SUPER FOODIE: Huntington
Supervisor Frank Petrone has talents and passions that run
a lot deeper than your everyday politician. Petrone is a first
class foodie – he even aspires to host a cable food
show and perhaps we’ll talk the gregarious gourmet into
reviewing a restaurant or two for the Foodies. During our
recent lunch with him at Jonathan’s in the Village –
fresh, delicious and well presented – we talked about
Town news, his background as a college educator and wound
up focusing on our mutual passion: food! The Sup, on a successful
diet, like at least one of the Foodies, is watching what he
eats. That didn’t prevent him from recommending a quickie
diet-appropriate dinner treat of whole wheat “Anna Pasta”
(available at Uncle Giuseppe’s, 96 Route 111, Smithtown)
with his make-it-quick (Frank’s a busy guy) eggplant
tomato sauce. Saute two medium diced peeled eggplants, onions,
garlic (don’t dare burn it) add two 20oz cans of Hunts
Tomato sauce, two bay leaves, stir, cook it down and season
to taste. Pour it over the whole wheat pasta and enjoy this
wonderful low carb treat complements of the Foodies and Supervisor
Frank Petrone.
BLUE ON BLUE: Here’s a foodie tip
coming from a professional who has proven herself: Anastasia
Barbatsoulis, proprietor of East Northport’s Blue Room
which received an “Excellent” from the NY Times,
tells the Foodies that her favorite place to eat in the city
is the Blue Ribbon Brasserie at 97 Sullivan St between Prince
and Spring (212 274-0404). The small American Nouveau eatery
has become the late night hot spot of restaurateurs throughout
the city. While it serves its creative fine fare into the
wee hours, the wait and the noise level can be a negative
during normal dining times. A skilled wait staff, fair prices
and an incredible kitchen has won rave reviews from industry
insiders. The secret to getting in: reservations are accepted
for five or more. Go with the group or family and enjoy. While
you’re at it, don’t miss the Blue Room, 93 Larkfield
Road, East Northport (631 261-5761) it’s a remarkable
Foodie Favorite.
DEER DINER: After five-months and a $2 million
renovation, the Olympic Diner (1536 Deer Park Ave, 631 242-1902)
is back open for business. The diner that has been a staple
in the Deer Park community for 25 years has a new retro look,
expanded seating to accommodate larger parties, additional
menu offerings for the health-conscious (veggie panini) and
not-so-health-conscious (deluxe cheeseburger with the works).
BEACH SEAFOOD FEST: The Pavilion at Sunken
Meadow State Park every Wednesday night from 6-9pm will host
a prix fixe Seafood at the beach: ? lobster, steamed mussels
and clams, corn, peel and eat shrimp and potatoes for $19.95.
A la carte items such as fried clams, popcorn shrimp, burgers,
hotdogs, wine and cheese and more will be available. The Wednesday
night, summer-long fest, catered by Lessings, will feature
live music, great food and special prizes for children and
a portion of the proceeds from each event will benefit local
Long Island non-profits. For info 631269-6850
BOOK SALE: An impressive Entertaining Cookbook
by William Sonoma has just been put on sale. It’s the
type of tome for the folks who enjoy sharing their home and
table with family and friends. In 16 seasonally organized
chapters, it presents special occasions of every kind, from
a celebration garden party to a traditional Christmas dinner,
along with a menu, a work plan and table-setting tips. More
than 100 recipes and photographs help bring parties to life.
Hardcover, 320 pages. Regularly: $34.95 Sale Price: $19.99
online at: williams-sonoma.com or check availability at a
local Sonoma – there’s one at the Walt Whitman
Mall.
THEY’RE HOT: Besito (402 New York
Avenue in Huntington Village, 631 549-0100) must be doing
something right. The upscale eatery where we recently experienced
great food and great service, is again looking to hire experienced
servers, server assistants, food runners & hosts. Interested?
Stop by Monday to Friday, 2-4 p.m. Not looking for a job,
go for a meal and the fun.
LOBSTER LOVERS: It’s a little bit
of a trip, but you should know about the prix-fixe lobster
dinner served every Friday and Sunday in summer at The Gatsby,
housed in a 130-year-old Victorian mansion at 712 Main Street,
Islip (631) 581-1900. Billed as one of Long Island’s
most romantic restaurants, they are offering for $30 per person
(plus tax and gratuity), soup or salad followed by a one-and-a-half
pound lobster, accompanied by corn on the cob, choice of potato,
ending with a sorbet or ice cream.
MUSSEL LOVERS: It’s only 30 minutes
away but offers Long Island’s best and most varied selection
of Mussel Pots. Waterzooi (850 Franklin Ave, Garden City 516
877-2177) is a Belgium Bistro to which we travel whenever
the Foodies want their mussels, or “Moules” as
they say. The very large pots offer a complete meal for the
hungriest of foodies. Your choice: Homard - creamy lobster
sauce & scallions; Montrachet - white wine, goat cheese
& roasted red peppers; Bouillabaisse - fresh shrimp &
lobster in a saffron seafood tomato broth; Lucifer - buffalo
style with crumbled bleu cheese, celery & carrot brunoise;
Fra diavlo - garden fresh spicy marinara; Creole - zesty lemon
grass barbeque, roasted corn & popcorn crawfish tails;
Thai - spicy coconut, lemon grass & cilantro broth with
grilled pineapple; Oreganato - lemon zest, white wine, garlic,
seasoned bread crumbs & natural broth; Provençal
- tomato, toasted garlic, fresh herbs & white wine; Olympia
- calamari, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, feta cheese
& spicy marinara sauce Paella - lobster, little necks,
crawfish, sausage, chicken and rice in a saffron tomato broth.
Foodie tip: for your side dish, ask for the Brussel sprouts
instead of the fries.
Send news of the food world to Foodie@LongIslandernews.com
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