FOODIE

Four Stars For Four Food Studio
By Tricia and Michelle/ foodie@longislandernews.com

With the leaves falling and the chill setting in, we decided we wanted to hit up a restaurant known for celebrating the seasons, so we ventured over to Four Food Studio and Cocktail Salon in Melville.

Celebrating its third year in operation, Four is named after the four seasons, a theme which is reflected not only in the menu – which changes every 13 weeks and offers dishes prepared in such a way to bring out the tastes of the season – but also in the décor. Upon walking in visitors are greeted by a lounge whose lime green shades evoke the feel of spring. The lounge area is situated in front of a yellow bar, complete with a video projection screen, which is representative of the warmer days of summer.

Behind the bar is the main dining hall, where orange and red hues suggest autumn; it is followed by a smaller, oval shaped room colored in winter whites. In the middle of ‘winter’ hangs a screen looping a video of a roaring fire.

We took our seats in autumn and began to peruse Four’s extensive menu, which has everything from salads and flatbreads to steaks, lamb, duck and bass.

Before we settled on our appetizers we ordered the Candy Shop ($14), a watermelon martini flavored with pop rocks and a lollipop. One of Four’s most popular cocktails, the Candy Shop was fizzling and popping for minutes after our attentive waitress brought it over.

We decided to start off with the FOUR-Cheese Fondue ($16), which is big enough to share and is served with carrots, celery, red peppers, broccoli florets, crusty bread and apple slices. After our server lit the candle underneath the pot and handed us our skewers, we immediately dipped into the warm, melted cheese with the dippers. The creamy, thick cheese was rich and tasted heavenly with the juicy, crispy, crunchy dippers.

We also gave the BBQ Chicken Spring Rolls ($10) – a new addition to the menu – a try. Served on a spicy jicama salad, the spring rolls were flaky and soft and the chicken wrapped within was juicy and tender. The rolls were well complemented by the tangy, zesty dipping sauce they were served with.

For our entrées we chose the Pan Seared Diver Scallops ($29) and the Braised Beef Short Rib ($32). The Scallops are one of Four’s most desired dishes and were brought out of retirement due to popular demand. True to Four’s distinct style, the Scallops were seasonally flavored and on our trip they were served on a bed of Israeli cous cous with butternut squash. Cooked to perfection, they were plump and delicious.

The Braised Beef was another favorite. The beef, which was served with fingerling potato puree, baby vegetables and red wine reduction, melted in our mouths.

We coupled our entrées with a side of Parmesan Truffle Fries ($12) and Creamy Wild Mushrooms ($12). The fries were extraordinary and the mushrooms were a true autumn delight.

Though we were quite full from the excellent appetizers and entrées, we just couldn’t leave without sampling one of Four’s superior desserts. The Warm Sweet Potato Bread Pudding was tempting – as was the Popcorn Ice Cream – but we decided to finish the night off with the Fondue Party ($16).

Once again our server lit a tiny candle underneath the pot of fondue, which had already been heated before it was brought out. With our skewers we dove right into the pot of melted dark chocolate sauce. Warm and thick, the chocolate tasted fantastic when coupled with the strawberry halves, banana chunks and pineapple slices. Fluffy marshmallows, rich cookies and sugary rice crispies squares were also pleasing dippers. We were hesitant about the pretzel rods and chips, but both turned out to be tasty dippers as well.

Our experience ended with a puff of pink cotton candy, which is brought out with the bill. Feathery and light, the cotton candy was both an unexpected surprise and an astonishing delight.

We were awed by the incredible choices offered on Four’s autumn menu, and you can bet we will be back when the season changes to sample the winter menu. See you there.

Four Food Studio And Cocktail Salon
515 Broadhollow Rd. (Rte. 110)
Melville
631-577-4444
www.fourfoodstudio.com

Atmosphere: Sophisticated

Price Range: Expensive

Cuisine: New American

Hours
Lunch: Monday-Friday
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Dinner: Monday – Wednesday
4 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Thursday – Saturday
4 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Closed Sundays

Main Menu