STAR SIGHTINGS: Either Huntington is becoming celebrity central, or restaurant owners have learned to keep a camera behind the bar. Some recent sightings in the neighborhood: Billy Joel enjoyed the rib-eye and Cabernet Sauvignon at Prime (117 New York Ave., Huntington 631-385-1515 www.restaurantprime.com) on Sunday, Oct. 11. A night earlier, the Piano Man was seen with friends at Porto Vivo (7 Gerard St., Huntington 631-385-8486, www.porto-vivo.com), one of many famous faces at this new hotspot. Fashion designer and Project Runway winner Christian Siriano dined last Thursday with Project Runway designer Victorya Hong, former contestant and model Jacquelin Miranne and Porto Vivo owners Joy Mangano and Philipp Seipelt. Last Sunday, Miss New York Alyse Zwick had lunch after her appearance at the Long Island Fall Festival at Huntington. And finally, Mario Lopez, of Dancing With the Stars fame, followed a book signing event at Book Revue with a meal at Besito (402 New York Ave, Huntington www.besitomex.com) this past Sunday.  Lopez and three friends enjoyed Besito’s signature guacamole and other dishes.

PIZZA FOR A YEAR: The restaurant trade has been rockin’ during Dine Huntington Restaurant Week. Organized by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and Long Islander Newspapers with support from sponsor Lexus of Massapequa, the 12-day celebration finishes up Friday night, Oct. 23. The excitement will continue as diners post their reviews to the DineHuntington Facebook fan page. The writer of the best review will win a pizza a week for a year from Junior’s/Almarco in Huntington. Find your restaurant at www.DineHuntington.com and make the most of the two nights remaining.

NEW HONU MENU: There’s a new menu at HONU Kitchen & Cocktails (363 New York Ave., Huntington 631-421-6900 www.honukitchen.com). The restaurant that first launched as Blue Honu had a Hawaiian theme until a 2007 makeover launched the small plate craze. Now owners John and David Tunney and John Reiger are returning to the comfort of American fare. Chef Matthew Lake’s new menu of American cuisine features substantial starters, entrees and sides at affordable prices. Many small plate items are still on the menu as starters or entrees. Entrées include one side dish, and additional sides are $6, which are enough to share between two people. “Diners want more for their money,” said John Tunney. “By increasing our portion size, adding sides and keeping our prices affordable we can welcome more guests, especially on weeknights.”

TUPPERWARE PARTY: Ripe Art Gallery in Greenlawn is hosting a Tupperware Party with Long Island’s own “Aunt Barbara.” The self-proclaimed Queen of Tupperware sales will be hawking the plastic food savers personally Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m.

BOOK SIGNING EVENT: Long Island author Darren Sardelli will sign copies of his children’s book, “Galaxy Pizza and Meteor Pie” on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Caffe Portofino (249 Main St., Northport 631-262-7656). We can’t tell you what the book’s about, but it has food in the title and a nifty illustration on the cover.

KIDS EAT FREE: This Halloween, Applebee’s (360 Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station 631-427-3504) will treat all costumed kids to a free meal. Families who dine at Applebee’s anytime on Saturday, Oct. 31 will receive up to four free kids’ meals with each adult entrée purchase. The free meal is valid for children in costume, ages 12 and under, on any Applebee’s “Kids’ Menu” entrée, dine-in only. “Before your pirates and princesses start gobbling up mouthfuls of sweets, we’ll be happy to treat them to a nourishing meal,” said General Manager Mark Windhurst. “We’re looking forward to seeing the kids in costume and celebrating this neighborhood fun together.”

READY FOR MORE? Foodies, rejoice. Though Huntington Restaurant Week is coming to a close Friday night, Oct. 23, another restaurant food fest is coming our way. The fourth annual Long Island Restaurant Week will be presented by WordHampton Public Relations, Nov. 1-8, 2009. For eight days, Sunday to Sunday, all participating restaurants offer a three-course prix fixe for $24.95 all night, except Saturday when it will be offered only until 7 p.m. More than 200 restaurants Islandwide are participating, including some of the top restaurants in Huntington Township, the restaurant capital of Long Island. A list of participating restaurants and downloadable menus are at www.longislandrestaurantweek.com.

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