Foodie Favorites Of 2017
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By The Foodies
info@longislandergroup.com
With 2017 in the rear-view mirror, the Foodies are reflecting on some of the truly delicious and delectable dishes we tried this year at restaurants across the Town of Huntington. It was tough to narrow down our favorites, and there are plenty more that we just simply couldn’t fit on these pages, but below is a roundup of a few of our favorites.
The “French Toast” ($10) at Brew Cheese (40 Woodbine Ave., Northport) isn’t typical. While a thick portion of warm cinnamon swirl toast is topped with powdered sugar and a light drizzle of maple syrup, there’s one more ingredient that sets the dish apart: cheese. A heap of melted French raclette cheese is scraped right off the wheel on top of the dish, creating a sweet and savory taste that we loved.
At Black & Blue (65 Wall St., Huntington) the Cajun Dusted Yellowfin Tuna ($28) is a delicious pairing of stir fried rice, seaweed salad, pickled ginger and wasabi aioli. We loved how the tuna was seared, but stayed rare inside — it helped balance the best of both worlds. The savory rice provided an ideal backdrop for the light and springy seaweed salad, all topped with refreshing ginger.
One of Huntington village’s newest burger joints, fittingly dubbed Burgerology (308 Main St.) serves up glorious, cheesy combinations. The Mac Attack burger ($15.95), one of the restaurant’s most popular offerings, brings together an 8-ounce burger, bacon and succulent mac and cheese. It’s all sandwiched between a warm pretzel bun.
Fado (10 New St., Huntington) serves up traditional Portuguese flavors, such as its Afternoon in Portugal ($18), a combination of white anchovies and grilled pork belly that sits atop aged Portuguese cheese and marinated spicy olives with garlic toast points. The savory pork belly is a great compliment to the saltiness of the anchovies in this take on surf and turf.
At IMC (279 Main St., Huntington) be sure to check out their specialty Donuts ($10), a masterful take on an everyday classic. They’re filled with a warm dulce de leche, topped with cinnamon sugar and served with a side of crème anglaise for dipping.
The Lark Pub and Grub (93 Larkfield Road, East Northport) has been a neighborhood hangout since it opened in 2009, serving up classic pub fare like Fried Mac and Pepper Jack ($8). A large helping of mac and pepper jack cheese is deep fried to create a golden brown crust that gives way to a cheesy mac that takes on the pepper jack flavor. The dish is finished with the pub’s traditional Cajun ranch dressing that adds just the right amount of spice.
Recently reopened Matteo’s of Huntington (300 W Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station) is serving up classic Italian dishes and some new favorites, including the Pizza Robiola ($18.50) that features robiola cheese, mozzarella, basil and truffle oil. The crust has just the right level of crunch on the outside, while still maintaining a soft fluffy texture on the inside. The creamy cheese and truffle oil add an almost buttery taste that serves to elevate and refine this pizza.
Across from The Paramount in Huntington village, Porto Fino (395 New York Ave.) distinguishes itself from the other pizza joints with dishes like Mussels Mandolino ($15.95). The aromatics of the basil and fresh seafood get the senses working before you even taste the mussels, baby shrimp and cherry peppers, served in a light cream sauce. The sauce has a kick that provides great flavor, but does not overpower the dish. Every bite is a new combination of textures and flavors that adds depth and complexity.
The Purple Elephant (81b W Fort Salonga Road, Northport) serves up a gluten-free Shrimp Patagones & Guacamole ($16) appetizer that’s truly unique. It plates crispy fried green plantains, house-made guacamole, cherry peppers and chili vinaigrette. The patagones make an excellent foundation for the smokey shrimp, while the cherry peppers pack a formidable spice that remains pleasant, balanced by a cooling, all-natural guacamole.
At Seven Quarts Tavern (688 Fort Salonga Road, Northport) the Classic Linguine and Clam ($22) brings together manila clams and guanciale, garlic, white wine, parsley and rustic bread. It’s all served over linguine. The guanciale, or pork cheek, completes the classic combination of pork and clams. And even when the pasta and clams are gone, a slice of toasted bread is the perfect vehicle to soak up the last drops of the garlic and white wine sauce.
While The Shed (54 New St., Huntington), one of the newest restaurants in Huntington village, offers an all-day breakfast menu, our Foodies raved about the Shed Burger ($13). It’s topped with American, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion jam and shed sauce, cooked to perfection and topped with a double helping of melted cheese. The soft bun and shed sauce deliver a little bit of sweetness to the juicy burger meat.
Straight out of New Orleans, but served up in Huntington is the Fire and Rice Jambalaya ($21.95 with chicken, $23.95 with shrimp or with crawfish, $25.95 with duck) at Storyville American Table (43 Green St.). The dish packs the Cajun “holy trinity” of onion, green peppers and celery, and is seasoned with “heat and love.” It’s all mixed up with tomato, ham, smoked andouille sausage and rice. Infused with a tempered spiciness, it’s a storm of spiced veggies and meats that tickles the palate with joy.
Last but not least, the Dream of Tuna ($16) at Ting (92 E Main St., Huntington) features toro tartare mixed with scallions and crunch wrapped in tuna topped with crispy shallots topped with wasabi truffle soy sauce. The dish tastes freshly caught and bursts with freshness from the additional topping of microgreens with a tasty under layer of the truffle soy sauce.
