The Trattoria

Cash only, come prepared. Well worth it. This is a very small place but the service is incredible. We couldn’t have been happier coming with the quality of the food. The menus is simple and everything came out quickly and tasted perfect. There is a $15 corkage fee which is very nice to bring your own wine if desired. We would come here again for a nice lunch or dinner. Order the bolognese, it was perfect.

My fiancé and were debating what appetizer we should go with. There were so many tasty options. The waiter suggested the the tapenade. I'm usually not the biggest fan of tomatoes, but fortunately took the suggestion. The dish was amazing and set the tone for an amazing night. Delicious food incredible service - We will certainly be back! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I will definitely be back!

Incredible. One of the best meals I’ve ever had. Every dish was better than the last. The fried little necks were next level and that’s coming from a native New Englander. Can not recommend enough. The chef is owner as well and cares about every single thing that leaves his kitchen. The prices are beyond reasonable. You can truly tell he just wants to give people an incredible meal at a fair price. If you are in the area or are traveling, this is a must stop.

I don't know how I missed this hidden gem in St.James, but I was fortunate to have dinner there last night. A small, but intimate restaurant, almost missed it traveling from south to north on Moriches Rd. Not your typical menu that you would find in your average Modern Italian restaurant. Delicious, authentic italian regional dishes, like mama made. Interesting appetizers to wondetful pasta dishes, and the braised beef over polenta was incredible. You can bring your own wine, and the wait staff was very attentive, great place, looking forward to returning!

First time visiting after seeing a five 🌟 review for the Lasagna Bolognese in Newsday. The $12 corkage fee is excellent; the bread and ricotta whip was a great start, and the mussels, burratta, and squash soup appetizers were amazing. The Lasagna Bolognese lived up to the hype; the carbonara bucatini was just OK. It was bland and could definitely benefit from some panchetta and other flavors to kick it up a notch. Dessert was over the top delish, and the service was exceptional throughout! CASH only.

Absolutely love coming here. The meal was cooked to perfection and everything is like an amazing flavor explosion!!! Our waitress Jenny was amazing. Highly recommend making a reservation. Worth the wait!!! Outdoor seating was very comfortable and warm.

One of Suffolk County’s best! Small, intimate space pushing out BIG flavor! Menu consists of regular staples like bucatini carbonara and eggplant parm, mixed in with seasonal items such as rigatoni in kale sauce. Chef Stephen puts his unique touch on each and every dish that makes you craving for more. Staff are warm and inviting which really rounds out the experience. BYOB with a small corking fee, or they have their own excellent selection of wines. Reservations recommended, cash only.

Great price fixe menu, lots of choices. Cash only and BYOB (no charge). Huge portions and some of the best Italian food I have ever had. The place is tiny, so I would make so your have a reservation. Also if you use a GPS service to find the restaurant, do not be supposed to be told to turn into what looks like a closed strip mall, the restaurant is on the back end and is a hidden gem for sure.

Trattoria Saint James in Saint James, NY, is an absolute five star Italian extravaganza that had me twirling my fork like a conductor leading a pasta orchestra from the moment I stepped through the door until I waddled out stuffed happier than a meatball in Sunday gravy. This place is a cozy slice of Tuscany tucked into Long Island suburbia, with warm terracotta walls glowing under soft Edison bulbs that flicker like fireflies at a vineyard wedding, exposed brick that whispers old world romance, and tables draped in crisp white linens spaced just right so you can whisper sweet nothings to your date without the next table joining the conversation. The ambience is pure magic, a perfect blend of rustic charm and upscale elegance where the air swirls with garlic, basil, and the faint strum of Italian crooners that makes you feel like you have been transported to a Nonna's kitchen in Naples, but with air conditioning and zero chance of getting pinched on the cheek. Twinkling string lights over the bar add a festive sparkle, fresh flowers bloom on every table like edible centerpieces, and the open kitchen lets you peek at chefs tossing dough like pizza frisbees, turning dinner into delicious theater. The food, mamma mia, where do I even begin without needing a second stomach? We kicked off with the burrata that arrived like a creamy cloud from cheese heaven, draped over heirloom tomatoes so juicy they burst like summer fireworks, drizzled with 25 year aged balsamic that danced on the tongue sweeter than a love song. The arancini were golden orbs of risotto joy, crispy outside, gooey with fontina inside, served with a marinara so rich and tangy it should have its own fan club. For mains, the veal osso buco fell off the bone softer than a lullaby, braised in a red wine reduction that hugged the meat like a cashmere blanket, paired with a saffron risotto that glowed brighter than the ambience lights. My partner's seafood linguine was a briny ocean party, clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops twirling in a white wine garlic broth so flavorful I caught myself mopping the plate with housemade focaccia like it was my job. Desserts? The tiramisu was a fluffy espresso soaked dream layered with mascarpone lighter than air, and the cannoli cracked with a satisfying snap before revealing ricotta filling piped with chocolate chips and candied orange that tasted like Sicily in every bite. Portions are generous without being overwhelming, prices feel like a steal for the quality (entrees $25 to $40), and the wine list is a curated love letter to Italian regions with a Barolo that paired like it was destiny. Service was the cherry on this gelato sundae, no, the entire sundae stand, with a team that operates like a well oiled Vespa zooming through narrow streets with precision and pizzazz. Our server Marco greeted us with a megawatt smile and a complimentary prosecco toast "for beautiful people on a beautiful night," then guided us through the menu like a tour guide in the Colosseum, suggesting the perfect pairings with enthusiasm that bubbled like the sparkling water he kept refilling without us asking. Every course arrived at the ideal tempo, hot dishes steaming, cold apps chilled, and when I mentioned a gluten sensitivity he whisked away potential pitfalls faster than a Ferrari on the Autostrada, even surprising us with gluten free bread that tasted like the real deal. The manager swung by not once but twice, once to check on our experience and again to gift us limoncello shots "for the road, but sip it slow," turning a great meal into a memorable party. Busboys cleared plates ninja style, water glasses stayed full like magic, and the entire staff radiated genuine warmth that made us feel like VIPs at a family reunion we actually wanted to attend. Trattoria Saint James is the kind of gem that makes you want to cancel all future dinner plans and just rotate through their menu on repeat, a five star symphony of sensational food, enchanting ambience, and service that spoils you rotten in the best way. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, wooing a date, or just treating yourself because you deserve it, book a table, bring your stretchy pants, and prepare for an Italian love affair that will have you shouting "bravissimo" between bites. I am already counting down the days until my next visit, this place doesn't just serve dinner, it serves pure joy on a plate!

