Bites Nearby: Pizza, Heroes and Much More at Amici Express

Overview: You might drive right by , but this takeout-focused sibling to the full-service restaurant just a couple miles west shouldn't be missed.

Appetizers: The appetizers mostly come from the fryer with Fried Mozzarella Sticks ($6.95), Buffalo Wings ($10.95) and Chicken Fingers ($7.95). Simple salads come in two sizes -- half portion and full portion -- including Tossed Garden Salad ($4.95/$6.95), Caesar Salad ($4.95/$6.95) and Mesclun Salad ($6.95/$8.95). For $3.95, you can add grilled or fried chicken.

Pizzas: Basic pizzas come in two sizes/styles -- Neopolitan ($12.90), a round, eight-slice pie, and the Sicilian Pizza ($14.95), a square, 12-slice pie. Toppings are $3.00 for one, $5.00 for two and $7.00 for three with half-pie options available.

The speciality pizzas are the stars of the menu, however, with pies like Formaggio ($18.95), a white pizza with ricotta, romano and mozzarella cheese and fresh garlic, Brooklyn Pizza ($19.95) made with spicy tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh mozzarella and grated cheese, and Buffalo Chicken Pizza ($24.95) leading the Neopolitan-style list.

On the Sicilian side of the pizza menu you'll find Grandma Clara Pizza ($16.95) which is made with homemade marinara and mozarella, Grandma Frank Pizza ($18.95) which is made using pomodoro sauce, fresh onions and toasted breadcrumbs as well as Stuffed Chicken Ranch Pizza ($23.95), which -- as the name implies -- is stuffed with chicken, bacon, cheese and ranch dressing.

A variety of calzones and pinwheels can also be had for $1.75-$6.95 depending on fillings.

Entrees: Pasta and parmagiana entrees aren't fancy, but are well priced between $9.95 and $16.95 and come with penne, spaghetti or ziti pasta.

Heroes and Wraps: All of the standard Italian-American heroes are here, including Meatball Parmagiana ($6.95), Chicken Parmagiana ($7.95), Sausage and Peppers ($7.95) and Eggplant Parmagiana ($7.95), but there is also Cihcken Milanese ($7.95) for something a little different.

The Chicken Caesar Wrap ($8.95) is available with grilled or fried chicken, while the namesake Amici Wrap ($8.95) is made with grilled chicken, bacon, lettuce and a housemade special sauce.

Service: Friendly and well-trained.

Signature Dish: "The Works" Pizza ($22.95) comes with pepperoni, extra mozzarella, peppers, mushrooms, onions, broccoli, sausage, meatballs and black olives.

Address: 1028 Route 25a, Mt Sinai, NY 11766

Cost: $-$$