Borrelli's, It's All About Family, Friends and Good Food
Written: Feb 01 '05 (Updated Jan 10 '06)
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Pros: Reliable service, good food, easy parking and centrally located to many Nassau County venues.
Cons: Sometimes a short line on Colliseum Event Nights.
The Bottom Line: Borrelli's is a great place to eat before going to or coming from one-of-the-many-nearby-sites. It's also a good place to just kick back and enjoy good food and people
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Borrelli???s Italian Restaurant |
Though I enjoy going to the best of places for a memorable dining experience with white glove service, candle light, exquisite presentations created by a chef gifted in contemporary culinary skills and who also has the daring and expertise to put together new creations, there are times when I just want to kick back in a friendly atmosphere, with a bottle of beer or a glass of wine and get good home style Italian cookin' where I know exactly what's on the menu and get my favorite that will be cooked to perfection time after time.
Such a place is Borrelli's Restaurant in East Meadow on Long island.
We Want You Happy
I've known this place since I was 12 years old. As a kid I went here a few times and after getting married my wife and I ate here with the family from time to time. After eating at this restaurant again about a week ago I went over to the fellow who runs the place, Frankie, and asked him a bit about Borrellis. Once you talk to him you'll feel like you have known him all your life. He's a good guy. He handed me a sheet of paper. It happened to be an Entry Form and Guest Survey. The idea was for the patrons to fill in the form after dinner and then be eligible for a prize. Basic questions like have you been here before? How do you rate the food? How do you rate the service and Would you visit us again? Were among the ten or so inquiries.
Once you filled in the form you are eligible for one of four $25 gift certificates that are drawn once a month.
Though I know what the food is like and that it is predictably good I realized that this establishment wasn't happy with the status quo. They wanted their customers to be happy and would even reward clients for letting them know what is working and perhaps what is not.
Brief History
On the back of this form is a bit of information about the business. Here's what it said.
" A Little Bit About Our Family"
In the fall of 1955, on a corner piece of East Meadow, a tradition was born. Three brothers Al, Phil, and Frank would open the doors for the first time to an establishment that has served customers for almost "50" Years. Borrelli's Restaurant has not only been a tradition in our family but it has been a tradition in many of your families too. We are still the original "Borrelli's family owned and operated which many of you already know.
Frank Jr., Angela and Lisa are the 2nd generation of the Borrelli family who will keep the tradition going along with Beth and Kevin, and even some 3rd generation has already started working here too.
We are Three Generations Working As One...which is one of the many reasons we have been so successful for so many years.
We have staff that is like our extended family and many good friends have been made through out the years. Some have been with us for over thirty years and some left retiring after 40 years. We are fortunate, that we worked and are still working with some wonderful people.
So, From Our Family to Yours, We THANK YOU for Nearly "50" Years of Patronage!
More about the "50" Years from popsrocks in a bit.
Getting There and Some of What is Nearby
One thing about this place is that it is centrally located on Long Island being right on Hempstead Turnpike (24) and just a few hundred yards from the Meadowbrook Parkway and also just yards away from Merrick Ave.
It's also just down the road from the Nassau Coliseum. Borrelli's is a favorite stop for families and friends going to the Coliseum to see the circus, an Ice show, an Islander or Dragons game or one of the many concerts that play there. Some of the stars also stop in from time to time. Keep your autograph book handy.
Borrelli's is also just a stones throw from the EAB Plaza that has Christmas and Holiday decoration outside by the skating rink and also inside where the waterfalls and atrium are.
Did you know that the Christmas Tree at the EAB plaza in '04 was 19 feet taller than the Rockefeller Center Tree?! Yes, and it is a wonderful place to stop for the holidays.
For parents just coming to check out some of the local colleges, Borrelli's, is just up the road from Hofstra University, less than a mile, and just on the opposite side of the Coliseum to Nassau Community College
Borrelli's is also just a 1/4 mile from Eisenhower Park so it's a great family stop after a day of play or perhaps if your picnic or ball game is getting rained on.
If you happen to be staying at the Marriot Hotel next to the Colliseum you can go to Borrelli's for a change of pace.
Borrelli's has a huge parking lot that almost encircles the large restaurant. You won't have to be lookin' in your pocket for a couple-a-bucks for valet service or waiting for your car afterward here. All the parking is nearby. Everything is at street level so you won't have to negotiate stairs or ramps. I also like that the entrance is off the busy street and right in the middle of the parking area.
The Restaurant
Walking in the doors you immediately know you are in an Italian Restaurant by large tile floors, brick walls, homey feel of the place and the wonderful aromas of sauces cooking in the back.
The large lobby area makes it easy to get out of your coats and freshen up if you like in the rest rooms nearby. Straight ahead is a small glass fridge with delicious looking pastries. These things are always calling out to me.
I like that it that if there happens to be a short line for the restaurant the bar is very much open to the lobby area with plenty of room at small tables or the bar itself. If you're there on a Saturday night say hello to George for me. You can get beer on tap or bottled. The bar crew can make any kind of cocktails you would like. At the tables you will also get a complete wine list.
The main dining area has tables and chairs and many comfortable booths to sit in. Many have Tiffany style lamps above them. Borrelli's can arrange for very large groups too. Besides being a good family and friend restaurant it is also a great stop with large groups of kids on afternoon field trips to the nearby Children's Museum of Long Island or the Cradle of Aviation Museum that also has an IMAX theatre. The restaurant has special full lunch prices that can include main course eats, drinks and desserts.
The staff is friendly, unpretentious and quick to the tables asking to help you in any way. They know the menu well and can make suggestions.
The hardwood polished tables are clean. You will not find table cloths and large flower arrangements here.
