Tesoro D’italia Is A Destination for Regional Italian Cuisine!
- Morris Gut
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
I first met affable Peter Lucaj when he was managing Ciao in Eastchester. Just over a dozen years ago, he and brothers Mark & Don took over Tesoro d’Italia in Pleasantville. I have enjoyed watching them evolve this expansive multi-faceted restaurant into a destination for fine regional Italian cuisine and full-service catering.
You can sit along the handsome wine wall or pick one of several other sections. The restaurant is divided into a main dining room for 100 guests, a semi-private fireplace room for up to 40 guests, and a lovely glass enclosed wine room seating up to 25. A spacious banquet room can accommodate 150 for all types of parties and private events. There is an inviting bar/lounge area for networking and spirited conversation, and casual dining too. Smoked glass dividers and white tablecloths, grey and white hues help polish the space.
The regional Italian menu includes such popular starters as: Fried Calamari with dipping sauce; Baked Clams; Eggplant Rollatini; Grilled Portobello Mushroom; and Hot Antipasti Platter for two, with baked clams, fried calamari, shrimp oreganata and grilled Portobello.
Fresh Salads include Arugula, with goat cheese, marinated Portobello mushrooms, tomato and balsamic vinegar; classic Caesar Salad; a wonderful Endive Salad with roasted peppers, gorgonzola, balsamic and olive oil; and Caprese, with fresh mozzarella, grilled eggplant, roasted peppers and beefsteak tomatoes.
Hearty Pasta specialties include: a delicious Fusilli Melanzana with fresh tomatoes, basil, eggplant, parmigiano cheese, fresh mozzarella in a meat sauce; Linguini Seafood, with shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels with fresh tomato, basil, sautéed garlic & oil; Two-Color Cavatelli, with broccoli rabe, sundried tomatoes, sausage, garlic & oil; house made Mushroom Ravioli, stuffed with porcini and Portobello, ricotta, served with a light truffle cream sauce; classic Linguini with Clam Sauce; and Pasta al Salmone, served with sliced fresh salmon in a pink sauce.
Generously served main courses include: Chicken Tesoro, breast of chicken dipped in parmigiano cheese with white wine, lemon, peas and asparagus; Veal Chop Valdostana, stuffed with fontina cheese, prosciutto, parsley, white wine and shitake mushrooms & truffle oil; classic Filet of Sole Francese, served over spinach; Chicken Payard, breast of chicken pounded very thin, served with endive, avocado, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, oil & balsamic; Veal VSOP, veal scallopini with porcini and shitake mushrooms served in a garlic sage and cognac sauce; and Risotto Seafood, clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, crab meat in fresh tomato & basil with white wine.
Carnivores will enjoy such hefty cuts as: 16 oz. Black Angus Shell Steak served with mushrooms; Broiled Veal Chop, served with mushrooms; Grilled Double Cut Pork Chop, served with vinegar peppers and sliced potatoes; Grilled Sausage, with peppers, mushrooms, onions, sliced potatoes; and 24 oz. bone-in Grilled Rib Eye Steak served with mashed potatoes. Daily specials augment the regular menu. All entrees include fresh house salad.
Special Hint: Weekday Happy Hours from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. feature specially priced cocktails and small bites. There is a prix fixe $24.95 luncheon special served Monday through Friday from noon to 3 p.m. Live entertainment on weekends. Check ahead.
Tesoro D’Italia Ristorante is located at 160 Marble Ave., Pleasantville, near the Thornwood border, just off Saw Mill Parkway, exit 27., or the Taconic State Parkway. The restaurant is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Dishes at lunch: $14.95 to $44.95. At dinner: $14.95 to $49.95. Daily lunch special: $24.94, served 12-3 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Full take-out. Bar/lounge with TVs. Private and semi-private party facilities. Banquet Room for all types of catered events. Major credit cards. Proper casual dress. Reservations accepted; suggested for larger groups. Ample free parking. Phone: 914-579-2126.
(Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food & dining scene in greater Westchester for over 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)
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