January 10, 2013
  This weekend started out with a few surprises. Seeing Dave Mason at the Paramount in Huntington on Friday night was great. Meeting friends for dinner before the show was how it all began. Never was a fan of "Blue Honu" and I am still not a fan of "Honu Kitchen & Cocktails. The place has a great bar crowd with a subtle Manhattan type scene but with so many dining choices in the town of Huntington, this would not normally be my first choice.
                 Meeting friends at 6:00 on a Friday is not usually easy for me but I was able to make it happen. 
Upon arrival we were a total of 8 people and 2 others had not arrived. Our waiter Craig was a very nice and knowledgeable server. He showed us the Price Fix menu which had several choices of a three course meal for $27.95  per person. Dishes on this menu were directly from the main menu and allegedly the same portion size. Items included a Skirt Steak, Sage Roasted French Cut Chicken, Seared Salmon, Two different Burgers and a Chipotle Chicken Salad. Each choice was accompanied by an appetizer choice of Caesar Salad, Soup of the Day, Peking Duck or Thai Chicken Satay.
                Each dish ended with a dessert.
Now the question of the day: If the Burger is $16 on the main menu, how do you justify offering it on a Price Fix Menu for $27.95? When I asked this question quietly, I was told that they had to offer variety on this menu. 
OK, if anyone wants a $27 Cheese Burger, I can recommend better places to have one.
        Based on the fact that we were 8 people each of the dishes was ordered. The Chicken was basic with nothing special to make it stand out. The Salmon was cooked well and was very bland with little to no seasoning. The Skirt Steak which I had was served cut up instead of in a strip and that made me question the portion control. The best part of this was the roasted Brussel Sprouts. 
       Service at this restaurant was very good but what suffered was the food runners. They knew we were going to the show across the street and when it was time for dessert, it never showed up at out table so our 3 course dinner was now a 2 course dinner. 
       Sorry but unless you are going for the bar crowd, there are so many more palatable places to enjoy a great meal.

                             Until we meet again 

                             "The Dish With Dean"

Thom Thom Restaurant

Steak and Seafood

3340 Park Avenue

Wantagh, NY 11793

 516*221*8022

Thom Thom was the choice selected in meeting old friends this past Saturday night. Seems to be a classic Steak and Seafood Restaurant along with the accompanying Sushi.

 A variety of Sushi rolls were chosen and each one as good as the other. Crazy Tuna Roll/ Spicy Tuna and avocado inside with Yellow Fin Tuna, Leeks and Wasabi Mayo on top. Added to that the Tuna Tar tar which was fresh and mouth watering. 

The dish of PEI Mussels in a Thai Curry sauce with a hint of Lemon Grass were the ultimate for dippage. Joined by Larry the Chef, he said it clearly was orgasmic. The sauce had an unreal kick that dipped with the Pita Wedges, left quite an impression on the palate.

 We could have just ordered appetizers and called it a night. They seemed to be the hilight of the evening

The three men ordered the Cowboy Rib Eye which is my favorite cut of steak if cooked correctly. The marbling and flavor are usually what characterizes this cut as moist and flavorful. Accompanied by a sauce of your choice I was the only one who asked for one. I chose the Cabernet Demi-Glace and it was a good decision. The other two steaks were just OK lacking in flavor of any kind. Served with a Choice of Sweet or Regular Mashed Potatoes and very nicely cooked green beans.

 

The best choice on the menu for someone who wants a little of each would be the Bento Box. A Chefs salad served with a variety of Sashimi and Tuna Avocado roll and Teryaki Skirt Steak. This dish was presented well and as a sampler, would be a good choice for anyone.                                                      

This dish ordered by Kathy Fitz as an entree was by far the best. You could tell by looking at her that she was really enjoying it. A Diver scallop surrounded by a Red Bell Pepper Risotto with Sausage. This dish had more flavors bursting out that the taste I was offered,  made me want more.

