Patrick W.
Yelp
TLDR: Fuzi Pasta is a straight up neighborhood pasta spot. The prices are fair, the staff is super welcoming and the flavors are awesome. Have hope folks, there are still good local eats out there. The 11375 Mushrooms are worth a try. For pastas, the Fuzi (of course) and the Lemon Parpardelle. Tiramisu and the gelato are great.
Fuzi was on my list for a bit and reading through their story online convinced me to give it a shot. It's a small neighborhood restaurant tucked away in Fresh meadows. It's very cozy inside.
The prices are very fair. Fair is a rarity in this day/age where a normal pasta will run you easily $25 to $30 in the city or the boroughs.
Apps.
Complimentary focaccia and sauce. I don't remember the last time I even got something like this. It's a great way to start. We opted for the zucchini flower special, the 11375 mushrooms (because I need to know with a name like that) and the garlic focaccia.
The zucchini flowers were one of the best versions I've ever had of this. The batter was light but the cheese was stringy without it spilling all over the place like it usually does. The sauce was tasty, a hazelnut crumble for texture and the shredded zucchini noodles were a nice way to brighten up the dish. I'd have eaten all three by myself if I could have. The mushrooms are basically sauteed shrooms next to crostinis with whipped ricotta and burnt honey. Sweet, savory, salty, crunchy - all very good. The focaccia alone was good, throw a ton of garlic on it - it's great.
Entrees.
Fuzi Oro. You can't not order the dish that the restaurant is named after. An interesting pasta shape, think folded maltagliati or basically a fat parpardelle folded. The sauce is a slow cook of braised beef, lamb and sausage. Similar to a goulash or a beef bourguignon (not as rich and wine heavy) over pasta. Really unique, very tasty. It's your thought of mixing a pot roast with pasta but actually coming to fruition.
Lemon Parpardelle. While it is a cream pasta, you have a nice balance of acid from the citrus and some freshness from the basil cream. The shrimp was plump, springy and the pasta was cooked al dente. I don't even like cream pastas typically but this was very tasty. Probably my favorite.
Rigatoni Arrabiatta + Meatballs. A simple pasta ordered from the Simple Pasta section. Solid, al dente rigatoni with spicy/zesty tomato sauce. The meatballs were nice and tender, ping pong sized and they come with 6 which is always a plus.
Desserts.
Honey Panna Cotta. Not too thick - actually one of the less dense ones but in a good way. Fresh berries on top and a quirky touch of PopRox. Awesome.
Tiramisu. Great presentation with the chocolate dipped lady fingers and the dessert itself served in a cup. Perfectly creamy, sweet, rich and flavorful without being too heavy. One of the better tiramisus I've had.
Homemade gelato. Stracciatella and black cherry. Creamy, sweet, cold, a lovely pizzelle in the middle. Nothing bad to sea.
Had a wonderful time chatting with the chef, Franco. The team here was super friendly and I wish these guys lots of luck. It is very hard to find a good neighborhood spot like this. They seem to almost be out of existence but Fuzi made me a believer again. If this has been on your radar for awhile, give it a try. I will absolutely be coming back again.