Still Got It: Vesta Trattoria & Wine Bar

In this city, restaurants come and go faster than you can say "locavore burger." And even though there are great new additions to the culinary landscape popping up every week, you've gotta give kudos to anyone who can stick it out for over a year. With that in mind, we bring you Still Got It, our tribute to establishments that continue to serve mouthwatering meals after the buzz has faded.

Running strong for over two years now, Vesta is everything that's right about the local food movement. Save for a brief mention that their produce comes courtesy of Brooklyn Grange, the focus is on taste rather than politics. The seasonal menu changes every few months, with current plates including cavatappi with cauliflower, bread crumbs, mint and parmesan cheese; roast chicken with sweet potato puree; and a carbonara-esque fusilli with pancetta, parsnips and a whole egg yolk, meant to be broken and tossed into a creamy sauce.

The one menu mainstay is La Torta Del Piccolo Bambino Gesu Cristo (AKA the Baby Jesus Cake), a moist sponge of toffee and dates that is actually the owner's grandmother's recipe. Entrees stay around $15 while desserts go for $6.50, and a liter carafe of their house wine blends straight from the tap is a modest $32. There's also an Italian-inspired brunch menu; trust us, the hangover pizza is worth waking up with a pounding headache.

21-02 30th Avenue, Queens; (718) 545-5550