I had to save the service portion for last as it was clearly not what I had expected. Our Waiter was very knowledgeable with the selections and had a strong knowledge of the wine list. Normally I would have no problem naming my server and giving him credit but i did not felt that it would benefit him in any way. The issues with service were clearly not his fault but his what I call "back up team". Six people at a table was getting very crowded when none of our dishes were bussed and they continued to pile up. Our entrees were presented and then taken back to the kitchen so the "Team" could remove our dirty dishes.

                       I will offer another shot to try different items on their menu and see if perhaps it was just a Saturday night fluke but I don't think so. The food as a whole was no different than most restaurants offering the same style only this place has a NYC atmosphere in Wantagh, NY. 

Price was reasonable for the food and the wine also was a house Pinot Noir that was very acceptable. 

remember what I always say. Good food can be spoiled by poor service.

                          As Always, Enjoy

From "The Dish With Dean"

Verde Wine Bar and Ristorante

Located in Deer Park, NY and just south of the Rail Road Tracks

 on Commack Road.

I finally had the opportunity to indulge in the home cooking offered by Verde Wine bar and Ristorante.

Greeted upon my arrival by the owner Anthony whose parents started this establishment in 1984 as a local place for great Pizza and Italian food. 

Anthony told me he wanted to "keep his hometown roots and offer people great food at affordable prices"

He wasn't kidding.

 

Chef James on the right with Anthony. Chef James informed me that at age 14 he worked at this place as a busboy.

Bring on the hometown roots.

The bar located in the area where you walk in is a very welcoming living room atmosphere. All the art work on the walls are displays of local artists and that just continues the hometown feel.

Having dinner with the steins is always a great time no matter where we go and this was no exception. Starting in the bar area and ordering cocktails I took notice that all the wines served are USA wines. I was little skeptical of drinking a Malbec from California but the house Malbec was quite a surprise. Enjoyed it as much as any Malbec from Argentina.

appetizers were a must and I thought we ordered too much until we saw the plates. 

There were three dishes that were a must have and here is the visual of each. Our server Chris used an Ipad to show us each dish that was on the special menu. I found this to be an amazing display of creativity. Having a visual of each dish presented exactly as shown.

Great way to increase your appetite. 

The Sicilian fried Calamari was just as described. Not too spicy and cooked just right. After eating this dish from so many places, I would offer this a 7 out of 10. I am a tentacle man and did not see any tentacles in this dish. The garlic and peppers used were well balanced and the sauce was really what made this dish.
 

 The next dish on our menu was the Arborio Crusted Scallops served with Butternut Squash, Bacon Lardons, Yuzu and Tarragon. This dish was amazing. I could have had this for my entree. The only issue with this dish was there were 4 of us dining and only 3 scallops to the plate. 

 Pulled Chicken Arancini was also a dish that only had 3 servings. The ingredients placed into this dish created an explosion on your palate. Rissoto, Roasted Miropoix, Herbed Farmers Cheese and Charred Tomato Pesto combined to make this dish amazing. Again having to cut each piece to accommodate the four of us took something away from the essence of the bite. 

A complimentary dish of Oysters Rockefeller were served to us and we were told that the Oysters are all from Long Island. This dish was amazing and had 4 oysters so it was equally shared and loved by all four of us.

I could not have skipped the grilled Pulpo which for a local Italian Restaurant, was just as good or better than most high end places I have had this delicate dish. Tricky part is grilling the octopus without making the meat chewy. I enjoyed this very much.

Offered on the menu as Cavatelli Sunday Style served with Sunday Sauce(Gravy) with Braciaola, Sausage, Meatball and house-made Ricotta. Of course Mrs. Dish substituted sauteed Broccoli and Zucchini for the Cavatelli. The taste of this dish was unreal. The sauce was sweet as sugar without the use of that in the ingredients, The meatball was like eating a mini meat quiche. The Ricotta was perfect with just the right amount of spice

 A special Veal chop Pizziola was shown to us on the ipad and out came the exact visual. Presentation is to be given a 10 out of 10 because what you see is what you get. J. Stein ate every morsel of this and even enjoyed the bone. The plate was cleaned .

