My friend recommended this place, and I didn't even know it existed so close to my home. Mom had the papadella, and I had the pasta primavera with clams on the side baked, and some really tasty house red. The place was well maintained, clean, and service was wonderful. Food was terrific, dessert out of this world. Would highly recommend---Good luck to everyone there! read more

Great Italian-American spot in Mineola. Absolute pleasure to dine in with such warm hospitality and family vibes. Yes the food is amazingly delicious. Full bar and large selection of wine. read more

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Always delicious and the best service ever! Fresh and cooked just right. Friendly and professional. read more

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I always say I am the worst Mineola person, since I rarely eat in my hometown but I'm trying to change that! Anyway decided to come here after another hockey game. There was parking but my hubs instead of omg having to do a u turn & park on Mineola blvd, decided it'd be more fun to make us walk like 3 blocks after dinner lol. Anyway food was great, it was new years day at night so I think they had some specials too. Service was great. Cute place. Another great restaurant in town. read more

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4.5 stars. What a great local spot! Came with a group of friends (8 total) by accident (we meant to reserve at a similarly named restaurant). But it was cute inside with a reasonably full crowd and plenty of street parking. A small miss on the crab cake appetizer - it didn't say "lump" and it wasn't. I ordered the pasta special - fettuccine with shrimp and pesto sauce. It was excellent. My wife had the strip steak with some variant of chimichurri sauce - a really nice portion, cooked perfectly and served with a side of really tasty crispy thin shoestring fries. All my friends, including the Italians, were oohing and aahing about the food. Then came the dessert - oh my. Strawberry and cream napoleon-kinda thing, tiramisu, and italian cheesecake. Everything was fresh, light, and tasty. Service was pretty good but kinda got the cold shoulder on my decaf latte lol. Definitely worth a try! read more

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Cala Luna has quickly become one of our favorite restaurants! We've come in for lunch and dinner and have pretty much loved almost everything we've tried here! Stand outs for us are their bruschetta salad, caesar salad, calamari, veal sienna, and flourless chocolate cake. Their complimentary warm bread with eggplant caponata is amazing too! read more

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My boyfriend and I were in the area and decided to stop by for dinner around 8PM on a Saturday. The restaurant was maybe half full at that time. We were greeted and seated promptly and ordered the calamari, the burger, and the hunter chicken. The food itself tasted pretty okay, but nothing was outstanding for the price point that it was. You ever have a meal that just does the job, it's kind of how I felt. Everything was satisfactory, but truthfully, I'm not sure if I'd come back anytime soon. read more

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Visited this hidden restaurant gem in Mineola tonight where I've eaten many times during the past few years and am happy to say that it continues to be my go-to favorite eating spot for consistent high-quality and delicious food. The welcoming environment created by the ever-present Luciano (maître d) and Dahlia (our server), again, set the tone for a relaxing meal with impeccable service and an eye for detail in food presentation. Tonight, we revisited some of our favorite dishes, including empanadas (tonight was beef) and the Cala Luna salad for the appetizer course. For our entrees, we had flat cut fettuccini with meatballs and Shrimp Ajillo (their take on Shrimp Scampi served with a mold of Jasmine rice and sautéed Spinach). My companion still found room to have a slice of Italian Cheesecake for dessert. Overall, a great meal. Thank you chef Orlando and Cala Luna for continuing to give us a happy place to dine. read more

My friend and I came to Cala Luna for the first time on a rainy Saturday around 11:30AM. I thought the restaurant opened at 11:30AM, so we were surprised to find the doors locked. However, a staff member came out and informed us that they open at 12PM but if we waited two minutes, he can let us in. We were so appreciative. There are plenty of tables and is very spacious inside Cala Luna. We chose a table by the window. Even though it was raining, it was nice to have the breeze come in and fresh air. I had the Rose Sangria to start and then I ordered the White Sangria. Both were very good. For food, I had the wild mushroom omelette, which had a wild mushroom blend and goat cheese on rye toast with sausage (I substituted the bacon) and potato hash. The plate was a good portion. We also ordered a side of spicy broccoli rabe to share. My friend ordered the linguine and it had a lot of crabmeat. She enjoyed her drinks and food as well. For dessert, we shared the bread pudding with warm caramel sauce and vanilla gelato. It was such a sweet way to end the afternoon and it was warm. It was the staff that made Cala Luna an unforgettable experience. From opening the restaurant early for us to our waitress who was very friendly and sociable, it was great. We stayed in the restaurant for about 3 hours. During this time, only 3 other tables got occupied. More people should visit Cala Luna! read more