Food, service and ambiance are fantastic. Reservations a must and note that you need cash or check for payment. The Baked clams and beet salad were excellent appetizers. The Veal Parmesan with the Spaghetti was great to share as a entree. Will definitely return.

If I wasn't such a busy fella, perhaps this review would have already been written. You see, great things should be discussed and shared so it's about time I get to writing my fantastical experience at The Trattoria. It was only a few months ago that my wife and I ventured here, but it feels like it was only yesterday. Perhaps part of this reason would be the intimate structure and setup of The Trattoria (along with the calm and friendly service that expels from its staff) which creates that feeling of close memory. You see The Trattoria is incredibly small in size. Not more than a handful of tables make up the place to the point that when my wife and I walked in I thought maybe we entered from the wrong door (there's only one door with no waiting area or space inside that isn't taken up by a table or the kitchen). With that in mind, it's important to know that reservations are strongly encouraged (something I was able to snag on the later side for that end-of-October evening). Besides this, make sure you bring cash with you because credit cards are not excepted. Both of these pieces of info (as well as the delicious-sounding menu which I'll get to next) had me reminded of Orto in Miller Place. I'm not sure which came first, but with my thinking heading in that direction thus far, I was feeling like this was going to be a fantastic meal (Spoiler alert: It was). For that aforementioned menu, you'll find a variety of items broken up into antipasti, primi, and secondi selections (as well as sides for the bread you receive at the table, which my wife and I optioned for the house made ricotta: a fluffy, flavorful choice). What's also great is you can get half orders of the primi pasta choices, something else we optioned for on our way to the secondi course. Before getting there, we did start with an antipasti of grilled artichokes with baby arugula, parmesan, and vincotto. The variety of tastes was outstanding. Next up for that primi pasta option, my wife and I split the orecchiette with house-made sausage & broccoli rabe pesto. Delicious flavors bursted through on this dish and I loved the uniqueness of the type of pesto created (never thought to use broccoli rabe!). Lastly came the secondi which my wife dined on the chicken scarpariello while I had the red wine brasato. My wife loved her chicken (I tried a piece and it had wonderful juiciness and taste). For me, my brasato (which I learned prior is braised beef similar to short rib) was near perfection. Tender and filled with great flavor with the creamy polenta it laid on creating a nice counter taste in each bite. We finished things up with an incredible black and white creme brûlée (chocolate on the bottom, wow!) which rounded out a superb meal. Overall, The Trattoria is a high quality restaurant filled with unique and powerful flavors that makes it totally worth visiting. Its intimate setup and cash only mentality ensures things run smoothly, though that can also be attributed to the attentive and friendly staffing. Might I add that the chef visited each table to ask about our meal which only furthered the restaurant prowess The Trattoria holds. As perhaps my last review of 2024, I'm glad to say it's this place (even if it took a couple of months to pen it!).

Food and service here is amazing. Doesn't matter the dish all are delicious! This is elevated Italian. Highly recommend this place you wont disappointed!

We've been coming here for years. When it comes to home cooked meals this place is the one for me. Always fresh & cooked to order. Definitely small but quaint place to relax & enjoy. You can also BYOB. Staff is always amazing. It's a must try. Make sure you make reservations ahead of time.

