At La Famiglia, Family Style Goes Beyond The Menu

At the service and atmosphere makes guests feel like a member of the restaurant's family. And that is just how owner John Cracchiolo and his brothers Rosario and Sal want it.

The brothers have carried on the family restaurant tradition of their father, Rosario Sr., who taught the boys all he knew in his two well-known Italian restaurants in Roslyn and Roslyn Heights. John grew up in those restaurants and the guests and the employees were his family, "la famiglia." That was his inspiration for this Smithtown restaurant nine years ago.

"It's like as if it is Sunday dinner at your mother's," Cracchiolo said. The wait staff serves giant portions of homemade Italian favorites, prepared fresh to order so they that can be altered. In fact, Cracchiolo says most guests barely even use a menu.

"They order what they want and that is what they get, even if it is not on the menu. If we have the ingredients consider it done," he said. "Just like at home."

The pastas here are freshly cooked, served steaming hot in an array of homemade sauces. The chef was trained by Cracchiolo himself and specializes in the classic bolognese, vodka and light tomato sauces. All entree choices of poultry, fish, pork and veal are also available in multiple traditional styles. The prices are reasonable for the amount of food served.

La Famiglia is one of few restaurants on Long Island to host a "game night" where guests can try classic Italian specialties of game meats, such as rabbit, quail and venison.

The atmosphere is comfortable and cozy, mirroring the home-like feel of the food. The dining room is spacious and carpeted, warmly decorated in earth tones with tables covered in crisp, white cloths. The walls are covered with large mirrors. 

There is a similar space on the other side of the restaurant that is used to cater private parties.

The brothers also own a restaurant in Nassau, located in Plainview. They are actively searching for a location to open a third restaurant.

The owner greets almost every guest when they enter by their first name. La Famiglia's simple combination of personable staff, consistent home cooking and fair prices have made it succeed in Smithtown. Their concept is simple "La Famiglia..a place where everyone is family."

Check out our latest review of La Famiglia.