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"   

Part III of 

"The Dish With Dean" 

in Sin City

On the Last night of our Journey we visited a restaurant in The Wyn Resort and Casino

LAKESIDE RESTAURANT

Featuring Executive Chef 

 David Walzog whose culinary creations

  leave you wanting more. The three things needed for the ultimate experience in dining were all present. 

*Food* Service* Atmosphere* 

The show is just an added bonus that you have to view in this link I have included, Lake of dreams

Now as you can imagine I can't wait to tell you about the food.

For starters we ordered a spanish grilled octopus with a white bean salad and a sherry vinegar.

The octopus was cooked so tender and melted in your mouth. .

Mr. Yelly ordered the Oysters Rockefeller and before I had a chance to taste it, he had devoured them.

The best appetizer of the evening was the King Crab and Guacamole.

The combination of these two flavors were the ultimate in choices. Enjoyed by stollie himself and one other guest, There was enough for everyone to taste.

An amazing blend of King Crab that was clearly as fresh as the evening. The Guacamole was prepared just before the pairing of these two teasers and molded to create this "Top Notch" dish.

Another item ordered to start was a chopped salad customary of most restaurants of this type. Each of us had a taste and the salad was crisp and fresh. (Boring)

 

Now for what you have been waiting for.

The dinner!

The New York Strip Steak as told by Stollie was the best steak he has ever had the pleasure and believe me his pleasure is everyone's business. 

This is the picture of his plate after he started because I didn't get the chance to take the picture before.

I was too indulged in my own steak which clearly was "Top Notch"

Perfect temperature and perfectly seasoned, nothing was left to chance.

  Mr. Black had the Sword Fish which was very moist and flavorful. With each bite you could hear his satisfaction.

For side dishes we had the Oyster Mushrooms, Broccolini, and Lobster Mac and cheese.
The shrooms were sauteed with a white wine and garlic and cooked with love from the kitchen.

The Broccolini really was amazing and over the top. The delicate vegetable was grilled in an EVO and dusted with amazing spices to help bring out the true flavor.

Ok so now your mouth is watering and I too wish I was back in Vegas enjoying this meal once again.

The Lobster Mac and Cheese was created from three different cheeses and I have to say that the Lobster used was clearly not shelled fresh. The cheese sauce was very watery and the pasta used was not at all firm. 

Unfortunately, this was not worth the calories consumed and based on past menu items, this was not their regular dish. 

Of course to read about the wine that accompanied this amazing dinner, you will have to read Sipping With Stollie.

Perhaps the best steak I have ever eaten and aside from the Lobster Mac and Cheese, I would say that if you are ever in Vegas and have the opportunity to eat here, DO IT!

Anniversary, Birthday or just want to say "I love you". 

Or you could go with six other guys like I did and celebrate a milestone birthday.

Enjoy!

"The Dish With Dean"

Part II in Sin City 

with

 "The Dish With Dean"

TAO restaurant in Las Vegas is located in the Venetian Resort and Casino.

This was the second night of our stay and we were all very rested and very hungry. Those that had been here before made recommendations of what we should order. 

Rather than have them rush us out of this 400 seat Asian adventure, we decided to order appetizers first. 

Starting with the Dragon Tail Spareribs, a variety of Dumplings and Chicken Satay. 
We immediately needed more of the Spareribs. They were simply delicious.
 

For dinner we ordered a variety of dishes one of which stands out was the Chilean Sea Bass. The sauce for this fish was over the top. Delicate enough not to over power the flavor of the fish itself. The other dishes ordered were basic of Asian fair. We ordered a Chicken Kung Pao and a few different noodle dishes. Remember that this is Las Vegas and a very commercial restaurant. Really not what 'The Dish" is all about. 
I like to find that little hole in the wall where the locals go and the tourists don't know about. Was it a great experience? I enjoyed the food and I mostly enjoyed the company.
If you have never been to Tao in any of their locations, it is worth the trip.....once!

