St. George, Staten Island: Enoteca Maria

Photo

Last Wednesday I finally was able to dine at a restaurant I had been dying to visit 

for the last seven months when it first became known to me. Unfortunately, they are 

closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, which happens to be every single day we 

remember or suggest going. We knew one day we would make it. Thankfully, we 

remembered on a Wednesday! It also happened to be the day after I started my 

gluten/dairy free month, however, I knew Enoteca Maria would be worth cheating.

Gluten/dairy free could wait another week! Pasta and mozzarella could not! 

Enoteca Maria is a New York Magazine Critic's Pick homemade Italian restaurant 

within walking distance from the St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island. The

 chefs are eight Grandmother's from all over Italy. Each evening, a different

 Grandmother has control over the kitchen with their special "Menu of the 

Day." Sadly, I cannot remember which Grandmother was the chef that evening. 

Photo

We arrived right on time for our reservation. My first thought when walking 

in the door was how small the place was. It really was intimate and cozy. The 

perfect date night spot! We were seated at one of the middle two tops and 

immediately ordered two glasses of wine.  I was so excited and prepared

 for this dinner, I even had a light lunch so I would be extra hungry for dinner! 

When we received our generous glasses of wine, we ordered our appetizers. 

We selected two appetizers, the first being the Melanzane Ripiene which consists

of Eggplant boats, stuffed with rice, mozzarella, ground beef, peas and ricotta

cheese and bake in a red sauce. This dish was unbelievably delicious. For as heavy

of dish as it sounds, it went down surprisingly fast! The added flavor of the red 

sauce was like the cherry on top. It was out of this world! 

Our second appetizer was the whole stuffed artichoke. Also fantastic! We 

finished off both plates with ease and were very excited for our entrees 

after that start! Our server was wonderful. She sent us out a chickpea salad 

as the entrees were taking longer than expected. Sadly, I was already so full I 

did not risk eating anything else until my entree arrived. 

Shortly after, our main dishes arrived to our table. Our exceptionally wonderful
 server had highly recommended the special pasta as this "Grandma's" specialty 
was pasta. I obliged. The homemade Parpadelle pasta with pancetta and 
parmesan was so wonderful. I was unable to finishthe entire dish so I packed 
it up and brought it home for dinner another evening.

The server also mentioned the veal was also Grandma's specialty. I believe we

were pretty happy with our entree selections.  

Of course I had to save room for dessert and after I saw that Tiramisu

served to another table, there was no question to which one we were

going to have that evening. I was so excited I forgot to snap a photo

when it arrived. I remembered with one bite left. It doesn't show

you much, but what it does show you is how amazing it was! Of course

we did not leave that last little bite. That would have been silly. 

All I can say is next time the parents are in town, Enoteca Maria will be first 

on my list!