East of NYC - The Buzz

Sunday Brunch on Long Island: jojo apples cafe and soda shoppe in Point Lookout

To view all of our previous brunch picks, please click here.

Although I'm not sure if it would qualify as a brunch (they have breakfast every day of the week), jojo apples in Point Lookout is our choice of the week. Nestled in the sea-side town of Point Lookout (at the end of the Loop Parkway, not far from Lido Beach) jojo Apples is a no-frills restaurant with a loyal following of locals that enables them to be open all year 'round.

Our visit to this small restaurant was on a Saturday morning after the summer season had ended.  The restaurant was about half-full and the outdoor dining area on the side was still being utilized by a few daring souls.

 The breakfast / brunch menu is a pretty full one.  There's your selection of omelettes, pancakes, french toast and other usual varieties of morning foods. I saw their stuffed french toast on the menu and immediately decided that my search for a breakfast item was over.  The french toast was served with cream cheese oozing out of the middle, topped with sliced apples and smothered in whipped cream and chopped walnuts. 

jojo apples is a restaurant that we can recommend to you if you're looking for a great atmosphere that is welcoming and casual.  You'll leave feeling pretty full and completely satisfied. 516-432-6494

Upcoming NYC Event: NY Taste by New York Magazine (November 2nd)

On Monday, November 2nd, join New York culinary editor Gillian Duffy and more than 40 of the city’s finest restaurants for the 11th annual New York Taste, an evening to benefit City Harvest.

Participants at this year’s event will include Alain Allegretti, Dan Barber, Andrew Carmellini of Locanda Verde, Alex Guarnaschelli of Butter, Morimoto, Michael White of Marea, Zak Pelaccio and many more.

Click here to purchase tickets.

VIP TICKET PRICE: $250 plus 8.875% sales tax
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET PRICE: $175 plus 8.875% sales tax

Skylight
275 Hudson Street (between Spring and Dominick Streets)
New York, NY 10013

[ via Eating Manhattan ]

Notable Opening: Texas Roadhouse in East Meadow

We've yet to eat at a Texas Roadhouse before, but we did notice a bit of excitement on some local blogs this past week with the opening of their East Meadow location (the only one on LI). Huge portions of bbq is what you can expect after you suffer through some of their long lines to get in the door.  If you've eaten here, drop us a note below and let us know how your experience was.  To view their menu, click here.

516-520-7427

Notable Opening: Iavarone Bros. in Woodbury

Iavarone Bros., one of Long Island's most well-known purveyors of fine foods and marketplace offerings is now open in the Woodbury Village Center. High quality meats, salads, entrees, sausages and baked goods are just some of the cuisine available for purchase at this European-style marketplace.  We'll be looking at them more in-depth on Eating Long Island, so keep checking back for more information. 516-921-5400

Notable Opening: Luzzo's in Westbury

Next week will usher in the opening of Luzzo's in Westbury. Taking over for the spot vacated by Macaroni Grill a few years back, this NYC pizza spot will be ready with their hot-hot-hot brick ovens and their famous ownership (this is co-owned by Vincent Scotto of the famed Long Island Scotto family).  We landed here randomly for a very soft opening last night while they were working out some of the kinks of a pre-opening night but we can attest that their pizzas were right on target.  We're pretty sure that once all of the issues of being a new restaurant are worked out, this will be another busy spot on Corporate Drive.

Click here to follow Luzzo's on twitter and click here to follow EastofNYC!

Pictures to follow shortly and this post will be updated.

Recommended Website: Looks Delicious

Sam Jacobs, frequent author on this very site as well as the Editor in Chief for us over at Eating Brooklyn has launched a new photo site on tumblr, Looks Delicious.  He's posting great shots of food and drink daily so you won't be disappointed if you breeze on by to take a look.  Beware, it might make you a bit hungry!

Upcoming Dining Event: A Taste of Wantagh on September 22nd

If you make your way over to Mulcahy's in Wantagh on September 22nd from 5-8pm you'll be able to take part in a dining event offering some great food.  A slew of local restaurants are lending their hand and their cuisine for this event that will help the Chamber for the local area with some future projects.  The tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. You can pick up tickets at Iavarone Bros. in Wantagh. [via Wantagh.LI]

Sunday Brunch on Long Island: The Catch in Port Jefferson

To view all of our brunch picks, please click here.

Sunday brunch is about to get more interesting with the introduction of the All You Can Eat Seafood Brunch at The Catch in Port Jefferson.  Not only is this an all you can eat for $19.50, but you can add on the option of lobsters and crabs for just an additional $10.  That sounds like a great deal to us.  Sunday brunch is happening from 10am-4pm on Sundays. 631-64CATCH

Upcoming Event: 2009 NYC Wine and Food Festival (October 8-11)

We're proud to be a media sponsor of the 2009 Wine and Food Festival being held in NYC on October 8th-11th.  If you've never been to this event before, it's exactly as it sounds; a wine and food festival featuring some of the best foods and drinks in this part of the land.  Food Network is a title host and it is not surprising that a slew of programming stars are set to take the stage this year to host portions of the event.  We went to this event last year and had a blast.

You can also take great pride in attending these events as it is organized by and for Food Bank For NYC a non-profit determined to eradicate Food Poverty. To learn more about the event or to simply donate, click on through to their website to find out how you can help. 

Notable Opening: Tasty Crepes in Carle Place

A new addition to the Barnes & Noble shopping center on Old Country Road in Carle Place has opened up for business.  Replacing a frozen yogurt shop, Tasty Crepes is open from early until late serving a variety of crepes designed for breakfast, lunch , dinner and dessert.  Outdoor seating is available while the weather is right, so check out this new favorite as soon as you can. 516-858-3015