Dining & Nightlife | Foodie Gossip

Valentine’s Day on LI is always big for restaurants and caterers. Two establishments have taken it beyond the basic price fixe to their own unique versions of Valentine fun. New openings and technological advancements also abound.
Just in time for the start of the second decade of the 21st century, Vittorio’s Restaurant & Wine Bar in Amityville (631) 264-3333 has become one of the first, if not the first, restaurant on Long Island to have an iPhone app. Users can access Vittorio’s social networking sites, their online store, post comments, and more. It is available in the iPhone App Store as “Vittorios.”

A new year brings some brand new eateries to our sandbar, each wildly different from the other. The crème de la crème of Long Island bakeries is featured at Long Island’s Best Desserts in Port Jefferson (631) 403-4316. Serving dessert and only dessert, decadent cakes such as Death By Chocolate and Carrot Cake dot the menu, alongside one of the broadest selections of cheesecakes available from any one menu in the area from the New York Classic to a marriage of Bananas Foster and cheesecake and everything in between. In a more savory vein is Rare650 in Syosset (516) 496-8000, the latest creation of steakhouse specialist Anthony Scotto. Within its sumptuous environs, premium aged steaks are available, as well as sushi, sashimi and Mediterranean-inspired seafood.

And what would a February foodie column be without highlighting ways to have a romantic evening with your valentine? East Wind in Wading River (631) 929-6585 is holding a Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance on February 13 from 7-11pm. Their first class chefs will prepare a four-hour feast and there will be an open bar. Dancing will follow. Or if you want to want to have a quiet evening at home, Citarella, with locations in East Hampton (631) 324-9190 and Water Mill (631) 726-3636 is offering a Valentine’s Day catering menu. Orders may be placed up to three days in advance and contain several varieties of caviar and foie gras for an appetizer, choice cuts including filet mignon and rack of lamb for a meat course, oysters by the dozen and an extensive dessert selection—Godiva chocolates, cakes, cookies, specially-made cupcakes and more.