By Tes Silverman

info@longislandergroup.com

Managers Javier Villatoro, left, and Justin Visconti present Harbor Mist’s seafood risotto and sea scallops entrees.

Dinner with a view is this Cold Spring Harbor restaurant’s recipe for success.

Since owners Barman and Michelle Sharifi opened Harbor Mist in June 2010, the new-American waterfront gem provides a view that’s well worth the drive. And the meals are equal in quality to the view.

Diners walk in and the typically notice the floor-to-ceiling windows that provide an impressive view of the inner harbor. The Mist Room drips warm colors, and atop a fireplace at the end of the dining area sits a large stuffed striped bass, adding to the charm.

Harbor Mist restaurant at 105 Harbor Road in Cold Spring Harbor offers wondrous waterfront views to go alongside it new-American cuisine.

For those who desire a drink before dinner, stop by the bar area that boasts a large semi-circular bar, which also boasts views of the water. For those who want to meet up for drinks while enjoying the sunset, Harbor Mist offers happy hour Mondays-Fridays.

For diners who want unencumbered water views, the Harbor Room on the second floor is sure to make dining a pleasurable experience.

With the culinary expertise of Chef Noah Weber, diners can start foodie adventure with appetizers like tuna tacos ($12) or steamed mussels ($14).

The tacos are made with blackened tuna and mango salsa, and placed in between a crispy wonton shell. The tuna is seared beautifully so diners can taste the seasoning with the sear combined with a moist texture on the inside.

The steamed mussels are cooked in garlic and white wine, and topped with Marsala sauce so diners can taste the tomatoes with the infusion of garlic and wine. This results in a meaty, yet delicate dish.

Harbor Mist’s seafood risotto is sure to whet any seafood lover’s appetite.

For entrees, diners can choose dishes like the seafood risotto ($34). It’s filled with shrimps, mussels, clams, calamari and scallops, and topped with a light marinara sauce. It is a mélange of seafood that’s great for any seafood lover.

To end the gastronomic experience right, diners can try the rum cake a la mode ($8). It’s moist, glazed with rum and served with a side of ice cream, resulting in a decadent dessert that’s worthy of the few extra calories.

The rum cake ala mode at Harbor Mist is moist and decadent.

For brunch-lovers, Harbor Mist serves the tweener meal Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Choices include lobster eggs benedict, French toast, blueberry ricotta pancakes, and the spinach and goat cheese omelette.

As someone who has been in the restaurant business since 1980, Barman Sharifi believes that his restaurant’s success is due to his staff, some of whom have been working at the restaurant since the beginning. They include chef Loruido and managers Justin Visconti and Javier Villatoro.

“We take care of our customers like they’re guests in our home… I want my diners to feel comfortable to ask for what they want and we do our best to accommodate every request,” Sharifi said. “They know how important it is to know what our diners like.”

Editor's note: Chef Noah Weber is the chef at Harbor Mist restaurant and
the decoration above the fireplace in the Mist Room is a striped bass.
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated otherwise.

Harbor Mist

105 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor

631-659-3888

Harbormistrestaurant.com

Ambiance: Casual Elegance

Cuisine: Seafood/Italian/American(New)

Prices: Moderate

Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.