Where To Eat Your Heart Out
/By Carrie Parker
info@longislandergroup.com
Mill Pond House Restaurant’s special Valentine's Sushi Roll appetizer of salmon, shrimp, and avocado topped with yellowfin tuna.
Whether it’s the very first date or one of many, Valentine’s Day offers a chance for each foodie and their special someone to bond over a meal that won’t be forgotten. But, with potentially differing palates, it’s good to have more choices than not.
Have no fear, the Foodies are here to shed some light on the wine and cuisine being offered up by restaurants across town next Tuesday. Here are just a few of the many offerings:
Besito Mexican
402 New York Ave., Huntington
631-549-0100
Besitomexican.com
The perfect place to share plenty of “besitos,” or “little kisses” as its translated, Besito Mexican in Huntington village promises to offer two chef’s specials, a chocolatey dessert and cocktail specials in addition to its full menu during its Valentine’s Day Weekend celebration spanning Friday, Feb. 10 through Tuesday, Feb. 14. So, pucker up – it’s in the name after all!
Honu Kitchen & Cocktails
363 New York Ave., Huntington
631-421-6900
Honukitchen.com
Honu is hosting a Valentine Weekend of Love, which lasts Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10-12, and Tuesday, Feb. 14. There will be special offerings on the menu for diners who stray from the regular menu. Start with Long Island Blue Point Oysters (half dozen $18; dozen $36) or a crispy goat cheese salad ($12). For the main course, try the New Zealand Rack of Lamb with glazed heirloom carrots and herb mashed potatoes ($37) or Pan Roasted Chilean Sea Bass with caramelized cauliflower puree and oven roasted vegetables ($38). See which dish will find its way to your heart – okay, or at least your stomach.
Mill Pond House Restaurant
437 E. Main St., Centerport
631-261-7663
Millspondrestaurant.com
Cozy up with your honey and a nice flank of steak, spread of seafood or roll of sushi in this century-old colonial with a spectacular water view and award-winning wine list. Celebrate Valentine’s Day from 12 noon- 4 p.m. with the regular lunch menu of lobster, salads, sandwiches, artisanal cheeses, the Mill Pond Burger and a colossal Seafood Plateau from the raw bar. After 4 p.m., enjoy a special $60 per person, three-course dinner. Settle in with classics like lobster bisque, fried calamari, clams and oysters or go for the Mediterranean Plate of black pepper hummus, raita, roasted peppers, halumi, feta cheese and grilled pita. Or try the almost-too-pretty-to-eat special Valentine’s Roll of salmon, shrimp and avocado topped with tuna. Then choose the Mill Pond Chopped Salad or Classic Caesar before diving into one of the many rich entrees. For meat-lovers, savor a line-up of ribs, chicken, filet mignon, pork chops, skirt steak, or duck. More the seafood type? Delight in some shrimp scampi, pan-seared salmon, or Chef Sammy’s Valentine’s Dinner special of tuna, salmon, eel, crabmeat and more.
Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar
117 New York Ave., Huntington
631-385-1515
Restaurantprime.com/huntington
Just one night is not enough, so Prime is starting its Valentine’s Day celebrations on Friday, Feb. 10 and running them through Tuesday, Feb. 14. Choose from the dinner menu or do a little match-making with the specials menu. Savor a warm goat cheese tart with cherry and fig jam ($14) to start, followed by an entrée of seared halibut and saffron risotto ($37) or a Japanese A5 Wagyu strip loin ($90). Top it off with a red velvet ice cream sundae for two with hot fudge and cream cheese ice cream($14).
Ruvo Restaurant & Bar
63 Broadway, Greenlawn
631-261-7700
Ruvorestaurant.com
Soft candlelight and natural greenery imbue Ruvo’s dining room with sophistication and a touch of Southern Italian countryside. It’s a three-course love affair on their Valentine’s Day $50-$65 per person, prix fixe menu with a complimentary glass of champagne and chocolate truffles. Select from an array of antipasti including beef short rib risotto, sausage-stuffed rice balls, crispy potato gnocchi or chilled local oysters in old bay cocktail sauce. For an enticing entrée, choose from lobster ravioli, rack of lamb, crabmeat stuffed flounder, veal Sorrentino or duck in a sweet and sour apricot glaze. Before the night is over, the desserts are sure to steal your heart. Savor flourless chocolate peanut butter cake with vanilla bean ice cream; lemon pana cotta; Godiva chocolate-dipped strawberries with toasted coconut; cheesecake or gelato.
Sandbar
55 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor
631-498-6188
Lessings.com
Sandbar boasts a nautical, chic dining room with a crackling fireplace and elegant bar –making it a perfect place to impress a date. Chef Guy Reuge’s special a la carte menu (subject to change) offers a refined seafood-centric Valentine’s Day and much more. For a first course, savor some pistachio crusted foie gras ($30), steak tartar ($20), shaved brussels salad ($12), or octopus carpaccio ($16). Follow up with a second course of roasted rack of lamb ($39), filet mignon and foie gras with black truffles ($36), Long Island striped bass ($32), winter vegetable barley risotto ($22), or perhaps the Floridian red snapper in a red curry coconut broth ($24). From passion fruit cheesecake and classic vanilla crème brûlée to chocolate covered strawberries and molten chocolate cake, make sure you don’t forget dessert—heck, your taste buds probably never will.
