As tempting as it is to post in the NYC thread I’m pretty sure it would get lost there. This is by no means a definitive list but I’ve been here over 2 years now and I have some opinions albeit many based on a single experience. My intention is to start the thread and continue to update the initial post as I have time. As a first step I need to link a thread which helped me tremendously when I first arrived:
What better place to start than Basilio, the oldest restaurant on SI. Our experience was mixed though we arrived late on a Sunday night when they were out of a number of items.
Fritto Misto typified the evening. The vegetables were light, crisp, perfectly cooked and delicious. Calamari was soggy.
Duck was terrible, tripe was delicious. Another dish was forgettable (I forgot what it was). Dessert was very good and they had a lovely Montepulciano by the glass. I wanted to go back since half the food was great, Arnold refuses since half the food wasn’t good.
Pizza is pretty central to Staten Island and one of the few areas where they contend seriously food wise.
Ungaro Cafe - I found out about them from Eric’s post and am unable to be objective as they are so welcoming there and the manager directed me to many other SI places including what became my favorite coffee house. I’ve been many, many times. A small cozy sit down restaurant that also does a huge take out business.
Coal fired pizza, crust has a good chew to it, my favorite is the sausage, pepper and onion. Lots of other good choices including ricotta and honey on toast, sandwiches, zucchini parm, pastas (they import a high end dry pasta brand from Italy). Very good bread. Decent espresso.
Brothers Pizza - people keep recommending this place but, like Eric, I was completely unimpressed by their pizza. However a calzone was top notch. Only one visit.
Denino’s - One of the more famous long standing pizza places, they make very good pizza and even better calamari. Always a good option with great hospitality and plenty of tables. I’ve been several times.
Pizzeria Giove - they got some great reviews. I found the pizza good but unremarkable. Only one visit.
Joe and Pats - very thin crust pizza so eat it in house. If it goes into a box warm the crust turns into a soggy mess. Leftovers are fine. When you have it in the restaurant the crust is light and crisp (not cardboard like, for example, Two Boots thin crust pizza). But the real star here is the pepperoni, small, sweet, and curled up with little pools of oil and flavor. I’ve been back for their pepperoni pizza several times.
Dough by Licastri - founded by a Joe and Pats alum they have the same pepperoni in a higher end setting and with a somewhat thicker crust which I like a lot. They also do specialty pizzas, we like the butternut squash and honey. Lovely, dog friendly, outdoor seating in good weather. They make a very good Paper Plane and a fantastic espresso.
Still haven’t tried Lee’s Tavern.
Blue - sort of a stereotypical “nice restaurant” of the sort your parents might frequent for steak, seafood, or pasta. Reliably good food, good service, and some nice views of the water and sunset depending on where you’re sitting. Not a destination but we’ve been back many times.
Asian food is another well represented category
New China Buffet is a decentish Asian AYCE buffet restaurant. the best food is the carving station (only on weekend dinners) and the desserts. The rest is so-so but the restaurant benefits from being nearby a great Asian grocery - HL Market.
Umi Seafood and Buffet is a much better AYCE option (other than all their dessert options being terrible). My favorite dish there is the frogs legs but there’s a large selection of crab, king crab legs, soups, basic level sushi, and many others. If you’re looking for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, this might be the only place on Staten Island to find it. It can have its off days but it’s generally a very good, reliable option.
Sakura is another recently opened AYCE buffet right by the ferry station. Not bad, maybe midway between New China Buffet and Umi.
1468 Hylan Cafe wouldn’t stand out in Chinatown but it’s a godsend on Staten Island for good cantonese roast meats, soups, congee, broccoli with garlic, and roast pork buns. Very friendly service.
Lion Dance has the best soup dumplings on the island as well as good noodles, soups, and teas. The proprietress is charming.
Asian food is another well represented category
New China Buffet is a decentish Asian AYCE buffet restaurant. the best food is the carving station (only on weekend dinners) and the desserts. The rest is only so-so but the restaurant benefits from being nearby a great Asian market - HL Market.
Umi Seafood and Buffet is a much better AYCE option (other than all their dessert options being terrible). My favorite dish there is the frogs legs but there’s a large selection of crab, king crab legs, soups, basic level sushi, and many others. If you’re looking for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, this might be the only place on Staten Island to find it. It can have its off days but it’s generally a very good, reliable option.
1468 Hylan Cafe wouldn’t stand out in Chinatown but it’s a godsend on Staten Island for good cantonese roast meats, soups, congee, brocolli with garlic, and roast pork buns. Very friendly service.
Lion Dance has the best soup dumplings on the island as well as good noodles, soups, and teas. The proprietress is charming.
Precious Island Tea Shop, despite its name, is mostly a dim sum place though they have a selection of entrees as well. The food is okay but service can be spotty. Only go if you’re in the mood for dim sum or Peking Duck and can’t make it into the city.
Staten Island is known for its Sri Lankan food. I’ve tried the following three places:
New Asha - Avoid. All the food we tried was terrible.
Lakruwana - The fanciest of the three, they do a nice buffet. I thought it was good but not worth a special trip. The sort of place I’d go to every so often if I lived closer but haven’t bothered going back to since I don’t.
Randiwa - IMO far and away the best of the three. More bare bones in appearance than Lakruwana but the food, especially their Sunday buffet, is delicious. We also love their whole fried Pompano and pony fish though they are better on the second day.
To be continued…