Category Archives for Food

Long Island Restaurant Week is upon us and I couldn’t be more excited! It’s a great opportunity to try some of the best restaurants for a fraction of the cost. Each restaurant will have a three-course prix fixe for $28.95. You’re able to choose an appetizer, entrée, and dessert without worrying about the prices. There are three Long Island Restaurant weeks each year but spring is my favorite - the chef’s creations echo the freshness of the season. Restaurant week runs from Sunday, April 23 to Sunday, April 30 this year with select restaurants offering the prix fixe menu only until 7 p.m. on Saturday. So where should you go?

Want something new & trendy?

Salt & Barrel in Bay Shore is a chic and modern Oyster Bar with a knowledgeable staff to help you choose the perfect oysters. Check their website for Happy Hour specials where oysters and drinks are discounted.

H2O in East Islip, is brand new to the area but has a second location in Smithtown. The space is complete with a vibrant atmosphere and delicious seafood/sushi creations. Either restaurant would be a great option as their menus are typically a bit pricey.

In the mood for something different?

Try Cafe Havana in Smithtown for some amazing Cuban fare with a relaxing Caribbean vibe, they also have fantastic mojitos.

Chachama Grill in Patchogue has a diverse menu that has been dubbed New American Cuisine and it is always sublime. The restaurant is tucked away in a shopping center and is truly a hidden gem.

Looking to dine sea side?

There is nothing better than a meal with a view of the water. Fatfish Wine Bar & Bistro (Bay Shore), Snapper Inn (Oakdale) & the View (Oakdale) are located on the Great South Bay. They pair amazing meals with an amazing view.

Still need a few more options?

Here are some more local restaurants that are participating in Restaurant Week:

Aji 53; Aria Melanie on the Lake; Verace; Irish Coffee Pub; Monsoon; Strip Steak

Check out the full list of restaurants participating in Long Island Restaurant Week by clicking the link below. Many of the restaurants have their prix fixe menus posted on their website as well. Since the menus are limited, browsing the menus is the best way to discover the perfect restaurant for you. And don’t forget to make a reservation, the restaurants will fill up fast. Bon appetit!

http://www.longislandrestaurantweek.com/index.php

What do you do when you’re stuck in the house during a blizzard? You cook! But you don’t just cook any meal. You make warm dishes that warm your heart, body and soul.

I’m talking about comfort food. This type of weather gets you a free pass on your diet, right? Do you know anyone that stocks up on kale right before a storm? Warm and delicious comfort food is the essential pick me up meal when things get frigid.

Here is my pick for one of the best restaurants on Long Island that makes unforgettable comfort food and a few of our best comfort food cookbooks.

Jacksons, located on Jericho Turnpike in Commack is a delicious gastropub with superb food and a vast beer selection. They have a bar area with its own seating for small groups and a separate dining area that has comfy booths and tables to accommodate larger groups.

There are chalkboards throughout the restaurant that proudly display their extensive beer selection along with stats for each beer such as the type and alcohol content. Jacksons always has a 3-course price fix for $26.95 that includes almost everything on their menu, it’s a smart way to sample the menu and save a few bucks.

My personal comfort food favorites from Jacksons are the Hawaiian BBQ Spare Ribs (served with roasted sweet potatoes, coleslaw and a pineapple relish), Pearl's Southern Fried Chicken (served with cheese fries 'n gravy, coleslaw, buttermilk biscuit), and Nashville Hot Chicken (a spicy-fried half chicken, served with hot sauce, fries, coleslaw and pickle chips).

For a warm and savory appetizer I’d suggest the Pan Crisped Dumplings, French Onion Soup or the Fried Pickles. A few other notable items on the menu are the Korean Steak Tacos (served with pickled veg, cilantro, sriracha), and Pecan Crusted Chicken (served with brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes and bourbon gravy), and Bourbon Street Jambalaya (chicken, shrimp and andouille sausages served with plantains, peppers, onions and creole rice). If you want to pair your meal with a beer their wait staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

Want to tackle comfort food in your own kitchen? Try some of these cookbooks from three of my favorite tv chefs:

• Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food by Jamie Oliver
• Carla's Comfort Foods: Favorite Dishes from Around the World by Carla Hall (co-star on The Chew)
• Emeril's Potluck: Comfort Food with a Kicked-Up Attitude by Emeril Lagasse

​All of these books and more can be found in our collection.

