Restaurant Week on Long Island: A Feast For The Senses
For foodies on Long Island, NY, the bi-annual Restaurant Week is one of the highlights of the culinary calendar. Over 100 restaurants participated in Nassau and Suffolk county. This event showcased the diverse and dynamic dining scene of Long Island, offering prix-fixe menus at an affordable price point. This week was truly a feast for the senses!
Long Island’s finest restaurants opened their doors to diners who were eager to sample the best of the island’s cuisine. This year’s Spring Restaurant Week on Long Island ran from April 23rd through April 30, 2023. It featured an array of menus that celebrated local and seasonal ingredients, highlighting the creativity and skill of the island’s chefs.
Participating restaurants offered a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu at $37.00 and $44.00. Some also offered a $27.00 prix-fixe lunch menu. The menus included a range of options to suit every palate, from classic comfort food to innovative, fusion-inspired dishes.
Long Island’s dining scene is known for its emphasis on local ingredients. Restaurant Week allows diners to experience just that. Many of the menus featured farm-to-table dishes, showcasing the island’s abundance of fresh produce, seafood, and meats. From heirloom tomato salad to pan-seared scallops, Long Island’s local bounty was on full display.
However, Restaurant Week isn’t just about the food. It’s an opportunity for diners to discover new chic dining settings in the participating restaurants, experience different cuisines, and taste a sample of Long Island’s vibrant culinary scene. Participating restaurants offered a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it a perfect time for families, friends, and couples to enjoy a night out.
Whether you’re a Long Island native or a visitor, Restaurant Week offers a great opportunity to explore some of the hottest dining venues locally. It’s a chance to savor the island’s flavors, support local businesses, and indulge in some of the best dining experiences on the East Coast. Keep an eye out for the next Restaurant Week in November and get ready to feast your way through Long Island. Here are the two restaurants my friends and I were able to patronize. Due to time constraints, family life and busy schedules, we opted to focus on Nassau county. The restaurants chosen were Vincent’s in Wantagh and Paddy’s Loft in Massapequa.
Vincent’s Steakhouse
Address: 1919 Wantagh Ave, Wantagh, NY 11793
Phone: (516) 226- 3485
General Overview:
Cost: $$$$
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Environment: Family, Date Night, Solo Diner, Special Occasion
Attire: Casual to Dressy
Live Music: Yes
Parking: In the front and back of restaurant
Portions: generous
Need reservation: Yes
Detailed Review:
We decided to give Vincent’s Steakhouse a try, especially since there were so many excellent reviews on Facebook in the local groups. My friend and I are both part of Long Island Foodies, so it is nice to give great feedback for a place that truly deserves it. The staff are very hard working and accommodating.
Vincent, the owner, made space for us even though we made a last-minute reservation. He is truly a great guy who runs a wonderful establishment. There is limited parking out front but plenty out back. The interior of the restaurant is simple but classy.
On Friday nights, there are live bands. Tonight’s band played a lot of songs from the Rat Pack. It was quite a sophisticated atmosphere.
There is no dress code, but most people dressed appropriately. There were a few young couples dressed in jeans, but that’s their generation for you.
Vincent’s has a very nice cocktail selection and wine selection to choose from. On their main menu, the appetizers are very appealing. You may wind up trying more than you can eat.
Tonight, we opted to try their pre-fixe menu for Restaurant Week. Everything was delicious! Jessica, our beautiful and ever so polite server, recommended the Beer Cheese Soup. It was spectacular, to say the least. I normally would never have tried it, but all of her suggestions were spot on.
MusselsMy friend ordered the mussels, which was served with a zesty broth. Just the smell of the garlic made your mouth water. They served us cornbread with jalapeños accompanied with a cinnamon butter. The bread was fabulous, but I’m not a fan of the cinnamon butter, so we opted for regular whipped butter. The portions are not skimpy whatsoever. In fact, there was a lot of food leftover that we took home.
This is the perfect spot for date night, getting together with friends or family or even dining alone. The music just makes the environment very inviting. I look forward to coming back here very soon. The reviews did not do this place justice. It was that good. I’d have to say this is in my top 10 restaurants on Long Island.
Paddy’s Loft
1286 Hicksville Rd, Massapequa, NY 11758
(516) 798-7660
General Overview:
Cost: $$$
Cuisine: Irish Pub
Environment: Family, Date Night, Solo Diner, Special Occasion
Attire: Casual
Live Music: Call for updates
Parking: In the front and back of restaurant
Portions: generous
Need reservation: Yes
Detailed Review:
My family and I came here to celebrate my nephew’s birthday. We opted for the Restaurant Week menu and had a fabulous time! Our server’s name was Margaret. She did not miss a beat and provided excellent service.
The ambiance was so quaint and tranquil. They played authentic Irish music and the decor was very cozy. We were served warm Irish Soda bread and rolls with butter. The Irish Soda bread was delicious, to say the least. Next came the soup. Half of us ordered the onion soup which had gobs of mozzarella oozing all over. They loved it!
I ordered the Irish Potato Soup. I think I could have ordered a large soup and called it a day. It was absolutely mouth watering. Very savory and had so much bacon in it. It was very well made.
Next came the entrees. We ordered the Roast Beef Platter and the Meatloaf Platter.
The gravy was perfect and had a nice consistency. Extra gravy was brought out for the creamy mashed potatoes. They were good! They also served buttery sweet carrots and broccoli. The whole meal was so satisfying, especially on a drizzly cold Saturday. Afterwards, dessert was served. It consisted of a brownie or rice pudding. They were homemade and of course, delicious.
Overall, this place is the next best thing to eating at home. There is even a back room for parties. I really enjoyed everything about my dining experience. Parking is limited in the front but plenty in the back. I will be back. This place is a hidden gem!
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