Mineola brunch, Northport fine food
ROSLYN EATERY CLOSED
Trata Estiatorio in Roslyn has closed, according to Andreas Kelemidis, one of the partners. The stylish, expensive Greek restaurant opened in October 2009 and earned three stars from Newsday critic Peter M. Gianotti. It also established itself as a hopping Gold Coast night spot.
The first Trata opened in 1998 on Manhattan's Upper East Side. A Hamptons satellite, Trata East, opened in Water Mill in 2005. Both the Water Mill and Roslyn kitchens were overseen by chef Luis Falcon, who is now consulting at
Pomme Café in Queens. (No word as to whether Trata East will reopen in the spring.) The original Trata in Manhattan changed its name to Kouzina in June 2010. It has since closed.
-- ERICA MARCUS
BRUNCH IN MINEOLA
Two renegades from Sarabeth Levine's dessert cafe empire have joined forces to open The Chef's Corner, a breakfast, lunch and brunch spot in the Mineola space last occupied by Cafe Mojo. Maryellen Villalta used to run the Sarabeth's at Lord & Taylor in Garden City and before that, worked for chef Larry Forgione at Lord & Taylor in Manhattan; chef co-owner Israel Aguilar opened several Sarabeth's Cafes in the metropolitan area and ran the one at the Whitney Museum.
Aguilar's breakfast and brunch repertoire includes a shrimp omelet ($8) and house-made oatmeal ($5). Some items you'll find on his lunch menu: Mexican hominy soup ($4 cup, $6 bowl), a chicken chipotle club sandwich ($10), Black Angus beef burger ($10), chicken potpie ($12) and chicken Cobb salad ($10.50). Pastry chef Marcelo Gonzales makes all the cafe's desserts, among them an upside down chocolate cake ($7) and warm rice pudding tart ($7).
The place offers table service and is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Chef's Corner is at 95 Mineola Blvd., Mineola, 516-742-1856.
-- JOAN REMINICK
FINE FOOD IN NORTHPORT
Two of Long Island's most popular cuisines, Italian and steakhouse, come together big-time at J. Michaels Tuscan Steakhouse in Northport. The full-flavored newcomer has transformed the vintage house occupied for decades by La Capannina.
Now, you'll find first-class starters that range from lobster meatballs in marinara sauce to salmon rolls filled with colossal crabmeat and caramelized fennel; main courses from a juicy New York strip steak to seared sashimi-grade tuna finished with mint relish, onion and charred tomatoes, beefsteak of course. Basically, have your wedge salad and radicchio-endive-frisee with pine nuts, too.
Credit chefs Vincent P. Michaels and Ron Gelish, steakhouse veterans who know how to expand the repertoire, for turning J. Michaels into a destination for all appetites. The eatery also is marked by accommodating service.
You'll be tempted to fill up and not have much room left for dessert. That would be a mistake. The cheesecake is great. And those chocolate truffles served at meal's end rival it.
Figure $50 to $100 per contented person. The restaurant is at 688 Fort Salonga Rd., Northport; 631-651-9411.
-- PETER M. GIANOTTI