The Menu
You will find a good menu complete with many of your favorite Italian offerings or maybe you'll just decide on pizzas. They are good!
Their appetizers are pretty predictable but that's a good thing. You know you'll always find Shrimp Cocktail, Clams and Mussels in many styles, Shrimp, Calamari, Fried Mozzarella or Zuchini, Stuffed Mushrooms, Chicken Sticks or Wings and more. These are enough to share for a couple of people and go for $5.95-$9.50. If you are a big eater, like I might be considered, you might have one on your own. My wife tells me I eat too much but I can't help it when I have good food in front of me.
As another course they have four or five different kinds of soups. Salads are good and can be had as individual or as we have it in Family Style Chef Salad Bowls. The medium bowl that feeds 3-4 is $11.50. We've had their Caesar Salad that happens to be excellent!
Bread and butter is also brought to the table with dinner. Hey could this be Italian if it wasn't? It's a nice bread that has a sweet flavor, soft inside and crispy out.
Borrelli's has all the Entrees you would expect in a good basic Italian Restaurant. Here are a few right off their menu.
Veal Cutlet Parmigiana
Coated in seasoned bread crumbs lightly fried topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella
13.50
Veal Scaloppine Francese
Sauteed in a lemon, butter and wine sauce
15.95
Veal Cutlet Milanese
Coated with seasoned bread crumbs, lightly fried topped with tomato sauce
12.95
Veal Scaloppine, Marsala
Sauteed with mushrooms in a wine and butter sauce
15.95
Sausage & Peppers
Sauteed with onions, peppers, in a marinara sauce
12.50
Sausage Alla Pizziola
Sauteed in marinara sauce
12.00
Steak Pizziola
Sauteed in a marinara sauce
18.95
Chicken Parmigiana
Coated in seasoned bread crumbs, lightly fried topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella
13.50
Chicken Piccata
Boneless breast of chicken sauteed in a lemon, wine and butter sauce
14.50
Chicken Marsala
Strips of chicken breaded, fried and sauteed with mushrooms and onions in a wine and butter sauce
14.50
Chicken Alla Borrelli
Sauteed with roasted peppers and basil, topped with mozzarella
15.50
Fried Calamari
Coated with seasoned bread crumbs lightly fried
14.50
Fried Calamari Fra D'Avalo
Sauteed in a medium or hot sauce
14.50
The last entry, Calamari Fra D'Avalo, is what my wife and I had the last time we were at Borrelli's. I enjoyed it and the dish of pasta that comes with it. Next time I'll tell them even hotter.
Calamari & Scungilli
Sauteed in marinara sauce
18.50
Broiled Scallops
Broiled in wine, butter and garlic
14.95
Shrimp Scampi
Sauteed in wine, butter and garlic
14.95
Lobster Tail Fra D'Avalo
Sauteed in a medium or hot sauce
25.95
There's a lot more. I just didn't want to fill up too much sopce on this review. Go to their web site if you must have a peek ahead of time.
http://www.borrellisrestaurant.com/index.html
My girls had the Veal Cutlet Parmigiana that was very good. My wife had to keep me away from their food too.
The last time we ate at Borrelli's, just a couple of weeks ago, I also looked at the selections coming out of the kitchen to other tables. The portions are a good size, yes, even for me. The entrees are presented in fine fashion and our dinners were prepared well. All was brought out at the same time and in a timely manner.
If you happen to be there before an event at the Nassau Colliseum or EAB Plaza, let the waitstaff know. They will serve you accordingly. Have a nice relaxed dinner or have something quick. The staff will work with you.
I must admit we have not had any desserts from Borrelli's in a long while. Even though I salivate looking at the pies and cannoli in the show case I just haven't had the room for it. I can tell you about their Pizzas dough, I mean though.
Pizza
Borrelli's offers a 10" Personal size at $6.50. This tomato and cheese pie is more than enough for this big guy. I have had it and I like Borrelli's pies. They have a crispy bottom and the pie is not too doughy for me. It also has a nice small but crispy crust. I also happen to love the taste of the mozzarella Borrelli's uses on their pies.
For a couple-a-few people they also offer a 14" small pie at $9.50 and a large 16" at $10.50. For any of the usual toppings figure on adding $1.00 per item per pie.
It's their "50th" Anniversary
I mentioned earlier that Borrelli's is celebrating its "50th" anniversary this year. Be sure to go onto their web site and sign up for some incredible values that will be coming up later this year.
In Closing
Borrell's like I said has good food at good prices and a friendly and efficient staff but they are much more than that. That's why I have given this restaurant a bit more attention than I might have otherwise done.
The Borrelli family is also a good and warm group of people that make you feel comfortable and like part of he family. They also do the same for strangers.
Every Christmas they get together with a local civic group, the Kiwanis, that puts together names of people that are needy. On Christmas Day Frankie and family take time out of their own family celebrations at home to cook full meals and invite these people into their restaurant free of charge. Gifts are given and the true meaning of Christmas is celebrated (giving and helping your fellow man). As Frankie tells me, "When you see the smile on the people and how they enjoy themselves it's a wonderful feeling. You always receive more than you give."
Go to Borrelli's, see Frankie, his wife Beth and the rest of the crew. It's all about family, friends and good food, and yes, generous and caring people too!
Nearby sites and destinations as reviewed by popsrocks.
EAB Plaza A definite Holiday Stop
Cradle of Aviation Museum A wonderful Museum about Long Island Aviation
Long Island Children's Museum This is a fun hands-on place to take the kids.
Nassau Coliseum
Eisenhower Park One of the best in the nation!
Marriot Hotel Next door to the Colliseum and across the street from Borrelli's
Long Island So much more to see
Freeport's Nautical Mile A wonderful summer destination!!
Recommended:
Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Check out their wine list.
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