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Never tasted the food or drinks- didn't even get to visit but I tell you what- they will not get my business... We made reservations one and a half weeks in advance for 6 people @ 3:15 on Saturday. The night before (Friday) our ressy- we received the standard text for confirmation. No problem. All appears as normal. Well, on Saturday afternoon- phone rings at 12:30 saying we have a party before you so can we push you back to 4pm? We stated No- we were actually going to be a bit early for our 3:15, but no way can we wait until 4. We have 6 people coming in from out of town for just a short window of time. We get put on hold and then they return to say- ok, we will have to cancel. Say what? Did you not know you had a reservation issue when you texted to confirm? To receive a call less than 3 hours before a reservation for SIX and just cancel was HIGHLY unprofessional. There was no further concession offered either. Patronize this establishment at your own risk but don't expect them to honor a reservation nor offer any sort of apology! Just flabbergasted ‍ read more

When looking for dinner near Mineola, this place ranked high on the list (offering Italian, bar, and American cuisine) and had some decent reviews, so we decided to give it a try. Parking was easy, especially with a nearby parking lot. After sitting down and browsing the menu, we were surprised to see items like Avocado Salsa and Shrimp Tempura. The server was very friendly, explained the menu well, and offered some recommendations. We ended up ordering a Caprese Flatbread, a Caesar Salad, and some specials: Squid Ink Seafood Pasta and Slow-Cooked Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes and String Beans. Overall, the food was pretty good. For us though taste wise, nothing really stood out. The pasta was a nice al dente, but the shrimp was a bit over. The flatbread had a nice sweetness to it, but the bottom was a bit too charred. The short ribs were decent, but needed the demiglaze for the full flavor. It's a nice place, though. Not entirely sure about the menu, but I guess it's nice to have a variety of options to cater to different tastes. read more

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Cala Luna is by far a wonderful restaurant! Where do I start? The manager, Rana, was so nice and she greeted us with a smile, her service was so refreshing and she kept checking in on us to make sure everything was going well. I brought my mom to brunch and we both enjoyed our food immensely. The quality of the ingredients shows as well as the freshness in how it's prepared. I felt like I was eating at home. The restaurant is cozy and well lit with all the windows as well. My mom is asking to go back soon and I can't wait to try the next delicious meal there. I hope whoever reads this takes the time to try Cala Luna because it won't disappoint! read more

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This was our first time here and our servers were very accommodating. Ambiance is traditional bistro-style. As for the menu, there is wide rage of appetizers, salads, pastas, fish and meat dishes. There are several options for substituting gluten-free pasta with their regular pasta. From salad to entrée to dessert, the food was fresh and tasty. We shared the Brussel Sprout Salad, which had a nice dimension of both taste and texture, and a light dressing to complement the mix of cranberries, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese, tomatoes, onions, arugula and Brussel sprout shavings. My husband enjoyed the Seafood Risotto special which featured a mixture of mussels, shrimp, crab and veggies in a light cream sauce. I equally enjoyed my gluten-free version of Hay and Straw, which was rich in a flavorful mushroom-truffle cream sauce. Lastly, for dessert, we shared the delectable Flourless Chocolate Cake. Central location. We will be back with the fam and friends! read more

What a hidden gem. Went on a fluke with my mom and sister. Late lunch early dinner. Ambience was so cozy. We ate the prosciutto flat bread which tasted like the pizza in Italy . My family ate the stiffed artichokes and they were truly Delicious.Considering i just happened to be in the neighborhood I was so happy with the food I think we are going back. Excellent food and the staff were so nice. read more

