Pietro Cucina Italiana

Name: Pietro Cucina Italiana
Address: 404 N Country Rd, St. James, NY, United States, 11780
Telephone: (631) 862-6129
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.5

4.5

440 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Top tags:

New York City restaurateurs Pietro and Kelly Molendini took over the classic St. James farmhouse turned restaurant. The former co-owners of Vite Vinosteria in Astoria, Queens, who had moved from the city to Centerport, spent the summer renovating the dining room to a modern, clean look with neutral tones and contemporary artwork from Pietro Molendini's native Rome. They also expanded the bar from about four to 11 seats.

Pietro Molendini has spent 30 years in the food industry, with a decade of that at Cipriani and stints at both Bar Pitti and Da Silvano. Along the way, he met chef Fabian Garcia Manca, who eventually headed the kitchen at Vito Vinosteria and now joins the Molendini’s in St. James. Kelly Molendini said Manca and her husband scour the tristate area and beyond for ingredients. "They are never home," she joked, and said that the pair source some of their meat from the Bronx, burrata from New Jersey and dried pasta from Italy and Sicily.
Closed 11/17/2022 for private party

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jun 8, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 12 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(631) 862-6129

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Italian
Phone number
(631) 862-6129
Website
http://www.pietro631.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Dress Code
Business Casual

Location
404 N Country Rd, St. James, NY 11780
Neighbourhood
St. James
Parking Details
None
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Takeout, Wine

Popular dishes

Burrata PuglieseUS$17.95
imported burrata, homegrown roasted peppers, confit cherry tomato basil
Panzerotti SalentiniUS$13.95
two deep fried pockets stuffed with mozzarella, tomato, basil, mozzarella, Italian ham
Cozze alla CalabreseUS$18.95
mussels sautéed in white wine sauce, calabrian peppers, garlic, shallots, crushed tomatoes
Polpette Al PecorinoUS$15.95
prime angus beef meatballs, pecorino romano, tomato sauce
Parmigiana di MelanzaneUS$14.95
eggplant parmigiana, tomato, mozzarella, parmigiano, basil
Polpo alla GrigliaUS$23.95
grilled octopus served with potatoes, tomato, artisanal salad, avocado cream
Arancini alla SicilianaUS$16.95
homemade crispy saffron rice balls with short rib ragu & besciamella sauce
Salumi MistiUS$24.95
chef's selection of imported cured meats
Formaggi MistiUS$21.95
chef's selection of imported cheeses

Le Insalate / Salad

Insalata dello ChefUS$13.95
artisanal lettuce, dry fruit, red wine-aged goat cheese
Insalata FrescaUS$12.95
string beans, cherry tomatoes, corn, basil
Insalata di PomodoriUS$12.95
organic tomatoes, celery, basil
Insalata di EndiviaUS$14.95
endive, gorgonzola, walnuts, green apple, organic honey

Le Paste / Pasta

Paccheri di GragnanoUS$20.95
rigatoni from gragnano, prime angus short rib ragu
Pappardelle alla BologneseUS$19.95
homemade pappardelle, traditional bolognese sauce
Gnocchi VerdiUS$19.95
homemade spinach & potato dumplings, white truffle cream sauce, parmigiano reggiano
Tortelloni con BurrataUS$23.95
tortelloni stuffed with burrata in butter & crispy sage sauce
Linguine alle VongoleUS$24.95
new zealand clams, light tomato sauce
Lasagna RusticaUS$23.95
chestnuts, veal ragu, porcini mushrooms
Risotto of the Day
made daily, ask your server
- Market Price

IL Pesce / Seafood

Salmone SelvaticoUS$32.95
roasted wild salmon, pesto, vegetable ratatouille

Le Carni / Meats

Pollo Arrosto con PatateUS$24.95
roasted organic chicken marinated in chimichurri, served with roasted potatoes
Controfiletto alla GrigliaUS$37.95
grilled prime sirloin, homemade almond pesto, french fries
Stinco di Agnello StufatoUS$31.95
lamb shank stew, creamy polenta
Petto di AnatraUS$27.95
roast duck breast with orange sauce, chickpea pureé

