Bake a lineup of lovely pastries, and the incentive is to share. Via Vai, an Italian restaurant in Astoria, Queens, now offers assorted simple, traditional and inviting sweet and savory items to-go from the executive chef and owner, Antonio Morichini. The pastries are not suitable for shipping, but would be worth a detour to pick some up. On the sweet side are feathery bombolone well-filled with pastry cream, Nutella or delicious apricot preserves, and the classic maritozzo, a light oval bun overflowing with whipped cream that Romans like for breakfast. Slabs of savory rustic pies filled with Swiss chard, potatoes and leeks, or rice and cheese make for tasty side dishes, main courses at lunch, or, cut in small squares, hors d’oeuvres; these can be shipped. Advance orders are necessary.
Linea Rustica, $2 to $30; Via Vai, 31-09 23rd Avenue (31st Street), Astoria, Queens, 347-612-4334, viavai-ny.com.
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