Thought it was a real find! Had the halibut and it was perfectly cooked And presented. So were the roasted Brussels sprouts. Totally delicious! Service was excellent and I look forward to going back very soon. Only negative note: wasn't impressed with the bread so I didn't eat it read more

We were out on Long Island and wanted to try a place we hadn't been. So, we stopped in on a Saturday evening -- without reservations. And, the host found us a table. To start, we had shared the sweet corn and red pepper polenta -- which was really tasty. Then, we shared a charcuterie board with really delicious green garlicky olives and a variety of meats. For meals, I had the risotto of the day which was okay -- I don't think I'd order it again as it came with a big chunk of meat covered in a brown sauce. My husband had the salmon which came with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables -- I had some of the salmon which was good. My mother-in-law had the filet mignon which came with mashed potatoes and broccolini. She seemed to really enjoy it and had enough to take home for a 2nd meal. The servers came by regularly to refill our water glasses and the food was delivered promptly. The place did fill up on a Saturday evening -- so go early or late! read more

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This restaurant is a hidden gem. Very cozy and warm, nice for a quiet dinner with the family and friends or a date. The staff are super nice and friendly, we were allowed to sit anywhere we liked since it was not very busy. The eggplant parmigiana was delicious, the steak was very buttery and garlicky, not bad but a bit much. The codfish was good but I got the feeling my wife regretted not ordering the salmon or the Bronzino. The dessert was delicious, we all enjoyed a piece of it. All in all, it's a very nice place and the staff were really welcoming and accommodating. read more

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Been several times and brought different folks too always a wonderful meal and great wine and mixed drinks! A gem,

Food was excellent as was the service. Desert was amazing. Napoleon and Bread pudding. Pasta special with Lamb Ragu also spinach and mushroom pasta white sauce read more

Never tried this place before but needed a quick lunch spot. I was surprised by how good this place was. They forgot our meatball app but we were full enough from our entrees. I got the cala chicken. Like a Milanese atop a mixed salad with truffle dressing. The dressing was a bit thick. The chicken was super thin and fried perfectly but had zero salt. Otherwise the salad components were good, I especially liked the Sundried tomatoes. My wife got the spicy shrimp with squid ink pasta. It was perfect! Such a great dish. The complimentary bread and onion jam are a hit as well. I'd come back for sure. It's a bit on the pricey side but the food is solid. The ambience was nice as well. read more

The atmosphere is lovely. There are probably about 20 tables and only about 6 were occupied when we were there. Unfortunately even with only about a third of tables taken the restaurant was VERY noisy. The acoustics are bad. Between the music playing and the people talking, carrying on a conversation was difficult. We stopped, looking for a lighter meal as we had a late lunch. We ended up only ordering two appetizers, a Caprese flatbread, and the charcuterie board. the charcuterie board should have come with bread. We asked the server and she was very pleasant and accommodating. There were about a half dozen meats, a cheese, olives, grapes and a sweet treat of pecans. It was all quite good. The caprese flat bread was excellent. Tomatoes, cheese, and basil with a balsamic reduction,on a thin pizza crust. Definitely a favorite. I would want to come back and have a full meal. If the appetizers were any indication of the rest of the menu, I imagine the restaurant is a winner. The only thing holding me back would be the acoustics. It was really quite loud. read more

Cala Luna - Caprese flatbread. - Italian Near Me - Mineola, New York

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First of all, my family has been coming here for around 3 years anywhere from 1-3 times a week. The ambiance is "ok" not very fancy, and not a romantic one. It as a relaxing place nonetheless and homey. The service is always on point , attentive, polite, and accommodating. Luciano (head waiter) is very knowledgeable whether it comes to wine choices, food descriptions from the specials to the main courses/appys. the food next is always fresh and delicious. They have a good variety from pastas, special flat breads., organic poultry, seafood and high end meats. I've had almost everything on their menu and of all my visits, maybe I had one thing I was t thrilled with. Otherwise it's a "win win " for my family and myself Prices are reasonable especially for the quality and portions given. I'd love to see this restaurant flourish and gain more popularity because it's delish. No, I'm not a family member, worker or related to anyone working or owning this establishment but I enjoy supporting is wholeheartedly read more

