Armondo's

My colleague and I were looking for a neighborhood place to go to dinner and found Armondo's. We didn't know about the previous location and were pleasantly surprised by the happy luck of finding it open and well. Our cocktails were perfect (Grey Goose Martini up with olives). We had a wonderful 2012 blend red with dinner (I can't remember the name but it was featured last night), and enjoyed the appetizer special of Grilled Portobello with roasted red pepper, melted mozzarella on top and a balsamic glaze. We had the Kale salad and an Arugula salad that was featured, and they were delicious. We both ordered a chicken special which was breast, in a wonderful wine sauce with mushrooms and capers. It was moist, perfectly prepared and delicious. When we got there it was somewhat quiet at 6:30 but filled up for hours and we ended up talking and enjoying our meal, which was not rushed by any means by the staff but "in a good way" - over the course of three hours! Such a nice surprise to find on Northern Blvd in Queens!

Had an outstanding meal there last night with my family. Food was spectacular. The owners are wonderful. Beautiful renovation. Just like the food I ate growing up but much better.

Excellent Italian food in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Walk into this restaurant and one feels las if their in Manhattan. Staff are friendly and make one feel as if their with friends enjoying an evening out.

Great food, great ambiance and great host!

Should be called Armand-NO's!

I've been going to Armondo's for over 30 years. They were originally located on 37th Avenue and 75th Street, and at one time, they were first rate. I last ate in their old location about three years ago. At that time, I had a terrible experience and told the owner that he'd lost a long-time customer. I hadn't been back since.

After the terrible fire in the Bruson Building, Armando's closed. About a month ago, I heard they were opening again in what was La Trieste on Northern Boulevard. I'd also heard that they hired a new chef and had revamped the menu.

OK, I thought, I'll give them another try. What a mistake.

First, let me say that the service was impeccable, and I'd give it five stars. Now onto the bad news.

I went on a Friday, the second week they were open. The place was crowded and I had a bit of a wait, so I had a drink at the bar: a Grey Goose martini. It was good. In fact, it was very, very good. They use double martini glasses and this was full. Yeah, it cost $10.00, but that's not at all bad (hell, the same drink will cost you $9.00 at a dive in Queens, and upwards of $20.00 in an upscale joint in Manhattan).

About midway through my drink, I was told my table was ready. I sat down and was presented with the menu. It's pretty standard Southern Italian (what a dissapointment after La Trieste's Northern Italian fare) with lots of red-sauce pasta dishes, a few chicken standards (cacciatore, parm, etc.), and the usual soups and apps.

I was told the specials, and opted for two of them: the meatball app, and the pork chop and pepper main. I also asked for a glass of house red wine to be brought with my entree.

A basket of crappy Italian bread (soft crust, dense interior. What else is new? Is there anywhere in NYC to get a decent loaf of bread anymore?) was placed on the table along with a saucer of olive oil. Not even very good olive oil, at that.

About 10 minutes later, my app was brought out. Three meatballs, about the size of golf balls, were on the plate. They were covered in red sauce and sprinkled with mozzarella. It looked good! I cut into the first meatball and to my surprise, it looked as if the meat for them had been house ground! I took a bite and oh, brother! What a letdown. The sauce had no seasoning to it. It tasted as if the chef had taken a can of crushed tomatoes and poured it over the meatballs. The meatballs themselves were cold in the middle and undercooked. I have no problem with rare meat, but meatballs should be warm throughout.

After about 10 minutes, my entree was brought out. I was flabbergasted. On the plate were two boneless slices of pork loin, about three inches in diameter, and about 3/8 of an inch thick. They were smothered in juilliened and sauteed green and red peppers. That's it. No side, no veg, no pan sauce, nothing. The pork (which I ordered medium) not only looked like hockey pucks, but they had the same consistency. They were cooked to death. I had to remind the waiter about my red wine.

When I was done eating, I asked for a glass of grappa and my check. The grappa arrived, but the check was nowhere to be seen. I flagged down my wiater and asked her again for my check. She found, and brought it over. I presented my AmEx card, and sat waiting and reading my book. Ten minutes. Fifteen minutes. Twenty minutes later, and my card and bill had still not been given to me. I flagged the waiter down again and asked her what the problem was. She informed me that they were having communication problems with the credit card machine, but that it should be working in a minute or two, and could she get me anything else while I waited.

I told her, "Yes, you can BUY me another grappa while I wait." She looked panicked, but she sought out the owner who nodded. When my grappa was brought to me, I was asked to write down my phone number so they could call me when the machine was fixed. I complied and handed her $20.00 as a tip.

I'm not cheap, but the total cost for one person was $130.00. With the inferior food, and the lousy location, never again.