By DineHuntington.com/Foodie@longislandernews.com

JAZZY BRUNCH: The place for jazz in these part, hands down, is Grasso's Restaurant (134 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor 631-367-6060 www.grassosrestaurant.com). Add in a spectacular brunch menu and Grasso's is the spot for a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Jazz and brunch share the spotlight Sundays from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Count on Ernie Byrd to bring world class music, and count on owner Gail Grasso to serve up a creative and pleasing menu. She'll start you off with a mimosa, bloody mary or screwdriver before dazzling with selection of brunch classics. For appetizers, the smoked salmon ($9) is a non-traditional approach to a traditional brunch staple. Grasso's is wrapped in a potato pancake with crème fraiche and caviar. An extensive menu of omelets, homemade Challah French toast, salads, pastas, sandwiches and burgers offers something for every appetite. That bleu cheese burger sounds awesome, Gail. Fix us up one with a side of those red bliss fries. Oh, and did we mention jazz?

HOT DRINKS FOR COLD DAYS: With the region gripped by a cold snap, even hardcore cocktail devotees could find themselves passing up a chilled martini for a hot cup of tea. One suggestion from the cocktail focused website site Bar None (www.barnonedrinks.com) is the Apple Harvest, a simple recipe that involves only apple cider, an ounce-and-a-half of Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum, a coffee mug and a microwave. You can figure out the rest, and if you really feel the need to be creative, add a cinnamon stick for stirring and sipping.

LESSING'S IS MORE: Long Island hospitality giant Lessing's already runs the gamut of styles from the basic - think Huntington's Finnegan's - to the uber-sophisticated - think Mirabelle's Guy Reuges, designer of the catering menu at Lessing's operated Coindre Hall catering. Lessing's latest acquisition, the food service division of Next Generation Vending and Food Service of Canton, Mass., means the company could be helping keep your college kid fed. Next Generation has more than 80 college and business accounts in upstate New York, Connecticut, and New England.

TUSCAN TUESDAYS: Bel Posto (15 New St., Huntington 631-421-4600 www.belpostony.com) presents "Tuscan Tuesdays" every Tuesday from 5-10 p.m. Tuscan wines-by-the-glass are half-price as are bottles with dinner, so twenty-five bucks will get you a 2006 Ruffino Chianti Riserva Ducale with dinner. Tuscan inspired appetizers will also be offered.

R.I.P. FOR RIBS: It's a dark day for lovers of barbecued ribs. Roger Montague, owner of Smoking Sloe's in Northport has shuttered his temple of Southern cookery. Pray he resurfaces - like a better location than the far end of Northport (hint, hint, Roger), or at least sends the Foodies that killer mac-and-cheese recipe. Apparently the landlord, same family that owns Batata Café, is expected to open a burger place.

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