By Jano Tantongco

jtantongco@longislandergroup.com

Chef Frank Arcarola, 15-year chef with Christopher’s Pub and Eatery, toasts with bartender Amy Tanner.

For a hearty meal with a gourmet twist, look no further than Christopher’s Pub and Eatery in Huntington village. Chef Frank Arcarola has been serving up for the bar and restaurant for 15 years, and he said he meets all of his customers firsthand to see what they enjoy.

“What motivates me is that I come out and talk to my customers and see what they like and try to make it for them as best I can,” he said.

Arcarola, of Huntington Station, brings with him an education from Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan. He added he just wants to “make people happy.”

The Goat Cheese and Apple Salad goes toe-to-toe with the generous entrees, bringing the richness of goat cheese, balanced with toasted walnuts, raisins, lettuce and red onions topped with a light and springy raspberry vinaigrette.

He does it with dishes like the Goat Cheese and Apple Salad ($14), which is sure to satisfy green greed. It’s a rich ensemble featuring toasted walnuts, raisins, lettuce and red onions, and topped with a light raspberry vinaigrette that’s tangy, but not overpowering.

The Shrimp and Avocado Salad ($16) is a more stoic companion to the former salad, bringing a succulent and smoky shrimp flavor paired with fresh avocados. It’s also dressed with chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers drizzled with a cilantro lime vinaigrette that accents the salad with an upbeat, citrusy flavor.

The Veggie Burger Platter ($13) will surprise even the most discerning carnivore. On a bed of warm, grilled pita bread, the patty is topped with a hummus sauce that bursts with garlic undertones, adding a savory succulence. It also sits next to a mixed salad with tomato, onions, cucumber, avocado and chickpeas.

For a tropical exploration, the Aloha Burger ($16) boasts a burger adorned with grilled ham, grilled pineapple, cheddar jack cheese and jalapenos, all smothered with sweet chili sauce. Reminiscent of a Hawaiian pizza, it blends everything you love about the quirky combo with an American classic.

Chef Frank calls the The Bacon Belly Buster burger a “challenge,” boasting two Texas toast grilled cheese sandwiches instead of buns, surrounding a beef burger with bacon.

Adventurers, foodies and those with a roaring appetite can attempt to chow down on the Bacon Belly Buster burger ($16). Instead of standard buns, this behemoth uses two Texas toast grilled cheese sandwiches as buns. In between is a juicy burger generously topped with bacon. On top of all of this, are crunchy onion rings.

Biting into the Fried Coconut Shrimp ($17) served with sweet chili dipping sauce, one will experience an extra crispy batter with coconut flakes adding a texture that brings you back to the island life. It’s paired with corn on the cob and thickly sliced sweet potato fries that are just as crunchy as the shrimp, with a fluffy interior

Sweet chili sauce is a perfect complement for the Fried Coconut Shrimp, served with a side of thick-slice sweet potato fries, as well as corn on the cob.

Finally, the slow-roasted baby back ribs (one for $13, or two for $24) are a proud staple of the establishment, covered in a smoky, tangy barbeque sauce and served with a side of fries, coleslaw and corn on the cob. Coming right off the bone, the slow roast shines through with an eating experience even an octogenarian would relish.

Christopher’s Pub and Eatery

8 Wall St., Huntington

631-271-0111

Christopherscourtyardcafe.com

Ambiance: Classic Pub

Cuisine: Hearty American Fare

Prices: Moderate

Drink Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-4 a.m.; Sunday: 12 noon-4 a.m.

Food Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-12 midnight; Thursday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m.; Sunday, 12 noon-12 midnight