Quaint but spacious corner bistro. Parking is a challenge but worth fighting for. A diminutive but mighty wine list provides the proper support to a bevy of soulful, disparate and delicious appetizers. We had a Chardonnay and Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, which both, sent us to wine heaven. The bread service can be improved with a fresher, warmer, more savory basket but the complimentary Eggplant Caponata was a DIVINE SMEAR! This could be eaten alone! Butter (disappointingly cold) was also provided. There are "Sharing" Apps but we chose from the individuals, although we did share them. The fresh Burrata and Cherry Tomatoes were a burst of Italy's agriculture transported tableside. A must! The Artichoke Carpaccio is a great light bite of tangy delectable goodness. The Linguini and Clams were a zesty al dente slurp of shellfish tastiness. DELISH! The Chicken Luciano is nice paillard topped with a vibrant Arugula salad that gives it flavor. It is cooked perfectly but definitely could use Parmesan and salt in the coating, as it needed a bit of seasoning. The salad was necessary. Oversll, a good, healthy and bountiful portion. As if we didn't have enough greens, we had the robust and spicy Broccoli Rabe, which was fantastic. No room for dessert. A destination place for sure! read more

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Drove 30 minutes to meet a friend for lunch at three pm. Nothing on their website said they were closed. Signs with menus were out on the sidewalk. Completely closed. What a waste of gas. read more

We loved our visit at Cala Luna! Came here on Monday eve with 3 of my gf's... warmly greeted by the best waiter, we loved him and he was really amazing; his name escapes me but really so sweet and very attentive. Since it was somewhere new we were trying, we usually order a bunch of shit and split. The blanco flatbread, bacon wrapped scallops, and a pasta entree, wild boar pappardelle (special) . Everything was amazing! If you love truffle, definitely get the flatbread, it's great for sharing too! The bacon wrapped scallops don't need to be told how good they are.. and the pasta ! So nice of them to split it between the four of us since we ordered the entrees as an app, great idea. Wild boar tasted like short rib and the sauce it was in was sooo decadent and filling, it probably would have been tough to get an entire bowl of it down (I'm not a huge pasta person though, so I may be biased). Ordered Cajun swordfish (special), chicken luciana (delcious), and the skirt steak also from their specials.... I did used do love swordfish much more at one point, it's very flavorful and was well prepared; I just don't think it's my go to any longer. The steak was cooked to perfection as was the chicken too! They sliced our steak for us bc who wants to hassle with that, not me... and the chicken had this really delicious salad w mini mozz on top. Really delicious, everything. Ended with a chocolate icecream tartufo that had dark chocolate semi chips and a bunch of cherry syrup; I don't even like chocolate ice cream and I loved this (reminded me of Ralph's jelly ring Italian ice) ! We also got the berry Napoleon for our birthday girl. We really loved this place ! I know it says it's Italian but I'm Puerto Rican and Italian and I felt like this place was giving me very big Spanish flare vibes ! They had a very nice menu (including empanadas lol) so I do think very heavily Spanish influenced which was great ! I would come here again. The wait staff were amazing, our drinks were strong, and the food was delish ! read more

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Had no idea where to go tonight and found this on Yelp so we decided to come on in. We weren't sure how busy they'd be late on Mother's Day but we had no problem coming in and were welcomed. Lovely staff. It's a pretty restaurant. But it's too loud. The music is too loud. Then with a bunch of tables, it can be hard to hear people. Shared a flatbread and the weekly charcuterie board with my mother and daughter. Both were delicious! We'd recommend them. So many of the things on the menu sounded delicious. But what we got was perfect for the evening. I would try the charcuterie again to try different meats/cheese. There was only one cheese. I would have liked a second cheese to try but there were 5 different meats. Loved the candied walnuts too. read more

