La Pala Bistro Bar and Restaurant started with an idea given to me from a good friend. He said, "How cool would it be to have a place that had real brick oven pizza around here." We carefully thought it out and started thinking, Why stop at pizza? How about all those dishes you don't normally see anywhere else prepared in our wood fired oven?
We had a vision. La Pala wasn't going to be your typical pizza and parm type of Italian restaurant. It would become a destination for our guests, a place which would take you back in time to when food was an art not just another dish. Our flavors will have you tasting why so many keep coming back for more.
We had a vision. La Pala wasn't going to be your typical pizza and parm type of Italian restaurant. It would become a destination for our guests, a place which would take you back in time to when food was an art not just another dish. Our flavors will have you tasting why so many keep coming back for more.
Reviews (30)
Edi Boghici
Jan 23, 2022
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Absolutely perfection. By far the best food in Glen Cove . Rib eye steak, short ribs , charred octopus amazing . Everything that we ordered was perfect . Good service, atmosphere nice . It’s a perfect place for a good 5 star meal at a very good price . Every time we come here , food is amazing. Highly recommend.
Alicia P.
Dec 21, 2021
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Mm Miscellaneous
Oct 22, 2021
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Went here tonight after bayville scream park and sat outside (wearing puffy coats). We both had risotto - it was seriously delicious. The service was super quick & people who work here are lovely. There’s a ton of outdoor seating for the covid paranoid like me (no heaters but not necessary just yet). Billy Joel & Elton John in the background. We will be back.
Jay D.
Sep 21, 2021
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Daniela Bucay
Jul 21, 2021
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Came here on a Sunday evening, and the service was perfect from the start. Erin, our waitress, saw us unloading a stroller in the parking lot and immediately asked us how big a table we’d need. When we got in the restaurant, the table was already prepped with kids’ cups, and the whole place smelled amazing.
I knew it was going to be good because they brought out warm, delicious focaccia.Everything we ate was delicious and reasonably priced. I especially recommend the mushroom risotto, the homemade rigatoni, and the tiramisu. I would definitely return if I came back to Glen Cove. Don’t miss
I knew it was going to be good because they brought out warm, delicious focaccia.Everything we ate was delicious and reasonably priced. I especially recommend the mushroom risotto, the homemade rigatoni, and the tiramisu. I would definitely return if I came back to Glen Cove. Don’t miss
Joe M.
Jun 26, 2021
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Five stars for the Margharita pizza, excellent! However, we were served bread with rancid olive oil that destroyed my dining partner's appetite.
I ordered ravioli. The server came back twenty minutes later telling us they had no ravioli. It was 5pm, only two other tables!
We ordered the pizza. We enjoyed. Downside: our server had too much
perfume on. Please servers, watch the amount of fragrance you wear!
Even sitting outdoors with a breeze we both were horrified at the stink
of that smell!
Outdoor seating is in the parking lot. No plants or decor to take away the view of cars while you&apos
I ordered ravioli. The server came back twenty minutes later telling us they had no ravioli. It was 5pm, only two other tables!
We ordered the pizza. We enjoyed. Downside: our server had too much
perfume on. Please servers, watch the amount of fragrance you wear!
Even sitting outdoors with a breeze we both were horrified at the stink
of that smell!
Outdoor seating is in the parking lot. No plants or decor to take away the view of cars while you&apos
Joanne S.
Jun 20, 2021
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Was not the best night for service, we were told this is the place to go - unfortunately for us, the "in" place was out of sorts. We received numerous apologies- Manuel was really very nice as he brought us drinks, gifted from regular diners that we knew. The server that initially took our drink orders either forgot about us or decided she didn't want to serve us first time diners- she was very friendly to the regular tables next to us. Manuel served us drinks only to be followed by a duplicate order 15 minutes later by the first server. WIted another 10 minutes and got the menu
S. M.
May 02, 2021
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Great little Italian place. Pizza in a wood fired oven is so delicious, toppings are very fresh. Salads were delicious, perfectly crisp lettuce. The calamari is crisp and you can do traditional marinara or spicy. They have a very well stocked bar, service is attentive without being overbearing. Staff were all great, even the owner came over to check on us because it was out first time. Come casual but come with an appetite. Good stuff.
Christina S.
Feb 28, 2021
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Salvatore M.
Dec 28, 2020
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Joe M.
Dec 05, 2020
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Horrible if I could give a 0 I would.