Enjoy

"The Dish With Dean"  

 

The Dish With Dean Explores Las Vegas

From Thursday, September 19-22, 2013

The Dish had the opportunity to share a very good friend's birthday along with six other of his closest friends. 

A very Happy Birthday goes out to 

Mr. Dym. 

We will always remember this special birthday!

Thanks for inviting us to share it with you!

Flying into Vegas from NY was a long drawn out flight. I had a window seat and had the pleasure of sitting next to "Leo" from Bayridge, Brooklyn. Turns out Leo is the owner of an Italian restaurant in Brooklyn. 

At a later date I will be there to sample his specialties. 

The trip began late Thursday night as we had a reservation at Mesa Grill.

 Starting off with cocktails this was a great place to start the trip. The birthday boy had a Ribeye Steak. I asked why he ordered this when we were clearly going to be visiting a steak house at some point in our journey. 

He said he was "hungry."

The steak was as expected marbleized and served at just the right temperature.

 Our server recommended the Halibut.

Some of us ordered this and the fish was so flaky, it just fell onto the fork and melted in your mouth. It was served with a blue corn crust accompanied by a warm salsa, Sweet tomatoes and olives. 

This dinner was clearly a blur to me because we were traveling for so many hours. I do know that the wine chosen for this meal was a Russian River Pinot Noir.

 The one downside of the Mesa Grill was that Mr. Yelly ordered the Mango and Spice crusted Tuna Steak.

 

This dish came out exactly as it should have been served except that Mr. Yelly wanted it more rare than "black and blue".

Needless to say the dish went back to the kitchen and after not returning to the table during a 30 minute wait, we asked the server to forget it. He apologized and said they would make a new one which was declined.  

Mr. Yelly did not eat dinner this evening.

My personal assumption of Mesa Grill Las Vegas is typical of Vegas. The food is great and that comes from the executive chef. 

Bobby Flay always pays special attention the the quality and design of his dishes. Not being present at all his restaurants is always an issue with the service. Although our server was attentive at first, in a place like this you are only a number and there is no personal attention. Even in a place as large as this, put a smile on your face and fake it. Make believe that the people you are serving are the only people in the place. A little sugar goes a long way.

On to the next dinner adventure!

Enjoy from

"The Dish With Dean"  

Frying Pan 
Located at Pier 66 
 
This seasonal maritime experience is a world unto itself. We had the pleasure of being here on a wonderful sunny Sunday afternoon. 
We were joined by "The Landsharks" and had it not been that Mr. Pow was not feeling well, him and the Mrs would have joined us as well.

High Line Park NYC

                          This day started with a pleasant trip to the High Line Park in NYC. Together along with the Pow's we have been there many times. This was the first time that "The Landsharks" had been there. It is always nice to see someone who has lived in NY for all their lives enjoy something new about it.
For dinner I decided to take them to the Frying Pan which is located at Pier 66 at the west end of 26th street.
 
This place was recommended by Hope S. and since all of her recommendations have always been spot on we decided to give it a shot. 
We did not know that it was a self serve place but based on the crowd, it was a younger and more casual foody. I can see why on the weekends this place rocks out and gets a large drinking and partying crowd. The menu is an easy read with not too much to think about. 

With great views and perfect weather this is an amazing place to venture into. Watch the helicopters land and enjoy an ice cold beer. 

We started our dining experience with an order of lamb meatballs served with a tzatziki sauce. These were very tasty and the tzatzki sauce had a real nice garlic and cucumber mix.

Both ladies ordered the salmon on a bed of fresh greens. One dish came out cooked OK and the other was considered "sushi"

That one went back to the grill with a little bit of attitude.

Both Mr. Landshark and myself had the BBQ St. Louis Ribs with Red Potato salad and a sour pickle salad. 

The Ribs were what you would expect from a place like this but down a few cold beers and they were great. 

Coming to you soon live on You Tube will be "The Dish With Dean"

If you have the opportunity to come here on Sunday afternoon or on a Friday night, it is well worth the visit. Just the experience is all the fun you will need.

                                       

  Enjoy From

"The Dish With Dean"