East of NYC - The Buzz

Merrick Sushi Bar & Tea

Our sister-site Eating Long Island just posted an overview of their experience at Merrick Sushi Bar & Tea.  To check it out, follow the link.

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

Coming Soon: Red Mango Frozen Yogurt in Oceanside

We just got a tip that Red Mango, our favorite frozen yogurt shop is adding to its Long Island locations with a new location in the Sands shopping center in Oceanside.  This is great news for us as we live on the South Shore and won't need to travel to Plainview any longer for our fix. Keep and eye out for it to open very soon.

Gabrielle's Brasserie & WIne Bar in Rockville Centre

Our sister site Eating Long Island has just posted their review of Gabrielle's Trattoria and Wine Bar in Rockville Centre.  What did they think about it?  You'll have to click here to find out!

Upcoming Event: Middle Neck Rd. Promenade in Great Neck (June 11th, 2009)

On Thursday, June 11th from 6:30pm - 10:30pm you'll be able to enjoy outdoor cafe style dining, Prix-fixe dinners, live music and more as Middle Neck Rd. in Great Neck turns into a lively scene.  For one night only step outside and enjoy the warm summer air with some of the best eats on the North Shore.

Notable Opening: Brasserie Persil in Oceanside

I must have heard about Brasserie Persil from three separate groups of people this week.  For a small restaurant located in Oceanside that hasn't been open for that long, this is quite a lot of favorable buzz.  French cuisine isn't an overdone scene on Long Island and we're looking forward to trying it out at our next opportunity.  Until then, if you hear of any new restaurants that are creating buzz around your neck of the woods, shoot us a note! 516-992-1742

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!

WEST EAST BISTRO in Hicksville

WEST EAST BISTRO stands alone in a somewhat new commercial strip on Rte. 107 in Hicksville and we are sensing that it has risen above the area's restaurants to become the best Asian restaurant for miles.  The brainchild of Danny Wu, a technology expert-turned restaurateur, this shining star has been open for about a year now and seems poised to take charge in this ever-expanding and slightly bloated market.

Cosi in Great Neck: Friday Night Flatbread Pizza Night

I just came back from a casual dinner at Cosi in Great Neck, one of my favorite mass produced sandwich shops around.  I used to go to Cosi all of the time in the city when I lived there and was happy when they opened in Great Neck and then in Plainview out here.  I saw on the window a special that on Friday nights after 5pm you can order one flatbread pizza and you get the second one for free.  Here's the catch though; you have to mention it at the time of your order or you don't get it.  I happened to notice it only when I was being served my pizza and they told me that the conditions are set, and I'd have to return another time for my run at a free pizza.  I should've told them that they could keep their pizza and that I'd head on over to Kentucky Fried Chicken instead.

Mumon Japanese Restaurant in Garden City

Tucked neatly in the back lobby of a Winthrop Hospital building in Garden City lies Mumon Japanese Cuisine.  Open for the better part of the last three months, Mumon is a bright star in the local asian cuisine arena on the island. Owned by a distributor of seafood up and down the east coast, it seems a likely fit and an assurance that Mumon will receive the finest seafood available on a continual basis.

Our visit was early on a Friday night, around 6pm.  Because it was so early the restaurant was mostly empty with a few tables scattered throughout with small parties.  The dark bar/lounge area in the front of the restaurant was mostly vacant as well.  The design of the restaurant is glamorous, with reds and dark woods strewn throughout.  You certainly feel as though you are in the middle of a elegantly designed asian restaurant and many of the interior spaces feel very private as a result of the different wood dividers and hidden spaces.