Manducatis Rustica

Manducatis Rustica is three things: an Italian grocery and bakery with high-quality goods (not necessarily cheap, there is a directly imported olive oil for $45/bottle); a gelateria (gelato made on premises); and a restaurant, with an informal trattoria in the front, where the grocery is also located, and a more formal ristorante in the adjacent dining room.

The cuisine is classic Italian country style (rustica, as the name says), with emphasis on simplicity and quality ingredients.

Manducatis Rustica is run by Gianna Cerbone, the daughter of the Cerbone family, who’ve run Manducatis on Jackson Ave. since the 1970s. The menu is less extensive than at Manducatis on Jackson, and the emphasis is on a few daily specials – and pizza.

Currently, Manducatis Rustica has no liquor license so it’s BYO – with no corkage fee. Luckily, Hunter’s Point Wines & Spirits is just a block down the street, open until 9 pm (10 on Fridays and Saturdays), and it has a selection of Old and New World wines. Owner Paul Huston will gladly advise you what goes best with your dinner.

Delivery will be added in the future. For now you can order food ahead and pick it up. (Allow 10 minutes for a pizza.)