Cipollini is to trattoria what Bryant & Cooper is to steak house.  One of the best!  Brothers, Gillis Poll and George Poll, who own both, opened Cipollini with a bang.  Huge crowds, rave reviews, an instant success.

There’s lots of excitement at this Manhattan style restaurant where the decor was done on a grand scale -   hardwood flooring, rich dark woodwork, oversized antique framed mirrors, large contemporary lampshade fixtures, and a giant clock on a brick wall.  To add to the airiness and liveliness, there is an open kitchen.  A long bar, bustling and noisy is the “in” place to be.  Sip a bellini  from their aperitivi list as you wait to be seated.  Even the wait is exciting - there’s so much going on at this trattoria.

Pizzas, salads, paninis, pasta, fish, meat and poultry make up the menu which is as vibrant as the place.  Their thin crust pizza is a must.  We sampled the margherita version which was excellent - crisp crust topped with fresh sauce and cheese.  Homemade pappardelle was smothered with veal ragu that was a delicious combination of flavors.  Chicken scarpariello was refined with tender chicken and roasted garlic.  Their wine list is Italian and American and wines by the glass are delivered in individual quartinos.  End your meal with a selection from their list of dessert wines, ports, sherrys, cognacs, grappas and brandys.  Or try one of their great homemade desserts.  We had both.

A meal at Cipollini is an exciting adventure... in dining and in people watching. 

Visit their other restaurants, TOKU Modern Asian, also in the Americana Manhasset, 516-627-TOKU; Bryant and Cooper Steak House, 516-627-7270, Roslyn; Bar Frites Bistro, 516-484-7500, Greenvale; Majors Steak Houses, East Meadow, 516-794-6600; and the new Hendrick’s Tavern, 516-621-1200.