Don Juan

Don Juan

4899 Merrick Rd.
Massapequa Park, NY

(516) 798-1172

www.donjuanny.com/

Here We Go:  Don Juan's is a nice, sleek Mexican restaurant that serves up some good dishes in close quarters.  The food is kind of pricey (an average of $18), but I like that there are simple options for kids, like tacos, burgers and chicken nuggets.  You'll find parking in back lot, but I'd suggest calling for reservations before just showing up and trekking up to the door.  And now for the bad:  the bar is small and fills up easily, so don't bank on hanging out there to wait for a seat.  Even then, the sangria wasn't anything special (Tango's in Central Islip takes The Sangria Award).  We tried to revisit Don Juan's and when we asked the hostess to put us on the list, she informed us that she didn't know how long we would have to wait since they had reservations to wait on.  So we had the option of waiting for an indefinite period of time, looking at the empty tables and waiting for reservation holders who weren't even there, or leaving.  We left.  If you're looking for a place where you'll get more bang for your buck and some spectacular food, check out Pancho Villa's in Huntington.

No Pictures at This Time

Bottom Line:  Take it or leave it.

Athenian Greek Taverna

Athenian Greek Taverna

2187 Jericho Turnpike
Commack, NY 11725 

(631) 499-7660

www.atheniangreektaverna.com/

Here We Go:  Located in the corner of a shopping center, someone might easily overlook Athenian, but that would be their loss.  All I keep thinking about are those amazing Athenian Spring Rolls (see picture below) and the Moussaka - they were delicious!  I thought it was a little odd that there weren't any wine glasses (wine comes in a little metal pitcher that keeps it super cold, but then you just pour it into small drinking glasses), and the Lentil Soup was really just carrots and celery with a few lentils at the bottom.  Those are about the only complaints that I have.  This is a good place to go if you're looking for a casual place that can make you feel like you'll need someone to roll you back to your car about halfway through your meal.

Feast Your Eyes:

Cups of wine?

The Lentil Soup is more carrot and celery than anything else.

Athenian Spring Roll

Classic Gyro

The Moussaka is amazing! 

Bottom Line:  Get there!

D'Franco's Pizza

D'Franco's Pizza

2038 Sunrise Hwy.
Islip, NY 11751

Here We Go:  D'Franco's looks like any other pizzeria, and it basically is: young people behind the counter, seat-yourself dining area, and pre-made pies with slices ready to get tossed in the oven for you.  But then you look over the slices and, once you get past the plain cheese pies, you see toppings like penne, salad and even Fritos.  I wouldn't say that the quality of pizza here is completely different from any other pizzeria, but I can that D'Franco's knows how to give pepperoni a run for its money.  Oh and don't worry about parking, since this place is in a shopping center, you're covered.

Feast Your Eyes:

Just a few of the options available for you to try!

Bottom Line:  If you're looking for something a little different, you should give this place a try.

Peninsula

Peninsula

55 West Main St.
Bay Shore, NY 11706

http://www.allmenus.com/ny/islip/59067-peninsula-fs/menu/

Here We Go:   The thing about a place like Penninsula is that the decor just makes it worth revisiting.  Sure, you can get pretty much anything on the menu at any other Chinese or sushi restaurant, respectively, but when you walk in and step on the little bridge that takes you over the koi pond, you just feel like you're in a great place.  At night, the room darkens and the ceiling comes to life with little twinkling stars and the large salt water fish tank is stunning.  Once you take in all of the sights, you can focus on the menu, which boasts everything you'd expect.  Really, the thing that sets Peninsula apart from the rest is the atmosphere, so check it out for that reason, but you can get this food as take out someplace else (and probably for a little less money).

Feast Your Eyes:

Beef and Broccoli

Sweet and Sour Chicken (sauce on the side per request)

Sushi Bar

Garden Salad with Ginger Dressing

Honey Roll

 Maki Lunch Box

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!

Lo Piccolo

Lo Piccolo

581 Nesconset Hwy.
Hauppauge, NY 11787

http://www.lopiccolos.com/

Here We Go:   Setup in the corner of a shopping center, Lo Piccolo's could easily be overlooked, but the shopping center means that there's plenty of parking.  One side is a pizzeria and the other side is a sit-down restaurant.  Let's be honest, there are those Italian restaurants that blow you away, and then there are places like Lo Piccolo.  It was ok, and the mozzarella sticks were ok, and the salad was a standard ok salad.  The marinara is that bright red color that just let's you know that all you're going to really taste is tomato, which was...ok.  If you're close by and you need a quick meal or a take-out pizza, I guess I could see why you'd stop here, but you sure won't see us there.

Feast Your Eyes:

Mozzarella Sticks

Small Salad

Rice Ball

Penne with Grilled Chicken and Vodka Sauce

 Rigatoni with Marinara and Italian Sausage

Spaghetti with Marinara and Meatballs

Bottom Line:  Skip it and look for a different place that can do better than just ok. 

Gino's of Tuscany

Gino's of Tuscany

517 Main St.
Islip, NY 11751

http://www.ginostuscany.com/

Here We Go:   Gino's is a definite place for go-to Italian food.  My only gripe is that they changed the bolognese sauce awhile ago and now it tastes like it has less of the traditional flavor and more fennel or anise (it tastes like it has hints of black licorice).  Other than that, the portions are big, the pizza is greasy and the eggplant parmesan knows me by name.  Parking can be pretty discouraging if you can't find a spot in the back lot or right out front on the street.  Still, the food is worth circling until a spot opens up, which I've done several times.  Come casual and wear some loose clothing - you'll thank me later.

Feast Your Eyes:

Pepperoni Pizza

Eggplant Parmesan with Spaghetti 

Ravioli

Bottom Line:  Check it out and don't forget to walk out with a to-go menu!