I ordered my food at 6:30 pm I arrived at the restaurant at 7:20...... women told me have a drink at the bar your food will be ready in ten minutes..... I didn't get my order until 8:30pm.... I ordered a white pie no ricotta , they put ricotta.... I ordered 3 plates of hot food along with the pizza they never put me order in for my other food I had to wait another 15 minutes...never seen a unorganized place like I did here...... I was about to cancel my whole order..... very poor management no one knows what's going on that works there..... also
I ordered my food at 6:30 pm I arrived at the restaurant at 7:20...... women told me have a drink at the bar your food will be ready in ten minutes..... I didn't get my order until 8:30pm.... I ordered a white pie no ricotta , they put ricotta.... I ordered 3 plates of hot food along with the pizza they never put me order in for my other food I had to wait another 15 minutes...never seen a unorganized place like I did here...... I was about to cancel my whole order..... very poor management no one knows what's going on that works there..... also
Ron R.
Dec 05, 2020
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La Pala is really an enigmatic type place for me. Much of the food is really very good, but sometimes something that sounds good on the menu or as a special turns out to be really bad. In addition, the service can be mind numbingly slow.
It seems that when you stay with the basics, you have a very good chance of having an excellent meal. The pizzas are really good, many of the pasta dishes are good too, and their chicken and eggplant parmigiana are usually top notch. Avoid their risotto offerings which have been mushy and their take on paella was dry and flavorless In addition, you can find
It seems that when you stay with the basics, you have a very good chance of having an excellent meal. The pizzas are really good, many of the pasta dishes are good too, and their chicken and eggplant parmigiana are usually top notch. Avoid their risotto offerings which have been mushy and their take on paella was dry and flavorless In addition, you can find
Lisa Wellenreuther
Oct 26, 2020
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If I could give it 0 stars I would. The dining room was over crowded! We sat down and we waited and waited and waited 20 mins later a young girl came over and asked if we wanted drinks. We ordered a bottle if wine. After 20 mins we still had no wine. The waiter who was clearly serving the whole dining room apologized aand got our wine. The table next to us left after appetizers because the service was so slow. By the time we got our appetizers they were cold, and when we paid the check we were there for over 3.5 hours. Oh let's not forget we watched the gentleman making pizzas with no gloves on
Wade Curry
Oct 03, 2020
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Kerry L.
Sep 03, 2020
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Al F.
Aug 10, 2020
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Stopped in for the first time for a Margarita Pie and Chianti. Service was good and the food/wine on point! Nice local find, I will return. Thanks to the friendly staff.
I posted previous review after visiting for the first time in 2016. Four years later La Pala is still a favorite! Tina and her crew do a great job and complements to the chef! Thank you all for providing great food in a local and comfortable atmosphere.
I posted previous review after visiting for the first time in 2016. Four years later La Pala is still a favorite! Tina and her crew do a great job and complements to the chef! Thank you all for providing great food in a local and comfortable atmosphere.
Les Stein
Jul 29, 2020
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Enjoyed a very nice take out dinner tonight. Being at home all day gardening I wore myself out! so it was a perfect choice to order from their family style takeout menu. I ordered the veal Marsala, house salad and mashed potatoes. Everything was hot and beautifully prepared. The tiramisu is waiting for us as I write this and know that it will be just as good as it is when we dine in. Please support La Pala during this crisis. We will get to the other side and be stronger!
Cake Batter
Jul 14, 2020
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Terry S.
May 04, 2020
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Lex S.
Nov 23, 2019
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Food was really good even could give some long time local faves a run for their money. I do think the location and the set up is what we will keep people from dining. They could do better at advertising where the restaurant is,there's a sign on the front of the building but the restaurant it self is in the back. Not that much parking so if it gets busy that could be a problem. Only giving 4 stars because the service was kind of bad we had our work holiday party there and it was like they were serving a course every hour but the courses were not even that big. I def would go back for the penne
Ronald S.
Oct 30, 2019
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Alan S.
May 31, 2019
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Natasha C.
Nov 04, 2018
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Where do I begin. The service was absolutely horrible. My husband and I were seated and given no menu. Waitress finally came around and offered us cocktails....We had to ask the bus boy for a dinner menu. The food was mediocre. The tastiest thing there was the butter for the bread. Waitress was rude and uninterested. They also included a "pre-tip" in our bill...$20 tip!!!! Ridiculous. NEVER coming here again.
