Side Dish: Guest Chef; Restaurant Week Coming Soon; & More

Former “Sopranos” star Joe Gannascoli, left, will be cooking his famous spaghetti carbonara tableside at Matteo’s in Huntington Station this Friday.
He’s pictured with Burt Young, aka Paulie of the “Rocky” film series.  Photo/Facebook/Matteo’s

GUEST CHEF: Matteo’s Trattoria & Bar (300 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station) will host this Friday former “Sopranos” star Joe Gannascoli, who doubles as an experienced chef and will be cooking up his famous spaghetti carbonara tableside. Gannascoli, known for his role as Vito Spatafore Sr. in “Sopranos,” has worked in notable kitchens in New York, Los Angeles and New Orleans. His spaghetti carbonara tableside is prepared in a Parmesan wheel with Grana Padano, sautéed onions, garlic, cream and truffle oil, and serves two people. It’s available with chicken ($28) or shrimp ($38). Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling 631-421-6001.

MARTONI MOVES: Martoni Gourmet Emporium has moved from Huntington village to Northport Village. Martoni, a shop offering extra-virgin olive oils, aged balsamics, porcini mushrooms, pastas, gelato and more, originally opened in June 2017 at 30 Gerard St. However, a sign posted on the storefront announced that Martoni has moved to 245 Main St., Northport Village, across the street from John Engeman Theater. For more information, visit Martonigifts.com.

VALENTINE’S AT OHEKA: Our Foodies are hard-pressed to think of a better way to spend Valentine’s Day with a special someone than a night at Oheka Castle. Rooms in the castle start at $395 for the night. Be sure to also check out the castle’s bar and restaurant, which offers a lovely, authentic European ambiance that our Foodies loved. For more info, visit Oheka.com.

Students of North Ridge Primary School in Commack collected a whopping 7,188 cans and bags of soup last month, ahead of last Sunday’s big game, to donate to Long Island Cares. Photo/Commack School District

‘SOUPER’ SUCCESS: The ninth annual “Souper Bowl” at North Ridge Primary School in Commack was a huge success, collecting a whopping total of 7,188 cans and bags of soup. Lorraine Esposito, the PE teacher at North Ridge, “sculpted” the soup into the shape of a giant sneaker. “Each day when the children came to gym, they were amazed at how well the sculpture was beginning to take shape and this motivated them to bring in more and more soup,” Esposito said. Each class’s donations were tallied on a bulletin board, and Mrs. MacKenzie’s class won the “Souper Bowl” by donating 1,976 cans of soup, an achievement that earned them some extra play time in the gym’s Safety City. The soup was donated to Long Island Cares, which serves individuals and families in need.

GET READY: The Foodies are excited to announce that Spring DineHuntington Restaurant Week kicks off Sunday, March 18 and will again offer a choice for restaurateurs and patrons alike. Through Sunday, March 25, restaurants across Huntington will offer three-course meals at one, or more, of three price points: $20, $30 and $40. Sit tight; we’ll have a list of participating restaurants for you in the coming weeks. In the meantime, stay glued to Dinehuntington.com for updates, and later to check out the menus of each participating restaurant.