Table for Two

New ownership, same favorites, more to come

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Mia’s Fine Italian–American Cuisine
31 Rockaway Ave., Valley Stream
(516) 825-2117, www.miasofvalleystream.com
Facebook: Mia’s Valley Stream

While ownership of Mia’s has recently changed hands, long-time customers can rest assured that their favorite dishes will prevail … prepared by the same chef. Changes are in motion: menu additions, more events and lower prices.

         Since purchasing Mia’s in April, Liviu Cireasa has worked closely with his manager, Monika Polacsek, and Chef Eloy Vasonez to enhance the menu — testing out new recipes, sticking with the best. In the future, he plans to include some traditional Romanian favorites. Raised in Romania, Cireasa is a local resident who previously owned a restaurant in Queens. He refers to his staff as “one big happy family,” and enjoys schmoozing with the clientele. His passion for the restaurant is obvious.

         We dined on a Friday night, when the very talented Angela sings and plays the keyboard. Dancing is on the agenda — a great way to launch any weekend. The décor is spacious yet cozy and traditional. Servers are incredibly friendly. You’ll start with fresh bruschetta — garlic toast heaped with chopped tomatoes, onions and basil. While much of the menu reflects traditional Italy, you’ll also find unique dishes, such as Timballo Di Melanzane, a macaroni pie with penne, peas, cheeses, eggplant and meat sauce; or the Family Combo — grilled chicken, veal and fish filet with rosemary and lemon sauce, served with escarole and beans. And, salads span from simple to exotic.

         Fried zucchini, shaped like a tangle of shoestrings, was hands down amazing. Frito Misto was a generous platter of shrimp, scallops and calamari, each piece fried to tender perfection, served with either arrabiara or marinara sauce. Truly outstanding was Shrimp Casino: three jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon with pimento, white wine and garlic, served on a bed of greens. Oysters Rockefeller offered six on the half-shell with spinach and mozzarella, in a buttery sauce.

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