Contorni / Sides

CavolfioreUS$7.95
sautéed cauliflower
Broccoli di RapeUS$7.95
sautéed
Vegetali alla GrigliaUS$7.95
seasonal grilled vegetables
Fagiolini Aglio e OlioUS$7.95
french string beans sautéed in garlic-olive oil

What 440 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.4Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Sort by

s
skyblue
New York Area
109 reviews
vip
5.0
109 reviews
Dined on May 31, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our go to place for superior food service and atmosphere.
RW
RichardW
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 19, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience5
Had a very nice anniversary dinner, servers were attentive and food was delicious.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a great Mother’s Day Lunch. We will go back to Pietro Cucina again.
KT
KateTags
New York Area
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
As always, excellent all the way around! True Italian food. Never disappoints.
L
Lisavon57
New York Area
25 reviews
3.0
25 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience2
Food and service were good, but the noise level was unbearable. I highly recommend that Management sit larger groups of people outside, the inside is just too small to accommodate the noise volume. People truly do not know how to be considerate of others. :(
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and service. Would highly recommend eating there.
SC
SusanC
New York Area
38 reviews
4.0
38 reviews
Dined on April 28, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
Food was outstanding! We had the eggplant towers and it was amazing! The music just needs to be lowered .. a little too loud for this type of restaurant
MH
MHOnLI
New York Area
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was delicious and the service was terrific. The music was loud as was a table across the room. Enjoyed our evening and plan to return.
S
Sacco
New York Area
34 reviews
vip
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Great local spot ! The eggplant appetizer was incredible!! Along with some great pastas dish and veal parmigiana deff a must.
d
doctooch
New York Area
125 reviews
vip
4.0
125 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience3
We try to go to Pietro once a week on a Saturday. The food is alway good and some of the specials tend to be unique. We had a salad with a lobster, tail, beets, and mango along with greens. It was excellent. We split the Porterhouse steak. It was very good. We had their cheese cake for dessert which was very good. The drinks are always good. Pietro and Pat (the bartender) always give us a complimentary dinner drink. We enjoy going there very much.
s
skyblue
New York Area
109 reviews
vip
5.0
109 reviews
Dined on April 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful atmosphere great food and service. My go to place in St James
DB
DBNap
New York Area
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on April 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Pietro is one of our favorite local go to places. It never disappoints. Whether it’s date night or dinner out with friends it is always a great meal and experience.
HM
HappyinMTK
New York Area
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on March 31, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We have been looking forward to trying Pietro and it did not disappoint! The place is so cute, the staff was very friendly and the food was delish! Looking forward to going back.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Naples
56 reviews
vip
5.0
56 reviews
Dined on March 31, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always delicious! Such nice staff always. Great pasta
JR
JimR
New York Area
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on March 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We always enjoy our dining here. Great food, service and hospitality.
SK
SharynK
New York Area
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience3
Disappointed in menu. Not many pasta dishes. We all struggled with what to order. They did not have the cheese wheel that we heard so much about. Service was very good.
s
skyblue
New York Area
109 reviews
vip
5.0
109 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our favorite place for a great meal, service is always on point and the atmosphere is wonderful.
EE
EastEndFoodie
New York Area
21 reviews
2.0
21 reviews
Dined on March 11, 2023
overall2food3service3ambience1
When it first opened, Pietro was a quiet gem, with an Italian chef and the owners attempting to turn their restaurant into a truly elegant setting for serious foodies, much like Mirabelle, the venerable French restaurant that occupied the space for decades. But of late, Pietro has inexplicably expanded and turned into little more than the kind of Italian restaurant seen in catering and banquet halls. The ambiance, once hushed and professional, is now loud, chaotic, bustling and absurdly hurried. The food and plating has also fallen off appreciably, though the prices are higher than ever before. Steer clear of this joint if’s good Italian food and a relaxed dining experience you seek. Now you need ear plugs and a Xanax.
T
Terry
New York Area
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on March 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Eating at Pietros is always a very pleasant evening ,food always wonderful and their staff is so friendly.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Naples
56 reviews
vip
5.0
56 reviews
Dined on March 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always a favorite! My daughters always request when they come home from college.
RH
RHDoyle
New York Area
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on February 25, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
Our first time and we’ll be back. Food was kind of unique and excellent. We had a Caesar salad & Eggplant Tower apps. The salad was different than other C salads - in a good way. The Eggplant was outstanding just outstanding. Entrees we’re a pork loin “porchetta” and tagliatelle w shrimp and calamari. Both we’re delicious. Service was good. We sat down right at our reservation time. A very enjoyable meal.
J
Johnkel
New York Area
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on February 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food!
