The Foodies And The Lunch Bunch

By Pete & Mike/ foodie@longislandernews.com

We’re still lunching . . . It’s the daily nourishment and business meeting to fill our stomachs and clear daily agenda. Even with business on the mind, eating remains one of life’s pleasures, so as we sample the various lunch-spots of the food capital of Long Island, we share our reactions with you. These are not the in-depth reviews that you have come to expect of our new Foodie section, but quickie descriptions and suggestions so that you may share in the wonderful variety of our area’s lunchtime experience.

Skipper’s Pub; 34 Main St, Northport; (631) 261-3589; Inexpensive; Pub

Skipper’s is a wonderful seaside pub – only there are no water views. The ambiance, the feel, the moment of eating at Skipper’s brings you to a waterside New England pub even though there’s no water in sight. If they could only move the glorious Northport Harbor view a few hundred feet closer, Skipper’s would be ideal.

But it’s pretty darn good the way it is. Skipper’s anchors the west end of Northport Village and has been a favorite watering hole of locals for more than two decades. Its dark wood interior is appropriately accented by its nautical theme. The place is warm and cozy, but still transmits the sense that baymen stand at the bar, brew in hand, bragging about the day’s catch.

Skipper’s is also the place to do lunch. Owners Paul and Marie Gallowitsch have complemented their comfortable pub with comfort food – pub food with a seaside twist.

Appetizers include: bloomin’ onion ($6.95), baked clams ($6.75), calamari – fried or buffalo style ($6.75), hot chili peppers ($6.25), moazzarella sticks ($6.75), potato skins with cheese ($6.25) and lots more.

The salads (chef, Greek, chicken, each $9.95) are large, fresh and delicious. Chicken offerings ($9.95 each) include parmiagiana or francaise with linguini, chicken tenders sautéed in olives and sun dried tomatoes over pasta or chicken Marsala. Burgers with lettuce, tomatoes, slaw and fries are from $7.25 to $8.95.

Then there are the offerings with a seaside flair; most served with fries and all under $10: Reefburger (fried flounder); Trawler (fried scallops on a bun); fried clam strips; Skipper’s club (triple deck turkey); the rigger (turkey, swiss, tomato on pita); fish and chips; and PEI Mussels.

You get the idea. There’s good, fun food and there are wholesome salads. There is that seaside flavor and a pub that will take you back years during your quick lunch at Skipper’s.

Chistopher’s, 8 Wall Street, Huntington; (631) 271-0111, inexpensive to moderate; pub

We like this place. It’s warm, it’s friendly, there’s an outdoor patio – they were the first in the Village with one -- and the food is good.

Unlike many other lunch places, Christopher’s does the regular fare with a flair – you’ll find a different ingredient, a welcome twist or a creative turn with every visit. There is someone in the kitchen looking to spice up your food and your lunchtime. The regular waitress – sorry we didn’t get her name – is delightful.

They offer the normal pub appetizers: chicken tenders ($6); Buffalo wings ($7); mussels marinara ($9); fried calamari ($9), or mini chicken tacos ($7).

In addition to some standards, their salads – with a twist – include: chicken rancher (crispy chicken, bacon, mushrooms, tomato, in Buttermilk Ranch Dressing $8.95); warm spinach salad (chopped spinach, bacon crisps, mushrooms, parmesan cheese drizzled with warm red onion vinaigrette; Sean’s BBQ rancher (mesclun, tomatoes, onions, roasted corn, cucumbers, tossed with barbeque chicken cutlet in barbeque ranch dressing and topped with Monterrey Jack and tortilla strips.

Our favorite is the “Whim Salad,” the weekly changing creative offering of a whimsical kitchen with fine taste. Ingredients, topping, cheese, dressing, presentation and price changes significantly from week to week. It’s always interesting and always good. We’ve had it at least three times and although none was like the other, will order it again – just on a whim!

Sandwiches served with exceptionally crisp round fries, lettuce, tomato and a pickle: sliced steak ($9.95); Philly cheese steak, ($8.95); crab cake ($8.95); grilled cheese ($5.50) turkey club ($7.95); or Christopher’s Reuben (sounds like a marvelous creation at $9.95).

Quesadillas are offered with chips and salsa: cheese $5.95; chicken $6.95; shrimp or steak $9.95. Wraps with fries range from $6.95 to $11.95.

Off the Grill are burgers $8.50; shell steak $19.95 and Patty’s No 16 Hall of Fame Ribs $19.95. A neighboring table was raving about and devouring the ribs, a favorite of hockey great Pat LaFontaine who ordered them so often that the house named them in his honor.

One of us is stuck on the “Whim Salad” and the other on the waitress – just kidding. We’ll be back.

34 New Street; 34 New Street, (631) 427-3434; inexpensive; neighborhood Italian

It took us more than one visit to realize that 34 New Street was indeed located at, well… 34 New Street.

You enter through their front, a pizza parlour and pass a dining room on the right – more formal than the boxlike room where you are seated for lunch. White tablecloths covered with white paper dress up the backroom pizza atmosphere.

The food however takes no backseat.

Intriguing appetizers include orange-sesame Calamari ($8); Buffalo Wings ($6); Sweet Brie with Almonds on crisp grilled flatbread ($6 for one, $10 for two) and seafood chowder ($6.50).

A half a dozen wraps are offered ($6-9) including grilled chicken and Portobello; salmon and grilled vegetables; shrimp, crab and avocado.

A wonderful variety of salads are available (none higher than $10): wilted spinach and bacon; warm goat cheese and mesclun; chicken, Portobello, pine nuts. But our favorite is the chopped salad ($8) romaine, mesclun, tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, roasted red peppers, black olives and feta with Zinfandel vinaigrette – we have it without the olives and love it!

There are several pastas: penne primavera or a la vodka ($7 half order, $13 full); or linguini with white clam sauce ($9, 16). Burgers: half-pounder ($10) or quarter ($6) and an intriguing Eddie & Raymond’s Authentic Cuban sandwich ($7) grilled, pressed roast pork, ham, mortadella, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on French bread.

From the front counter, you can order from an award-winning selection of creative personal pizzas -- traditional and gourmet styles ($6-$11). For the carb crazy -- like one of us -- they offer whole wheat dough which complements the Andouille sausage beautifully. Calzone, stuffed breads are also available.

Conceived as a place where everyone can find something to enjoy, regardless of their palate or mood, the quality and variety of Chef Richard Niznik’s kitchen at 34 New Street will bring you back time and again.

Bon Appetit!

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