View

View

3 Consuelo Pl.

Oakdale, NY 11769

(631) 589-2694

www.lessings.com/restaurant_home.aspx?uniid=8

Here We Go:  View is open and airy, with a fast and friendly staff.  The location is just beautiful - right on the water, so the option for outdoor seating comes with a plus.  This meal, from start to finish, was literally the best overall meal that I've had in a long time.  Everything was just spot on: the drinks were perfect, the appetizers were memorable (see the pics of the Peking Duck Tacos and Morning Roll below), and the entrees were absolutely savory.  I look forward to the next time that I stop in at View, so that I can try more of what is sure to be an amazing meal!

Feast Your Eyes:

Disaronno Sour and a Key Lime Pie Martini

Morning Roll

Peking Duck Tacos

Maine Lobster Pasta

Pappardelle Bolognese Pasta

Churro Bites

Bottom Line:  Get there and take me with you!

Barrington's Tavern and Social Club

Barrington's Tavern and Social Club

160 Adams Ave.

Hauppauge, NY 11788

(631) 951-0026

www.barringtonstavern.com/

Here We Go:  Why, Barrington's, why?  I really wanted to like this place, and the friendly waitress was so spread thin that I couldn't help but not blame her for the mess that was this early dinner.  Why would you have one waitress running an entire floor by herself during dinnertime on a Friday?  Taking orders, running drinks, bringing out apps and entrees, busing tables and checking in on the kitchen all by herself.  Madness!  As a result, the service was painfully slow, the live "band" caused us to scream at one another to be heard (social club??), and our entrees came 40 minutes after ordering, followed several minutes later by our appetizer!  And when the appetizer did come out, it was a blackened burn victim that we boomeranged back to the kitchen.  The manager took care of things, which was nice, but that didn't make up for all of that time.  Not to mention that the food was just ok.  Who just toasts Texas Toast without putting butter on it?

Feast Your Eyes:

Sloppy Texan (eh....)

Tavern Chicken Tenders (no seasoning...blah..)

Taco Bowls (they managed to completely burn one and the top of the other...but still brought them to the table!)

Bottom Line: Skip it like a flat stone on across a pond.

Changing Times

Changing Times

29 East Main St.

Bay Shore, New York 11706

(631) 647-7871

http://thechangingtimespub.com/bayshore/

Here We Go:   Even though half the place is restaurant seating, there's just something about Changing Times that says that it's a good bar.  Maybe it's that every Thursday is $2 drinks for the ladies, and there are enough TVs to remind you of how a man cave really should be.  Who cares?  What matters is that the beer is cold, the drinks are strong and the food is pretty frickin' good.  You can count on people bringing their kids in early on for dinner once in awhile, but um...did you catch that part about the drinks being strong?  Yeah, so who cares!  The dress is casual, there is parking on all sides...and the drinks are strong.

Feast Your Eyes:

Rocket Fuel

The Changing Times Rita (crazy good)

Bacon Cheeseburger

Chicken Cordon Blue Sliders (do you see that cheese??)

Bottom Line:  This is definitely one to check out!

Jewel

Jewel

400 Broadhollow Rd.

Melville, New York 11747

(631) 755-5777

www.jewelrestaurantli.com/index.php?m=off

Here We Go:   Lamps mounted to the ceiling upside down, water features, wine beautifully displayed in glass cases, and slick design details that exceed at impressing, dining at Jewel is an immediate treat.  And that's before you ever taste a bite!  Lucky for all of us impressed gawkers, the rest lives up to the decor.  From their Duck Jambalaya to their savory steaks, I have yet to find a dish there that didn't taste great.  Another bonus is that they know their way around a bar.  Wine, cocktails - you name it - it's going to be good!  There is plenty of parking in the attached lot and you should dress up enough to blend with the business crowd, which can definitely include dressing up a pair of nice jeans.  Entrees are an average of $25 and that doesn't include the $9 for sides.  (And before we forget, make it a point to visit the men's restroom. Regardless of your gender, you'll find something to laugh at there... .)


Feast Your Eyes:

You can't argue with that!

What can be better than dessert with chocolate dipping sauce?  Adding a mini root beer float to the mix!

Bottom Line:  Check it out! 

Beachtree

Beachtree

166 West Main St.

East Islip, NY  11730

(516) 798-1172

http://www.beachtreerestaurant.com/

Here We Go:   With a light, seaside vibe, Beachtree makes for a nice place to grab a bite or to reserve space for larger parties. Although the food looks and tastes pretty good, you can't help but notice that none of it really screams "fresh." Even for brunch, whether you get random "cold spots" in your food is hit or miss. Either the food is all premade or bought frozen, because getting something custom ordered (i.e. no onions mixed in, etc.) isn't an option. Don't get me wrong, I still do like their Chicken Cordon Blue, but it's hard to find someone who wants to come along and take their chances on what they order.


No Pictures at This Time


Bottom Line:  Take it or leave it.

