Bites Nearby: La Casa, a Versatile Italian-American Restaurant

Overview: Whether you're looking for takeout pizza, an Italian-American feast for a crowd or a date-worthy dinner, delivers with its large menu and fast, fresh food.

Appetizers: Long Island Italian restaurant staples like Baked Clams ($8.95), Mozzarella Sticks ($6.95) and Mussels (red or white, $8.95) are accented by more interesting offerings like Antipasto al Forno, a melange of stuffed eggplant, fresh broccoli marinara, fried shrimp, mozzarella sticks and a baked clam ($10.95 for 1, $18.95 for 2), Clams Posillipo ($8.95), Shrimp Oreganata ($11.95) and -- for a non-Italian option -- Buffalo Wings ($6.95).

A variety of salads -- everything from a Fresh Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing to Grilled Portobello Mushrooms to a classic Caesar Salad -- range from $7.95 to $9.95.

Entrees: Main course choices are almost overwhelmingly encyclopedic -- the menu is huge.

Pasta is available with a variety of simple toppings, including Meatballs ($9.95), Sausages ($10.95), Broccoli or Spinach ($9.95), Mushroom Sauce ($8.95) and Meat Sauce ($10.95). Classics like Baked Ziti ($9.95), Manicotti ($10.95) and Baked Gnocchi ($9.95) are also available.

Under "Pasta Specialties" you'll find options like Farfalle Fiorite, with broccoli, olive oil, fresh garlic and sun-dried tomatoes ($10.95), Fettuccine Alfredo ($10.95), Shrimp Ajillo with comes in a spicy garlic-white wine sauce ($14.95) and Rigatoni Campania ($14.95), with broccoli rabe, sausage and cannellini beans.

Seafood options are heavy on shrimp and range from $18.95 to $20.95 depending on preparation. Classic entrees -- think chicken and veal marsala, francaise, rolatini and picatta are $16.95 to $18.95.

You'll also find a variety of pizzas, rolls, calzones and heroes.

Service: The takeout business packs the parking lot, but you can often get a table with only a short wait.

Signature Dish: Chicken alla Zingara ($17.95) with prosciutto, roasted peppers and artichokes in a white wine sauce.

Address: 385-7 Route 25a, Miller Place, N.Y.

Cost: $-$$

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