Thursday, June 28, 2012

Luigi Q's - Plainview/Hicksville

I have mentioned this    fantastic Italian Restaurant before but my most recent  dining experience there was just outstanding!  If you allow Luigi to make you what he suggests that evening rather than order off his  already great menu , you will enjoy   an  experience close to being in Italy!  The baby stuffed eggplant appetizer was mouth watering, as was the homemade  fettuccinni  with shitake mushrooms,    peas & a    touch of truffle cream- OMG!  
As always  his fresh fish  choices are  a foodie's dream- fresh halibut, cod or branzino, and the veal chop is literally 4 " thick,   the bone frenched  and topped with  gorganzola and  served with crispy fresh haricot vertes (stringbeans)  as are all the entrees- duck,   baby organic chicken,  rabbit (one of my all time favorites)  served cacciatore style with paparadelle pasta- wow!
Located on South Oyster Bay Road (Corner of Woodbury rd)  this is a food lovers dream!

Addendum

Well, I returned once again to the NEW Portuguese Chicken Restaurant in Bellmore NY.
What I failed to mention in previous post was the outstanding service!  Once again,   all excellent. The staff is attentive, friendly, and keep  bringing you  the "included" sides.
The rule of thumb normally when a new restaurant opens is not  to go right away as they need to    get the "kinks" out- but in this case, they  are running a    fine oiled machine. The place runs as if it were open      for years. The food, service,   and atmosphere are great & we  tried the Rodizio & the jumbo garlic  shrimp     this time  , (In addition to their signature grilled chicken) and it was FABULOUS!  The shrimp were huge, tender &  a delicious   garlic flavored shrimp with a bit of heat and of course, the Rodizio- the  giant steel skewers that    come around all evening offering you their  many varieties of  grilled meats was  just incredibly  great.
Word has already gotten around so the place was packed- even for a Tuesday  evening-  but not a long wait for a table  and truly, and still, worth the wait if you have to!

Monday, June 25, 2012

NEW!

Well, as I  wind down my busy season & begin to enjoy my dining out, I have been to several excellent restaurants but the MOST exciting & newest was last night- The Porteguese Chicken place on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola has  finally opened their second place on Sunrise Highway in Bellmore- Churrasqueira  CARVALHOS- outstanding!
The menu is the same- fantastic Rodizio chicken-   they offer the ALL you can EAT meats on giant steel skewers-  an enormous selection of grilled to perfection meats, chicken legs, pork,  ribs, sausage,  and more, all carved    tableside   with a ridiculous amount of  side dishes & salad. The dinner menu also includes fish selections, and of course, their famous  whole grilled butterflied  chicken, seasoned perfectly  and a generous portion of side dishes as well including their salad,  homemade potato chips, fries,  steamed broccoli, carrots ,  sauteed collard greens,  rice pilaf, etc.  &    I always     also order as an 'extra' their black  beans which are great!
We were a party of 8 and we were lucky enough to get in    before the crowds began    coming & for those of you      who have      been to their other location, be prepared to wait- but its  WORTH IT!   ONce word gets out (as they JUST opened this past Wednesday) The prices are  so    fair-  For ex: last night,  a party of 8  - we had salad,  whole chickens with all the sides, an  order of their delicious ribs,  black beans, sodas, coffee, and their famous homemade   amazing  egg white & custard dessert ,  & the bill was $45 per couple for everything!
A MUST GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!