We had an amazing dinner here tonight. The waiter was fantastic. It felt like we were home as soon as we walked in the door. What a comfortable restaurant. Very warm and welcoming. He helped us make choices and was engaging. The food was outstanding. The bread starter with tapenade, olives, ricotta was outstanding. Follow that with the roasted beets with arugula, goat cheese, lemon and pistachio salad and burrata salad. For entree I had the black pasta. My husband had the orecchiette pasta. Everything was delicious. The dessert crème brûlée was the best I have ever had. I can't wait to go back. Highly recommend.

Hands down the best Italian food I've had in the area, and it's not even close. The Trattoria delivers on everything: flavor, atmosphere, and service. You can taste the quality and care in every dish. It's clear they're not cutting corners here. The vibe is warm and cozy, perfect for a date night or dinner with family, and the staff make you feel right at home without being overbearing. You can tell this place is run with passion. If you haven't been yet, do yourself a favor and go. It's the kind of spot you'll think about long after the meal's over, and find yourself planning your next visit before you even leave.

One of my favorite restaurants! Their meals are incredible! One of my favorites is the lasagna! I have never been disappointed. All the appetizers are amazing. The service is great and the desserts are amazing! The best affogato I have ever had!

Me and my husbands favorite restaurant by far. The food is cooked. so. well. We can't help but try everything. WE LOVE THE TRAT!

Delicious food and fantastic service. Very small place and a little out there but well worth the trip.

One of my Favorite Restaurants of all time. Small intimate and the chef comes out to say hello. The food is seriously some of the best on LongIsland

The reviews are true! Delicious Italian in a cozy setting. We loved all five appetizers we tried and the four pasta dishes. Good wine selection, fair prices. Bring cash. Lots of cash! Our out the door price for 4 was $350. No cards.

The people who manage the phone are super nice. I called maybe a total of 6 times between the span of 2 weeks scrambling to make last minute reservations and then moving them to the following week and the pushing back the time since my fiancé was running late getting out of work. And the whole time they were so accommodating. It's cash only. The place is very small. Maybe only about 8 tables inside and 2 outside. Black pasta was 1,000% the star of the show and the eggplant parm was also very good but definitely on the saltier side. Affogato was a little too sweet but not bad. I'm definitely thinking about coming back and trying the brownie. I think their pastas really shine (a bit more than the secondis). I went with just my fiancé so we had about 1.5 meals worth of leftovers from everything you see in the pictures.

I know I know it's another vote for Trattoria but it's well deserved. Why? Because they still continue to rock and ain't nothing like it. That BYOB policy where you're on a double date can totally be a game changer and it sure was. Recently came here again now with the fella, his best friend and best friend's wife. To say I think we all enjoyed our meal is an understatement. Trattoria still knows how to rock it out of the park. I'm a loyalist to places that deserve the loyalty and Trattoria is definitely one of em.

A neighborhood gem. If you're looking for a Cozy spot with excellent service and outstanding food then this is your place

IYKYN. For those who cannot decipher hashtags: If you know, you know. That goes for The Trattoria in Saint James. An unassuming venue, one that only accepts cash/check, is BYOB, and only seats a limited number of people, The Trattoria is a concept that offers some of the best meals on Long Island without the craziness and crowds of some other venues. Getting a reservation is tough, so plan ahead. I never mind waiting a few weeks for a table because the experience is 100% worth it. I have nothing but glows for this restaurant and its owner and Chef. Any "grows" I could offer would sound petty and nonsensical, so let me boast about the wonder that is The Trattoria. When COVID hit in the spring of 2020, The Trattoria had ironically received a license to serve wine; bad timing for the owner, but a glimmer of hope for patrons. When takeout times ended and they reopened their doors in June 2020, they added an outdoor eating area beneath a tent. This increased the capacity of the restaurant, obviously, which made it possible for more people to enjoy the cuisine. When I dined there last night, it was a cold night and there were wind gusts and rain. My friends and I remained dry and warm with the heat pumping through in the rear of the tent. The experience of the food and company made us forget we were outdoors. Servers are attentive. No one walked by without checking to see if our water bottle was filled and our bread basket topped off. All servers are fluent with the menu, which changes on the regular since food is freshly sourced. They offer 4 items for a small up charge to accompany the complimentary bread, and I always opt for the whipped ricotta, tomato tapenade, and the olives (I never met an olive I didn't like). There is a laidback feeling that I believe is passed down from Steve, the chef and owner. He is a down to earth likable man who takes pride in his craft and frequently steps away from the kitchen to say hello and ask everyone how their meal is going. He also recognizes those of us who have been there more than once, even if it's been months since we dined there. His warmth and energy are contagious. This restaurant used to offer a prix fixe-only option on busy weekends, but they don't anymore. For those who are annoyed by this, fear not. When you order an appetizer, entree and dessert, you'll actually pay pretty much the same price, give or take a few dollars. Don't let that change prevent you from returning. When you dine indoors, the only thing separating you from the kitchen is a half wall. Steve and his sous chef are cooking while servers double as dessert/coffee preparers and wine pourers. I took advantage of their wine license and ordered a Pinot Grigio. Chilled water is served to everyone at the table, then the server leaves a bottle with water so you can refill as needed. Since I am meatless on Fridays during Lent, I opted for the scallop appetizer, 3 of them served atop black garlic aioli, grilled ramps, and sprinkled with toasted breadcrumbs. My main course was their eggplant parmigiana. Yeah yeah, how exciting could that be. First, let me tell you that if you every order the lasagna or the eggplant parm there, it will come out in a crock, served on top of the BEST fresh marinara sauce. It will stay hot for HOURS, no joke. Beware of the steam! Typically eggplant of any kind, no matter how wonderful the restaurant or preparation is, tends to be oily. It's just the nature of the eggplant and how it holds on to moisture for dear life. The Trattoria eggplant parm is dense with flavor with not a drop of oil in sight. It stands firm, with layers upon layers of lightly seasoned coated eggplant, fresh mozzarella, and a snowfall of grated cheese to finish off the presentation (pics in review, video of the glory that is this dish on my Instagram--diningdealfoodie). I took home half the eggplant. I am a foodie with a large appetite, and I have never ever finished either their lasagna or eggplant parm. For dessert I selected their homemade brownie with their gelato of the day--mint chocolate chip. The brownie comes with their homemade chocolate sauce, but I asked for caramel instead. Their coffee is made via French press and is always on the strong side, a bonus for coffee lovers like me. If you love crème brûlée, you have never had one as superior as theirs; it comes with a layer of chocolate beneath the cream and the perfect finish of crackling sugar on top. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. If you are looking for a low-stress meal without all the noise and hoopla on the weekends, or if you want a calm dinner for two, make sure you include The Trattoria in your rotation. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays and offer takeout when they are open. Well worth the drive to Saint James.

