Steve's Piccola Bussola Restaurant — Restaurant in Town of North Hempstead

OK, class. Today we will discuss Long Island Italian American food. Perhaps you know what we are talking about, namely, Family Style Italian American which emigrated East out of Don Pepe's or South and East out of Glen Cove. Remember class, this is FAMILY STYLE, Whole Orders serve 2-3 and everything is meant to be shared. We are discussing baked clams, the best you have ever had, with a crisp pecorino and garlic laden crust, drizzled with gravy. Next, we are discussing the Bussola or the Seafood salad, perfectly executed, chopped, crisp,served ice cold and dressed with a picante dressing. Next, stuffed artichokes, in gravy, or perhaps crisp, golden fried "galumah". We will then proceed to a pasta course, linguine with clams, done "marechiare" which is to say white sauce with a pinch of plum tomatoes. We will then proceed with chicken scarpariella, always "on the bone" in bite size pieces, perfectly browned and seasoned tender, also in a delicious brown gravy. This can be modified into a contadina, with potatoes, roast peppers and sausage. Remember Chicken cacciatore? Well here it is done to perfection, slow cooked in red "Sunday Gravy" until the skin is perfect and the meat is falling off the bone. For the aristocrats, perhaps a veal chop, done Steve's style, smothered in peppers and onions or milanese or perhaps some swordfish, salmon, snapper, all first rate. For the children, perhaps some meatballs or some chicken or veal parm. Dessert will include the classics, Italian cheese cake, cannoli and of course, tartuffo. Of course, this class will be taught by Steve, Joe and the rest of the crew at Steve's Piccola Bussola; easily the best Italian restaurant on...

Came here for a birthday dinner as it was the person’s request.

Service: There are good points and bad points. The good: the wait staff seems to be around quite often to refill glasses, make sure you have drinks, take away plates, and clean up. The bad: Our waiter must have had a bad night or moment. We ordered a Cab, not a Merlot, and a bottle of Merlot came out. Even the waiter called it a Cab. And they even charged us for a Cab after telling the waiter what was served to us. Wasn’t fixed. As the food came out, he kept saying the wrong dish as it was being put in the table. Okay, it happens. But I’m pretty sure stuffed mushrooms is not the Tomato and Mozzarella app.

Food was so/so. Okay, the main food was so so. The dessert had to be the best part. I know tomatoes are not in season during the winter, but they had zero flavor and just sat there. The lettuce and other produce in the chopped salad seemed “sad.” The saddest dish might have been the classic meatballs and spaghetti. One of the fellow diners said the pasta was literally “al dente” as it had a slight crunch. Then the meatballs seemed to have very little flavor or taste to them. Coming from an Italian family, that’s kind of a disappointment.

What was delicious: the stuffed mushrooms, the chicken parm, and the shrimp scampi.

Dessert was the saving grace of the night. The chocolate mousse cake was light and sweet. the cannoli was a large portion, enough for two or three, and was fresh. And the tiramisu was also great.

Every restaurant has its good and its bad. This is not the best, but it’s not the worse out there. A middle of the road kind of Italian, family style...

My disabled husband booked my 60th birthday party in Syosset location for 10/22, Our family has been eating in all the locations for 25 years. Upon booking & leaving deposit with Steve, we were beyond rudely treated, dismissive, & basically couldn’t be bothered helping us, as we asked questions on packeges, family style & picking dishes. He took deposit & said just show up & pick food when your here that night. Now we know that’s not how it works because we have had many parties here. I had spoken with Rocco a week prior, and Rocco that morning to confirm 6:00 appt, I asked for him when we arrived but Steve said he would do it, I told him who we were & our family as he answered obnoxiously saying he has no clue who we are after 25 years. Saying “ I know a lot of people”….Yesterday there was a meeting with Steve, Joe, & Rocco that did not go well, today we were told we are no longer welcome & our party has been cancelled, no $250 PLUS SURCHARGE deposit returned when I asked. These people treated a disabled man who could barely walk who struggled to even travel the hour, let alone get in the door with his assisted walking device, & just wanted to be treated with respect, and do something nice for his family. This place has changed & treating the disabled is despicable beyond comprehension and you ALL should be ashamed of yourself! I will make sure everyone knows what kinda people...