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!

The Pie at Salvatore's

The Pie at Salvatore's

120 E. Main St.

Bay Shore, NY 11706

(631) 206-1060

salvatorescoalfiredpizza.com/

Here We Go:  Casual, quick, coal-fired, fresh - all words I'd use to describe The Pie.  Whenever we go, we get the The Original Neapolitan Pizza.  I've tried to get other pizzas there, but I just can't!  This pizza calls to me like a mystical pizza siren and I'm left helpless.  It's just so deliciously fresh and cheesy...and the pepperonis are these flavorful slices of heaven.  If you're able to ignore the lure of the Neapolitan, you can find other interesting pies, like Clams Casino Pie and a Salad Pie.  Something you should know is that The Pie doesn't take credit cards, so bring cash or you can use their in-house ATM.  Also, don't expect to walk in for a slice - you get a full pie or niente (nothing).  Plenty of parking in the back, and outdoor seating if it's nice out.

Feast Your Eyes:

How fresh does that salad look? And the dressing is fantastic!

Oh yeah!

Bottom Line: Check it out!

Pancho Villa's

Pancho Villa's

311 New York Ave.

Huntington, NY 11743

(631) 549-0022

www.panchovillalongisland.com/

Here We Go:  When I start to crave great Mexican food, I know Pancho Villa's is the place to go.  As soon as you walk in, you're hit with the aroma of what you know is going to be awesome food and then the decor takes you right to Mexico.  The Guacamole is so fresh and delicious that if you're a fan of guacamole I'd strongly suggest you give it a try.  Go for the combination plates just so you can try a variety of things, otherwise, you're likely to end up sampling food from around the table.  Parking isn't usually an issue, but they do offer valet for dinnertime.  The dress is casual, so feel free to wear anything with an elastic waist, or prepare to unbutton.

Feast Your Eyes:

The salt rim is done in the colors of the Mexican flag.  Sweet!

Bottom Line: You know what to do.  Check it out!

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.