Food was good but overpriced. Portions were small. Service was good. I would go back once in a while.

Great food and the service is outstanding. The Trattoria is rather small so you'll need a reservation. I assure you, you'll enjoy the experience.

The food was excellent.. we had eggplant parm which was a huge portion and delicious, black pasta with calamari, and blackfish. Ask were fabulous. The wait staff was friendly and helpful, service prompt. And it is such a small intimate setting, it was charming.

We celebrated one of my best friend's birthday at The Trattoria in Saint James last night and found the flavors it offered delicious. We also found their service "5-star" given the establishment's attentive and welcoming staff. Overall, I would recommend The Trattoria given the glowing smiles on our faces after our lovely evening with them concluded. That being said, I would also add a few considerations that, for me, undermined the potential for the dining event to transcend from "lovely" to "extraordinary." Hence, read on for why I opted to slice off a star from their review based on my total experienced with them last night. For the good... I had the lasagna, which might seem boring until you see -- never mind taste -- what I am talking about; that dish was the bomb diggity! Full stop. It was also dang hot, making it tough to start eating straight away (that's a good thing). Once it cools down some -- dang... I mean, "wow!" Mind-blowing! My wife, who order the Brasato, enjoyed her meal quite a bit. This dish literally melted apart as a sign of how tender they cooked the meat (I did have a bite and it was simply divine)! Across the table, most of my friends really enjoyed their meals. There were a few whose dishes, although done well, were not necessarily to die for in their estimation. Therefore, I cannot say that everyone in my party was as much in love with their meals as I was. Therefore, for myself, I cannot personally recommend them enough for the flavor, and the missus would back this "thumbs up!" For the not so good... I am certain that pretty much everyone was not as enthused about the tent outside that we were in for the evening. You see, the restaurant itself is pretty tiny. You will definitely want to make a reservation well ahead of time (IMHO). Our reservation was successful because they had space in the tent since they were already filled inside. For us, this was not a problem at all as we were looking forward to coming to this place. However, considering how small the inside of the establishment is; you would think they would've aimed to make the most out of that outside lot they received due to the pandemic crisis. From where I am standing, it awarded them added space they did not have prior to the pandemic from the looks of it. Therefore, this could be a kind of a plus depending on how it is handled. Yet, I was not the least impressed with their approach. The issue I found with the tent outside was one of vision -- lack of vision. They had no heaters to warm the space, so we were a little uncomfortable given the evening's cool down, and the ambiance was pretty stark since they opted not to try to make the surroundings a bit more inviting and/or appealing for those sitting outside. What was worse, there was an unpleasant aroma coming from somewhere in that space. It was by no means super intense, but whenever you caught that "woof" noses turned. I do realize that with covid, the tent outside is a necessity. But there is zero reason not to mind the little details that really go that extra mile for your clientele and help to make the experience more akin to a restaurant and less alike a rinky-dink festival outside of a park after Sunday mass featuring an accordion player. Actually, an accordion player would not have been so bad; it would have been better than the utter silence we were in while in the tent. Granted, they did have a speaker playing. But what, exactly, was playing... I could not even tell you because the device was either set too low or just lacked the juice to actually reach across the space. I only knew they had a device playing because as we walked out I noticed it (the thing was a few steps away from us to boot)! There are so many sound options to fill a space loudly enough these days, yet still surfing across the background softly, that to miss this just seems either cheap or lazy. Again, just a lack vision in this respect, and one that, for me, sabotaged the otherwise heavenly skill of the kitchen and the service of the absolutely courteous staff. In conclusion... For their food and service, I definitely recommend them one thousand percent; the bites were "yum!" and the staff was super cool. Most people will probably care more about the latter two than the lackluster features of the setting itself. However, if you are looking for the "entire enchilada" because you are feeling romantic, well... be advised that the setting can be a bit of buzz kill. For the cost of the food, I don't think a better ambiance is too much to ask; we were four couples and clocked in about $150 per couple! Therefore, they can afford to hang at least a wreath to spruce up the tent a bit more (maybe invest on a scent machine). Oh, and before I forget, it is BYOB and you have to pay in cash or check (which I still find pretty funny considering we live in the 21st century; at least they tell you in the phone straight away -- I get the feeling they might be managed by someone who is "old school

