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Romantic can describe a Tuscan-styled dining room with a fireplace and white linens comfy chairs against the cozy backdrop of amber walls with dark wooded wainscoting and built-in cabinetry.
The restaurant features pastas, sauces, breads, and desserts, all homemade and house specialties of seasonal fish caught locally, organic produce from Long Island farms, free-range chicken, and fine cuts of organic meats, according to the restaurant. A wine menu has 300 labels and there are thousands in stock.
An Antipasti menu has the delicacies of Grilled Mediterranean Octopus with white beans, lemon and olive oil.
The "Salsicca di Cinghiale" or wild boar sausage comes with cherry peppers and Parmigiano polenta.
The Sogliola or Dover Sole Meuniere is whole roasted then filleted tableside. It is served in a sauce of herbs, lemon, garlic, and olive oil.
You might try Vitello Siciliana, sauteed veal scaloppine topped with prosciutto, eggplant, and mozzarella in Marsala wine sauce or Polletto, a cornish hen with cherry peppers, olives and capers in lemon and rosemary sauce.
There are varied pasta and risotto dishes, steaks and chops.
Chef/Owner Franco Zitoli learned from his parents and grandfather who owned a trattoria in Italy. His son Victor, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, is the fourth generation in this family business.
On Google Virtuoso 80 says in a review, "Franina is a lovely, authentic Italian restaurant. Just some nice ingredients, simply prepared, end of story. What it's supposed to be.'
Stephanie S. of Charlotte, North Carolina, on Yelp posted, "This is my favorite Italian restaurant on Long Island. My family and I usually come here for our birthdays. It has a very nice intimate ambiance. Pretty nice wine selection. Food is always outstanding and portions are just right.
Franina Restaurant is located at 58 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset.
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