Bites Nearby

Warm up this winter by heading to Giardino’s, located at 44-37 Douglaston Parkway in Douglaston, and sit by the fire.

The restaurant, owned and operated by Howard Beach caterer Russo’s on the Bay, is known in the neighborhood for its brick oven pizza.

“We probably have the best brick oven pizza around,” General Manager George Kiladitis said.

During the winter, Giardino’s uses that same oven to make Seafood al Forno. The fish is baked in the pizza oven and served alongside shellfish. The eatery’s calamari is also popular.

Kiladitis says the fish is so fresh that “it was swimming not two days before it hit your plate.” And for any vegetarians out there, Giardino’s has a wide selection of pastas.

The restaurant has been around for 17 years, originally starting as a pasta and pizza house. But within the past six years, the eatery transitioned into a more upscale restaurant, offering meals such as filet mignon in Chianti with mushrooms or plume de veau, which is veal scallopine with wild mushrooms, onion, garlic, grape tomatoes and white wine.

All desserts are made by the pastry chef at Russo’s on the Bay. Kiladitis says,

“A guy who made an eight-tiered wedding cake can make your kid’s birthday cake as well,” he said.

Not a bad deal. Entrees go for $25 to $27. A pizza will cost you $12. The restaurant offers a full bar and a parking lot is located across the street.