Last Saturday night my bf and I dined at The Trattoria. It was our first time at this eatery. Since this restaurant offered BYOB, we brought our own wine. (They do charge a corking fee of $12.) All their courses were delicious! We started with their bread basket which came with sides of homemade ricotta, olive oil and sun dried tomatoes. Next we had their homemade burrata served with fresh figs and HUGE blueberries dressed with balsamic vinegar. Yummy! For our main courses my bf had their pork chop (cooked to perfection) served along with broccoli rabe and a polenta corn cake and I had their eggplant parmigiana (the sauce was outstanding). Both were beautifully presented and very filling. We passed on dessert but we ordered an espresso and a coffee which they served in a French press. Delicious! Their hostess and waitstaff were very attentive and informative about the menu items and how the food was sourced. Steve the Chef/owner came over to our table to ask us about our meal. All in all, an extremely pleasant experience: from the attentive caring staff, the decor and ambiance and their awesome entrées of "farm to table" product's. We will be back.

This was my second time at The Trattoria. Hungry for good Italian food, I was excited to come back. The first time I dined here was several years ago when I still lived in NY. I remember that I enjoyed the food very much, but decor was much to be desired. Since then they redecorated the restaurant making it more comfortable and cozier (warmer colors, cleaner look). Food did not disappoint. My Eggplant Parmesan was cheesy but not greasy, with just enough tomato sauce to experience the juicy nature of eggplant (not sure if anyone has ever used the terms "juicy" and "eggplant" in one sentence...). Baked clams as an appetizer were very good as well. Desert was a bit of a disappointment. I wondered if they come frozen or make from scratch. My Creme brulee just lacked flavor and "homemade" taste that every other dish had. Service was as always fantastic. Timely, non-intrusive, friendly and down to earth. Overall, another great visit!

Outstanding food and service! Their lasagna bolognese is spectacular The rice balls with sweet corn were outstanding, and while the place is tiny, with only a few tables, our server provided top notch service and recommendations! It was our second time there and we will be back :)

Great meal last night at one of our favorite places! Couldn't resist the summer gazpacho to say goodbye in a nice way to a season robbed by COVID! The missus had the flatbread fig and goat cheese which was amazing. Main courses of skate and eggplant parmigiana also incredible! So glad to be THERE, which by the way they've done a real nice job with outdoor seating.

Heard this restaurant was a great dining experience, so we gave it a try. Our first impression was very small, didn't look like much, pretty hidden. The Hostess was sweet, greeted us and asked if we had a reservation. We did not. She said no problem let me ask my manager. A guy walks in, she tells him we didn't have a reservation, he looks at us and says, we're fully booked tonight. That was our entire experience. Glad they are so independent they didn't need another customer. He did not even apologize or advise us generally reservations are a necessity. We lost interest and will not make a reservation in the future, but obviously, they won't care. However, we will tell anyone who suggests or talks about this place.

Thankfully still incredible. Only the freshest, in-season foods prepared carefully and simply to highlight their taste. Reserve well ahead of time and go hungry to accommodate antipasti, primo and secondo. There is something for everyone. All courses are thoughtful and perfectly executed. One of the best restaurant experiences on LI. Remember cash or check only. Very reasonable $12 corkage if you have been saving a bottle of wine for a special occasion.

Food was very good. The place is very cute as it was most likely an old house years ago. We sat inside and it was very charming feeling like you were in a home. Ordered the Burrata cheese which was tasty and for the primi plate we had two different types of pasta which was also good. For entre we ordered the halibut dish and the veal chop parmigiana. The staff came over to us and even the head chef which we think is the owner. They all checked up on us to see how our dinner was which was very nice. We will go back again. The only cons which felt (which werent a big deal) was that when we sat inside you can hear the dishes from the kitchen and that they dont take credit card (just cash or check). But that was not a big deal as we will go back again soon. great little place for sure.

Great food and service. Cozy setting. You will be treated well and have an amazing meal.

