The Lake House Bay Shore, NY

Well, after years of passing this intriguing house in Bayshore on numerous occasions, and attempting to get a reservation, I finally got one for last night. It was worth the wait.

The restaurant is very pretty, with a nice size bar, two dining rooms- one , a glass room, a bit smaller and nice for special occasions. and the other dining room with windows facing the large lake.

The service is excellent. An attentive and friendly staff and a wonderful menu that changes seasonally.

So, being we were four, I was anxious to try alot of selections, so we had the following:

The Blue Fin Tuna Tartare- exceptional, served on a cucumber round with a large crispy potato wafer and a chili vinaigrette. WOnderful.

The chilled English Pea soup was the perfect summer item- a nice size bowl served with a lovely mint creme fraiche & topped with a generous portion of sweet Crab. Delicious!

Next, we were torn between the "special Evening 's Addition " of Summer Tomato Risotto with a roasted jumbo Head on Prawn, or the Hand made Tagliatelle Pasta, which is offered both as an appetizer or an entree. We opted for the tagliatelle which were large wide ribbons of perfectly cooked pasta were served with a very nice portion of braised duck breast, sprinkled with peas, bacon and shaved parmesan. Sensational! The chef then sent us the Risotto which was such a nice treat and beyond incredible!! Wonderful and quite filling!

We could have ended it there as we were so full, but had all ordered entrees! OMG!

I had the Atlantic Halibut Filet which was served with a nice portion of manila clams, cooked in a spicy tomato broth and served with orrecchiette pasta (little elephant ears) and summer squash. I was torn between that and the Herb Roasted Organic Chicken with Orzo Mac & Cheese with Asparagus and Parmesan Peas but chose the fish . The other three entrees we enjoyed were:

The Duck- fantastic, long island duck breast with crispy skin on the outside, tender pink duck on the inside and served with House made duck sausage slices ,french green lentils and a very flavorful port cherry sauce and sprinkled with little cherries and was spectacular as was the striped bass, pan seared and a huge piece served over smashed truffle infused fingerling potatoes, braised leeks and a wild mushroom emulsion, and the Pan Roasted Veal Tenderloin, cooked perfectly medium pink with crispy potato croquettes, escarole and Garbanzo Beans & pearl onions.

All was just amazingly delicious and served with beautiful presentation as well.

We were just so full, that we could not partake of lovely menu of homemade desserts, which included a Valrhona Chocolate souffle, creme brule', blueberry and peach cobbler, and such, but we did have a generous portion of mango sorbet to cool our palettes.

The Lake House is a wonderful spot, year round and requires a reservation but A MUST GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

MP Taverna Roslyn, NY OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a True FOODIE, so when I hear of a new restaurant , especially one that gets RAVES in the nY Times, I am always intrigued.

I must tell you- It is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

The place was packed last night, the Friday of a long holiday weekend when many are away- so this gives you a good signal that this place is very special. The decor is a little like a NY City Wine Bar when you first arrive- a large (very large) wrap around bar with stools for dining at the bar, when you don't have a reservation (which you NEED TO HAVE!) There are several tables along side the bar , as well as many inside the large main dining room and upstairs as well.

The menu is truly excellent, with many traditional Greek items, as well as many unique creative items as well. Since it was my first time, and wanted to try many items we were a party of three.

There are numerous " starters" but we choose the meatballs, which were melt in your mouth delicious, with olives in a tangy tomato sauce, the mussels with gigante beans were phenomenal, tender and delicious and the grilled octopus with chickpeas, lemon and parlsey was exceptional!!!! We also tried the seared scallops were served with capers, olives and cauliflower slices sauteed in brown butter - they were delicious, as well as the traditional spreads, which were anyhing but traditional- hummus, chickpea with lemon and parsley, and more served with a generous portion of toasted pita - they were award winning!, especially the spicy sun dried tomato spread! WOW! We ate it all with gusto!

Entrees range from traditional grilled whole fish such as striped bass, branzino, snapper, etc. greek lemon chicken, pork chops, and so much more, so we chose the following: The lamb sausage dumplings with spinach- sort of a greek gnocchi and truly fantastic! The braised rabbit (one of their house specialities) served with think home made spaghetti in a thick rich red sauce was beyond amazing, as were the lamb chops, cooked to medium rare perfection with fingerling potatoes and an heirloom tomato and string bean salad- wonderful! We also opted for the smashed potatoes, which were huge thick fried potato wedges but so better than french fries , served with two dipping sauce (one being "american sauce" - ketchup) and the other a tziaki sauce.

I was dying to try the four cheese mac & cheese with spinach, the prawns with roasted vegetable risotto and the lamb burger- next time for sure! Every evening they offer specials in addition to the vast menu and also one "nightly very special" entree as well as something called "The whole animal"- great for those in a large group, and a bit daring, with suckling pig, goat, lamb and more!!!

This is a MUST GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT miss it!!!!! Make your reservations now, as word is already out about hot place on the North Shore & will be there for a very LONG time!!!