| Issue #27, September 29, 2006 |
A New Restaurant In Town
New Kid On The Block Il Luigino Classico In Riverhead Opens Its Doors
By Debbie Tuma
You don’t have to go to Rome or Florence to find the same fine, homemade Italian food right here in Riverhead. Last Saturday night, about 75 people were treated to a gourmet Italian buffet and an oldies band of music and dancing, at the Grand Opening of Il Luigino Classico Restaurant on Osborne Avenue in Riverhead.
Just walking into the dimly lit, dark wood bar of this cozy restaurant, you feel like you’ve entered a little part of Europe. On a table opposite the bar are bottles of fine red wine, Italian breadsticks and breads, and plates of assorted dry pasta noodles, to show guests some samples of the fresh ingredients used in the cooking. The bartender, George, was pouring some large glasses of wines at the bar, as guests entered two different dining rooms on either side of the bar.
The main dining room, to the right, had blue tablecloths and napkins folded in wine glasses, and the largest, deepest pasta plates I’ve ever seen. There was a cozy fire crackling in the fireplace, and guests could feel like they were in a comfortable, dining room setting in a country inn. Luigi Biscardi, the owner, was coming out of the kitchen carrying huge platters of his signature antipasti for guests to enjoy.
Luigi is one of seven children, and was born in Italy. His family lived in Cosenza, Terranuova, and Toscana. He grew up watching his grandmother cook, and later worked in restaurants and cruise ships around the world. His brother, Roberto Biscardi, is his Executive Chef, who was also busy in the kitchen last Saturday night. He graduated from the Culinary Institute, interned at Tavern on the Green, and was then trained in Old World cooking by Master World Italian Chef Lauro Belingeri.
“In my career, I’ve worked with many celebrities,” said Roberto Biscardi. “I’ve opened restaurants for Valerie Harper, I’ve cooked for Frank Sinatra, Danny Thomas, Farrah Fawcett, Janet Jackson, and Burt Reynolds.”
He said that growing up, he got inspired to cook while watching his older brother Luigi cook with their grandmother. “Food was an important part of our household, growing up in a big Italian family,” said Roberto. “There was always tomato sauce flying around.”
Luigi’s wife, Vivian, who was there with their two young sons, said, “We’re happy we are able to share our love of food with the people of Riverhead. I’m proud of my husband—he always puts in 150% at whatever he does.”
Their other partners at the restaurant, Terry and John Morton, and their son, John Morton IV, were also on hand at the opening. “We opened this restaurant in February, but tonight is our grand opening, and we are planning to be open year-round, with lots more fun events, including maybe a classic car show,” said Terry Morton, who also owns Rocky Point Flower Shop. “This is a family-oriented restaurant, and we enjoy working with people.”
At their grand opening, the two brothers showed off their culinary skills with not only tomato sauce, which accompanied several pasta dishes, but a complete gourmet buffet dinner consisting of succulent sausages, chicken picata lemona, eggplant Siciliana, Sole Napolitan, in a white wine sauce, fresh vegetable medley, new red potatoes, and a complete salad bar with Caesar salad, cold pasta salad with olives, and other assorted salad dishes. For dessert was a huge cake celebrating their grand opening. On their regular menu, they feature such specials as Salmon Francaise, Zuppa de Pesce (seafood with a Roma garlic sauce), assorted pasta dishes, and 18-ounce prime steaks.
While people lined up to eat, a fabulous oldies band called “The Ideals,” sang and played music from the 50s and 60s. This band consisted of three women, from the Class of 1969 at Hauppauge High School. Their manager, Ed Ferarra, said, “This is one of the only original, all-female bands playing this kind of music on Long Island. They are very popular, singing at different venues all over the island.”
His wife, Judy Ferrara, who is one of the singers, along with Tina Molander and Janice Hirsch, said, “We started this band in high school, and then we all got married, had careers and went our separate ways. Them, we reunited to play at our 25th high school reunion, and we’ve been playing together ever since, having a ball, and we’re now mothers and grandmothers.” Her band, “The Ideals,” has opened for numerous oldies acts around the island, including Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, the Shirelles and the Duprees. They have also worked at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City.
One couple, John Altobelli of the Jersey Shore, and Joann Korkidis of East Quogue, was dancing all night, celebrating their fifth month anniversary. “I grew up in an Italian family, so I love this restaurant and its food,” said Altobelli. “It’s nice to find a place to go besides the clubs, which attract a really young crowd. We’re having fun, and we plan to come back.”
Luigi Biscardi said he will be having some more special events and specials for locals, such as “Senior Tuesdays,” for lunch, and hopefully some classic car shows in the fall. So bring your appetite and dancing shoes over to Il Luigino Classico in Riverhead!
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