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I don't even know where to start with this place. This restaurant is an absolute GEM in Mineola. From the staff, to the food, to the drinks. Everything about this restaurant was absolutely perfect. I came here with my fiancé and my two really close friends. Everyone was so friendly since the very second we walked through the doors. We started off with espresso martinis and a glass of Montepulciano. The montepulciano here is very good but the espresso martini I had here was the best espresso martini I have ever had in my 30 years of living. I have to give full credit to the bartender Antonio who made our drinks. Antonio really knows what he is doing behind the bar and makes some very impressive cocktails. We had such a nice conversation with him as well as he came to our table and talked with us for a few minutes. To start, we ordered the baked clams and the avocado salsa which we thoroughly enjoyed. The baked clams could have been cooked a little bit more though for more of a crisp on the outside in regards to the breadcrumbs but it was still good. For the main entrees, we ordered Shrimp al ajillo and the Risotto of the day. My oh my, the risotto was absolutely out of this world and was so delicious. One of the best risottos i've had in my entire life. The shrimp al ajillo packed plenty of flavor as well and we really enjoyed every single bite. For dessert, the fresh berry napoleon was to die for!!! It was not too sweet and just perfect and had an incredible texture to it. Antonio - the bartender, and the rest of the wait staff really provided such a great experience on top of the incredible food we enjoyed here. I seriously cannot wait to come back here many more times in the future! read more

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Great food and nice staff. I was there with my kids and they couldn't be more accommodating.

Amazing food coupled with exceptional service. Wow!! Cozy and inviting dining space. We enjoyed sitting next to one of the opened panels. Warm bread with butter and eggplant spread are served promptly. The scallops wrapped in bacon appetizers are delicious. For mains, we got Branzino over brussel sprouts, cauliflower and skin-on potatoes and Fish Grill which comes with swordfish, sea bass and shrimp. The presentation is fabulous and every bite tasted just as great! Flourless chocolate cake and bread pudding with fresh coffee round off one of the most satisfying dining experiences in recent memory. Luciano and team are wonderful. Cala Luna is an instant favorite and we look forward to our next visit!! read more

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Our first time here and mostly loved it. It's a smallish restaurant on a main street with restricted parking and no lot of its own. Everyone we met there was eager to please and nice. It was a Sunday night and they had a choice of menus: my wife ordered a la carte; and my son and I ordered off the fixed price menu (unavailable Friday and Saturday), which comes with salad or appetizers, entree and dessert for $36.95. My salad came with bacon bits, blue cheese chunks, beets, etc - very enjoyable and nicely done. They also serve a complimentary and fresh Napoli or peasant bread basket with an eggplant caponata (and oil or butter if you want). My entree was "Chicken Luciano," which was two thin sliced cutlets pan fried, crispy around the edges, under a cold bruschetta-styled topping of arugula, tomatoes, red onions, little mozzarella balls and a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. I don't care for arugula (which seems like grass to me), but otherwise thought it was great. My dessert was called "Coconut Tiramisu," and there was a thin slice of Tiramisu on the bottom, but I could barely taste it because it was under a little mountain of mascarpone cream that tasted and looked more like butter cream. Conclusions: price was right, the chef and ingredients were very good, nice people ... we'll be back. read more

Cala Luna - Chicken Luciano - Italian Near Me - Mineola, New York

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I been meaning to try this spot for such a long time and im glad I finally tried it. I love it!! The vide, the food the drinks and the espresso!!! Everything was so good. The waiter was really nice person and the others were always on top of things. read more

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We came on a Sunday night for a 6pm reservation. We got lucky and found parking right in front of the restaurant on Mineola Blvd. The staff were very attentive and nice. The complimentary bread and caponata were delicious! A great way to start things off. I then did the price fix menu. Caesar salad, chicken francese, and chocolate cake. Everything was delicious and the portions were perfect. My parents both loved their meals as well. We will definitely be returning in the future! read more

