490 West
490 Westbury Ave., Carle Place
(516) 338-0848

From its creative cuisine to its soothing ambience, 490 West is a host of good surprises. Owner and Chef Pat Ippolito, originally of Cedarhurst, learned the restaurant business from his family, who owned La Sila in the 1980s. He started a catering firm, which he still owns, and opened 490 West two years ago. His wife, Meredith, hosts on weekends, and his mother, Norina, prepares incredible desserts.

490 West hails from a stand-alone building with its own parking lot. Inside, expect sophisticated dining backed by a lightly hued decor and soft music. Servers are cordial and polished.

With our beverage order, warm bread arrived with herb butter. Hold onto that basket, especially if you opt for escargot, served classically in shells, with luscious garlic sauce that you won’t want to part with. Caesar salad was fresh and to the point, topped with garlic toast. Lump crab cakes were delightful — arranged on a plate with cherry tomato compote, spicy mustard and remoulade. We adored the sea scallop trio — each crowning potato puree with parsley pesto, bacon and truffle oil.

Risotto with asparagus, English peas and aged parmesan was creamy and pleasing. Tagliatelle Bolognese was ribbon-like pasta in tomato sauce lush with hearty morsels of veal. Angus short rib, served off the bone, was fork-tender in rich brown sauce, topping sweet corn polenta with mushrooms. Wild king salmon crested with almond maple crust and basil cream was perfection, made even more special with black bean cous cous.

Hazelnut cheesecake came with a walnut and vanilla crust. Tiramisu with a hint of rum was Norina’s creation. Warm crepe oozing with vanilla ice cream and Nutella was as decadent as it sounds.

Appetizers are $8 to $14. Pasta and risotto, which can be ordered as a starter or entrée, are $12 to $24. Entrees range from $18 for Italian eggplant to $34 for prime strip steak. Desserts are $8, or $12 for fresh fruit with zabaione. A six-course Tasting Menu is offered for $50 per person. Price Fixe — three courses for $27.95 or four courses for $33.95 — are available Tuesday through Thursday 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday 4 to 5:30 p.m. and all day on Sunday.

The restaurant has two dining areas. Parties can be arranged in either room for up to 40 people or by taking over the restaurant, for up to 80. Off site catering can also be arranged. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations are suggested.

Recommendations:
■ Caesar Salad
■ Escargot
■ Lump Crab Cakes
■ Sea Scallops
■ Risotto with Asparagus, English Peas & Aged Parmesan
■ Tagliatelle Veal Bolognese
■ Wild King Salmon with Almond Maple Crust & Black Bean Cous Cous
■ Angus Short Rib on Sweet Corn Polenta
■ Tiramisu
■ Nutella and Ice Cream Crepe
■ Hazelnut Cheesecake