What a positive experience we had here. Came for my sisters birthday and they were only able to seat us outdoors in a heated tent. At first I was a little turned off, but upon being seated and served-it felt like we were indoors and didn't feel like we were outside at all! The temperature was super comfortable, and having spent the day at the vineyards-the byob was a very attractive feature. The bread was so good with the ricotta and tapenade that you can order separately. The lasagna was perfectly cheesy and meaty, the parpadelle bolognese and bucatini carbonara were cooked perfectly with their complementing sauces. The red wine brasato with polenta were cooked perfectly with the polenta absorbing the delicious flavors of the beef and wine sauce! Looking forward to making my way back!

"The Trattoria" is not your regular Italian restaurant. The local is small and well appointed with the kitchen in the middle and open to view. We would have eaten outside but there was a storm watch and management decided to shut down outside dining. Since our reservation was for outside, we were called and our time slot was changed to accommodate us indoors. The local is tiny and social distancing is really not possible. Any tables that could no be distanced were separated by plastic. The menu is not your ordinary Italian faire. The choices are few - always a good sign - and centered around a less traditional sampling. I recommend looking at the menu online if you are expecting a maccheroni and meatballs sort of dinner. The menu is premised on the traditional Italian meal of appetizers, first ("Primi"), second ("Secondi") dishes and dessert. The table ordered a sampling of various appetizers, which according to everyone were delicious. Since I am not the vegetarian sort, I did not taste the appetizers. I ordered a 'Primo' as both my appetizer and first dish. It was difficult to choose what to eat and I made the mistake of ordering a large "Primo" and no "Secondo." The "Spaghetti all Amatriciana." I ordered arrived promptly after the dishes from the appetizers were cleared. The caramelized onions blended with the marinara and rendered guanciale to create an Amatriciana that was velvety delicious. The freshness of the sauce leaped off the fork with every bite. As an appetizer substitute and a first dish, the portion size was excellent. Had I been with my wife, I would have ordered a "Secondo" entree. For desert I ordered the cheese cake and raspberry sauce accompanied by coffee. The cheese cake arrived in the form of a Ramekin dish. The cake was fresh and the raspberry sauce a perfect complement. Because the cappuccino maker was being serviced we ordered American coffee. To my surprise the waiter brought to the table a French press pot for my wife and I. The coffee was hot, fresh, and bold. The perfect complement to the cheese cake. The next time I go, I will order the "Pappardelle Bolognese" the Veal Chop Parmigiana and the gelato sampler. The Take Aways: 1. Make a reservation. 2. Bring your own wine. 3. Check or cash only. 4. Order anything, it will be fresh and delicious. 5. Do not expect to stay and chat after your meal, the place is too small to accommodate lingering. 6. The GPS is correct! The restaurant is in the back! 7. Parking is tight. 8. Very good portion size to cost ratio. 9. Tip well, the service is excellent.

Very nice and little place to enjoy good and delicious food, but try to get a little ahead of time cause place gets packed quick

The place may be small but it's quaint and charming. The lunch menu had many selections. The food was amazing. Love that you BYOB! The staff was courteous and very accommodating- checking in frequently to make sure everything was ok. We will be coming back for dinner!

Not sure how I felt about looking in on the kitchen while eating, but I can understand it's fascination. The restaurant is small, and many of the patrons seemed to have a relationship with the chef - which seemed lovely. There was a fixed-price menu available; with several options one could choose for each course. Clearly - this was a master chef at work, and each course was great - except that I wish they offered a boring regular option if you didn't feel so exotic. For one guest who ate no meat, they would have been satisfied with linguini with garlic & oil or linguini with read sauce - rather than squid ink linguini. If you have no restrictions on what you eat - it's a marvelous gourmet experience. (BTW - one is allowed to bring their own favorite wine to dinner without a corking fee.) Report card: 92-96

