East of NYC - The Buzz

Roots in Sea Cliff

Eating Long Island, our sister site that is devoted solely to dining on Long Island, has just posted a review of Roots in Sea Cliff, an exceptional slow-food restaurant that blew their minds. Located on the north shore by Glen Head and Roslyn Harbor, click here to read the review and see the pictures of the delicious cuisine.

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.

La Bottega Takes Over Panino Cafe in Roosevelt Field Mall

La Bottega, which we just wrote about a couple of weeks ago in our post "La Bottega Keeps Expanding" is expanding even further than we thought.  On a recent trip to the Roosevelt Field Mall we spotted the familiar signage where Panino Cafe stood until just a few days ago.  Located just across from the Apple store you can enjoy their fine italian food while surfing the wi-fi from the Apple network.  That my friends, is the perfect combination.

Notable Opening: Porto Vivo in Huntington

Update: We've reviewed Porto Vivo.  To see our impressions, please click here.

We're counting down the days until August 22nd when Porto Vivo swings its doors open in the old Gerard Street Antiques in Huntington. The newest addition to the famed Huntington dining scene, this masterpiece will be crafted by Executive Chef Steven Lecchi, who has had some famous clients when not overseeing some of Tuscany's top restaurants.

The three-floored restaurant will be open for dinner nightly and if you stay late enough, you'll be able to lounge by the bar after-hours. 631-385-8486

La Bottega Keeps Expanding

I don't know about you, but I spend a good deal of my time driving around Long Island.  In the past two months on both shores of this great island, I have come across a trend in the restaurant world.  La Bottega, which began modestly in Garden City and then slowly opened a select few stores, is expanding beyond its comfort zone.  New restaurants in Floral Park, Massapequa, Huntington and Roslyn are cementing this as one of the "restaurants to watch" for 2009-2010.  I'm personally excited to see how far they can grow as they are one of the restaurants that I enjoy for take out or for a quick bit inside the small restaurant. The fresh breads and paninis seal the deal at this italian shop.

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