34 New Street

As we approached 34 New Street we didn't quite know what to expect. We entered what appeared to be a typical pizzeria - pies behind glass, pizza ovens, etc. With that, we expected what has become a Long Island staple - the casual Italian restaurant. However, 34 New Street not only breaks the mold, but does so in a refreshing fashion. The concept of 34 New Street is a cool, relaxed eatery which offers something for everyone from personal pizzas to pistachio-crusted seared tuna with many surprises in between.

There is a friendly vibe to 34 New Street. Husband and wife team Steve Camas and Siobhan Mulroy started the business with no prior restaurant experience, learning as they went along, listening to their customers and encouraging feedback from their staff. Their plan seems to have paid off - we watched as a couple who said they had been regulars since the restaurant opened some seven years ago gave menu tips to a group at the the next table. Our server Nicole knew the menu inside and out and had ready answers to all our questions. The bus staff - the unsung heros of the dining room floor - paid close attention to our table. Even Steve's brother gets into the act, stopping by to help out on the floor and behind the bar.

Our meal began with the Sweet Brie with Almonds appetizer. Brown sugar, sliced almonds, and sliced brie are melted on a crisp grilled flatbread. This heavenly little dish is so popular it's on the menu as both an appetizer and a dessert. Fried calamari breaks ranks from the norm as it is drizzled with a spicy sesame glaze and served alongside an orange-ginger dipping sauce (it is available plain with marinara sauce for traditionalists). Other noteworthy appetizers include shrimp and crab cakes served with a cajun remoulade and grilled portobello with herbed goat cheese.

In 2003, Zagat rated 34 New Street one of the "Top Bangs for Your Buck." This still holds true and couldn't be more evident than in their personal pizzas. These mini pies range from $8 to $14. The selection is quite broad including eggplant florentine, honey dijon chicken and potato au gratin. We sampled the grilled vegetable pizza- an abundance of squash, peppers, zucchini and tomatoes with mozzarella atop a perfect homemade whole wheat crust sprinkled with sesame seeds. Quite delicious and a steal at only $11.

The menu's entrees are innovative and diverse. Executive Chef Richard Niznik turns out a somewhat eclectic selection of dishes using a palette that is both global and local and that will bring you back to 34 New Street time and time again. We had one of the evening's specials: cornmeal and mustard encrusted catfish, served with creole potatoes, maroon carrots and brussel sprouts. It was a standout dish, one that we would return for. The crisp crust broke to reveal moist, flaky white fish. The potatoes had authentic creole spices along with strips of tasso ham. We also sampled the Korean marinated Bistro Filet. This unusual cut of fork-tender beef was accompanied by an Asian-style cabbage and baby shrimp pancake and then drizzled with a fiery chili-garlic aioli. For the traditionalist, there's Penne a la Vodka, juicy Angus burgers and Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon. For the adventurist, you'll find such fare as Kentucky Hills Duck or Spicy Shrimp Creole with Dirty Rice. On Fridays and Saturdays there is a popular Prime Rib special.

Deserts come from a variety of sources including the owner's Mother. She is responsible for the must try Revani, a moist Greek lemon cake that gets a nice lift from a little Grand Marnier. The kitchen also turns out a made to order Apple Pie Pizza. They feature custom roasted coffee by Berceto Coffee a small, family run Huntington area business. The hand roasted artisan blend is served drip or french-press and will delight even the most critical coffee connoisseur.

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Dinner reservations are accepted every night and you are encouraged to call ahead particularly on weekends or for larger parties of five or more guests. There is an inviting full bar with a menu of tempting "Shaker" drinks if you are looking for a cocktail before the movies or a show. 34 New Street does offer on-site catering and if you are planning a bridal shower, birthday party or other event, you would do well to consider them. With 2 dining rooms, they can accommodate private parties for up to 60 guests, and you'll receive the attention and service only a family operated restaurant can offer.

With it's diverse dining room menu, satisfying pizzas and friendly staff, 34 New Street is a standout destination among Huntington's crowded restaurant scene.

34 New Street
Huntington, NY
(631) 427-3434

Healy's Inn

As the song goes, “sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.” Healy’s Inn is such a place. Patrons are greeted warmly by both the staff and the other customers as they arrive. If you are a newcomer, not to worry, soon you’ll feel right at home.

This is a neighborhood restaurant were the locals turn out to enjoy simple, well-prepared food at very reasonable prices. The busy bar was packed when we arrived and by the time we were leaving the rear dining room was full. Though the inviting bar is definitely a great place to stop in for a cocktail, make no mistake Healy's is a family restaurant and features a “Kid’s Corner” menu with a number of items, all of which include a drink and ice cream for desert for only $7.

The menu includes a selection of pub staples to start your meal including Bacon & Cheddar Potato Skins, Fried Calamari and Chicken Wings, which are available with your choice of 6 different sauces. We enjoyed the Steamed Clams – the plump Little Necks swimming in a delectable garlic broth. We also tried the unique Bourbon Hog Wings – mini pork shanks, sauced to perfection with a tangy-sweet glaze. A bowl of spicy Red Bean soup had just the right amount of heat and was a great beginning on a cool fall evening.

For entrees Healy’s has all the bases covered. Beef lovers can choose from a selection of Black Angus offerings including top sirloin steaks and an assortment of tasty burgers. There are enticing chicken and seafood specialties including Irish Whisky Chicken and the house special Fish & Chips. A number of fresh salad selections are available, all featuring home-made dressings. One of the evening’s specials, Pot Roast, was a winner – the fork tender beef was served with freshly made “smashed” potatoes, creamed spinach and red cabbage. We were also pleased with the French Dip, slices of Black Angus beef served with a perfectly seasoned au jus.

