Ubaldo's Italian Restaurant

With over forty years of experience, Ubaldo's Italian Restaurant is known for it's inviting atmosphere as well as it's savory and authentic Italian cuisine. Taking influences from Northern and Southern traditions, this family owned restaurant transports you from Long Island to the very streets of Italy. The food is always freshly prepared, and made with only the best of ingredients.

We went to Long Island to visit Keith's family for the Thanksgiving holiday, and for a break from all the cooking, we went out to dinner at Ubaldo's on Friday.  This quaint restaurant is located in the Farmingdale area and was recommended to Keith's parents by their friends.  Our party of seven arrived on time for our 7pm reservations, and were seated in the main dining room area.

We ordered a bottle of Italian Chianti Classico for the table, and nibbled on fresh garlic bread with bruschetta while we looked over the extensive menu.  Our server also rambled off about 17 different 'specials' offered, one of which interested us - the Stuffed Mozzarella with asparagus and prosciutto.  This starter was pretty tasty and was like a big fancy fried mozzarella stick.  We also ordered some other favorites for the table to share: Eggplant Rollatini homemade with ricotta, mozzarella and ham in a light tomato sauce; Calamari Fritti; and Oysters Rockefeller loaded with spinach and cheese.

The appetizers were filling in themselves, but of course we each ordered our own main entree.  I skipped pasta (shocking, I know!) and instead ordered the Chicken Rollatini that was stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella and topped with mushrooms in a light tomato sauce.  I liked the mushrooms and the sauce, but it was a little salty overall.

Keith ordered the identical veal rendition as my dish, while his brother ordered the Veal Parmigiana that was a huge portion of lightly breaded veal topped with classic tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella.  His sister and mother also stuck to the veal and ordered one of the specials: Veal Shank Ossobuco served with rice.  Their dish looked rustic and satisfying for this cold winter night.

Keith's father ordered a seafood pasta dish that I was eyeing - the Gamberi Principessa - shrimp, scallops and mushrooms over linguine.  It was a huge portion and looked delicious from my seat.  I forgot to ask for a bite, so if I were to return I would order it myself next time.  My brother-in-law ordered another seafood pasta favorite that went unshared, the Capellini Frutta di Mare - angel hair with seafood in a spicy red sauce.  Piles of mussels, calamari, and clams topped this tasty dish.

Overall, the food and service was typical of a local Italian restaurant.  Many classic dishes are available to satisfy one's craving.  Portions are quite large so many 'doggy bags' were taken home.

Total Rating: 3.5
Food: 3.5, Price: 3.5, Service: 3.5, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 4.5

What I ate:

Eggplant Rollatini
Homemade with Ricotta, Mozzarella & Ham in a Light Tomato Sauce

Stuffed Mozzarella
with asparagus and prosciutto

Calamari Fritti
Fried Calamari

Oysters Rockefeller

Chicken Rollatini
Prosciutto, Mozzarella & Mushrooms in a Light Tomato Sauce

Plus Others ate:

Veal Rollatini
Prosciutto, Mozzarella & Mushrooms in a Light Tomato Sauce

Veal Parmigiana
Lightly Breaded topped with Tomato Sauce & Fresh Mozzarella

Veal Shank Ossobuco
served with rice

Capellini Frutta di Mare
Angel Hair with Seafood in a Spicy Red Sauce

Gamberi Principessa
Shrimp, Scallops & Mushrooms over Linguine