Rob Bailey | bailey@siadvance.com

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Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com

Welcome to Staten Island!

Being of the restaurant writing mindset, one of the most frequent questions I get is, "Such-and-such is coming in from out-of-town. Which place do you recommend?" With various price points in mind and factors like convenience to the Ferry, here are my picks.

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Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com

Enoteca Maria

In my opinion, this is Staten Island's most famous restaurant — and it's also turned out a well-regarded cookbook. Plus, it's super convenient to the Ferry with a quick walk up a hill. Enoteca's brilliant Nonna concept (where a Nonna, as opposed to a professional chef, cooks for patrons) has been reported on countless times (outside of the Staten Island Advance) from The Rachael Ray Show to NPR. And, it's even made the Food Network's "Top 5 Italian Restaurants." (Can you imagine — in the top five?!) Owner Jody Scaravella recently reprogrammed the food format to include "Nonnas of the World" with ladies from France, the Middle East, Russia, Pakistan and other corners of the globe. Remember: Cash only here.

Enoteca Maria — 27 Hyatt St., St. George; 718-447-2777, EnotecaMaria.com

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jan somma-hammel

Trattoria Romana

Truly a crowd-pleaser, the Italian dishes are classic and the wood-fired pizza is excellent. Specials are enticing and keep things interesting for the regulars. Plus, the bustle and continual patron traffic makes for good people watching. Be sure to say 'ciao' to owner, chef and local TV personality Vittorio Asoli who will make guests feel right at home.

Trattoria Romana — 1476 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills; 718-980-3113, TrattoriaRomanaSI.com

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Pamela Silvestri

Sri Lankan restaurants

As Staten Island has the largest population of Sri Lankans outside of Sri Lanka, you must try one of our Isle of Gems' restaurants. All of them are great but here is our rundown of the best. Note that Dosa Garden has booze and excellent curries. Lakruwana has a charming dining room and super Mullagatawny soup. Sigiri's roti bread is excellent and its the closest Sri Lankan joint to the Ferry.

Dosa Garden —323 Victory Blvd., Tompkinsville; 718-420-0919, DosaGardenny.com

Lakruwana — 668 Bay St., Stapleton; 347-857-6619, Lakruwana.com

Sigiri — 226 Bay St., Tompkinsville; 718-981-3333, SigiriNYC.com

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Jan Somma-Hammel

Lorenzo's at the Hilton

Resident restaurant Lorenzo's serves upscale Italian and eclectic American fare in a plush dining room with generous space between tables. The food is great with many salubrious options and the staff can't do enough for guests. Don't forget the Sunday brunch for which reservations are a smart move.

Lorenzo's Restaurant, Bar and Cabaret — 1100 South Ave., Bloomfield; 718-447-2400 Ext. 4, Lorenzosdining.com

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Anthony DePrimo

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The view from this seaside restaurant never gets old with the tugboats constantly pulling by and the tankers towering over the place. And, the food is great, too, like the Grilled Octopus and lunchtime's flatbread sandwiches and burgers. Check out the midweek, three-course prix-fixe dinners.

Blue — 1111 Richmond Terr., Livingston; 718-273-7777, BlueRestaurantNYC.com

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Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com

Pastry Lover's Choice

There's a lot going on in this section of Stapleton with Pastry Lover's Choice being the newest gig in town. The place makes its own croissants, cookies, muffins, cakes and such plus puts out a good cup of coffee. Give it a shot as a destination or the end-note to a visit elsewhere on the block. Check out The Hop Shoppe (craft beer and gastropub-style food) which is right next door, Los Catrachos Spanish restaurant which serves breakfast and lunch every day but Tuesday and the delicious dinners at Vida Tuesday through Saturday. Under new ownership, there are noshes now coming from #Hashtag bar which serves crafty cocktails.

Pastry Lover's Choice — 370 Van Duzer St., Stapleton; 917-830-0146; PastryLoversChoice.com

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Bill Lyons

Pasticceria Bruno

You're going to get excellent service and respectable wines at lunch, dinner and the weekend brunches. Since the mainstay of the place is its pastry selections, dessert is a "must." Owner Biaggio Settipani is an award-winning master pastry chef who recently came out with a cookbook, another reason to give Pasticceria a whirl.

Pasticceria Bruno — 1650 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills; 718-987-5859, PasticceriaBruno.com. There is another location on the North Shore at 676 Forest Ave., West Brighton; 718-448-0993.

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Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com

Stone House at Clove Lakes Park

Undoubtedly one of Staten Island's prettiest settings for a restaurant, Peter Botros' staff is typically spot on with service and hospitality. The upscale American eatery has a two main dining rooms that are handsome. But in the balmy weather, Stone House has a few sections for supping outside. Watch the turtles, the ducks and row boats float by from your lakeside perch that hardly feels like New York City.

The Stone House in Clove Lakes Park — 1150 Victory Blvd., Sunnyside; 718-442-3600, TheStoneHouseSI.com

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Anthony DePrimo

Pizza at these 3 spots...

So long as you leave the Ferry terminal, there's only outstanding pizza on Staten Island. For out-of-towners I'd say go to Pier 76, Denino's or Nunzio's. Pier 76 is the closest pizzeria to the Ferry and features a delicious fig and goat cheese pie when the season is right. Denino's features classic, notable pies and is a place rich with Staten Island history. Nunzi's is another winner, a humble restaurant that's been around for decades that rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy.

Pier 76 — 76 Bay St., St. George; 718-447-7437, Pier76SI.com

Nunzio's — 2155 Hylan Blvd., Grant City; 718-667-9647

Denino's — 524 Port Richmond Ave., Port Richmond; 718-442-9401, Deninos.com

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Bill Lyons

Basilio Inn

Another place that doesn't feel like you're in New York City: Go down the gravelly road to Basilio's, a restaurant formerly an inn back in the 1920s. It's got a bocce court, a few fig trees and views into the neighboring gardens. And, the food is enjoyable, Northern Italian-style cooking with the Asperti family to greet you at the door.

Basilio Inn — 6 Galesville Ct., South Beach; 718-447-9292, BasilioInn.com

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Bill Lyons

Gatsby's on the Bay

It's not that huge of a hike via bus to Gatsby's from the Ferry. And the Verrazano Bridge view from the outdoor patio could well be worth it. Certainly on the upscale side of things, owner Sam Jibladze is a great host and shephard of the restaurant's eclectic American fare. Fridays and Saturdays see live jazz entertainment after 8 p.m. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday.

Gatsby's on the Bay — 695 Bay St., Stapleton; 718-442-8729, GatsbysontheBay.com