A summer weekend of dining

After a fabulous dinner (as always) at one of my favorite spots in New Rochelle (see all my posts) at Spadaro for a great bottle of 2004 Brunello an app of buffalo mozz with garden fresh cherry tomatoes, homemade paparadella with shrimp & asparagus in a spicy tomato sauce & then grilled veal over baby peppery arugula, we ventured into Manhattan for dessert at

Schillers - a cool old fashioned looking bar on Rivington street (not far from another one of my favorite fun spots- Freeman's Alley) with great bar fare, casual dining and a great brunch. The dessert include sticky toffee pudding, warm apple crumble and flourless chocolate cake, just to name a few.

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Then, Glen's Dinette in the quaint little village /town of Babylon on Saturday for breakfast- , home of the "IDAHO" a huge plate of homemade home fried potatoes, smothered with scallions, bacon and cheddar cheese & then topped with two fried eggs, served with great multi grain toast. I had a black bean & roasted corn patty topped with poached eggs with hollandaise sauce- OMG! So good.

All the breakfasts, including great unusual omelettes and amazing waffles are fantastic!

Lunch has salads, a large selection of burgers, hot dogs, wraps & more!

Then, SUnday Brunch, Clinton Street Bakery- a hot spot in Manhattan, known for the Bobby Flay "Pancake" throw down- located off Houston where the lines are hours long on the weekends but well worth it for the incredible Buttermilk fried chicken served with cheddar jalapeno cornbread, homemade biscuits , the fluffiest pancakes you will ever taste with carmelized bananas, pecan or walnuts, or blueberries and topped with their maple butter. The eggs benedict, served with either traditional canadian bacon, ham, or smoked salmon are not so bad either!

The portions are quite substantial. The grilled chicken sandwich is served with thick slices of bacon, vine ripened tomatoes, chilled crisp romaine, avocado and chipolte mayo on sourdough bread- fabulous with their homemade potato chops & slaw.

Emeril;s Chop House

Emeril Legasse, of Food Network Fame, New Orleans's Commanders Palace and many others has opened two great restaurants in the New Sands Casino & Resort in Bethlehem, PA.

The Chop house is a beautiful venue, with colors of warm Bronze & Gold glass & wood.

To begin, the maitre d' served us a homemade toasted crostini with a house creamy boursin cheese spread with a sprinkling of micro greens. The caesar salad came on, what i consider, KEY to any salad, a CHILLED plate, with large chards of parmesean reggiano.

The steaks & chops are huge and just delicious. I had the mot perfectly cooked sirloin- charred on the outside & perfectly pink inside. It was served with crispy onions and blue cheese crumbles. All the steaks come with a trio of house sauces- bearnaise, horseradish cream & the house "au jus" . Just grand!

YOu can also have it "oscar stye;" with asparagus & crab meat on top, among other choices.

The sides are equally exceptional- we had the parmesean crusted cauliflower and the smoked mozzerella and sweet corn gratin- wow!

The Italian Table restaurant menu looked really wonderful!

Just two hours from NY and worth the ride! The hotel is very nice and the casino is huge!

Left Coast Kitchen AGAIN!

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Left Coast Kitchen in Merrick, NY

I failed to mention on my last post, since I returned to this establishment again, that they have a VAST VAST selection of Beers (& wines) & when you sit down, they give you a warm, fresh bucket of TRUFFLE POPORN! OMG! It's fabulously addicting!

I started with my new favorite item on the menu- the wedge- (see my last post) but soooo good!

Last night, I wanted to have the special- Seared Striped Bass served over Sauteed Spinach but unfortunately, we got there rather late & they were sold out! So, I had the grilled salmon, which was cooked perfectly, served over string beans and on the top, a garnish of chopped lobster and micro greens- wonderful. ( I was torn between this & the short ribs*)

My husband had the "LCK" Lobster Roll- just incredibly good.

Nice chucks and pieces of good lobster, not the stuff most places use as lobster salad, filled on on a toasted garlic roll, served with french fries and cole slaw.

The table next to us had the short ribs- a colossally huge short rib on a large bone which was served with a fried loaded baked potato stuffed with cheddar cheese- they said it was amazing & I must say, my mouth was watering.

we were too full for dessert, but I saw several pass us by, including the creme brule' and the rice krispy kebobs- all looked so good!

