East of NYC - The Buzz

Notable Lunch Spot: Louie's Pizzeria in Carle Place

With Starbucks closing recently in the Glen Country Center on Old Country Rd. (the Barnes & Nobles shopping center) a vacancy has turned into a pretty happening pizzeria.  Louie's Pizzeria is the newest addition to this center, which has a fair amount of dining choices.  The lines have been long since they opened and the pies, calzones, pannini's, salads and other goodies should leave you with enough choices for multiple trips.

On our maiden voyage, we tried a sicilian slice and a chicken parm slice.  It wasn't the best pizza that we had ever experienced, but for a quick lunch on the go, it hit the spot. 516-248-2676

GMAP

novita in Garden City

Our sister-site Eating Long Island has just posted a review of novita wine bar and trattoria in Garden City. You can check it out by clicking here. Enjoy!

Matto in East Hampton Brings The Awards Home

Matto in East Hampton has just become the only Hamptons restaurant to obtain the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.  One of the highest hospitality awards in the world, Matto has received this prestigious honor for their service, cuisine and their commitment to the hospitality industry.  If you're in the mood for a Five Star restaurant out east, it looks like there's only one place for you to go.  Now get moving! 631-329-0200

Ciao Baby in Commack

This post originally appeared on our sister-site Eating Long Island.

Where's the recession? If there's a recession then Ciao Baby in Commack missed the memo. At 6:45pm on a Saturday night this location was hopping and a line was formed along the wall. 

This surge in clientele could have a few reasons. First, Ciao Baby has been well known on the island for many years for their larger than life portions, trendy décor and pretty reasonable prices. Next, Ciao Baby has carried over their prix-fixe menu from Restaurant Week. For $24.99 per person you get an appetizer, entrée and dessert. The prix-fixe runs all day 6 days per week and until 7pm on Saturday nights. 

Depending on the location that you visit, the decor differs slightly. We've been to their locations in Carle Place and Commack and they share one central motif; Sopranos posters and various other Italian memorabilia. This Commack location is smaller than their counterpart in Nassau County, but is equal in service and style. The waitstaff will wait on you in teams and there is never someone out of your reach should you need anything. Sometimes it can feel too crowded though with staff and be warned that if you sit in the bar area as we did, you are bound to have them hanging out behind you. There were times when I felt as though I was involved in their conversations. 

For our meal, we chose the prix-fixe option rather than ordering off of the regular menu. In terms of value, this is certainly the way to go. Had my wife and I both ordered an appetizer, entree and dessert we might have been paying as much as 50% more for the same meal. For our appetizer we devoured the Fried Calamari (voted best calamari on the island for the past three years by another unnamed local publication). It was a heaping portion served with two sauces; a Fra Diablo and a marinara. For entrees we chose the Ricotta-stuffed Rigatoni as well as the Chicken Scarpariello, which was served with spiced sausage, potatoes and peppers. In the picture below you'll find what was left after we ate until we were stuffed. We had no complaints on any of the servings in our meal with the exception that we wished there was more chicken in the chicken dish. 

While dessert is a favorite pastime of mine, we were just too stuffed and needed to get those to go. Since we were a party of two, we were entitled to take two desserts with us, which we happily agreed to. Maybe we'll have more on that later...631-543-1400 

204 E. Jericho Tpke. Commack {GMAP}

Original Brooklyn II Pizza & Restaurant in North Babylon

Original Brooklyn II, a restaurant in a non-descript shopping center in North Babylon caught us by surprise. We have never been to the area, and had stopped by for a trip to the Arches Outlet Center in Deer Park. A small restaurant, it is broken down into two areas; a smaller counter area and a dining room separated by a half-wall. When we stopped in there were about four or five different types of pizza available on the counter. We chose a spinach pizza, chicken cutlet and a plain slice. We were all pleasantly surprised with the great taste and simple delivery of the pizza. Not too much cheese and not too doughy. In the past few months we have had a lot of pizza and this was near the top of our list. 631-242-4262

Pizza Plus in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Roaming around The Slope will leave you with a multitude of dining options. Waiting for a meeting tonight I wandered past a good thirty or so restaurants; looking at menus and then moving on before choosing this local Italian goodie. What made me go into Pizza Plus was the casual atmosphere, large menu adorning the walls and the clean and bright décor, highlighted by the light woods and faux brick wall.

True to its name there are plenty of options for your meal. Pizza, of course is the most popular while salads, chicken entrees and pasta dishes are also widely scattered througout the huge menu.

Service is offered for those that eat in the restaurant while all delivery and carry out meals are ordered at the large counter that occupies a majority of the interior space. This was a very quick meal as we were in and out in under 20 minutes. It's a great place if you're in a rush. 718-768-5327

Jonathan's Ristorante in Huntington

One of the great italian restaurants on Long Island, Jonathan's caters to the upscale customer with its large menu and sophisticated atmosphere. Owner Roberto Ornado who comes to Huntington after many years of study with renowned chefs oversees the operation that includes lunch and dinner daily (dinner only on Sunday.)

Upon walking into the restaurant, the long mahogany bar greets you like an old friend. Sit down and relax with your company for a drink before you make your way to the back of the restaurant for a great meal.

Jonathan's is also available to host your private parties and business events as well, so bring everyone you know and share the joy.

Click here to view their menu.

Notable Opening: Mercato in Massapequa Park

Mercato in Massapequa Park is now open in the space that used to house Butera's. Looking ahead, we see a lot of good things coming from this new establishment.  A fine selection of italian dishes at the right price is just what the island needs at this time.  516-308-3582

Thanksgiving Dinner at aMano Osteria in Mattituck

If you don't feel like cooking this year for your entire family, you might want to host your Thanksgiving Dinner at aMano Osteria and Wine Bar in Mattituck.  Long Island chef extraordinaire Tom Schaudel and his partner Adam Lovett will be utilizing local ingredients to whip up some inventive cuisine for you to partake in.  All you have to do is show up and they will do the rest.  This sounds like the perfect Thanksgiving to us.  631-298-4800

Click Here to download their Thanksgiving menu.

Ciro's in East Meadow

When we need a kid-friendly restaurant to go to, we always keep Ciro's in East Meadow at the top of our lists. You can have your choice of eat-in or takeout at this popular local eatery. There is table service on your left, the pizza counter on your right. The menu consists of more than just pizza, with your regular italian staples such as parmigiana and pasta dishes. The selections of pizza are enormous, and you'll have more luck getting the popular dishes the earlier that you go. As an added bonus, save room for dessert and move a storefront to your left for a nice helping of Carvel ice cream. 516-565-4400

Click here to view their menu.