Konoba – A Taste of Croatia

Proprietor Daniel Pedisich shows off a dish prepared by Chef and Proprietor Bruno Oliveira

“Konoba” is the Croatian word for “Tavern” or “Wine Bar.” It is a Croatian inspired wine bar, lounge, and restaurant in the heart of Huntington Village. The ‘Craft Kitchen and Tasting Lounge’ is building on nearly a decade of success owning Huntington’s former Bin 56 Wine Bar. Chef and Proprietor Bruno Oliveira, along with Proprietor Daniel Pedisich, have created an exciting Modern European and international menu of small plates and specialties in an elegantly designed space with bar, banquet, and high top tables, optimized for large groups, and lounge area seating.

Food choices range from small plates and salads to full entrees and desserts. At each level, Chef Oliveira creates beautiful plated treats that are flavorful and robust.

For those who like thinly sliced uncooked steak, we suggest you sample the Filet Mignon Carpaccio, with capers, mixed greens, shaved Parmesan and Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($18.00) as a starter. It is light, tender and flavorful. Another favorite starter, or side dish, is the Crispy Brussels Sprouts ($12.00). Those who would normally turn their nose up at Brussel Sprouts, much try these. With shredded parmesan and creamy caper sauce for dipping, even a veggi-phobe will love the dish. You can also create your own sampler platter of savory cheeses and charcuterie, idle for accompanying their full and varied wine menu. A Foodie favorite from Bin 56 days is the Fuzi, (Istrian Truffle Fuzi Pasta) which comes with shrimp and parmesan cream ($19.00) and is excellent as a entree or a shared appetizer.

Cevapcici with ajvar is a flavorful and filling meal on an autumn night. It is a traditional dish of minced beef, lamb, and pork complimented by fries, red onion, pita and ajvar mixed vegetable spread ($23.00). If you are in a seafood mood, they have a mixed seafood grill entrée with Ahi tuna, Diver scallops and shrimp in a lemon butter sauce, or try the delicious grilled salmon kebabs with red pepper, red onion, and Mediterranean olives on a grilled pita. Another item on the menu that is great as a solo or shared plate is the fantastic Slavonian Flatbread served with Kulen (Slavanian Soppressata), red peppers, red onions, mozzarella cheese and vegetable marinara ($19.00).

For an incredible dessert, try the Palacinke. It is a Croatian style crepe filled with Nutella and topped with a generous portion of whipped cream which creates a light and flavorful way to end the meal ($12.00). The chocolate covered Bavarian pretzel is another of the many offerings that sweeten the end of a savory meal at Konoba.

Konoba is also listed on Open Table for its’ notable wine list. Tell owner Daniel what you like and he can match the perfect wine to your meal for a complete dining experience. If wine is not your drink of choice, they showcase many notable beers. One of the most popular beers they serve is Karlovacko, a bottled beer imported from Karlovac, Croatia. Konoba also has a full bar menu of fun specialty drinks such as a Figtini, Zagreb Mule, and Watermelon Smash.

On Sundays you can either order from the regular menu or enjoy the Sunday Brunch Addendum with dishes ranging from a traditional Belgium Waffle with fresh whipped cream, berries, and maple syrup ($16.00) to The Croatian Brunch A.K.A. ‘Marenda’ served with prosciutto, dalmatian cheese, pickle, fig spread, toast with Pasteta (paté of pork) and cabbage salad.

Whether you are stopping in for a full meal, late night snack, or just enjoying some liquid refreshments and live music, Konoba is sure to please.

Side Dish - Better Benedict, LI Restaurant Week, Shopping & Halloween

T.K.’s Eggs Benedict

BETTER BENEDICT: If you wake up on a weekend morning craving Eggs Benedict, then it’s time to pay a visit to TK’s Galley in Halesite, located at 156 New York Avenue. Along with the traditional Eggs Benedict with a slice of Canadian bacon, TK serves up some delicious versions that are also highly recommended. You can try the Corned Beef Hash Benedict which substitutes out the Canadian bacon for the savory and tasty alternative, or my favorite, the Tomato Benedict which gives this breakfast entree a lighter flavor. But the most decadent of all, and one that people travel from the south shore for, is the Lobster Benedict showcasing the sweet and succulent treasure of the sea. You certainly can’t go wrong starting your weekend off in the nautical atmosphere of TK’s Galley and with TK himself in charge of your Benedict.

MORE DINING ON THE HORIZON: Great ideas are worth repeating. Similar to our Dine Huntington Restaurant Week that just concluded a very successful week this past Sunday, the fall Long Island Restaurant Week is preparing to kick off on Sunday, Nov. 3, and runs through the following Sunday, Nov. 10. This time the entire island of restaurants are invited to participate. The cost remains the same at $29.95 for a threecourse prix fixe menu. This program began in 2011 and is run by the Long Island Restaurant and Hospitality Group, which is the business-to-consumer division of WordHampton Public Relations. Their website states that close to 200 restaurants are participating this fall from all over the island, so chances are if you name a restaurant, they’re in it. Again, like Dine Huntington, this week provides the opportunity to save money while dining and sampling restaurants you might not otherwise try. Each restaurant hopes that once they get you in the door, you will decide to come back. You can access the list of restaurants and menus on their website at longislandrestaurantweek.com.

