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!

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!!!

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!

Ok

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!