DIVER SCALLOPS: As we traveled the Huntington area and surroundings in search of each foodie fantasy, we’ve noticed “Diver Scallops” seem to be the latest rage to find its way onto the menus of many fine eateries. At Mazzi's (493 E. Jericho Tpke.), we chatted with proprietor Katherine Catnzaro about the plump and delicious creatures. She explained, simply that, a “Diver Scallop” is hand collected by a diver. Most scallops are harvested by boats which drag chain sweeps across the ocean floor. The more expensive and ecologically-friendly hand method yields larger more plump creatures. Since scallops grow the best and the fastest in a healthy current which brings them an abundance of nourishment, hand picked scallops gathered by an experienced diver will produce the very best tasting ones. Take the dive and try them. Tell Katherine the Foodies sent you.

THEY’RE BACK . . . the newly renovated Grasso (134 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor, 631-367-6060) and its Art Center. The fine dining and jazz establishment reviewed by the Foodies in May, as a total sensory experience produced by a comfortable room, warm people, wonderful food and remarkable music. Trattoria Grasso is an amazing find for anyone wishing to indulge their senses.” has dropped the Trattoria in order to expand the menu to include a more varied selection of tantalizing delights, not necessarily under the Italian cuisine umbrella – we can’t wait for a meal. And their next door Arts Center is about to rekindle its concert presentations with Jim Dawson on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 5 p.m. ($25). Jim is a guitar pickin’, silver toned songster who writes with a dash of spice, and tongue-in-cheek intelligence sort of contemporary, adult, folk music.

A NIGHT IN THE TROPICS: Huntington Hospital is bringing the tropics to the Village with its annual funder, on Monday, September 25, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Blue Honu Restaurant and Bar on New York Ave. $60, advance sales only includes open bar, buffet dinner, desserts, and dancing to tunes spun by DJ Tony. An array of exciting raffle prizes adds to the excitement. Proceeds from the “Night in the Tropics” will be used toward the purchase of a Digital Mammography Unit to be utilized in the Women’s Health Center. Info or tix, 631-351-7040.

ISRAELI FINE WINE DINNER: We just got word that may interest some of you that Manhattan’s Capsouto Frêres (451 Washington St.) is hosting an All-From-Israel Fine Wines Dinner on Monday, September 18, cocktails at 6 p.m. Jacques Capsouto, who runs the well-established, casual French restaurant has one slight twist on the typical French Bistro. Mixed in with the fine French and Italian offerings on his extensive wine list is an impressive selection of wines from Israel. Capsouto has selected both his house Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc from two different vintners in the Galilee. He grew up in a Jewish community in Cairo but insists his Israeli wine advocacy is all business. In the recent anti-French frenzy which overtook the US, Capsouto decided to offer an alternative. He returned to Israel for the first time in three decades, visited wineries and decided to pioneer Israeli wines. He has done so magnificently and now regularly tours Israeli wineries with journalists and American sellers, promoting the industry. The Israeli Fine Wine Dinner, 212 966-4900 $115 per includes of taxes and tip.

OLÉ! The Great Match offers consumers and members of the food trade an opportunity to experience first-hand the veracity of Spanish wines with a variety of cuisines. The New York event at the Metropolitan Pavilion, (125 West 18th Street, NY) on Thursday Sept 21st 6 p.m. features 11 chefs (from Tocqueville, Tre Dici, Christos Steak House, EN Japanese Brasserie, 809 Sangria Bar & Grill, Ureña, Ditch Plains, Tintol, Philippe, Pair of 8’s, Dressler), each preparing an international menu of “tapas”, paired with more than 250 Spanish wines. Admission: $60 donation to Meals on Wheels; tickets will not be sold at the door but may be purchased online from now until 3 p.m. the day of the event. Info: 866-849-8703.

QUESTION: What does 1 kilogram of falling figs equal? Answer: 1 Fig Newton.

Send news of the food world to Foodie@LongIslandernews.com

Main Menu