SHOPPING AND HALLOWEEN GO HAND IN HAND: The Walt Whitman Shops are once again hosting a safe trick-or-treating environment for all the little ghouls and goblins of our town. On Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27, as well as Thursday, October 31, shoppers will have the opportunity to not only show off their great Halloween costumes, but also participate in family and pet-friendly photo booths to create a keepsake of the festivities. The Halloween photo booth will capture your boo-tiful picture on each of the three event days from 11a.m. – 6p.m., and the Halloween pet photo booth will only be open on Sunday, October 27 from 5p.m – 6p.m. The photo booths will be located in the middle of the mall and professional photo packages will be available. On Halloween itself, families can enjoy a safe and spooktacular day of strolling from store to store collecting treats from participating retailers, and free of worries about the weather cooperating.

Side Dish

A Chicken Coop in our future: An eatery from the Huntington village past is coming back to our neck of the woods. Our Foodie eyes spied a sign in the window of a house under renovation on East Main Street which made our mouth water. The Chicken Coop, formerly located in a tiny storefront on Gerard Street, appears to be reopening at 212 East Main Street in Huntington. Hopefully we can look forward to savoring their Grilltisserie Chicken with homemade sauces and delicious side dishes sometime in our near future. Who can forget their ‘Eddie Bang Bang’ sandwich of shredded chicken with blue cheese and hot sauce, or Big Al’s Burger with aged gouda, smokey chipotle sauce and a beer battered onion ring? Here’s to hoping their new transformation is as delicious as their former one.

Nibbles for football watching: Nobody wants to watch weekend football games on an empty stomach and that’s where Carl’s Main Street Deli can come to the rescue. They have an extensive catering menu with hot platters of chicken wings, mini crab cakes, and chicken fingers, as well as cold platters of shrimp cocktail, grilled vegetables, and mozzarella skewers. There is a platter of assorted sandwich wraps, and plenty of specialty heros to chose from, or when in doubt just order a party hero by the foot. The choices are endless with full and half trays of entrée options, pastas, and salads. And the best part is that they have free delivery with a $25 minimum order so you won’t even have to get off the couch and miss a play. Carl’s Deli is located in the North Country Village shopping center at 237 East Main Street, Huntington.

‘The Alchemy of Italy’ Book Signing: Explore the special cultural DNA that has made Italy both influential and beloved. The Huntington Library will host a presentation and book signing on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 2-4 p.m. that will pique your interest on the treasures of Italy. Carla Gambescia is the author of “La Dolce Vita University: An Unconventional Guide to Italian Culture from A to Z.” It’s a lifestyle compendium of all things Italian: food, wine, art, history, film and style. Carla is the former owner of Via Vanti Restaurant and Gelateria in Mount Kisco, and is currently a lecturer on the cultural DNA of Italy. She promises an informative and entertaining slide show presentation that anyone who is curious about, or already in love with the extraordinary culinary and cultural treasures of Italy. It’s free and open to all, though registration is required. Call 631-427-5165.

Kerbers: From Farm... To Table... To Cookbook

By Peter Sloggatt

pslogatt@longislandergroup.com

Serial entrepreneur Nick Voulgaris  III has added a cookbook to the roster of products to come out of  his revival of  Kerber’s Farm. Just out from Rizzoli Books, “The Kerber’s Farm Cookbook” celebrates the 75- year legacy of the farm that Huntington native Nick Voulgaris III bought six years ago and re-energized as a roadside country market and center of a growing  food brand. Kerber’s, located on Pulaski Road just west of Oakwood Road in Huntington, was the Huntington residents’ go-to place for poultry for decades. In 2013 it was looking like the farm would give way to condominiums.

Enter Voulgaris who bought the farm, re-opened it as a roadside marketplace and established an upscale brand whose products are sold by the likes of Williams Sonoma and Neiman Marcus. Along the way he’s established some foodie creds. His lobster roll recipes were featured in the New York Times, and his bestselling Kerberry Jam made its way onto “Oprah’s List.”

All of which tells you that Voulgaris good at both marketing and pleasing people’s palates. And he’s not afraid to share his secrets. “The Kerber’s Farm Cookbook” packs a year’s worth of recipes between its covers, with an emphasis on farm-to-table eating. Its 50 recipes are all from Kerber’s and include some dating back to the farms’s early days. Also included is a recipe for potato pancakes from Voulgaris’ grandfather who owned a Greek diner and helped in- spire his grandson’s love of cooking.

In all there are more than 50 recipes covering everything from baked goods to entrees, soups, and salads, and even homemade dog treats. In between are illustrated vignettes that offer advice on planting organic seedlings, harvesting vegetables, raising hens, harvesting fresh eggs, and caring for honeybees.

The cookbook is illustrated with more than 200 photographs by Lindsay Morris, photo editor of Edible Magazine and a regular contributor to the New York Times and other publications.