So my birthday weekend continued with dinner with my closet people. I figured I lost a year do to Covid so this second meal is the makeup dinner. I've wanted to try The Trattoria restaurant on account of its excellent reviews, BYOB and it being close to home. We called a week ahead for a party of 8. They said they could accommodate us in their outside tent and we said that would be fine. It is located in a small strip of stores. The restaurant doesn't face 25a so it is easy to miss. It's in the back of the building where the front of the restaurant faces a local road. When we arrived they had a nice table set. A bit wobbly for a wine glass so I put my glass on the appetizer plate. The only thing that was slightly off putting was a slight odor from the surrounding area. To counteract this I would suggest either candles or some other subtle scent. After sometime, it dissipated or we just became use to it. This restaurant is a BYOB which is fantastic so we all brought our own wine and beer. The menu was once prix fixed, but because of Covid this is no longer the case. The inside is very small, maybe 4/5 tables at most, so the outside tent is definitely a benefit for this establishment. Again, another minor suggestion would be some outdoor rugs and string lights for some ambiance. The staff was very accommodating and attentive. We started with bread service and had the ricotta, sundried tomato tapenade, olives, olive oil and pickled vegetables. The bread was delicious and crusty and paired well with the ricotta and sundried tomato. We all started with an antipasti because with all the choices available you'd feel as though you would be missing out if you didn't. I had the Burrata as did a few in the group. The Burrata was creamy and decadent. This paired well with the prosciutto and arugula. I would suggest it needed a little bit more of either balsamic or pesto drizzle to give a more flavor pop. This was mentioned by a few of the guests. Two of the party had the scallops. They were very good, but REALLY small. I would say if this is a price issue then place two jumbo scallops on a smaller plate. The flatbread was very good. My husband had the mushroom soup which he enjoyed. The mussels were a hit with a yummy sauce to dip the bread. I had the half order of the spicy calamari pasta and it was soooooo tasty with just enough texture and spice. There is heat in this dish so be aware, but I LOVE heat. Our secondi's came out and everyone enjoyed their mains except my husband who had the bracciole. He just thought it was a bit dry and would have preferred a different sauce with it. My salmon was delish and flavorful. The red wine brasato over polenta was off the hook goodness. The eggplant parm was AMAZING as with the lasagna. I have to say The Trattoria makes an flavorful red sauce, the kind that you dream about the next day. One guest had the spicy black pasta with calamari as his main dish and it didn't last long before he devoured it. The veal parmigiana was pounded thin and still on the bone. My friend said it tasted like chicken parm so take that for what it's worth. They also had the asparagus risotto and I tasted it and thought it was very good, but he thought that their was actual asparagus in the dish, whereas it was flavored and colored with the asparagus. Look, some people have certain expectations when it comes to a dish and flavors that's why food is so subjective. We had the vanilla panna cotta with blackberry compote, lemon scented cheesecake with raspberry sauce and the flourless almond chocolate cake with vanilla gelato and all the desserts were on point. I had a cappuccino and my friend had the fresh pressed coffee. I have to say with a few tweaks and ordering dishes that fit your palette this restaurant could definitely be a 5 star. I'll be back for that lasagna and calamari pasta. Next time I'd like to sit indoors too. Give The Trattoria a taste you'll enjoy it.

Absolutely love this restaurant! This place is a tiny local restaurant that consistently delivers a wonderful meal and overall satisfying experience. Since this place is tiny, it's always packed, so make sure you reserve your table. My favorite dish is the Orechiette! It's only on the dinner menu, but I did request it to be prepared for a celebratory lunch, and the restaurant completely accommodated my requests - thank you! From the appetizers, the Meatballs and the Burrata never disappoint. I always do forget that it's BYOB. Don't forget your beer/wine and cash (cash-only)!

This is my 3 rd time dining here and the more I come here the more I'm impressed. The food here is sooo good, the pasta sauce is so unique and delicious. Better than I have ever had before. I ordered tripe parmigiana and it had no smell of the tripe which I was so amazed by. Their black linguini with squid melts in your mouth and is absolutely amazing. The pasta is perfectly cooked and the sauce is mixed with a variety of different flavors. The red wine rib is another exquisite entree! It's so tender and so pleasant. Let's not leave out the dessert, strawberry rhubarb crisp with vanilla gelato. My goodness!! It is so flavorful and sooooo yummy. I love the coziness and the service is excellent! Thank you!

We couldn't leave LI without getting some amazing Italian food & this place certainly fits the bill. First, please note that (for some reason), you bring your own wine/alcohol here. I don't drink, but if you do, keep that in mind. Second, they are cash only, so unless you want to hit the ATM at the sorta sketchy looking liquor store nextdoor, bring something other than plastic. On to the food. Started with bread & added their homemade ricotta. The ricotta was really lemony and I loved that. A perfect combo with the olive oil on the table. Next we got the meatball & polenta appetizer. The polenta was superb. Velvety texture with a great taste. The meatballs were good as well. I had their calamari & spicy tomato sauce over squid ink pasta. A very nicely balanced dish. It's spicy though, so if you don't like spicy, don't order this. I love spicy & finished every bite of this tasty dish. For dessert, we had the black & white creme brulee & a couple of cappuccinos. The creme brulee was like a traditional version except it had a layer of chocolate pudding at the bottom. Both tasty & inventive, so it gets the thumbs up from me. Prices were pretty good & thankfully my wife had our checkbook with her. There are not very many seats here & it closes at 9p. As you have probably noted by now (limited seating, early closure, no credit/debit cards accepted, BYOB on alcohol), there are several impediments to "just eating here." There are some things you'll probably need to do to prep. With that said, it's worth a visit...if the stars align & you actually can...

It was our first time and will not be our last!Amazing food, amazing service. The butternut squash soup was outstanding the Clams Meatballs and entree we had was great Will definitely be back soon!

I absolutely am obsessed with this place. If you want fine dining in Suffolk county, this is where you have to go. Very small place with great ambiance, make sure you get a reservation. Wine is amazing, their olive oil is incredible & they sell bottles of it. I got the lasagne and I'm someone who doesn't like lasagne and would never order it out - but once I saw the pictures online I knew I had to get it and it EXCEEDED my expectations. Exception dish. Husband got the shank over polenta and it was drool worthy. And the creme brûlée has chocolate on the bottom... I love this place and I will be back again many times. Not one to miss!

