By DineHuntington.com/Foodie@longislandernews.com

GEORGIO’S MOVING:
Georgio Testani and his wife Lydia are moving their Georgio’s Coffee Roasters from Huntington Station to a 1,200-sq. ft. location at 1965 New Highway in Farmingdale. The Huntington Station shop – a destination for the local coffee cognoscenti – will serve its last cup of coffee and sell its final bag of beans September 30. Georgio expects he’ll be up and running in Farmingdale by mid-October at the latest. “It’s stress and anxiety right now, but it all ends up well,” he said. “We’re going from a Volkswagen to a stretch limo – [the new store is] three times the size.” The new location has seating for patrons, a coffee bar, with espresso and siphon-brewed coffees, and a retail area. Georgio will roast on premises. Having a larger store will allow him to host coffee cuppings, seminars and other events on site. Customers, whom he affectionately calls his “coffee groupies,” are thrilled about the expansion. One of the more interesting items to move, Georgio said, was his 40-year-old Probat coffee roaster. Strapped onto a flatbed truck, turned heads as it lumbered down Route 110.“People had no idea what this thing was going down the street. It looked like a space ship,” he said. Georgio said he’s looking at a second location, but is keeping details close to the vest until he signs a lease. “North Shore [customers] won’t be as happy [when we move]. But we’ll try to change that in the future - hint, hint,” he said.
-SCHRAFEL

FISH FRIES:
The bowlful of tiny silvery fish glistening in the fish case at Neraki Greek Mediterranean Grill (273 Main St., Huntington 631-385-3474) looked to this Foodie like frat party food. In fact, the tiny fish, each no bigger than a toddler’s slender finger, are known to Greeks as Atherina. They swim by the millions in the Aegean, and when lightly dusted with flour and flash fried, become the Greek equivalent of a French fry. No need for extra salt, the fish bring their own briny flavor. And hold the ketchup; a squeeze of lemon juice makes a far better accompaniment.

FAMILY STYLE:
Every Sunday at Andreas 25 (6300 Jericho Turnpike, Commack, 631-486-7400, andreas25.com) the a la carte menu is transformed into a family affair. Your appetite is sure to grow like their portion sizes as platters of baked clams, fried calamari and shrimp oreganata are split up right at your table. Entrées include an assortment of traditional dishes such as veal marsala, chicken francese and their featured Andrew’s sauce consisting of meatballs, sausage and braciole with pasta. Everything at Andrea’s 25 is made fresh from recipes that have been passed down in the family for generations. Tables are large enough to accommodate 10 of your dearest family and friends with platters to feed them all. Mangia!

RICE MONTH:
It’s practically over before we even knew about it but there’s still a day or two to celebrate rice. You see, September is (was) National Rice Month, sponsored by the USA Rice Federation to celebrate the rice harvest. USA Rice is encouraging consumers to try new rice recipes weekly and post their comments and recipes on Facebook. Visit www.usarice.com/nationalricemonth.

TASTE OF THE TOWN:
The 2011 edition of Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce’s popular fundraiser will take place on Wednesday, October 5 at the Stuart Thomas Manor, Farmingdale. This intimate event is being held to benefit the YES Community Counseling Center, a 501c3 non-profit organization that has been assisting and providing services to youth and families of the Massapequa, Plainedge and Farmingdale areas since its birth in 1977. The best local restaurants and specialty food and beverage establishments will be offering their culinary delights on this day for a great cause. Visit stuarthomasmanor.com to learn more.

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

Main Menu