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!!!!!!!!!!!