun! The chef who taught us about pasta was funny yet informative; the atmosphere was cozy; the staff was friendly and attentive; and the food was delicious. The process was easy to understand and very well organized. What a great date and a wonderful way to start the new year. Highly highly highly recommend! :)

Over the years we have kept coming back for more at one of the finest restaurants in New York city, Cucina 8 ½. The restaurant is extraordinary in so many ways. The ambience and design of Cucina is so elegant and beautifully appointed with a stunning staircase that signals to all diners that their descent down to the dining area was going to be a very special, indeed. The food is delicious with its Mediterranean favorites and imaginative creations that are delivered to tables by a dedicated staff seeking to provide an inviting and warm welcome to all. You get the feeling that they will truly attend to every diner’s individual needs and make any occasion a happy one from start to finish… from brilliant cocktails to perfect desserts. A remarkable restaurant to which we have been bringing our friends to celebrate big moments or casual lunches. Each time and each situation was a better experience than the last. And so it is with so much sadness we were told yesterday that the restaurant was closing in a few days. New Years Eve. We were devastated when the restaurant manager, Liz Dugan, told us of the doors were shutting. One of the most compelling reasons we ate at Cucina was because Liz made us feel truly excited about the dining experience we were about to have. At the bottom of the staircase, she always greeted us with a brilliant smile and kind words. She seemed so interested in what we were doing since last we came and the curiosity that she expressed seemed utterly genuine. She would intrigue us with experimental cocktails of the day, provide recommendations for items on the menu and make each dish sound fantastic. She was masterly not only with customers but with running the ship… seating diners , checking on tables, navigating the front and back of the house, sorting things with the chef, and chit chatting along the way that made everyone feel a part of the Cucina 81/2 family. Liz is singular in so many ways. When she spoke of the restaurant closing she indic

Small restaurant. We came half hour early, it was still full, people waiting. But they tried very hard to accommodate us and they did. They were very nice. The food was very very good, the veal was fantastic. The ice cream on a brownie? It was some dried up cake, nor a brownie. But everything else , served for 6 people , was excellent.

The lobster ravioli special was amazing, 10/10 recommend.