f
frank
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
food was excellent the service was great the prices reasonable
OT
OpenTable Diner
Naples
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent Valentine's Day Dinner. Everything was delicious including the drinks!
S
Sueraff
New York Area
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
They tried to sit us outside in the tent and we asked to be inside. They accommodated. Service was excellent except that our misto salad never arrived. Entrees were excellent. We’ll be back.
JC
JenniferC
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 14, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Went for Valentines Day dinner! It was absolutely amazing and I can't wait to go again! Maybe lunch with the girls!
g
ginar
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 11, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience5
First I will say that this was a very nice date night with our friends . Early reservations and a table for four in the inclosed patio area. Very easy to talk amongst each other. Our waiter Peter came right over and asked for our drink order. He was very pleasant. We ordered the squid app (2 pieces) and the rice ball app.(2) You also need to order your main course at the same time. Pappardelle with short ribs was our main course. The portions were to be desired. Although very tasty, the squid come with (one would think) frozen vegetables. The rice balls could have been a little bigger. The Pappardelle was very delicious .In my opinion they should put a few more ribs.
SK
SherrieK
New York Area
15 reviews
vip
4.0
15 reviews
Dined on February 4, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Our first time here, very busy Saturday of restaurant week. Staff handled it well and I didn't feel like we were waiting long for anything. Food was great, the burrata and prosciutto app was fantastic, the polenta app with braised pork excellent. Our entrees were delicious, I tend to like a lot more flavor in my food so the shrimp pasta was a little bland for me but the shrimp was cooked perfectly, the pasta al dente and the sauce was delicious. Again, I just like more vibrant flavor so someone else would rave about this. We were a party of four and agreed we'd come back again, really nice experience and looks like a well-loved restaurant with a lot of loyal patrons.
TK
TKAGMA
New York Area
37 reviews
vip
5.0
37 reviews
Dined on February 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and service
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 4, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
Great food and great menu Very busy evening and a bit of a wait despite the reservations I will be back again !
s
skyblue
New York Area
109 reviews
vip
5.0
109 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our go to place for great italian food, with a wondeful wine list and varied specials on the menu as well. Incredible service and you are always treated like family!
H
Hard2pleez
New York Area
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went with friends. Third time we were there with other couples . Food is very consistent and tasty.
A
Amct
New York Area
6 reviews
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on January 20, 2023
overall3food2service4ambience5
I usually like this place but the food is not as good. Also I noted that we had a birthday in the party but nothing was acknowledged.
j
jdow
New York Area
27 reviews
vip
3.0
27 reviews
Dined on January 14, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience5
I was so looking forward dining at this restaurant, but was throughly disappointed. To start: my martini was not made as I requested, they didn't have Moscato, which is weird for an Italian restaurant, but they did have a riesling. The polpetti appetizer was okay, the beet salad was a well recieved as was octopus salad. The linguini with lobster was silly, it was served with an entire lobster set atop the pasta, it took my friend 15 minutes to clean and crack the lobster into his pasta. The gnocchi with mushroom was insanely dense and not what I had hoped, I left most of it in the dish. The salmon wasn't a rave nor was the pasta with veal. Overall, not a place I'd return to. Disappointed there was no kids menu, especially with more than 5 kids seated at various tables around us.
DM
DeniseM
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Restaurant never disappoints! Food and drinks are wonderful and you even get a free shot of their homemade lemonchello!
t
theliege
New York Area
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were dining on New Year's eve, of course a busy evening. The owner graciously greeted us and we were escorted to table 1 which we believe is the best table in the house. We had not requested this table which we had in the past, figuring it was too much to ask on such a busy occasion. We couldnot have been happier and appreciative.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
vip
1.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall1food1service1ambience1
We dined on New Year’s Eve which is also our wedding anniversary. We were seated in the enclosed outdoor space, very disappointing to be seated outside for our first dining experience at this restaurant. We sat in patio chairs which were very uncomfortable. The music was too loud for the Room making it difficult to hear each other and to hear the waiter. The food is very overpriced for the atmosphere. My grilled octopus was overcooked, I was unable to cut it and had to request a steak knife, more than half the octopus was so overcooked it was inedible. Not sure we will even consider giving this restaurant a second chance, extremely disappointing!!
AC
AngelaC
Philadelphia
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on December 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
The food here is absolutely delicious! I highly recommend the mezza luna!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 24, 2022
overall3food2service5ambience5
Service was great! Ambiance was terrific as well. Unfortunately, the food was suboptimal. I rarely ever leave a review. But, after reviewing the bill, it was necessary for the food:value ration. I would pass on this restaurant for now.
N
Nicole
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service made my birthday feel special Food was delicious

