STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — After decades working for others, Pedro Canelo finally lives the restaurant dream. As the owner of Il Sogno at 26 Jefferson Blvd. in Annadale, he has turned years of experience in New York’s restaurant scene into a dream realized—and his own successful establishment is aptly named Il Sogno, Italian for “the dream.”
Pedro Canelo loves the restaurant life and has decades of food service experience behind him. After a summer of shortened weeks he will reopen Il Sogno for its regular lunch and dinner hours from Tuesday through Sunday. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Canelo, who emigrated from Peru 45 years ago, began his culinary journey at Marco Polo in Brooklyn, where he spent his first five to six years in the United States.
He later worked at prestigious establishments such as Felidia, where he collaborated with the Bastianich family, and at beloved Staten Island spots including Angelina’s — now located at 399 Ellis St., Tottenville — and the former Panarea, once located on Page Avenue, also in Tottenville. He also worked at Filippo’s, formerly on Richmond Road in Dongan Hills.
Melanzana Sicilliana features roasted eggplant wrapped around Caciocavallo Cheese. They are drizzled with honey and topped with orange segments for a sweet-on-savory flavor combination.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
From Filippo’s, Canelo carries forward a signature ingredient—caciocavallo cheese—which he now features in a stuffed eggplant dish at Il Sogno. At Filippo’s, the cheese was famously served fried and drizzled with honey.
Orecchiette pasta is the vehicle for fennel sausage crumbles, broccoli rabe and ripe cherry tomatoes in a light chicken-basil broth. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)New hours after Labor Day
Now at the helm of Il Sogno, Canelo brings his expertise to a menu rooted in Italian tradition with a modern, value-driven twist. The restaurant operates Wednesday through Sunday during the summer and will expand to six days a week starting in September.
Il Sogno is located in the former home of Angelina’s which the Malerba family moved to Tottenville. The Annadale address has been a familiar one to those who enjoy fine dining and a vibrant bar scene on weekend evenings. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Il Sogno offers a variety of Southern Italian specials. A Sunday Sauce Special is spiced at $24.95 and includes appetizer, entrée, coffee, and dessert. From Wednesday through Friday, the All-You-Can-Eat Pasta special also runs at $24.95 and includes an appetizer, choice of pasta, coffee, and dessert. That includes an appetizer, choice of pasta, coffee, and dessert for $24.95.
The Melanzana Tower appetizer for $19.95 includes panfried breaded eggplant, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella with basil oil. It is topped with a ball of fresh burrata cheese. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Meat is a big focus at the restaurant with steaks and chops. To highlight the carnivore aspect Canelo offers a Thursday night Porterhouse for Two with a prime, aged porterhouse steak served with salad, coffee, and dessert for $120.
Family-style value meal
On Sunday, there is now a “Dinner for Four” program for $139.95. It entails a multi-course feast starting with a choice of fresh mozzarella Caprese-style, rice balls, meatballs, shrimp cocktail and pasta. The pièce de résistance is a selection of family-style entrées — short ribs, ribs, chicken martini, and salmon Dijon. Coffee and dessert are included.
Il Sogno has three dining rooms and a bar area. Two of the rooms can be sectioned off for private parties. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Il Sogno’s menu features Italian classics such a melt-in-the-mouth veal Sorrentino with eggplant and prosciutto, orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage, and Kobe meatballs served in a rich brandy sauce. House specialties include an eggplant tower layered with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and burrata, finished with a drizzle of basil oil.
Kobe meatballs are a special appetizer with a Merlot sauce touched with a bit of sweetness. It is a taste of fall as the restaurant gears up for a new season. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
The restaurant, formerly home to Angelina’s, continues to evolve while honoring its roots. Longtime team member John Dimiri, a veteran waiter from a well-known Staten Island restaurant family, has been with Il Sogno for 15 years, adding to the its consistency and continuity.
Il Sogno can be found at 26 Jefferson Blvd. in Annadale. The restaurant can be reached at 718-356-7800, ilsognonyc.com.
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Dining and Cooking