Lombardi's on the Bay

Lombardi's on the Bay

600 South Ocean Ave.
Patchogue, NY 11772

http://www.lombardisonthebay.com/OnTheBay/

Here We Go:   Lombardi's on the Bay is part restaurant, part catering hall, but right now we're focusing on the restaurant part.  You can eat in the main restaurant, a more casual second restaurant that is located toward the back of the building, or outside right on the water.  The food was fresh, perfectly cooked and delicious.  It couldn't have been better...well, unless you add on a Pomegranate Martini or any one (or several) of their specialty drinks!  As for parking, you can opt for finding a spot in the attached lot (which we did) or pulling up to valet.  Dress up some jeans or go in business-casual attire, and you'll be fine.  It was such a great experience from start to finish that we are looking forward to our next visit. 

Feast Your Eyes:

Fried Calamari

 Clams Casino

Long Island little neck clams with red yellow peppers, & crispy bacon

Fried Zucchini with Marinara Sauce

Sides are large enough for 2 (or more) at Lombardi's

Filet Mignon

Rigatoni with Shrimp, Scallops and Fresh Spinach

 in a light creamy grape tomato sauce

Short Fusilli with Lobster Meat

in a creamy grape tomato sauce with fresh asparagus

Bottom Line:  Go already!

Dixie's Smokehouse

Dixie's Smokehouse

12 Indian Head Rd.
Kings Park, NY 11754

http://www.dixiessmokehouse.com/

Here We Go:   Dixie's is just a nice, laid back place to grab some good BBQ, a cold beer and a breezy spot in their outdoor seating area.  You'll find Dixie's in a shopping plaza, so parking isn't an issue, and the dress is casual.  The ribs are always delicious, the atmosphere is relaxed, service is quick and the staff is always friendly.  Best of all, you'll undoubtedly leave full and satisfied.  Another bonus is that there's something for everyone on the menu.  The kids menu (for Little Outlaws) includes a drink, a side and favorites like mac and cheese and chicken fingers, but you'll also find pulled pork and riblets - all for under $6!  You can't beat that.  And for those who want some BBQ, but want to trim down on the calories (crazy, I know) you'll find  the rotisserie turns out some good options. 

Feast Your Eyes:

Rotisserie Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries

Full Rack of Ribs with Waffle Fries, Mac N Cheese and Corn Bread

Half Rack of Baby Back Ribs with Texas Toast and Mac N Cheese

Hot Wings

Bottom Line:  Check it out!

McCann's Pub

McCann's Pub

5590 Merrick Rd.

Massapequa, NY 11758

(516) 798-1496

mccannspubnyc.com/massapequa/main.html

Here We Go:   McCann's is such an easy going place that's loaded with flat screen TVs, leather couches, good drinks and delicious food.  I haven't ordered anything that I haven't liked, and the staff is always very friendly.  It's nice to have a place that you can just drop in for a good plate of food and a cold beer.  Parking isn't an issue - just grab a spot in the attached lot, and dress is casual.

Feast Your Eyes:

A quick glance inside.

The French Onion Soup never disappoints and the Chicken Cordon Blue Bites with Gravy are delicious!

The Ring of Saturn Burger, Pretzel-Wich, and Philly Cheese Steak.

Bottom Line:  Did you see those pictures?  How could you not check it out?  Get in there!

Four Food Studio

Four Food Studio

515 Broad Hollow Rd.
Melville, NY 11747

www.fourfoodstudio.com/

Here We Go:   The 4 different areas of the restaurant are decorated to represent each of the 4 seasons, respectively.  The modern decor amounts to simple and subtle implications, but you'll get it.  There's just something about FOUR that makes you feel like you're in a special place and that you're about to have some good food.  I'm a huge fan of their Butternut Squash Soup, because of it's simplicity but smooth, rich flavor.  But, don't count on finding this soup at just anytime of the year (menu items vary by the season, of course).  The FOUR Cheese Flatbread shouldn't be overlooked either.  Parking can be found in their attached lot, or you can opt for valet.  Dress is business casual during the day, but should be polished up at night.  Meals are average about $14 for lunch, and $17 for dinner.  It can get pricey, but FOUR is a nice to place to head to when you're in the mood for a simply modern treat.

Feast Your Eyes:

The steaks and burgers are juicy and delicious!

You can't really go wrong with Guinness Chocolate Cake for dessert.

Bottom Line:  Check this place out.

Blackstone Steakhouse

Blackstone Steakhouse

10 Pinelawn Rd.
Melville, NY 11747

www.blackstonesteakhouse.com/

Here We Go:   I can't say enough about this place!  The atmosphere is amazing, the staff is beyond courteous, the view of the full sushi bar is impressive, and the cocktails are perfect.  I have tried several items from the menu and I have never been disappointed.  (Make sure you get all 3 sides of their signature sauces with your steak.)  Parking isn't an issue, and there is a valet option.  The dress is business casual during the day, but polish it up at night.  It's always obnoxious when people decide to go to some place like Blackstone in a Jets jersey (shame on you, sir).  Regardless, from steaks to sushi, you will find a special place in your heart and your stomach for this amazing restaurant!

Feast Your Eyes:

Mexican Signature Roll

Spicy crunchy lobster, apple, spicy tuna, Chipotle mango sauce, tobiko

No. 3

Crab, masago, spicy mayo, crunchy, soybean sheet

Volcano

King Crab, Pepper Tuna, Honey Wasabi Sauce with an Open Flame

Bottom Line:  Check it out...immediately!