I'm not going to lie, the only reason I know of Don Peppe is because of Entourage. The number of times Turtle raved about the linguine with white clam sauce got me drooling out of control. Finally, I decided to make the effort all the way deep into Queens. Living in Manhattan, this isn't exactly the stroll down the street. You definitely need to make a significant effort. But if you like good Italian food, adventures, and Entourage, I definitely recommend it.
Ambiance / Decor / Service
Let's just say the lighting here is extremely bright (good for photos though) and invasive. The space is large, crowded and busy. It can be a bit overwhelming. If you got a sinus infection or a splitting headache, the ambiance may not be the most accommodating. But I liked it, it was warm, welcoming and got that old school Queens feel.
Food
I actually really enjoyed the food. It was solid homey Italian food. They only have one menu hanging on the back wall. Everything is family style.
1) The baked clams were solid, but not my favorite. I felt there were too much breading and not enough clams. However, the seasoning and flavors were nice.
2) Linguine with white clam sauce was my favorite, it was so well made in my opinion. Simple, flavorful and delicious. The pasta was perfectly cooked and drenched in warm buttery clam sauce.
3) Chicken marsala. At first glance, it looked kind of lame. At first bite, I wasn't too impressed. It is a very light dish. But after getting deeper into the dish, I realized it was pretty well made. The chicken was tender and the sauce was not overwhelming. I found myself craving it the next day.
4) Red wine. Oddly, the house red wine was served cold. I guess it's just something they do? For a house wine, it actually was legit, despite the cool temperature.
5) Dessert. The cannoli and pistachio Tartufo were so good. Such simple Italian desserts well made.
Reservation
They do not take reservations. I went there around 7pm on a Saturday and the wait was about 30-45min. It wasn't too bad and they have a pretty fast turnover.
Price
I'd say about $40-50 per person including tip and tax.
Linguine White Clam Sauce
Chicken Marsala
Cannoli
Pistachio Tartufo