SIDE DISH: New Taco Joint… Bertucci’s Closed… Restaurant Week…

Mission Taco is set to open at 371 New York Avenue in Huntington village. The building was formerly home to Acacia.

New Taco Joint: Mexican food lovers can look forward to a new taco joint in Huntington village. A sign for Mission Taco recently went up on the 371 New York Avenue building that was previously home to the restaurant and lounge Acacia. Acacia closed its doors just over a year ago after the restaurant’s liquor license expired. The club was the site of a stabbing in 2016 that left one victim hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. The space is set to reopen as a restaurant after Mission Taco took over the space in January. According to their website, Mission Taco’s menu “blends classic elements of rich authentic Mexican fare mixed with modern culinary techniques and local flavors.” The restaurant is also set to feature an extensive craft cocktail program, a rotating list of 20 craft beers, cold pressed juices and local kombucha. The décor is aimed at creating a “fun, trendy and relaxed environment” with natural wood, brick, warm colors and a 30-foot mural in the dining area. The restaurant is set to serve lunch and dinner, and will offer delivery, take out and sit down dining service

Bertucci’s on Walt Whitman Road in Melville closed its doors earlier this month.

LI’s Last Bertucci’s Closed: The last Bertucci’s location on Long Island has closed its doors. The Italian brick-oven pizza chain announced in a statement that the location at 881 Walt Whitman Road in Melville closed earlier this month. At its peak, Bertucci’s had over 100 restaurants nationwide, including three on Long Island. However, the Massachusetts-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 2018. The Melville location has been the last remaining Bertucci’s on Long Island for just over a year. When our Foodies visited the restaurant last January they were impressed by the brick-oven pizzas and the Pan Sautéed Mussels, or Cozze In Padella. The closure of the Melville restaurant means Bertucci’s has 57 locations in operation. Long Islanders looking for the nearest Bertucci’s brick-over pizza will have to travel to New Jersey or Connecticut.

Restaurant Week: Long Island Restaurant Week is set to kick off on April 28 and run through May 5. Praticipating restaurants will offer a special three-course, $29.95 prix-fixe menu for the entire week. The promotion was started in 2006 and is presented by the Long Island Restaurant and Hospitality Group. This year 15 restaurants from around the Town of Huntington have signed up to take part. They are: Athenian Greek Taverna; Besito Mexican; Bistro Cassis; Cafe Buenos Aires; Del Frisco’s Grille; Grassos; Honu Kitchen & Cocktails; Imperial Meat Company; Jewel; Jonathan’s Ristorante; Konoba; Mac’s Steakhouse; Matteo’s Trattoria; Piccolo Mondo; Ruvo; Ting.