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Angelina's Ristorante in The News
(Courtesy of the Staten Island Advance)

We Recieved a 3 1/2 Stars

A delightful consistency is the rule at Angelina's
The Annadale eatery boasts a menu that's daring and a staff that pays attention to detail at nearly every turn. Ralph Waldo Emerson once observed, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." However, in so many aspects of life, consistency is something to be striven for, a virtue. And when you can spice up that consistency by adding a dash of panache, well then you're talking about things really special. During the warm weather patrons may eat outside, but the dining room with its warm wood, gilded mirrors and attractive lighting fixtures is just too inviting to pass up. Upon being seated diners are presented with hunks of deliciously sharp Parmeggiano Reggiano from a large wheel as well as a small dish with pieces of eggplant.

Add in a breadbasket and a dish of virgin olive oil and you have a wonderful way to pass the time as you consider the menu's myriad of possibilities. Among the appetizers, the antipasto caldo is a mini smorgasbord of treats. Diners can sample eggplant rollatini, a baked clam, a stuffed mushroom as well as roasted peppers, zuchinni and a shrimp. They're all so good that no clear-cut winner emerges. Another delicious starter is the classic mozzarella en carozza, which features three large wedges of the cheese encased in bread that is then dipped in egg and flash fried. The taste is memorable and while there are hundreds of ways to prepare this dish at Angelina's the bread carries as much weight as the mozzarella.

If you like carpaccio it's definitely worth sampling here where the meat is served with truffle oil. As you might expect, Angelina's offers classic dishes like chicken scarpariello along with house specialties such as gamberoni (shrimp) Angelina. There's also a nice selection of grilled items, including steaks, chops and rack of lamb, which is often a special. If you'd like to sample two items, the chicken mare monte features a tender chicken breast topped with spinach in a light champagne sauce. As an accent, a nice size shrimp completes the dish which is served with broccoli and potato. The vegetables were as fresh and delicious as the entree.

Veal lovers should definitely consider the costoletta di vitello farcita. A veal chop is served with prosciutto and fontina cheese and topped with a robust mushroom sauce. Again, it's served with broccoli and potato. (All dinners include the vegetable of the day.) As you might expect, there are some wonderful sweets available with which to bring your meal to a sweet finale. The crème Brule is as light as any on Staten Island . Recently, a special dessert - a deep-fried banana cheesecake with vanilla ice cream - was available.The smooth filling, served with warm, and counter pointed by the cool ice cream. Also, the presentation of these dishes is something to behold.

Add in an oversized cup of coffee or tea, and everything comes together nicely. Angelina's also boasts live six nights a week. Music tunes that range from Elton John to Frank Sinatra to Andrea Bocelli. Finally, there's a great wine list available as well as a wide assortment of after-dinner drinks, from cognacs to grappas. At Angelina's a disappointing meal would be as much of an affront to the hands-on owner and her staff as it would be to the diner who received it.