Angelico's Lake House Restaurant

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, East Hampton-Portland Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Angelico's Lake House Restaurant, East Hampton

Overview: Enjoy Italian fine-dining while soaking in the scenery of East Hampton's Lake Pocotopaug.

Decor: The upscale casual atmosphere gives a sense of simple elegance and a hint of romance with its draping upholstered ceilings and dimly-lit rooms overlooking the lake.  Upholstered chairs seat guests comfortably at the smooth, dark wood tables, each with a candle votive in a glass with decorative stones.

Drinks: A vast array of wine choices come by the glass or bottle.  From the white wines, the French Pouilly-Fuisse, made with medium weight, green apples, has a round dry finish ($48).  The Italian Asti sparkling wine is clean and bubbly and delivers a delicate and light honey-pear flavor ($36).  For darker wines, the Columbia Crest “Two Vines” Washington State merlot has red berry and sweet red pepper flavors with crisp tannins (7.50/glass).  The Beringer White Zinfandel is semi-dry and fruity ($23).

The Hip Sips menu offers a variety of fun cocktails like Krisie's Key Lime Pie, Stoli vanilla, Malibu rum and lime juice with a grahm cracker rim ($8.50).  The chocolate martini is more than satisfying, the choice of  Godiva white or dark chocolate liqueur with Stoli vanilla, and a chocolate drizzle ($8.50).  Add a little kick to your caffeine fix with coffee and cappuccino drinks like Mexican coffee, served with tequila and Kahlua.

For a relaxing beverage, try one of the hot teas like the orange-almond with Grand Marnier, Amaretto in Orang Pekoe tea.

Appetizers:  Traditional starters are made with a gourmet twist.  The apple wood smoked bacon wrapped scallops are served with a basil pesto, roasted garlic and red pepper aioli ($11).  Angelico's Lake House bruschetta tops focaccia bread with roma tomatoes, kalamata olives, garlic, basil and melted mozzeralla drizzled with a balsamic reduction ($8).

Classic salads like casear, cobb and house are available as well as some exquisite combinations. The grilled primavera salad has grilled zucchini, eggplant, roasted red peppers, sun dried-tomatoes and croutons drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette served over spinach ($10).

Entrees:  Seafood, chicken, pasta and steak dishes feature some timeless favorites such as the baked stuffed shrimp, three jumbo shrimp filled with seafood stuffing and seasoned with sherry and lobster sauce ($22).  The pecan crunch salmon is a favorite, lightly crusted with a bread crumb, pecan mix and baked ($20).  The gnocchi genovese is rich, with roasted peppers, roma tomatoes and a sweet basil cream sauce ($15).

Most start with bread and garlic olive oil and come with side of garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus.

The stone pies come on a 13” thin crust topped with a mélange of toppings from the basic cheese ($14) to the philly cheese steak, thin slices of grilled steak with provolone cheese, onions, green peppers and muchrooms. ($15).

From the lunch menu, paninis, burgers and wraps are served with chips and a pickle. The La Dolce Vita panini layers grilled jumbo shrimp, artichoke hearts, fresh spinach, provolone cheese and garlic mayonnaise on rustic bread ($9).

Sides: Choose from Black & Tan onion rings ($5), fresh asparagus with a choice of hollandaise ($5), sauteed spinach with oil and garlic ($5), sweet potato fries ($4), sauteed onions ($4), garlic mashed potatoes ($3) or lobster risotto ($4).

Desserts:  It’s hard to leave without topping off the meal with one of Angelico’s irresistible desserts ($6.50). Key lime pie, ricotta cheese cake, chocolate toffee mousse with Kahlua and the summerberry stack make for a tough decision.  The cannoli is perfect for those with a palate for classics, with its flaky shell filled with a rich almond vanilla cream. And of course, catering to the chocolate lovers is the molten chocolate cake, a deeply chocolate cake served warm and bursting with dark chocolate truffle.

Service: Reservations are well received, yet walk-in guests are also welcome. 

Full-catering is available with a flexible menu.

The Dinner To Go weekly menu features special meals to go, serving a family of four ($20).

For a romantic summer night, reserve a picturesque sunset cruise around Lake Pocotopaug with on-board hors d'oeuvres followed by a meal at the restaurant.

In the warmer weather, the tiki scene is thriving and fun, featuring live music.

Angelico's has fun weekly events and specials which can be found in the calender on their website.

Signature dish: The Cajun grilled rib eye steak is a huge hit.  The well-marbled rib eye is charbroiled and crowned with caramelized onions and blue cheese with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and a fresh vegetable medley ($20). 

Angelico's Lake House Restaurant

http://www.angelicoslakehouse.com/index.html

Address:  81 N. Main Street East Hampton

Chef: Roberto

Cost:  With an appetizer, entree, cocktail and dessert, average meal costs around $45.