Cala Luna - Flourless chocolate cake - Italian Near Me - Mineola, New York

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Food and service is outstanding. On list of favorites. Ambiance is very nice. Never disappointed and we have been there many times

I had a great experience at Cala Luna. The service was super quick and they consistently checked in to see how everything was. It was very empty, but could have been the day we went. I ordered the Chicken Luciano and it was delicious. Great spot to have a quiet lunch or dinner with friends or family! read more

Cala Luna - Chicken Luciano - Italian Near Me - Mineola, New York

Nice ambiance and waitress was attentive and sweet. Loved the shrimp in garlic sauce. Highly recommend it. Eggplant parm appetizer was delicious too. You can choose from the brunch menu, prix fixe, lunch menu, and daily specials. We were there at lunch time so I'm not sure about the dinner menu. read more

You know how you know when you had something great? You crave it the next day. That's what's going on with everything I ate here yesterday. This place is the definition of hidden gem. It's a small spot tucked away in Mineola within walking distance of the train station. We went here with our immediate family to celebrate our wedding. We did not have a single bad thing on the menu and the appetizers were excellent. We had the veal meatballs, flatbread, empanadas, bacon wrapped scallops, and calamari. Everything was cooked to perfection. The meatballs were EXCELLENT. That stole the show for me along with the empanadas. The calamari was cooked to perfection, not in the least bit chewy. Same with the scallops. And the flatbread had a memorable robust sauce. Very similar to Umberto's grandma slice sauce. As far as entrees, I'll comment on what I had and what I tried, first. I had the salmon that is on the regular menu. Again, cooked perfectly, a nice sized portion and terrific mashed potato's. I tried the skirt steak that was on the special menu was well and that was to die for. Keep that on the menu! My husband had the Chicken Luciano, which was reminiscent of Don Pepe's version, back when they were good. It was excellent! I had a chance to try the beef stroganoff with risotto, which was on the special menu. This was IMO the dish to get. This was simply put, amazing. Lastly, the Italian cheesecake we had was out of bounds outrageous. I think this is one of my favorite Italian cheesecakes. It's right up there with the Italian cheesecake from Villabate Alba. I'd LOVE to see Cala Luna's version of a cannoli added to the menu. I want to throw in there too I had a chance to try one of the mixed drinks - the tropical margarita. Instant vacation in a glass. Phenomenal. Lastly, I'd like to just comment on the staff. Polite, curious, professional, attentive, and personable. Pretty quick too! I really can't knock anything on my experience and the party of 8 that I was with agree. It's truly a hidden gem. I can't wait to go back. read more

Amazing place quality and good food It's a must try Love it Environment and service at its best read more

this place was truly spectacular, some nice prints hung on the wall and it's a great, warm escape from the cold winter weather.(40 degrees Fahrenheit!!!!) for starters, we got one of each flatbread, which we're all amazing. waiters came around often and refilled everyone's water and dropped off some crusty brown bread, butter, and another spread i don't remember the name of... but that one was super tasty too. i ordered a lemonade and a Hunters Chicken, and finished off with a coconut tiramisu... chicken was cooked perfectly and all the sides were delicious, and i really loved the tiramisu. would love to come back here again if i'm ever in the area!!! read more

Solid Italian option in Mineola. We tried the beet salad, stuffed chicken and ravioli. All solid, 4 out of 5. Slightly pricey and a bit loud. Generally attentive service but when it got busy it got notably slower. I was impressed with the quality of the beer menu which is rare at local Italian restaurants. The menu is extensive with many specials. Worth a shot if you live nearby. read more

So saw this place when I went to dinner and decide to come for lunch with some colleagues. The place is super quaint and classy all at the same time. The food was fresh and full of flavor. Service was great waiter was attentive and our food came out quickly and hot. I had calamari and a salad. For dessert I had tiramisu and the table had cappuccinos. It was all very delicious. We will be back ! read more

Cala Luna - Calamari and Calaluna salad. - Italian Near Me - Mineola, New York

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