Domenico's

Domenico's Restaurant Review:

No restaurant has served Long Beach longer than this Belmont Shore district mainstay, which turned out its first Italian dishes in 1954. The old-school interior of this cozy place keeps the venue’s sense of history alive, and the intimate lighting, dark woods and deep red banquettes will make fans of vintage vibes very happy. The fare also taps into classic motifs typically associated with Italian cuisine --- plan on taking a couple to-go boxes home with you. Fortunately, the quantity of food is matched, if not surpassed, by the quality. Appetizers like the thick, block-like mozzarella sticks or a house salad covered with the creamy garlic dressing set a nice tone for the rest of the meal. The must-order ground pepperoni pizza --- a staple here since opening day --- highlights a surprisingly eclectic range of pies prepared with house-made dough. If you’re more in the mood for an entrée, dig into a hearty plate like the rigatoni smothered in house sausage and tomato cream, or a properly made linguine with calamari. Desserts like tiramisu are also created with a deft touch. The wine list is compact, but it does contain a few gems.