Our waitress Janet, a ten-year veteran of Healy’s, was a joy. She took the time to explain some of the menu items and shared some stories about the restaurant and their customers. Besides the daily specials, Healy’s has a number of theme nights – Monday is Mexican Dinner Specials Night, Wednesdays is “All-You-Can-Eat Pasta Night” which includes salad and complementary glass of wine for only $11. Thursday is “Beer & A Burger” night where you can enjoy one of their Black Angus burgers and a beer at a discounted price. Speaking of beer, Healy’s prides itself in their ever-changing selection of draft beers. There is a happy hour from 4PM to 7PM, Monday through Friday and Janet told us that it’s not uncommon for the bar to offer specials during big sporting events on the weekends.

Good food, good prices and a good bunch of people. It won’t be too long before we’re back at Healy’s Inn – and chances are next time they will know our name. Cheers!

Healy's Inn

54A Broadway, Greenlawn

(631) 754-2700

Mac's Steakhouse

If you haven't been to Mac's Steakhouse yet you are missing out on one of the area's most satisfying dining experiences. This beautiful restaurant certainly lives up to it's name, but there are many reasons beyond the beef to make the trip. Here exists a unique blend of world-class food and service, along with a vibrant and accessible wine list while somehow managing to shake off the stiff nature of most steakhouses. This is mainly due to the passion of owners Scott Young and Ron Gelish, who share not only a love for steak and wine, but an understanding of what a great meal is truly all about.

 

You will want to arrive early to have a cocktail at the elegant yet inviting bar, which feels as though its connected to a grand hotel. The chalkboard lists a number of wines available by the glass or you can sample one of their signature cocktails. On most nights there is live music in the bar and those looking for a more casual affair can order from the full menu. Give yourself a moment to take in your surroundings as you make your way to the main dining room - rich woods, warm colors and sloping curves 

 

There are a number of enticing ways to begin your meal, including selections from the raw bar, topped by a seafood platter that can be ordered for 2 or 4 which includes lobster, little neck clams, oysters, chilled shrimp and jumbo lump crabmeat. Oysters Rockefeller are present, as are delectable braised shortribs. We especially enjoyed the wasabi-sesame encrusted Hawaiian White Tuna, slightly seared with a buttery, melt-in-the-mouth texture. The satisfying crab cakes were brimming with succulent lump crab meat. A sashimi of Kona Kamopachi - a farm-raised yellow tail from the big island of Hawaii, is an unexpected treat.

 

Mac's salad selection includes the classic caesar and steakhouse wedge, both fine choices. We found the Mac's Salad - a chopped salad that mixed shrimp, tomatoes, avaocado, grilled veggies and goat cheese to be refreshing change of pace.

 

Steak is the main event at Mac's. They serve Niman Ranch dry aged steaks exclusively, traditionally raised livestock that have no antibiotics or added hormones. The dry aging process concentrates the flavor of the meat, the result not unlike drinking a well-aged wine. All of the usual suspects are here - a porterhouse that can be ordered for one, two, three or four, a massive 30 oz t-bone, filet mignon, sirloin and a bone-in ribeye. Mac's also offers a 30-day and 60-day aged strip steaks. We sampled the 30-day and it was easily among the best steaks we have ever tasted. Perfectly cooked with a dark charred crust it was a full-flavored and truly satisfying. Also getting high marks was the veal chop 

 

For those looking for something different, the kitchen also offers a fine selection of seafood dishes. The Hawaiian White Tuna and Kona Kampachi make appearances as entrees, along with grilled salmon and yellow fin tuna. There is also a free range roasted chicken and a grilled vegetable plate. Maine lobster is available steamed, stuff with crabmeat or as a surf and turf combo. A sirloin steak burger, topped with onions, mushrooms and your choice of american, blue or gruyere cheese is a winner - and a bona fide bargain as well at $15.

 

We have friends who feel a steakhouse is only as good as it's side dishes - and whether that is true or not, Mac's has nothing to worry about. They offer up more than you can possibly try in one sitting (unless you are traveling with a crowd) and you'll find a mix of the standards - tasty creamed or sauteed spinach, addictive sweet potato fries and perfectly grilled asparagus - along with some interesting alternatives - a sweet rum baked plantain, smoky and delicious black truffle mac and cheese and the odd sounding, but worth a try "burnt" broccoli.

 

Though any night can feel special at Mac's on Mondays diners can try Chef Ron's 4-Course Wine Dinner where he personally selects wines by the glass to accompany menu and special selections. On "Wine Enthusiast Wednesdays"   all bottled wine from their impressive list are 15% off. They have just announced a special $99 surf and turf dinner for two. Sign up for their newsletter on their website www.macssteakhouse.com to get notices about upcoming events.

 

Mac's is capable of hosting parties of up to a 100 - the upstairs dining room has it's own kitchen and restrooms which allow guests to receive truly special treatment. There is also a hidden screen and projector, which makes the room well suited for corporate presentations. A private table in the glassed-in wine room that can seat up to a dozen guests makes for a special night out.

 

When it was time for dessert we asked our server if we could move to the bar in order to catch some of the live music which on this evening was provided by the superbly talented duo, "The Banshee Brothers." He was more than willing to accommodate us, no surprise as the service from all of the waitstaff had been nothing short of excellent the entire night. We enjoyed a perfectly pulled expresso along with a vermont maple and banana creme brulee and a home-style apple crisp, filled with sweet crunchy apples and topped with a dollop of rich vanilla ice cream.

 

Mac's may not be your father's steakhouse, but it is certainly a great place to take Dad - or anyone else - for a great meal.