I myself enjoyed a Veal Chop Valdostana which is one of my favorite dishes. The veal was cooked to my liking and the balance of the wine and mushrooms were amazing served on a bed of Broccoli Rabe. I prefer to have my Veal Chop stuffed with the Fontina instead of just having it melted on the top. This was my only complaint.

Last but not least was a very special dish that was ordered by Mrs. Stein. She had her heart set on their almost famous shrimp Scampi and asked that instead of the Pasta, to be served on a bed of Spinach. The shrimps were plump and pink and the sauce was amazing. Served on that bed of Spinach made this dish a healthy choice for anyone looking to avoid carbs. This was extremely heart healthy.

The staff at Verde Wine Bar and Ristorante are some of the most knowledgeable I have ever encountered. They knew their menu inside and out and their attention to detail is what I would say is "Top Notch"

The food is prepared as you can see with the heart and soul of our chef, James and the care that the owner Anthony has transformed this establishment into.

I wish them the best of luck always.

Enjoy from 

"The Dish With Dean"

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

 

An American Bistro located in Merrick, NY 

I grew up in this town and have seen many changes over the years including the different restaurants that have occupied this location.

The atmosphere in this restaurant is fun and loud. This is not the place to go on a first date but a great place to go for cocktails and really good food.

Starting with A Winter Lobster Bisque was a great choice for me. Creamy Lobster and sweet Potato Soup. The soup was very tasty and had Pumpkin seeds and Creme Fraiche. The consistency was exactly as I like it with a few chunks of Lobster.

Fried Green Tomatoes served on a warm Spinach Salad with Bacon, Egg Capers, Pine Nuts and Radicchio. Accompanied by Smoked Gouda and a light Tomato Aioli. This dish was a very salty dish that did not leave a very good after taste on the palate. A little too much going on the plate .

Dinner was a different scene and really should be looked at. On the menu was a Short Rib Lobster Mac and Cheese. The person eating next to us ordered this and seemed to really be enjoying this. I asked what her thoughts were seeing the combination of the meat and shell fish and her response was "Amazing"

Our dinners were Amazing as well as you can see. A visual is always a good reference point for me when it comes to food.

 Seared Tuna speaks for itself served perfectly and literally melted in your mouth. The presentation was not just for looks because as you enjoyed each variable taste, you simply wanted more.

This dish of scallops was a recommendation from a client who eats here often. I asked our server his thoughts on this dish and he advised me to order it. Scallops are very tricky and these were cooked to perfection. Sweet yet firm and the corn chowder that it was served on was more of a cream corn mixture with fresh green beans to add a touch of color and crisp bite. Again the combination of tastes was clearly what this chef has in mind.

Combining the food and service that was offered by this restaurant should not be overlooked. I say check it out as soon as you can!

Enjoy from

"The Dish With Dean"

 

12 Elm Street

Huntington, NY 11743

631*923*1960 

 Starting with the bar area of this hidden treat, every sip is an experience. Start out by having their home made Sangria. Something you would not expect from a Japanese Sushi Emporium.

 

Creating the ultimate in comfort and cuisine, the manager, Wilson sees to it that your dining experience is a memorable one. The variety of cocktails can leave you in shock. Just remember to have moderation because the food is still to come.

Joining us for this evenings dining experience are B & M Rubin and The Iceman and his lovely bride Whit. Since Mr. R is a regular at this establishment, we are very well treated

The appetizers were plentiful and really had your mouth watering for more. As everyone knows, I am a big eater and the appetizers were such a tease. 
My Entree was clearly a Sashimi Deluxe which created a variety of tastes for my enjoyment. The fish was so very fresh and without any effort, melted in your mouth.
The presentation was the same as any other sushi restaurant but the quality was superb. 
 

 American Dream, kashi King, Out of control and the Valentine rolls were just amazing. The special sauces that accompany these rolls makes the dipping a treat in itself. 

The sesame Tuna was served chilled and along with the Tuna Tortilla served with fresh Guacamole and chips had me wanting more and more of these two delights.

