Paul Michael’s Brick Oven Cafe Restaurant has been a go-to choice for fresh Italian cuisine and crispy brick oven pizza since 2003. With homestyle pasta dishes, meat, fish, seafood and nice wines, Paul Michael’s is a family friendly restaurant. Visit on Wednesdays when it’s Pasta Night for a generous plate of pasta, dessert, and a glass of house wine for just $26.95. Monday nights feature a “First responders and flight crews” menu for $28.95 with two glasses of wine. Best of all, the nicely appointed dining room is comfortable and inviting to large families and catered affairs.
You’ll find Paul Michael’s in the CVS shopping center in Kew Gardens along with plenty of parking so dining in or picking up your order is easy. They will deliver to your home or office and provide expert, carefree catering for your family or business events. The spacious dining room has tables dressed in linens, topped with flowers, and Italian paintings on the walls. Large groups of up to 55 can be accommodated with party packages available for your upcoming graduation, Communion, shower, etc.
The gracious Graziuso family welcomes you with lovely daughter, Rosanna, son Antonio, and father Giovanni, who brought his family recipes from Salerno, Italy. It all began with exceptionally good, brick oven pizzas in a 12” personal size and 18” large size, rendered light and crisp by the intense heat in the oven. Order a classic Margherita with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato sauce ($15.50/ $25) or pile on your favorite toppings as you like. There are over a dozen varieties, all flying out the door. Call directly for free delivery at 718.846.4065.
We started with glasses of Chianti and warm, crusty rolls dipped in fine olive oil, while our friendly server Daniel brought our Mussels Bianco, swimming in luscious garlic white wine sauce that we soaked up with those rolls ($15.95). The baked clams are golden and crispy, as are the fried calamari and hand cut zucchini and mozzarella sticks, which the kids love. The house made rice balls are a house favorite, with sauce and cheese inside, such a treat. Order a salad or two for the table, such as the tri-color with mixed greens, apple slices, cranberries, and gorgonzola cheese.
The arugula salad is vibrant with flavors from cherry tomatoes, red onion, roasted peppers and cubes of mozzarella ($14.95).
Pasta rules at Paul Michael’s where family recipes will transform you. I spoke to John, a regular customer for the last 15 years, who devoured a generous bowl of spaghetti with huge meatballs that are light and flavorful. One of my favorites is cavatelli Barese pasta topped with broccoli rabe and crumbled sausage. The Chef’s special pasta combines penne alla vodka with chicken cutlet, spinach, and mozzarella for a very hearty meal at a fair price ($21.95). Baked ziti, stuffed shells, and meaty, cheesy lasagna exemplify the concept of comfort food, and we could all use a little comfort now.
Every night, the Chef prepares special entrées such as chicken scarpariello with sausage, potatoes, and cherry peppers, or chicken Caprese with tomato, basil, and slices of melted mozzarella. My dashing companion and I shared the salmon quattro gusto, which means four flavors in Italian, sauteed with sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, lemon, and crispy breadcrumbs. This salmon fillet was perfectly cooked and flaked at the touch of a fork. Shrimp Francese with butter, wine and lemon, and shrimp fra diavolo in piquant marinara sauce over pasta are popular dishes, as is fillet of sole oreganata topped with golden breadcrumbs.
Calzones and rolls filled with sausage and peppers, spinach and cheese, Buffalo chicken, and pepperoni make a great lunch. And of course, a personal pizza is always a good idea. Do save room for dessert such as a freshly filled cannoli, chocolate mousse cake, tiramisu, cheesecake or tartufo ice cream treat. The homemade zeppoles are a must, so light and airy, dusted with powdered sugar.
Visit their website for tantalizing photos, menus, catering, and to place an order directly. Paul Michael’s Brick Oven Café Restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner from 11am to 10pm. For a homestyle Italian meal in a comfortable, family-friendly dining room, visit Paul Michael’s and make reservations now for your next catered event. Salute!
www.paulmichaelsbrickovencafé.com