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Long Island's True Fine Italian Gem! As you approach Cara Mia Due of Seaford you will notice a beautiful mural of an Italian landscape which sets the tone for what’s to come. Upon entering, their lovely hostess Cristalle will warmly welcome you and show you to your table. If you opt to start your dining experience with a libation then you may proceed directly to the spirits area where Patrick will eagerly assist you with a wide variety of drink selections and hand-crafted cocktails. Cara Mia Due is the second of the DeCiantis family’s flourishing restaurants. Cara Mia (the original) has had 37 years of success in Queens and Cara Mia Due opened its doors in Seaford on September 29, 2006. The DeCiantis family prides themselves on their true Italian heritage, which shows in their authentic cuisine, impeccable service and warm ambience. Owner Sergio DeCiantis is 4th generation of the family and has proven himself a more than capable restaurateur, although his grandparents, Tomaso and Armanda can still be found in the kitchen preparing the fresh ravioli, gnocchi and meatballs. Speaking of grandparents, you will feel like you are at Grandma’s Sunday dinner. The ambiance is wonderful with windows that are draped in lace curtains and walls that pay homage to a Tuscan Villa. Patrick (below center) enthusiastically asked if we would like a drink while we waited for the rest of our party. He recommended their most favored cocktails, the CaraMiaTini and the Pomegranate Margarita. This margarita is both delicious and refreshing, served over ice and perfectly executed. The CaraMiaTini is powered by Kettle One Vodka and Pama Pomegranate Liquer with a splash of triple sec. This martini has a kick, yet is smooth with a slightly sweet finish. Patrick also explained the unique concept of their “wine auction.” This promotion is held on weekdays and is unique and exciting. Upon being seated your waiter presents you with an auction card where you may bid on bottles of wine by entering the price you’re willing to pay. We suggest you make your bids reasonable so that you may win the bottle at your price!
Owner Sergio DeCiantis’ management style is second to none. This is evident by his hand-picked staff that is very friendly, engaging and sincere in their approach to clientele. They seem to make newcomers feel like regulars and regulars feel like family. One longstanding customer proudly exclaimed how appreciated and welcomed she consistently feels while dining at her favorite restaurant – Cara Mia Due. We were provided with a wonderful basket filled with a variety of warm breads including garlic, onion, and herbed flatbread. We began our adventure with two of their most popular appetizers, the Hot Antipasto (above left) and the Calamari Fritti (above right). The Hot Antipasto was an assortment of stuffed peppers, stuffed mushrooms, shrimp scampi, eggplant rollatini and baked clams. The shrimp was a traditional and tender oreganta style creation cooked to perfection. The eggplant rolatine was an exceptional classic with the right amount of creamy ricotta. Their baked clams were fresh and lightly breaded. The stuffed mushrooms were of the button variety perfectly executed with great flavor and texture. Last but certainly not least, were the stuffed peppers that will remind you of the way grandma used to make ‘em! While Patrick boasted that their “Calamari would be 100% no doubt the best you’ve ever had”, we have to say… He’s right! These lightly flour dusted calamari rings were tender and in abundance. For the salad course we had the Tre-Colore, and the Pazzo. The Tre-Colore (above left) is a combination of radicchio, endive, and arugula, with walnuts and goat cheese. Although slightly bitter from the endive, it is nicely complimented by the creamy goat cheese. The Pazzo salad (above right), which means “crazy” in Italian is actually quite nutty. The menu description does not begin to give this dish justice, only describing it as having grilled vegetables, fresh mozzarella and provolone cheese. This salad is a very nice way to start a meal. It had a perfect balance of cheese and vegetables that were wonderfully flavorful. It was an overloaded portion with plenty to go around. These perfectly grilled vegetables included eggplant, mushrooms, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini, with mozzarella and provolone cheeses. This salad is also a great option for a vegetarian dish or healthy lunch. If you come from a traditional Italian family you will appreciate the next course we sampled which consisted of two of their pasta dishes. The Spinach Ravioli Portobello (above left) was plentiful and overstuffed with spinach in a fabulous homemade Marsala Portobello sauce. We recommend these spinach packed ravioli for those who love these leafy greens! If you are not a spinach lover, another great choice is the freshly made gnocchi (above left). This is a fine traditional dish served with a classic Bolognese sauce. If you order this dish don’t even think about going for the parmesan cheese until you have tasted the gnocchi as you may opt to add very little Parmesan cheese as none is needed with this perfect pasta! For the final dinner course we sampled the Veal Chop Valdostando (above left) and the Chicken Parmigiana (above right). The Veal Chop is a special insider, “need to know.” It is not on the menu yet always available for the knowledgeable foodie. It is a Veal Chop stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella cheeses, smothered in a Portobello mushroom sauce (below left). This is a Sunday best seller and perfect for a family dinner. The Chicken Parmigiana was perfectly executed, a thin and tender breast of breaded chicken with just the right amount of cheese and sauce to make this dish a truly exceptional classic. Dessert will actually make you rethink your dinner choices. You will find that your dinner was exceptional , but once you see their dessert choices you will wish you had worked the menu backwards. The Italian Cheesecake (above right) was creamy and nothing short of heavenly. When you learn (as we did) that it is Grandma’s secret recipe, you will fall a little more in love with this delightful Italian eatery. The ultra creamy tiramisu (below left) was delicious and served in such a way that it resembled a tiny gondola. We also indulged in the nutella crème brulee (below right) which had a nice creamy consistency, with the proper viscosity, a thin carmelized shell with hints of toasted hazelnut. It is truly a departure from the ordinary! Whether you are out to impress a client, entertain a loved one, create the ultimate romantic date or just want some fine Italian food served with care, Cara Mia Due has got you covered. The staff at this Italian gem will make you feel at home and genuinely at ease from the moment you walk through their door. The only problem we foresee is that you will never want to leave.
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