 Say hello to the Iceman himself. Could he be any happier?
 

Special thanks to everyone who attended this and a special shout out to Wilson for making this an amazing night out with good friends.

 

  A must visit if you are enjoying the town of Huntington, NY 

 631*923*1960

Enjoy from

"The Dish With Dean" 

Trattoria L'incontro

21-76 31 street

Astoria, NY 11105

718-721-3532

Located in the heart of Astoria, NY where east meets west and you don't even realize you never crossed a bridge to get here.

In 1999 with the direction of Chef Rocco Sacramone, this gem of Italy was born. 

 Bringing with him some of Mommas old world recipes. He even brought on Momma to work with the kitchen staff and this was Rocco's chance to create new dishes for the lucky patrons of this unique dining experience.

Reservations are suggested and please be sure to make them way in advance.

My last trip to this gem was with a very large party so I called the manager, Vincent and informed him that I would be arriving with 15 people. Many of the guests are as much into food as I am so I knew this would be a good choice. My biggest fear was pleasing Mother Mary (Kishmera) who I found out has snuck into this restaurant with George several times. 

I allowed Vincent to choose a variety of appetizers so that we could get this party rolling. I had but only one request.

I wanted the Grilled Octopus. The taste of this dish cooked correctly was what makes this an experience to remember. 

Starting out with the Buffalo Mozzarella and baked Clams along with a special salad was a great start beginning along with the grilled Octopus. 

 One of the greatest challenges of any restaurant serving a large party of guests is to be able to serve each guest their entree at the same time and be sure they are all done correctly and come out hot.

 As you can see at L'incontro, that is the case. The service was and always is amazing.

 The location of this restaurant makes it a great place to meet for friends coming from Long Island and friends coming from the NYC.

 The extensive wine list has yet to be reckoned with. This particular crowd is a big drinking crowd.

So when I tell you we arrived at 8:00 for dinner and left this place around 12:30. 

This place get's 4 stars for food and 4 stars for service. 

Special thanks to Hope and Frank for coming. I had not seen Hope in over 30 years and that was a nice treat.

"The Dish is Back"

Enjoy from 

"The Dish With Dean"

 

Bistro 63

63 N. Pleasant street

Amherst, MA

A unique dining experience at Bistro 63. A wonderful mix of American favorites and eclectic  cuisine. Stepping into Bistro 63 located at the Monkey Bar Grill in Amherst, Massachusetts is quite a trip. 

Deciding what to drink at the bar as I was placed in the hands of Megan, the manager was a real treat. She introduced me to Deep Eddy Vodka from Austin, Texas.
I ordered a Ruby Red Deep Eddy on the rocks. This was one of the best Vodkas I have ever drank.
Smooth as silk and great taste. 

Dinner started off with a Fried Calamari that was prepared nicely. The rings were soft and tender and the dipping sauce was an added treat.

I had to order the Lobster corn chowder only to compare to some others I have had in the area. 

For those familiar with my liking of this soup, I would say try it if you are here but if you see something else that you want you can skip this. 

My main course was a Seafood Pescatore served over Linguini. This dish was very good. The assorted seafood accompanied by the marinara sauce was perfect. The linguini cooked to perfection and of course I did not leave over one bite. 

Our other guests had the seafood Risotto and they each ordered half orders.

Once again the seafood combined with the Risotto made for an excellent dish. 

What really stood out in this restaurant was what I look for most in a restaurant. The service was amazing and despite that they were so busy, the attention we received was unbelievable. At the end of the evening, the manager, Megan came over to the table to personally thank us and to make certain that everyone was happy with their meals and satisfied. 

Being in a town where there are so many choices for us to eat when we visit, I would have to say that I would not hesitate to go back here and recommend that anyone visiting Amherst, Massachusetts, please stop in if not for dinner than to have a drink. 

For Reservations call 413-259-1600. Be sure to say hello to Megan and tell her that"The Dish With Dean" sent you.

Enjoy!

"The Dish With Dean"