An Italian Classic here in G.C.

Located at 2370 Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park is a favorite restaurant of mine, my kids and my girlfriends. Uncle Bacala’s has been the go to place for communion parties, birthdays and numerous girl’s nights out. Normally we start at the bar and have a cocktail while catching up with Peter, the owner of the restaurant that runs around like the Roadrunner making sure everything is running smoothly and his customers are beyond satisfied. Then we make it over to a table where we snack on flatbread and a tomato compote. We are never rushed and the servers are dutiful and extensively knowledgeable about the menu and what can be substituted etc. My favorite app is the Clams Oregenata and the Arancini – which  are rice balls with ricotta, mozzarella and lemon zest served with a marinara sauce. As they say, when in Rome…Most often than not an order of Calamari Fritti  will appear, and we are normally stuffed before our main meals come! However, since the portions are so large, it never fails that I take my remaining dinner to lunch the next day. The Linguini with baby clams, pancetta, garlic and olive oil in a white wine sauce travels very well and I will admit – sometimes I eat it for breakfast and don’t make it to lunch! Fortunately I share a common birthday with two/four of my dearest girlfriends and as a tradition, we like to spend our birthday dinner at U.B.’s as we call it. So looking forward to continuing our tradition at one of our favorite places in town. Look out Peter – the crew is coming in again very soon!