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NEW OWNER, SAME WARMTH

The transformation of Williston Park's Ivy Cottage into Madison's on Hillside is complete. Last week, the sleek New American restaurant made its debut.

In May, Kevin Madison bought the 14-year-old Ivy Cottage from its original owner, Joe Lester. The new restaurant features neutral tones and modern fixtures.

What hasn't changed is the restaurant's warmth. Many of the servers have stayed on, and Madison is a gracious host. Chef Jeffrey Slade's resumé includes The French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., Le Bernardin in Manhattan and The Farmhouse in Greenport. For Williston Park, he has put together a menu of thoughtfully composed dishes that walk the line between comfort and innovation.

A few nights ago, we started our meal with a refreshing chilled cucumber soup garnished with crab; a tomato salad topped with sesame-crusted goat-cheese medallions, and a hefty portion of delicious corn risotto with grilled shrimp.

Appetizers run $7 to $15. Main courses ($23 to $33) includ thyme-roasted halibut on a bed of lentils; an expertly seared duck breast with sweet-potato puree, grilled endive and spinach; a special of three tender lamb chops, each on its own garnish: mashed potatoes, snap peas, and a tomato tarte Tatin.

Madison's on Hillside is at 38 Hillside Ave., Williston Park, 516-877-2343.

-- Erica Marcus

ARTISANAL FOOD MARKET

This Sunday marks the debut of Lange Eylandt Market, an open-air market featuring artisanal foods from all over the metropolitan area. Located at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, it is the brainchild of Danielle Swift, Jericho native, visual artist and handmade-food advocate.

Swift has enlisted more than a dozen vendors and their products, among them Morning Sunshine breakfast cookies from Caffe Portofino in Northport, Blossom Meadow honey from Southold, Horman's Best Pickles from Glen Cove, Granola Lab and Empire Mayo from Brooklyn, and Beyond Kombucha Asian fermented tea from Queens.

"Lange Eylandt" is the Dutch name for Long Island, and the market is modeled after New Amsterdam Market and Brooklyn Smorgasbord, popular weekly events in the city. The market will run every Sunday through Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lange Eylandt Market is at the Milleridge Inn, 585 N. Broadway, Jericho. For more information, go to langeeylandtmarket.com.

-- ERICA MARCUS

LOBSTER DEAL

Palace of Wong, a Chinese restaurant that's been a Rockville Centre fixture for the past 45 years, is running an ongoing "lobster fest" prix fixe. The $22.95 meal begins with a choice of soup, followed by a 1.5-pound lobster prepared in any of four fashions: Cantonese, ginger and scallions, spicy Beijing style and simply sauteed. Dessert concludes the deal.

Palace of Wong is at 348 Sunrise Hwy., Rockville Centre, 516-764-3240.

-- JOAN REMINICK