Weekend picks: Three Triple Crown choices
Customers outside Bob's Place in Floral Park. (June 12, 2009) Credit: Timothy Fadek
The 144th running of the Belmont Stakes is Saturday, with I'll Have Another going for the Triple Crown.
You can plan ahead for a good meal near Belmont Park. Here are three local restaurants that don't horse around.
King Umberto gets you going in its formal dining room and at the pizzeria that adjoins the restaurant. Either way, you win. Try the calamari salad, cavatelli with braised short ribs and "baci balls" of fried mozzarella, red pepper and prosciutto; from the pizzeria, a Sicilian pie, calzones, garlic knots.
1343 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
516-352-3232 or 8391
Arturo's, as dependable as Affirmed, could make you a regular with its torta primavera, a layering of crepes, cheese and cured meats; angel hair with pesto; escarole-and-bean soup; cavatelli with sausage, garlic and broccoli rabe; snapper bonne femme; and a lush zabaglione with ice cream.
246-04 Jericho Tpke., Floral Park
516-352-7418
Bob's Place is a friendly spot for meatloaf and mashed potatoes, Kobe-style sliders with onions, marinated and grilled skirt steak, grilled sirloin steak, fried green tomatoes, and a barbecue sampler with andouille sausage, baby back ribs and brisket.
Bob's Place, 230 Jericho Tpke., Floral Park
516-354-8185.