A. B.
Aug 23, 2018
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The food is wonderful ! I hope that more people find out about this tucked away restaurant. It is a bit hard to find at first and only knew about it from a friend.
The only downside to my experience is the female waitress who works there. I found her to be a bit rude and overbearing, as she made inappropriate comments. I feel that her behavior takes away from the experience. In my opinion, she not be working at this kind of establishment. She seems to fit more in a bar.
I had to rate less than 5 stars only because of her.
The only downside to my experience is the female waitress who works there. I found her to be a bit rude and overbearing, as she made inappropriate comments. I feel that her behavior takes away from the experience. In my opinion, she not be working at this kind of establishment. She seems to fit more in a bar.
I had to rate less than 5 stars only because of her.
Dennis R.
Feb 19, 2018
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Went there yesterday with my family for a birthday dinner. The owners, chefs, manager, and waitstaff were very friendly and attentive. Treated us like family. The food was delicious. Come here for your quality authentic family style Italian food.
Try the fried calamari appetizer; perfectly spicy and nice texture. The baked clams were also good.
The "Mt. Vesuvius" pizza is kind of like a stuffed pizza/calzone, but I won't ruin the surprise, you'll have to try for yourself.
The bread was homemade and tasty. Their brick oven with wood fire adds nice flavor.
The shrimp and calamari
Try the fried calamari appetizer; perfectly spicy and nice texture. The baked clams were also good.
The "Mt. Vesuvius" pizza is kind of like a stuffed pizza/calzone, but I won't ruin the surprise, you'll have to try for yourself.
The bread was homemade and tasty. Their brick oven with wood fire adds nice flavor.
The shrimp and calamari
Lisa Z.
Oct 29, 2017
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Even though I could walk here I'm ashamed to say I've only been here twice. Once for lunch with my hubby when they first opened and again last night for drinks and appetizers with my sister. I will now be frequenting this establishment. Both times the food has been amazing. For lunch we had the La Paletta (meat and cheese platter) which was delicious and fresh. I had the veal roll and hubby had the stuffed paccheri. Both were delicious. Last night I had mushrooms stuffed with shrimp and crabmeat in a wonderful white cream sauce and topped with just the right amount of bread crumbs for
Christian McLaren
Sep 23, 2017
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Samantha M.
Jun 24, 2017
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One of the best Italian restaurants in Long island! The food is always fresh and cooked perfectly. The pizza is amazing and a great selection of red wine. Always have great specials. If there is a pasta dish you are craving, and it's not on the menu, they will make it for you anyways.
The staff are always so friendly and welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. Can't say enough great things about the place
The staff are always so friendly and welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. Can't say enough great things about the place
Sam S.
Oct 12, 2015
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So last night at la pala,
Terrible doesn't even explain it . At this point I fully retract my five star rating . rude waiter ,overdone steak tasted like an old shoe he refused to take it back for 15 minutes said he need to speak to the manager then he came back after 20 minutes and pointed to the other waiter and said he is the manager ( liar ) no apology . I will never go until the owners to contact me regarding this matter ! I promise the news will spread like wild fire . What happened to this place ??? Not to mention the drunk Latin men outside the restaurant passed out on the sidewalk
Terrible doesn't even explain it . At this point I fully retract my five star rating . rude waiter ,overdone steak tasted like an old shoe he refused to take it back for 15 minutes said he need to speak to the manager then he came back after 20 minutes and pointed to the other waiter and said he is the manager ( liar ) no apology . I will never go until the owners to contact me regarding this matter ! I promise the news will spread like wild fire . What happened to this place ??? Not to mention the drunk Latin men outside the restaurant passed out on the sidewalk
Matthew H.
Dec 07, 2014
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The Buffalo brick oven pizza, referred to as the Buffalina on the menu, was absolutely phenomenal and reminded me of a tiny little hole in the wall forno on the outskirts of Palermo where I had the greatest pizza of my life. So fresh, so light, full of flavor!
The ambiance is beautiful here too, brick oven in the corner, soft delicate lighting, non intrusive but attentive waitstaff. Bellisimo! I highly recommend this hidden gem! A great addition to the town of Glen Cove! Buona Fortuna!
The ambiance is beautiful here too, brick oven in the corner, soft delicate lighting, non intrusive but attentive waitstaff. Bellisimo! I highly recommend this hidden gem! A great addition to the town of Glen Cove! Buona Fortuna!