FAQs

Pietro Cucina Italiana offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (631) 862-6129.

Pietro Cucina Italiana is rated 4.5 stars by 440 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jun 8, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 12 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(631) 862-6129

404 N Country Rd, St. James, NY 11780

Additional information

Neighbourhood
St. James
Cuisines
Italian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress Code
Business Casual
Parking Details
None
Payment Options
AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Takeout, Wine

Website
http://www.pietro631.com/
Phone number
(631) 862-6129

Pietro Cucina Italiana

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Additional information

Pappardelle alla Bolognese

Gnocchi Verdi

Gnocchi al Tartufo

Antipasti / Appetizer

Burrata PuglieseUS$17.95

Panzerotti SalentiniUS$13.95

Cozze alla CalabreseUS$18.95

Polpette Al PecorinoUS$15.95

Parmigiana di MelanzaneUS$14.95

Polpo alla GrigliaUS$23.95

Arancini alla SicilianaUS$16.95

Salumi MistiUS$24.95

Formaggi MistiUS$21.95

Le Insalate / Salad

Insalata dello ChefUS$13.95

Insalata FrescaUS$12.95

Insalata di PomodoriUS$12.95

Insalata di EndiviaUS$14.95

Le Paste / Pasta

Paccheri di GragnanoUS$20.95

Pappardelle alla BologneseUS$19.95

Gnocchi VerdiUS$19.95

Tortelloni con BurrataUS$23.95

Linguine alle VongoleUS$24.95

Lasagna RusticaUS$23.95

Risotto of the Day

IL Pesce / Seafood

Salmone SelvaticoUS$32.95

Le Carni / Meats

Pollo Arrosto con PatateUS$24.95

Controfiletto alla GrigliaUS$37.95

Stinco di Agnello StufatoUS$31.95

Petto di AnatraUS$27.95

Contorni / Sides

CavolfioreUS$7.95

Broccoli di RapeUS$7.95

Vegetali alla GrigliaUS$7.95

Fagiolini Aglio e OlioUS$7.95

Overall ratings and reviews

Sort by

FAQs

Does Pietro Cucina Italiana offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Pietro Cucina Italiana restaurant rated?

Is Pietro Cucina Italiana currently accepting bookings?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Additional information