Long Island City might not be the first neighborhood a New York foodie would associate with authentic Roman cuisine, but Testaccio, a newly opened restaurant on a quiet stretch of Vernon Boulevard, plans to change that. The 2000sqf Italian restaurant, with 120 seats on two levels, is the
… neighborhood’s newest destination eatery, an intimate space suitable for a quiet dinner at the bar, or a special party for family and friends. Partner and Executive Chef Ivan Beacco’s clean, delicious Italian fare, emphasizing seasonal “contemporary Roman” cooking techniques and ingredients (the restaurant ships many of the ingredients for their signature dishes directly from Italy) is a combination of comfort food and a brief visit to a classic ristorante on a quite alley in Rome. Whether you order Testaccio’s signature crudo di manzo, gnocchi alla romana or saltimbocca, Beacco’s deft hand with Italian fare results in some of the city’s simplest and most satisfying cuisine. Continued