Italian restaurant Nonnina closes in West Islip, Besito to open in its place

Nonnina, once a three-star restaurant in West Islip, has closed. A third branch of Besito, among Long Island's top-rated Mexican spots, is expected to open at the site in fall.

Besito also has branches in Huntington and Roslyn, as well as in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Florida.

Nonnina earned its three-star rating in Newsday in 2007. The restaurant near the Robert Moses Causeway excelled with dishes such as fritto misto, bucatini alla carbonara, duck breast with cherry-mustard sauce, chicken scarpariello, and ricotta fritters.

The redesign of the space to accommodate the newest Besito is under way. The date for the opening has not been set yet. Diners should expect to find the highest wall of luminaria among the local branches, and dishes similar to those at the other establishments, plus the group's many Margaritas.

Nonnina was situated at 999 Montauk Hwy., West Islip.

The local Besito locations are at 402 New York Ave., Huntington, 631-549-0100; and 1516 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn, 516-484-3001.