SPORTS BAR: ROOKIES (345 Main Street — rear entrance in the municipal lot — 631-923-0424 is the newest venture of Michelle Baldi, the former proprietor of Lila’s Sante Fe Café. The place is bound to be a hit featuring: flatbread pizzas, 7.99 - 11.99; Specialty Drinks including Rookie Fuel (Finlandia Vodka, Cuervo Tequila and white rum served in a highball glass) 9.00, Big League Rita (Patron, triple sec, Midori, sour mix and Grand Marnier served in a pint) 10.00, Hall of Fame Margarita (3 times the alcohol for two times the price) 16.00. Happy Hour: M-F 4-7 pm, 1/2 price on select beers and appetizers. Tuesday Nights: 1/2 price rib night. Wednesday Family Night: Free kids meal with each entree ordered. And with daily beer specialties this place could turn out to be Rookie of the year.

NEW DANU: We hear it’s coming and it sounds exciting . . . Danu Asian Latin Fusion at the New York Avenue site that was previously Wild Fin. Stay tuned for details.
WINE & CHOCOLATE: Why bother with dinner when you can go straight to dessert? If that describes your dining philosophy, then next week’s “Sweets & Spirits” fundraiser benefiting the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition is for you. The event will be hosted by Appliance World of Huntington and appliance maker DECOR on Thursday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Appliance World showroom. This uniquely decadent evening offers everything chocolate all elegantly paired with fine wines, champagne's and ports. There will be live kitchen presentations as chocolate chefs Eric Lobignat of Bon Bons Chocolatier and Heather Foley of Azure Chocolate create confectionary masterpieces before your eyes. Sommelier Christopher Miller has selected Martin-Scott Wines selections especially suited to chocolate and additional chocolate treats from A Rise Above Bakery, Copenhagen Bakery, Fiorello Dolce, Gourmet Goddess, Panera Bread, Reinwald’s Bakery, Starbucks and Whole Foods Market. $60/pp donation includes chocolate galore, vintages, creative desserts, live music and raffles. Call 631-547-1518 to reserve.

BUSY AT THE INN: The new owners of the Maine Maid Inn (4 Old Jericho Tpke, Jericho 516-935-6400) have ratcheted the activity level up a notch at this traditionally staid restaurant. In addition to a new menu, there’s now something going on there every day. Sundays, of course there’s the sumptuous Brunch Buffet; Monday night is Pasta night (appetizer, entree and dessert, $12) and Tuesday is Senior Day (15% off Lunch or Dinner menu). Thursday is now Take the Family  night, with all entrees served family style, and Friday kicks off the weekend with a Seafood feast (1-3/4 lb lobster or Seafood Platter). Finally, wrap up the week with a Queen or King cut of Prime Rib on Saturday. Watch for monthly wine tasting dinners on Wednesdays. Enjoy happy hour Monday to Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., and live music every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the bar.

DEL LIMA: Fans of Steve Del Lima, formerly of Wild Fin, can now find the multi talented chef running the kitchen at Off The Wall (65 Wall Street, Huntington 631-385-9255).

TASTE OF LONG ISLAND: Circle November 13 on your foodie calendar. That’s when the Island’s finest restaurants and wineries will gather at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury for “A Taste of Long Island,” an evening of fine cuisine and wine to benefit SUNY College at Old Westbury. Guests will sample creations of chefs from some of the area’s top dining spots, including Aix En Provence, American Classic Specialties, Barney’s, Café Toscano of Jericho, Chartwells, Cristina’s, Crest Hollow Country Club, Dallas BBQ, Fiddleheads American Fish House & Grill, George Martin: The Original, George Martin’s Coastal Grill, Legal Sea Foods, Maine Maid Inn, Manor Hill Vineyards, Martha Clara Vineyards, Mim’s, Nick DiAngelo, Sitar, Sweet Karma Desserts, Taste, Uncle Bacala’s and Vineyard 48. A Taste of Long Island begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are $175 per person. Call 516-876-3207.

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