Monroe’s La Strada—

Italy Is Just Down The Road

Since opening its doors at Tollgate Plaza in Monroe in January, La Strada has been well received and is steadily building a regular clientele. “We have been very pleased with the community response to our efforts,” said Giuseppe Cinque, manager and partner. “Business built nicely in the winter and spring, slowed down somewhat during the summer, and came back strongly this month. Last Saturday, we served more than 100 meals.”

Prior to opening La Strada with this partner Michael Bodetti of TNT Partners, Newtown, Mr Cinque worked in Terra in Greenwich and Solé in New Canaan and strives to bring the quality of those restaurants to this area. He adds that the La Strada’s chef previously worked at Tuscany in Bridgeport.

The menu at La Strada is more limited and upscale than those of many Italian restaurants, but not that much more expensive. All entrees include a garden salad and vegetable del giorno. The selections are Northern and Southern Italian and from the Amalfi Coast; emphasis is put on the freshness of the foods offered and dishes are readily adjusted to the dietary needs of the customer. The printed menu is supplemented with daily specials.

The menu offers a choice of ten appetizers, ranging from Insalata di Caesar (hearts of romaine lettuce with focaccia croutons and Caesar dressing) for $7 to Carpaccio (thinly sliced beef with arugola leaves and white truffle oil topped with shaved parmigiana cheese) for $14. Other selections include baby clams and Maine mussels sautéed in white wine, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh herbs, $11, fried calamari with marinara sauce, $9, and a daily soup.

A variety of six pasta entrees are priced from $14 to $20, and a risotto of the day at market price is also available.

Seafood is a specialty of La Strada. On the menu are four selections: Gamberoni all Griglia (grilled jumbo shrimp finished with herbs, lemon, and white wine, served over spinach), $22; Salmone del Cardinale (pan seared Atlantic salmon filet, served over a bed of asparagus, topped with artichoke hearts, fresh grilled Roma tomatoes, and a light saffron sauce) $22; Dentice ai Vegetali (filet of red snapper topped with zucchini, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes), $24; and Medodai del Golfo di Napoli (shrimp, calamari, mussels, clams, and lobster tail in light tomato broth), $32.

The seafood specials offered depend on availability and can include such items as baby octopus, Dover sole, and Chilean sea bass.

The entrée selection is rounded out with a choice of grilled New York strip steak, $28; veal scaloppine, $21; pan seared pork chop with hot cheery peppers, $21; and two $17 chicken breast dishes, one with cherry peppers, sausage, and herbs in a balsamic vinegar sauce and the other with eggplant, zucchini, and sun-dried tomatoes in a white wine reduction sauce.

La Strada also offers a children’s menu and all items are available for take-out.

The restaurant and bar has three sections and the attractive décor features soft yellow painted walls, wood floors, pendant lighting, and a selection of specially produced plates on the walls. The 35-seat main dining room is in the right front, has large windows on two sides and is sun-filled during daylight hours. The 23-seat bar is to the left in the front and offers patrons a choice of bar seating, two tall tables, and five standard tables. A large room to the rear of the restaurant can accommodate up to 60 and is used during busier times, generally on the weekends, and for private events.

There are also four tables out front where diners can have coffee and dessert.

In addition to full bar service, La Strada offers wine by the glass (a dozen choices, priced at $6-$8 each) and by the bottle. The Italian, French, and California selections include three sparking wines, six whites, and 15 reds ranging in price from $28 to $105, most under $40.

La Strada translates as “the road,” and the name was taken from Frederico Fellini’s 1954 classic staring Anthony Quinn, Giulietta Masina, and Richard Basehart, one of Mr Cinque’s favorites. Two posters from the movie adorn a wall in the bar area.

La Strada Italian Restaurant and Bar, 838 Main Street (Route 25) in Monroe, is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 to 3, and for dinner Sunday through Sunday, 5 to 10 (closed Monday).For information or reservations, 261-2900.