By Tes Silverman

info@longislandergroup.com

Fado owner Alison Steindler presents shredded salt cod and double cut pork chop entrees.

Fado means fate and destiny.

With that, Alison Steindler wants diners at her Fado restaurant to be destined for companionship.

“I want my diners to enter as strangers and leave as friends,” she said, adding that Fado is not just a business to her, it’s a Portuguese experience that encompasses food, music and service in one setting.

Steindler has owned the 10 New St. restaurant in Huntington village for six years since August 2010. It may be a small venue, but it’s sure to make an impression on any diner who walks in.

Once inside, diners are greeted by a cozy atmosphere that emanates from this venue. Once settled into seats, the fragrant smell of dishes being prepared and served will make any diner want to explore what Fado has to offer.

Afternoon in Portugal appetizer introduces various flavors and textures

To begin the journey with Portuguese cuisine, which is known for seafood, pork and game, nothing ecompasses it better than appetizers like Salada De Polvo or octopus salad ($7); Chourico na Brasa ($12); or Afternoon in Portugal ($18).

The octopus is soft and chewy but not rubbery, and served with Fado’s house vinaigrette, boiled new potatoes, red onions and scallions. They complement the main focus, which is the octopus.

The Chourico na Brasa is Fado’s flame roasted chourico that comes with a show.

For chorizo lovers, the Chourico na Brasa is the one to have. This aged, smoked Portuguese chourico is flame roasted to order, is very tender and packed with flavor for an appetizer that will wake gustatory senses,.

Afternoon in Portugal is also worth ordering. A platter filled with white anchovies, marinated Mediterranean spicy olives, imported aged Portuguese cheese, chilled pork belly and parmesan toast points will give diners a taste of different textures and flavors of what’s to come.

Chef Felipe Guzman, who has been with Fado for five years, entices diners with entrees like Bacalhau a Bras or shredded salt cod ($26); Carne de Porco Aletejana or marinated cubes of tender pork ($27); and Costuleta de Porco or double cut pork chop ($27).

Of the three, the shredded salt cod may be the dish to have. The cod is not very salty and tossed with potato slivers, sweet onions, eggs, parsley and black olives, resulting in a dish that’s delicious and packed with flavor.

Desserts like flan ($8.50) are a great way to end the Portuguese gastronomic experience. Creamy and light, the flan is unlike some custards that are dense. In addition, Fado’s version is not as sweet as other flans, making it very easy to finish every last bite.

Fado’s signature flan is delicate and creamy.

For the lunch crowd, Fado offers complete lunch specials seven days a week for $18.95. With lunch hours Monday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m-3 p.m., diners can enjoy a glass of red, white or rose wine with choices like Fado’s creamy seafood bisque as an appetizer and PEI mussels with a roasted pepper puree as an entree, to name a few.

Fado Restaurant

10 New Street

Huntington

631-351-1010

Fadohuntington.com

Ambiance: Casual

Cuisine: Portuguese/American

Price: Moderate

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