Bites Nearby: Mattituck's aMano is a North Fork Favorite

OVERVIEW: The food is great at this user-friendly restaurant committed to Tuscan style Italian cuisine and a menu that features fresh local vegetables, seafood and North Fork wines. aMano serves lunch and dinner, and the kitchen is open until 11 p.m. to encourage a late night restaurant scene, according to owners Adam Lovett and Tom Schaudel.

Lovett works the front room while Chef Schaudel slaves over the hot stove in this winning combination of food, wine and fellowship. Bring your friends for happy hour when the management runs a two-for-one special on drinks at the bar. Stay late and hang out. You can move over to a table in the dining room and have a three-course dinner for less than $30 a person. aMano is dedicated to casual dining at moderate prices. The brick oven pizza starting at $13 is a big hit. You can build your own pie adding a wide variety of toppings.

DÉCOR: A Mano is minimalist and relaxing. Clean white walls offer a striking contrast to the dark wood floors. The banquets that line the wall on one side of the room provide sophisticated seating in this stylish restaurant where the food is the star.

DRINKS: The bar has an impressive wine list featuring North Fork wines as well as wines from California and Europe. Martinis are a hit along with scotch or vodka on the rocks. No one minds if you just want to have a beer with a buddy.

APPETIZERS: For the adventurous who want to try something new, we recommend the charred octopus with grapes, fingerling potatoes, capers and red onions ($12). The steamed mussels in a sauce comprised of tomatoes, tarragon and vermouth are also a big hit ($10) , or try the seared pepper crusted tuna served with tomato jam and roasted spaghetti squash ($12).

ENTREES: Try the linguine with clam sauce ($21), or the fresh local lobster in season ($21). The handmade ricotta gnocchi is a good choice if you want something that does not show up on every restaurant menu ($21). The lasagna is a great choice ($17). The pan seared Salmon is also outstanding ($24), as are the grilled diver Scallops ($21).

SIDES: The salads here are exceptional. Order one with your meal.

DESSERT: The apple crisp is a big favorite.

SERVICE: Wait staff is attentive, wine glasses are refilled promptly when you ask for another glass and your water glass is never empty for long. The kitchen works smoothly and tables turn at the busy restaurant where the placed is packed on a Friday night in the dead of winter.

SIGNATURE DISH: It’s all good, and the chef doesn’t seem to have a favorite. The specials are always changing which adds to the drama of the experience of dining at aMano — full of pleasant surprises.

aMano

13550 Route 25

Mattituck

631-298-4800

Chef: Ted Schaudel

COST: Moderately priced – pizza starting at $13, entrees $17 to 30+, specials on three-course meals starting at $25.

WINTER SCHEDULE: Open Sat. and Sun. from 12 to 4 p.m. for lunch. Dinner is served Sun — Thurs. from 5 to 10 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Fri. and Sat.