Hot posts from our daily blog

TOP CHEF IS INN

The historic Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton, once the site of the Bull's Head Inn, is the future home of a luxury inn run by Tom Colicchio's Craft Restaurants group. Colicchio, head judge of Bravo's "Top Chef," owns nine restaurants, including Manhattan's Craft, 'wichcraft and Colicchio & Sons. This will be the group's first hotel project.

According to a spokesman for the chef, the 1842 Greek revival mansion is undergoing a complete renovation. It is slated to open in late summer with 22 guest rooms and a restaurant.

The Topping Rose House is at the corner of Montauk Highway and Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton.

-- ERICA MARCUS

KOSHER CUTLETS

Holy Schnitzel! Not just an exclamation but the name of a new kosher Cedarhurst eatery specializing in breaded fried chicken cutlets, but no veal, the traditional meat used in this dish. Actually, it's the second Holy Schnitzel in the metro area; the first was born in 2008 in Staten Island.

Owner Ofeer Benaltaba said the recipes come from his family, which has roots in Israel. In addition to the classic schnitzel sandwich ($9.50), served on a baguette, there's a "Kung Fu" version ($9.50) with sesame-panko breading and a "Franky" schnitzel ($9.50) made with crushed garlic and Italian-

seasoned bread crumbs. Other menu choices: a spinach salad ($9.50), a pastrami panino ($10.99) and a falafel wrap ($6.99).

Holy Schnitzel is at 688 Central Ave., Cedarhurst; 516-374-4659

-- JOAN REMINICK

GRAB A BITE BEFORE THE SHOW

The just-opened Porto Fino Ristorante brings breezy style and Italian-American favorites to downtown Huntington, where it's already becoming a popular stop pre- and post-showtime at the Paramount.

This bright, casual eatery is situated on a corner diagonally across from the concert venue. You'll find appetizers and soups ranging from crabcakes to chicken wings, pasta e fagioli to escarole and beans. Main courses go from Parmigianas, Marsalas and piccatas to broiled branzino. Count on 33 pastas.

And the pizzas take in varieties such as lasagna (yes, lasagna toppings with ground meat and cheese), chicken alla vodka and the "baconator" with a chicken cutlet in the mix.

Price range: appetizers, $2.50 to $12.25; soups, $4.95 to $5.75; salads, $6.25 to $10.95; pastas, $10.95 to $14.95; main courses, $13.50 to $18.95; pizzas, $5.95 for personal pan pie to $29.95 for deep-dish seafood pizza.

Porto Fino Ristorante, 395 New York Ave., Huntington; 631-673-1200

-- PETER M. GIANOTTI