Left Coast Kitchen

A new find! Located on Merrick Road in Merrick, NY what used to be "Courtney's" & then "Jessie's" is a new place called The Left Coast Kitchen. What appears to be a "pub style bar" is in a fact a FANTASTIC place of Gourmet food with a well trained chef & a very creative menu.

The wedge salld was my first course, which again, is not your usually wedge with just tomatoes & blue cheese. This was a large chilled crisp iceberg wedge with sweet corn, toasted almonds, thin slices of jalapenos, pureed avocado, and a mix of blue cheese & ranch dressing- outstanding!

The onion soup was amazing! A mix between a soup & a chowder, with a mutli layered flavorful rich broth, filled with cippolini onions, and all the goodies that go into a chowder.

Excellent.

After having a late lunch, I chose to have the burger, which came, cooked perfectly medium rare- actually- TWO burgers on a toasted onion roll with cheese, coleslaw, all melted on this large crusty cheese bacony onion roll with fries.

My husband had the Baja Jumbo Prawn,s served with whipped potatoes, grilled asparagus and a tropical fruit salsa. Wonderful.

The men has many starters, great sides, and items to share like a warm crab spinach & artichoke dip, cheese, mussels, etc. and the entrees are vast & incredibly creative.

They are planning to served weekend breakfast soon with a very unique menu and if the chef's keeps his promise, this will be truly fabulous, as he is a lover of the west coast and one of my blogs mentions "Dotties" on one of my older posts on my blog- in my most favorite place- San Francisco and the chef is a fan as well! SO, expect a treat as breakfast in Merrick (& dinner) will never be the same!!!!

Check it out!

Ruffinos

Located off Lakeview Ave in Malverne(border of Lynbook) is a little local (not so little) Italian place that , (next to its Pizzeria) that, after 6 trips there in 2 weeks warrants another posting.

The food is always fresh & cooked to order.

The last trip was with a large group of friends, so we were able to partake in any of the appetizer items that would be too much for just two.

The veal meatballs in a brown sauce were the most delicious little morsels I have every had! Moist, rich and just the perfect size as a starter and truly outstanding! As were the baked clans, clams casino, fresh mozz w/. tomatoes, which come in a large "hor d" type platter-family style.

The special change daily and always are the way to go, with special salads, appetizers, pastas, fish, meat, chicken & veal specials although the menu itself is vast and everything is wonderful!!!

The whole fish dishes are wonderful- fresh whole branzino, orado, snapper, etc. as were the Veal chops, the chicken dishes and the many many pastas. This place is worth the trip!!!

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Piccolo Angelo

located on Jane St & Hudson in downtown NYC steps from the Meatpacking District is a little italian Bistro called Piccolo Angelo.

YOU MUST have a reservation, as it is small- very small but WORTH the wait!

First, to start, I highly recommend the beyond gigantic enormous and delicious meatballs to begin. They are really a meal by themselves, but if you are with friends, so worth it!

The entrees on the menu are fabulous but the specials are always my preference. The veal chop is pounded flat, hanging off the plate & offered either parmigiana style or breaded & served with a tri color salad atop.

The rabbit cacciiattore is outstanding served over paparadella pasta- OMG!!

The stuffed chicken breast filled with garlic spinach, mozzerella cheese & served in a rich brown sauce with mushrooms- excellent!

All the dishes are outstanding & highly rated on Zagat.

The desserts- ALL incredible- especially the oreo cheesecake is phenomenal! The tiramisu and the tartufo also wonderful!

Cafe Testarossa Syosset

Cafe Testatorossa , located on Jericho Turnpike in Syosset, diagonally across form Rare 360/

This place has been there for many many years and underwent a major renovation a few years ago & its just beautiful!

The bar is substantial but in its own enclosed area, to buffer noise.

The restaurant has two rooms- one can be utilized for private parties & the main room is large with lovely decor, windows and high ceilings.

The menu is vast an the specials are the way to go!

The start, I recommend the crab & shrimp cakes- tender,no fillers, and served with a great corn & mango salsa with micro greens, The artichoke was a nice size, not overloaded with breadcrumbs, and tender flavorful leaves, and was the calamari.

