Left Coast Kitchen

AFter several excellent dining experiences at The Left Coast Kitchen in Merrick, NY , from burgers to short ribs to lobster rolls to breakfast, we were pleasantly surprised that he was doing a special WINE Dinner hosted by Barton & Guestier, a Frnech winery.

The dinner was 5 courses, each paired with a wonderful French Wine or Champagne.

The first course was served with a sparking crisp champagne and the course featured a wild king salmon tartare served over a BEET carpaccio with a caviar mouse and grilled peach gastrique- C'est mangifique! It was truly outstanding!

Next, a Vouvray Gold Label White Wine with a Crostini Trio of Sweet Pea, Peppercorn Preserves and and the most amazingly delicious Fromage- Pierre Robert -camenbert cheese that was fantastic!

Then, a Red Beaujolais with a Fancy French "sloppy Je" of sorts with a warm chicken rillette served over a croissant & topped with a truffle pate and a tomato thyme fondue. Excellent.

Lastly, before dessert, was a Bold Red Wine- Cotes du Rhone Wine served with a Lamb Putnaesca with a spicy parisian gnocchi, white anchovies and smoked chilies sprinkled with herbs du provence- mouth watering! Dessert and Dessert wine pairing was a marscapone- ike custard with fresh berries.

The entire meal was so fabulous and only $55 per person!

Of course, the restaurant was still open to diners who just wanted the regular menu and as we were leaving I saw the most spectacular dessert ever! A tower of chocolate with brownies, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies and more, all piled high on a custom stand which looked incredible!! A great "special occasion" dessert for 4 or more!!!!!

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

Well, another fine dining experience at the Hot Hot Hot New Place in the old village of Roslyn, MP Taverna, with a cool vibe, incredibly reasonable prices & outstanding top 10 food! Last night, we tried the Greek Sausage in a lemony au jus with grilled fennel, scallions cippolini onions & roasted cherry tomatoes- it was BEYOND delicious! Amazing!

We also had the spic ribs which were incredible- meatym tender & so smoky good & the MP Salad, which is a large portion of a traditional greek salad but chilled perfectly with lots of chopped red & yellow peppers instead of typical green, and light and refreshing dressing.

Entrees- Again, my husband has the wonderfully moist & tender lemon roasted chicken served with lots of fingerling potatoes in a lemon dill sauce- just mouth watering & sooooo good! I had the special- the striped bass, with perfectly crispy skin and a moist flaky white filet of fish topped with roasted veggies & served with a side of the MP salad- who knew?

They were nice enough to send over dessert- even though we are so full, I didn't think I could eat another bite, but the chewy fudgy brownie with a quenelle of vanilla bean ice cream & a slice of halavah was outstanding, & hard to resist, as was the Baklava napoleon with fresh whipped cream! OMG!

You absolutely must has a reservation or you will be standing at the bar, waiting- No, begging for a seat! The food is that wonderful! This is a must go!!!

Every night has a very specific special- Wednesday is the Seafood Paella, which is really sensational & if you are a true foodie, Friday night is the braised rabbit served over think spaghetti- mind blowing, and each night is something else and then on Sundays, a very special treat is offered as well. Go & see for yourself!

LCK- Merrick, NY

LCK- Left Cost Kitchen which has quickly become a favorite of mine with such a great vast eclectic menu for dinner has now become a GREAT spot for a wonderful & different breakfast.

Similar to one of amy all time faves- Dotties in San Francisco - too far for breakfast, so LCK has gotten it down perfectly! The 6 egg omelettes are wonderful , with an aray of choices for fillings- you get to select four from five types of cheeses and lots & lots of great other items for fillings!

Also fabulous are all the types of pancakes, eggs, & stuffed french toast , but I chose "Dave's Eggs", which was outstanding! Soft scrambled eggs with cream cheese, fresh chives, and sweet corn and I added some avocado. Sides are great & we choose the sausage which were HUGE meaty tasty links- wow!

Coffee was great and OJ, while not fresh squeezed , was top of the line OJ, so definitely good. The Bloody Mary wasn't bad either! They also offer mimosas which you can fix and mix tableside!

A wonderful way to start the day!

The Lake House- again

I returned to the Lake House this past Saturday night to have another wonderful dining experience!

I love that they change their menu regularly ( but still keeping some of the favorites!) and always interesting choices.

The chef always ends out something complimentary- this evening it was a large cold poached shrimp served over vegetable cous cous on an asian spoon- simply delicious!

The "Summer Salad" was incredible! A long white rectangular plate with a mound of mache lettuce topped with a brie & maytag blue cheese wedge on the left, an organic poached baby egg in the center of the plate & then creamed chanterelle mushrooms to the right served with hearty slices of brioche toast- just amazing delicious! Kudos to the chef!

The other appetizer was equally fabulous- The the summer soup of gazpacho with lump crab. Refreshing and a perfect summer item.

Entrees were also outstanding- my french cut chicken was perfectly cooked- crispy skin on the outside while so juicy & moist & tender on the inside- melted in my mouth served over mac and cheese orzo with fresh herbs. The grilled ribeye was also cooked to perfection with sauteed mushrooms, and root vegetables and potatoes.

This is such a great place!!!!!!

Castle Hill Newport, RI

I love Newport. WHat I l ove most about it is the beautiful resort & restaurant at Castle Hill.

It is always a special treat to dine there, and if you have even been fortunate enough to be there, you will understand from the spectacular view of the water for the entire dining room, to the incredible 4 star service to the menu, its an experience unlike any, other than perhaps Per Se in the Time Warner in nYC or the French Laundry in Napa.

The restaurant is small & does require a reservation well in advance in season. It offers three tasting menus- A three course, of appetizer, entree & dessert, a five course with 3 apps or the eight course "Chef's Tasting" with our without a wine pairing.

My husband had the 3 & of course, lol, I had the five.

When you first are seated, the chef sends out a "complimentary" little treat. Saturday night was a thin crusty toastade with a bit of goat cheese, filet of beef & wood mushrooms- wonderful & the perfect way to start with my chilled glass of champagne!

They also sent out, from the chef, for me, which was quite lovely of them, their charcuterie platter- with the most delicious pates of liver fois gras and chorizo, thick slices of spicy salami with whole grain mustard, pickled vegetables and slices of grilled bread. FANTASTIC!!!!!

Next, I had the malapeque oysters, 6 perfectly chilled morsels over rock salt & ice topped with a refreshing gratinee (flavored ice) of tomato basil and to keep my partner happy, the chef sent over a salad of lobster with sweet corn & homemade tortellini- how amazing!!

Next, I had the Corn Nage, which was the best soup I ever ate toped with fresh crabmeat, and my husband had the seared scallops with baby peas . Next, dinner, which interestingly, we both opted for the same dish! Lamb chops- two large perfectly medium rare think chops served with a ragu of fava beans, roasted carrots, lamb sausage and Homemade gnocchi which I have to say was beyond sensational!!!!!!!!!!!!! All I can say is OMG!!!!!!

Dessert- my favorite- chocolate souffle with a chocolate sauce that is served on the side after they poke the first hole & pour a bit in and my partner had the rich frozen chocolate pudding with biscotti, and a rich dark chocolate drizzle.

The entire meal, including a fabulous bottle of 2006 Jordan Cab was one of the best meals I have ever had- and I eat out- dine out 7 nights a week! If you are ever in Newport, DO GO!!!!!! It 's a magnificent place & a delicious dining experience!