Feed Me
The dish on Long Island's restaurant and food scene
Basil Restaurant - fresh and Italian in Bellport
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New to the Bellport dining scene is Basil Restaurant & Spirits, with a repertoire owner Richard LoGrippo describes as Italian American. Chef Richard Doxsee previously cooked at Mamma Lombardi’s in Holbrook as well as Lombardi’s on the Bay in Patchogue, Lombardi’s on the Sound in Port Jefferson and Giorgio’s in Baiting Hollow.
On Doxsee's menu: fried calamari ($10), stuffed meatballs ($8),...
Read more »Chico's Tex Mex Grill opens in Syosset
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Chico’s Tex Mex Grill makes its Syosset debut in the former home of a self-serve yogurt eatery. According to co-owner Marcello Caccialino, the counter service spot offers seating at three tables. Takeout is big here.
On the menu are Santa Fe wings ($4.95 to $8), a fajita salad ($6.95; add $2 for chicken, $2.50 for steak, $3 for shrimp); arroz con pollo, or chicken with rice ($7.50); ...
Read more »Peppercorn Cafe - newly cracked in East Patchogue
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Just opened in East Patchogue is Peppercorn Cafe, which takes over the former home of South Country Inn. The casual restaurant has 14 tables and a full bar.
In charge of the kitchen is Chef Dave Moritz, who cooked at Off Key Tiki in Patchogue and Westhampton Steak House in Westhampton.
While lunch and dinner are now being served, the place will launch a breakfast menu May 22. Moritz's...
Read more »South Indian newcomer spices up Hicksville
Photo credit: Newsday / Erica Marcus
Just added to the intriguing mix of Indian restaurants in Hicksville is Taste of Madras, serving a menu of Southern Indian specialties. The restaurant takes over the former Curry Club space.
Owner Raj Ram, who hails from Chennai, named some dishes you probably won’t find at most local restaurants. Under the menu heading of “extreme South Indian delicacy” are aapam, fluffy pancakes with egg...
Read more »New and Turkish in Mount Sinai
Mavi Grill & Deli brings the fare of Turkey and the Mediterranean to Mount Sinai. The table-service restaurant is owned by a married couple — native Long Islander Lauren Iaria-Kola and Turkish-born Tuncay (T.J.) Kola; the two originally met in California.
On the menu: Mavi delight for two, with hummus, falafel, babaghanoush, grape leaves, Feta cheese, Kalamata olives and pita ($9.95);...
Read more »Point Lookout gets new pub
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The Point Ale House & Grill, which took over the former digs of The Bay House last August, just came under new co-ownership. And a new chef has come on board.
Frank Pignataro, who cooked at E.B. Elliott’s in Freeport, said he revamped the pub-style menu to jibe with the restaurant’s craft beer selection. “It blew my mind that there was no seafood before,” he said. Now, Pignataro offers...
Read more »Crepes get crazy in Smithtown and Selden
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Crazy Crepe made its debut last week in the former Smithtown home of Lemon Leaf Thai. This is the second such creperie for owner Kevin Muller, who launched the original Crazy Crepe in Selden this winter.
Both counter-serve spots offer sweet and savory crepes, Belgian waffles, smoothies, salads and wraps. There's a crepe with ham and cheese ($7.50), a Buffalo crepe with chicken, Cheddar,...
Read more »Burritos hit East Setauket
Photo credit: Newsday/Joan Reminick
A burrito can be whatever you want it to be at the new East Coast Burrito Co. in East Setauket. The new casual counter-serve eatery offers a “build-a-burrito” option, allowing eaters to get creative with a set list of Tex-Mex ingredients.
“People like to customize their food,” said chef co-owner Tim Martino, who cooked at Toast in Port Jefferson. For $8.95, you get to pick a protein — like...
Read more »Jetty Bar & Grill replaces Bahia in Long Beach
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Jetty Bar & Grill, the post-Sandy reincarnation of Bahia Social Club, opened last night in Long Beach's still-recovering West End.
Bahia’s original owners Mike Orza and John Rugolsky have been joined by partner Chris Fiumara. According to Fiumara, the place has been entirely revamped, with a “beachy feel,” a raised ceiling and a communal table made out of reclaimed wood and rails from...
Read more »Long Island Dogs unleashed in Port Jefferson Station
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Hoping to bring a little of their home state's hot dog tradition to Port Jefferson Station, Connecticut entrepreneurs Jonathan Gavern and Mark Argraves just launched Long Island Dogs in Port Jefferson Station. Anyone who has ever pulled off I-95 to Connecticut for a pit stop at Swanky Franks in Norwalk, Super Duper Weenie in Fairfield or Merritt Canteen in Bridgeport, knows just how serious our...
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