What a pleasure it is to have The Trattoria on the North Shore. We have friends we haven't seen all summer, we're all busy and wanted catch up over dinner. My first choice was to catch up at The Trattoria. We made our reservations (Highly recommended) and met them at this cozy bistro. You can't beat the three course price fixe. It comes with a great dessert but if you see an appetizer that you'd want for a main entree, you can switch it all up. I ordered the duck liver on toast to start. The portion was large but that's ok, I was in duck heaven! Very light, it also came with a blueberry compote. Now the no sharing rule is in effect. I ordered the specialty of the house, the lasagna. I think it was made with crème fraîche, it was very light and creamy. The sauce as well, not overpowering with spices, my piece was a hunka hunk of burning love! As a matter of fact, this lasagna is better than my moms! From the sauce, the different cheeses and the way it was served. Better! My wife ordered eggplant parmigiana that was about the same size. I didn't want a taste, I was in heaven with my lasagna. I ordered a black & white Creme Brulee that was made perfectly. After all of the eating, talking and drinking some wine I purchased from upstate as well as a bottle Montepulciano d'Abruzzo it was a perfect ending to a perfect day. The food quality hasn't changed since they opened last year! I think its better. Great food is still being had at The Trattoria in St James NY.

Great little, I mean tiny, Italian restaurant that serves up some great dishes. Reservations are a must on weekends because it's such a small place, but once you get in everything is top notch. The service was great, noise level was a bit high but could depend on the diners, and food fresh and flavorful. We had two prix fixe dinners, and at $38 a pop, it was very reasonably priced. For appetizers, we had baked little neck clams and black pasta with calamari and spicy tomatoes. Both were fantastic. The clams were perfectly baked and seasoned and the tomatoes were sooooo sweet and fresh! The pasta had great texture and the sauce gave it a nice kick. For the entrees we had the red wine brasato over polenta and cod over corn, fava beans and fregola. The brasato was meltingly tender, the sauce was rich and deep in flavor, and polenta was creamy. In contrast, although the cod was perfectly cooked, it was a bit light in seasoning. The bed of corn salad was refreshing. We ended our meal with flourless almond cake and black and white creme brûlée, which were both good but not standouts. All in all, a great meal and it's BYOB! But remember to bring cash!

Love this place! Quaint place with delicious food! My favorites are the lasagna, eggplant parm and the veal parm! You can't go wrong!

I'm really tough to please with Italian food. My grandparents were all immigrants and the food was old-school authentic. But The Trattoria is one of the few places I can trust. Each bite takes me back to my grandmothers' kitchens. The place is fabulous: small, intimate and the friendly service is as outstanding as the food. Been there a few times and I've never had a bad experience. I can pretty much guarantee that you'll enjoy it too.

We loved the food. Appetizers were amazing - baked clams and burrata. Main course was veal chop and papperdale with bolognese sauce. Our desserts were also amazing panna cotta and delicious cappuccino. We will definitely go back. The staff was great and the owner was very attentive and friendly! We'll be back soon.

Really fun and different experience at The Trattoria! Saturday offers either a 3 or 4 course price fix menu with interesting and creative menu options throughout. It's a cozy little place with maybe 10-12 tables. We were lucky to get a 6pm reservation thanks to a cancellation. What we didn't know until we arrived was that it was cash only and no beer and wine offered. We were kind of worried we didn't have enough cash between the 4 of us. Plus I need my wine! Not to worry- after we placed our order, we took off for a wine shop and an ATM only 5 minutes away. Arrived back just in time for the first course. Perfect timing actually. A really fun dining experience with friends, menu had a lot to offer. My flat bread with spicy Calabrian sausage and mozzarella had heat and flavor! The absolute winner was my wife's choice for an entree'. The Brasato or short ribs with creamy polenta was out of this world. Everyone enjoyed their food. Dessert was great also. I actually love the bring your own wine concept. Cash only isn't convenient but it won't stop me from returning. Really looking forward to theIr menu choices the next time we go.

This place is special. They basically parmigiana everthing but the napkins but OMG do they do it well. There red sauce is spectacular with perfect acidity and marvelous flavor. The crust on the branzino is beautifully crisped while the fish is correctly cooked...a great dish. This weekend I had the baked clams for the first time and they were great. The sundried tomato tapenade goes down well with their flavorful italian bread and the Brunello on a very nice and also affordable winelist. Only problem is that it is small and not always easy to get a res. My wife and I love this place!

This restaurant is amazingly great. Wonderful service, elegant food presentation, quality and delicious. If you are in the area, do not miss out on this. It's like being in Italy....food wise.

Good food, but service was a little slow on more than one occasion. It's a stickler with me, but I don't want to see my water glass empty. When we asked for more bread it never came. I know in this post Pandemic things are slowly coming back, but this happened two times

Food was decent. My friends and I sat outside the smell of the garbage on a hot, humid night was potent. I recommend sitting inside on a warm night.