What are your favorite comfort food dishes? What restaurants do you think hit the comfort food mark? Let us know in the comments below.

Who doesn’t love a juicy burger, smothered in cheese and dripping with delicious toppings! I have two tasty burger spots for you to try as well as a bunch of books that will show you how to make a dynamite burger.

Local Burger, conveniently located on Main Street in Bay Shore is a new burger joint in town. It provides a fun and relaxed atmosphere with a creative menu. They have several seating options, indoor, outdoor and even super casual picnic tables outback. But that’s not all. Local Burger is truly local, they proudly support a handful of local businesses by featuring a vast selection of Long Island craft beers, wines from the North Fork, cocktails made from local liquors, beef from local butchers and they even use Islip’s very own Coyle’s Ice Cream to make their delicious shakes! Their ingredients might be local but their burgers are out of this world.

My favorite burgers are the Hangover (bacon, American cheese, a fried egg and organic ketchup), the PB & B (peanut butter, bacon and cheddar), and the Atomic (cheddar, bacon, jalapenos, onions, horseradish pickle chips and sriracha mayo). You can also build your own burger with a variety of delicious toppings and unique sauces. Other notable menu items are the Sea Salt and Truffle Fries, Salt-N-Vinegar Fries, Saranac Root Beer Float and any of their hot dog creations made with nitrate free, grass fed beef. This is a great place for a casual trip with the family or to have a bite and a pint with friends.

Joe’s Sirloin Burger Grill is worth the quick trip to Bohemia. Joe’s is a fast casual eatery that specializes in burgers, fries and sandwiches. In addition to their indoor seating they also have a great wood deck with picnic tables for those who like to dine al fresco. They have hearty portions for a fair price.

At Joe’s, they use a 100% ground sirloin to make their six ounce patties and boast, “no blend, no fillers, and no preservatives.” It is simply pure ground sirloin and quite delicious. You can switch out the sirloin burger for a chicken spinach feta burger, turkey burger or even a veggie burger. You can also build your own burger or choose one of their creations. My favorites include the Horseradish Aioli Burger (mozzarella, horseradish aioli sauce, onion, lettuce and tomato), the Wasabi Swiss Burger (swiss cheese, wasabi sauce, onion, lettuce and tomato), and the Chipotle Bacon Burger (bacon, chipotle mayo, pickle, onion, lettuce and tomato). Other must try menu items include their meaty chicken wings, sweet potato fries, jalapeno poppers and the salads – says my wife. You can also grab a bottled beer to go with your burger or a bucket of beer to share with friends.

Still deciding whether to dine in? Try spicing up your burger at home. Whether it is adding avocados to give it a rich creamy taste or homemade coleslaw to add a crunch- the options are limitless. Browse through these great books to get ideas on crafting your next burger: Bobby Flay’s: Burgers, Fries & Shakes, The Good Stuff Cookbook: Burgers, Fries, Shakes, Wedges, And More and The Burger Bar: Build Your Own Ultimate Burgers. After a little research, I created my own masterpiece…a grass fed beef patty topped with avocado, tomato, smoked gouda, crispy bacon, homemade slaw, all on a toasted English muffin with chipotle mayo. So what are you waiting for? Don’t get caught having the same boring burger night after night. Check out these local burger joints or stop in and pick up a book to start creating your very own burger creations. Also, tell me about your favorite burger joints and what unique toppings you enjoy.

The Chipotle Bacon Burger and sweet potato fries at Joe’s Sirloin Burger Grill.

The Slaw Burger with American cheese and sweet potato fries at Joe’s Sirloin Burger Grill.

The Buffalo Chicken Wings at Joe’s Sirloin Burger Grill.