Cipollini
2110 Northern Blvd
Manhasset, NY 11030
516.627.7172
Located in the gorgeous, upscale Americana in Manhasset, Long Island’s most impressive shopping destination, Cipollini Trattoria and Bar is a casual, Manhattan-style restaurant. Owners Gillis and George Poll opened the doors of Cipollini in the spring of 2005. The Poll Brothers are no strangers to quality dining on Long Island, as owners of the excellent Bryant and Cooper Steakhouse in Roslyn since opening in 1986, along with other popular establishments, including Toku, Bar Frites, an excellent French Bistro in Wheatley Plaza in Greenvale, Major’s Steakhouse, and Hendrick’s Tavern. Their goal was to create a metropolitan dining experience that offered freshly prepared, satisfying meals at moderate prices in a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. The restaurant is always crowded, a testament to their success!
Cipollini’s attractive interior was designed by renowned restaurant designer Peter Neimitz. An impressive marble bar, perfect for socializing, welcomes people into the restaurant. Large, glass-paneled doors open seasonally bring the alfresco dining into the trattoria, as they like to do in Italy, creating unity between the indoor and outdoor seating. During warmer months, sun umbrellas come together to provide a shady canopy and natural elements and beautiful flowers immerse diners in a Mediterranean dining experience. In the cooler months, Alfresco dining accommodations include heaters. At night, diners are greeted by a simple, elegant landscape of dark wood, warm lighting, and crisp, white table linens. Cipollini is everything one would expect in a classy, modern Italian restaurant.
Cipollini has earned a reputation for its array of delicious, contemporary Italian specialties. Whether your palette prefers savory salads, enticing entrees, or freshly made, authentic, brick-oven pizzas, Cipollini offers variety and distinctive quality that will suit everyone’s taste.
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner 7 days a week, and the extensive menu has something for everyone. The salads are a wonderful choice for health-conscious diners. Choices include: Arugula, Cherry Tomato & Parmigiano Cucumber, Tomato & Corn Salad, Insalata Greca, Hearts of Palm & Avocado Salad Mozzarella di Bufala with Tomato Beef Carpaccio, Seafood Salad, Grilled Calamari & Arugula Salad, and Lobster Salad.
Among favorite appetizers are Clams Oreganata, Mussels Amatriciana, Tuna Tartare, Grilled Vegetables, and Grilled Baby Artichokes. Cipollini’s pizza’s are among the best Italian-style pizzas bakes in a wood burning oven you will find this side of Italy.
As one would expect, there are abundant pasta choices, including Spaghetti alls Carbonara, Linguini aloe Vongole, Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter and Sage, and a light Capellini con Frutti di Mare (mixed seafood).
For entrees, the Pan Seared Salmon with Broccoli Rabe and Cannellini Beans is a great, healthy choice, as is the Tuna Steak with potatoes, tomatoes, and capers, and the Grilled Prawns with corn, roasted tomatoes, and spinach. The Mediterranean-style whole fish, a lovely Branzino the day we visited was light and flawlessly prepared and presented with lemon and a drizzle of quality extra-virgin olive oil.
Cipollini also features steaks, chops, veal, a burger, and several panini. The wine list is extensive.
Luscious Lobster Salad
Excellent Pizza!
Cipollini is definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been. It will likely become one of your favorite “go-to” spots on Long Island for guaranteed consistent, quality, contemporary Italian fare in a comfortable, beautiful setting.
