Dining & Nightlife | Foodie Gossip

As the puddles dry and we finally emerge from the dank and blustery purgatory on the island known as March and April, there may be no better way of entering the worthwhile part of spring than celebrating the season’s best month to its fullest. And there is more than ample opportunity on Long Island to commemorate May’s most noteworthy dates with great food, budding landscapes and of course ample wine & spirits.
Masterminded by Executive Chef Jeff Eustler from Bob’s Place Restaurant in Floral Park (516) 354-8185 are specials featuring local produce at price points that are sympathetic to the current state of the economy. These “small plate” items include Baby spinach salad with melted brie, toasted almonds, strawberries and cucumbers in a light pomegranate vinaigrette and Thai duck spring roll with hoisin marinated duck confit, ginger, carrots, scallions and Asian cucumber slaw with a ponzu dipping sauce.
Mother’s Day and Memorial Day highlight the early and the end of May, respectively. Bring mom to The Montauk Yacht Club in Montauk (631) 668-3100. Its 80-year history and picturesque landscape will impress her as much as The Gulf Coast Kitchen’s take on Montauk fare with a “southern coastal twist.” Pace’s Steakhouse (631) 321-9100 of Port Jefferson is a particularly nice fit for Memorial Day because of its Monday Lobster Clambake, which includes seven dishes for $37.95. If you’re busy barbequing on the holiday weekend, go to Pace’s for Wine Dine Thursday’s where all bottles of wine $150 and under are half price!
Finally, embrace the cultural cuisine of the Far East and our neighbors South of the Border, as May is also Asian Pacific Heritage Month and the celebration of Mexican Independence (Cinco de Mayo). Cooking demonstrations at Mumon Japanese Restaurant (516) 747-3388 of Garden City on May 4th and Loaves & Fishes Cookshop in Garden City (516) 877-1010 on May 2nd are two ways to dive headlong into May’s cultural flavor.