Entrees:

This evening, ALL the women at my table all had the same special- the melt in your mouth tender and flaky white roasted halibut served with roasted potatoes, crisp artichokes and carrots, and over a bed of greens. The half Bell & Evans chicken, was served butterflied, over spinach with a perfectly crispy crusty skin, tender & juicy on the inside, the osso bucco was spectacular & huge!

Cafe Testarossa Syosset

Cafe Testatorossa , located on Jericho Turnpike in Syosset, diagonally across form Rare 360/

This place has been there for many many years and underwent a major renovation a few years ago & its just beautiful!

The bar is substantial but in its own enclosed area, to buffer noise.

The restaurant has two rooms- one can be utilized for private parties & the main room is large with lovely decor, windows and high ceilings.

The menu is vast an the specials are the way to go!

The start, I recommend the crab & shrimp cakes- tender,no fillers, and served with a great corn & mango salsa with micro greens, The artichoke was a nice size, not overloaded with breadcrumbs, and tender flavorful leaves, and was the calamari.

Entrees:

This evening, ALL the women at my table all had the same special- the melt in your mouth tender and flaky white roasted halibut served with roasted potatoes, crisp artichokes and carrots, and over a bed of greens. The half Bell & Evans chicken, was served butterflied, over spinach with a perfectly crispy crusty skin, tender & juicy on the inside, the osso bucco was spectacular & huge!

Nonina

Located in West Islip, NY is an lovely little (not so little) Italians Bistro with gorgeous wood and glass decor, an upstairs with a brick oven and antipasto bar, where you can make all your selections by the item and a big bar with a lovely wine list.

The men u is vast and the specials are always delicious . The bread basket is excellent, and

This time, I had a fabulous dish- the special of Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with capers, white wine, and meyer lemon served over risotto with zucchini..

The special salad was a little DISSAPOINTING, as is was described to me as "baby arugula and radicchio, and it arrived with mixed butter lettuces - no arugula or radicchio in site, BUT THE REST WAS GREAT- GOAT CHEESE, GLAZED WALNUTS AND A WONDERFUL VINAIGRETTE.

The offer on SUnday evenings a "sunday Family Dinner" with large family style platters of homemade meatballs, chicken parmigiana, rigatoni, ravioli, and penne in asst, sauces, and a large salad. Dessert includes either creme brule', cheesecake or tiramisu. Very nice.

Spring into Summer

Mario's Hauppauge- Located on Motor Pkwy out on the LIE is a romantic lovely authentic italian Restaurant, featuring wonderful pasta dishes, fabulous grilled whole fish, mouth watering tender veal and classic Italian fare and incredible desserts

Abe & Arthurs- NYC

This is a cool downtown steak place located in the heart of the trendy Meatpacking District downtown in NYC.

Located right next door to Alexander McQueen and near DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg)

is this great place on 14th st. A great vibe- trendy & great decor with the most amazing cuisine! The steaks are cooked to perfection- charred on the outside & perfectly pink inside and sooo fantastic! The entire menu is great, including all the appetizers, (which are many) , inventive salads, incredible sides, and an enormous wine list that is second to none! They have several locations around the country but I must say, this one rocks!!!

Prime- Huntington-

A beautiful spot in Huntington, Long Island on the harbor. The view is spectacular, as is the food and the bar scene is quite "the place" with great bar apps & a really nice wine list as well.

Sugo- Long Beach- Just when you think the menu is finished (always a work in progress) they come up with more great items on the menu, like adding a fun thing- a window that leads out near the street with duck, pulled pork & skirt steak tacos & sensational fun hot dogs with tons of toppings !! The menu is constantly changing with wonderful specials daily and now they have added Wednesday Steak Night for a reasonable price of $29 including salad, a glass of wine. potato & choice of sirloin skirt steak or lamb chops!

Ruffinos- Malverne

What looks like a pizza place (they do actually have one next door) is a cozy, friendly neighborhood Italian bistro with the freshest whole fish, including Orada, Branzino (My favorite) wonderful soft shell crab served over sauteed garlic spinach, veal sorrentino, veal saltimbocca, dozens of pasta dishes and so much more!!!

The pizza bread is amazing, and the fresh crisp salad is included with t your entree and the appetizers are really fabulous! The desserts- especially the tiramisu- all homemade are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!