Review by: Luis Pedron and Antonio Alvaira   Pics by: Antonio Alvaira   "What wowed us were numerous things including...."   Valverde Cucina Italiana is a great place to have your dinner at. As this new Italian Restaurant is perfectly located at 36-02 Steinway St in Long Island City NY 11101 (2 blks away from the R Train - Steinway St stop  a few minutes drive from the 59 St Queens Bridge on the way to Manhattan), this a perfect spot to eat at after your Steinway St shopping spree or pre movie at the United Artist Moviehouses just a few blocks away within the Kaufman Astoria TV studios. The perfect location is not the only asset of this place. You will be delighted with the freshness of its ingredients and the impeccable delicate taste that you will experience with all of their entrees.   You will be welcomed by owners Johann Velverde, Ivon Leon and Chef Jose Hernandez. Inspite of having two other support employees the trio restauranteurs will personally be the one welcoming you with their hospitality - like family members welcoming you to their home. We enjoyed the experience as they educated us with their authentic Northern Italian cuisine that Chef Jose Hernandez has perfected. Owner Johann Valverde describes their style as "Cosmopolitan Milanese. Everything is balanced and light."   We were curious what he meant. (We allowed Johann to bring us their specialties.)

First we were served with our appetizers of Home made bread served with  EVOO ( Extra Virgin Olive Oil ), oh was the bread light, flaky and oh so buttery, almost felt like a perfectly baked dessert pastry. We were wowed by the table bread.... and that's just for starters.....

The appetizer came in a gorgeous mountainful amount of  a salad called Scaglie di Parmigiano ($8.95)  numerous slices of artichokes, a tall pile of wild baby arugula and shaved 18 month old Parmesian Cheese. This dish is  very appetizing, you will love its lemony flavor, its fresh ingredients that all matches to give you a healthy reminder that says you should eat like this every day. The artichoke in the mix actually felt like it was the protein in your salad. Wow a perfect combination.   We were served with a Red Italian wine (Terrilogio Primitivo Puglia, Italy Zinfandel) the mellowness matched with our main course of  Pollo Cardinale ($13.95) and Spaghettini Chatarea alla Bolognese ($11.95)   .

Our first main dish the Pollo Cardinale was with two servings of Chicken Breast with sauteed Tomato confit, sage, cooked with homemade mozarella, Pinot Blanc served with French beans, carrots and brocolli. The chicken was so fresh and tender which was delicately flavored with the tomato sauce, mozarella cheese and Pinot Blanc plus the crunchy veggie sides. Usually restaurants wants to wow you with their food and overly flavors everything. But Valverde Cucina Italiana works differently and makes everything with a delicate light flavor and titilates you with this difference and it works. Light and delicate is definitely in.

Believe it or not their Spaghettini Chatarea alla Bolognese was immaculate. This Spaghetti  was with tomato (Italian San Marsano Plum Tomatoes)  meat (beef) sauce that will make you gasp in extacy. As Filipinos we are used to Spaghetti that is sweet or too sour. At Cucina Valverde the Spaghettini Bolegnese has a balanced flavor (of the tomato sauce)layered with the beef and aldente pasta. Its very balanced nothing is overwhleming its all simply perfect like a great orchestrated art work.

Don't get us started with our heavenly Ricotto Cheese Cake ($4.50). The adjectives that came to us were calming, positive vibes, simple, satisfying.   So it was a great zen like experience eating at Valverde. What wowed us were numerous things including the cozy ambience, great value, generous serving, personalized service, home made taste, freshness of ingredients and simple balanced tasty flavor did I say its conveniently located? Seldom do you find a perfect restaurant in a new establishment. We guarantee that this is worth a trip to Long Island City in Queens New York City for you to travel to.   Rating: 5 out of 5

Valverde Cucina Italiana 36-02 Steinway St (at 36th Ave) Long Island City, NY 11101 Daily 11AM - 10PM closed on Tuesday Tel: (718) 786-2070 Subway: G, V, R to Steinway St N, W to 36th Ave   (L-R) Chef Jose Hernandez, Ivon Leon and Johann Valverde   pics by: Antonio Alvaira