By Nathan Duke
The owner of Astoria’s popular Trattoria L’incontro said he was proud his restaurant was recently chosen by the Zagat survey as the best place to eat Italian food in the five boroughs.
L’incontro, at 21-76 31st St. in Astoria, ranked highest of all Italian eateries in New York City in Zagat’s 2010 NYC Restaurants Survey, which was released in October, a spokesman for the guide said.
Rocco Sacramone, who opened L’incontro in 1999, said his restaurant has been mentioned in the guide for the past seven or eight years, but that this year was the first time it ranked in the top spot.
“It’s a great honor to be listed as the No. 1 for Italian food in the city,” he said.
The list includes more than 300 other restaurants in the five boroughs, of which just slightly less than one-third are from Queens.
In addition, Woodside’s Sripraphai, at 64-13 39th Ave., was ranked in the survey as the best place for Thai food in the city.
L’incontro and Sriphraphai have both been cited several times in the Michelin Guide as two of the borough’s best places to eat.
“We are grateful, humbled and honored,” said Vincent Bizati, general manager of L’incontro, of the Zagat mention.
The eatery often features more than 40 daily specials on any given day. Its menu includes a variety of pastas, salads, soups, fish, pizzas, chicken, veal, eggplant, lamb, steaks, risotto and appetizers as well as 250 types of wine.
City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) praised Sacramone at the United Civic Association’s holiday dinner in late December at Central Lounge in Astoria for the honor bestowed upon his restaurant as well as for his community service.
“As great a chef and owner he is, Rocco is an even better person,” Vallone said.
The councilman presented Sacramone with a proclamation from the Council for donating food to local churches in the community.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
