Amerrickana Tapas & Bar opens in Merrick
At Amerrickana Tapas & Bar in Merrick, sliders are served with house-made Parmesan chips. Dec. 16, 2014. Credit: Newsday / Erica Marcus
It’s Long Island's second small-plates-restaurant opening of the week. Amerrickana Tapas & Bar has taken over the Merrick storefront that used to be Surf ‘n Turf Mediterranean Grill. With its neon-accented bar and bright-white wooden accents, the week-old restaurant has a much more feminine feel than Surf ‘n Turf.
Tapas is defined loosely here; Spanish is one of very few cuisines not referenced on the eclectic menu. But there is Indonesian (satay), Italian (Caprese salad), French (saffron mussels with baguette), regional American (New England clam chowder), New American (sliders, both Angus beef and lobster), fusion (Thai spring rolls stuffed with shrimp jambalaya) and much more.
Platings are clever. Salads are served on long, rectangular platters and look like they are spilling out of Chinese takeout cartons. Our server told us that any leftovers could be packed right into the carton. Smart, right? “Small meals” such as grilled salmon with seaweed salad, saffron rice and marinated olives or fish taocs with guacamole salad, napa slaw, pickled red onion and Parmesan chips are served in bento boxes.
There are specialty cocktails, four beers on tap and a California-dominated wine list.
Amerrickana Tapas & Bar is at 2205 Merrick Rd., Merrick, 516-442-2188.
