With rich woodwork, wall sconces, florid wrought iron rounds and warm tones of beige, green and copper, Butera’s of Smithtown exudes a warm Tuscan charm to match the classic fare that has brought so much success to the new restaurant’s three sister locations. Beautiful hardwood floors in both dining rooms and a fieldstone tile floor in the bar room complete the picture while a thirty foot long granite bar stuns and pleases. Richly upholstered high backed chairs on long stilt legs replace standard barstools.

Three of the four owners, Martin Butera, his wife Laurie, brother Gary, and Nick Zografos, are also chefs. Martin brings the experience of growing up in his father’s pizzeria, Gary trained at France’s acclaimed Cordon Bleu, and Nick attended New York Restaurant School. The three orchestrate a menu featuring New Italian cuisine with Northern and Southern influence. Known for their generous portions of pasta, grilled fare, and fresh fish, the menu runs the gamut from pasta marinara to veal with prosciutto, marsala and sage. The bar offers specialty drinks, wines by the glass and an international wine list while a separate bar menu of Merende, or snacks, features bruschette and grilled pizzas with different toppings as well as small plates like a trio of Italian sliders served on garlic knots and grilled calamari with herb polenta crostini and basil pesto.

Butera’s has established a fine reputation as a warm and welcoming neighborhood place where diners return again and again. Visit their other locations in Woodbury and Seaford.