FOODIE
Ambrosia: Just Don’t Call It A Diner
By Leah & Erin/ foodie@longislandernews.com

From the outside looking in, one might not be sure what to make of Ambrosia, a new restaurant located on Smith Street in East Farmingdale.

Walking in doesn’t really clear up the confusion. Not only is it a restaurant, but to the left is an elegant catering hall, offset by a room with a large bar that can serve either side. The place feels something like a diner and something like a restaurant emulating the popular Cheesecake Factory chain. It’s Ambrosia.

Ambrosia was named after the word that means the food of the gods and goddesses in Greek mythology. Ambrosia’s three owners, all with the name Nick, have been in the restaurant business for years. We sat down with Nick K., who came to America from Sparta over 30 years ago.

All three Nicks are reluctant to call Ambrosia a diner because it excels where others fall short. The menu steps out of the box through the use of quality specialty ingredients in the ethnic dishes, as well as the American classics.

For starters, Ambrosia mixes it up with a combination of appetizers. The list begins with choices like shrimp cocktail ($14.95), fried calamari ($8.95) and clams oreganato ($9.50). It also features spicy Buffalo wings ($7.95), vegetable quesadillas ($7.95) and crab cakes ($10.95). The calamari is fried with Semolina flour, which is healthier and lighter than other flours, a good choice by the chefs.

Yet if you want to try something different, order the Estiatorie Style Grilled Octopus ($11.95) or the Saganaki Fried Cheese Flambe ($9.95), a traditional Kefalograviera cheese, pan-flamed with Ouzo.

Another option is the Ambrosia Tapas Sharing Platter ($24.95), which includes Spanish Tapas meatballs, Cajun shrimp sate, Kansas rubbed riblets, mozzarella logs and buffalo wings

The menu warns that the salads are large, and they do not disappoint. The Ambrosia chopped salad ($9.95) includes cucumbers, feta, tomato, kalamata olives, roasted peppers, chickpeas, tossed in a lemon basil honey vinaigrette dressing.

Panini sourdough bread sandwich ($10.95 each) options include the Roasted Portobello, Black Forest Ham, Tuscan Grilled Chicken Panini, Turkey Club Panini or the Ambrosia Grilled Vegetable Panini.

Classic diner fare straight off the grille includes the Griddle Crisp Reuben and the Hot Pastrami Meltdown ($11.95). A Healthy Turkey Reuben ($10.95) option comes with grilled 12-grain bread, apple wood-smoked bacon, roast turkey, Alpine Swiss, tomato, sauerkraut and honey mustard dressing.

One of our best decisions was ordering the Island Burger of Crete ($11.95). A wonderful choice for lunch or dinner, this burger was made of cilantro- and cumin-infused Black Angus beef, topped with melted imported Kefalograviera cheese, sautéed spinach, and accompanied by cucumber yogurt sauce. Even the French fries that came with it were special, sliced from large potatoes and lightly fried to a crisp outside with a soft inside.

Mediterranean Marinated Chicken Kebobs – hearty skewers of boneless chicken breast in a marinade of lemon, oregano and garlic with roasted vegetables and Tuscan rosemary potatoes – is great for someone who is making health conscious choices.

The Spinach Strudel Apo Ti Ambrosia ($15.95) is a traditional Greek dish, with fresh spinach, barrel-aged feta, fresh dill and Vidalia onions, wrapped in olive oil-brushed flaky filo dough, baked crispy, served with Tzatziki yogurt dill sauce and Tuscan Rosemary lemon roasted potatoes. It tasted better than similar versions we’ve had.

For a casual weekend brunch until 3 p.m., the chefs cook up specialty omelets.

If after all that you have room for more, mini-cheesecakes paired with cappuccino are a great dessert. Many customers stop in for just that after taking in a movie at one of the nearby theatres.

Get to Ambrosia before everyone else, so you can spread the word yourself.

Ambrosia Restaurant
25 Smith St.
East Farmingdale, NY 11735
631-249-0444

Atmosphere: Casual

Cuisine: American with Greek touches

Price Range: Inexpensive

Hours:
Monday through Friday:
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday:
9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Main Menu