Pietro Cucina Italiana

4.7

566 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions
Good for business meals

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

Not bookable

This restaurant is temporarily offline. Please contact the restaurant directly or check back shortly for availability.

Order delivery or takeout

There’s more to explore

Discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Scan the QR code to discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Open app

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
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
Area
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 566 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Pietro Cucina Italiana offers an inviting ambiance with "amazing food and excellent service." Guests rave about the "wonderful atmosphere" and extensive menu featuring authentic Italian and Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant's unique dining areas, including indoor, porch, and outdoor patio with live music, enhance the experience. While some mention occasional service delays, the friendly staff and standout dishes, like mussels and homemade pasta, ensure a delightful visit.

566 Reviews

M
Michael
New York City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The Owner, Pietro is always there to meet and greet you upon entering the restaurant. The food is always consistent. The organic chicken with potatoes and carrots was fantastic. We always enjoy dining here.
Is this helpful?
B
Billy
New York City
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Ac vent was blowing cold air on us the whole time, pork and chicken were both extremely tough. Would not go back for the price.
Is this helpful?
C
Colleen
New York City
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 7 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Staff is very attentive. The food is amazing! We went at Christmas time and it was decorated so nicely. Felt like we were eating at a friend’s house. Excellent and I highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
J
Janet
New York City
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 17 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Our waitress was exceptional. She was very attentive and helpful. The food was delicious. Will definitely return.
Is this helpful?
L
Liz
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 1 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Overall we loved this restaurant. There was one small issue about food. The menu was a bit confusing and it wasn’t explained well by the server. My husband thought his veal chop came with polenta. It did not and they would only give it to him with a second up charge. Polenta is so inexpensive why not just give him a small amount and make a customer happy???
Is this helpful?
M
Mike
VIP
New York City
40 reviews
5.0
40 reviews
Dined on 19 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food and service is ALWAYS top notch. Pietro alway makes you feel like part of the family.
Is this helpful?
M
Maria
New York City
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 18 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This restaurant has the perfect ambiance and the food is really delicious!! Looking forward to going back soon.
Is this helpful?
J
Judi
VIP
New York City
37 reviews
5.0
37 reviews
Dined on 14 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We recently dined at Pietro in Saint James and I can't recommend it highly enough! From the moment we walked in, I was struck by the inviting ambience that perfectly sets the stage for a wonderful meal. The decor is stylish yet comfortable, creating a relaxed atmosphere. The staff were exceptional—attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely friendly, making sure every aspect of our dining experience was perfect. The menu offers a delightful variety of dishes, all beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. Each bite was a testament to the chef’s creativity and skill. To top it all off, the choice of music was fantastic, enhancing the overall vibe without overpowering conversation. Whether you're looking for a casual dinner or a special occasion, Pietro is a must-visit. I can't wait to return!
Is this helpful?
D
Daveta
VIP
New York City
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on 13 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love going to Pietro. The food is always fresh and delicious. I had the Montauk Tuna special which was cooked to perfection and my partner had his favorite the pappardelle which tastes like it was created in Italy. The staff is friendly and accommodating as well as the owner Pietro.
Is this helpful?
R
Roy
New York City
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 12 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Will definitely go here again. Nice quiet place off the beaten path. Food was great. People were awesome.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

Pietro Cucina Italiana is rated 4.7 stars by 566 OpenTable diners.

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

Not bookable

This restaurant is temporarily offline. Please contact the restaurant directly or check back shortly for availability.

Order delivery or takeout

404 N Country Rd, St. James, NY 11780

Additional information

Area
St. James
Price
$30 and under
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

Not bookable

Order delivery or takeout

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Gnocchi Verdi

Gnocchi al Tartufo

Pappardelle alla Bolognese

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

Review summary

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?

Not bookable

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information